Transcript Highlights:

• self-identify as limited English proficient by increasing the availability of translated election materials
• Congress amended the Voting Rights Act in 1975 to add Section 203, which guarantees that all election materials
• First, it ensures voters who currently receive all voting materials in their language under Section 203
• appreciate that, and I greatly appreciate your work to build on your SB 73 to ensure that election materials
• And I greatly appreciate your work to build on your SB 73 to ensure that election materials and voting

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• plant program to support the production, maintenance, and distribution of disease-free clean plant material
• We have submitted some written testimony on this measure and believe that clean plant material is going
• <00:09:07.920> to disease-free clean plant material to disease-free clean plant material to
• this measure and believe that clean on this measure and believe that clean plant<00:10:06.480> material
• is going to be very plant material is going to be very important<00:10:07.680> as<00:10:08.000

Bills: HB1730, HB1985, HB1749, HB1921

Keywords: cesspool, wastewater systems, public health, environmental protection, affordable upgrades, coral reefs, water quality, Hawaii legislation, cesspools, wastewater, environment, pollution, Hawaii, sustainable development, sewerage system, real estate, disclosure, environmental impact, wastewater management, housing

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures. Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should this cost to do these types of items and materials.
• There were long lead times on materials, and all of those things ratcheted up costs.
• Those are the only costs that are exempt in the state of New Mexico, aside from that development, materials
• , development labor—Wade mentioned those—and then construction materials and construction labor.
• of the transaction, even though their rate is higher, because it's only taxed on the development materials

Transcript Highlights:

• And because we're their local partner, instead of going in with just a time-and-materials cost, they're
• That's probably going to come out higher than a time-and-materials arrangement and better for us. >>
• <01:29:57.199> Um,<01:29:57.600> as<01:29:57.840> I<01:29:58.080> learned
• Um, as I learned reservations on this.
• > learning hopefully it's a learning learning hopefully it's a learning learning experience<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're glad you're learning about the important legislative issues.
• So we're glad you're learning about the So we're glad you're learning about the important<00:01:27.840
• Could you share that, or what you've learned if there's trends? First people.
• What did we learn from that?
• What did we learn from that? happened? What did we learn from that?

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 2. Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 3. Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 4. Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 5. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 6. Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:38.040> of<00:10:38.160> medical "Over the weekend, I learned of medical "Over
• the weekend, I learned of medical information<00:10:39.400> which<00:10:39.640> caused
• Senate Rule 56.2 states, "A member must not publish or distribute written material if the member knows
• and then for us to determine we learned and then for us to determine if<00:43:20.640> that<00
• So, Senator Jaskowski, you are one who is pretty well learned when it comes to parliamentary procedure

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• —as the insurance rates have gone up due to the higher labor and material costs, a lot of the elderly
• As the insurance rates have gone up due to the higher labor and material costs, a lot of the elderly
• folks who are on a fix. due to the higher labor and material costs.
• before, I certainly have as well in a storm and, you know, whether or not these types of matching materials
• If the materials are not available, and it is just a cosmetic thing, that's where the rub is.

Summary: The Insurance Committee first heard House Bill 2250, sponsored by Representative Zimmerman, which would require insurers to cover replacement of all siding on a home when storm damage affects only part of the siding and matching materials are not reasonably available. Zimmerman said the bill is intended to codify Missouri case law and address homeowner complaints after hailstorms, where insurers allegedly paid only for the damaged side and left owners to pay for the rest if matching siding could not be found. Committee members generally expressed sympathy for affected homeowners and discussed possible refinements, including limiting the requirement to street-facing elevations and adding clearer consumer disclosures about coverage. Opposition testimony came from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, which argued the bill could increase premiums and reduce affordability, especially for homeowners choosing lower-cost policies. Coalition witnesses said insurers should repair direct physical damage but raised concerns about extending coverage to cosmetic mismatch issues and noted that consumers can sometimes buy more robust coverage through riders or different policy options. They also said better disclosure and consumer education would help. Representative Castile raised additional ideas about certified payroll and contractor accountability, though those were not part of the bill under discussion. After the HB 2250 hearing closed, the committee established a quorum and moved into executive session on House Bill 3328. The committee adopted a House Committee Substitute that, according to Representative Castile, removed the IBHS certification requirement in favor of a non-biased third-party testing lab and deleted an adjuster cap, while keeping the bill’s broader “stronger home” program intact. The committee then voted the substitute do pass by a 9-0 vote and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:11.680> Um I've learned a lot. Um I've learned a lot.
• <00:29:00.080> diabetes learning diabetes learning diabetes how<00:29:02.240> they how
• Strategic Materials Management Branch Strategic Materials Management Branch Manager,<02:36:18.200>
• . learn. learn.
• learning learning >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to include extraneous material on HR276. to include extraneous material on HR276.
• <03:43:34.560> is latest example that we've learned is latest example that we've learned is
• same love of learning in his students. same love of learning in his students.
• The values of the learning community.
• students with mild to moderate learning students with mild to moderate learning disabilities.<04

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as a young 20-some-year-old bear biologist, you learn quickly."
• "As a young 20-some-year-old bear biologist, you learn quickly.
• So you learn things the hard way."
• <01:46:40.040> firsthand recently that we have learned firsthand recently that we have learned
• needed the materials that are needed<01:50:24.199> are<01:50:24.440> much<01:50:24.639

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 1,200 physical structures, and that's over 500 equipment and material storage buildings, 160 salt
• and that's over 500 uh<00:08:25.520> equipment<00:08:25.919> and<00:08:26.160> material
• <00:08:26.560> storage uh equipment and material storage uh equipment and material storage
• ,<00:25:11.120> goods, costs for construction materials, goods, costs for construction materials
• materials, goods, and services<00:36:39.839> in<00:36:40.160> recent<00:36:40.480>

Keywords: 00:03 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:57 Capital Projects and Highway Plan 56:11 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met to hear the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s presentation on the governor’s 2026 capital projects budget and recommended highway plan. Secretary Gray and cabinet staff first thanked KYTC snow and ice crews, local road departments, first responders, utility workers, and others for their work during a major winter storm, then outlined the capital budget request. The cabinet said its facilities are aging, with about 35% at or beyond useful life, and that limited road fund revenues led it to focus mainly on maintenance, maintenance pools, aircraft maintenance, environmental compliance, AASHTOWare upgrades, state park road maintenance, truck parking, and reauthorization of several projects, including airport work and road projects. The cabinet said the governor’s budget includes about $22.8 million in state funds for the capital budget over the biennium, plus carry-forward language for maintenance pools and project reauthorizations to avoid losing federal funds. Members asked about repeated reauthorizations, cost increases, and whether projects should be restarted as new requests after carrying over for multiple budgets. The cabinet responded that budget office policy generally allows only one reauthorization before a project must be resubmitted, and said many delays are due to acquisition or other project issues. Members also questioned the basis for increased-cost line items and the $5 million request for commercial truck parking; cabinet staff said they could provide original project cost details and that many increases are inflationary, while the truck parking project is expected to use federal funds and is a cabinet priority. The committee also discussed the decline in road fund receipts, which the cabinet attributed largely to lower motor fuels tax revenue. The presentation then shifted to the 2026 recommended highway plan. Officials said the plan covers more than 1,300 projects over six years and anticipates about $9.5 billion in federal and state funding. They said the plan is intended to maintain existing assets, advance long-term priority projects, and honor prior commitments, including the Mountain Parkway, the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, and the I-69 Ohio River Crossing. About 40% of plan funds are dedicated to existing pavements, bridges, and guardrails, and officials cited a 61% rise in highway construction costs from 2020 to 2025 as a major challenge. To help offset those pressures, the cabinet is seeking $125 million from the budget reserve trust fund for the Brent Spence Bridge and release of a federal grant condition tied to the already appropriated $150 million for the I-69 crossing. No votes were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, after the, the hearing, um, we learned a lot about what the agency has done in the past when
• We learn from it, absolutely learn from it.
• That was learned early.
• Also, sir, again, as, as, uh, Deputy Moorehead said, you know, we have these learning analysis, but I
• We hadn't experienced that, so we learned from that, is that right? Representative, I would.

Transcript Highlights:

• We learn from it, absolutely learn from it.
• That was learned early. In addition to that...
• I think notwithstanding whatever we learned from Bastrop, and Don, and Mayuri, and Katula, and others
• We hadn't experienced that, so we learned. from that is that right representative I would when we get
• But the tank that houses the retarded material...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I learned a lot and I didn't expect to be on it.
• I learned a lot and I didn't expect to be on it.
• So seeing them learn in two languages or more languages is just really exciting.
• <00:24:51.200> We<00:24:51.559> know have our kids learn how to read.
• We know have our kids learn how to read.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so let's learn from the past and make sure it doesn't happen going forward. Very good.
• The trauma, learned distrust of the medical system, and the financial ruin don't go away just because
• You have to learn how to do that.
• Learn to work together. And if you don't, it's going to cost you.
• Learn to work together. And if you don't, it's going to cost you.

Bills: HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and announced it would vote on pending bills at 10:30, with public testimony limited to two minutes. It first took up Senate Bill 905, a TDLR cleanup bill on licensing regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Senator Zafferini said the committee substitute would streamline advisory board consultation, remove obsolete provisional licenses, and allow any licensed physician to authorize hearing instruments for minors; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 451, which would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk for children in DFPS conservatorship and youth under TJJD jurisdiction. The author and witnesses from Children at Risk, the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, and Texas CASA supported the bill as a prevention tool with existing infrastructure and training; the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee next considered Senate Bill 466, which would clarify that families may request a fetal death certificate at any gestational age, while keeping existing filing requirements for physicians. A constituent father testified about losing his 11-week-old daughter and being told he could not obtain a certificate, which he said prevented funeral arrangements; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. Senate Bill 2311 followed, requiring residential treatment centers to have a written agreement with the school that will educate resident children before becoming operational. The author cited a local dispute where an RTC and school district lacked communication, and witnesses from Texas CASA and Disability Rights Texas supported clearer educational planning while suggesting the Education Code may need conforming changes; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2826, known as Alyssa’s Law, which would create a statewide education program on medical child abuse for medical students, health care professionals, and CPS caseworkers. The author and Sheriff Bill Weyburn described Alyssa’s case as involving repeated unnecessary surgeries and argued the bill would improve awareness and early identification, while several witnesses and members raised concerns about false accusations, impacts on medically fragile children, and the need for scientific, peer-reviewed training and safeguards. After extensive discussion, the chair left the bill pending. The committee also heard House Bill 136, which would add certified lactation consultants as Medicaid providers to expand breastfeeding support; witnesses from lactation and nutrition fields said the bill would improve access, maternal and infant health, and long-term savings, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2805, a surprise-billing/arbitration measure that would clarify provider identifiers and shift arbitration costs to the losing party. The author said the substitute was a legislative counsel draft with no substantive difference, and witnesses from the Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and U.S. Anesthesia Partners supported the bill as a modest improvement that would reduce administrative confusion and make arbitration fairer without weakening patient protections. Members discussed how arbitration costs affect settlement behavior and how to define the “winner” in close cases. The bill was heard but not voted out during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• market like that materializes that has market like that materializes that has potential<00:29:01.039>
• It's not the one we learn in Sunday school.
• It's not the one we learn in Sunday school.
• It's not the one we learn in Sunday school.
• It's not the one we learn in Sunday school.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• learned and experienced in college. learned and experienced in college.
• And since then, Democrats haven't learned a thing.
• I wish that the gentle lady from California would have been in the Judiciary Committee hearing to learn
• what the law actually says, to learn what the law actually says, something<05:06:29.360> that
• I think the lesson that we can learn is let's not repeat what is happening in other parts of the world

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but if TPWD finds that the mitigation Measures are insufficient to prevent the structures from materially
• materials are processed together at large. ...facilities.
• We will be able to scale our use of bio-based materials quickly by incorporating them into our existing
• To bring greater trust and credibility to our use of these materials, this legislation ensures third-party
• However, due to the nature of the materials involved, the fire continued to smolder for weeks as the

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033, HB49

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• on H.R. 3944 and that I may include tabular material on the same.
• Enjoy learning something new.
• extraneous material on the subject<07:41:13.440> of<07:41:13.600> my<07:41:13.840>
• Their families learn days later that their loved one has been shipped off to a foreign gulag without
• Their families learn days later that their loved one has been shipped off to a foreign gulag without

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:07.440> um<00:19:07.679> course<00:19:08.080> or your of your materials
• um course or your of your materials um course or something.<00:19:09.120> And<00:19:09.360>
• grow up with good oral health and able grow up with good oral health and able to<01:10:00.719> learn
• 01.199> and<01:10:01.360> avoid<01:10:01.600> all<01:10:01.760> the to learn
• in school and avoid all the to learn in school and avoid all the terrible<01:10:02.320> consequences

Bills: HB1697, HB1678, HB1679, HB2282, HB1940, HB1671, HB1481, HB2015, HB2207, HB2486

Keywords: natural hair braiding, registration, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, public health, sanitation, cumulative voting, associations, unit owners, board of directors, elections, Hawaii Revised Statutes, condominium, association meetings, electronic voting, proxy voting, mail voting, insurance, premium increase, policy cancellation, licensing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.