Transcript Highlights:

• Access should not depend on luck or persistence. It should be built into the system by design.
• depend, but rather access should not depend<01:52:25.440><c> on</c><01:52:25.679><c> luck</c><01:52:
• </c><01:52:27.199><c> it</c><01:52:27.440><c> should</c> depend on luck or persistence. it should depend
• </c><01:52:59.520><c> If</c><01:52:59.760><c> this</c> depend on luck or persistence.
• If this depend on luck or persistence.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can take months for the case to proceed depending on a variety of different factors.
• It can take months for the case to proceed depending on a variety of different factors.
• It can take months for the case to proceed depending on a variety of different factors.
• on a variety case to proceed depending on a variety of<00:18:14.000><c> different</c><00:18:14.320><
• Tell me what people should know. >> So, it depends what it is.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:08.000><c> what</c><00:21:08.240><c> was</c> depended on, you know, what was depended on,
• They're depending on it. They've spent this.
• They're depending on it. They've spent this.
• </c> depending on it. They've spent this. depending on it. They've spent this.
• </c><01:19:13.040><c> on</c> because they got paid they depending on because they got paid they depending

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we are talking about local option taxes, and you know all the cities and the counties depend
• They depend on those taxes in order to provide those services.
• Members, we are talking about local option taxes, and you know all the cities and the counties depend
• They depend on those taxes in order to provide those services.
• So therefore, I depend on those. ...need to bring back.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it depends on free and reduced... ...and if they're in the census block.
• This bill says you get up to $30,000 depending on what the private school costs.
• And I think, depending on the scope, depending on the...
• Depending on the impact on services and taxes, and depending on the level of controversy and... opposition
• Depends on their zip code. Are you saying there's a zip code that doesn't have public schools?

Bills: SB2, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117, SB503, SB2, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB 124, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> their</c><00:09:58.720><c> approach</c><00:09:59.120><c> and</c><00:09:59.440><c> their</c> depending
• on their approach and their depending on their approach and their location<00:10:00.720><c> of</c><00
• Next testifier, state your name for the record. ...water resources in the landscape, reduce dependence
• Uh, Chair and Senator Johnson Stewart, to answer that, it depends on the type of project.
• </c><01:23:32.480><c> on</c> Stewart, to answer that, it depends on Stewart, to answer that, it depends

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technical education program for this calendar year, and it's estimated that 8.45% of school-age dependents
• </c><00:26:21.520><c> are</c> 8.45% of school age dependents are 8.45% of school age dependents are eligible
• The commissioner will determine how many days are required for a ruling to take place, depending on the
• on</c><01:26:54.080><c> the</c><01:26:54.280><c> complexity</c><01:26:54.760><c> of</c> also um depending
• on the complexity of also um depending on the complexity of the<01:26:55.000><c> case</c><01:26:55.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can maintain the protections these students depend on.
• </c> the protections these students depend the protections these students depend on. on. on.
• </c><01:28:00.520><c> on</c> broader community because we depend on broader community because we depend
• </c><03:33:06.360><c> on</c><03:33:06.520><c> this,</c> but for folks who are depending on this, but
• for folks who are depending on this, the<03:33:07.200><c> federal</c><03:33:07.520><c> government</c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a partnership, usually 60/40, depending on the FMAP.
• From the billing perspective, she said investigations depend on whether the provider bills Medicare,
• It's really going to depend upon what's in the mindset of the actor, the person who's engaging in the
• It's really going to depend upon what's in the mindset of the actor, the person who's engaging in the
• Guidance is inconsistent and implementation varies widely depending on the local authority.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bailey that hearing and discussing the two PELSB bills will be dependent on time, but I think we can
• </c><00:02:08.800><c> on</c> two Pelby bills will be dependent on two Pelby bills will be dependent on
• So, that is depending on when Green.
• It’s depending on what specialties they’re going into.
• It's depending on what multiple, right?

Bills: HF3635, HF3638

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > labor force part participation will labor force part participation will likely<00:16:04.480><c> depend
• on structural factors like likely depend on structural factors like access<00:16:07.040><c> to</c><00
• And I won't go depending on the group.
• And so Minnesota's future workforce will And so Minnesota's future workforce will depend<00:31:53.120
• on how well we can support depend on how well we can support participation,<00:31:55.679><c> how</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, I think it really depends.
• </c><00:07:40.960><c> It's</c> &gt;&gt; Um, I I think it really depends.
• It's &gt;&gt; Um, I I think it really depends.
• </c><00:41:49.119><c> So</c><00:41:49.680><c> it</c><00:41:50.000><c> depends</c><00:41:50.640><c> I<
• So it depends I guess raising taxes.

Bills: SB2606, SB3253, SB237, SB3252, SB1178, SB2322, SB2019, SB3043, SB3014, SB2972, SB1190, SB2488

Keywords: wildlife sanctuary, environmental conservation, Hawaii, nonprofit corporation, freshwater preservation, community stewardship, biodiversity, ecological heritage, conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt. On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken. The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken. The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:00.960><c> on</c> constitutional concerns um depending on constitutional concerns um depending
• There are different types of assistance depending on the duration of the displacement. Okay.
• </c> different types of assistance depending different types of assistance depending on<01:11:45.360>
• And different people,<01:23:03.600><c> depending</c><01:23:03.920><c> on</c><01:23:04.080><c> where</
• they are in people, depending on where they are in their<01:23:04.960><c> lives,</c><01:23:05.440><c

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:01.920><c> on</c><00:38:02.160><c> whose</c> but there are some depending on whose but there
• are some depending on whose data<00:38:02.880><c> you</c><00:38:03.119><c> look</c><00:38:03.280><c>
• Um but depending on whose data you them.
• Um but depending on whose data you look<00:38:14.079><c> at</c><00:38:14.320><c> that</c><00:38:14.560
• &gt;&gt; It<02:08:54.480><c> would</c><02:08:54.639><c> depend</c><02:08:54.880><c> obviously</c><02:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:13:32.960><c> on</c> to supply them and then depending on to supply them and then depending on
• Uh, and certainly a lot of coal miners out there whose jobs depend on that as well.
• </c> lot of employees out there that depend lot of employees out there that depend on<01:31:24.639><c
• </c><01:31:30.239><c> Um</c><01:31:31.120><c> you</c><01:31:31.280><c> know,</c> depend on that as well
• Um you know, depend on that as well.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• 23:32.799><c> for</c> um assigned family responsibility for um assigned family responsibility for dependent
• students uh from 90% to 100% dependent students uh from 90% to 100% in<00:23:36.720><c> order</c><00
• 00:26:48.080><c> a</c> assigned family responsibility for a assigned family responsibility for a dependent
• :50.400><c> looks</c><00:26:50.640><c> at</c><00:26:50.960><c> their</c><00:26:51.440><c> uh</c> dependent
• </c> depending on the district. depending on the district.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are so many moms in recovery that depend on this scholarship, myself included.
• on this scholarship myself that depend on this scholarship myself included<00:57:56.280><c> without<
• </c><01:03:57.160><c> on</c> lives whose ability to work depends on lives whose ability to work depends
• Can you speak to just, is there like an average amount that a family gets, or does it differ depending
• on income thank you differ depending on income thank you Miss<01:11:22.239><c> Moss</c><01:11:22.800

Bills: HF2436, HF470, HF2643, HF2456, HF102, HF1367

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're not depending on where the vote goes with the library, DNCR had requested some movement within
• If we're not depending on where the vote goes with the library, DNCR had requested some movement within
• If we're not depending on where the vote goes with the library, DNCR had requested some movement within
• So now it's up to, I think, $1,200, depends on what we get. of dollars, we get a piece back to New of
• </c> So now it's up to I think 1,200 depends So now it's up to I think 1,200 depends on<04:21:01.600>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through a series of budget amendments, mostly to House Bill 2 and related House Bill 1 changes, with members discussing whether to reduce or preserve funding for various programs. Early actions included approving an amendment to House Bill 219 that delays implementation of renewable energy-related provisions to 2027, and approving an amendment that removes a $150,000 appropriation tied to a housing-related database while allowing use of housing fund money for the project. The committee also approved an amendment affecting magistrates so they could continue pretrial and other judicial support work, while noting they would not handle bail and that the change reflected separate legislation already signed by the governor. Members then approved a series of administrative savings items in the Department of Administrative Services, including eliminating a long-vacant computer analyst position and reducing overtime and recruiting/subscription-tool budgets. They also approved an amendment cutting marketing and administrative support for the paid family leave program, with members emphasizing that the program itself would continue. A proposed cut to the WorkInvest NH program was discussed at length, with some members arguing it benefits workers and employers and others noting the cost is borne by employers; the committee ultimately set that item aside without taking action. The committee also debated and then approved a modest reduction to a BEA regional planning grant, despite objections that regional planning commissions provide valuable municipal support. The most extended discussion centered on the State Library. Representative Sweeney said he did not want to pursue a full cut of the library and instead favored a more targeted approach, noting that some federal funding for library services such as interlibrary loans and the Libby system may be at risk. Members discussed alternatives, including unfilled positions and other partial reductions, but no final action on the full library cut was taken in the portion provided. The committee also paused on some other items to gather more information before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of that increase was dependent on one-time funding, and so we do find ourselves with a $100 million
• </c><00:58:03.440><c> on</c> of that increase was dependent on of that increase was dependent on one-time
• or mental health chemical dependency or mental health treatment<00:58:38.119><c> children</c><00:58:
• Getting this information depends on whether it is part of their case worker’s or attorney’s practice.
• on whether it's part of their dependent on whether it's part of their case<01:26:56.159><c> worker</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, is it dependent on age, or what’s...
• on age or what's I I just am dependent on age or what's I I just am curious<00:34:43.000><c> kind</c
• I ask this because these mitigation systems are very, very noisy, and depending on what part of the house
• on what part of the house they depending on what part of the house they end<00:46:20.079><c> up</c><
• if it's wood floors or depending if it's wood floors or whatever<00:46:23.480><c> that</c><00:46:23.640

Keywords: 1183, house