Video & Transcript : 'emergency operation zone' :
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WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 11:25 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- year 26 to the current expense appropriation within the Department of Homeland Security Division of Emergency
- jurisdiction with state government over land in the state that is owned by the federal government or operated
- Magistrates are authorized to treat MPOs as sufficient evidence for the issuance of emergency domestic
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4538, relating to fines and DOH work zones.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required.
The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments.
The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement
House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- designated funds to be used over time to stabilize services and make sure that the continuity of operations
- Carretto, and that's also existing law that it operates as a rebuttable presumption. Mr.
- This fund has to be used for specialty equipment that is not part of the standard operating procedure
- I'm talking about the operational side of it.
- I'm talking about the operational side of it.
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several public safety and corrections measures. SB 1161 would prevent $750,000 appropriated to DPS for Yuma County’s Amberly’s Place Family Advocacy Center from lapsing; testimony emphasized that the bill preserves existing funding for crisis response and victim services. The committee also advanced SB 1215, which clarifies the cancer list tied to the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers and adds retroactivity to June 30, 2021. SB 1270, aimed at retention for Tier 3 corrections employees, would allow optional employer supplemental contributions to defined contribution accounts at specified service intervals, with an amendment capping annual contributions at $5,000 and requiring employer policies; members discussed retention, vesting, and whether the incentive could simply be taken and left after the waiting period. Both SB 1161 and SB 1215 received due pass recommendations, as did SB 1270 after one no vote and several members noting the need for better retention tools.
The committee then considered SB 1400, which authorizes law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and sets confidentiality rules for information shared in those programs. Supporters said the bill would expand access to peer and professional support while preserving public records and misconduct investigation access, but members raised concerns that the privilege language could be too broad for licensed therapists; the sponsor indicated openness to an amendment, and the bill was advanced with members reserving the right to change their votes if the language is not tightened. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and could include one course of MDMA treatment if federal approval and DEA rescheduling occur by the stated deadline. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued the bill is a conditional authorization, while counties opposed the mandate and raised cost concerns; after debate over whether the bill is permissive or mandatory, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation.
The committee also passed SB 1537, which renames the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeals the advisory commission. Supporters said the new name better reflects the fund’s use for de-escalation and less-lethal equipment, while some members opposed the change and preferred the money be used for raises. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1580, which would appropriate funds for fire incident management support hardware and software and, under a chairman’s amendment, redirect money from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to additional public safety technology and retention/recruitment purposes; testimony focused on regional data-sharing systems and the need for accountability and clarity on how the funds would be spent.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- second substitute Senate Bill 6026, concerning residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones
- prohibit certain local governments from excluding residential development from commercial and mixed-use zones
- and from requiring ground floor commercial and mixed-use requirements in those zones, with various exceptions
- mixed-use requirements, and it would extend the provision that certain areas are not considered to be zoned
- local government's ability to impose minimum density requirements within a commercial or mixed-use zone
Summary:
The Local Government Committee met for its final meeting of the session and considered six bills in executive session after a caucus break. The committee first took up Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026 on residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. Members debated how to balance housing production with local control and walkable downtowns. The committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some exemptions, capped ground-floor commercial or mixed-use requirements at 40% of affected acreage, extended the compliance deadline to 18 months, and barred such requirements on publicly subsidized affordable housing projects. A proposed amendment to raise the population threshold from 30,000 to 40,000 was rejected. The bill was then reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 5-2 vote.
The committee next considered Substitute Senate Bill 6309 on permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects, including development agreements with regional transit authorities. Two property-rights-related amendments were rejected or modified, and an ADA-related amendment was adopted to ensure accessibility requirements were not waived. The bill was reported out as amended. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5374 on tribal representation in transportation planning also advanced after an amendment changed “consult” to “coordinate,” aligned county processes with the Growth Management Act, and added access to technical assistance; the bill passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 6132, allowing a narrow increase in indebtedness for select inland port districts to preserve federal funding eligibility, passed unanimously without amendment.
The committee also approved Substitute Senate Bill 6076, which streamlines procurement rules for consumer-owned utilities on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects, with members noting broad support from utilities and labor. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5729, which limits local governments from charging applicants for certain third-party reviews already covered by staff review in affordable housing permitting, was reported out unanimously. The meeting ended with members thanking staff for their work during the session and adjourning the committee.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- If zoning or agricultural land allows larger poultry operations, nothing in this bill takes that away
- If zoning or agricultural land allows larger poultry operations, nothing in this bill takes that away
- The Idaho Grazing Improvement Program was established under the Rangeland Improvement Act and operates
- Efforts to implement projects on federal, state, and private lands benefit livestock operations, watersheds
- These projects enhance habitat connectivity and promote forage recovery and support ranching operations
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- not asking us to get involved in operations.
- not asking us to get involved in operations.
- not asking us to get involved in operations.
- This doesn't say that they have any operational control.
- </c><01:48:10.639><c> as</c><01:48:10.760><c> I</c> operate and we contract to operate as I operate and
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro.
Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons.
Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- As someone with over 20 years of education, finance, and operations experience, I have seen the power
- This bill gives Idaho the opportunity to invest in the operational needs of schools to build a way to
- As someone with over 20 years of education finance and operations experience, I've seen the power that
- This bill gives Idaho the opportunity to invest in the operational needs of schools to build a way to
- How do we get out of that zone in a way that's socially appropriate?
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee began by welcoming a new Senate Page, Caleb Williams of Shelley, who introduced himself and answered a few light questions about his plans after graduation. The committee then approved minutes from February 10, 12, 16, and 17, 2026, by voice vote.
The main action item was Senate Bill 1317, which would create regional service centers to help school districts and charter schools share special education-related staff and services, especially in rural areas. The sponsor and department staff said the bill is intended to reduce duplication, improve compliance with IDEA, strengthen recruitment and retention of specialists, and preserve local control. Testimony from superintendents, teachers, parents, advocates, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing high costs for contracted services, staffing shortages, and the benefits of shared regional models. Senator Zito raised concerns about the $1 million fiscal note, the use of real property, and the lack of clarity about how many centers would be created and where they would be located.
After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1317 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion passed with Senator Zito voting no. Following that, the committee received informational presentations on two Idaho education programs: District 91’s PASS program in Idaho Falls, a tiered behavior-support model for young students, and Kootenai Classical Academy’s classical education model, including its curriculum, character education, and strong literacy results. The meeting adjourned at the scheduled hard stop.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And no system should operate without accountability. ...suffering, and no system should operate without
- She suffered medical emergencies.
- Enforcement runs along the operator, not against the government.
- Enforcement runs along the operator, not against the government.
- And CoreCivic is currently operating that facility.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system.
SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record.
The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Bill - 06/02/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- uh apparatuses will help save emergency uh apparatuses will help save lives.<00:09:41.279><c> And</c
- On line 238 is an operating adjustment to the Department of Education in the amount of $2,242,000 in
- On line 238 is an operating agencies.
- </c> facilities, services or operations facilities, services or operations relating<01:01:04.799><c>
- </c> provides uh the base operating provides uh the base operating appropriation<01:48:32.719><c> for
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We are concerned about the impacts it would have for our operators. Our operations.
- The cities own and operate.
- And it had to do with emergencies. And Senator Estes. just made it happen.
- And we also, I didn't say this earlier, but we operate municipalities around the Austin area as the operators
- As a responsible operator, correct?
Keywords:
pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So one of the consensus recommendations that emerged from our work is to convene a statewide youth violence
- reserves, massive amounts of toxic fluid contaminating our land and air, and the creation of sacrifice zones
- But the alternative, Senator, that I think is only logical is either that any company that's operating
- But directing them to do something and not allowing them to operate according to their charters and their
Keywords:
youth violence, violence prevention, violence intervention, community violence intervention, credible messengers, peer support, restorative justice, violence interrupters, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, high-risk youth, public safety, Department of Health, New Mexico, statewide summit, data collection, reporting, interagency coordination, community-based organizations, law enforcement
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So one of the consensus recommendations that emerged from our work is to convene a statewide youth violence
- reserves, massive amounts of toxic fluid contaminating our land and air, and the creation of sacrifice zones
- Because the only logical options are either that any company operating has to have the capital in order
- But directing them to do something and not allowing them to operate according to their charters and their
Keywords:
youth violence, violence prevention, violence intervention, community violence intervention, credible messengers, peer support, restorative justice, violence interrupters, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, high-risk youth, public safety, Department of Health, New Mexico, statewide summit, data collection, reporting, interagency coordination, community-based organizations, law enforcement
Summary:
The committee first considered the appointment of Mary Patricia Roman to the State Investment Council. Senator Campos presented her as highly qualified, citing more than 34 years in global investing, leadership at J.P. Morgan, and prior service on the SIC investment committee. Roman described her experience with asset allocation, fiduciary responsibility, and the SIC’s vetting process. Senators asked about the council’s role in pension investments, staffing levels, and whether personal values could influence decisions. Roman said the SIC process is robust, heavily staff-driven, and insulated from individual value judgments. The committee reported broad support and voted 8-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate.
The committee then heard the reappointment of John F. Bingaman to the SIC. Senator Worth praised his leadership as SIC chair and his background in private equity, public service, and economics. Bingaman emphasized the growth of New Mexico’s sovereign wealth funds to more than $70 billion, the importance of staffing and asset allocation, and the SIC’s role as a fiduciary for New Mexicans. Senators asked about protecting the funds in a weaker market and about the Blackstone/PNM matter; Bingaman declined to comment on the memorial because he had not read it. The committee voted 9-0 to send his reappointment to the full Senate.
The committee next took up Senate Memorial 20, calling for a statewide youth violence summit. Senator Lopez and an expert from the Council of State Governments said New Mexico lacks a cohesive statewide infrastructure for youth violence prevention and intervention, limited data collection, and enough evidence-based services. Supporters from the ACLU, behavioral health organizations, youth-serving nonprofits, and youth advocates backed the memorial as a way to center lived experience, community engagement, and research-based solutions. Some members raised concerns that victims’ families were not explicitly included in the planning group, but the memorial passed on a 6-3 vote.
Finally, the committee debated Senate Memorial 9, which asked the Legislative Finance Committee to study whether New Mexico should invest in equity stakes in PNM and New Mexico Gas Company and requested that the PRC pause consideration of the private-equity acquisitions while the study was completed. Supporters argued the state should examine whether utility ownership value could remain in New Mexico, protect ratepayers, and diversify revenue, while opponents from PNM, Blackstone’s representatives, chambers of commerce, and utility advocates said the proposal would duplicate the PRC’s review, create uncertainty, and risk higher rates and delayed investment. The committee adopted an amendment removing references to the PRC, but the memorial then failed on a 4-4 tie after a motion for due pass as amended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/5/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- operating operating increases<00:22:31.440><c> and</c><00:22:31.840><c> $16</c><00:22:32.320><c> million
- uh uh emerging economy or emerging<00:27:03.799><c> industries.
- Um as well as then emerging industries.
- </c> stated all the agency operating stated all the agency operating increases,<00:28:44.720><c> uh</
- </c> She's asking it for to operate She's asking it for to operate differently<01:04:05.039><c> so</c
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I think by bringing these up, we've really had a chance to have a conversation about what zoning looks
- But we also have passed and signed into law a commission to study the New Hampshire Zoning Enabling Act
- Enabling Act, which Hampshire Zoning Enabling Act, which allows<00:06:16.319><c> us</c><00:06:16.479
- The next bill I want to call up is HB 465, relative to housing opportunity zone program.
- </c> uh, relative to housing opportunity zone uh, relative to housing opportunity zone program.<00:10
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Feb 18th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- us, including bills such as Senator Alvarado's bill to expand housing in commercial and mixed-use zones
- the ability to take another look at some of the reductions that were planned to be in our proposed operating
- Unfortunately, by that time, we were sort of into that zone where we had three bills that we wanted to
Summary:
Senate and House Democratic leaders held a post-cutoff media availability to review the first half of session and outline priorities for the remainder. They said both chambers made substantial progress on protecting Washington from federal overreach and on affordability, citing measures on ICE access and notice, private spaces, housing expansion, medical debt interest caps, senior property tax relief, working families and small business tax credits, and proposals to phase out sales tax on services. They also highlighted that the House moved nearly 200 bills, about 80% with bipartisan support, and said the chambers are now processing each other’s bills and preparing for a fast-paced final stretch.
A major focus was the “millionaire’s tax” and related tax relief proposals. Leaders said the governor’s suggestions, including a sales tax holiday and diaper relief, were welcome and that the updated revenue forecast gives the budget more breathing room and reserves, though much of the new revenue is offset by caseload growth and federal cuts. They said the tax package is intended to support long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability, and that House members will continue shaping the bill in committee. They also discussed a separate proposal to tax large employers whose workers rely on Medicaid, saying it is being considered in light of new federal requirements to track Medicaid employment data, while noting concerns from employers and nonprofits.
The conversation also covered several bills that stalled or were delayed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance because it lacked votes, though support and stakeholder engagement increased this year. They said child welfare bills and Senator Wilson’s proposals were paused after stakeholder concerns, while Representative Fitzgibbon defended the House’s approach to child safety and said lawmakers are still working on the issue. Other topics included the transmission and cultural resources bills, where a late procedural request to read a bill in full disrupted plans to move multiple measures together, and a tort-liability bill that passed the Senate and is expected to continue in the House with amendments. They also addressed the 0.05 impaired-driving bill, the Left Plan 1 pension proposal, the farmworker unionization bill, and the initiative-related bill, with several of these measures described as still under discussion or lacking enough support to move this year.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And no system should operate without accountability.
- Suffering, and no system should operate without accountability.
- She suffered medical emergencies.
- Enforcement runs along the operator, not against the government.
- And CoreCivic is currently operating that facility.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/4/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a pretty narrow strike zone for today, Representative West.
- That's a pretty narrow strike zone for today, Representative West.
- That's a pretty narrow strike zone for today, Representative West.
- That's a pretty narrow strike zone for today, Representative West.
- for today uh representative strike zone for today uh representative West<00:03:59.840><c> uh</c><00:
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government (3-10-26)
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- was created by statute prior to the vote after merger. 2 and 1/2% is the agreement that they've operated
- , I think this streamlines the process, and the Metro Council has this authority for planning and zoning
- They have the ability to go and override planning and zoning cases. This isn't a new idea.
- suggested that the City of Louisville would like to carve up Jefferson County into four or five different zones
- And then they're going to tell each one of these zones, A, B, C, D, and so on, who they have to use,
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This weekend, Governor Abbott declared school choice once again in a emergency item for the session.
- Our governors established it as an emergency.
- You did see that the governor announced your pay is an emergency item.
- So as we do a teacher pay raise in an upcoming bill that you've said emergency item.
- in this state, as operate is not defined.
Keywords:
Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><04:10:17.320><c> response</c> codify existing emergency response codify existing emergency response
- </c> Americans expect government to operate Americans expect government to operate with<04:37:22.400>
- </c> Service to use temporary emergency Service to use temporary emergency contracting<05:24:58.680><
- :34:28.640><c> are</c> Emergency medical service providers are Emergency medical service providers are
- States like future river operations.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAM-CPN, WAM DEFER, WAM DEFER, WAM, WAM, WAM, WAM-JDC Public Hearings 02-26-2025
Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:15:41.040><c> and</c><00:15:41.160><c> who</c><00:15:41.279><c> are</c> of program operations
- and who are of program operations and who are considered<00:15:41.920><c> at</c><00:15:42.120><c> risk
- </c> development of the minimum operating development of the minimum operating segment<00:16:51.639><
- You're just talking about the zoning part, next the height exemptions.
- You're just talking about the zoning part, next the height exemptions.
Summary:
The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.”
The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement.
In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.