Transcript Highlights:

• Is there anyone online that wishes to comment or provide testimony? >> No, chair. >> Okay.
• Anyone in the room that wishes to provide comment or testimony?
• comment or provide testimony? comment or provide testimony?
• :27.600> or room that wishes to provide comment or room that wishes to provide comment or testimony
• testimony? testimony?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group held its first meeting on August 21, 2025, to organize under Act 292, which directs the group to review and recommend laws, policies, and procedures on restrictive housing for vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, people with serious mental illness, those with sensory impairments, and people perceived to be LGBTQIA+. Co-chairs Sen. Brandon Elefante and Rep. Della Au Belatti outlined the group’s purpose, membership, and timeline, noting the final recommendations are due to the Legislature by January 8, 2027. Members and invited participants introduced themselves, including legislative members, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff, the Department of Health, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, ACLU of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, UPW, and an OHA representative in the audience. The working group discussed its initial focus and agreed that a first priority should be understanding current restrictive housing practices at DCR, including policies on solitary confinement, training, reporting, and how the department currently handles vulnerable populations. Co-chair Belatti said the group should also hear from people with lived experience, including incarcerated individuals and family members affected by solitary confinement, and review litigation, settlements, and outside expert work on best practices. DCR Director Tommy Johnson, appearing by Zoom, said the bill contains specific implementation timelines and that the group should use future meetings to surface topics tied to the act’s requirements. Rep. Shimizu asked how the working group’s recommendations would fit with SB 104 and whether they would supersede existing provisions; Belatti responded that the act allows time for review and for both departmental policy changes and legislative recommendations, with section two’s implementation date set for July 1, 2026. Public comment was limited, with no online testimony. An OHA representative thanked the chairs and said the office looked forward to participating once formally designated. House legislative attorney Sean Aronson suggested the group should hear about any outside or court-mandated oversight of DCR in a future presentation. A member of the working group also asked about scheduling an in-person visit to a correctional facility, and the chairs said that could be arranged with DCR. The group tentatively scheduled its next meeting for October 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., noted that September would be skipped, and discussed holding future meetings on third Thursdays. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Identify yourselves, whoever's going to go first, and proceed with your testimony. All right.
• With that, I'd like to proceed with your testimony. Good afternoon, Mr.
• And we had testimony over the last several years, and we'll have some more maybe this week, about the
• Fehr, identify yourself and let's hear your testimony. Mr.
• Chair, that concludes my testimony. Thanks, Mr. Dewar. Next up, we have Justin Revak.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the committee has received written testimony from the USDA.
• And now we'll turn to our witness testimony.
• I have submitted written testimony expressing my views on the Fix Our Forests Act, and I appreciate you
• As I explained more fully in my written testimony, the bill is a compilation of a variety of provisions
• Gordon, as your testimony mentioned, there are more than 44 million homes in Washington. of which more

Bills: HB471

Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• As noted in the hearing posting, the committee will hear from invited testifiers. testimony only.
• Most of this committee is has heard from all of you, the embodied testimony before, but we do have a
• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. I appreciate you all being here. Mr.
• Novak, thank you for your testimony. opportunity to be here with you.
• Welcome, thanks for your testimony.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and proceed with your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Heg.
• :26.800> your state your name and proceed with your state your name and proceed with your testimony
• thank you Mr chairman testimony thank you Mr chairman uh<00:13:29.800> representatives<00:13:
• <00:15:27.079> Mr<00:15:28.079> heg you for your testimony Mr heg you for your testimony

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Garrison: That is all the public testimony we have. Members, any debate? On Rep.
• We move on to public testimony. Ms. Stillman from the Commission on Ethics waving in support.
• Chair Garrison: Members, that is all public testimony we have. Any debate on this bill?
• There is no public testimony, we have no cards. Any debate? Chair Garrison: Seeing no debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any public testimony? No cards. Any debate on PCB 2601?
• Chair Garrison: Any public testimony? Any debate on 2602?
• Any public testimony? Any debate on 2603? Vice Chair, you are recognized to close.
• Chair Garrison: Any public testimony? Debate on the Special Order letter? All in favor say yay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any public testimony on those two offers?
• Is there any public testimony on those offers? Seeing none.
• Is there any public testimony on the offer? Seeing none.
• Is there any public testimony on the offer? Seeing none.

Summary: The appropriations chairs’ conference committee met to exchange and accept budget offers on several issues. The Senate accepted the House’s revised offer on transportation, tourism, economic development, infrastructure, and related projects. The House accepted the Senate’s Pre-K-12 education budget and projects offer with four project-level changes: adding $200,000 for Workforce Development and High School Classrooms, reducing the Crockett Foundation by $250,000, adding $350,000 for the North Florida after-school agriculture and arts project, and eliminating funding for Roosevelt Elementary School Program Enhancements. The House also accepted the Senate’s administered funds budget offer. The House then presented offers on Pre-K-12 education (SB 2510) and Health and Human Services/Health Care (SB 2514). For Pre-K-12, the House said some rows were closed, some Senate positions were accepted, some were modified, some House positions were maintained, and new positions were offered on rows 12 through 16. For Health and Human Services, the House moved to the Senate position on several lines, including a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, kept its position on some lines, and proposed new language on Medicaid redeterminations, PACE, Medicaid premium assistance, adult day training reimbursement, behavioral health teaching hospitals, and dental hygienists. The Senate then presented offers on Pre-K-12 education proviso and back-of-bill language, education capital outlay proviso and back-of-bill language, and Health and Human Services/Health Care budget projects and back-of-bill language. The Senate explained that its bump offers were reflected in spreadsheet columns, with some items closed and others marked with highlighted changes; for education capital outlay, the Senate accepted two House positions on rows 48 and 49 and proposed a new issue on row 50. No public testimony was offered on any of the items. The chairs indicated they would continue meeting later that day or evening, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• today, this hearing will be streamed on the Assembly website, and members of the public can provide testimony
• National surveys show that fewer than one in three older adults have a comprehensive plan, and testimony
• Thank you so much for your testimony. Thank you so much for your testimony.
• But their testimony said that the bill imposes no mandates and it costs no money.
• On behalf of the Legislature, thank you for coming to Sacramento for your testimony.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless anyone has any questions, that was the end of my testimony. The end of my testimony.
• Thank you for receiving my testimony today.
• Thank you all for hearing my testimony.
• Thank you all for hearing my testimony.
• Thank you all for hearing my testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them. Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the public, nonpartisan staff did a walk-through of the amendment and spreadsheet and took testimony
• We heard the bill last week, and the Legislative Auditor's office provided testimony on the bill.
• Please begin your testimony. I got promoted to Commissioner. I'll tell Commissioner Schnall later.
• the Legislative Auditor's office the Legislative Auditor's office provided<00:07:23.360> testimony
• <00:07:24.960> This provided testimony on the bill. This provided testimony on the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 1082, which was being handled as the committee budget bill. Members first reconsidered and then adopted the previously approved DE4 amendment so the bill could be updated with a new amendment package. The committee then adopted several amendments, including A4, a technical reviser’s amendment; A3, which added LELS representatives to a task force related to House File 3095; and A9, which extended a spending deadline for a Ramsey County appropriation tied to dual status youth/crossover youth programming. Vice Chair Feist said the deadline change was needed because the original grant timing had been shortened, and she also criticized delays in spending youth justice funds. The committee also adopted A11, which Chair Mohler described as language previously seen in the domestic violence policy/task force bill, narrowed from an indefinite period to 28 days and then to 14 days for the gun-on-arrival arrest provision. A12 was then adopted to continue work on Department of Corrections changes related to the MinCorp program from House File 4031. A Department of Corrections representative explained that a disputed provision no longer used a percentage but instead used a ratio, and that the language reflected stakeholder agreement; a member confirmed the relevant line numbers and raised no objection. After the amendments were adopted, the committee withdrew the DE4 version, adopted the DE6 amendment as amended, and then re-referred House File 1082 as amended to the Ways and Means Committee. All motions were approved by voice vote, with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE SOME PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
• PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? OKAY DO YOU HAVE TO CLOSE? >> Rep.
• THERE IS NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY. IS THEIR DEBATE ON THIS AMENDMENT? >> Rep.
• PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AMENDMENT 1004. ALLIE MCNAIR FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION IN OPPOSITION.
• AS AMENDED, AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY. ELISE CHRISTOPH WITH STUDENT DEMAND ACTION AS AN OPPONENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. Jeff Scala, Florida Association of Counties. You're recognized.
• Thank you for your testimony. Rebecca O'Hara, Florida League of Cities. You're recognized.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next, Edward Briggs, Highland Homes. You're recognized.
• Thank you for your testimony. Yvonne Fernandez, AARP, waves in support.
• Thank you for your testimony. Yvonne Fernandez AARP. AARP Waves in support.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard three bills. First, the committee considered Senator Osgood’s home hardening products bill (CS/SB 78). The sponsor offered and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment that changed the sales tax exemption for impact-resistant doors and windows into a refund program. The refund is limited to homeowners with site-built homesteads valued at $700,000 or less, requires application to the Department of Revenue with proof of eligibility, caps the refundable tax at $500,000 per property, and runs for two years beginning July 1, 2026. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then took up Senator McLean’s land use and development regulations bill (SB 208), which would redefine compatibility, define infill residential development, allow administrative approval in certain cases, and set standards for local development-related fees. Members and stakeholders discussed concerns about the compatibility definition, the scope of administrative approval, and whether 100 acres is too large to qualify as infill. Testimony came from Audubon Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, Highland Homes, 1,000 Friends of Florida, and others, with supporters emphasizing housing supply and affordability and opponents warning about sprawl, reduced public participation, and impacts to rural lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The sponsor said he would continue working on the language, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senator Truenow’s bill on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks (SB 118). The bill clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment on an RV park space or campsite, the assessment may not exceed the maximum square footage allowed for an RV site. An amendment clarified that maximum as 400 square feet, resolving confusion about the cross-reference in current law. After brief discussion and one appearance form in support, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there public testimony on the amendment? Debate? Is there objection?
• Is there public testimony on the amendment? Debate? Is there objection?
• Seeing none, we are on public testimony. Alan Abramowitz with The Arc of Florida wishes to speak.
• Thank you for your testimony. And now we'll hear from Anthony Mancuso.
• Thank you very much for your testimony, Mr. Mancuso.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills. SB 894, relating to faith-based content in batterers’ intervention programs, was explained as allowing certified programs to offer voluntary faith-based components alongside existing models. Members raised questions about how faith would be defined, whether participation would be optional, and how all faiths would be included. An amendment was adopted clarifying that faith-based activities may be offered but not required and removing language directing DCF to repeal a rule. After supportive testimony from faith-based advocates and some debate, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senators Harrell and Garcia later recording affirmative votes. The committee then considered SB 1240 on substance abuse and mental health care, which would assign state oversight of the 988 Lifeline, remove the annual needs assessment barrier for medication-assisted treatment licensing, and require annual continuing education for forensic evaluators. An amendment with technical conforming changes and two substantive clarifications was adopted. Members expressed support for expanded access to behavioral health services, and the bill was reported favorably. Later, the chair presented SB 1736, which would allow direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities. After an amendment clarifying sliding scale insulin and related medication administration, the committee heard testimony from family advocates describing how the bill would prevent unnecessary institutionalization and reduce costs. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 1286, which clarifies that allowing children to engage in unsupervised activities such as biking or playing outside does not by itself constitute neglect unless reckless or dangerous. After brief support testimony, that bill was also reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you would, state your name for the record and you may begin testimony.
• I believe we have some of your written testimony, and we'll look at that. Yes, thank you.
• The floor is now open for public testimony. The chair calls Travis McCormick.
• Senate Bill 314 will conclude public testimony on the committee substitute.
• Public testimony is closed. We will leave this bill pending at this time.

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would say why don't we go with testimony would say why don't we go with testimony first<00:43:01.600
• <00:48:17.760> from and I'm sure you've heard testimony from and I'm sure you've heard testimony
• And I their test of testimony itself.
• . testimony. testimony.
• He gave his testimony as stepped away.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the testimony.
• I appreciate the testimony.
• I appreciate the testimony.
• I appreciate the testimony.
• I appreciate the testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, in the testimony that I passed out earlier, there is an addendum at the back.
• And so, in the testimony that I passed out earlier, there is an addendum at the back.
• Welcome to Chairman, and um, thank you to the committee for taking my testimony.
• I did write to you some testimony last night.
• Do we have numbers for the online testimony submissions on that last bill?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh the committee received a testimony uh the committee received a testimony from<00:27:12.159>
• :14:58.400> from the committee received testimony from the committee received testimony from the
• And sadly, from that list, none of those folks providing testimony offered sample beverages.
• uh reviewed the bill and took testimony uh reviewed the bill and took testimony from<01:16:05.920
• <01:35:28.560> to we did not take specific testimony to we did not take specific testimony

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was so hard to listen to that testimony.
• We've heard testimony over the course of bills over the years, testimony in the House, testimony in the
• And we can talk more about some of these testimonies. They're difficult to read.
• We've heard testimony about that.
• There's been testimony about that, and it is a real problem.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.