Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have received two House Concurrent Resolutions that the House and Senate adopted pursuant
• The first is HCR 214, which is a House Concurrent Resolution celebrating the essential contributions
• Members, we have received two House Concurrent Resolutions that the House and Senate adopted pursuant
• The first is HCR 214, which is a House Concurrent Resolution celebrating the essential contributions
• The hold is also lifted upon receipt of a court order directing the release of funds.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrence calendar number seven.
• <01:16:13.840> the Concurrence calendar number nine, the Concurrence calendar number nine, the
• :19.280> number We're doing concurrence calendar number We're doing concurrence calendar number
• ><02:48:47.160> 363<02:48:48.080> to concurrence calendar, House Bill 363 to concurrence
• Also on the concurrence welcome.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, then the Speaker noted a long day ahead and asked members to be patient as the chamber worked through several remaining bills. The House then handled routine business, including reading the journal and taking up a resolution honoring Delegate Susan K. McComas for her 24 years of service representing Harford County. Members from the Harford County delegation praised her work on behalf of families and children, her service as a former mayor of Bel Air, and her long legislative career. McComas briefly spoke in response, reflecting on her service and thanking colleagues. The chamber then moved through a series of consent calendar items and Senate amendments. House Bill 193 on state procurement transparency, House Bill 261 on competitive proof-of-concept procurement, House Bill 266 on the Information Technology Investment Fund, House Bill 998 on Baltimore City alcoholic beverages districts, and House Bill 1422 on procurement and personnel liquidated damages all received concurrence in Senate amendments and were passed, with roll calls showing overwhelming support; HB 1422 drew nine negative votes, and HB 266 drew one negative vote. The House also received committee reports advancing several Senate bills, including measures on child care credential funding, speed monitoring systems, driver skills examinations, school bus fire safety, veterans cemeteries, IT investment fund uses, Baltimore City alcohol regulations, hospital immigration enforcement policies, and board of education compensation changes. Later, the House considered additional amended bills and adopted the committee amendments before advancing them to third reading. These included Senate Bill 212 on tuition exemptions for spouses and dependents of safety employees and the Maryland Fallen Heroes Death Benefits Act, House Bill 1599 and Senate Bill 558 creating a Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 366 establishing an intelligent speed assistance pilot program, Senate Bill 431 on endangered and threatened species and migratory birds regulations, Senate Bill 947 on Maryland Transit Administration reform, Senate Bill 480 on physician licensure for foreign-trained doctors, Senate Bill 898 on Medicaid reimbursement for registered behavior technicians, Senate Bill 204 on the Maryland Civic Excellence Program, and Senate Bill 890 on captive insurer premium tax study. In several cases, amendments were described as technical or as clarifying reporting, deadlines, eligibility, or program structure. One member asked about SB 890 after amendments removed the proposed tax moratorium, and the floor leader explained that the bill was now only a study requiring a report back to the General Assembly. The session ended with a quorum call showing 133 members present and the House still in session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to present AB 1633, which will impose a 50% gross receipts tax on corporations operating for-profit
• It uses a gross receipts model to ensure companies contribute based on the full scale of their California
• The bill concurrently provides for Santa Monica climate strategies by giving the Coastal Commission new
• that this bill will hopefully, if it gets out of the Senate and out of here today, come back on concurrence
• Here today, come back on concurrence.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened, first dealing with quorum and routine procedural matters before moving through a series of third-reading bills, many focused on immigration enforcement, worker protections, child care, and school or voting-site safety. Early measures included AB 2393, AB 1994, AB 1929, AB 1633, AB 1650, AB 1655, AB 1851, AB 1896, and AB 2230, with authors and supporters arguing these bills would provide accountability, protect immigrant communities, preserve access to benefits and services, and limit intimidation by immigration enforcement. Opponents repeatedly argued the bills were anti-law-enforcement, unconstitutional, or based on exaggerated or nonexistent threats. Several bills passed by recorded vote, including AB 2393 (41-15), AB 1994 (58-0), AB 1929 (41-17), AB 1650 (44-19), AB 1655 (50-14), AB 1851 (56-0), AB 1896 (41-19), and AB 2230 (42-15). AB 1633, a 54-vote bill imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, was debated at length but the roll was not completed in the excerpt and the item was moved on from temporarily. After a caucus break, the House returned and took up additional bills. AB 2379 would require child care providers to be informed of constitutional protections and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed 59-10 on both the urgency and the measure. AB 2460 would direct the education department to update referral protocols so schools can better respond to students affected by immigration enforcement trauma and family deportation; it passed 52-8. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on unfair immigration-related practices by employers, making immigration-related threats unlawful in workplace disputes; it passed 50-15. Throughout the day, debate was highly partisan and often heated, with repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real harms or were political messaging, but the Assembly ultimately advanced the measures that came to a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This makes the timing of revenue receipts and reconciliations an important consideration for our budget
• Shaping of the payment system, and so in concurrence with the LAO's feedback, this is very broad.
• claim reimbursement require health plans to reimburse claims no later than 30 calendar days after receipt

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Madam Speaker, we are in receipt of Governor's Message Number 5, providing amendments to an emergency
• We are in further receipt of Governor's Message Number 6, requesting the Legislature consider House Bill
• The question is on House Concurrent Resolution 1171. Representative Morikawa asks for the vote.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The due course clause offers concurrent protection with the federal due process clause, but there's also
• I had sent the money orders, return receipt requested, so she could sign for them.
• Many tenants who we speak to are paralyzed by the receipt of an eviction petition.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• actually ascending to the number one position for our annual general fund, ascending above the gross receipts
• the House of the The Senate has passed Senate Bill 2 with the emergency clause and requests the concurrence
• inform the House that the Senate has passed Senate Bill 3 with the emergency clause and requests the concurrence
• that the Senate has passed Senate Bill 1 as amended with the emergency clause and requests the concurrence

Transcript Highlights:

• some slip through the cracks, but you know, two and a half years later, we still remember we have receipts
• directed to inform the House that the Senate has passed Senate Bill 41, as amended, and request the concurrence
• directed to inform the House that the Senate has passed Senate Bill 41, as amended, and request the concurrence
• So, those two are concurrent. Madam Speaker and gentlelady, I would see this sort of as a list.

Transcript Highlights:

• this measure aligns with the intent expressed in the previous legislative session through House Concurrent
• this measure aligns with the intent expressed in the previous legislative session through House Concurrent
• this measure aligns with the intent expressed in the previous legislative session through House Concurrent
• language specifying in the clarity of the bill that a five-business-day timeframe for postmark return receipt

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 667 would require DOT or county departments to scan deceased cats or dogs found on public roadways for microchips, record information, and report it to county animal services. DOT said it supported the bill, and the Hawaiʻi Humane Society and others strongly backed it, describing it as important for grieving pet owners. A private citizen also testified in support, saying the measure could help families learn what happened to missing pets. The chair noted there were nine supporters. The committee then heard HB 230 on sending a carbon copy of traffic citations to vehicle owners, followed by HB 77, which would make civil identification cards free to issue or renew. The Attorney General’s office said it had already submitted comments on HB 77, DOT opposed it, and a private citizen supported it as a way to reduce barriers to basic services. HB 668, which would make license suspension mandatory for operating a vehicle without insurance, drew opposition from the Office of the Public Defender and DOT. The Public Defender argued current law already allows suspension and that a mandatory rule would discourage people from obtaining insurance, increase court burdens, and disproportionately affect indigent drivers; the chair emphasized that driving is a privilege and raised concerns about uninsured driving in rural areas. The Public Defender also said it would look into whether state insurance options could help people who cannot get traditional coverage. The committee also took up HB 12, which would bar inspection certificates for mopeds or vehicles modified to increase NOx emissions. DOT offered comments, Citizens Against Noise supported it, and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it; the chair noted six additional supporters and ten opponents. HB 169 would raise the minimum age for moped operators from 15 to 16 and increase the helmet requirement age from 18 to 21; DOT supported it, while Moped Doctors, Moped’s Direct, and seven individuals opposed it. HB 220 would require moped operators to carry insurance under motorcycle/motor scooter insurance laws; DCCA offered comments, DOT supported it, and Moped Doctors and ten individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard HB 277, which would establish a statewide vehicle pursuit policy for law enforcement agencies. The Policing Project at NYU and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi supported the bill, citing national data on deaths and injuries from pursuits and arguing for a baseline limit on pursuits for minor offenses; the Hawaii Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed it. The committee also heard HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture. DOT supported it, while the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill was overly harsh, internally inconsistent, and likely to strain courts, law enforcement, and probation systems by turning a traffic offense into a felony with prison exposure and jury-trial rights. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to present AB 1604, which would prohibit the use of BPA in paper receipts by January 1, 2028,
• and BPS in paper receipts by January 1, 2029.
• have linked this exposure to breast cancer and other serious health risks, and people who handle receipts
• This exposure to breast cancer and other serious health rests, and people who handle receipts every day
• By removing this mills from receipts, this bill will cut daily exposure to harmful chemicals to protect

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened in session, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a very large third-reading file while urging members to be at their desks for their bills. The day featured many support measures on housing, health care, public safety, local government, labor, education, and consumer protection, with repeated reminders that absent authors would have their bills skipped. Several bills were passed temporarily or retained on file, but the chamber spent most of the time taking up individual measures and voting on them. Among the bills discussed were measures on land surveying, nurse midwifery access, historic-district transit zoning, EV charging infrastructure, foreclosure equity protections, tribal inclusion in interstate cannabis commerce, outdoor advertising permitting delays, commercial building permit timelines, DUI penalties, farmworker disadvantaged-community designation, restaurant reservation bots, open-space tax exemptions, pop-up business permits, anti-hate training for officials, sideshows and street takeovers, utility rate transparency, CalWORKs eligibility, dynamic electricity rates, interior designer licensure, compost contamination, modular housing standards, small claims limits for businesses, Native American Day as a paid state holiday, rural maternity care funding, protective orders tied to defendant release, immigrant service provider privacy under Safe at Home, mentally disordered offender evaluations, compounded weight-loss drug regulation, plasma donation center rules, missing persons DNA database updates, AI chatbot safeguards for children, an official state apology to California Native peoples, foster youth housing navigation, CTE teacher credentialing, Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, CalFresh protections, public hospital physician employment authority, child care, and film tax credit changes for post-production work. Testimony was generally supportive from authors, who framed the bills as cleanup, modernization, consumer protection, or targeted equity measures. A few measures drew notable opposition or debate, especially AB 2624 on Safe at Home privacy protections for immigrant service providers, where opponents argued it could chill journalism and transparency while supporters said it was needed to protect people facing doxing and threats. AB 2208 and AB 2299 were presented as responses to federal HR 1 impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and AB 2023 on AI chatbots drew emotional support centered on child safety and a reported suicide case. The chamber also heard strong advocacy for Native American recognition bills, rural health access, and housing affordability. Most bills passed with little or no opposition, often unanimously. Recorded votes included AB 1933 (48-0), AB 1696 (49-0), AB 2415 (54-0), AB 1820 (50-0), AB 1957 (53-0), AB 2506 (60-0), AB 2024 (58-0), AB 2418 (61-0), AB 1578 (44-17), AB 1600 (46-9), AB 1661 (44-10), AB 1715 (46-7), AB 1755 (66-0), AB 1787 (43-5), AB 1796 (45-6), AB 1812 (47-1), AB 1815 (57-0), AB 1827 (59-0), AB 1841 (64-0), AB 1868 (61-0), AB 1882 (64-0), AB 1889 (69-0), AB 2624 (49-19), AB 1897 (57-1), AB 1990 (52-0), AB 2009 (65-0), AB 2018 (60-0), AB 2023 (58-8), AB 2115 (65-0), AB 2162 (60-0), AB 2206 (62-0), AB 2208 (42-17), AB 2237 (54-0), AB 2241 (62-0), AB 2246 (56-1), AB 2249 (51-0), AB 2299 (51-1), AB 2311 (65-0), and AB 2314 (68-0). The session ended with the Assembly still working through the file, including the opening of AB 2319 on film tax credits.

Transcript Highlights:

• The payments are dispensed to the firefighter's bank account within 10 days of receipt.
• Ten days of receipt of completed documentation. No waiting for inquiries or investigations.
• But then they can send their receipt<08:15:08.320> to<08:15:08.718> another<08:15:09.120
• > entity<08:15:09.520> at<08:15:09.760> the<08:15:09.920> state receipt to
• another entity at the state receipt to another entity at the state level<08:15:10.878> and<08

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And concurrency is the issue that is a big issue in my counties, and I'm trying to The issue that is
• It ties it to 163.3.380 in terms of concurrency.
• Transportation is not a required statewide concurrency.
• And in your estimation, that required transparent, that required transportation concurrency.
• to meet that concurrency plan.

Bills: S0036, S0620, S0796, S0934, S1080, S1096, S1366, S1536, S1548, S1580, S1588, S1620, S1756, S7034, S7044

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCR 12 is a House concurrent resolution, as opposed to an HR.

• A House concurrent resolution, because it goes to the Senate. >> Excuse me. >> House concurrent resolution
• >> House<01:11:29.199> concurrent<01:11:29.840> resolution.
• Continuing >> House concurrent resolution.
• Concurrent resolution goes correction.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Restores title with the concurrence of the entire committee and the Members, that concludes the explanation
• it shall be deemed a substantial burden to exclude any person or entity from participation in or receipt

Bills: SB1521, SB372, SB1232, SB1307, SB1338, SB1390, SB1451, SB1463, SB1558, SB1567, SB1595, SB1621, SB1734, SB1749, SB1827, SB1833, SB1991, SB1992, SB63, SB2063, SB2180, SB1198, SB80

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store

Transcript Highlights:

• Every person born in the United States can move here tomorrow, check into a hotel room, take that receipt
• go register at room take that receipt go register at the<02:20:41.319> local<02:20:41.600>
• Understand, because again we have concurrent jurisdiction.
• <02:45:13.240> jurisdiction<02:45:13.880> we again we have concurrent jurisdiction
• we again we have concurrent jurisdiction we must<02:45:14.200> be<02:45:14.359> mindful

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is concurrence with House amendments at the request of Senator Gambrell. Roll call.
• Reading clerk will call the roll on concurrence on S-1043 on page 2. Aye, Mr. Bennett. Mr.
• further, that the Senate meet in perfunctory session each Wednesday for the exclusive purpose of the receipt

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is whether it shows up on a property tax bill, a sales tax receipt, higher fees, or some
• directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has passed CS for SB 4F and requested concurrence
• directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has passed CS for SB 4F and requested concurrence

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is whether it shows up on a property tax bill, a sales tax receipt, higher fees, or some
• directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has passed CS for SB 4F and requested concurrence
• directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has passed CS for SB 4F and requested concurrence

Summary: The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations. Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times. The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• the radar anymore—when we can have the opportunity to do this and get that $700 million in gross receipts
• So we, our goal would be that if we could bring it back through in a concurrence way in the upcoming
• 30 day, that would be. through in a concurrence way in the upcoming 30-day?

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing gross receipts will still allow the Department of Taxation to compute the general excise tax
• ,<02:04:12.639> general accommodation, gross receipts, general accommodation, gross receipts
• Providing gross<02:04:18.000> receipts<02:04:18.400> will<02:04:18.560> still<02
• :04:18.800> allow<02:04:18.960> the gross receipts will still allow the gross receipts
• I want to honor what the agriculture committee has done and I do not have a prior concurrence to change

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known. The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.