Transcript Highlights:

• At and we talked to them about on the bill in the uncodified language, on section six, it talked about
• Adopt regulations to implement section two of the bill.
• And the birth record itself, the part of that that's in the section of the code in Section 4-208 with
• section with the physicians talks about date of birth and medical information.
• amending a vital record in section 4-214, 4-214, 4-214, when<01:05:05.520><c> it</c><01:05:05.680><c

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a different section.
• That is a different section.
• That is a different section.
• That is a different section.
• That is a different section.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, is that just because it's only replacing section one and therefore section two from the original
• replacing section one and therefore<00:31:43.440><c> section</c><00:31:43.919><c> two</c><00:31:44.320
• Look at page two, the section identified as 1-A, lines three through six. >> Yes.
• But that's the intent of those<04:02:24.560><c> sections.
• </c> those sections. Thank you. Followup. those sections. Thank you.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry folks, I existing sess section.
• Um, I mean, certainly the other parameters or the other sections in the protective legislation section
• </c> other parameters or the other sections other parameters or the other sections in<00:49:38.559><c
• </c> section though is in Roman two. section though is in Roman two.
• section 8 cloally referred to as section 8 program,<02:20:55.040><c> the</c><02:20:55.359><c> housing

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 2 adds a section that addresses another problem we hear about, which is deceptive mailings.
• a section that addresses another<00:05:04.080><c> problem</c><00:05:04.360><c> we</c><00:05:04.479><
• Then we deleted the data section, subdivision 8, because after working with the Department of Health,
• Section 11, and what was it? On page 31, lines 16 through 19, that's subdivision 1.
• </c> should be included in the ruem sections should be included in the ruem sections of<00:36:09.960>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• okay and so it sets up a repeal section okay and so it sets up a repeal so<00:06:40.599><c> that</c>
• 34:08.320><c> act</c><00:34:09.079><c> section</c> the immigration nationality act section the immigration
• He said there wasn’t a way, so “alien” is defined in those sections, correct?
• I’m not sure if there will be additional sections.
• </c><02:12:38.920><c> that</c> the governor was uh five sections that the governor was uh five sections

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead. The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain. Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calais, six conservative justices gutted Section 2 of the V.Rights Act and the last gutted Section 2
• I spent a summer as a college student working as an analyst in the voting section of the Civil Rights
• Calais gutted what remained of Section 2. The last meaningful check. ...v.
• Justice Kagan warned in dissent that the ruling renders Section 2 all but a dead letter.
• A.J.R. 31 calls on Congress to restore preclearance, codify a results-based standard under Section 2,

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• are moving or the section moves over and how all of the functions that we care about that happen in
• <00:30:50.600><c> exactly</c><00:30:51.680><c> how</c><00:30:52.000><c> the</c><00:30:52.160><c> sections
• </c><00:30:52.560><c> are</c> understands exactly how the sections are understands exactly how the sections
• are moving<00:30:53.040><c> or</c><00:30:53.160><c> the</c><00:30:53.280><c> section</c><00:30:53.680
• moves over and how moving or the section moves over and how um<00:30:56.760><c> all</c><00:30:56.960

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there was another unused section that was concerned with off-track pari-mutuel betting and wagering
• So at the beginning of the section, do you see 217.550, we had unintentionally repealed that entire section
• This adds one section to one paragraph to This adds one section to one paragraph to section 2211, making
• This section shall be a Class D felony. That's the bill. Pretty simple.
• The paragraph, the very first paragraph of the section, says a person commits the offense of possession

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• judicial decision and an initial public record complaint that was filed pursuant to subsection 1 of this section
• decision in an initial public records complaint that was filed pursuant to subsection one of this section
• So yes, it is on page 2, sorry, the underlying section.
• But from a county perspective, there is right now in section 10 on page two, line nine, where it talks
• So if we dive into section, the new section where it talks about participation in abatement districts

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee first introduced and approved two RS measures. One dealt with public records requests and aimed to clarify language so disputes between requesters and agencies would not have to be resolved through lawsuits; a technical correction was adopted and the motion to introduce the RS passed. A second RS addressed forced annexation and wastewater systems, proposing that property owners in certain annexation situations be allowed to maintain or replace existing wastewater and water systems; after brief discussion about property rights and local environmental oversight, that RS also passed. The main hearing was on House Bill 554, concerning mosquito abatement taxing districts and opt-out rights for property owners. The bill sponsor and supporters argued that current districts do not adequately honor opt-out requests, that spraying can harm bees, gardens, livestock, and ecosystems, and that property owners should have informed consent and stronger protections. Several residents from Gem County testified in favor, describing personal experiences with spraying, health concerns, and difficulties getting exemptions. They said they had implemented private mosquito-control measures and wanted the bill to restore property rights and transparency. Opponents, including county association representatives and mosquito abatement district officials from Canyon and Ada counties, said the bill would undermine public health mosquito control, create major administrative burdens, and increase costs. They emphasized that districts already use surveillance, larval control, and targeted treatments, that many residents request service, and that aerial and drone applications are important for effective prevention. They also said the bill could make it difficult or impossible to treat in dense neighborhoods, could expose counties to private lawsuits and added expense, and could reduce the ability to prevent West Nile and other mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. No final committee action on HB 554 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, it is on page 2, sorry, the underlying section.
• Sarah Westbrook: But from a county perspective, there is right now in section 10 on page two, line nine
• So if we dive into the new section where it talks about participation in abatement districts by property
• This bill has a whole section talking about restricting aerial abatement methods, so I'm curious what
• It is also important to note that under Section 39, 2814, county commissioners be required to maintain

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, to summarize at the end of our economic outlook section, the economy is doing well.
• Chairman, that would be in both the budget message and the agency detail section of the budget.
• Chairman, that would be in both the budget message and the agency detail section of the budget.
• Members, this is the next big section and maybe the last section that we don't deal with in today's presentation
• And you skipped the DD section, I think, a couple pages back.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation, with the chair repeatedly asking members to keep questions brief and avoid speeches. The discussion focused first on the overall revenue and spending outlook, including concerns from members that the executive forecast was more optimistic than the JLBC baseline and that the budget appeared to front-load revenue and expenditure growth. The governor’s budget team said the forecast was close to JLBC’s, that the budget was structurally balanced, and that differences were roughly $100 million per year on ongoing revenue. Members asked for follow-up calculations in writing, including the total multi-year gap and the amount of revenue enhancements above base revenues. A major portion of the meeting centered on tax and fee proposals tied to data centers, water use, and sports betting. The governor’s team defended eliminating the existing data center tax incentive as the removal of a loophole rather than a new tax, arguing the incentive had already succeeded in attracting major investment. They also described a proposed Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority for data centers to support a new Colorado River Protection Fund, and said the proposal would apply to existing and future facilities without a grandfather clause. Members raised concerns about fairness, competitiveness, and whether the changes would require a supermajority vote. The team also discussed increased sports betting fees, saying the revenue forecast did not include dynamic behavioral effects. The committee then moved through major spending areas, including corrections, public safety, border security, cybersecurity, K-12 education, Medicaid, and developmental disabilities. The governor’s budget includes ongoing funding to prevent correctional officer pay cuts, money to comply with prison health care court orders, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl task forces, and cyber readiness grants. Members questioned the lack of funding for a prison oversight committee and asked for corrections spending totals over the administration. On border security, the executive said it was seeking about $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border-related costs and that the governor had met with federal officials, including Secretary Noem and Tom Homan, about the request. In education, the budget proposes renewing Prop. 123, adding K-12 base funding, and issuing $1.5 billion in school facilities bonds over three years; members debated whether the proposal was appropriate and whether Prop. 123 revenues could support the debt service. The meeting also covered AHCCCS cost growth and federal HR1 impacts, with the executive warning of major coverage losses and hospital funding reductions, and DDD funding, where the governor’s team said the budget fully funds services and includes about $120 million in supplemental needs. No votes were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like I'm looking at this, the biggest section you added was section four.
• Like I'm looking at this, the biggest section you added was section four.
• I do have a little bit of a question about the language in Section 4, having looked at it and talked
• Then section 7 at the top of page 9, line 83, has the threshold.
• And that is a provision in Section 163.031, subsection 7. I'm just—it's short, Mr.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our report also includes a questions-and-answers section that provides information on the development
• This section also explains key changes to the compact since it was first established.
• policies and procedures moving forward okay thank you our report also includes a questions and answers section
• also explains key changes to the compact since it was first to sell This section also explains key changes
• The report also includes a questions and answer section that provides information on the COVID-19 pandemic's

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as the House Commerce Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and a performance audit covering the Department of Gaming, the Racing Commission, the Boxing and MMA Commission, the Barbering and Cosmetology Board, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. The Auditor General reported that the Department of Gaming and the two commissions generally met some statutory duties, but identified major issues: the department had not consistently reviewed independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, had disclosure and conflict-of-interest compliance gaps, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and was late distributing some compact trust fund payments to tribes. The Racing Commission needed better public records procedures, and the Boxing and MMA Commission had licensing and fee-setting issues. The department and commissions said they agreed with the findings and were implementing recommendations, with the department noting it had already begun look-back reviews, updated guidance, and additional staffing. Members also discussed consumer protection, illegal gambling, prediction markets, and whether out-of-state enforcement actions should affect Arizona licenses; the department said it would evaluate such matters case by case and generally wait for final adjudication or final regulatory action before acting. The committee then voted to recommend continuation of the Department of Gaming for two years until July 1, 2028, the Racing Commission for six years until July 1, 2032, and the Boxing and MMA Commission for six years until July 1, 2032. The Department of Gaming motion passed 7-4, the Racing Commission motion passed 10-1, and the Boxing and MMA Commission motion passed unanimously. The committee next heard the Barbering and Cosmetology Board audit. The Auditor General said the board timely processed many applications and complaints and had adopted curriculum rules, but it failed to enforce disciplinary guidelines consistently, sometimes issuing different sanctions for similar violations without documenting why it deviated from policy. The audit also found problems with reciprocity education requirements, application review quality control, inspections, open meeting and public records compliance, conflict-of-interest processes, fee-setting, and statutory clarity on scope of practice and training requirements. The board said it agreed with the findings, had already updated disciplinary parameters and documentation policies, and was working on the remaining recommendations and possible legislation. The committee then voted to continue the board for six years until July 1, 2032, and the motion passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, the committee began hearing the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority performance audit, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation was completed or any action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, in Section 233, it gives $40 million for fairground upgrades. Is this in Prop. 4, you mean?
• That examination process has to end, according to the control section, by January 10, 2026.
• So this particular section has bond language about its specific criteria.
• In AB 149, Section 11 also helps facilitate the Cal Fire full-time staffing.
• In AB 156, in Section 4, we appreciate the adjustments to the displaced firefighter list.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes. Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity. The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, and I particularly want to speak to the attorney-client privilege piece of this bill, which is section
• four of the bill and would make changes to Section 552.107.
• believe that, at least my position, is that if you add upon motion of the parties to the good cause section
• Additionally, we are repealing Sections 160.004, D, E, and F, which contain outdated and duplicative
• I am a former chair of the Business Law Section of the Texas Bar, a 4,000-member business law section

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• We recognize that the Constitution, Article I, Section 10, allows the states to make gold and silver
• Under Article I, Section 10 and the U.S.
• First of all, Article 1, Section 8 refers to money that is being created by the central government.
• But this, on the other hand, is not Article 1, Section 8.
• By the way, I will mention that Article 1, Section 10, there's two prohibitions related to money.

Bills: HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Striking out a complete section of the 1934 Act with a broad brush, a line through the wording that's
• The 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 23 of the Texas Constitution
• Under Section 4604a of the Penal Code, any person convicted of any felony offense is prohibited from
• Section 22, uh, 2502, those are prohibited sexual conduct.
• Rolling back section 4603 to allow license holders to carry a concealed firearm in sensitive areas such

Bills: HB259

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes that a violation of a UTV section is a non-criminal traffic violation, punishable as
• Senate Bill 402 simply cleans up Florida Statutes section 817.312.
• those sections to read as follows: Armed forces as defined in section 250.01.
• Please read the next. individually in each section, and this bill would amend those sections to read
• Armed forces as defined in section 250.01.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.

Transcript Highlights:

• to look at more closely provisions in this bill that may conflict with chapter 480, particularly section
• What I will be amending is to add Section C under disclosure required, that liability under this section
• </c><00:51:26.880><c> C</c><00:51:27.640><c> under</c> amending is to add section C under amending is
• to add section C under disclosure<00:51:29.400><c> required</c><00:51:30.400><c> that</c><00:51:30.640
• shall rest primarily with this section shall rest primarily with the<00:51:35.240><c> developers</c>

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.