Video & Transcript Research : 'filing'
Page 202 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So who receives any information when I file in the state? You file a new entity.
- I file with the state. Isn't that y'all? We have...
- We have business filings that we... and again, I'm interim director of business and public filings and
- government filings.
- Thank you for the opportunity to lay out my filed version of 2587.
Bills:
HB216
Keywords:
HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice
Summary:
The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed.
A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending.
The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well.
Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/18/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Next is Senate File 907, Moorhead Cultural Mall. Next is Senate File 907, Moorhead Cultural Mall.
- This is Senate File 9007.
- Today we look at Senate File 1387.
- members today we look at Senate file members today we look at Senate file 1387<00:46:25.760>
- supporting uh Senate file supporting uh Senate file 1387<00:48:07.079>
uh <00:48:07.240>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We will be accepting public comment on any bill placed on the suspense file by the committee staff for
- updating the definition of group or class complaints, extending the deadline for a complainant to file
- a case in court during CRD's appeal process, and finally, allowing CRD to file a civil action alleging
- Defendants would retain the right to transfer venue after the case is filed.
- We have no file. Do we have anyone else in support? Any witnesses in opposition?
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 2, 2025, to consider 25 bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar of unanimously supported measures, including several Senate bills and committee bills, and then moved to individual items. SB 391, which would authorize the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for data requests from research partners, drew support from the author and the California Teachers Association, which withdrew its opposition after amendments; the bill passed on a roll call. SB 251, an annual appropriations bill to pay three state claims totaling a little over $1.2 million, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Finance and also passed.
The committee then deemed the suspense calendar approved, covering SBs 748, 329, 388, 439, 458, 454, and 563, and took public comment on suspense-file bills. Commenters voiced support for SB 88 on biomass and SB 80. The committee next heard SB 477, which would clarify the Fair Employment and Housing Act to help the Civil Rights Department investigate and prosecute discrimination and harassment cases more efficiently; the author described changes to deadlines, complaint definitions, and venue rules, and the bill passed. SB 831, which updates the definition of geological hazards to reflect climate-change-related risks and clarify the California Geological Survey’s duties, received support from industry and passed without recorded opposition.
Finally, SB 450, which clarifies California’s jurisdiction over adoption proceedings, including confirmatory adoptions for families who have moved out of state and requires all legal parents to be listed on adoption orders, was presented with support from Equality California and related groups. The bill was described as having no significant state cost and passed on a roll call. Several measures were approved with Republicans not voting, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to ask Chair Wolgamott if he would move his bill, House File 2431, to be before us and be recommended
- Um, then I will move that House File 2431 as amended be re-referred to the committee on Ways and Means
- c><00:03:57.599>
move <00:03:57.840>that <00:03:58.319>House <00:03:58.640>File - <00:03:59.720>
2431 <00:04:00.720>as then I will move that House File 2431 as then - I will move that House File 2431 as amended<00:04:01.519>
be <00:04:01.680>re-referred <
Bills:
HF2431
Keywords:
higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Reconsider motion to move HF4172 to restrict use of legislative email, phone numbers 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so I am going to make a motion to reconsider laying over my bill, House File 4172.
- Um, so I am going to make a motion to reconsider laying over my bill, House File 4172.
- So, I will with um, So, I am putting a motion to reconsider House File 4172.
- The motion prevails and House File 4172 will be moved to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's what you see me filing.
- I'm here to support the bill Representative Consolvo filed.
- Thank you so much for filing this and your testimony.
- Thank you so much for filing this in your testimony.
- I believe you filed a different version of this last session. filing this in your testimony.
Summary:
The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 8th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, Select File Legislative Bill 878.
- President, select file legislative bill 958A. There are no E&R amendments.
- President, select file legislator bill 958A. There are no E&R amendment.
- President, select file Legislative Bill 762.
- I want to talk about the process that we're on here on Select File.
Bills:
LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504
Keywords:
paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 4347 is before us, and I will move the bill to Ways and Means.
- <00:13:50.959>
4347 File 4347 File 4347 to<00:13:52.800>clarify <00:13:53.279>and - Thank you for the opportunity to share some thoughts today regarding House File 4347.
- Thank you for the opportunity to share some thoughts today regarding House File 4347.
- <00:25:36.000>
4347 I'm here to testify on House File 4347 I'm here to testify on House File
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We have one bill on file today. One bill, that is Assembly Bill 715. Five.
- We have one bill on file today. One bill. That is Assembly Bill 715.
- We will now begin with the only file item on today's hearing, special hearing, Assembly Bill 715, which
- And when they file UCP complaints, those complaints are generally ignored as well.
- File item 1, AB 715. The motion is due pass to Appropriations. Marisucci: Aye. Hoover: Aye.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion.
The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues.
Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- There is one late-filed amendment. Is there any objection to take up the late-filed amendment?
- There is one late-filed amendment. Is there any objection to take up the late-filed amendment?
- Seeing none, seeing no objection, take up the late-filed amendment.
- I want to acknowledge the good amendment that you filed today.
- I want to acknowledge the good amendment that you filed today.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1134, which would extend the use of qualified private providers in the building permit process to residential solar energy systems and certain single-trade inspections, and would allow computer-based plan review tools. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long solar permitting delays and lower costs. A late amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted, and after some discussion about local permitting problems and the need to work with municipalities, CS/SB 1134 was reported favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no.
The committee then took up SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would limit fee collection if verification is not completed. Members discussed whether the bill should include more flexibility and whether private providers are appropriate for this function, but the committee ultimately reported CS/SB 784 favorably. SB 1738, allowing counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in while maintaining current levels of service, was also reported favorably without significant opposition.
Next, SB 1080 on local government land regulation was presented as a measure to speed up development permit and order approvals, limit repeated information requests, prevent hearing delays, and impose penalties for noncompliance. Local government testimony argued it would rush planning and weaken public input, while supporters called it common-sense streamlining. After debate, the bill was reported favorably, with several no votes. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members raised concerns about county budget timelines.
Finally, the committee considered SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, programs, or policies, while carving out compliance with state and federal law and defining DEI-related terms. The amendment removed retroactivity and delayed the effective date, but members from both parties raised concerns about vague definitions, impacts on women- and minority-owned business programs, local commemorations, and the loss of attorney’s fees for prevailing counties. Public testimony was sharply divided, with many speakers opposing the bill as an attack on local control and inclusion, and a few supporting it as a merit-based standard. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition in debate and was not yet reported in the portion of the transcript provided.
US
Transcript Highlights:
- Later on in September, once again, they filed a brief that has never been filed in any case in the United
- They just filed something. There was no motion pending.
- They knew it was a month and a half before the election, and so they filed a 170-something page brief
- faith, go and. get up to speed on the file and take it from there.
- And to having access to the file. Okay. Very good. Thank you.
Keywords:
nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing
Summary:
The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/27/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- um first up we have Senate file um first up we have Senate file 1207<00:19:51.120>
and <00 - This is precisely why we need the protections in Senate File 1450.
- This is precisely why we need the protections in Senate File 1450.
- This is precisely why we need the protections in Senate File 1450.
- This is precisely why we need the protections in Senate File 1450.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to lay over Senate File 133 today, and Senator R, would you like to move Senate File 133
- We're going to lay over Senate File 133 today, and Senator R, would you like to move Senate File 133
- We're going to lay over Senate File 133 today, and Senator R, would you like to move Senate File 133
- Would you like to move Senate File 133 before the committee? So moved. Thank you, Senator Weber.
- And with that, Senate File 133 is laid over as amended for possible inclusion in a future omnibus.
Summary:
The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools.
Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026.
In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rules Committee Meeting - 2026-05-12
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- We're proposing calendaring one bill for the calendar for Thursday, May 14th, 2026, uh, Senate File 3720
- will designate Thursday, May 14th, for the adoption of the calendar for the day and establish a pre-filing
- will designate Thursday, May 14th, for the adoption of the calendar for the day and establish a pre-filing
- Please note under 3.33 that a pre-filing deadline for these bills is now in place.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Ethics and Campaign Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- All it is, is under current law if you're late filing the campaign report.
- You're late filing the campaign report, and currently, the Secretary of State is required to send you
- It saves state money for filing a report by Rep. L. State money for filing a report by Rep.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 18, March 3, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:29:02.240>
fees, certain misdemeanors, filing fees, certain misdemeanors, filing fees, - Reading clerk will please read the file. Reading clerk will please read the file.
- It file and have done so for a while.
- organization already is filing that LM2. organization already is filing that LM2.
- <05:00:31.840>
a it talks about any person may file a it talks about any person may file a
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 5/13/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- We are proposing to calendar House File 2464, the health policy bill.
- We are proposing to calendar House File 2464, the health policy bill.
- will designate Thursday, May 15th, for the adoption of the calendar for the day and establish a pre-filing
- will designate Thursday, May 15th, for the adoption of the calendar for the day and establish a pre-filing
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Fifteen previously deferred reports were filed, and nine were deferred.
- The committee filed 103 audit reports that were brought before it. Mr.
- During the meeting, the committee filed 13 reports.
- So this is like a, you send a file in once a month or something along those lines.
- Do I have a motion to file this report? Motion and a second. Any discussion on the motion?
Summary:
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports.
The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes.
Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return.
The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, we have one item on the agenda today, and which is House File 3548.
- agenda today and which is House File agenda today and which is House File 3548.
- Yes, I'd like to move House File 3548.
- Members, we are back on House File 3548 as amended.
- House File 3548, as amended, is laid over.
Bills:
HF3548
Summary:
The Agricultural Finance and Policy Committee met on April 15, 2026, approved the April 13 minutes with a correction to Assistant Commissioner Peter Kesset’s name, and then took up House File 3548. The bill, moved by Chair Anderson for re-referral to Ways and Means, centered on the farmer down payment assistance program and the Department of Agriculture’s budget and policy provisions. Anderson described the DE4 amendment as compromise language that reserved up to 25% of funds for applicants with purchase contracts, removed a proposed marijuana exclusion, and allowed appropriated funds to remain available through June 30, 2030 rather than reverting to the general fund at the end of the biennium. Laura Schreiber of the Land Stewardship Project testified in support, emphasizing the importance of keeping funds available and urging that grants remain capped at $20,000 so more farmers could participate.
The committee then adopted several amendments. A23, described as the governor’s budget request and department policy bill, was adopted and included moving the Emerging Farmers Office into the Agricultural Marketing and Development subdivision, combining some reports into the Agri report, and addressing delegated authority with MDA. A17, allowing certain eggs past their quality assurance date to be donated to food shelves under specific handling requirements, was adopted. A18, adjusting per diem rates for certain non-representative committee members, was adopted. A19, shifting about $20,000 to support farm land transition services such as mediation, contracts, financial planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and housing assistance, was also adopted.
A22, which combined funding for wolf depredation claims and the local food purchasing program, drew the most debate. Representative Smith questioned why the two items were combined and sought to divide the amendment, but staff said that would be problematic because the funding changes were interdependent. Supporters said the amendment would pay about 80% of wolf-loss claims and add money for local food purchasing, while opponents argued the local food need was greater and the wolf depredation approach was not the best use of funds. The roll call on A22 was confusing in the transcript, but the amendment ultimately prevailed. A21, which would have removed a physical-contact requirement for farm cervidae containment, failed on a 7-7 tie after opponents argued it would weaken disease protections and supporters said the fencing costs were driving deer farmers out of business. Hansen then declined to move A24, which would have advanced a paraquat ban, saying there was no agreement and he did not want a negative vote at that time.
After the DE4 as amended was adopted, the committee took a final roll call on House File 3548 as amended. The bill failed on a 6-8 vote and was laid over. In closing, members on both sides said the bill contained useful provisions for farmers, but disagreement over the unresolved paraquat issue prevented the committee from advancing it.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, EDU-JDC Public Hearings 04-07-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:23:51.560>
to court just like any other filing to court just like any other filing to - Prosecutors and pre-trial officers may only file the application or request.
- Prosecutors and pre-trial officers may only file the application or request.
- Prosecutors and pre-trial officers may only file the application or request.
- Prosecutors and pre-trial officers may only file the application or request.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations.
A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes.
The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).