Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen affordable housing production grow concurrently.
• That was just chaptered last year in 2024, Senate Bill 2387, questionable.
• Encampment resolution. Thank you. Thank you. Encampment resolution funding. Okay.
• This is not about broader funding for the encampment resolution program.
• As your agenda notes, the Legislature began funding this program in 2021-22.

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in Conference Room 308 to take up a bunch of Senate concurrent resolutions.
• , we are going to request the chair of the working group to use their discretion allowed in the resolution

Bills: SCR173, SCR78, SCR114, SCR162, SCR48, SCR160, SCR87, SCR28, SCR74, SCR20, SCR32, SCR55, SCR69

Keywords: ticket scalping, task force, consumer protection, event accessibility, local economy, menstrual health, menstrual cycle, period education, period poverty, menstrual products, menstrual dignity, health education, sexual health curriculum, DOE, Department of Education, public schools, school health, reproductive health, puberty education, hygiene education

Bills: HB145, HR1, HB80, SB29, SB37, HB206, SB193, SB58, SB64, HB153, HB195, HB234, HB248, HB255, HB279, HB287, HB292, HB303, HB309, HB371, SB30, SB35, SB40, SB43, SB48, SB96, SB143, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee substitute for Senate Bill 20, Senate
• for Senate Bill 152 and requests the concurrence of the House respectfully submitted.
• Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 152.
• Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 152.
• Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 152.

Bills: HB111, HB108, HB145, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HB63, HB64, HB165, HB184, HB200, HB4, HB7, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB88, HB96, HB166, HB285, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Message from the Senate, Mr. Speaker.
• Message from the Senate, Mr. Speaker.
• number 9 through 12 of the House amendments to Senate Bill 3, as amended by the Senate and further amended
• An adoption of a favorable committee report for Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill
• But it really is on page one, line 22.

Bills: HB111, HB108, HB145, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HB63, HB64, HB165, HB184, HB200, HB4, HB7, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB88, HB96, HB166, HB285, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Bills: HB111, HB108, HB145, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HB63, HB64, HB165, HB184, HB200, HB4, HB7, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB88, HB96, HB166, HB285, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• 22:18.360> of<00:22:18.520> Education<00:22:19.159> to<00:22:19.360> at<00
• <00:22:20.000> to<00:22:20.200> explore<00:22:20.799> this<00:22:21.760> as
• > take<00:22:29.120> the<00:22:29.760> SAT<00:22:30.760> we<00:22:31.000>
• have a significant<00:22:32.159> portion<00:22:32.600> of<00:22:32.799> the<00:22
• :22:30.600> where<01:22:31.000> we<01:22:31.360> as<01:22:31.520> a<01:22

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Higher Education Study Committee held an organizational meeting and received an update from the university and community college systems on implementation of recommendations from the governor’s higher education task force. The systems said the task force report contained about 40 recommendations, and they have focused first on operational items while continuing to work on larger policy issues, including better alignment of public higher education with workforce and economic development needs. The committee also discussed reporting requirements under the amended law and whether quarterly reports are required or whether annual updates are sufficient unless the committee requests more. A major topic was expanding Early College and dual-enrollment opportunities. The chancellors reported strong growth in Early College participation, significant student and family savings, and state scholarship support that they described as producing a strong return on investment. They said the goal is to build clearer pathways so students can earn college credit, reduce debt, and stay in New Hampshire for postsecondary education. They also noted ongoing work to simplify admissions and transfer processes, including about 100 transfer pathways between the systems, direct-admit efforts for community college and university students, and continued development of transfer equivalency tools. Members pressed the systems and the Department of Education on direct outreach to high school students, especially juniors, so students would know they are eligible for direct admission and other opportunities. The main obstacle discussed was access to student contact information, with officials saying the issue may involve contract limits with the College Board and possibly statutory constraints on sharing data. Department of Education staff said they are meeting with the systems and vendors to determine what changes are needed. Committee members urged faster action so students and families can receive letters or other notices about in-state options, affordability programs such as Granite Guarantee, and pathways to community college and university enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number four, Senate communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications?
• I move to adopt this resolution.
• House Resolution number 204, House Resolution number 204, congratulating<00:26:46.640> the<00:
• > by This resolution is offered by This resolution is offered by Representatives<00:26:55.800>
• I move to adopt this resolution. Resolution. Please proceed. Oh, excuse me. Representative Woodson.

Bills: HR204, SB2925, SB2798, SB2320, SB2800, SB1230, SB2706, SB3233, SB2405, SB3320, SB2543, SB3097, SB3096, SB3140, SB2593, SB2567, SB2466, SB2140, SB2088, SB3090, SB608, SB2795, SB3294, SB3263, SB3001, SB2907, SB3251, SB2074, SB2360, SB2354, SB2908, SB2353, SB3045, SB2047, SB3254, SB3246, SB3133, SB2425, SB2671, SB3229, SB2969, SB1166, SB896, SB2391, SB2125, SB3118, SB3325, SB2613, SB2614, SB494, SB2376, SB3326, SB2001, SB2599, SB3048, SB3169, SB2002, SB3247, SB3253, SB2155, SB2192, SB3187, SB2190, SB2398, SB2424, SB3028, SB2338, SB3219, SB2981, HCR14

Keywords: H.R. 204, House Resolution, Hawaii LifeSmarts, LifeSmarts State Competition, student competition, academic recognition, congratulatory resolution, Iolani School, Kalani High School, Waipahu High School, personal finance, consumer rights, health and safety, technology education, environmental education, National Consumers League, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Credit Union League, youth achievement, high school teams

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 875 by Senator Birdwell. Senate Bill 875.
• Senator Hughes designating the cannon as the official state gun. Texas. SCR 22.
• All right, Senator Burdick. well moves that we report SCR 20. 22 by Senator Hughes, favorably to the
• All right, the votes being 9 ayes and 0 nays, SCR 22 will be reported. favorably to the whole Senate.
• All right, Senator Bettencourt moves that SCR 22 be recommended and certified for placement. on the local

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• The vote count in the Senate was 17-12, I believe.
• And what was the vote out of the Senate doing? 29-0. Moving on, HB 2408.
• What was it coming out of the Senate? It's 29-1. Madam Chair.
• Madam Chair, members, House Concurrent Resolution 2001, Citizenship Identification, Contributions, Early
• This got really substantially amended in the Senate.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a series of Senate-amended bills, with staff summarizing each measure and noting whether the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2305 would revise Arizona’s private towing laws and remove a requirement that municipalities or law enforcement enforce the prescribed towing rates; HB 2398 would impose insurance requirements for watercraft rentals, charters, and peer-to-peer sharing; HB 2957 would bar state and local governments from requiring a digital or mobile driver’s license for identification, while dropping a House provision on biometric identifiers. Members asked for Senate vote counts on several bills and clarified that HB 2305 and HB 2398 were separate from other towing and boot-related measures. The committee also discussed HB 2321, which requires DCS caseworkers to place a security freeze on a child’s credit record after entry into care, with the Senate removing a $100,000 appropriation and one FTE; HB 2408, which changes Nursing Board complaint and expungement procedures and expands how anonymous complaints may be investigated; HB 2397, which updates HOA/condo disclosure rules and drew noted opposition from the Community Associations Institute and home builders; HB 4005, which requires public school districts to provide AI instruction at specific grade levels and directs ADE to adopt curriculum; and HB 2755, which shifts state land lease renewal language to notice and sale procedures for underperforming commercial leases. Senate vote counts were provided for several of these measures, generally showing narrow or party-line margins. The final items were HB 2406, a heavily amended bill now restricting access to records and images related to deceased minors, including child abuse images, with supporters citing concerns about misuse through AI and opponents raising disclosure and media-access concerns; and HCR 2001, a ballot referral on citizenship, voting, and election-related contributions that was substantially narrowed in the Senate but still requires voter ID, limits voting to citizens, bars foreign nationals from election spending, and mandates on-site tabulation for early votes, prompting continued county opposition because of cost and implementation concerns. The caucus ended after members were reminded that the agenda and caucus sheets had been emailed rather than printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're<00:22:03.919> seeing<00:22:04.279> on<00:22:04.480> this<00:22:04.679
• 00:22:06.840> 17<00:22:07.840> um<00:22:08.120> the<00:22:08.279> Gold<00
• > me<00:22:32.400> is<00:22:32.720> that<00:22:33.520> those<00:22:33.960
• <00:22:35.640> the<00:22:35.919> and<00:22:36.120> have<00:22:36.279> a
• <00:22:40.640> served<00:22:41.000> in<00:22:41.320> home<00:22:41.760> but

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 House Finance Committee opened a work session and announced scheduling updates, including a second Medicaid work session on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and a reminder that recommendations or budget amendments must be moved to the full finance committee by the end of March. Members were told no motions, roll calls, or votes would be taken, and the chair also reviewed upcoming meeting dates and weather-related cancellation procedures. The day’s presentation was a budget work session on the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with officials Marie Nunan and Nathan White introducing the agency’s budget materials and mission. DCYF’s presentation focused on its core mandates and recent operational changes. Officials described child protective services, juvenile justice services, and the Sununu Youth Services Center, then highlighted workforce improvements, including reduced vacancy rates for assessment caseworkers, juvenile justice officers, and youth counselors. They attributed the staffing gains to legislative pay raises, mass recruitment posting changes, a more stable and trauma-informed model at SYC, and broader flexibility after prior budget cuts and hiring freezes. Members asked about full-time versus part-time staffing, and DCYF said most positions discussed were full-time, with some harder-to-fill part-time youth counselor roles at SYC. The committee also discussed DCYF’s emphasis on serving families earlier through its Community Navigator hotline referrals and community-based voluntary services, which are intended to connect families to supports before abuse or neglect escalates. Officials said the Community Navigator program had received 807 referrals since August 2023. On juvenile justice, DCYF described its assessment and diversion process and said it had reduced juvenile probation involvement by 30% from 2019 to 2023; members were directed to slide 17 for 2024 data, and officials said the trend continued toward fewer in-home juvenile justice cases. The agency also reported progress in kinship care, saying initial out-of-home placements with kin now occur 74% of the time and that kinship placements are associated with more reunification. Officials said kinship caregivers are being licensed and paid similarly to foster parents, and that the legislature’s kinship law has helped. Finally, DCYF outlined transition-age youth supports, including the HOPE program, Youth Villages LifeSet, and housing vouchers. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The paper from the Senate: the petition of Joan B.
• Question now is on concurrence. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• Chafee II, Senate Bill 1830. Question now is on passing the bill to be engrossed.
• Chafee the 2nd, Senate number 1830. Question now is I'm passing the bill of being grossed.
• House Bill 22? An order, Mr. Mariano, Quincy, officer, now in hands of the clerk.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• :29.720> across<00:22:30.080> New<00:22:30.279> England<00:22:30.760> with
• c><00:22:35.640> our<00:22:36.320> enrollment<00:22:37.320> has<00:22:37.760>
• fiscal 19 19 19 and<00:22:45.279> much<00:22:45.480> of<00:22:45.600> it<00:22:
• > sure<00:22:51.480> you<00:22:52.039> um<00:22:52.559> are<00:22:52.760>
• <00:22:58.520> New<00:22:58.760> Hampshire<00:22:59.080> is<00:22:59.600> um<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an orientation from University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Katherine Preventure and Senior Director of Government Relations Lauren Banker on the system’s enrollment, finances, workforce role, and academic programs. They described the system as consisting of UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State, with about 23,000 students, $928 million in FY24 operating expenses, a $3.7 billion economic impact, and UNH’s R1 research status. They emphasized the system’s role in graduating students into the New Hampshire workforce, its statewide Cooperative Extension and regional campus presence, and its alignment of degree offerings with top occupations identified by New Hampshire Employment Security. The presentation also highlighted partnerships with businesses, internships, and collaboration with the community college system, including 100 transfer pathways and a direct-admit program. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tuition, state support, and student costs. The chancellor said the state invested $95 million in FY25, with about $81 million used to reduce resident tuition and about $14 million for statutory programs such as Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. She said the state subsidy is about $7,300 per New Hampshire student, and that resident net tuition averages about $7,000, while nonresident net tuition averages about $16,600. She provided published tuition figures for UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State, and explained that resident tuition has been held flat for five years while financial aid has increased, reducing average net tuition and fees for New Hampshire students from about $10,500 in 2020 to $9,800. Members asked for clarification on how residency and workforce-retention percentages were calculated, and the chancellor said she would follow up. Members also asked about comparisons with peer institutions, housing and meal costs, research funding, and the reasons for declining enrollment and staffing reductions. The chancellor said peer comparisons were based on flagship universities for UNH and smaller regional publics for Plymouth and Keene, and noted that out-of-state tuition has risen about 2.5% annually. She said housing for a UNH double room is $8,536 and a meal plan is $5,100, and offered to provide a consolidated cost document. On research, she said the system’s direct research spending includes federal funding and that indirect costs were about $34 million last year, with a follow-up promised on the federal/state and direct/indirect split. She attributed enrollment declines largely to demographics and said the system is responding by reducing costs, selling buildings, exiting leases, moving the system office to NHTI, and implementing Workday. She also noted that Plymouth received approval for five three-year bachelor’s degree programs and that members praised the shorter, workforce-focused pathways, especially for manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question now is on adoption of the resolution, all those of the order.
• Senate No. 2652. An act regarding public insurance adjusters. House No. 1113.
• The Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, to whom was referred the Senate further amendment of the
• House amendment to the Senate bill amending the charter of the town of Rockland, Senate No. 2716, report
• Question is on concurrence. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay. The ayes have it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders from the Committee on Rules extending reporting deadlines for the Education, Mental Health/Substance Use/Recovery, and Revenue committees, and each order was adopted after suspension of the rules. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including measures on consumer-connected devices, a trail designation in Groton, beach and habitat management, genetic discrimination in insurance, and antitrust enforcement. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on Taunton water billing, public insurance adjusters, electronic filing for property valuation forms, tax payment interest rates, local property tax exemptions in Milton and Marblehead, a tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a Rentham deputy chief, and West Tisbury’s affordable housing trust fund. The House ordered these bills to a third reading after suspending Rule 7A. The House then passed several engrossed bills to be enacted, including local measures on Boston police age waivers, Bridgewater town council stipends and town manager procedures, and a Cambridge employment and job training trust. Later, the House concurred in a Senate amendment to the Rockland charter bill, passed a Wellesley property tax deferral bill and a Harrell police civil service age-waiver bill to be engrossed, and adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It<01:22:09.480> this<01:22:09.840> it's<01:22:10.080> like<01:22:10.280> a
• brick<01:22:12.440> wall<01:22:12.880> and<01:22:13.000> the<01:22:13.080
• Since<01:22:16.080> at<01:22:16.240> least<01:22:16.520> the<01:22:16.600> 1970s
• So, if you start<01:22:48.680> off<01:22:48.960> as<01:22:49.160> this<01:22:49.440
• uh<01:22:57.120> it's<01:22:57.520> challenges<01:22:58.320> is<01:22:58.520>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will come to order.
• The Senate will be in a brief recess. Senate number 2603.
• Senator Comerford. Senator Comerford votes yes. Senator Lovely. Thank you, Mr. President. Joan B.
• Senator Tarr. Senator Tarr. Thank you. The Senate will be in a brief recess.
• Senator DiDomenico. Senator Oliveira. Senator Fattman. Yes. Yes. Mr. DiDomenico votes yes.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.

Transcript Highlights:

• section<00:22:04.200> five<00:22:05.200> um<00:22:05.520> the<00:22:05.640>
• <00:22:21.919> for dbed<00:22:26.400> with<00:22:26.679> the<00:22:27.520>
• <00:22:33.039> have<00:22:33.159> an<00:22:33.360> amendment<00:22:33.919>
• the foreign<00:22:34.720> trade<00:22:35.039> zone<00:22:35.440> facility<00:22:
• :22:37.360> aaii<00:22:38.320> mhm<00:22:39.320> um<00:22:39.919> when<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Reed, you're recognized. Well, thank you very much, Senator Fischer.
• Thank you, Senator Rounds. Senator King, you were right.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator Kaine.
• However, when you have continuing resolutions to use as Senator King mentioned and you have stability

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sunderation, Senator Mesnard, Senator Epstein, Senator Hoffman, and Senator Gabaldon, how do
• Senator Sunderation, Senator Mesnard, Senator Epstein, Senator Hoffman, and Senator Gabaldon, how do
• A group motion will be made for the concurrences unless the Senator requests a concurrence to be continued
• A group motion will be made for the concurrences unless the Senator requests a concurrence to be continued
• Senators, Senator Sunderation, Hattelay, Senators, Senator Ration, Hatathlie, Dunn, Carroll, Gonzales

Summary: The Senate met in floor session, began with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, received communications, and handled a return of Senate Bill 1456 from the House for reconsideration. Members then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering and amending bills on court fees, information technology, environmental quality, agricultural property inspections, property tax notices, veterans services, zoning and electric generation siting, fuel and gas resilience, and disturbing religious services. Several amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2265 on criminal court fees, HB 2311 on conversational AI disclosures and privacy limits, HB 2986 on environmental quality/fuel resilience, HB 2104 and HB 2105 on agricultural property inspection rules, HB 2406 on veterans services, HB 2494 on electric generation siting and environmental compatibility, HB 2696 on fuel and gas prices, and HB 4117 on interference with religious services. Most of these bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, though members raised concerns on HB 2311 and HB 4117 about privacy, free speech, and prosecutorial discretion. The chamber then took up a long series of third readings and final votes. Bills passed included HB 2015 on single-audit compliance, HB 2041 on child neglect and poverty factors, HB 2048 on AHCCCS prescription drug coverage, HB 2417 on excessive speed, HB 2611 on child welfare, HB 2793 on annexation, HB 2950 on special districts, HB 2995 on family law, HB 4018 on county officers, HB 2404 on mental health services, HB 2279 on limitations of actions, HB 2502 on the state retirement system, HB 2733 and HB 2953 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2979 on credit unions, HB 4042 on parent-child relationship determinations, HB 4010 on health professional regulatory boards, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4049 on the Attorney General, HB 2265 on court fees, HB 2311 on information technology, and HB 2986 on environmental quality. HB 2601 on state highways and routes failed. Several members explained votes on bills involving fiscal impacts, child welfare, road safety, annexation, and criminal justice concerns. The Senate also adopted a group concurrence motion on several conference committee reports, including HB 2003, HB 2010, HB 2133, and HB 2874, and then voted on those measures. HB 2003 on driver’s license instruction permits, HB 2010 on advertising, HB 2133 on disclosure of sexual material and synthetic depictions, and HB 2874 on campaign committees and termination statements were all advanced after conference committee action, with debate on HB 2133 focusing on First Amendment and content-moderation concerns. The session ended with introduction of a large package of transportation-related appropriations bills and a motion to suspend certain committee notice rules for Appropriations to hear legislation and strike-everything amendments on short notice.

Transcript Highlights:

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• /c><00:22:47.200> back<00:22:47.360> to<00:22:47.440> Sasha<00:22:48.320> to<
• about<00:22:48.960> our<00:22:49.200> implementation<00:22:49.760> of<00:22
• > that<00:22:54.159> you<00:22:54.320> passed<00:22:54.799> uh<00:22:54.880
• Senator Grunhagen. Senator Mchuan. Senator Grunhagen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all