Transcript Highlights:

• Declare the vote. 850 nay and received the majority of those elected to and constituting the house.
• Doc Newton, I lose. 82 for nay, having received the majority of those elected to and constituting the
• Section 4, subsection C, you've amended it to add a Class 5 permit for food trucks.

Bills: HB2979, HB3790, HB3142, HB3463, HB4143, HJR1086, SB392, HB3087, HB3037, HB3581, HB4058, HB2959, HB4227, HB2997, HB4125, HB1453, HB3521, HB3691, HB2015, HB2940, HB1016, HB3267, HB3695, HB3697, HB3045, HB3662, HB3453, HB3053, HB3301, HB3495, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3845, HB4198, HB4425, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818, HB1242, HB1752, HB2961, HB2967, HB2973, HB2988, HB3031, HB3240, HB3047, HB3052, HB3066, HB3086, HB3175, HB3177, HB3178, HB3429, HB3548, HB3638, HB3404, HB3704, HB1590, HB3759, HB3831, HB3904, HB4092, HB1979, HB1983, HB1250, HB2952, HB3671, HB3920, HB4118, HB3944, HB3969, HB3973, HB3975, HB3976, HB3978, HB3983, HB3984, HB3942, HB4203, HB2588, HB3024, HB3383, HB3279, HB3919, HB3883, HB4193, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB4484, HB1245, HB3172, HB3306, HB4294, HB3880, HB2929, HB3128, HB2956, HB3015, HB3114, HB3567, HB3749, HB4229, HB4237, HB4253, HJR1046, HJR1084, HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill as amended is considered read.
• The question is on the as amended.
• It's part of the First Amendment.
• You have the of the first amendment.
• <03:26:03.359> which did a balanced budget amendment which did a balanced budget amendment

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we do have some amendments.
• All right, let's talk about the amendment, 392. What does the amendment do?
• All right, let's talk about the amendment, 392. What does the amendment do?
• . ...in the amendments.
• Do we approve the amendment yet? Oh, I'll make a motion to adopt Amendment Set 3092.

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, essentially the CIO of education becomes chair of a new board, which is comprised of the constitutional
• which is comprised of the constitutional which is comprised of the constitutional officers<00:03
• and say, you can't spray stuff on. >> It's a very unused amendment.
• The company we talked to was Rain Maker and they're the >> It's a very unused amendment.
• I totally >> It's a very unused amendment.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:56 Approval of Minutes 02:26 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related Legislative 02:43 Presentation of Geoengineering and Related Legislation 07:42, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes. Senator Williams then presented a discussion draft involving KCNA and COOT/Kentucky Wired governance changes. He said the proposal would make the COOT executive director the KCNA director, place the education CIO as chair of a new board of constitutional officers, terminate existing KCNA employees at inception, and return KCNA funds to the general fund. He described the measure as a temporary holding pattern focused on customer connectivity until an audit is completed next summer. Senator West asked whether the bill would change existing Kentucky Wired contracts, and Williams said the contracts would remain in place and COOT would simply handle the work without an extra layer of bureaucracy. No vote was taken; the item was for discussion only. The committee then heard a presentation on geoengineering and related legislation from Rep. John Hodgson, Sen. Rollins, and retired meteorologist Randy Baker. They described geoengineering as attempts to alter climate or weather, including solar radiation modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cloud seeding. The presenters distinguished these activities from ordinary jet contrails, crop dusting, ground-level emissions, and airport fog control, and said the proposed Kentucky bill would exclude those ordinary activities. They argued Kentucky lacks a current prohibition on weather modification, said the bill would protect farmland, crops, animal agriculture, aquaculture, and human health, and cited public concern, federal uncertainty, and similar legislation in other states. They also said cloud seeding is used in some western states but remains scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Members asked about enforcement, federal preemption, and whether other states’ actions could affect Kentucky. The presenters said high-altitude spraying would be difficult to hide, that satellite imagery could detect large releases, and that the bill was intended as an assertion of state sovereignty even if federal law later changed. They also said there were no known active geoengineering projects in Kentucky. The discussion remained informational, with no committee vote or final action taken on either topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet we put this... ...with federal laws that we feel are not constitutional. Right?
• Yes, there's no amendments present from members, and we're not aware of any amendments from members before
• we move this, because once we get out, there's no more amendments, correct?
• The bill amends the Penal Code by adding Section 12.503.
• At this point in time, I would offer up a committee amendment.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] This being the day designated in the Constitution and the laws of the state of Minnesota for
• Do each of you solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of
• and the Constitution of the state of Minnesota and to discharge faithfully your duties as Secretary
• the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States the<00:22:16.760> Constitution
• > state States and the constitution of the state States and the constitution of the state of<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate convened for opening day of the 94th legislative session, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks honoring the late Senator Carrie Dike, whose seat was left empty. Leaders from both parties described her as a unifying, hardworking public servant and noted the chamber’s grief at her death. A quorum was established by roll call of members from all districts. The Senate then elected Bobby Joe Champion and Jeremy Miller as co-presiding officers by a vote of 65 ayes and 1 pass, and they were sworn in. In their remarks, both emphasized cooperation, open dialogue, and working forward together despite a projected budget deficit and other difficult issues ahead. The chamber also elected Thomas Bodin as Secretary of the Senate by 66 votes, and then approved a slate of other officers—including assistant secretaries, engrossing secretary, sergeant at arms, assistant sergeant at arms, and chaplain—by one roll call with 66 votes. Senate Resolution No. 1, which set the temporary organization of the Senate and memorialized the organizing agreement between the two caucuses, was adopted by a vote of 66 ayes and 0 nays. The resolution covered temporary leadership structure, staff and appointments, committee memberships and schedules, adoption of temporary rules from the prior session with updated committee names, and procedures for resolving future issues. After adoption, the Senate set aside time for members to speak in tribute to Senator Dike, with several senators offering personal remembrances and condolences to her family and staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• talked about this and this amendment talked about this and this amendment came<00:12:30.480>
• Um, the comment about the amendment, I haven't seen that amendment, but based on the verbal description
• seen<00:27:16.640> that amendment, I haven't seen that amendment, I haven't seen that
• c> the<00:27:18.240> verbal amendment, but based on the verbal amendment, but based on the
• That is the amended version. language. That is the amended version. Yes.<04:09:08.399> Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and we have no objections to amendments and we have no objections to those<00:11:53.519> amendments
• is now um so our proposed amendment is now um so our proposed amendment simply<00:28:54.039>
• <00:29:13.279> on parties and so the proposed amendment on parties and so the proposed amendment
• c> all Amendment with amendments noting all Amendment with amendments noting all members<02:01:38.880
• <02:10:04.679> suggested also adopting the Amendments suggested also adopting the Amendments

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and the act or the amendment language itself says that it may only be spent to protect, enhance,
• But enter 2008 with<00:53:28.240> the<00:53:28.319> legacy<00:53:28.640> amendments<
• constitutional constitutional and<01:22:45.520> uh<01:22:45.920> policy and uh policy
• Um, I would not venture to say whether something is constitutional or not.
• <01:26:02.800> language looked at the constitutional language looked at the constitutional

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , 1286 is amended, 1325 is amended, 1422 is amended, 1429 is amended, and 1433; and Senate Bills 131,
• , 1286 is amended, 1325 is amended, 1422 is amended, 1429 is amended, and 1433; and Senate Bills 131,
• , 1286 is amended, 1325 is amended, 1422 is amended, 1429 is amended, and 1433; and Senate Bills 131,
• And 1433 amended. 1431 is amended.
• . 131 is amended. 154 157 165 is amended. 131 is amended. 154 157 165 is amended.<04:24:55.359> 172

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if you're proposing an amendment to extend it to others, I just want to know if your intent is about
• We see it as an and constitutional attempts to treat medical care for transgender Texans differently
• We support Soren's asking for the amendment and also the issue about it's a minor issue.
• While detained under current law, this warehousing approach constitutes a due process violation.
• This bill and these amendments... I met with Hannah and Vesper yesterday, and I heard their story.

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:30.120> in<00:30:30.279> our<00:30:30.600> written suggested amendments
• in our written suggested amendments in our written testimony<00:30:32.440> most<00:30:32.720>
• uh and arguably um constitutes uh and arguably um legitimate<00:38:27.599> reason<00:38:27.880
• We'd like to see if we can get more information out of it, but with amendments to address the concerns
• We'd like to see if we can get more information out of it, but with amendments to address the concerns

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on House Bill 1064, which would implement recommendations from the Fire Safety Research Institute’s Maui wildfire report, clarify the role of the State Fire Marshal, and appropriate funds. Testimony was generally supportive from DLNR, the Climate Advisory Team, the State Fire Council, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Attorney General’s office, the Honu Fire Department, AARP, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council, and others. Governor Green’s office said it supported the bill but wanted the office of the State Fire Marshal placed under the Department of Defense rather than the governor’s office, citing constitutional and administrative concerns. Members also questioned the State Fire Council about the selection process for the fire marshal and about defensible space and wildfire resilience in different communities. After discussion, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1064 to Friday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 225 for the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, with the same recommendation from the other committee. The hearing then moved to House Bill 697, which would expand who may review automated speed enforcement images. HDOT supported the bill but said it would prefer funding from the Highway Special Fund or the automated speed enforcement special fund rather than general revenues. Opposition testimony from the ACLU raised privacy concerns, argued the bill blurs the line between law enforcement and infrastructure management, and said DOT staff lack the mandate and expertise for the task. Judiciary said it would need additional capacity to process citations and hearings, and noted the program’s likely workload and costs were still uncertain. The committees then took up House Bill 277 on vehicular pursuit policy. The Attorney General and the Law Enforcement Standards Board urged the committees to defer the bill and let the board develop policy first, while Hawaii County Police opposed the measure as unnecessary, confusing, and too restrictive of officer discretion. Honolulu Police Department and the Policing Project supported the bill, arguing that clearer statewide standards and transparency are needed because pursuits can cause serious injuries or deaths and existing policies are inconsistent or not public. The Policing Project said the bill could be improved with amendments on serious crimes, but supported legislative action to set statewide standards while still involving the board. No final vote or action on HB 277 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now that we're considering amending the amendment, the amended it.
• amending the amendment, the amended it. amending the amendment, the amended it.
• Who's going to do the<01:42:57.199> amendments? the amendments? the amendments?
• seconded the amendment. seconded the amendment.
• subsequent amendment. subsequent amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, please move the Sandoval amendment. Mr.
• Chair, is this a hostile amendment?
• And since it is a bad amendment, in my opinion, and I consider it a hostile amendment, I am going to
• So the reason I ran this amendment was because I want to include not only communist... ...amendment was
• I was moving—Madam Vice Chair, please... let's see... if amended... ...amended. So where are we?

Bills: HB2167, HB2168, HB2169, HB2171, HB2790, HB2905, HCM2005

Keywords: attorney general, nuisance action, consumer fraud, damages, civil penalty, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks, residential district

Transcript Highlights:

• First the amendment. Yeah, on the amendment. And that's amendment number 2026-0718H.
• amendment? I do support this amendment. amendment? I do support this amendment.
• amendment 20260H. amendment 20260H.
• >> The<01:52:27.360> amendment. >> The amendment. >> The amendment.
• >> uh HB1676 >> uh HB1676 with<01:58:18.960> amendment with amendment with amendment

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held an open work session on HB 1766-FN, a bill addressing cruelty to livestock, and focused on proposed language changes from the Department of Agriculture. Assistant State Veterinarian Nathan Harvey, speaking for the commissioner, explained concerns about the term “imminent danger,” arguing that the bill should allow seizure based on probable cause when an animal is starving or has a life-threatening condition, rather than tying action too closely to whether the owner is arrested. The department also proposed language on “extreme suffering” that would require euthanasia if the cost of treatment would exceed the allowable reimbursement amount under AGR rules, though members immediately raised concerns about using a dollar limit to require euthanasia. The department further suggested clarifying who may participate in investigations by allowing the state veterinarian or a designate, and noted that the current draft could be read too narrowly. Members discussed the $5,000 emergency care cap in the rules, with Josh Marshall confirming it is an aggregate emergency veterinary care limit. Several legislators said they were uncomfortable changing the bill from “may” to “shall” euthanize, arguing that treatment costs vary widely by species and condition and that a fixed monetary threshold could be too rigid. Representative Bixby also raised a separate concern that the bill’s language may be broader than intended and could apply to all animals rather than livestock only. The department agreed the bill should be limited to livestock and suggested using existing statutory definitions or adding a new section to make that clear. The discussion also turned to humane societies and other organizations that might investigate complaints or board seized animals. A representative from a humane organization said the groups with expertise in care often also have expertise useful to investigations, and that removing them entirely could be impractical because only a few facilities in the state can provide boarding. Members and witnesses explored alternative language that would allow for-profit and nonprofit organizations to participate in either the investigation or the care of livestock, but not both, to avoid conflicts of interest while preserving needed expertise. No votes were taken; the work session ended with agreement to consult the Office of Legislative Services and the department to refine the bill before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• this amendment amends the amendment this amendment amends the current<06:12:06.718> statute<06
• I move amendment amendment amendment 2080s.<06:57:54.320> This<06:57:54.558> amendment,
• . amendment. amendment.
• An amend this amendment collaboration.
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you do not conduct a cost-based analysis to back up a rate hike, then that constitutes a tax.
• When you take ratepayers' money and use it for other things rather than water, then that constitutes
• These amendments will provide a great, great level of protection. for these amazing creatures so that
• I am here on behalf of them to support the passage of the bill for the protection of bats, with amendments
• Council, Texas Chemistry Council, in support of Senate Bill 1898 as amended by the committee.

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Hennepin County, Minnesota, violated Geraldine Tyler's constitutional
• We have added amendments to address the concerns of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which in
• to turn away good business, the Crossroads of the West gun show, and discriminated against Second Amendment
• rights. ...away good business, and they're doing so in a way that violates constitutional rights.
• United Way's VITA volunteers helped me submit an amendment so I could get an even bigger refund for a

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:36.199> um solution uh we feel this amendment um solution uh we feel this amendment
• <00:28:06.640> Amendments<00:28:07.039> have<00:28:07.200> been Constitutional Amendments
• have been Constitutional Amendments have been asked<00:28:07.600> for<00:28:07.840> in
• <00:42:00.880> members<00:42:01.480> any amendments members any amendments members any
• make any necessary technical amendments make any necessary technical amendments and<01:01:36.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• that firearms are a permanent fixture of American culture and are protected by well-established constitutional
• boycotts and threats and a hostile environment to the introduction of this technology by Second Amendment
• think there's room for this technology. ...there definitely was substantial pushback from Second Amendment
• So this board was previously known as the Gun Control Advisory Board, constituted way back in 1998, and
• then recently” “The board was constituted way back in 1998 and then recently reconstituted to add some

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its fourth hearing on emerging firearm technology, focused on personalized firearms and related privacy issues. Co-chairs noted the commission’s charge to study personalized firearm incentives, risks from digital manufacturing codes and AI, and the costs of requiring personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, and said the report deadline is being extended to July 31. They also announced the next public hearing for April 17 at 11:00 a.m., limited to Massachusetts residents. The first witness, Kai Kloepfer of Biofire, described the company’s personalized 9mm smart gun and argued it is designed to prevent unauthorized use through biometric authentication, local encrypted data storage, no wireless connectivity, and automatic disarming when released. He said Biofire opposes any mandate requiring personalized firearms, calling such mandates a de facto gun ban that would stifle innovation, limit consumer choice, and burden a still-developing market. He said the company has a patent portfolio, has received thousands of pre-orders, is shipping in all 50 states, and is approved for sale in Massachusetts; he also said the gun costs about $1,500, is currently sold online, and is intended mainly for home defense. Members questioned him about sales, manufacturing, battery life, repairability, transfer of ownership, possible expansion to other firearms, and whether microstamping could be incorporated. A Massachusetts firearms roster official, Michaela Dunn, explained the state’s testing and approval process for handguns and confirmed that the Biofire firearm is now on the Massachusetts roster and commercially available for retail sale in the state. Kate Crockford of the ACLU of Massachusetts testified only on facial recognition, warning that commercially available systems show significant demographic bias and that Massachusetts lacks comprehensive biometric privacy protections. She urged passage of pending data privacy and biometric privacy bills, including the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and related measures, before any broader use of biometric verification in firearm laws. Commissioners discussed privacy concerns, and Biofire said its system is zero-knowledge and would likely comply with stronger biometric privacy laws. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported beyond the scheduling announcement and the extension effort.