Video & Transcript : 'housing permitting' :
Page 266 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- First up is House Bill 129, Florida Virtual School, by Representative Smith.
- We're so excited, myself and Representative Tramont, to present House Bill 423.
- Next up, House Bill 423, Student Eloat.
- Next up, House Bill 423, Student Elotment by Representatives Eskamani and Tremont.
- We're so excited, myself and Representative Traymont, to present House Board 423.
Summary:
The Education and Employment Committee heard and voted on several education-related bills. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School was presented as a cleanup bill responding to audit-related statutory updates; it would remove priority language, allow all Florida students and eligible overseas military dependents access, clarify teacher employment/retirement status, permit local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct support organizations. The bill drew support from Seminole State College and Florida Virtual School and was reported favorably 15-0.
HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Reps. Eskamani and Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and procedures to prevent and respond to elopement by students with autism or similar needs. Testimony from the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and a student advocate emphasized safety risks and the need for clear school protocols. Members spoke strongly in support, and the bill passed unanimously 16-0. CS for CS for HB 753 on school counselors removed two certification barriers, kept the master’s degree requirement, and aligned evaluations with Florida school counseling standards; school counselor groups and several members argued it would help address counselor shortages and workload issues. It also passed unanimously 16-0.
The committee also approved CS for CS for HB 1253, which would let school-employed coaches use up to $15,000 per team per year of personal funds to support student-athletes with items like food, transportation, therapy, and rehabilitation, with an amendment requiring written parental consent. Several members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and guardrails, but the bill passed 17-0. PCS for CS for HB 833 on private school facilities would allow small private schools of 150 students or fewer to locate in commercial or mixed-use zoning without rezoning and to use certain existing buildings if fire and life-safety standards are met; members discussed traffic, school zones, and proximity to dispensaries, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS for HB 1325 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund clarified matching contributions, allowed use of funds for expansion or modernization of existing space, and permitted two-year awards; it passed 16-0. Finally, CS for HB 1437 on conversion charter schools created dispute-resolution options over facility maintenance and, via amendment, allowed capital outlay funding if the charter assumes full maintenance responsibility; despite some opposition, it passed 13-3. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 27, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Kim Clark Johnson, House Bill 697. >> Rep.
- REPRESENTATIVE KIM CLARK JOHNSON, HOUSE BILL 697. 261 >>Rep.
- House Bill 697 is reported favorably. Have a great afternoon.
- CS for House Bill 177 is reported favorably, members.
- We will meet right here in the Florida House. You too?
Summary:
The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote.
The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no.
The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Sorry, Senator Leake, I saw this bill, I believe, in the House or similar a couple years ago, and I know
- I did vote no on it in the House previously a couple years ago.
- I did vote no on it in the House previously a couple years ago.
- It expands the definition of relative to... ...not permitted in statute.
- I will say, as an aside, there are bills both floating in the Senate and the House of Representatives
Summary:
The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records.
Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended.
The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator, this is actually a sequel bill to policy that I worked on with the same-house sponsor, Representative
- Hunter. ...policy that I worked on with the same House sponsor, Representative Hunshofsky, and it has
- Chairman, if you'd permit me, my brother failed plain geometry. You'd permit me.
- This is with a negotiation with myself in the House where we put a cap.
- In reviewing the exemption, House and Senate staff jointly surveyed school districts, state colleges,
Keywords:
public records, open government, sunshine law, education assessments, testing materials, exam security, assessment instruments, test items, answer keys, scoring rubrics, item banks, developmental materials, workpapers, student testing, academic dishonesty, cheating, Florida Department of Education, State Board of Education, Board of Governors, Florida College System
Summary:
The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036 on school counselors was amended to clarify certification exemptions and passed, with support focused on addressing counselor shortages and student mental health needs. SB 1136 on dental screenings for K-12 students was converted by delete-all amendment to place the screening definition in the School Health Services Act and to require written parent notice and exemption procedures; it passed with support from PTA and other advocates. SB 920 on mathematics education passed after discussion of applied algebra courses tied to career pathways, while preserving Algebra I standards, end-of-course testing, graduation requirements, and university admission eligibility. SB 178 on athletics and public K-12 schools also passed after amendment adding a $15,000 annual cap on coach-provided personal support per team and discussion of guardrails to prevent recruiting abuses; members emphasized the role coaches play in supporting students. SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation passed with broad support for giving districts more flexibility on pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and advanced degree compensation. The committee also approved SPB 7022, a public records exemption bill extending protections for examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and clarifying coverage for district and school materials. SB 464 on observance of Veterans Day in K-12 schools passed after debate over whether schools should be closed or use the day for programs, with supporters arguing for statewide consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538 on physical education passed after a delete-all amendment establishing standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressing coach compensation at the district level, and clarifying participation limits across schools. The committee recessed briefly for Senator Avila’s arrival, postponed SB 430, and adjourned after recording one additional favorable vote on SB 1036.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Reminder that there are no signs permitted in committee rooms. Mr. Secretary, please call the roll.
- Reminder that there are no signs permitted in committee rooms. Mr. Secretary, please call the roll.
- been any discussion about what we're going to do about that when people are coming in to park at this house
- to</c><00:11:35.279><c> park</c><00:11:35.560><c> at</c><00:11:35.720><c> this</c><00:11:35.920><c> house
- </c> people coming in to park at this house people coming in to park at this house in<00:11:36.240><c
Summary:
The committee began with procedural reminders that the meeting would be short, that bill changes should generally be provided with 24-hour notice, that testimony would be limited at the chair’s discretion, and that no signs were permitted in the room. After roll call established a quorum, members led the pledge and prayer. The chair also recognized Marsha Robinson of Fort Knox for her service to veterans and military families and for receiving the Association of Defense Communities’ National Military Spouse Leadership Award.
The sole bill considered was Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools. The sponsor, Senator Craig Richardson, said the bill was intended to protect private property rights by clarifying that homeowners who rent out their private swimming pools through platforms such as Swimly.com would still be treated as operating private pools rather than public recreation pools subject to additional regulation. Senators asked about parking impacts in residential neighborhoods and about liability and insurance coverage. The sponsor said the bill did not address parking or homeowners association issues, and a representative from Swimly.com testified that homeowners insurance and platform-backed insurance products can provide coverage for rentals.
The committee voted to advance SB 61. The roll call showed unanimous support from members present, with Senator Wilson briefly explaining his yes vote and joking that the sponsor should ask for it in the future. The chair congratulated the sponsor on getting his first bill through committee and said it would be heard again on the floor. The meeting ended with an announcement about Military Kids Day on Tuesday, February 25, and an invitation for families to contact the Senate clerk for details.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Apr 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And truly, this is a time-permitting, resources-permitting type of study and assessment.
- That would be a separate discussion: what House Bill 2034 actually did.
- informational kind of study plan outline along the LEOFF 1 medical disability board update, an overview on House
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Idaho also allows certain daycares to operate legally without a state license if they are zoned, permitted
- So this bill clarifies that the residency restrictions apply also to daycares that are zone permitted
- But basically how we got here is there was a bill last year in the House that actually didn't make it
- And so, we... ...was a bill last year in the House that actually didn't make it, and it was to actually
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- 26 Farm Bill, you'll see the following: modernizes the process of incorporating and operating, permitting
- Modernizes the process of incorporating and operating, permitting, and dissolving fair associations.
- Barcode 506-412, this amendment will align state and House bills.
- The word 'perishable' should have a strike-through, and this will also align the bill with the House
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture received a presentation from Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan on the agency’s wildfire response, forest management, and emergency support roles. He described the service’s four regions and 14 districts, its year-round wildfire response, use of bulldozers, helicopters, and drones, and the current high fire danger due to drought conditions. Dolan also highlighted prescribed burning, fuels mitigation, state forest management, the pine seedling nursery, and the agency’s role in hurricane response and incident management. Members asked about equipment loans and whether more prescribed burning could reduce wildfire impacts; Dolan said Florida already leads the nation in prescribed fire and emphasized public education and fuels reduction.
The committee then considered and unanimously reported favorably Senate Bill 386, which creates a farm-equipment consumer protection process similar to a lemon law, allowing purchasers to seek repair or replacement of defective major farm equipment at no cost. The committee also took up Senate Bill 290, the Agriculture and Consumer Services omnibus bill. The bill would modernize fair association rules, preempt local bans on gas- and diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment, allow surplus of certain state-owned lands for bona fide agricultural use while excluding parks, forests, and wildlife lands, create a veterinary loan repayment program, make Farmers Feeding Florida permanent, expand Forest Service training opportunities, criminalize signal-jamming devices, increase penalties for CDL and English-proficiency exam cheating, restrict certain door-to-door solicitation, protect food safety inspectors, clarify biosolids rules, and add criminal and vendor-list penalties for contractors who fail to pay subcontractors. The committee adopted three amendments to align dates and technical language and to authorize native seed research and marketing through the Florida Wildlife Foundation. Testimony on SB 290 included support from several industry groups, concerns from the Home Builders Association about the new contractor-payment criminal penalties, and opposition from a citizen worried about the new surplus-land process for conservation lands. Despite concerns, CS/SB 290 was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees listed on tabs 4 and 5, and then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Not only do they keep our houses warm and cool, but they also allow our vehicles to move around the country
- We fund chapter houses. We fund city projects. We fund projects all over the state.
- Senate Bill 163, introduced by Senator Shendo, an act relating to public schools permitting public school
- to economic development, revising definitions in the New Mexico Finance Authority Act, amending permitted
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 12th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 8, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- But first want to recognize representative had jurors for that represents the good people of House District
- I proudly represent House District 40, which includes Orlando, Ocoee and parts of unincorporated Orange
- But really any any states that have a payment rate measurement permit of 3% or higher could potentially
- just for for reference, we currently have 5, 1915, C waivers, the FDA waiver, large care, leavers permits
- can be remediated, the concrete building ID, whatever that might be, that that doesn't mean it's a permit
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Who we expect will be joining us and our new doctor in the house, Assemblymember Dr. Patel.
- much from the public, to hear as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
- Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place, and as permitted by the chair.
- Which I project will get through all committees in both houses unanimously.
- said we'd be happy to work with the author, but you know it's our understanding that the law already permits
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2026-04-08
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> House File 21103 with the A5 amendment. House File 21103 with the A5 amendment.
- </c> Act House File 21103. Act House File 21103.
- </c> House File 21103. House File 21103. Thank<00:11:52.959><c> you.</c> Thank you. Thank you.
- >> Representative Nelson moves that House >> Representative Nelson moves that House File<
- </c> House file 45508 is laid over. House file 45508 is laid over.
Keywords:
energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
- Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place as permitted by the chair.
- When the time is permitted with me, we have two individuals here to testify in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard two Senate measures focused on artificial intelligence in higher education. SCR 82 by Senator Niello would encourage the California higher education segments to convene a work group and share best practices on AI use, including how to address academic integrity and student use of AI in coursework. Supportive comments emphasized the need for intersegmental coordination and faculty/student engagement, while the Faculty Association for California Community Colleges raised concerns about preserving faculty purview, academic freedom, and governance differences at the community college level. The resolution was adopted and re-referred to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection on an 8-0 vote.
The committee also heard SB 928 by Senator Cervantes, which would establish guardrails for AI use at CSU by requiring that faculty employee positions be filled by humans who meet CSU minimum qualifications and that instructors of record be human faculty for credit and non-credit instruction. The author and supporters, including the California Faculty Association, Teamsters California, the California Federation of Labor Unions, and the State Building and Construction Trades Council, argued the bill is needed to prevent AI from replacing faculty and to preserve the human role in teaching and student support. Members asked for clarification that the bill would not apply to classified, administrative, or clerical employees, and the author’s office said the definition was intended to mirror CSU faculty classifications and bargaining language.
Both measures received unanimous support from the committee after discussion. SB 928 was passed to the Assembly Floor on a 10-0 vote, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The consent calendar, which included SB 308, SB 892, and SB 968, was also approved unanimously, and the committee adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It also removes some redundant references to permit holder responsibilities and reinstatement references
- Again, this bill now would regulate and license or permit both hemp beverages and also hemp products
- So, they'd have to be sold in a store that has an ABC permit for that.
Bills:
SB191, HB84, HB79, SB132, HB108, HB109, HB110, HB114, HB118, HB120, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB128, HB129, HB131
Keywords:
postpartum depression, mental health, Medicaid, screening, education, maternal health, Chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, license renewal, continuing education, election procedures, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, SB132, Alabama, controlled substances, Schedule I
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a hearing of the House Transportation Committee. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- So I'd love to see the support from the House side. Okay. The board is clear.
- During his service in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1964 to 1968, and as senator in '72
- He was Speaker of the House for one term.
- from both senators and House members.
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, and took up a series of Senate bills and resolutions, most of them memorial highway designations or prestige license plate measures. The committee first adopted amendments and reported Senate Bill 122, which directs the Department of Transportation and Development to plan, maintain, and report on bridge conditions statewide, with a focus on proactive bridge maintenance and public reporting. Members also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon, SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver licensing privileges compared with neighboring states, and SB 50 naming the Bayou DeLarge Basque Bridge as the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge.
The committee then approved several memorial and honorary measures, including SB 70 for Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige license plate, SB 460 naming a highway for Hayden Lane Mangum, SB 24 designating Interstate 49 as the Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 101 naming highways for Daniel Edward Didillo and Bill Blue Evans, SB 160 naming the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 naming the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law, SB 103 and SB 159 naming Franklin Parish highways, SB 412 naming a portion of Highway 13 for Roy Chaffin, SB 182 naming a highway for Mayor Billy Cobb, SB 104 naming the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 naming the Falcons Band Highway. Most of these items were reported favorably without objection after brief testimony from authors, family members, or supporters.
One measure drew more discussion: SB 19, which changes the name and design of the state employee retired prestige license plate and redirects proceeds to a private nonprofit associated with retired state employees. Representative Schlegelhorn objected, but after testimony that the organization is a tax-exempt nonprofit funding scholarships and that no money had previously gone to LASERS from the plate, the committee adopted a motion to report the bill favorably by a 13-1 vote. The committee also adopted amendments to HCR 69, which urges DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish with attention to drainage, flood risk, and evacuation resilience, and then reported it favorably. HCR 63, creating a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel can operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without civilian licenses, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after the agenda was cleared and a motion to adjourn was made.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- PERMITTED INVESTMENTS IN WHICH WE ARE AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE.
- I SAW THIS BILL LAST YEAR AND I KNOW YOU PRESENTED IN THE HOUSE LAST YEAR.
- IF I WANT TO PUT IT IN MY HOUSE. BUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT. >> Sen.
- I BELIEVE THE PRECEDENT WAS HOUSE BILL 437 AND 2023 WHICH I BELIEVE ONLY APPLIES TO HOA AND DOES NOT
- I ACID THIS LEGISLATION, NASTY THINGS LIKE AFFORDABILITY, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, PROPERTY INSURANCE
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (03/24/2026)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:14:40.320><c> and</c> prior to the hearing in the house and prior to the hearing in the house
- Admittedly, House Bill 1066 is narrower in scope than House Bill 1147.
- Admittedly, House Bill 1066 is narrower in scope than House Bill 1147.
- New Hampshire Municipal Association supports House Bill 1113 as amended by the House.
- House Bill 1137. This bill makes a House Bill 1137.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The House Education Committee will be in order. Good morning, everyone.
- I've been in the House for 14 years. This is home.
- Seeing none, welcome Senator Banke to the House Education Committee.
- I speak on my own behalf, and I'm testifying in favor of House Bill 5346.
- The House Education Committee is adjourned.
Summary:
The House Education Committee heard several bills related to special education records, artificial intelligence in schools, financial aid access, educator preparation, school health, and student mobile device use. Substitute Senate Bill 6268 would require OSPI to keep an online public record of final special education community complaint decisions for 20 years; the sponsor and several parents, attorneys, and open-government advocates said the records help families, schools, and researchers understand past decisions and remedies, while no one testified in opposition. Substitute Senate Bill 5956 would limit school use of automated decision systems, school surveillance technology, biometric data, and facial recognition in student discipline and safety contexts; the sponsor and supporters said it would prevent harmful false positives and discriminatory impacts, while an industry witness warned the bill could unintentionally reduce school safety by limiting emergency facial-recognition uses. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope, especially whether it affects classroom grading or only discipline-related decisions, and staff noted the bill does not require teacher training.
The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5841, which would add financial-aid application data to the High School and Beyond Plan platform and require students to receive information about the Washington Opportunity Scholarship Program. The sponsor said the bill would make aid status more transparent and easier to track, especially for families facing language or access barriers, and a student advocate testified in support; a committee member raised concerns about privacy for immigrant and DACA students, and the sponsor said the portal would be opt-in and guided by privacy protections. Senate Bill 6278 would codify and update Professional Educator Standards Board review of teacher and principal preparation programs, including program standards, educator role standards, evidence, and input from P-12 partners, while allowing field placement plans to be submitted on a less frequent schedule; PESB staff said the bill largely reflects current practice and adds flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 5240 would expand who may administer epinephrine in schools and allow use of any available epinephrine when a student with a prescription on file has anaphylaxis; school nurses supported broader access to stock epinephrine but warned against using one student’s medication for another and raised legal and ethical concerns, while the sponsor emphasized faster response in emergencies.
Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5346 would direct OSPI to study and report on school mobile-device restrictions and update digital citizenship resources to include research and best practices on student phone use. Staff said OSPI already has some guidance, but the bill would create formal legislative reports and expand the state’s digital citizenship materials. The committee began taking testimony on that bill as the hearing time ran short, and the chair noted there were ten people signed in to testify.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
LBT, LBT DEFER Public Hearings 02-13-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that it would be again only uh permitted that it would be again only uh permitted if<00:09:46.160
- If time permits, decision-making will occur after we hear from those offering testimony.
- If time permits, decision-making will occur after we hear from those offering testimony.
- If time permits, decision-m website.
- If time permits, decision-m will<00:13:33.040><c> occur</c><00:13:33.360><c> after</c><00:13:33.600><
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 2567, a Judiciary package measure concerning temporary restraining orders for threats and harassment tied to a public employee’s official actions. Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the Judiciary said they had worked out a compromise to address earlier concerns, including a two-year pilot project, broader coverage for state officers and employees across all branches and counties, a special fund to pay for private counsel in some cases, and authority for Judiciary staff attorneys or Judiciary funds to represent Judiciary personnel. Members asked about coverage for retired judges, funding limits, and whether the measure could be used for workplace disputes; the witnesses said retired judges and per diem judges could be covered if the harassment related to their work, the fund would be limited and subject to available appropriations, and petitions would not be allowed between employees in the same branch. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously.
The committee then heard SB 2448, which creates a civil remedy for the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images under the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act. The bill’s proponent from the Uniform Law Commission explained that a plaintiff would need to show intentional disclosure or threat of disclosure of a private intimate image without consent, and said the privacy question would be fact-specific. Supporters, including the Commission on the Status of Women and Imua Alliance, favored giving survivors civil recourse. Opponents from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center and others warned that the term "private" could invite victim-blaming and broad discovery into a survivor’s past, while still acknowledging the need for some privacy limitation to avoid overbreadth, especially for people who intentionally distribute intimate content online.
Committee members questioned whether the definition of "private" should be tightened. The bill’s proponent said the term should remain because it aligns with the related criminal statute and helps keep the measure focused on classic revenge-porn situations, while still allowing Hawaii-specific changes if needed. The committee did not take final action on SB 2448 in the portion provided, but testimony and discussion centered on balancing survivor protections with concerns about discovery and the scope of liability.