Transcript Highlights:

• :04.880><c> your</c><01:02:05.040><c> testimony,</c><01:02:05.520><c> your</c><01:02:05.680><c> work<
• /c><01:02:05.760><c> on</c><01:02:05.920><c> this.
• I'm<01:02:06.240><c> sure</c><01:02:06.400><c> we'll</c><01:02:06.559><c> work</c><01:02:06.720><c> together
• </c><01:02:09.200><c> And</c><01:02:09.520><c> uh</c><01:02:09.680><c> see</c><01:02:09.920><c> no</c
• And uh see no other business,<01:02:10.640><c> we'll</c><01:02:10.799><c> stand</c><01:02:10.960><c>

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:35.440><c> I'm</c><00:02:35.599><c> Chay</c><00:02:35.840><c> Ritter</c><00:02:36.239><c>
• Christy<00:02:38.959><c> Russell</c><00:02:39.360><c> with</c><00:02:39.440><c> the</c><00:02:39.599>
• Commission.<00:02:44.720><c> Welcome</c><00:02:44.959><c> to</c><00:02:45.120><c> you</c><00:02:45.280
• Uh<01:02:09.680><c> but</c><01:02:09.839><c> but</c><01:02:10.559><c> there</c><01:02:10.880><c> are<
• But uh<01:02:31.200><c> these</c><01:02:31.599><c> loans</c><01:02:32.160><c> that</c><01:02:32.400><

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:23.599><c> in</c><00:02:23.920><c> support</c><00:02:24.840><c> and</c><00:02:25.000><c> we</c><00
• we</c><00:02:28.120><c> stand</c><00:02:28.400><c> in</c><00:02:28.640><c> support</c><00:02:29.519>
• any<00:02:34.640><c> um</c><00:02:35.640><c> anyone</c><00:02:36.000><c> else</c><00:02:36.680><c> speaking
• 02:39.240><c> housing</c><01:02:39.520><c> tax</c><01:02:39.760><c> credit</c><01:02:40.079><c> which
• :02:54.520><c> um</c><01:02:54.760><c> followed</c><01:02:55.240><c> by</c><01:02:55.880><c> tax</c>

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:02.560><c> to</c><00:02:02.799><c> thank</c><00:02:03.040><c> them</c><00:02:03.280><c> all
• So, I want to<00:02:07.520><c> call</c><00:02:07.680><c> them</c><00:02:07.840><c> out</c><00:02:08.000
• </c><00:02:15.599><c> and</c><00:02:15.680><c> I'm</c><00:02:15.840><c> Zach</c><00:02:16.080><c> Ramsey
• :02:48.879><c> percentage,</c><00:02:49.360><c> it</c><00:02:49.599><c> represents</c><00:02:50.080><
• . statute. statute.

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary met without a quorum and heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the judicial branch budget. AOC Director Zach Ramsey and budget director Carol Henderson outlined the branch’s current funding structure, noting that fiscal year 2026 general fund support is about 2.77% of the state general fund, below the National Center for State Courts’ typical 2% to 4% range. They emphasized Kentucky’s unusual responsibility for courthouse facilities, with the judicial branch directly involved in construction, maintenance, and operations across 229 facilities in all 120 counties. AOC said nearly 91% of its general fund is spent on personnel and other non-discretionary costs, and that the branch has long relied on agency revenue, restricted fund carryforwards, and vacancy credits to balance court operations. Members were told that Senate Bill 25 required a $34.5 million transfer into a reserve account, part of which was used to purchase the Chamberlain Avenue building in Frankfort. AOC reported that only $11.9 million remains in restricted funds, while it projects needing about $13.5 million to cover fiscal year 2026 obligations, not including roughly $9 million in flood-related remediation costs for Hardin and Franklin counties, much of which it expects to recover through insurance and FEMA. Looking ahead to the next biennium, AOC said it will seek full funding of court operations at $341 million annually, a $13.5 million increase to bring current services into the base appropriation rather than relying on reserves. It also previewed additional requests, including a 15% across-the-board pay parity plan for Kentucky Court of Justice personnel, replacement of declining master commissioner fee revenue tied to 141 deputy circuit court clerk positions, funding for technology subscription and case management system costs, JAV audiovisual system upgrades, AEDs and medical kits for courthouses, and other staffing and operational needs. Senator Funky Frommeyer asked whether the 15% salary proposal was included in the $13.5 million increase; AOC said it was not, and that it would be an additional request. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:03.479><c> your</c><00:02:03.719><c> audio</c><00:02:04.280><c> and</c><00:02:04.479><c> video</c
• ><c> queue</c><00:02:07.479><c> you</c><00:02:07.640><c> up</c><00:02:07.880><c> and</c><00:02:08.000
• :02:11.440><c> come</c><00:02:11.640><c> back</c><00:02:11.840><c> to</c><00:02:12.480><c> you</c><00
• 19.920><c> and</c><00:02:20.120><c> also</c><00:02:20.920><c> uh</c><00:02:21.440><c> this</c><00:02:
• :02:58.760><c> uh</c><00:02:58.959><c> first</c><00:02:59.239><c> up</c><00:02:59.440><c> we</c><00:02

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> thank</c><00:02:07.200><c> you</c><00:02:07.320><c> all</c><00:02:07.479><c> for</c><00:02:07.600
• :08.119><c> with</c><00:02:08.280><c> us</c><00:02:08.520><c> today</c><00:02:09.520><c> and</c><00:02
• ><c> going</c><00:02:32.280><c> to</c><00:02:32.360><c> be</c><00:02:32.440><c> able</c><00:02:32.599
• :32.920><c> with</c><00:02:33.080><c> us</c><00:02:33.640><c> uh</c><00:02:33.879><c> until</c><00:02
• <00:02:55.280><c> begin</c><00:02:56.040><c> uh</c><00:02:56.560><c> uh</c><00:02:56.840><c> oh</c><00

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 186, which would streamline food-service rules for churches and nonprofits providing meals to homeless shelters and people displaced by natural disasters. Representative Duvall said the bill is meant to remove unnecessary kitchen and plumbing requirements so organizations can safely serve simple meals in emergencies. Members discussed food safety, whether the bill applies only in declared disaster situations or also to homeless shelters, and whether training should be offered; Duvall clarified that the disaster and homelessness provisions are separate and that food must still be safe and wholesome. After discussion, the committee took a roll call vote and House Bill 186 passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 370, a Department of Agriculture reorganization measure sponsored by Representative Payne. Payne and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said the bill would move the Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health and create an Office of Economic Development to better support programs such as Food Is Medicine, rural health, farmer mental health, and farm safety. Members asked about the removal of references to shows and fairs, whether the bill would affect livestock shows and county fairs, and whether any new funding was included; Payne said the department would still support shows and fairs, the change was about efficiency and focus, and no new funding was specified because budget decisions come later. Discussion on House Bill 370 also highlighted the department’s broader economic role, including agricultural economic development and outreach tied to the new USDA secretary’s visit to Kentucky. The committee then voted and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee began House Bill 304 on soybean assessment language. Representative Bivens and soybean association representatives explained it as cleanup language related to the soybean checkoff and a contingency if the federal checkoff changes. Members asked whether a referendum had already occurred and whether producers supported the measure; the witnesses said the referendum had already taken place and that soybean producers and the association supported it, while one member noted the state may increasingly need to adjust to federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:00.080><c> Um</c><01:02:00.400><c> and</c><01:02:01.120><c> I</c> their application submitted
• Um and I guess<01:02:02.080><c> uh</c><01:02:02.360><c> Mr.
• </c><01:02:02.640><c> Chair,</c><01:02:02.960><c> that's</c><01:02:03.280><c> our</c><01:02:03.400><c
• &gt;&gt; Anybody<01:02:05.360><c> have</c><01:02:05.480><c> any</c><01:02:05.600><c> questions</c><01
• :02:06.080><c> for</c><01:02:06.240><c> Sandy?

Summary: The committee received a budget and program update from Kentucky Emergency Management on the state’s urban search and rescue buildout. Eric Gibson and Doug Hargrave said the legislature’s funding was used to create FEMA-type urban search and rescue capacity, including Kentucky Task Force 1 and 2, the incident support team, and the helicopter aquatic rescue/hoist team. They emphasized that the effort is not just equipment purchases but also training, credentialing, warehouse and training-facility development, canine program expansion, and coordination with local search and rescue agencies across the Commonwealth. Gibson reported that the agency executed 99.4% of the $16.175 million appropriation by the end of the fiscal year and said the team met its readiness target ahead of schedule, with equipment already being deployed in recent flood response operations. He also said $500,000 per year was set aside for local search and rescue grants, with about $482,000 awarded to 29 teams in one year and $490,000 to 36 teams in the next, averaging about $20,000 per grant. Several members urged the committee to consider increasing support for local responders in future budgets, noting rising equipment costs and the importance of local teams as first on scene. Members asked about staffing, coverage, and benefits. Gibson explained that the task force is a mixed workforce of full-time fire personnel loaned from local departments, professional service staff such as doctors and engineers, and temporary deployment staff, with workers’ compensation coverage provided through KYEM and/or home agencies depending on the arrangement. He also said local search and rescue members are not currently included in line-of-duty death benefits. In response to questions about coverage and deployment, he described the two task force locations as designed to keep resources within roughly 100 miles of every Kentuckian. The discussion also turned to recent flood response and disaster recovery. Gibson said the state had mobilized up to 24 teams over the weekend, documented roughly 60 to 80 water rescues or assisted evacuations, and was seeing significant damage in counties such as Cumberland, Clinton, and Metcalfe, including agricultural losses. He said several counties were meeting FEMA public assistance thresholds and that the state was preparing a broader relief request that could include FEMA, SBA, and USDA assistance. He also updated members on efforts to claw back and reallocate unused “strained fiscal liquidity” funds by the statutory deadline, saying notices were sent and funds were redirected where possible to unmet local needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• :22.760><c> anyone</c><00:02:23.080><c> to</c><00:02:23.200><c> have</c><00:02:23.360><c> any</c><00:
• any questions on this<00:02:26.640><c> do</c><00:02:26.760><c> I</c><00:02:26.920><c> have</c><00:02
• :27.000><c> a</c><00:02:27.160><c> motion</c><00:02:27.800><c> to</c><00:02:28.800><c> do</c><00:02:28.920
• ><c> Poli</c><00:02:32.720><c> call</c><00:02:32.920><c> the</c> Madam Secretary Poli call the Madam
• <00:02:43.400><c> Senator</c> Elkins Senator Elkins Senator Haron<00:02:45.560><c> Senator</c> Haron

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government first took up Senate Bill 193, a simple measure described as restoring wallet cards for jailers to carry when they are outside the jail. The sponsor noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee approved the bill 9-0 for passage to the Senate floor. The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Higdon, which would change how the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) treats sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave in retirement calculations. The sponsor argued the bill is intended to address TRS’s financial challenges by standardizing leave rules statewide, limiting TRS retirement credit to 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, requiring districts to pay the actuarial cost for any leave beyond the cap, and adding reporting and oversight requirements for participating agencies. He also said the bill would add 30 days of maternity leave, allow voluntary district contributions for tier four teachers, and direct the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agencies. Committee members asked about how overages would be audited and billed, the cost of a sick day, and how the bill would interact with local leave policies, including paid parental leave in some districts. The sponsor clarified that existing accumulated leave would not be affected, that the bill applies going forward, and that districts could still offer more leave but would bear the added cost. Members also discussed whether the maternity leave language set a cap or a minimum, and one senator noted the bill was intended to preserve personal days while stopping annual leave from being converted into pension credit. No vote on Senate Bill 9 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not<01:02:00.559><c> you</c><01:02:00.720><c> must</c><01:02:00.880><c> do</c><01:02:01.040><c>
• this</c><01:02:01.200><c> and</c><01:02:01.359><c> must</c><01:02:01.520><c> do</c><01:02:01.599><c>
• </c><01:02:06.400><c> Used</c><01:02:06.559><c> to</c><01:02:06.720><c> be</c><01:02:06.799><c> R60</
• So the 2024, this<01:02:10.480><c> was</c><01:02:10.559><c> the</c><01:02:10.720><c> other</c><01:02:
• <01:02:53.040><c> you</c><01:02:53.119><c> for</c><01:02:53.280><c> the</c><01:02:53.440><c> answer.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So as some of you may remember, in 2019, the Safer Products for Washington statute established a five-year
• or reporting requirement for any use of the chemical in any product, like in other states, like Minnesota
• We called that additional cycle Cycle 1.5 because the due dates established in statute fell between the
• We called that additional cycle 1.5 because the due dates established in statute fell between the due
• I think, Chair, just looking at, and who knows anymore, what AI is telling me about Maine, Minnesota,

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Senate<02:01:59.360><c> Bill</c><02:01:59.640><c> 2526</c><02:02:00.800><c> Rural</c><02:02:
• &gt;&gt; Make<02:02:05.040><c> the</c><02:02:05.120><c> usual</c><02:02:05.360><c> motion.
• </c><02:02:06.480><c> All</c><02:02:06.600><c> in</c><02:02:06.680><c> favor</c><02:02:06.960><c> signify
• </c><02:02:09.640><c> The</c><02:02:09.800><c> ayes</c><02:02:10.000><c> have</c><02:02:10.160><c> it
• &gt;&gt; Thank<02:02:11.440><c> you,</c><02:02:11.480><c> Mr.</c><02:02:11.600><c> President.

Transcript Highlights:

• > gotten</c><00:02:07.280><c> a</c><00:02:07.320><c> little</c><00:02:07.560><c> bit</c><00:02:07.680
• shortly<00:02:10.560><c> before</c><00:02:10.960><c> I</c><00:02:11.000><c> appointed</c><00:02:11.480
• </c><00:02:15.040><c> to</c><00:02:15.120><c> sit</c><00:02:15.360><c> on</c><00:02:15.480><c> a</c><
• </c><00:02:19.920><c> She's</c><00:02:20.160><c> somebody</c><00:02:20.480><c> who</c><00:02:20.680><
• :02:28.040><c> the</c><00:02:28.120><c> Maui</c><00:02:28.440><c> County</c><00:02:28.680><c> Bar</c>

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible. For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> you</c><02:02:08.639><c> were</c><02:02:08.800><c> to</c><02:02:08.960><c> break</c><02:02:09.280
• million<02:02:17.679><c> more</c><02:02:18.079><c> that</c><02:02:18.280><c> each</c><02:02:18.599><
• :02:21.400><c> we</c><02:02:21.560><c> can</c><02:02:21.960><c> even</c><02:02:22.199><c> take</c><02
• </c><02:02:24.040><c> now</c><02:02:24.840><c> how</c><02:02:25.000><c> are</c><02:02:25.119><c> we</
• of that<02:02:50.079><c> and</c><02:02:50.239><c> that's</c><02:02:50.480><c> not</c><02:02:50.760><c

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which clarifies that dual and concurrent enrollment courses may not exceed four credits. Members said the bill came from the community college system and was intended to preserve the program’s high school-to-college pathway. An amendment changing the effective date to passage was adopted 18-0, and the committee then voted 18-0 to recommend OTPA on the bill as amended, with the bill placed on the consent calendar. The committee then retained HB 295 and HB 366, both related to school building aid, after members said the issues were complex and needed more work. Both motions to retain passed 18-0, leaving the bills in committee without reports. The chair also said HB 354 would not be taken up that day because of possible changes from the Department of Education and others. HB 494, funding the math learning communities program, was then amended to flat-fund the program rather than increase it, with members citing budget uncertainty. The amendment passed unanimously, and the committee then voted 18-0 for OTPA on the bill as amended, placing it on consent. Finally, HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid, drew debate over whether charter schools should be treated differently from traditional public schools. The committee voted 10-8 for inexpedient to legislate, sending the bill to the regular calendar; Representative Damon was assigned the minority report and Representative Popovic the majority report. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program, where members discussed flat-funding the program at $2.5 million per year and the potential impact on course availability, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:22:33.439><c> need</c><02:22:33.600><c> to</c><02:22:33.840><c> be</c><02:22:34.000><c> able</c><02
• c><02:26:59.280><c> to</c><02:26:59.520><c> match</c><02:27:00.240><c> current</c><02:27:00.560><c> statute
• ,</c> to update to match current statute, to update to match current statute, current<02:27:01.439><c
• <02:46:13.040><c> that</c><02:46:13.279><c> to</c><02:46:13.359><c> be</c><02:46:13.439><c> a</c><02:
• <02:46:40.160><c> How</c><02:46:40.319><c> do</c><02:46:40.399><c> how</c><02:46:40.640><c> do</c><02

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• :48.560><c> we</c><00:02:48.800><c> are</c><00:02:48.879><c> going</c><00:02:48.959><c> to</c><00:02:
• </c><00:02:51.440><c> If</c><00:02:51.760><c> a</c><00:02:52.000><c> person</c><00:02:52.239><c> in</
• 02:38:10.960><c> the</c><02:38:11.200><c> chair</c><02:38:11.439><c> and</c><02:38:11.600><c> I</c><02
• c><02:53:54.720><c> is</c><02:53:54.960><c> I</c><02:53:55.120><c> know</c><02:53:55.279><c> we</c><02
• Um<02:56:30.560><c> so</c><02:56:30.960><c> I</c><02:56:31.359><c> I</c><02:56:31.840><c> think</c><02

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:32.760><c> competing</c><02:02:33.199><c> bids</c><02:02:33.480><c> being</c><02:02:33.679><c> submitted
• </c><02:02:37.000><c> that</c><02:02:37.199><c> put</c><02:02:37.360><c> that</c> Pu we would require
• :02:40.840><c> let</c><02:02:40.920><c> me</c><02:02:41.079><c> just</c><02:02:41.199><c> read</c><02
• let me just read this language it'll<02:02:42.480><c> be</c><02:02:43.040><c> easier</c><02:02:43.360
• be easier than trying to paraphrase<02:02:45.159><c> so</c><02:02:45.320><c> we'll</c><02:02:45.560>

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Thank<01:02:00.400><c> you</c><01:02:00.559><c> Mr.</c><01:02:00.880><c> Chairman.
• 02:03.040><c> Senate</c><01:02:03.359><c> File</c><01:02:03.680><c> 71</c><01:02:04.559><c> which</c>
• </c><01:02:05.119><c> the</c><01:02:05.440><c> Wyoming</c><01:02:06.000><c> Department</c><01:02:06.240
• > this</c><01:02:08.319><c> does</c><01:02:08.640><c> is</c><01:02:08.880><c> it</c> Security.
• ><01:02:12.720><c> a</c><01:02:13.040><c> department</c><01:02:13.599><c> of</c><01:02:13.839><c> homeland

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator um we we will address those<00:02:58.320><c> at</c><00:02:58.920><c> probably</c><00:02:59.320
• </c><01:02:01.600><c> The</c><01:02:01.720><c> Senate</c><01:02:02.080><c> did</c><01:02:02.240><c> not
• </c> Moving<01:02:05.880><c> on</c><01:02:06.040><c> to</c><01:02:06.120><c> the</c><01:02:06.240><c>
• State<01:02:09.120><c> health</c><01:02:09.360><c> plan</c><01:02:09.760><c> actuarial</c><01:02:10.440
• :02:50.600><c> had</c><01:02:50.800><c> added</c><01:02:51.160><c> for</c><01:02:51.560><c> the</c><01

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• :39.640><c> work</c><01:02:39.960><c> that</c><01:02:40.119><c> has</c><01:02:40.240><c> to</c><01:02
• 02:41.960><c> in</c><01:02:42.240><c> the</c><01:02:42.400><c> nursing</c><01:02:43.000><c> program</
• have</c><01:02:43.720><c> been</c><01:02:43.880><c> told</c><01:02:44.119><c> it's</c><01:02:44.359>
• ><c> so</c><01:02:45.880><c> it's</c><01:02:46.000><c> not</c><01:02:46.160><c> adding</c><01:02:46.559
• ><c> all</c><01:02:51.359><c> right</c><01:02:51.559><c> seeing</c><01:02:51.839><c> done</c><01:02:52.119

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• press</c><01:02:05.079><c> the</c><01:02:05.240><c> green</c><01:02:05.520><c> button</c><01:02:05.799
• <c> the</c><01:02:06.520><c> itl</c><01:02:07.079><c> motion</c><01:02:07.680><c> thank</c><01:02:07.880
• committee<01:02:10.319><c> report</c><01:02:10.559><c> of</c><01:02:10.680><c> any</c><01:02:10.960>
• legislator<01:02:11.799><c> on</c><01:02:11.960><c> House</c><01:02:12.119><c> Bill</c><01:02:12.359>
• ><c> vote</c><01:02:14.599><c> if</c><01:02:14.720><c> you're</c><01:02:14.880><c> in</c><01:02:15.039