Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in our testimony, we really focused on chapter 194, the statute that establishes the Hawaiʻi Invasive
• Instead, we will amend that section as follows: an amendment to section 24, chapter 15A of HRS is amended
• Instead, we will amend that section as follows: an amendment to section 24, chapter 15A of HRS is amended

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration. Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops. DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01.679> under maintenance and design of Highways under maintenance and design of Highways under chapter
• 02.840> HRS<00:23:03.640> so<00:23:03.840> that<00:23:04.000> government chapter
• 663 HRS so that government chapter 663 HRS so that government entities<00:23:04.640> will<00:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:55:27.279> into<02:55:27.680> which<02:55:28.160> a while the uh chapter
• Um, this is drafted into Chapter 609 because there's a criminal consequence to a violation of it.
• Um this is drafted into chapter 609 us.
• the relevant chapter. the relevant chapter.
• Chapter 169A is not in the title of the underlying bill. Do you want advice, Mr. President? Advice?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the vice president of the New Hampshire chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and I'm also
• 02:32:47.319> the<02:32:47.399> New<02:32:47.600> Hampshire<02:32:48.000> chapter
• <02:32:48.319> of<02:32:48.439> the of the New Hampshire chapter of the of the New
• Hampshire chapter of the American<02:32:48.960> Academy<02:32:49.319> of<02:32:49.439><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's under a different chapter in the law. Question.
• And it's under a different chapter in the law. Question.
• And it's under a different chapter in the law. Question.
• And it's under a different chapter in the law. Question.
• And it's under a different chapter in the law. Question.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 343 is the animal cruelty law in Minnesota.
• Chair and Senator Limer, any felony under chapter 343.
• felony uh under chapter 343. felony uh under chapter 343.
• Council has pointed out that the terms knowingly and willfully appear throughout this chapter of law
• throughout this chapter of law in<02:09:24.320> different<02:09:24.639> contexts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it just takes those statutes from the Business Council statutes, moves them to the chapter associated
• associated<00:31:17.200> with<00:31:17.360> the<00:31:17.520> energy the chapter
• associated with the energy the chapter associated with the energy authority<00:31:18.720> and
• Fuller, can you point to me book chapter first, uh, the line number where that first section is designated
• Chapter 25, a new article 701 through 710.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , line 598.18 to 598.23, specifically, take out $194,000 each year for systems cost to administer chapter
• 268B which is the uh administer chapter 268B which is the uh paid<03:45:06.160> family<03:45:
• cost to administer uh chapter cost to administer uh chapter 268B.<03:45:22.560> Mr.
• As I had mentioned, there are two references to administering chapter 268B, which is the paid family
• President, you'll know that paid family medical leave and chapter 268 are in the jurisdiction of your

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we look at bills and then amendment of bills, we're not looking at the complete one, the complete chapter
• And here, with 169-C, it is a very complex and robust and wordy chapter.
• There are 40 subsections to this very important section, uh, chapter, and there should be 40 subsections
• is a very complex and robust and 169c it is a very complex and robust and wordy<04:32:09.000> chapter
• and there should be 40 chapter and there should be 40 subsections<04:32:16.840> but<04:32:17.040

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an existing section in the criminal code, chapter 609.
• existing um section in the<00:47:03.280> criminal<00:47:03.680> code<00:47:04.079> chapter
• <00:47:05.920> Uh<00:47:06.560> I the criminal code chapter 609.
• Uh I the criminal code chapter 609.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• record here, uh, um, the beginning of subdivision three, any person who violates a provision of this chapter
• any person who violates a provision of any person who violates a provision of this<01:15:23.920> chapter
• , this chapter, this chapter, and<01:15:25.760> then<01:15:25.960> goes<01:15:26.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The process under Chapter 116A is complex, time-intensive, and costly.
• The process under Chapter<01:19:12.200> 116A<01:19:13.280> is<01:19:13.440> complex,
• Chapter 116A is complex, Chapter 116A is complex, time-intensive,<01:19:15.800> and<01:19

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, every single code in chapter 107.25.
• I mean, every single<00:52:20.560> code<00:52:21.080> in<00:52:21.240> chapter<00
• single code in chapter 107.25. single code in chapter 107.25. Thank<00:52:23.680> you.

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but the legislation simply says that the commissioner may not provide any assistance under this chapter
• , but the legislation simply says that the commissioner may not provide any assistance under this chapter
• [Clears throat] chapter for up to 80% of the total cost. chapter for up to 80% of the total cost.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Council, twice president and chair of the Minnesota government relations committee of the Northstar chapter
• 49.359> northstar relations committee of the northstar relations committee of the northstar chapter
• <00:47:52.079> I chapter of the appraisal institute.
• I chapter of the appraisal institute.

Bills: HF3604, HF2236, HF3709, HF3766, HF2400

Keywords: bulk fuel, nonoxygenated gasoline, environment, exemption criteria, transportation, HF2236, Minnesota commerce, obsolete language, statutory cleanup, retail installment contract, consumer credit, vehicle financing, auto loans, retail buyer, retail seller, delinquency charge, collection fee, attorney fees, assignment notice, payment receipt

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, after correcting the header date to Thursday, February 26. It then took up House File 36004, as amended by the author’s technical A1 amendment. Representative Van Binsbergen described the bill as a change to statute governing bulk delivery of nonoxygenated fuel, especially for boats and other watercraft, to allow direct delivery to vehicles rather than requiring transport of fuel in containers or removal of boats from the water. Members generally supported the concept, citing convenience for lake users, reduced travel and potential invasive species spread, and fewer spill risks, but the chair said the bill would be laid over pending additional clarification from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and other agencies. House File 2236 was then introduced as a vehicle bill for possible future omnibus use and laid over without testimony or opposition. The committee also heard House File 3709, which would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer custodial accounts for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. The authors framed the bill as a consumer-protection and competitiveness measure that would let local institutions keep pace with customer demand and prevent Minnesotans from relying on out-of-state or offshore providers. Testimony from the Department of Commerce and credit union representatives supported the bill, saying it would level the playing field, keep digital assets under Minnesota oversight, and help local institutions remain relevant; one witness said significant liquidity had been leaving local communities for outside exchanges. Questions from members focused on whether the accounts would be NCUA-insured, how the bill related to unclaimed property, and whether the policy goal was consumer protection or simply preserving bank relevance. Several members expressed support but also cautioned about crypto volatility, scams, and the need to avoid turning credit unions into exchanges. The discussion ended without a final vote in the excerpt, with the bill still under committee consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what that does is it would create another chapter in Title 34.
• And what that does is it would create<00:46:06.520> another create another create another chapter
• chapter in title 34. chapter in title 34.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The chairman opened by explaining that the committee would hear proposed interim topics and then rank them by written submissions rather than debating them one by one. The Public Service Commission presented two topics: an educational session on small water utilities, citing maintenance needs, water-quality compliance, and difficulty accessing capital, and a review of civil penalties for pipeline safety violations because Wyoming’s statutory penalties are far below federal levels and could affect compliance and funding. Members and outside presenters then outlined a range of additional topics. Representative Campbell proposed work on fire protection districts and EMS districts, focusing on financial stability, mill levies, and possible county authority to combine districts and levies. He also raised public records at meetings, corporate filing fees, and fraudulent corporate filings. The Community College Commission proposed updating annexation statutes so communities can join community college districts more easily, especially where current mill-levy rules create funding issues. Senator Crago supported the fraudulent corporate filings topic and noted related technology-based solutions and overlap with blockchain issues. Other proposals included CPA “Pathways” licensing changes to address a shortage of accountants, a review of public meetings and public records laws, continuation of the electricity study with emphasis on grid reliability and large-load capacity constraints, and a broader review of the public meetings and records act. Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities supported extending municipal audit deadlines and described a statewide shortage of auditors and CPAs. Healthy Wyoming proposed studying health coverage options for low-income working adults, including state-sponsored or cooperative models. Representative Chestek proposed making most nonpartisan county offices elected on a nonpartisan basis. No votes or final selections were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and discussed whether topics should be assigned to this committee or another one.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the bill expands eligibility to include chapter 75 fire districts, allowing them to utilize this
• :54.560> eligibility<01:29:55.280> to<01:29:55.520> include<01:29:55.920> chapter
• expands eligibility to include chapter expands eligibility to include chapter 75<01:29:57.199>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 96 members present. The chamber excused absent members, suspended rules to allow bill and resolution co-sponsorship and vote modifications, approved the previous day’s journal, and received Senate messages announcing passage of Senate Bills 101, 129, 162, and 170. The clerk then reported second-reading bills and favorable committee reports, which were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar. The House then took up several bills on third reading. House Bill 521, relating to stalking, was presented as a modernization of Kentucky’s stalking laws and passed 95-0 after debate; a motion to reconsider was tabled. House Bill 220, relating to pension spiking in the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority systems, was amended by House floor amendment 1 to move the effective date back to July 1, 2021 to capture additional employees, then passed 95-0 and the clincher was applied. House Bill 510, relating to organ donation safety, passed 97-0 after explanation that it would require a pause and restart if anyone in the process believed there were indications of life. House Bill 467, relating to real property, passed 96-0 after adoption of a committee substitute; it creates a process for local governments to identify abandoned or underutilized state-owned property and sets procedures for review, notice, and disposal. House Bill 190, relating to licensed child care centers, passed 96-0 after a committee substitute that adjusts square-footage calculations for certain school-aged child care areas and excludes infants and toddlers. House Bill 141, relating to type 1 diabetes, passed 96-0 after a committee substitute removed an annual distribution requirement and instead made informational materials available in school offices; members spoke in support, including one describing a family experience with the disease. House Bill 518, relating to collection of local business taxes and fees, passed 91-3 after a committee substitute that allows electronic filing while preserving local control, creates an advisory committee, and phases in implementation through July 2029. House Bill 497, relating to post-secondary tuition waivers, was explained as addressing waiver costs to universities and was amended with House floor amendment 3 to expand and clarify eligibility, including up to 128 hours for eligible students and additional provisions for certain groups; discussion was underway when the transcript ended. The meeting also included committee reports on bills covering wildlife depredation, light pollution, limited commercial driver’s licenses, prison educational programs, civil rights, respiratory care, dietitians, temporary structures, controlled substances prescribing authority, the Athletic Trainer Compact, children of military families, local boards of education, youth health services, and class sizes for exceptional children and youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in Revised Statutes Chapter 49.060 preserved generally sovereign immunity for Kentucky.
• :11:41.280> in<01:11:41.600> revised<01:11:42.000> statutes<01:11:42.480> chapter
• have in revised statutes chapter 49060. have in revised statutes chapter 49060.

Keywords: This version of the House chambers was retrieved from back up and uploaded. The original live stream contained issues where audio and video got out of sync., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee reports on several bills. Reported measures included House Bills 1 and 2 from Appropriations and Revenue, along with bills on animal control officers, emergency services revenue, postsecondary education, proactive postsecondary admission, vehicle lights, motor vehicle operation, motor vehicle dealers, and machine gun conversion devices. The chamber also took up Senate Bills 52 and 124 for concurrence, and House Bill 1 was moved from rules to the orders of the day for immediate action. The House then considered House Bill 568, which would regulate public adjusters by prohibiting new licenses, allowing renewals for current licensees, imposing conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, capping fees at 5%, and barring adjusters from negotiating claims. Supporters described it as a consumer-protection measure responding to complaints and investigations, especially after recent storm-related exploitation. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 95-1. The House next debated House Bill 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program and authorize the Secretary of State to administer the state’s participation without using state general funds. Supporters argued it would bring federal scholarship dollars into Kentucky for K-12 students, including public school students, and could generate significant private donations for scholarship-granting organizations. Opponents raised concerns about shifting resources away from public education, the speed of the process, and a proposed waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity. A motion to table the bill failed by a wide margin, and members continued debating the bill and its implications for public schools and state sovereignty.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's anything about chapter 13 in the bill, it needs to come to the Judiciary Committee.
• If there's anything about chapter<00:27:45.600> 13<00:27:45.919> in<00:27:46.080> the
• 27:46.960> it<00:27:47.200> needs<00:27:47.440> to<00:27:47.679> come chapter
• 13 in the bill, it needs to come chapter 13 in the bill, it needs to come to<00:27:48.000> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the $750,000 to establish and administer the program, um, develop chapter 91 administrative rules
• <00:39:52.400> Um<00:39:53.040> develop<00:39:53.760> chapter<00:39:54.320><
• Um develop chapter 91 the program.
• Um develop chapter 91 administrative<00:39:55.440> rules,<00:39:55.839> design<00:39:56.160

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.