Transcript Highlights:

• And the way we were able to get feedback from the students was after they tasted, they used their phones
• to do the QR code, and they could at that moment just input their feedback.
• The way we were able to get feedback from the students was after they tasted, they used their phones
• to do the QR code, and they could at that moment input their feedback.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we get feedback from people who have seen things in our newsletter.
• </c><00:50:48.480><c> hear</c><00:50:48.800><c> we</c><00:50:48.960><c> get</c><00:50:49.119><c> feedback
• </c> really high and we hear we get feedback really high and we hear we get feedback from<00:50:49.680

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the only fear I have there is once it's out of this house and it's localized, we don't get any feedback
• we<01:19:32.480><c> don't</c><01:19:32.800><c> get</c><01:19:33.040><c> any</c><01:19:33.440><c> feedback
• c><01:19:34.480><c> on</c><01:19:34.800><c> what</c><01:19:35.120><c> their</c> we don't get any feedback
• on what their we don't get any feedback on what their process<01:19:36.159><c> is.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Gray, um, thank you for your feedback, but I would just say that this current cost of borrowing
• So I respect Senator, um, my colleague from District 6's feedback, but this is all publicly available
• So I respect Senator, um, my colleague from District 6's feedback, but this is all publicly available
• So I respect Senator, um, my colleague from District 6's feedback, but this is all publicly available

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm love to hear some feedback on that thought. of a summary is to act as a cue.
• /c><00:29:08.559><c> to</c><00:29:08.640><c> hear</c><00:29:08.799><c> some</c><00:29:09.039><c> feedback
• So I'm love to hear some feedback thing.
• So I'm love to hear some feedback on<00:29:09.520><c> that</c><00:29:09.760><c> thought.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• KISTERS team. local emergency management officials, police, fire departments, and tech staff to garner feedback
• I'm here to offer feedback as you shape future disasters. preparedness and response plans.
• from from what we can do a lot better so that's that's the goal here and I appreciate all of your feedback
• Economic Geology and if you would look at what they're doing on water mapping, I'd appreciate your feedback

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he would be happy to get feedback on how to improve it once it is where it should be, and that
• </c><01:13:52.000><c> to</c><01:13:52.159><c> get</c><01:13:52.320><c> your</c><01:13:52.480><c> feedback
• </c> lot, I'd be happy to get your feedback lot, I'd be happy to get your feedback as<01:13:53.120><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a full quorum and approved the prior minutes. Members offered introductions of guests and family members, then heard a presentation from University of Louisville President Thomas Jared Bradley, who was sworn in before testifying. He described his background and outlined U of L’s strategic priorities: student success, access and affordability, workforce development, community engagement, and research. Bradley highlighted enrollment growth, increases in first-generation and Pell-eligible students, strong transfer pathways with KCTCS, and support programs such as the Cardinal Commitment Grant, 15-to-Finish, Comeback Cards, tutoring, mentoring, and mental health services. Bradley also emphasized U of L’s statewide and regional impact through UofL Health, rural outreach, the Bullitt County rural cancer education and research center, nursing expansion, and the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. He noted major institutional distinctions, including R1 status, a new Carnegie Opportunity College and University designation, and community-engaged classification. He said the university is one of only 10 public universities nationwide with all three designations and reported record enrollment, improved retention, and strong research expenditures. He also thanked lawmakers for significant capital and operating support, including funding for the simulation center, health science center, asset preservation, and the MEP program. During questions, members praised the university’s public service role and asked about first-generation enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. Bradley said the university is working to improve completion by expanding academic support, early alerts, incentives for tutoring, and faculty/advisor mentoring, especially for first-generation and high-need students. He acknowledged that post-graduation employment data is difficult to collect but said the new Carnegie classification reflects positive outcomes. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and no formal actions were taken on legislation in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• our responsibility to the public, we can't post median prices that vary wildly because we've heard feedback
• 02:25:10.640><c> we've</c><02:25:10.880><c> we've</c><02:25:11.280><c> heard</c><02:25:11.439><c> feedback
• </c><02:25:11.840><c> from</c> because we've we've heard feedback from because we've we've heard feedback

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as somebody who participated in that process, uh, we gave feedback throughout the process, and the
• participated in that process, uh we who participated in that process, uh we gave<01:39:27.600><c> feedback
• throughout</c><01:39:28.320><c> the</c><01:39:28.560><c> process</c><01:39:29.520><c> and</c> gave feedback
• throughout the process and gave feedback throughout the process and the<01:39:30.239><c> end</c><01:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 1 through 3 of the bill respond directly to industry feedback we received this fall while working
• the bill respond directly<00:40:09.440><c> to</c><00:40:09.599><c> industry</c><00:40:10.000><c> feedback
• </c><00:40:10.400><c> we</c> directly to industry feedback we directly to industry feedback we received

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've offered us some feedback.
• 39:06.240><c> some</c> Insurance we they've offered us some Insurance we they've offered us some feedback
• > we're</c><00:39:07.640><c> certainly</c><00:39:08.079><c> willing</c><00:39:08.960><c> and</c> feedback
• uh we're certainly willing and feedback uh we're certainly willing and ready<00:39:09.520><c> to</c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• October, November, and so there's been transparency in what's being proposed and opportunities for feedback
• being proposed and<02:06:45.800><c> opportunities</c><02:06:46.559><c> for</c><02:06:47.280><c> feedback
• </c><02:06:47.960><c> from</c> and opportunities for feedback from and opportunities for feedback from

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline. DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly. Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• No one asked for it, and the city hasn't bothered getting community feedback from in the first place.
• No one asked for it, and the city hasn't bothered getting community feedback from in the first place.
• No one asked for it, and the city hasn't bothered getting community feedback from in the first place.
• No one asked for it, and the city hasn't bothered getting community feedback from in the first place.
• No one asked for it, and the city hasn't bothered getting community feedback from in the first place.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Kister's team, local emergency management officials, police, fire departments, and textile to garner feedback
• elevation, providing valuable warning and evacuation... police, fire departments, and textile to garner feedback
• I'm here to offer feedback as you shape future disaster preparedness and response plans.
• And I appreciate all of your feedback on that.
• economic geology, and if you would look at what they're doing with water mapping, I appreciate your feedback

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kister's team, local emergency management officials, police, fire departments, and others to gather feedback
• Our departments and others gathered feedback on software design and functionality.
• I'm here to offer feedback as you shape future disaster preparedness and response plans.
• So that's the goal here, and I appreciate all of... ...your feedback on that.
• economic geology, and if you would look at what they're doing in the water mapping, I appreciate your feedback

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, I'm already hearing feedback from our providers. Um, I've had staff contact me.
• Currently, I'm already hearing feedback from our providers. Um, I've had staff contact me.
• I just wanted to make sure we take in feedback from the floor.
• And I think the feedback that I've heard from Minnesotans as we're looking to make tough budget decisions
• And I think the feedback that I've heard from Minnesotans as we're looking to make tough budget decisions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] If it's okay, I think I've got good feedback on this issue.
• If it's okay, I think I've got good feedback on this issue.
• I think I I've got I've<01:15:46.880><c> received</c><01:15:47.120><c> good</c><01:15:47.320><c> feedback
• /c><01:15:47.880><c> on</c><01:15:48.320><c> on</c><01:15:48.679><c> this</c> I've received good feedback
• on on this I've received good feedback on on this issue<01:15:49.360><c> number</c><01:15:49.639><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• session, we want to roll out all the details for the bill in full transparency and get as much public feedback
• session, we want to roll out all the details for the bill in full transparency and get as much public feedback
• 02:34.478><c> public</c> transparency and get as much public transparency and get as much public feedback
• 37.440><c> uh</c><06:02:38.000><c> stakeholders</c><06:02:38.558><c> in</c><06:02:38.680><c> the</c> feedback
• um from uh stakeholders in the feedback um from uh stakeholders in the past<06:02:39.160><c> who</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In adding in that additional step of penalty, there is a response, a response to the feedback that, hey
• In adding in that additional step of penalty, there is a response, a response to the feedback that, hey
• 22:26.680><c> for</c><04:22:26.840><c> a</c><04:22:26.920><c> second</c><04:22:27.200><c> or</c> feedback
• that hey, for a second or feedback that hey, for a second or subsequent<04:22:27.800><c> offense,</c
• We have also listened to stakeholder feedback and have offered amendments both in committee and on second

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to take that back and have people at DOJ look at it and give some studied feedback to you.
• I think that I got some feedback from the attorney general's office regarding some of their issues with
• I've gotten some feedback from Attorney Layman from the Senate Council's office, and they indicated that
• 03:07:11.520><c> I've</c><03:07:11.840><c> gotten</c><03:07:12.080><c> some</c><03:07:12.319><c> feedback
• </c><03:07:12.720><c> from</c> Um, I've gotten some feedback from Um, I've gotten some feedback from

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 141, which would create a narrow exception to New Hampshire’s three-year deadline for motions for a new trial when a petitioner has newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding. The prime sponsor’s representative and advocates from the Innocence Project and New England Innocence Project argued the bill is needed to help wrongfully convicted people access the courts, noting that exonerations often take many years and that outdated forensic science has contributed to wrongful convictions. The chair also said he had drafted a proposed amendment for committee review, but it had not yet been formally submitted. Witnesses supporting the bill emphasized that the measure would not guarantee relief, only allow a petition to be filed and reviewed under existing standards. They discussed examples such as arson science, explaining that some convictions were based on forensic methods later shown to be unreliable. Committee members asked about the scope of habeas corpus, whether the bill would create a new cause of action, and whether additional screening or pleading requirements should be added. The supporters said they would be open to requiring a petitioner to plead innocence, but opposed adding more burdensome preliminary procedures or counsel requirements at the filing stage. Thomas Farardi, from the Attorney General’s Office, testified in opposition or with caution, saying the bill was a “solution looking for a problem” because existing habeas corpus and coram nobis procedures already provide avenues for relief, and prosecutors can act when credible new evidence arises. He argued the current draft could invite additional litigation and create a new cause of action, and said he favored more screening before cases proceed. The discussion also touched on whether the statute applies in criminal cases, the current three-year limitation in RSA 526:4, and questions about posthumous petitions and petitions by deported individuals. No vote or executive action was taken during the hearing.