Transcript Highlights:

• :01.320><c> so</c><00:21:01.559><c> we</c><00:21:01.720><c> put</c><00:21:01.880><c> forth</c><00:21:
• c><00:21:07.760><c> tools</c><00:21:08.159><c> that</c><00:21:08.280><c> are</c><00:21:08.400><c> already
• 21:13.440><c> and</c><00:21:13.600><c> and</c><00:21:13.760><c> thanks</c><00:21:14.000><c> for</c><00
• c><00:21:25.520><c> that</c><00:21:25.640><c> was</c><00:21:25.760><c> a</c><00:21:25.880><c> perfect
• </c><00:21:26.799><c> why</c><00:21:27.000><c> this</c><00:21:27.120><c> bill</c><00:21:27.360><c> was

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:05.760><c> U</c><00:21:06.480><c> if</c><00:21:06.640><c> anyone</c><00:21:06.960><c> else
• it</c><00:21:09.360><c> wish</c><00:21:09.520><c> to</c><00:21:09.679><c> testify</c><00:21:09.919><c
• 21:31.679><c> uh</c><00:21:31.919><c> that's</c><00:21:32.159><c> that's</c><00:21:32.480><c> led</c>
• </c><00:21:33.520><c> Um</c><00:21:34.320><c> it</c><00:21:34.640><c> feels</c><00:21:34.880><c> like
• c> level</c><00:21:43.679><c> of</c><00:21:43.840><c> give</c><00:21:44.000><c> and</c><00:21:44.159>

Bills: HF4141 , HF3951

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy

Transcript Highlights:

• of</c><00:21:19.040><c> me</c><00:21:19.400><c> the</c><00:21:19.440><c> contract</c><00:21:20.080><c
• </c><00:21:23.600><c> Um</c><00:21:23.840><c> the</c><00:21:23.960><c> way</c><00:21:24.200><c> the</
• </c><00:21:42.280><c> To</c><00:21:42.400><c> do</c><00:21:42.560><c> that,</c><00:21:42.800><c> you<
• </c><00:21:44.120><c> I</c><00:21:44.200><c> can</c><00:21:44.360><c> bring</c><00:21:44.520><c> you<
• I can bring you my pay stub<00:21:45.280><c> for</c><00:21:45.400><c> 21</c><00:21:45.840><c> years</

Bills: SB2567 , SB2448 , SB3046 , SB2231 , SB2526

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: harassment, restraining order, temporary restraining order, injunction, protective order, public employer, public servant, public employee, government employee, state employee, legislator, judge, judicial branch, executive branch, local government, political subdivision, workplace violence, threats, stalking, employee safety

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:02.679><c> over</c><00:21:02.960><c> a</c><00:21:03.159><c> year</c><00:21:04.080><c> U</c><00
• :21:04.240><c> we</c><00:21:04.480><c> cannot</c><00:21:05.440><c> have</c><00:21:05.640><c> the</c>
• 00:21:18.279><c> Authority</c><00:21:18.720><c> which</c><00:21:18.880><c> is</c><00:21:19.039><c> to
• /c><00:21:19.760><c> new</c><00:21:19.960><c> management</c><00:21:20.640><c> plan</c><00:21:21.480><
• <00:21:25.440><c> areas</c><00:21:25.799><c> we're</c><00:21:26.039><c> responsible</c><00:21:26.600>

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 347 relating to goats. The Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments and said its Division of Forestry and Wildlife was available to answer questions. Testimony on the bill was largely opposed, with speakers arguing it would amount to a “free-for-all” rather than game management and urging deferral. DLNR responded that bag limits can be adjusted by area and game management unit under adaptive management rules, and that hunters typically take out their catch. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1278, on which DLNR testified in support. The record in the excerpt does not include discussion of the bill’s substance beyond the department’s support, and no action or vote is shown. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 144, relating to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and proposed exemptions from Sunshine Law requirements during the transition period. The authority’s vice chair testified that the body is a startup agency with a complex transition from the University and needs to be able to discuss strategic planning, operational formation, and other day-to-day matters with more than two members present. Opponents, including the Public First Law Center, Hawaiʻi Environmental Alliance, and community members, argued the bill would cut the public out of the deliberative process, allow decisions to be hashed out in private, and set a poor transparency precedent. One testifier also raised cultural and environmental concerns about Mauna Kea. Committee members questioned whether existing law and narrower guardrails could address the authority’s concerns, and the authority said it had already proposed a narrower alternative but the bill returned in similar form. The excerpt ends before any final committee action on HB 144 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> you</c><00:21:23.200><c> chair</c><00:21:23.720><c> um</c><00:21:24.000><c> I</c><00:21:24.120><c
• :25.640><c> the</c><00:21:26.039><c> um</c><00:21:26.760><c> film</c><00:21:27.240><c> tax</c><00:21:
• um NPR recently<00:21:34.679><c> did</c><00:21:34.840><c> an</c><00:21:35.000><c> article</c><00:21:
• c><00:21:36.559><c> was</c><00:21:36.720><c> used</c><00:21:37.120><c> to</c><00:21:37.559><c> uh</c>
• :21:45.919><c> of</c><00:21:46.039><c> our</c><00:21:46.200><c> film</c><00:21:46.480><c> tax</c> to

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c> Guard is in chapter 9 and it it is Guard is in chapter 9 and it it is described<00:21:01.440
• 21:03.520><c> a</c><00:21:03.840><c> separate</c><00:21:04.240><c> chapter</c><00:21:04.559><c> and</
• c><00:21:04.799><c> it's</c> we do have a a separate chapter and it's we do have a a separate chapter
• and it's chapter<00:21:05.440><c> 10.
• </c> I<00:21:08.799><c> think</c><00:21:08.960><c> now</c><00:21:09.200><c> I'll</c><00:21:09.600><c>

Bills: SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.360><c> I</c><00:21:00.480><c> think</c><00:21:00.640><c> we</c><00:21:00.799><c> still</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:18.279><c> know</c><00:21:18.559><c> libraries</c><00:21:19.080><c> have</c><00:21:19.240>
• > how</c><00:21:22.679><c> they're</c><00:21:22.840><c> being</c><00:21:23.080><c> utilized</c><00:21
• and I think<00:21:31.000><c> this</c><00:21:31.159><c> is</c><00:21:31.440><c> in</c><00:21:31.600><
• </c><00:21:35.799><c> the</c><00:21:36.000><c> community</c><00:21:36.559><c> the</c><00:21:36.760><c

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> just referenced in addition to chapter just referenced in addition to chapter 12<01:18:29.159><c
• Chapter 207C, and while this is Representative Robbins' bill, only has Chapter 12.
• So Chapter 12 is the chapter.
• House File 21, as amended, third reading. House File 21, as amended, third reading.
• That imbalance needs to be corrected in House File 21. House File 21 corrects that imbalance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh and I think<00:21:18.480><c> it's</c><00:21:19.000><c> kind</c><00:21:19.160><c> of</c><00:21:19.200
• </c><00:21:22.560><c> But,</c><00:21:23.200><c> what</c><00:21:23.360><c> this</c><00:21:23.560><c> bill
• Okay,<00:21:34.440><c> can</c><00:21:34.640><c> you</c><00:21:34.800><c> uh</c><00:21:35.080><c> be</
• c><00:21:35.160><c> a</c><00:21:35.200><c> little</c><00:21:35.400><c> bit</c><00:21:35.520><c> more<
• ><c> regarding</c><00:21:37.400><c> to</c><00:21:37.520><c> the</c><00:21:37.640><c> pilot</c><00:21:

Committee: House Labor

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• :21:03.840><c> the</c><00:21:04.039><c> past</c><00:21:04.640><c> he</c><00:21:04.840><c> instead</c>
• helped me<00:21:05.799><c> to</c><00:21:05.960><c> repair</c><00:21:06.320><c> my</c><00:21:06.559><
• <00:21:18.279><c> of</c><00:21:18.799><c> reality</c><00:21:19.799><c> although</c><00:21:20.159><c>
• </c><00:21:25.919><c> that</c><00:21:26.080><c> I'm</c><00:21:26.360><c> sitting</c><00:21:26.760><c>
• be alive today<00:21:38.360><c> uh</c><00:21:38.480><c> if</c><00:21:38.559><c> I</c><00:21:38.679><

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 9, which would create oversight for Medicaid-related policy through a board modeled after the Public Pension Oversight Board. Sponsor Rep. Adam Bowling said the measure was intended to bring legislative, executive, and stakeholder voices together to vet issues and make better-informed Medicaid policy. Members generally supported the concept, though some questioned the proposed board’s party breakdown and whether the language should be updated now rather than later. After discussion, the committee voted 19-0 to pass HB 9 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 495, which Rep. Hail said would protect mental health care professionals, institutions, and ordained ministers from discrimination when providing what the bill calls protected counseling services. He described the bill as a parental-choice measure that would allow counseling aligned with family values and said it also creates a civil cause of action for harmed parties. Opponents argued the bill would shield conversion therapy, with Dr. Eric Russ, Brandon Long, Dr. Brandon Creech, Brenda Rosen, Chris Hartman, and Dr. Bobby Glass testifying that conversion therapy is discredited, harmful, and associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide risk. They said professional medical and counseling organizations oppose such practices and urged rejection of the bill. During questions, Rep. Layman pressed the sponsor on whether the bill would protect therapies even if a child was not in distress and on whether the committee should be endorsing a practice discredited by professional organizations. Rep. Hail responded that he viewed the issue as a parental choice and said he believed the bill protects providers offering those services. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 495, with no final vote shown on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><00:21:04.280><c> access</c><00:21:04.640><c> of</c><00:21:04.840><c> lobbyists</c><00:21
• is a gift<00:21:09.039><c> prohibition</c><00:21:09.520><c> and</c><00:21:09.640><c> then</c><00:21:
• c><00:21:25.799><c> rules</c><00:21:26.679><c> or</c><00:21:26.880><c> with</c><00:21:27.039><c> a</c
• :21:42.679><c> or</c><00:21:42.919><c> associations</c><00:21:43.600><c> who</c><00:21:43.760><c> are
• <00:21:46.440><c> the</c><00:21:46.720><c> current</c><00:21:47.720><c> um</c><00:21:48.120><c> and</

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:21:01.039><c> don't</c><00:21:01.200><c> have</c><00:21:01.320><c> a</c><00:21:01.520><c> list</
• c><00:21:02.120><c> but</c><00:21:02.360><c> I</c><00:21:02.840><c> someone</c><00:21:03.120><c> from
• <00:21:12.799><c> and</c><00:21:12.919><c> legislative</c><00:21:13.440><c> Le</c><00:21:13.640><c> aison
• </c><00:21:19.960><c> of</c><00:21:20.080><c> the</c><00:21:20.240><c> replace</c><00:21:20.799><c> all
• ><c> by</c><00:21:22.600><c> way</c><00:21:22.880><c> of</c><00:21:23.480><c> background</c><00:21:24.480

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.<00:21:45.320><c> You</c><00:21:45.440><c> know,</c><00:21:45.600><c> somebody</c><00:21:45.920
• :21:49.800><c> to</c><00:21:49.880><c> have</c><00:21:50.000><c> a</c><00:21:50.040><c> relationship<
• </c><00:21:51.080><c> from</c><00:21:51.240><c> their</c><00:21:51.400><c> high</c><00:21:51.560><c>
• Um, the<00:21:53.280><c> this</c><00:21:53.560><c> was</c><00:21:53.800><c> the</c><00:21:53.920><c>
• c><00:21:57.680><c> was</c><00:21:57.880><c> first</c><00:21:58.160><c> passed.

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 963, which would make crimes against elders age 60 and over strict liability offenses by removing the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim’s age. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-of-mind element would create unfair and subjective results and suggesting sentencing enhancements or broader vulnerability-based language instead. Supporters, including Sandy Wong and another testifier with elder-abuse experience, said the current knowledge requirement creates a loophole that lets offenders avoid the elder enhancement even when they target vulnerable older adults. No vote was taken on the measure in the portion provided. The committee also heard HB 384, which increases penalties for promoting minor-produced sexual images, extends probation terms for felony obscenity offenses, tolls the statute of limitations during a victim’s minority, and requires sex offender registration for certain felony obscenity offenses involving minors. The Public Defender opposed the bill as overly broad and warned of absurd results, while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported it, saying the bill addresses sextortion and other exploitation cases where adults solicit images from minors and that the 3-year age-gap threshold preserves ordinary teen relationships. Committee members questioned whether the bill was aimed at adults only and whether the age-gap carveout was narrow enough; the prosecutor said it was intended to cover adult predators and not consensual peer conduct. No final action was reported. HB 1100, which renames the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to use “low vision” instead of “visually impaired,” was supported by the Department of Human Services and disability advocates, who said the current term is derogatory and that the change responds to the blind community. The department said it was beginning work on administrative rules and expected to seek an appropriation, with implementation hoped for in 2026. The committee then heard HB 1283, exempting paternity proceedings from mediation when domestic abuse is alleged; the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others supported it as consistent with divorce law and important for survivor safety. HB 689, creating safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement help, drew support from HPD, Emua Alliance, the Judiciary, and others, who said it would prevent traffickers from using prostitution charges to silence victims. Finally, HB 383, reinstating mandatory minimum jail terms for successive violations of protective orders and removing the court’s ability to suspend those minimums, drew opposition from the Public Defender, who said some repeat violations stem from mental health or substance use issues, and support from the Prosecuting Attorney, who argued the bill treats protective orders like temporary restraining orders and preserves judicial discretion within a misdemeanor framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• :47.480><c> call</c><00:21:47.640><c> it</c><00:21:47.799><c> maybe</c><00:21:48.080><c> a</c><00:21:
• would</c><00:21:50.480><c> come</c><00:21:50.640><c> and</c><00:21:50.799><c> tell</c><00:21:51.000><
• us how much<00:21:51.640><c> the</c><00:21:51.760><c> bill</c><00:21:52.559><c> costs</c><00:21:53.559
• /c><00:21:55.520><c> and</c><00:21:55.640><c> a</c><00:21:55.799><c> fiscal</c><00:21:56.120><c> note
• has been<00:21:56.880><c> requested</c><00:21:57.360><c> on</c><00:21:57.600><c> this</c><00:21:57.799

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> guess</c><00:21:36.320><c> some</c><00:21:36.559><c> of</c><00:21:36.640><c> the</c><00:21:36.799
• The<00:21:38.960><c> pharmacy</c><00:21:39.440><c> benefit</c><00:21:39.919><c> managers</c><00:21:40.400
• c> un</c><00:21:46.400><c> which</c><00:21:46.640><c> was</c><00:21:46.799><c> unaffordable</c><00:21
• &gt;&gt; I<00:21:54.159><c> I</c><00:21:54.480><c> couldn't</c><00:21:54.720><c> speak</c><00:21:54.880
• I will I will<00:21:55.919><c> say</c><00:21:56.080><c> the</c><00:21:56.559><c> uh</c><00:21:56.720>

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 3 meeting unanimously. It then reviewed follow-up status on prior performance audits, beginning with the Department of Corrections’ sex offender treatment program. DOC said all audit items from the 2016 review were resolved except one related to tracking benchmarks, progress, and recidivism. Officials explained that a new offender management system, Chorus, was recently implemented but has had rollout problems affecting operations, including restitution checks, and that they hope the system will be stable enough within about six months to begin tracking the needed metrics. Members asked about treatment inside prison and after release; DOC described in-prison treatment, parole aftercare, probation and parole oversight, administrative restrictions, and reassessment if conditions are not met. The committee next heard from OPLC on the Real Estate Commission audit. OPLC reported that all but one finding is substantially or fully resolved, with the remaining issue involving review of applicants’ adverse financial history and liabilities. The delay is tied to ongoing rulemaking, and OPLC said the commission is amending its criteria and integrating universal application procedures into board rules. The office estimated substantive completion by March 2027, with rule filing expected sooner. The committee then took up the Board of Pharmacy audit, where OPLC said most findings remain partially resolved because the board is in the middle of a major rule overhaul and a new licensing software project. Officials described a shift toward a compliance bureau and more routine, risk-informed inspections, rather than inspections driven only by complaints, and said updated manuals and forms will follow the new rules and technology. Finally, the Legislative Budget Assistant reported on ongoing audits. For special education, staff said they are writing the report, have 25 completed observations, and have expanded to 70 identified observations, with a full draft expected in the first quarter of 2026 and a final report by summer 2026. For education freedom accounts, 40 observations have been identified, 15 finalized, and a draft is expected by midspring with a fiscal committee presentation in summer. For the Doorway program, the audit plan was finalized with DHHS help, financial activity was isolated, fieldwork is expected to finish by Thanksgiving, and a draft report is planned for January or February 2026, with a final report by March or April 2026. The committee discussed scheduling its next meeting for February 6 at 10 a.m. and emphasized the value of follow-up on older audits; the meeting adjourned after members agreed the follow-up process should continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• comment<00:21:02.880><c> uh</c><00:21:03.039><c> thanks</c><00:21:03.480><c> Madam</c><00:21:03.760>
• ><c> of</c><00:21:07.799><c> you</c><00:21:07.919><c> came</c><00:21:08.120><c> from</c><00:21:08.320
• :21:16.640><c> come</c><00:21:16.840><c> down</c><00:21:17.039><c> and</c><00:21:17.440><c> testify</
• in person<00:21:18.480><c> but</c><00:21:18.600><c> I</c><00:21:18.679><c> know</c><00:21:18.840><c>
• :21:26.320><c> and</c><00:21:26.440><c> and</c><00:21:26.559><c> members</c><00:21:26.960><c> I'm</c>

Bills: HF1359 , HF1829 , HF290 , HF1933 , HF926

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• > So</c><00:21:09.360><c> a</c><00:21:09.600><c> transfer</c><00:21:10.080><c> from</c><00:21:10.320>
• > on</c><00:21:21.280><c> down</c><00:21:21.600><c> to</c><00:21:21.840><c> line</c><00:21:22.240><c>
• </c><00:21:27.760><c> Again,</c><00:21:28.159><c> this</c><00:21:28.320><c> is</c><00:21:28.480><c> a
• </c><00:21:41.760><c> line</c><00:21:42.120><c> 85</c><00:21:43.120><c> for</c><00:21:43.360><c> the<
• ><c> uh</c><00:21:49.200><c> the</c><00:21:50.080><c> both</c><00:21:50.320><c> the</c><00:21:50.480>

Summary: The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions. House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amend House Law Number 21. The amendment is coded A1.
• While this is the Robbins bill, it only has Chapter 12.
• They are both rooted in Chapter 12.
• So if it was just Chapter 12 and only Chapter 12, then we'd have a thing.
• House File Number 21 as amended. Third reading. Any further discussion?

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:07.200><c> to</c><00:21:07.360><c> do</c><00:21:07.520><c> is</c><00:21:07.760><c> make</c><00
• such</c><00:21:09.280><c> a</c><00:21:09.440><c> way</c><00:21:10.000><c> where</c><00:21:10.400><c>
• <00:21:11.360><c> it</c><00:21:11.600><c> with</c><00:21:12.240><c> the</c><00:21:12.559><c> career</
• which</c><00:21:19.600><c> students</c><00:21:19.919><c> do</c><00:21:20.159><c> I</c><00:21:20.320><
• Obviously,<00:21:24.000><c> if</c><00:21:24.240><c> I</c><00:21:24.400><c> had</c><00:21:24.559><c> a

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:05.600><c> does</c><00:21:06.039><c> is</c><00:21:06.240><c> basically</c><00:21:06.679><c
• ><c> how</c><00:21:09.159><c> the</c><00:21:09.720><c> parties</c><00:21:10.400><c> operate</c><00:21
• ><c> the</c><00:21:16.279><c> last</c><00:21:16.559><c> bill</c><00:21:16.880><c> we</c><00:21:17.039
• ><c> in</c><00:21:21.120><c> 10</c><00:21:21.400><c> years</c><00:21:22.279><c> with</c><00:21:22.400
• c> act</c><00:21:23.240><c> Mr</c><00:21:23.520><c> chair</c><00:21:24.159><c> we're</c><00:21:24.360

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety