Transcript Highlights:

• You may know my story, but in case you don't, I'll share a little bit about it.
• So we have basically all of Texas covered and we each have our little service areas.
• Do you actually think that they would share your opinion?
• And I'll share a personal experience.
• of my cousins and not share it with them, right, because you don't do that.

Transcript Highlights:

• So please share your name and the district you represent. All right.
• I'm Legislative Counsel with the Division of Legislative Services.
• I'm also with the Division of Legislative Services, Summer Research Associate.
• I'm Legislative Council with the Division of Legislative Services.
• I'm also with the Division of Legislative Services Summer Research Associate.

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide a lot of family support services.
• We have that to pay the Medicaid funding match for FIT services.
• Well, the services didn't materialize at that level.
• It's an evidence-based model of how early intervention services are delivered.
• Would you like to share your thoughts on that? Mr.

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• apply to this new service. apply to this new service.
• services, the child gets those services services, the child gets those services whether<00:38:43.040
• reimbursed for services. Correct. reimbursed for services. Correct.
• <00:39:18.320> Representative services? Representative services?
• service, it might be $110 an hour. service, it might be $110 an hour.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciate the things that you shared appreciate the things that you shared with<00:37:08.440>
• <00:52:44.119> my consideration to allow me to share my consideration to allow me to share
• I serve as the administrative Services I serve as the administrative Services assistant<01:05:10.119
• and then for example the staff services and then for example the staff services it's<01:10:55.440
• the fund Bond Fund for staff service the fund Bond Fund for staff services<01:11:00.360> it's

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm going to be a little bit forward-leaning here and share something that I haven't shared publicly
• Okay, if you would please share your amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• amendment okay if you would please share amendment okay if you would please share your your your
• All right, this will move on to Health and Human Services.
• committee on Health and Human Services committee on Health and Human Services as<02:10:02.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , fuels, uh residential water services, fuels, uh residential water services, and<00:11:32.320>
• > sewer<00:11:32.720> services.
• services was enacted in 1979. services was enacted in 1979.
• <00:30:24.799> uh So the congressional research service uh So the congressional research service
• This share has steadily generation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility gas services had increased by 11.7%.
• Of course, New Mexico doesn't have much of a very large share of those as a share of our total workforce
• You know, I wanna share. this with the committee.
• You're would be the value of all the goods and services that.
• The local share was about 16, and that is mainly the local share of GRT deductions.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide Emergency Welfare Services, SNAP, TANF, Child Support, Child Care, Adult Protective Services
• , and Child Welfare Services.
• Again, we focus on emergency services as well. ...and again, the Emergency Welfare Services SNAP program
• Crisis stabilization services.
• Need as far as mental health services or proper education services.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assistant commissioner working with parks and trails, forestry, and our operation management budget services
• Operation Services Division—Reno Soulight is our division director.
• division uh Reno operation service division uh Reno soulight<00:18:02.080> is<00:18:02.159>
• He explained that the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a primary agency of the U.S.
• costs either so those Services costs either so those Services contracts<01:34:59.000> could

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Public transit is both a shared and functional space. It is a privilege, not a right.
• Public transit is both a shared and functional space. It is a privilege, not a right.
• Thank you for the opportunity to be here and share our thoughts. Again, my name is Bill Churchill.
• Thank you for the opportunity to be here and share our thoughts. Again, my name is Bill Churchill.
• and 99 percent of those disruptions resulting from violent... ...service and 99% of those disruptions

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most devastating speak during service.
• thank you for sharing your testimony. thank you for sharing your testimony.
• I could share them with legislators. I could share them with legislators.
• their data broadly collected or shared their data broadly collected or shared without<02:03:43.280
• pulled back in to be denied services pulled back in to be denied services instead<02:48:52.720><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's not happy with the mail service.
• He's not happy with the mail service.
• Services Association, opposed.
• Thank you for sharing the statement. Hi. My name is Dr. Ryan Spill Vogel.
• We must be able to afford both compensation and the services that people rely on.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:37.920> captivating original owner shared captivating original owner shared captivating
• <00:24:06.919> uh to fairness and customer service uh to fairness and customer service uh
• the dignity they deserve there service the dignity they deserve there service to<00:44:57.520>
• <02:11:39.559> to lifetime of extraordinary service to lifetime of extraordinary service to
• We've shared it with our colleagues. We've shared it with the incoming administration.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plan and internal service fund for a known process, timeline, and resources for major purchases and
• To start, I'd like to share that we understand preemption is politically challenging.
• , including transit. and other services.
• I think we would also share those concerns.
• I just want to share with you two things that you might want to consider.

Transcript Highlights:

• It forces residents of service-providing cities like North Miami Beach, who subsidize services for non-residents
• Thank you for sharing.
• Cost of veterinary services has skyrocketed, putting veterinary services as skyrocketed, putting veterinary
• services, which has a veteranary animal shelters.
• Commission jurisdiction over rates and services.

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief debate and roll call votes. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it had support from Americans for Prosperity. SB 606 clarified when nonpaying guests may be removed from public lodging establishments, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from Florida Realtors, the Asian American Hotel Association, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. SB 202 addressed a long-running dispute between Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach over a water utility surcharge, requiring the utility to charge residents in the city where the plant sits the same rate as its own residents; supporters argued it was a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach opposed it as a burden on its residents. All three bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 570, which updates and clarifies the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and CS/SB 928, which targets non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display visible to minors, increasing inspections and penalties, and adopting an amendment to clarify the bill does not cover fully unlawful products and to add a 500-foot school buffer for smoke shops. SB 346, dealing with state preemption of local regulation of hoisting equipment, was reported favorably after testimony about the St. Petersburg crane collapse during Hurricane Milton; supporters said local governments need authority to address hurricane-related crane safety, while builders and contractors warned against patchwork regulation and urged a more targeted approach. The committee then considered SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks under veterinarian supervision, including limited surgical procedures after an amendment clarified those procedures are limited to spay/neuter and non-cavity surgeries. Supporters said the bill would expand access to veterinary care and help shelters, while some veterinarians expressed concern about training and safety; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 354 on the Public Service Commission, adopting a substitute amendment that would expand the commission, require stronger financial expertise and more detailed rate justifications, set rate-filing schedules, tighten storm-hardening review, and add transparency rules for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the bill drew support from consumer advocates and AARP, while Florida Rural Water warned of unintended consequences for nonprofit systems. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 354 is still underway, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, solar customers get to avoid paying 82% to 91% of their share of costs.
• So, just to be clear, this bill would only impact those in the IOU service territories.
• One of the reasons I brought this bill forward is because my district is completely in an IOU service
• Can you just share a little bit more about that?
• Thank you for sharing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 1% of the state share of the gross production tax.
• We have social services fund in front of it.
• We want more than what the cost share was.
• We all voted on social services, which benefited Morton County.
• So, you know, I think they've gotten a good share.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 2093, described as providing a small amount of income tax relief for widowed law enforcement peace officers. The committee briefly discussed the limited scope of the relief, then recommended a due pass by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes. Representative Hagert was assigned to carry the bill to the floor. The committee then spent most of its time on Senate Bill 2023, which concerned the Prairie Dog/energy impact grant funding formula and support for debt incurred by oil-impacted cities. Members debated whether the bill unfairly shifted money from the remaining 1% pool that also serves non-oil-producing cities and counties. Supporters argued that Williston, Dickinson, and Minot took on substantial debt to accommodate Bakken growth and that the state has already benefited from that development; opponents said the formula has been repeatedly eroded and that the bill would further disadvantage other political subdivisions. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill’s duration from six bienniums to two, increase the grant amount to $25 million per year, correct distribution percentages, and require reporting to legislative management. A legislative staffer explained the added guardrails: the money could only be used for debt incurred within a specified date range and only for debt service, not new projects or operations. The amendment passed on a roll call vote, and the committee then recommended the amended bill due pass and re-refer to Appropriations by a 7-6 vote, with one member absent. Representative Steiner was designated to carry the bill. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• with DVED um to share resources that's available from the state.
• will be shared with DVED um to share will be shared with DVED um to share resources<00:20:51.039
• . >> Who's your vendor right now who does your web services?
• It's an outside vendor working in conjunction with our computer services.
• I just want to care service tax credit.

Bills: HB2410, HB2235, HB1904, HB2201, HB2349, HB1972, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2391, HB2575

Keywords: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, economic diversification, small business, innovation, manufacturing assistance, grants, technology programs, advanced manufacturing, military, community relations, economic development, defense-related programs, workforce development, local business readiness, in-state manufacturing, federal investment, space operations, orbital sustainability, aerospace, space traffic management

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the Chief People Officer with the Human Resource Management Services Division of the Office
• I serve as the Chief People Officer with the Human Resource Management Services Division of the Office
• In Section 407.0504, Notifying Human Resource Management Services, we 0504, notifying human resource
• It's a length of service plan.
• I'm a manager of addiction treatment with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Keywords: 908, all