Transcript Highlights:

• Lens, &gt;&gt; here.<00:02:18.640><c> You</c><00:02:18.720><c> have</c><00:02:18.879><c> a</c><00:02:
• &gt;&gt; All right.<00:02:21.120><c> Thank</c><00:02:21.200><c> you</c><00:02:21.360><c> so</c><00:02
• I'd like to<00:02:22.160><c> call</c><00:02:22.319><c> the</c><00:02:22.560><c> first</c><00:02:22.720
• ><c> bill</c><00:02:23.040><c> to</c><00:02:23.200><c> order.
• Um HB59,<00:02:25.840><c> Representative</c><00:02:26.319><c> Underwood,</c><00:02:27.680><c> you're<

Bills: HB59 , HB128 , HB59 , HB128

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: early voting, electoral participation, voting centers, Alabama elections, absentee ballot, HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:45.440><c> have</c><02:02:46.080><c> both</c><02:02:46.480><c> parents,</c><02:02:47.119><c> both
• have both parents, both sexes of parents<02:02:48.719><c> getting</c><02:02:49.040><c> really</c><02:
• ><c> ways</c><02:02:52.000><c> of</c><02:02:52.159><c> appealing.
• &gt;&gt; Thank<02:02:55.599><c> you.</c><02:02:56.159><c> Thank</c><02:02:56.400><c> you.
• Seeing<02:02:58.639><c> no</c><02:02:58.960><c> further</c><02:02:59.440><c> questions,</c><02:03:00.000

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><02:02:06.840><c> as</c><02:02:06.960><c> a</c><02:02:07.560><c> new</c><02:02:07.880><c>
• ><c> to</c><02:02:09.960><c> say</c><02:02:10.239><c> how</c><02:02:10.360><c> much</c><02:02:10.920>
• 11.159><c> good</c><02:02:11.400><c> job</c><02:02:11.639><c> that</c><02:02:11.800><c> you</c><02:02
• /c><02:02:14.360><c> the</c><02:02:14.480><c> time</c><02:02:14.719><c> how</c><02:02:14.840><c> does
• > Aon</c><02:02:16.000><c> do</c><02:02:16.199><c> his</c><02:02:16.440><c> chair</c><02:02:17.440><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.680><c> forward</c><00:02:01.159><c> and</c><00:02:01.799><c> I</c><00:02:01.880><c> see</c><00:02
• ><c> yes</c><00:02:15.800><c> and</c><00:02:15.959><c> I'm</c><00:02:16.080><c> Blake</c><00:02:16.360
• morning</c><00:02:21.760><c> and</c><00:02:21.920><c> you</c><00:02:22.080><c> can</c><00:02:22.280><
• /c><00:02:26.400><c> it</c><00:02:26.560><c> over</c><00:02:26.720><c> to</c><00:02:26.879><c> my</c>
• ><00:02:37.440><c> I'm</c><00:02:37.599><c> a</c><00:02:37.760><c> mom</c><00:02:38.319><c> I</c><00:

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:03 HB 220: 00:01:49 Discussion in Opposition to HB 220: 00:14:37 HB 136: 00:28:21 HB 201: 00:34:14, 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a full roll call and first took up House Bill 220, which would strengthen Kentucky DUI penalties. The sponsor and a Commonwealth’s attorney testified that the bill would make a third DUI within 10 years a felony, while keeping first- and second-offense penalties the same, and that the committee substitute also adds escalating fines for under-21 DUI offenses and aligns interlock requirements. Supporters argued the change is needed to protect families and respond to repeat impaired driving, citing a fatal case involving a young victim and a repeat offender with a high blood alcohol level and prior DUI convictions. Members asked about treatment, sentencing, and drafting details. The sponsor explained that the existing mandatory substance-abuse treatment requirement for fourth-or-greater offenses would apply to third-or-greater offenses under the substitute, and that a 120-day minimum remains in place. Questions were also raised about removing redundant statutory language and about whether felony treatment could sometimes result in less actual jail time than a misdemeanor; the sponsor and prosecutor said such cases are rare and that the bill gives prosecutors and juries more tools. Representative Blanton supported the bill but noted it does not address fentanyl, and the sponsor said he has a separate bill for that issue. Opposition testimony came from Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, who said he supported tougher DUI enforcement but opposed felonyizing the third offense. He argued that the current system already imposes mandatory jail and treatment, that felony cases often resolve through plea bargains with parole eligibility that may not increase actual time served, and that the better approach would be stronger mandatory counseling, longer license suspensions, and ignition interlock requirements rather than felony status. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and passed HB 220 favorably by a 19-0 vote. The committee then began House Bill 136, which would require the Department of Corrections to compile and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on corrections and parole outcomes, including time served and supervision data. The sponsor and a witness from the Georgia Center for Opportunity said the bill is intended to improve transparency and give lawmakers better data for policy decisions. Members voiced support for better post-release data and asked whether DOC could implement the reporting; the witness said DOC had not expressed concerns and already submits some reports. Discussion on HB 136 was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:01.280><c> tenure</c><02:02:01.760><c> there</c><02:02:01.920><c> is</c><02:02:02.159><c> only</c
• > for</c><02:02:53.599><c> we</c><02:02:53.760><c> make</c><02:02:54.000><c> how</c><02:02:54.159><c>
• necessity and<02:02:56.560><c> ultimately</c><02:02:56.880><c> it</c><02:02:57.119><c> falls</c><02:
• c><02:05:14.239><c> our</c><02:05:14.800><c> statutes.
• </c><02:05:16.080><c> If</c><02:05:16.320><c> you</c> that language in our statutes.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> directly</c><02:06:55.920><c> from</c><02:06:56.400><c> the</c><02:06:56.800><c> statutes</c><02
• Um and I looked<02:07:13.840><c> into</c><02:07:14.159><c> their</c><02:07:14.400><c> statutes.
• </c><02:07:15.119><c> I</c><02:07:15.360><c> was</c><02:07:15.520><c> asked</c> looked into their statutes
• Um, in a several instances, the statutes<02:07:38.800><c> did</c><02:07:39.040><c> not</c><02:07:39.520
• ><c> specify</c> statutes did not specify statutes did not specify a<02:07:41.760><c> maximum</c><02:

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:04.840><c> a</c><00:02:05.000><c> balanced</c><00:02:05.360><c> approach</c><00:02:05.680><c>
• films<00:02:10.119><c> and</c><00:02:10.239><c> other</c><00:02:10.399><c> works</c><00:02:10.640><c
• c> in</c><00:02:24.599><c> the</c><00:02:24.720><c> bill</c><00:02:25.000><c> and</c><00:02:25.080><c
• and I'm happy to<00:02:25.519><c> go</c><00:02:25.680><c> through</c><00:02:25.800><c> that</c><00:02
• /c><00:02:36.400><c> issue</c><00:02:36.840><c> that</c><00:02:36.959><c> intersects</c><00:02:37.440

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:24 SB 7: 00:00:51 SB 130: 00:06:00 SB 244: 00:11:17 SB 236: 00:13:31, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Bledsoe, would create a Right of Publicity Act to prohibit unauthorized commercial use of a person’s unclothed likeness, including for living and deceased individuals, while carving out exemptions for artistic and news-related uses. Bledsoe said the bill is intended to address privacy, dignity, and AI-generated image misuse, and noted she may offer a floor amendment to address concerns from broadband and internet providers. Sen. Thomas supported the bill but questioned the 10-year duration, and Bledsoe said that timeframe was somewhat arbitrary. The committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 7 with favorable expression to the floor. Senate Bill 130, presented by Sen. Maiden, addressed gift card scams and theft of redemption information. A committee substitute was adopted, and Maiden described the bill as a response to organized retail crime, citing major gift card scams in Louisville and Lexington and explaining how tampered cards are returned to shelves and later drained after purchase. He said the substitute would create clear criminal penalties, make gift card tampering a felony, and add gift card fraud to the credit card fraud statute. Members shared personal experiences with compromised gift cards, and the committee approved SB 130 8-0 with favorable expression. Senate Bill 244, a reorganization cleanup bill presented by Sen. Howell and Attorney General’s office counsel Will Schroer, would complete name and structural changes following the transfer of Administrative Hearings and Child Support from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General’s office and align the bill with prior data privacy legislation. The committee voted 9-0 to send SB 244 to the floor with favorable expression. Senate Bill 236, sponsored by Sen. Smith, drew extended discussion about a veteran’s case involving an old misdemeanor/DUI matter and a later warrant or failure-to-appear issue. The witness described being arrested years later despite having rebuilt her life, and senators debated whether the bill’s proposed time limit could create loopholes or affect court procedures; members emphasized that the underlying charge would remain and that the bill was aimed at unserved failure-to-appear warrants. The committee ultimately voted to advance SB 236 with favorable expression, with several members explaining their support while noting concerns about possible future language changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :11.000><c> with</c><02:00:11.440><c> glue</c><02:00:12.440><c> let</c><02:00:12.679><c> them</c><02:
• :01:32.679><c> as</c><02:01:32.840><c> so</c><02:01:33.119><c> far</c><02:01:33.360><c> as</c><02:01:
• ><c> uh</c><02:01:36.159><c> the</c><02:01:36.679><c> cat</c><02:01:37.040><c> claw</c><02:01:37.400>
• <c> bill</c><02:01:38.719><c> um</c><02:01:39.719><c> I</c><02:01:40.000><c> I</c><02:01:40.679><c> I
• ><c> I</c><02:01:42.400><c> want</c><02:01:42.560><c> to</c><02:01:42.840><c> waste</c><02:01:43.119>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by recent reporting on leachate problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations at a Bethlehem facility and deficiencies at other sites, and argued the bill is meant to improve public health protections without dictating specific treatment methods or hindering innovation. The sponsor also said the proposal was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and industry representatives, and that a forthcoming amendment would revise the bill’s language to better fit the permitting process. The sponsor explained that the amendment would move several requirements out of the contract section and into the planning section, change references such as “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” include landfill expansions, and remove language that could be read as requiring long-term contracts. Questions from members focused on whether the bill would create enforceable consequences if a plan is not followed, whether it would limit operators’ flexibility, and whether existing DES rules already cover the subject. The sponsor said enforcement details should be addressed by DES and emphasized that the bill would not lock operators into any particular contract or technology. The Business and Industry Association testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying it appeared unnecessary because DES already regulates leachate through existing rules, including Env 806.53, and has authority to update those rules as technology changes. The witness argued that putting the requirements into statute could freeze the regulatory framework, create conflicts with future rulemaking, and make it harder for DES to respond quickly to new treatment methods or operational issues. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:02:26.000><c> Myron</c><00:02:26.360><c> Dossett</c><00:02:26.840><c> representing</c><00:02:27.400
• &gt;&gt; Shannon<00:02:29.840><c> Stiglets,</c><00:02:30.440><c> Senior</c><00:02:30.680><c> Vice</c>
• </c><00:02:37.800><c> Uh</c><00:02:37.920><c> you</c><00:02:38.040><c> may</c><00:02:38.160><c> begin
• that was uh kind of beat all I'd statute that was uh kind of beat all I'd ever<00:02:56.480><c> seen
• </c><00:02:56.840><c> in</c><00:02:56.959><c> my</c><00:02:57.400><c> so</c><00:02:57.600><c> many</c

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:15.360><c> Rusty</c><00:02:15.840><c> Bell</c><00:02:16.080><c> for</c><00:02:16.319><c> some</c>
• <00:02:32.959><c> also</c><00:02:33.200><c> pay</c><00:02:33.519><c> we</c><00:02:33.760><c> also</c>
• ><c> is</c><00:02:46.480><c> we</c><00:02:46.640><c> do</c><00:02:46.800><c> work</c><00:02:46.959><c
• </c><00:02:48.080><c> We</c><00:02:48.319><c> work</c><00:02:48.480><c> with</c><00:02:48.640><c> the
• c><00:02:54.560><c> and</c><00:02:54.720><c> and</c><00:02:55.680><c> um</c><00:02:56.560><c> we</c><

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > uh</c><02:01:58.320><c> and</c><02:01:58.480><c> statute</c><02:01:58.880><c> should</c> time and our
• rules uh and statute should time and our rules uh and statute should reflect<02:01:59.440><c> that.
• And<02:02:43.360><c> it</c><02:02:43.599><c> goes</c><02:02:43.760><c> on</c><02:02:43.920><c> to</c>
• </c><02:02:50.960><c> I</c><02:02:51.520><c> recommend</c><02:02:51.920><c> that</c><02:02:52.159><c>
• </c><02:41:51.920><c> about</c> statute that's amended to talk about statute that's amended to talk about

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:04.880><c> The</c><02:02:05.119><c> second</c><02:02:05.520><c> part</c><02:02:05.760><c>
• The second part of it is<02:02:06.800><c> um</c><02:02:07.760><c> which</c><02:02:08.000><c> is</c><02
• :02:08.080><c> the</c><02:02:08.320><c> more</c><02:02:08.639><c> complex</c><02:02:09.199><c> and</c
• </c><02:02:10.239><c> but</c><02:02:10.480><c> it's</c><02:02:10.639><c> also</c><02:02:10.880><c> a<
• /c><02:02:11.119><c> yes</c><02:02:12.000><c> is</c><02:02:13.199><c> uh</c> The area of rate setting

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grow, the state of Florida has one grow, the state of Oregon has 107, Washington 66, Montana 10, Minnesota
• grow, the state of Florida has one grow, the state of Oregon, has 107, Washington 66, Montana, 10, Minnesota
• , 2, Minnesota, 2, Washington, 66, Montana, 10, Minnesota, two.
• It sets a timeline that currently isn't in statute for the folks that ABLE oversees to actually produce
• House Bill 4300 is a request bill from DHS to modify and mirror the statutes related to background checks

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee considered a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 4422 and House Bill 4423, which strengthen immigration status verification for public assistance programs, including SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Supporters said the measures would improve eligibility checks through the SAVE system, reduce fraud, and help address Oklahoma’s high error rate in benefit programs. Members raised concerns about whether the bills could discourage eligible children or mixed-status families from seeking services, but the author said the bills were intended to target ineligible applicants and would not affect eligible U.S.-citizen children. Both bills were reported out with due pass recommendations by 8-3 votes. The committee also advanced House Bill 3834, which would create a state-backed vehicle to support ibogaine research for conditions such as PTSD, alcoholism, and opioid addiction, with private matching funds and potential state royalties if a product is commercialized. House Bill 2947 would allow Medicaid billing for mental health therapist interns working under supervision, with an estimated fiscal impact discussed in the hundreds of thousands of dollars rather than millions; it passed 11-0. House Bill 2964 would remove the mandatory fee for copies of medical records requested by attorneys, insurers, or subpoenas, while still allowing providers to charge at their discretion; it also passed unanimously. Several marijuana-related bills were heard. House Bill 3143 would extend the current moratorium on new marijuana grow licenses, and House Bill 3144 would cap the number of licenses if the moratorium is later lifted. Supporters argued the limits would help law enforcement and regulators control illegal activity and reduce black-market diversion, while critics questioned whether the issue was really license count or agency resources. Both bills were reported out, 9-2 and 8-2 respectively. House Bill 3519 would replace a failed bond approach for cleaning up abandoned grows with a fee-based revolving fund, and House Bill 3522 would require the ABLE Commission to report disciplinary actions annually; both passed 10-0. House Bill 3530 would give ABLE-regulated businesses 10 days to produce requested records, and House Bill 4300 would align DHS child care worker background-check statutes with federal law; both were reported out unanimously. The committee also laid over several other bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:20.960><c> That's</c><02:02:21.599><c> that's</c><02:02:22.239><c> I</c><02:02:22.480><c>
• &gt;&gt; And<02:02:25.280><c> to</c><02:02:25.599><c> flush</c><02:02:25.840><c> that</c><02:02:26.080
• &gt;&gt; So,<02:02:39.280><c> based</c><02:02:39.520><c> upon</c><02:02:39.760><c> the</c><02:02:40.000
• ><02:02:44.719><c> exceed</c><02:02:45.199><c> that</c><02:02:46.000><c> based</c><02:02:46.320><c> up
• </c><02:02:48.000><c> The</c><02:02:48.159><c> the</c><02:02:48.639><c> whole</c><02:02:48.960><c> I'm

Keywords: MS House Floor - 15 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.159><c> for</c><00:02:00.479><c> having</c><00:02:00.719><c> us</c><00:02:00.960><c> it</c><00:02
• c><00:02:03.200><c> an</c><00:02:03.360><c> overview</c><00:02:04.000><c> of</c><00:02:04.240><c> the
• the<00:02:06.840><c> Commonwealth</c><00:02:07.840><c> uh</c><00:02:08.080><c> and</c><00:02:08.200>
• :09.640><c> and</c><00:02:09.759><c> kind</c><00:02:09.879><c> of</c><00:02:10.000><c> give</c><00:02
• 02:37.760><c> to</c><01:02:38.240><c> to</c><01:02:38.440><c> get</c><01:02:38.559><c> it</c><01:02:38.760

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Senate Roll Call 00:00:00 House Roll Call 00:00:10 Discussion of Recent Disaster 00:01:18 House Adjourned 00:42:28 SB 218 Discussion 00:43:00 SB 218 Vote 00:46:46 SB 186 Discussion 00:47:22:00, 958, all

Summary: The concurrent House-Senate meeting opened with a roll call and then received a briefing from Kentucky Emergency Management and the Transportation Cabinet on the February storms and flooding. Officials described the event as ongoing and statewide in scope, beginning in western counties and then heavily affecting Eastern Kentucky, including major impacts in Perry, Letcher, Clay, Bell, Martin, Pike, and other counties. They reported widespread power and water outages, nearly 600 people initially sheltered, more than 1,500 water rescues, over 250 National Guard members activated, and substantial mutual aid from other states and FEMA. They also said 73 counties had declared emergencies, 23 fatalities had been confirmed at that point, and individual assistance had already distributed $5.5 million to residents after the federal declaration was signed. The administration emphasized that recovery needs were still being assessed but were already significant. Kentucky Emergency Management said public assistance estimates were about $58 million and rising, with about 2,005 homes and 272 businesses inspected so far. Debris removal was identified as a major issue, and officials said they had requested Category A federal assistance for debris in four counties while continuing to seek more as assessments continued. They also noted that disaster recovery centers were opening and that teams were going door to door in affected areas. On transportation, KYTC reported 39 counties affected, a peak of 355 road closures reduced to 49, 18 damaged bridges, 94 bridges with debris on them, and 579 roadway damages, while continuing to clear roads and move supplies such as water, food, blankets, and heaters. Secretary Hicks then asked lawmakers to consider additional funding mechanisms. He said the current $50 million emergency cap in the budget was likely to be exhausted, with $21.5 million already allocated, and proposed either lifting the cap or creating a new “safe fund” for this disaster, similar to prior funds used after the western Kentucky tornadoes and the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. He said the state could redirect about $25 million from an unused western Kentucky economic development allocation and about $20 million from an eastern Kentucky transportation allocation, for a total of $45 million, to help with this response. Members and officials also discussed debris disposal, with the Pike County landfill expansion identified as a possible site to receive some of the debris and reduce costs. Representative Fugate thanked the agencies for their response and described severe local impacts, including water outages, road slides, damaged water treatment plants, and heavy debris in homes and driveways.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:02:05.079><c> or</c><00:02:05.360><c> will</c><00:02:05.759><c> this</c><00:02:06.159><c> positively
• </c><00:02:23.440><c> to</c><00:02:24.440><c> uh</c><00:02:24.840><c> to</c><00:02:25.200><c> pursue<
• c> skills</c><00:02:27.440><c> to</c><00:02:27.680><c> be</c><00:02:28.599><c> more</c><00:02:28.920>
• ready to apply<00:02:30.360><c> for</c><00:02:31.239><c> um</c><00:02:31.400><c> employment</c><00:02
• c> the</c><00:02:59.200><c> ones</c><00:02:59.440><c> that</c><00:02:59.599><c> are</c><00:02:59.920>

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:21.560><c> um</c><00:02:21.800><c> the</c><00:02:21.959><c> current</c><00:02:22.360><c> 48
• seems<00:02:23.879><c> to</c><00:02:24.000><c> be</c><00:02:24.519><c> effective</c><00:02:25.519><c
• is that<00:02:32.040><c> it</c><00:02:32.160><c> just</c><00:02:32.319><c> lumps</c><00:02:32.760><c
• c> and</c><00:02:53.879><c> we</c><00:02:54.000><c> just</c><00:02:54.120><c> think</c><00:02:54.360>
• :02:57.000><c> if</c><00:02:57.640><c> the</c><00:02:58.640><c> if</c><00:02:58.920><c> if</c> should

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Judiciary-related measures. SB 94 would increase the mandatory minimum jail term for a first knowing or intentional violation of a temporary restraining order from 48 to 72 hours. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposed the bill, arguing the current penalty is effective, the measure treats very different conduct the same, and the mental health assessment language is unclear and could be harmful or misapplied. Some other testifiers were listed in support or opposition, but no vote was taken. SB 15 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. The Hawaiʻi Financial Services Association offered comments rather than opposition, suggesting the bill should be clarified as applying to creditor claims rather than property taxes and possibly limited to a primary residence, with restrictions on frequency of use. Committee discussion focused on how the exemption would affect unsecured creditors, the role of recorded mortgages and judgment liens, and whether the bill should instead establish a clearer homestead-style exemption. The bill drew both support and comments, with no action taken during the hearing. The committee also took testimony on SB 117, which would protect people making sexual misconduct claims from defamation suits unless made with malice; SB 121, a constitutional amendment to give the Senate more time to confirm judicial appointments; SB 14, a reapportionment amendment tied to the decennial census and resident population; SB 175, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices from 70 to 75; SB 173, creating a three-year pilot program for free child care for minor children of parties and witnesses attending First Circuit court hearings; and SB 261, increasing juror pay from $30 to $50 per day. Testimony on these measures was generally supportive in the case of SB 175, SB 173, and SB 261, with some opposition on SB 14 and SB 117. On SB 173 and SB 261, committee members asked questions about practical implementation, and on SB 261 the State Bar Association said the increase was overdue and intended to encourage jury participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:04.199><c> you</c><02:02:04.320><c> know</c><02:02:04.599><c> I</c><02:02:05.199><c> I</c><02:02:
• 05.800><c> I</c><02:02:05.920><c> like</c><02:02:06.159><c> the</c><02:02:06.360><c> idea</c> training
• <02:02:09.880><c> and</c><02:02:10.280><c> let's</c><02:02:10.480><c> be</c><02:02:10.639><c> on</c><
• 02:02:10.800><c> the</c><02:02:10.920><c> same</c><02:02:11.239><c> page</c> initiative and let's be
• </c><02:02:16.520><c> many</c><02:02:16.800><c> districts</c><02:02:17.159><c> there</c><02:02:17.360

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a mess. statute is big? statute is big? &gt;&gt; Big<02:03:28.200><c> statute.
• </c><02:03:29.880><c> to</c><02:03:29.960><c> repeal</c> &gt;&gt; Big statute.
• </c><02:03:32.040><c> PBM</c><02:03:32.440><c> statute</c> that now.
• And it amends the PBM statute as<02:03:33.360><c> well</c><02:03:33.640><c> as</c><02:03:33.800><c> the
• </c><02:03:35.720><c> It's</c><02:03:35.880><c> a</c><02:03:35.920><c> big</c><02:03:36.040><c> statute

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:06.799><c> think</c><01:02:07.119><c> we're</c><01:02:07.440><c> in</c><01:02:07.599><c> a</c><01
• position<01:02:08.480><c> to</c><01:02:09.280><c> take</c><01:02:09.599><c> over</c><01:02:10.000><c
• /c><01:02:44.319><c> when</c><01:02:44.720><c> someone's</c><01:02:45.119><c> headed</c><01:02:45.359
• </c><01:02:58.640><c> Anybody</c><01:02:59.040><c> else</c><01:02:59.440><c> for</c><01:02:59.599><c>
• </c><02:06:32.239><c> They</c><02:06:32.480><c> cross</c><02:06:32.719><c> each</c><02:06:32.880><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.