Transcript Highlights:

• Well, tonight he's in Texas, but Iowa and Texas are the same once you get south.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other states that just recently, I know Texas, and I think Arizona just dealt with specifically
• California—which we know what California is on record with doing—or Illinois or Virginia or West Virginia or Texas

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and took up four bills. First, CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” by Senator Gates, would make it a third-degree felony to abandon or restrain an animal during a declared weather emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado. The bill was presented as a response to a widely publicized case of a dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton. Several speakers supported the measure, and the committee voted unanimously to report it favorably. Next, SB 374 by Senator Trunow would refine the definition of “farm product” to include plant and plant products and bar local governments from restricting the collection, storage, and processing of farm products on bona fide agricultural land. An amendment related to food waste was withdrawn for further discussion, and public testimony came from composting, recycling, and poultry interests in support. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 560 by Senator Martin on chemical additives in food products, which would restrict a list of 10 chemicals in food. The sponsor argued the bill was aimed at serious health concerns and noted some chemicals had already been banned federally; industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill as creating a patchwork of state rules and potential market disruptions, while some senators supported the health goal but raised concerns about consistency. The committee voted to report SB 560 favorably, with one recorded no vote. Finally, SB 572, the Pam Rock Act by Senator Collins, would create a statewide dangerous dog registry and impose additional criminal penalties, permitting requirements, microchipping, sterilization, and insurance requirements for dangerous dogs. The sponsor and family members of attack victims described severe injuries and deaths to support the need for public notice and accountability. Some members questioned the usefulness of a registry and the burden of the information requirements, but the sponsor said the bill was intended to prevent repeat attacks and help victims. The committee voted to report SB 572 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:15:11.519> sections<00:15:11.959> of<00:15:12.160> of<00:15:12.320> chapter
• suppose obscure sections of of chapter suppose obscure sections of of chapter 10<00:15:13.079>
• And that's how it's defined in statute under chapter 13.
• <00:47:56.480> 13 it's defined in statute under chapter 13 it's defined in statute under chapter
• 13 question so a 13 Point that's chapter 13 question so maybe<01:04:43.480> that's<01:04:43.720

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a pediatrician at the Mankato Clinic, and I'm the president of the Minnesota chapter of the American
• <00:07:33.199> of<00:07:33.319> the<00:07:33.400> Minnesota<00:07:33.919> chapter
• the president of the Minnesota chapter the president of the Minnesota chapter of<00:07:34.319>
• 00:09:40.720> for<00:09:40.880> the<00:09:41.000> Minnesota<00:09:41.480> chapter
• the governor for the Minnesota chapter the governor for the Minnesota chapter of<00:09:41.959>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1672, an act in Title 36, Chapter 29, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• Senate Bill 1672, an act amending Title 36, Chapter 29, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Senate Bill 1752, an act amending Title 13, Chapter 34, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13
• On Monday, March 16th, 2026, please join the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
• Please join the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington County Community Development Agency, as well as the legislative chair for the Minnesota chapter
• c> the<00:03:10.879> National<00:03:11.200> Association<00:03:11.760> of chapter
• of the National Association of chapter of the National Association of Housing<00:03:12.159> and
• of NARO, the National Minnesota chapter of NARO, the National Association<00:07:13.280> of<00
• revisions of chapter 504B 216 that<00:15:33.920> included<00:15:34.480> utility<00:15:

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 342 is ultimately going to be the prevailing chapter that governs and oversees adult use and
• The original chapter in which the medical cannabis program was established, chapter 152, ultimately will
• statutory language uh throughout chapter statutory language uh throughout chapter 152<00:20:28.000
• check process required in chapter 342. check process required in chapter 342. members,<00:21:15.200
• :21:32.799> medical<00:21:33.039> cannabis chapter in which the medical cannabis chapter

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement of the attorney general for enforcement of<00:32:41.720> the<00:32:41.799> chapter
• <00:32:42.200> Mitigation<00:32:42.639> Of of the chapter Mitigation Of of the chapter
• 3-120 procurements exempt from chapter 103D.
• <00:37:14.400> 3-120 exhibit a chapter 3-120 exhibit a chapter 3-120 procurements<00:37:16.920
• exempt from chapter 103d procurements exempt from chapter 103d adopt<00:37:19.880> amendments

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would remove Wiki special district and historic sites from the trigger language in chapter 343-5
• This would remove Wiki special district and historic sites from the trigger language in chapter 343-5
• language in chapter 343-5. language in chapter 343-5.
• And then Ocean Tourism Coalition, uh, NIA Hawaii chapter, Ken Hayashida, not present.
• will move this language uh to chapter will move this language uh to chapter 328J 328J 328J and<01

Bills: HB1924, HB2121, HB1928, HB1979, HB1650, HB1543, HB1981, HB1982

Keywords: mattress recycling, waste management, producer responsibility, environmental health, steafardship program, electronic cigarettes, disposable devices, environmental protection, plastic pollution, lithium batteries, pollution control, public health, deposit beverage container, bottle bill, container deposit law, container redemption, recycling refund, extended producer responsibility, EPR, deposit return system

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it is titled 2023 capital budget laws, 23 chapters 71 and 72.
• Um, it is titled 2023 capital budget laws, 23 chapters 71 and 72.
• Um, it is titled 2023 capital budget laws, 23 chapters 71 and 72.
• Um, it is titled 2023 capital budget laws, 23 chapters 71 and 72.
• <00:26:08.080> 72 received 135 million um in chapter 72 received 135 million um in chapter

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Capital Investment Committee met on January 16 for an informational overview on state bonding and capital investment. House Research analyst Chelsea Griffin and House Fiscal analyst Andrew Lee explained the nonpartisan roles of their offices and then walked members through the basics of Minnesota bonding: how bonds are issued and repaid, how they are categorized, and the main legal authorities governing state general obligation bonds, including the state constitution, Minnesota statutes, and federal tax law. Griffin emphasized that state GO bond proceeds must be used for a public purpose, for a purpose authorized in the constitution, as specifically described in law, and must mature within 20 years. She also noted that state GO bonding is typically originated in the House and that capital projects financed with state GO bonds generally require a three-fifths vote in each chamber. The presentation also covered practical limits and requirements on bonding projects, including the distinction between state and local GO bonding, the role of bond counsel, restrictions on bond-financed property, the prohibition on reimbursing already-paid costs, and the full funding and non-state match requirements. In response to member questions, Griffin clarified that the full funding requirement in section 16A.502 means a project must be fully funded before the appropriation is available, while section 16A.86 reflects an expectation that local governments provide about half the financing for local projects, though the legislature can choose to fund more than half or waive a local match. She also said she did not believe a bill to make the 50 percent match requirement statutory passed last session. Lee then began a spreadsheet-based overview of the 2023 capital budget laws, explaining how capital investment spreadsheets are organized and how different fund types appear in the documents. He highlighted examples such as University of Minnesota projects funded with GO bonds and Minnesota State projects using user financing, where the system contributes a share of project costs from non-state sources such as tuition or system revenues. The committee did not take any votes or formal actions during this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishment license under this chapter establishment license under this chapter for<00:42:55.680
• director and the position of the chapter director and the position of the chapter are<00:43:01.359
• So this is kind of me asking for a favor while we have the whole chapter open.
• So the current whole chapter open.
• Nothing in this chapter middle line 23.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plan operating under chapter 62H.
• chapter chapter 62A.<00:24:40.880> 011.
• insurance company licensed under chapter insurance company licensed under chapter 6A<00:24:55.520
• a<00:25:18.799> joint operating under chapter 64B, or a joint operating under chapter 64B,
• operating under chapter 62H. operating under chapter 62H. Thank<00:25:25.120> you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plans into a chapter that's specific to HMO oversight.
• > to<00:08:42.479> HMO into a chapter that's specific to HMO into a chapter that's specific
• This was done as those terms are used in chapter 62D.
• The correct terminology in that chapter is health maintenance organization.
• terms are used in chapter 62D. terms are used in chapter 62D.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:38.160> 78 should be better situated in chapter 78 should be better situated in chapter
• 78 versus<00:15:39.519> chapter<00:15:39.759> 88<00:15:40.240> it's<00:15:40.360
• > unclear<00:15:40.720> if<00:15:40.839> it versus chapter 88 it's unclear if it
• for these chapter 78 benefits I<00:15:59.639> you<00:15:59.759> know<00:16:00.120>
• 78 because uh ERS suited in chapter 78 because uh ERS administers<00:16:06.959> chapter<00:16

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the first group of sections are related to removing references to Chapter 144D, which was the old
• So, the first group of sections are related to removing references to Chapter 144D, which was the old
• So, the first group of sections are related to removing references to Chapter 144D, which was the old
• So, the first group of sections are related to removing references to Chapter 144D, which was the old
• <00:30:43.120> 144D,<00:30:44.600> which Chapter 144D, which Chapter 144D, which was<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EPA regulations as specified in 40 CFR chapter 205-1.52.
• EPA regulations as specified and 40 CFR chapter 205-1.52.
• <01:07:47.920> CFR regulations as specified and 40 CFR regulations as specified and 40 CFR chapter
• 51.319> want<01:07:51.520> amend<01:07:51.799> Section<01:07:52.079> 3 chapter
• 205- 1.52 I want amend Section 3 chapter 205- 1.52 I want amend Section 3 line<01:07:52.480> C

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The meeting included a joint public hearing of the House Housing and Transportation committees, followed by a Transportation Committee hearing. In the joint hearing, members considered SB 662 SD1, which concerned transportation and included two parts: transferring certain streets to the city and clarifying police authority on state streets. The chair recommended moving the bill out as an HD1 with Part One removed, explaining that the street-transfer issue should be worked out by the county and state and that removing it would improve the bill’s chances. The committees voted to pass the measure with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The Transportation Committee then heard several bills. SB 1095, relating to license plates, would increase decal size restrictions for special number plates; the Department of Transportation offered written comments, with testimony split between two individuals in opposition and one in support, and no questions were raised. SB 344 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets; DOT supported the bill, as did TRIAA Hawaii, the Injury Prevention Coalition, and other individuals, while two individuals opposed it. SB 30 would require all moped riders to wear helmets regardless of age; DOT supported it, but Moped Doctors and Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales opposed it, arguing the bill was overreaching, could be hard to enforce, and should be more narrowly targeted or replaced with education efforts. The committee also heard SB 1216, which would tighten noisy muffler and exhaust enforcement by conditioning inspection certificates, adding inspection-station penalties, increasing fines, and prohibiting repair or installation of noisy systems. DOT supported the measure, and Waiʻanae Neighborhood Board testified in support, while Moped Doctors and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it, saying the bill would burden inspection stations, create liability concerns, and raise questions about insurance-related language as applied to mopeds. The hearing included discussion of enforcement, inspection burdens, and whether the bill’s insurance references applied to mopeds. No final vote was taken on the Transportation Committee bills in the portion provided, and the hearing adjourned after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas, every other year for less than 100. Yeah, I'm a little passionate about this.
• He went to Texas, and something that when they came and spoke to me, I looked at this program and it's
• very, very similar to the Texas program.
• All he needed was a... ...looked at this program and it's very, very similar to the Texas program.
• All he needed was a chance and to get on track, and now he's a thriving business owner in Houston, Texas

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as the income tax chapter.
• as well as the income tax chapter.
• as well as the income tax chapter.
• as well as the income tax chapter.
• well as the income tax chapter.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to check with House counsel on this, but I believe PTs and OTs are housed in Chapter 112, and
• this only applies to Section 1, Chapter 111, the professionals in Section 1, Chapter 111.
• I don't think this would apply to them because they're housed in Chapter 112. Right.
• Brenda Anders Pring, who is from the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Dr.
• I am a pediatrician and I work in primary care, and I'm president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hybrid hearing on a wide range of bills focused on patient safety, workforce development, health equity, and access to care. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 2362/S. 1491, which would require health care providers to offer trained chaperones for sensitive exams. Sponsors and supporters said the bill is a common-sense safeguard prompted by cases of physician sexual abuse, and survivors gave emotional testimony describing grooming, isolation, and abuse during exams when no chaperone was present. Support also came from a health services researcher, a physician, and a RAINN representative, all arguing that trained chaperones and clearer documentation would improve transparency and protect patients. Committee members asked about clarifying who may serve as a chaperone and whether the bill would apply to other clinicians such as PTs and OTs. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2401/S. 1485, which would require explicit informed consent for certain educational exams performed on unconscious patients. The bill’s supporters said patients should know in advance if students or physicians will conduct non-medically necessary exams while they are under anesthesia, and that the measure would protect survivors from retraumatization. The hearing then moved to H. 2537, a primary care access bill. Health Care for All, the Massachusetts Medical Society, pediatric and internal medicine physicians, and a patient advocate described long waits, provider shortages, and difficulty finding primary care, especially for low-income people and people of color. They supported the bill’s proposed primary care spending target, payment reforms, Medicaid graduate medical education funding, and a commercial payment floor for health centers. Another set of bills addressed workforce and safety issues. H. 2397/S. 1593 would establish a nursing workforce center; nursing leaders said Massachusetts should make the current workforce council permanent to support data collection, apprenticeships, and long-term planning for the state’s largest health care workforce. H. 2396/S. 1535 would require safe patient handling and mobility programs in health facilities; nurses described serious injuries from lifting patients and said better equipment and programs would reduce staff injuries and improve patient outcomes. H. 2501/S. 1505 on LGBTQ+ health disparities drew support from a medical student and Doctors for America, who urged collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data to improve care and school outcomes. Finally, H. 2448/S. 1522 on patient safety and equitable access to care drew strong support from nursing organizations and individual nurses who described unsafe staffing, burnout, and patient harm, while the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems opposed the bill as redundant for psychiatric facilities already regulated by the Department of Mental Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• The base bill creates an interim notice requirement within the first six months of new Chapter 93M's
• The base bill creates an interim notice requirement within the first six months of new Chapter 93M's
• It also provides, it recognizes, I should say, that some violations of Chapter 93M may need immediate
• The base bill creates an interim notice requirement within the first six months of new Chapter 93M's
• It also provides, it recognizes, I should say, that some violations of Chapter 93M may need immediate

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized several guests in the chamber, and adopted a resolution congratulating Coleman-Nee on election as National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. It also took up several local and personnel matters, including a sick leave bank for Emily Cullick and later Paul Stavarski, and local bills affecting the town of Weston and a Dorchester housing/library procurement exemption; those measures were advanced to third reading or engrossment as appropriate. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The main business was Senate No. 2516, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, which came before the Senate on a Ways and Means substitute (Senate Document 2608). Senators Creem, Moore, Charles, Feingold, Keenan, and others spoke in support, describing the bill as a comprehensive consumer privacy measure with data minimization rules, limits on sensitive data, protections for minors, and strong Attorney General enforcement. Several amendments were debated, with many rejected or withdrawn, while some were adopted, including provisions on geolocation data protections, opting out of targeted advertising, affiliate and merger/acquisition protections, internal operations exemptions, parental access to child data, and a Ways and Means amendment. A number of other amendments on employee data, union data, loyalty programs, AI training, reporting, and related issues were either not adopted or held/withdrawn. After the amendment process, the Senate adopted the amended Ways and Means substitute and ordered the bill to a third reading. The bill was then passed to be engrossed on a roll call vote of 40-0. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar. The session adjourned in memory of Darrow Logan Alexander of South Boston.