Transcript Highlights:

• And one other announcement is, let's see, the bill authors for House Bill 7.
• And then they don't have any authority to act on behalf of the ward.
• She went to the local mental health authority for a mental health status exam.
• authority can range from $7,000 to $10,000 in legal fees alone.
• And we don't want these fees to stand in the way of their pursuit of this authority.

Bills: HB557, HB732, HB1892, HB1954, HB2301, HB3180, HB3405, HB3650, HB3758, HB4035, HB4621, HB4795, HB4870, HB5069, HB5137, HB5149

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody

Transcript Highlights:

• And members on our side of the aisle, I would recommend a yes vote on the amendment to allow the author
• to have the bill in the form that the author would like the bill.
• We appreciate the provision in the bill to repeal the sunset on the new payment withholding authority
• for state agencies withholding authority for state agencies that<00:10:09.839> was<00:10:09.920
• strengthen and make this authority strengthen and make this authority permanent<00:10:16.320>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the right one, does not specifically, I think, expressly grant Office of Consumer Protection authority
• Office of Consumer Protection authority to enforce.
• Grant Express authority to ocp to Grant Express authority to ocp to enforce<00:27:09.000> would
• okay um thank you thank you Authority okay um thank you thank you chair<00:27:22.360> MERS<00
• <00:37:38.400> submitted the Hawaii tourism Authority submitted the Hawaii tourism Authority

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• This act gives Delaware's Public Service Commission the authority to designate a telecoms provider as
• So giving the PSC the authority to designate them will help speed this up.
• This amendment clarifies that the earlier authorization necessary for summer enrollment are pre-authorizations
• It allows school-age children who are eligible for purchase of care to receive pre-authorization for
• the Delaware Transportation Authority, appropriating special funds of the Delaware Transportation Authority

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, having authored the Okay, good.
• <00:51:11.280> um authorizes um authorizes um uh<00:51:12.440> lease<00:51:12.800> or
• So, your authorization, our authorization, for us is just the ability to try to creatively think, "Can
• > authorization So, your authorization our authorization So, your authorization our authorization
• <01:24:42.000> resides<01:24:42.720> within the authority resides within the authority

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:42.399> um treatment investigatory Authority um treatment investigatory Authority um
• that the lack of oversight and authority that the lack of oversight and authority over<00:14:27.399
• You authorized state-funded grants to assist local jails in getting ready to authorize or operate the
• 00:35:05.520> authorize<00:35:06.160> state<00:35:06.560> funded program you authorize
• <00:38:23.440> to don't have the legal authority to don't have the legal authority to collect

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Licensing boards already have authority to investigate and to act on these standards when they are not
• I'm a co-author on this bill.
• to investigate and to act on authority to investigate and to act on these<00:12:39.680> standards
• I'm a co-author<00:14:12.399> on<00:14:12.639> this<00:14:13.120> bill.
• Thank you for co-author on this bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's never been a declaration of war or any congressional authorization whatsoever to send United
• And when they're properly called forth by Congress under the authority of the Constitution or federal
• And so what we do know is that it's been endorsed by people in authority to say that we would not lose
• So my question to you is: under what legal authority could the federal government withhold funding when
• Federal authorities to support the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Mr.

Bills: SB1047, SB1365, SB1474, SB1618, SB1620

Keywords: National Guard, active duty, combat, Arizona, declaration of war, state law, military service, property tax, exemptions, veterans, disabilities, widows and widowers, Arizona Revised Statutes, immigration enforcement, local law enforcement, federal cooperation, law enforcement training, public safety, military affairs, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a real law enforcement officer for 43 years, so I think I can pretty well speak with authority
• Port Authority unless a senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee.
• Expressway Authority, and Patrick Allman with the Tampa Port Authority.
• Alman with the Tampa Port Authority, Mark Kaplan with the Tampa Port Authority, and Chadwick William
• Herod with the Tampa Port Authority.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework allowing counties and municipalities to designate certain roads for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) under local conditions, including driver licensing, insurance, and speed-limit restrictions below 55 mph. Senator Wright said the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and mirror the local-option approach used for golf carts. Supporters included a retired Volusia County sheriff and county commissioner, who argued UTVs are safer than golf carts and are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are designed for off-road use, lack federal safety standards, and pose crash and tire-blowout risks on public roads. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash severity, but the committee ultimately voted to report SB 356 favorably. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding, beginning with a moment of silence for JaxPort COO and former FDOT employee James Bennett. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and the Port of Palm Beach described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the need for continued state and federal support for dredging, bulkheads, cranes, rail, and terminal expansion. Senators asked about ROI, trade shifts, intermodal connections, fuel and LNG availability, leverage and reserves, and operational risks such as flooding, sea level rise, and channel depth; port officials emphasized resiliency, private partnerships, and long-term master planning. The committee also confirmed appointees to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority in one vote, with no objection. Finally, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, explaining that coordinated statewide use of LiDAR and aerial imagery could reduce duplication, improve emergency management and planning, and support insurance and storm-damage assessment. FDOT recommended a formal statewide coordination program, shared procurement and cost-sharing agreements, dedicated staffing, and statutory updates to Chapter 334 to support interagency agreements and recurring funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill reforms the prior authorization process in health insurance.
• The bill also establishes that any prior authorization review be conducted by a licensed physician or
• The bill also establishes that any prior authorization review be conducted by a licensed physician or
• The authorization of this charter is all of that application process that is laid out in this bill.
• The authorization of this charter is all of that application process that is laid out in this bill.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• final budget authority. That is the the final budget authority.
• Um, so of final budget authorities.
• :08.239> has<01:12:08.560> authority budget authority always has authority budget authority
• the authority um to order restitution. the authority um to order restitution.
• >> a jail that is 287g authorized. >> a jail that is 287g authorized.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• there is an exception to the Authority there is an exception to the Authority for<01:02:13.920><
• Authority for us to allow us flexibility Authority for us to allow us flexibility to<01:14:04.080>
• <01:32:48.280> like Provisions that are authorize like Provisions that are authorize like
• and and improve the prior authorization and and improve the prior authorization process<02:27:28.040
• <02:27:37.000> bills' iterations of prior authorization bills' iterations of prior authorization

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what this bill does is authorize the usage of four additional construction procurement methods.
• And what this bill does is authorize the usage of four additional construction procurement methods, And
• And what this bill does is authorize the usage of four additional construction procurement methods allowing
• We usually do this at the end, which is a little confusing, but we're waiting on authors, so.
• , including those in the EU. industry, civil society, and international authorities, including those

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 1, 2026, and first heard SB 1055 by Senator Laird, which would authorize additional construction procurement methods for the Pajaro River levee/flood control project to speed delivery, improve quality control, and reduce costs after prior flooding and evacuations. The Nature Conservancy testified in support, and there was no opposition or committee questioning. The bill was later moved out of committee, with Republicans not voting and Assemblymembers Dixon and Tangipa voting no. The committee also heard SB 1000 by Senator Becker, a follow-up to California’s AI Transparency Act. The bill would update content provenance and disclosure rules for AI-generated and non-synthetic content, remove a user threshold for covered systems, add privacy protections, and create guardrails for third-party licenses, with the goal of aligning California’s rules with international standards. Adobe and Google supported the measure, and it was sent out on a roll call with Mr. Ta not voting. SB 1229, presented on behalf of Senator Allen, would limit an existing Coastal Act disaster-rebuild exemption to prevent speculative development from using the exemption to reduce public access to the coast. The Nature Conservancy supported the bill, there was no opposition, and it was moved out of committee. The committee also approved several bills on the consent and suspense calendars, and public comment included Imperial County concerns about SB 675, including board representation, implementation timing, county administrative control, and funding for mandated changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• held by citizens of those countries and for the recognition of West Virginia driver's licenses by authorities
• It also authorizes the commissioner to set fees to be charged in connection with the recognition of foreign
• the code, clarifies that foreign drivers are not eligible to vote in the state through the DMV, authorizes
• the commissioner to set fees, adds Japan to the list of authorized foreign countries in addition to
• It adds Japan to the list of authorized foreign countries in addition to Ireland, and it makes other

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:26.000> Senator Mutual Insurance Authority. Senator Mutual Insurance Authority.
• <04:05:25.359> pro<04:05:25.680> prior prior authoration pro prior prior authoration
• ><04:05:28.319> will<04:05:28.560> make authorization process and it will make authorization
• It increased the prior authorizations.
• Insurance Authority. Senator McDaniel. Insurance Authority. Senator McDaniel.

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• The of of legis legislative authority.
• We understand the authors on this.
• <00:21:34.320> 1,800 time to to authorize 1,800 time to to authorize 1,800 um<00:21:37.120
• <00:48:52.000> the when the counties are authorizing the when the counties are authorizing
• author. This affects fraud. Natada. author. This affects fraud. Natada. >> Correct.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's very authority.
• authorities overstepped and prohibited<00:10:46.880> that<00:10:47.120> practice.
• It would have the authority that's given under this chapter.
• It says maintain authority it's written.
• board doesn't have criminal authority. board doesn't have criminal authority.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are authorizing state universities and college systems to be able to authorize a school of hope, similar
• It's just who can be that authorized sponsor.
• For purposes of Florida law, SB 1606 authorizes patients and their guardians, caregivers, and authorized
• authority from the patient.
• have to give authority in written form because all of the providers require a signed authorization by

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Senators also paid tribute to former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron with a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to special-order bills after routine announcements that no committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk. The first major bill, SB 138/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses and added warnings and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. After a brief amendment and questions about attorney rights and prior impairing-substance language, the bill passed 37-0. SB 306 on Medicaid providers followed, requiring broader provider access, including after-hours availability and more primary care access for Medicaid enrollees; it also passed 37-0. The chamber then took up the major condominium reform bill, SB 1742/HB 913, addressing post-Surfside safety, reserve funding, milestone inspections, budgeting, reserve flexibility, manager regulation, conflicts of interest, and condo sale rescission periods. Senators from both parties praised the sponsors for extensive stakeholder work and the bill passed 37-0 after multiple amendments. The final major item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendments and petition-gathering rules, with sponsors arguing the bill was needed to combat fraud in the 2024 petition process and opponents warning it would burden citizen initiatives. The Senate adopted the House bill and then considered numerous amendments on petition circulator rules, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and related enforcement provisions; several amendments were adopted, and the substitute was later withdrawn, leaving the chamber to continue on the underlying bill and remaining amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• You really don't have any authority.” “This really isn't in your jurisdiction.
• You really don't have any authority. And I'm just not willing to accept that.
• You know what, this is a question for the author. And let me ask...
• And it may be for the author as well. So... This. And it may be for the author as well.
• Did you author these amendments?”

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on Wednesday, April 22, with a quorum present and heard several bills. HB 1195, relating to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, was amended with technical changes and a fee-related amendment tied to student athlete agents, then reported favorably. Members asked about criminal penalties and whether the bill would affect prison athletic events; the author said he would follow up on those questions. HB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, was amended to clarify definitions, federal compliance, notice requirements, and severability, then reported favorably after extensive debate over whether providers already give adequate notice, whether a separate notice is necessary, and whether the bill would be preempted by federal law. Charter Communications testified in opposition, saying the bill was duplicative and would add costs, while the author argued it was needed to ensure clear, conspicuous notice of price increases and cancellation rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• Between cash and authorization? Yes. About $10 million. Okay.
• No, all you're doing is asking for appropriation authority right now.
• Authority right now.
• Authority to go above what is currently there. So is that $20.5 million?
• They need the authorization to be able to do that through an appropriation.

Keywords: 1204, all