Video & Transcript Research : 'Government Code Chapter 794'
Page 199 of 500
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Out of Elections and Government Affairs, two favorable, two on its merits.
- of Elections and Government Affairs, two favorable, two on its merits.
- I do see a requirement under Chapter Section 36, which is good.
- I'm not telling the federal government what to do.
- However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/03/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- inappropriately inserts the government inappropriately inserts the government into<01:32:47.239>
- Having the government mandate private citizens’ health care choices is not the answer.
- relevant Fields um having the government relevant Fields um having the government mandate<01:43:
- this intended uh uh new chapter this intended uh uh new chapter prohibiting<04:09:40.520>
medical - <04:30:47.279>
relations senior director of government relations senior director of government
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh the idea is that they're going above and beyond the code in exchange for uh what would typically be
- in exchange for uh what would code in exchange for uh what would typically<00:03:40.640>
be <00 - to enforce the protections under chapter to enforce the protections under chapter 515b.<00:41:14.560
- These quasi-government organizations—these HOAs are—and kind of where I went down a rabbit hole.
- Chair, we don't consider them government organizations. I mean, we do consider them private.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1308 Conference Committee Apr 16th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- difference in these amendments, so we work with youth specifically, under the North Dakota Century Code
- We reference a certain code. Yeah, Mr. Chairman, and I'd look to our legal assistance on this.
- Reference a certain code? Yeah, Mr. Chairman, and I'd look to our legal assistance on this.
- You want the definition of students from that chapter or how materials are distributed from that chapter
- No, I can probably find something in our other code that we're working on.
Summary:
The conference committee on HB 1308 met to review Senate amendments related to the Human Trafficking Commission and continuing education language for regulated professions. Senator Beauchay explained that the bill would make the commission more independent and robust by changing permissive language to mandatory language, adding members from DHS/Children and Family Services, school districts, the State’s Attorneys Association, and the governor’s office, and designating the Attorney General or designee as presiding officer. The committee also discussed a new duty for the commission to provide annual human trafficking prevention and awareness education for students, with a proposed cross-reference to DPI curriculum law to avoid conflict with HB 2330.
Members raised questions about the size of the commission, quorum concerns, and how the existing human trafficking task force differs from the commission. Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks supported broader representation, especially from child welfare, schools, and tribal entities, and emphasized that trafficking of youth in North Dakota disproportionately affects Native youth. Committee members discussed the need for tribal representation, including a single representative chosen by tribal chairs, and suggested adding language to ensure that perspective. Boyd-Bomey also noted that the statute already references designees from state, local, and tribal agencies, though the committee considered making that more specific.
No final action was taken. Representative Davis was asked to draft possible language changes, and the committee agreed to stand at ease and reconvene later, but ultimately the chair announced that more time would be needed and that another meeting would be scheduled.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It also states that the rules governing It also states that the rules governing the<00:03:27.600
- . governance. governance.
- Those are defined in the taxes chapters.
- I don't think when we um chapters.
- and the internal IRS codes. and the internal IRS codes.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- rostrum, and I know that right now you are consulting with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code
- where they are responsible for monitoring and policing the municipalities on behalf of the federal government
- and making sure that the federal government is doing their job.
- my legislative director who spent hours culling through not just this section of the bill, but the chapter
- ...who spent hours culling through not just this section of the bill, but also through the entire chapter
Summary:
The Senate opened with recognitions of several young climate advocates visiting the State House and then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll, with remarks honoring her long public service and family legacy. The chamber then took up Senate No. 2947, An Act Regarding Fair Housing Practices in the Commonwealth, after a Ways and Means redraft. Senators supporting the bill described housing discrimination against voucher holders and Black applicants, emphasized the need for stronger enforcement, transparency, and fair housing education, and noted the bill’s goal of increasing penalties and public reporting for discriminatory brokers.
Several amendments were debated. Senator Tarr offered an amendment to require annual HUD-related compliance certifications from municipalities and public agencies, notification to the Attorney General of federal findings, corrective action plans, and possible enforcement consequences; it was defeated on a roll call, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral language amendment changing “salesmen” to “salespersons” was adopted. Senator Payano’s amendment to require publication of license suspensions as well as revocations for discriminatory conduct was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment that would have expanded housing protections for returning citizens. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries while preserving publication of revoked licensees’ names was adopted.
After the Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll-call vote of 37-0, later clarified as 38-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Current law does not require governing board members to publicly post their contact information.
- with other California governing bodies.
- This simply improves access to our governing board members.
- I think even in this code section, we've added, you know, one every other year.
- I think even in this code section, we've added, we've added, you know, one every other year.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- governments?
- governments.
- Companies all over the world are cozy with the Chinese government and with many other governments that
- that's in one of these listed governments?
- But I mean, our federal government is...
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721.
The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more.
Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to check with House counsel on this, but I believe PTs and OTs are housed in Chapter 112, and
- this only applies to Section 1, Chapter 111, the professionals in Section 1, Chapter 111.
- I don't think this would apply to them because they're housed in Chapter 112. Right.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association Code of
- billing codes for all medical procedures, set this as policy in 2018.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hybrid hearing on a wide range of bills focused on patient safety, workforce development, health equity, and access to care. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 2362/S. 1491, which would require health care providers to offer trained chaperones for sensitive exams. Sponsors and supporters said the bill is a common-sense safeguard prompted by cases of physician sexual abuse, and survivors gave emotional testimony describing grooming, isolation, and abuse during exams when no chaperone was present. Support also came from a health services researcher, a physician, and a RAINN representative, all arguing that trained chaperones and clearer documentation would improve transparency and protect patients. Committee members asked about clarifying who may serve as a chaperone and whether the bill would apply to other clinicians such as PTs and OTs.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 2401/S. 1485, which would require explicit informed consent for certain educational exams performed on unconscious patients. The bill’s supporters said patients should know in advance if students or physicians will conduct non-medically necessary exams while they are under anesthesia, and that the measure would protect survivors from retraumatization. The hearing then moved to H. 2537, a primary care access bill. Health Care for All, the Massachusetts Medical Society, pediatric and internal medicine physicians, and a patient advocate described long waits, provider shortages, and difficulty finding primary care, especially for low-income people and people of color. They supported the bill’s proposed primary care spending target, payment reforms, Medicaid graduate medical education funding, and a commercial payment floor for health centers.
Another set of bills addressed workforce and safety issues. H. 2397/S. 1593 would establish a nursing workforce center; nursing leaders said Massachusetts should make the current workforce council permanent to support data collection, apprenticeships, and long-term planning for the state’s largest health care workforce. H. 2396/S. 1535 would require safe patient handling and mobility programs in health facilities; nurses described serious injuries from lifting patients and said better equipment and programs would reduce staff injuries and improve patient outcomes. H. 2501/S. 1505 on LGBTQ+ health disparities drew support from a medical student and Doctors for America, who urged collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data to improve care and school outcomes. Finally, H. 2448/S. 1522 on patient safety and equitable access to care drew strong support from nursing organizations and individual nurses who described unsafe staffing, burnout, and patient harm, while the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems opposed the bill as redundant for psychiatric facilities already regulated by the Department of Mental Health.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Financial Services Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- on or after January 1, 2024, research and experimental expenditures for Alabama tax purposes under Chapter
- 16 and Chapter 18 of Title 40, Code of Alabama 1975, shall not... ...Code of Alabama 1975 shall not
Bills:
HB163
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- So I feel it's a good one for the community and obviously working with the Mexican government and our
- government.
- Tim Madden, representing the California chapter for the American College of Emergency Physicians and
- AB 1775 ensures that California will step up when the federal government fails our service members.
- Reducing shelter use in Asia saves funds at every level of the California government and aligns with
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to campaign finance, out of Elections and Government Affairs, two favorable, two on its merits.
- of Elections and Government Affairs, two favorable, two on its merits.
- I do see a requirement under Chapter Section 36, which is good.
- I'm not telling the federal government what to do.
- However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote.
The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates.
On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 108 Part 2 May 2nd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bills will be laid over upon the motion of the majority leader, and the code rule is relaxed. Mr.
- of Weld, Denver Health, Healthier Colorado, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, Larimer County Government
- College of Emergency Physicians American College of Emergency Physicians Colorado<00:49:25.640>
Chapter - , Colorado Chapter, Colorado Chapter, Anneo, Anneo, Anneo, Arapahoe<00:49:29.600>
County, - Larimer County Government Larimer County Government Mental<00:50:49.480>
Health <00:50:49.760
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House OKs bill to strengthen disability protections in Minnesota Human Rights Act 5/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment is coded RA26-029. I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Nadeau.
- The chapters of law that discriminatory.
- We can go have the whole chapter of law.
- line by line through this chapter line by line through this chapter because<00:09:33.760>
the - <00:35:44.280>
to as the closest branch of government to as the closest branch of government
Summary:
The House took Senate File 3210 off the table and then adopted an amendment from Representative Nadeau that added the word “reasonable” and a statutory reference clarifying who qualifies as a person with a disability. The bill, as amended, was then given third reading. The measure is described as relating to human rights and disability accommodations as protection from discrimination.
Representative Hicks, the bill’s author, said the proposal is intended to send a clear message that discrimination against people with disabilities is unlawful and that entities must engage in a good-faith process to identify reasonable accommodations. Supporters, including Representatives Finke, Feist, and Luetkemeyer, argued the bill reinforces existing law, reflects the interactive process already used in practice, and helps protect access in employment, public accommodations, schools, and other settings. Hicks also responded to questions from Representative Joy by describing the process as a simple conversation to meet a person’s needs.
Representative Niska opposed the bill, arguing that it is unclear whether it changes the meaning of other provisions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act beyond employment and that it could create ambiguity and more litigation for businesses, schools, and public entities. He said the legislature should be explicit if it intends to change those provisions and warned the bill could invite lawsuits rather than provide clarity. Representative Loegering-Nicolai responded that the bill would change the practice of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and that referencing the interactive process in public policy would provide a lens for assessing whether accommodations were handled in good faith. No final vote on passage was taken in the portion provided.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day- REASSEMBLE Part 1 Jun 30th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- An act to amend Title 21 of the Delaware Code.
- The legislation modernizes Chapter 57 of Title 15, which governs how election results are canvassed and
- So after this decision came out, of subordinate governments.
- General Assembly could not override local governments.
- This is a government, Governor veto override. This is a government veto override.
Summary:
The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline.
The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program.
The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects.
Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC-EIG Public Hearings 02-13-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I will public trust in government.
- So that would be an in uh chapter 346.
- And when rules governing commission.
- that are currently covered under our existing penal code.
- <01:34:40.800>
So, code address more serious things.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Assembly Local Government Committee hearing.
- We'll be presented here with the government. Please let it know.
- AB 2568 is a simple but important modernization of our water code.
- Every year, we ask our local governments to do more for less.
- So local governments are still free to do as they see fit.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable.
The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements.
AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- NAICS code report, we separate our industries based on NAICS code.
- NAICS code report, we separate our industries based on NAICS code.
- NAICS code report, we separate our industries based on NAICS code.
- NAICS code report, we separate our industries based on NAICS code.
- NAICS code report, we separate our industries based on NAICS code.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Electricity as Vehicle Fuel Working Group 10/15/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, the next sort of changes were to 296A, which is in the tax code.
- It's tax on which is uh in the tax code.
- While<00:29:20.399>
chapter <00:29:20.960>239 <00:29:21.679>in <00:29:21.919> - And then the other of for uh government.
- government starts to function again. government starts to function again.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDT DEFER, EDT-EDU, WLA-EDT-EDU, EDT Public Hearings 02-17-2026
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to governance design.
- Um develop chapter 91 the program.
- So, it excludes um some elective Code.
- <00:47:52.400>
of Internal Revenue Code definition of Internal Revenue Code definition of - :13.040>
should but tourism governance really should but tourism governance really should move
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information.
In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.