Transcript Highlights:

• For those of you who have not met Doug Amos, he is here as a policy analyst.
• In fact, it reinforces OCC's efforts with the backing of the legislature.
• They no longer use this petty cash fund and would like to get rid of it in statute.
• Now, Representative, do you want to explain the rest of the bill? Yes, Mr. Chair.
• There's been many conversations regarding a law that passed out of Utah.

Bills: HB3724, HB3392, HB3466, HB4060

Keywords: high-demand facilities, electric utilities, public infrastructure, water management, taxpayer-funded subsidies, decommissioning plans, local control, citizen initiative, referendum, electric utility, large load customers, infrastructure, utility planning, electricity rates, cost allocation, data centers, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, ratepayer protection, HB3466

Summary: The committee first announced that House Bill 3724 would be laid over at the author’s request and not heard. House Bill 3392, by Representative Clinton, passed 7-0 after brief discussion; it directs the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to study large-load electric customers, including defining them, assessing their grid impact, and evaluating cost allocation, while not interfering with any OCC rulemaking already underway. Chairman Bowles then presented House Bill 3466, a Corporation Commission request bill to remove an obsolete petty cash fund from statute. It passed 7-0 with no debate. House Bill 4060, by Representative Alonzo, was amended to remove a section dealing with homeownership regulations; the bill then advanced after discussion focused on small plug-in solar devices, their safety features, and the intent to clarify that such devices would not be treated as improper grid interconnections or subjected to burdensome utility or OCC requirements. Members raised questions about backfeeding and line-worker safety, and the sponsor said the devices would have anti-islanding protections and would not send power back into the grid. The committee approved HB 4060 8-0. The chair noted that several additional bills were assigned and expected next week, and the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:14.480><c> in</c> pro out of all of the sectors in pro out of all of the sectors in agriculture
• </c> risk of um offlabeled un unlawful use of risk of um offlabeled un unlawful use of it.<01:09:33.120
• ><c> applied</c> thousands of pounds of RUPS applied thousands of pounds of RUPS applied across<01:24
• of thousands of pounds of those hundreds of thousands of pounds are<01:24:34.960><c> fumigants.
• </c> there there of course there are uh of there there of course there are uh of course<01:36:14.080>

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the big issues that we see is lack of funding.
• And one of the big issues that we see is lack of funding.
• I'm available for any questions. testimony in support of the intent of testimony in support of the intent
• This appropriates funds to the Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial
• > department</c><01:10:20.560><c> of</c><01:10:20.719><c> accounting</c> director of the department of

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• DEBED again um in support on behalf of DEBED again um in support of<00:25:31.919><c> HB1815</c> of HB1815
• of this bill.
• :31:27.120><c> of</c><00:31:27.279><c> of</c> the comprehensive understanding of of the comprehensive
• Hawaii on behalf of our Foundation of Hawaii on behalf of our president,<00:41:18.880><c> Tammy</c><
• </c> of amendments. of amendments.

Bills: HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566

Keywords: arts integration, fine arts education, public schools, cultural education, student engagement, school coordinators, Hawaii education, Hawaii Cultural Trust, income tax credit, arts funding, cultural preservation, charitable contributions, HB2532, Hawaiian flag, Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, flag display, condominium, condo association, planned community association, cooperative housing corporation

Summary: The committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures related to arts funding, administration, and access. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For HB 2218 and HB 1815, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the bills, and members discussed transition timing and administrative support, including the need for an additional year in one measure and a temporary administrative position to help with the transfer. HB 1764, the music accessibility pilot program, drew broad support from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Public Library System, Hawaii Youth Symphony, and others, with testimony emphasizing library-based music programming, community access, and economic benefits. HB 2117, which would create an arts data mapping task force, also received extensive support, though witnesses suggested narrowing the initial scope, adding representatives from independent and charter schools and neighbor island arts programs, and ensuring adequate funding and a realistic timeline for the work. The committee also heard HB 2436 on arts integration in public schools, HB 2438 on the Hawaii Cultural Trust, and HB 2532 on the Hawaiian flag. HB 2436 and HB 2438 received support from SFCA, while the Cultural Trust bill prompted a lengthy explanation from the chair about how the proposed tax credit would work and amendments to clarify that donations to the trust and to qualifying cultural nonprofits must be made in tandem, with eligible organizations listed and updated annually by SFCA and OHA. HB 2532 drew testimony from Dr. Adam Jansen in support of protecting the Hawaiian flag as a historical and cultural symbol; he said the flag should continue to be used for solidarity, protest, inclusion, and identity. At the decision-making portion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered. HB 2118, HB 764, HB 1815, and HB 2117 were passed with amendments, including date deferrals and technical changes; HB 764 also had its appropriation blanked out. HB 2436 was passed with amendments, and HB 2438 was advanced with substantial clarifying amendments to the cultural trust structure. The chair indicated that HB 2117 would include an interim report due in 2027 focused on music and dance, with a final report due in 2029 on arts education more broadly.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the intent of this measure.
• > liability versus out of tax li out of liability versus out of tax li out of state<00:45:04.319><c>
• money out of state and only of their money out of state and only some<00:45:11.680><c> of</c><00:45:
• of billions of dollars.
• a of a of a workforce housing uh of a of a of a workforce housing uh solution.<00:59:06.640><c> So</

Bills: SB2309, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2321, SB2323, SB2332, SB2405, SB2485

Keywords: agricultural loans, financial support, Hawaii agriculture, food security, revolving fund, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, agricultural statistics, data collection, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, economic analysis, market development, grant funding, climate resiliency

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.

Transcript Highlights:

• of New Mexico, and one of the recommendations that came out of it was that we need to go to a statewide
• Many of these federal programs have a great deal of complexity, so the auditor has a number of tests.
• So that's one of the— that's probably at the bottom of our list of amendments, but it is critical as
• types of transactions or different aspects of transactions to be tested as a part of this auditing process
• There were a number of other initiatives that CTE, that the department was funding out of that pot of

Bills: HB2, SB145, SB143

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused. The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt. The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Military-friendly protects our military assets from moving out of the state of Alabama.
• I was still in the process of getting, you know, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• The name of an individual with military preference with an augmented rating shall be entered ahead of
• with the Department of Veterans working with the Department of Veterans Affairs.<00:03:57.200><c> So
• c> shall be entered ahead of the name of an shall be entered ahead of the name of an in<00:05:22.800>

Bills: HB292, HB307, SB33, HB292, HB307, SB33

Keywords: economic development, incentives, transparency, compliance, Alabama Jobs Act, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, public interest, criminal justice, SB33, marriage, premarital class, conflict resolution, marriage license reform, probate judge, Administrative Office of Courts, AOC, domestic violence, intimate partner violence

Transcript Highlights:

• of the number of licenses and permits.
• of the number of licenses and permits.
• of attempting suicide and the lethality of those methods is one of the differences.
• And it's sort of like a loss of a sense of purpose.
• And it's sort of like a loss of a sense of purpose.

Bills: HB2198, HB2401, HB2462, HB2419, HB2210, HB2205, HB2249

Keywords: regulatory efficiency, permitting, licensing, executive order, state government, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, unpiloted aircraft, drones, regulation, airspace safety, privacy, address confidentiality, administrative law judges, privacy protection, staff employment

Transcript Highlights:

• wells that have been uh there hundreds of them in fact and many of them have been capped because of
• I guess my only concern would be is of some of these wells that are dry that are abandoned in the Gulf
• wells that have been uh there hundreds of them in fact and many of them have been capped because of
• I guess my only concern would be is of some of these wells that are dry that are abandoned in the Gulf
• One of got I got some wells on my plate. One of them<00:06:35.440><c> dry.

Bills: SB174, SB174

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment

Transcript Highlights:

• in adult court to the custody of the Department of Corrections when continued placement of the person
• in adult court to the custody of the Department of Corrections when continued placement of the person
• You're focused on a couple of the pieces of the bill.
• You're focused on a couple of the pieces of the bill.
• Hi, I'm Edward Mulvey, PhD, emeritus professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, in support of

Bills: HB2389, HB2456

Keywords: juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid, juvenile confinement, juvenile prison, rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health treatment, substance use disorder, chemical dependency, trauma-informed care, racial disparities, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• party such as a repair company to act on behalf of an insured and seek payment from the insurer.
• the insurance company on the cost of repairs.
• They can say, hey, insurance company, if you don't pay for the full cost of repairs for everything in
• up with agreed cost of repairs in a competitive work environment.
• The insurance policy is a... ...agreed cost of repairs in a competitive work environment.

Bills: SB5831, SB6031, SB6178, SB5928, SB5919

Keywords: mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime prevention, penalties, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Agriculture has a variety of responsibilities related to the regulation of fertilizers
• But not all of them are... ...that there are about 15, 16,000 different types of PFAS, but not all of
• Whether we're talking about hundreds of pounds of specialty crops, thousands of pounds of surplus harvest
• First of all, I think people would say local producers of food donate a lot of food.
• Each month, hundreds of thousands of visits are made to our network of over 75 partner food pantries,

Bills: HB2279, HB2463, HB1941, HB2238

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of the bill is to fulfill the requirements of that memorandum of agreement.
• We are not speaking to any of the actual parts of most of the bill.
• 1652 on behalf of Friends of the San Juans.
• some of that help with the cost of cleanup?
• So a couple of years potentially instead of the significant number of years that all of us enjoy our

Bills: HB2421, HB1652, HB2367, HB2284

Keywords: 6PPD, tires, environmental impact, public health, chemical regulation, HB1652, Salish Sea Protection and Marine Clean Fuels Act, marine fuel, low-sulfur fuel, sulfur emissions, ocean-going vessels, shipping, maritime pollution, air quality, particulate matter, Department of Ecology, port visit, regulated waters, fuel switching, vessel emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• impact of $156,000 per biennium for a staffing level of one-half of an FTE.
• off of them.
• Kind of a question. Uh-oh. No, first of all, thank you. Markis. Kind of a question. Uh-oh.
• of 2092.
• I took pictures of quite a few of them and sent them to Olympia because they weren't really aware of

Bills: HB1823, HB2092, HB2111, HB2114

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 13th Legislative District, which consists of all of Kittitas County, most of Grant County
• , and a sliver of Adams County and a sliver of Douglas County.
• The issue of youth homelessness is for a period of time.
• as vice chair of the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee.
• of the bill on the back of anecdotal, opponents of the effort like me and proponents of the bill on

Bills: HB2185, HB2200, HB2230, HB2319

Keywords: homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, HB 2319, residential habilitation center, state school renaming, Rainier School, Firecrest School

Transcript Highlights:

• Alcohol evaluation from a BAC of 0.18 to a BAC of 0.16.
• prosecutions of DUI that occur in the city of Henderson.
• One of the leading causes of those fatal collisions is DUI.
• Senate Bill 465 is on behalf of the Office of Finance and the Office of the Governor, and it revises
• of reports.

Bills: SB60, SB85, SB323, SB309, SB465

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• So they have lost out in all of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and they felt that that
• </c> from our leaders of uh on both sides of from our leaders of uh on both sides of the<00:02:45.440
• </c> could take care of retirees. could take care of retirees.
• take care of our state workers.
• take care of our state workers.

Bills: SF2884, HF1889

Keywords: pension, retirement, omnibus pension, MSRS, PERA, TRA, public employees retirement, state employees retirement, correctional employees, police and fire retirement, State Patrol retirement, teachers retirement, firefighter relief association, volunteer firefighter, state aid, postretirement adjustment, COLA, annuity, disability benefit, duty disability

Transcript Highlights:

• We have you listed as the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.
• thousands of students at hundreds of schools across the country.
• Are they now falling below the minimum required of school days or hours of instruction?
• The Chair lays out SB413 by Senator Middleton, relating to the meetings of the boards of trustees of
• boards of trustees of independent school districts. ...the decisions of the school board are often overly

Bills: SB226, SB413, SB571, SB1049, SB2398, SB2920

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension, reporting requirements, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• And he is the grandson of David. Okay. And he is the grandson of David. Good to be here.
• And I'm just reminding you of our rules. Give you three minutes. At the end of You three minutes.
• Those of us that have a Christian point of view regarding fetal cells and stuff, we don't like it.
• of age or adults over 20 years of age.
• time to sit down and kind of maybe work through some of those issues if possible.

Bills: HB491, SB85

Keywords: HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, Green Dye No. 3, school fundraising, vending, snacks

Transcript Highlights:

• state of Alabama, let us keep in mind that we are not of.
• Keep in mind that we are not of ourselves, but of the folks who have elected us.
• We use a lot of their.
• and a lot of their initiatives to the new department of workforce.
• No other changes from the Senate for any of the School of Fine Arts or Department of Revenue.

Bills: SB113, SB114, SB305, SB111, HB600, SB112, SB150, SB109, SB122

Keywords: education funding, appropriations, local education boards, school safety, workforce development, Alabama, technology, higher education, career technology centers, public institutions, grants, local education agencies, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students