Transcript Highlights:

• So, they have an amended supplement.
• <01:00:13.480> conditional two of the revised amended conditional two of the revised amended
• <02:02:27.480> as working group, otherwise amended as working group, otherwise amended as
• <02:44:06.520> to and um they do want the amendments to and um they do want the amendments
• . planning on asking for an amended oral planning on asking for an amended oral request<02:46:26.480>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with quorum and seating issues, including the temporary appointment of Representative Shaw to fill in for a House member, followed by approval of the previous minutes and the consent calendar. Two items were then postponed to next month: Mechanical Licensing Board item 25-241 and Board of Veterinarian item 25-223. The committee then took up Department of Energy rulemaking on distributed energy resources interconnection procedures, including items 25-220 and related sections on fees, additional controls, and equipment. The Department explained revised language to address concerns that the original draft improperly suggested agency or PUC approval of utility fees; under the amended language, utilities would set fees designed to recover costs, with complaints handled through existing complaint procedures. Committee members and the Department discussed the statutory basis for that approach, including cost responsibility versus fee-setting authority. Public testimony was mixed. A small solar developer argued the rules still exceed statutory authority, impose unfair costs on customer generators, and allow utilities to shift transmission-related study costs onto interconnecting customers. Clean energy advocates supported the Department’s revised language but asked for clearer limits on charging customers for later-added controls, arguing costs should be tied directly to the customer’s interconnection and not to later utility-driven changes. Eversource supported the revised fee language, said most prior concerns were resolved, and recommended conditional approval, while also suggesting a minor wording change in the “Additional Equipment” section to clarify that only operational performance is covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've submitted a couple of amendments we've submitted a couple of amendments one<00:38:45.480><
• is to pass with amendments is to pass with amendments representative<01:32:30.360> Cochran
• <01:33:47.440> representative<01:33:48.280> Cochran amendments representative Cochran amendments
• amendments as such.
• <01:35:02.639> for 3000 we also do technical amendments for 3000 we also do technical amendments

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on January 28, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of bills dealing with vehicle titles, motor vehicle taxes, window tinting, license plates, electric bicycles, insurance penalties, vehicle inspection fines, and transportation discrimination. For HB 532, which shortens the time to forward a transferred vehicle title from 30 days to 14 days and allows a letter of attestation to serve as an endorsement certificate, testimony was listed in support from Councilmember U. Hajin and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and in opposition from Maui Mayor Richard Bisson and Sylvie Madison. HB 655 would require payment of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties for the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency; the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi stood on written comments, with Tim Rymer and Robert Souza providing comments/support. HB 368, which would exempt certain medically sensitive drivers from sunscreen-device tint limits, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from several individuals. HB 226, lowering allowed windshield tint from 35% to 20%, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from TNT Tinting Specialists; members asked about federal preemption, and DOT said federal guidance applies to manufacturers while states retain authority over aftermarket tinting. The committee also heard HB 543, prohibiting license plate flipping devices and imposing a $2,000 fine, and HB 228, authorizing counties to adopt rules for electronic license plates, repealing flipping devices, and setting a minimum fine for obscuring plates; both measures had DOT support, comments from the Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and opposition from Sylvie Madison. HB 70 would require insurance for electric bicycles and create a regulatory framework effective January 1, 2026. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill improperly distinguishes e-bikes from mopeds; PeopleForBikes and the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League opposed it as costly and unnecessary, while the Insurance Division said the bill could conflict with existing no-fault definitions and might fit better in the motor scooter/moped insurance framework. HB 231, increasing the fine for violating motor vehicle insurance requirements from $500 to $1,500, was opposed by the Office of the Public Defender, which argued it would burden low-income residents and add to court congestion; members debated whether higher fines would improve compliance. Later, HB 227 would add fines for operating a vehicle without a current inspection certificate and had DOT support. HB 184 would require operators of low-speed electric bicycles to have a driver’s license, instruction permit, or provisional license; Kawaii Path, PeopleForBikes, and Get Fit Kauaʻi opposed it as a barrier to low-cost transportation and noted concerns for riders with disabilities, while DOT later said it would support the measure and was asked to research whether other states have similar licensing requirements. The final major measure discussed was HB 468, which would require the Civil Rights Commission to investigate discrimination complaints involving transportation network company drivers and riders with service animals and allow DOT to issue penalties to the companies. The National Federation of the Blind of Hawaiʻi, the Disability Rights Center, and individual riders supported the bill, saying current protections lack enforcement and that denials still occur; Uber and Lyft opposed it, saying they already prohibit discrimination, train drivers, investigate complaints quickly, and that the bill would duplicate existing law and create unnecessary penalties. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, recently proposed amendments to the cap-and-invest program's regulations would, if adopted, reduce
• environmental thing that says, oh, you know, this modification, you're going to have to get this permit
• and that permit.
• "You're going to have to get this permit and that permit because the worst of the scenarios is that the
• I want to speak briefly about the state's streamlined permitting process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amended; HB 2995 do pass as amended; and HB 467 do pass as amended.
• And if you could move your floor amendment to the Education Amendment to the Education Amendment Amendment
• I recommend House Bill 2257 as amended do pass. As amended, as amended, as amended, as amended.
• As amended, as amended, as amended, as amended. As amended, as amended, it's a great bill.
• amended; HB 2979 do pass as amended; HB 2996 do pass as amended; and HCR 2015 do pass as amended.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we had to get a permit, I have a permit for my weapon. So do I. >> But it is mine.
• a permit for my weapon. So do I. a permit for my weapon. So do I.
• Amendment. >> In what way?
• >> Yes.<02:34:11.760> Amendment. >> Yes. Amendment. >> Yes. Amendment.
• I am not aware of this amendment. I was not aware of this amendment.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This law was amended in 2020. consecutive years of noncompliance from three years to two years.
• What holds us back in North America, Mexico and Canada included, is permits.
• Now, I can speak to you as, you know, in working with your government, you move permits quickly for that
• And so it's very rare that they ever go rogue and put anything into an index that is not permitted by
• And so it's just. just a matter of making sure that we give them good definition of what is not permitted

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, there is an amendment I can explain. Mr.
• Madam Vice Chair, would you please move the Gress Amendment? Mr.
• The amendment is adopted. Vice Chair, please move the bill as amended. Mr.
• Oh, sorry, I was just on 2075 as amended, so the question before you is that House Bill 2075, as amended
• Chairman, there is an amendment I can explain. No need; that amendment will be withdrawn. Yes, sir.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "So the fine would be separate, so the amendment, the original bill would still be unchanged, but you
• on the floor we would have amendment on the floor we would have more more more time<00:39:38.280>
• "So we'll do an amendment. We will do this into... well, I can do a form amendment.
• was screw it up yep so we'll do an amend was screw it up yep so we'll do an amend we<00:41:32.960
• right which which is what New Amendment right which which is what New York<00:52:57.280> came

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• must have insurance, and in order to be driving it, they need to be a licensed driver or have their permit
• Additionally, Chapter 320.02 would be amended to exempt active duty members of the U.S.
• It also would amend the definition of tank vehicle.
• The bill amends Chapter 322.01 to align the definition of a tank vehicle with federal regulations.
• the sections to adhere with the International Fuel Tax Agreement articles, and amends the sections to

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on micro-mobility device regulation and enforcement, focusing on e-bikes and e-scooters. Sheriff Robert Hardwick and Chief Jamie Cruz described serious injuries involving children, including crashes at high speeds, and argued that current law is outdated because it folds e-bikes into the bicycle statute. They urged a separate statewide framework with clearer age limits, licensing or training requirements, helmet rules, and penalties for modifying devices to go faster. Both also emphasized that parents should bear responsibility and that enforcement should include education, progressive discipline, and, if needed, civil citations. FDOT District 6 Secretary Daniel Iglesias and DHSMV representative Lonnie Groner said their agencies are prioritizing education, outreach, and better data collection. They noted that micromobility devices are increasingly common, create safety and accessibility issues on sidewalks and shared-use paths, and are difficult to track because crash reports often do not identify them consistently. Members discussed whether motorized devices should be barred from sidewalks, whether riders should be licensed and insured, and how enforcement could be made uniform statewide. The panel also said manufacturers have not been meaningfully engaged and that local approaches vary widely. The committee then heard 2026 legislative priorities from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and DHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. Perdue outlined FDOT’s large five-year work program, ongoing congestion-relief projects, investments in ports, airports, rail, workforce, heavy equipment, facilities, and cybersecurity, and the need to do more with flat revenues. Kerner summarized DHSMV’s agency bill priorities, including requiring a Florida address and proof of residence for vehicle registration, updating identification requirements, aligning tank vehicle and motor carrier rules with federal standards, improving IFTA administration, raising the crash-report damage threshold, and allowing electronic notices. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• well. and we have suggested amendments well. and we have suggested amendments in<00:07:04.560>
• <01:33:10.159> to I'm going to do is make amendments to I'm going to do is make amendments
• Uh no tech amendments defective date.
• That's amendment number one. Amendment number two is going to be to clarify it on page 6.
• That's amendment number one. court. That's amendment number one.

Bills: HB1997, HB2343, HB2566, HB2493

Keywords: students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• hotel under any leas concession permit hotel under any leas concession permit right<01:59:45.360
• this amendment?
• do uh this amendment specifically would do uh this amendment specifically would do<04:26:02.560>
• But that amendment does not amend that section of the law, as far as I am aware.
• ><04:26:38.319> that<04:26:38.560> section Amendment does not amend um that section Amendment

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are opposed unless amended to this bill. Thank you.
• Telecom, the Broadband Association, also opposed unless amended. Thank you.
• amendments.
• The motion is do pass as amended to... ...Item number 10, SB 1138.
• The motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations. Petri Norris: Aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That section also permits the examination to occur through audiovisual or other telecommunication technology
• Steve Yes, I think it could the provision that I mentioned five seventy two point oh two five does permit
• C is an emergency detention, so I'm looking to find a bill to amend so that we finally get that information
• I'll certainly, in a substitute, come forward with a Nelson Amendment as well, Madam Chair.
• We could potentially... work through that and you know if we passed it and had the Nelson Amendment the

Bills: SB437, SB528, SB626, SB636, SB884, SB968, SB1044, SB1608, SB2336

Keywords: healthcare, training, abuse, neglect, penalties, chemical dependency, safety, regulation, inpatient competency restoration, competency restoration, forensic mental health, mental health law, criminal competency, incompetent to stand trial, Chapter 46B, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state hospital, behavioral health, local mental health authority

Transcript Highlights:

• It was processing ballots three days before they were permitted to do so.
• This bill provides clear rules for the early voting ballot board, dictating when they are permitted to
• So, if time permits, I would like to give you a little demonstration, but I'm going to wait to do that
• It moves that HB 2259, without amendment, be reported favorably to the House with a recommendation that
• The Chair moves that House Bill 2811, without amendment, be reported favorably to the full House with

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• to us and add the first 11 amendments. to us and add the first 11 amendments.
• Would for clarifying, would either your amendment or the amendment that we're talking about, would that
• <03:07:26.240> fit Representative Rung's amendment fit Representative Rung's amendment fit
• your amendment or your the<03:08:05.200> amendment<03:08:05.600> that<03:08:05.840>
• referring to the amendment. I'm sorry. referring to the amendment. I'm sorry.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Griffitts: Any questions on the amendment?
• All those in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye. Opposed?
• Show the amendment passed favorably. Any debate on the amendment? We are past that now, sorry.
• You are recognized to close on your amendment. Rep. Oliver: Waive close.
• Vice Chair Griffitts: Back on the bill as amended. Any debate on the bill as amended?

Transcript Highlights:

• this or 1.2 amended this which amended this or 1.2 amended this bill<00:33:14.120> to<00:33:14.320
• c><00:35:28.160> amendment.
• proposal of amendment. proposal of amendment.
• Now the Senate to amend the bill.
• Charter Amendment Proposal. The General Assembly officially approves the charter amendment.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks and then handled several procedural items, including referring Senate Bill 223 on Vermont water quality, which carries an appropriation, to the Committee on Appropriations. The chamber also read and recognized three House Concurrent Resolutions: honoring Maria Blair for nearly four decades of service in the Joint Fiscal Office; designating April 11–17, 2026 as Black Maternal Health Week in Vermont; and congratulating the 2025 Green Mountain Council class of Eagle Scouts. Members offered brief tributes to Blair’s institutional knowledge and service, and to the importance of addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Guests connected to the resolutions were recognized in the gallery, and the House also heard announcements introducing visitors and upcoming meetings. The main legislative action was on Senate Bill 255, which would establish a pilot law enforcement governance council in Windham County. Committee members described it as a limited, voluntary pilot intended to improve regional public safety governance and funding without imposing a statewide mandate or new tax. Testimony came from legislative staff, local officials, sheriffs, police, the Vermont State Police, and municipal representatives. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably with a 9-0-1 vote and a small amendment adding an additional report-back requirement; Ways and Means found no fiscal impact to state revenue and reported it favorably 10-0-1. The House then agreed to propose the amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The final action item was House Bill 956, approving Burlington’s charter amendment to formally establish the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as a permanent city office. The sponsor explained that Burlington voters had already approved the change and that the bill would codify existing duties, including equity strategy, policy advice, representation of underserved communities, and community engagement, with the director reporting to the mayor. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably 10-0-1, and the House ordered it to third reading. Later, Ways and Means reported favorably with amendment on Senate Bill 327, an economic development bill carrying an appropriation, and it was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The House then adjourned until April 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1166 be amended as follows and, as so amended, be referred to the Committee of the Whole with
• amended as follows and as so amended be amended as follows and as so amended be<00:27:19.080> referred
• > the and as so amended be referred to the and as so amended be referred to the Committee<00:28
• > the as so amended be referred to the as so amended be referred to the Committee<00:30:21.240
• The Committee of the Whole report recommends Senate Bill 7 as amended and Senate Bill 54 as amended,

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A joint resolution proposing an amendment or revision to Sections 4, 6, and 9 of Article 7 and to Article
• Legislation requiring property appraisers to provide notices to taxpayers regarding the proposed amendment
• Senate Joint Resolution 2F by Senator Avila, a joint resolution proposing amendments to Sections 4, 6
• Senate Joint Resolution 2F by Senator Avila, a joint resolution proposing amendments to sections 4, 6
• waived and SJR 2F and SB 4F be placed on the special order calendar for Tuesday, June 2, with an amendment

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to begin by sharing a brief history of Minnesota's Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to
• you know, in 2008, during challenging economic times, the voters of Minnesota passed the Legacy Amendment
• This is a seven-day pass, so someone who might not be sure if they're wanting to get the full permit
• There is a long ongoing conversation when the Legacy amendment was passed and the funds were created
• was always use your Trail your permit was always use your Trail your permit money<00:57:31.319><

Keywords: 1183, house