Transcript Highlights:

• registered as John Mata on behalf of yourself and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
• and I am the senior director of Field Services for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
• They, since there hasn't been a true funding mechanism for the, for the groundwater district in the past
• Um, but, uh, aside from the funding mechanism, uh, the, the other concerns we have with the legislation
• Almost every groundwater district in the state, if not every, is funded by one of two mechanisms, either

Bills: HB 5208, SB 863, SB 1243, SB 1624, SB 1965, SB 2660, SB 2702, SB 2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1209 provides a mechanism to facilitate the migration to full compliance.
• So they’re doing different mechanisms that, if the DIR had the adequate information, they can answer
• We believe through this mechanism and focused, and kind of allowing a safe harbor and working with companies
• payroll down to $6 a payroll, having companies compete for business, and then having and setting up a mechanism
• We believe through this mechanism and focused and kind of allowing a safe harbor and working with companies

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• stakeholders throughout the process that as the funds have been asked, and the metrics and the mechanisms
• that this That as the funds have been asked, and the metrics and the mechanisms that this has gone under
• So what this does is it creates an ...creates an incentive and a mechanism for those donors to come back
• I think this could be a mechanism that we could use with other partnerships the state has with other
• now does two things: it increases the appropriation by $550,000, and then it creates the matching mechanism

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as part of this contract, there is a lot of reporting and mechanisms and kind of real-time dashboards
• We can certainly work... ...contract, there is a lot of reporting and mechanisms and kind of real-time
• What's the mechanism? More details: for instance, is this in the agency's contract?
• What's the mechanism for collecting the funds from the plan? How will the reimbursement take place?
• invoices will be sent out to the plans based on a percentage of the network plans, and there's a mechanism

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met to consider 21 budget amendments, beginning with the Department of Education’s request for $14.751 million in federal grant authority for the Preschool Development Grant. Members asked whether any funds would support VPK or provider payments; the department said the money is for birth-to-kindergarten early learning work, including IT modernization, workforce credentialing, training, and streamlining director certification. The amendment was adopted without objection. The commission then approved amendments for the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy and reduce staffing agency use, and for the Department of Health to realign about $9.1 million for disability determinations amid a backlog of roughly 140,000 cases. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple Medicaid-related amendments, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for KidCare, hospitals, physicians, cancer hospitals, nursing IME, and public hospital payments. Members questioned network adequacy, rural access, and the KidCare surplus and expansion; the KidCare realignment drew debate, with some members objecting because the 2023 eligibility expansion has not been implemented, but the amendment passed on a roll call vote. Other amendments adopted included FDLE’s $16.3 million for counter-UAS detection and mitigation equipment, DJJ’s $1.6 million for Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, and emergency management pass-throughs for FIFA World Cup security and counter-drone funding to the Miami host committee. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for disaster recovery under the CDBG-DR program, with questions about the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State also received $408,377 for arts and culture grant authority. Most amendments were adopted without objection, and the commission adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• In strong favor of HB 82, the Trigger Program, New Mexico is truly the only state with a mechanism like
• This credit is a unique mechanism to support technology business advancement and has demonstrated numerous
• This credit is a unique mechanism to support technology, business advancement, and has demonstrated numerous
• what the impact and effectiveness of this particular credit actually is, and whether we have other mechanisms
• clean up parts of this tax code and these particular sections, that we have some kind of reporting mechanisms

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 82, which would extend the Technology Readiness Gross Receipts Tax Credit for 10 years and increase the annual cap from $1 million per lab to $5 million over time. The sponsor and witnesses from Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories said the program helps New Mexico businesses commercialize deep-tech innovations and is unique in the country. Multiple business and economic development representatives testified in support, describing successful projects and job creation. Committee members asked about specific companies, wages, and the program’s impact, but several members raised concerns about the bill’s fiscal effect and the lack of room in the tax package. The committee adopted a substitute that delayed the credit increase by one year, but then voted to table HB 82 by about 5-3. The committee then heard House Bill 142, which would increase the Rural Health Care Practitioner Tax Credit and expand eligibility to underserved urban areas. Supporters, including Think New Mexico and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, said the credit has not been updated in years and could help recruit more health professionals, especially EMTs. Members questioned whether urban areas should be included, how “underserved” is defined, the size of the current expenditure, and whether the credit actually changes provider behavior. Some members expressed concern that the bill could dilute support for rural areas, while others noted that most New Mexico counties are designated shortage areas. The sponsor moved to table HB 142, and the committee agreed. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 58, as amended, which extends the period for metropolitan redevelopment area property tax abatements from seven years to up to 14 years. The sponsor and MRA representatives said the longer period would help projects in blighted areas become financially feasible, especially for housing and redevelopment projects in Albuquerque and other cities. Support came from housing developers, Realtors, chambers of commerce, and economic development groups. Committee members asked about how MRAs are designated, how the abatements work, and why the bill also changed a separate 10-year reference; concerns were raised about the lack of statewide reporting on MRAs. The committee ultimately voted do pass on SB 58 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just, I'm having trouble seeing the mechanisms here, that's all. Thank you.
• The second question, and I wish I had also asked it about the previous one: what is the legal mechanism
• Anyway, what is the mechanism by which they have some kind of, you know, victims' rights?
• are the gender that the person that is suing them thinks they are, or doesn't, anyway, what is the mechanism
• The mechanism, the point is, is we're going to focus on protecting these individuals, and that's the

Summary: The committee heard two related RS proposals dealing with restroom, changing room, and shower access based on biological sex. RS 33092, presented by Representative Razor, would add criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully entering opposite-sex designated government-owned or public facilities, with exceptions for emergencies, law enforcement, medical aid, maintenance, single-user facilities, and similar circumstances. Members questioned how enforcement would work, who would investigate, how biological sex would be determined, and whether the bill would burden law enforcement or punish accidental entry. Supporters argued it was needed to protect privacy and safety, while opponents said existing assault and indecent exposure laws already address harmful conduct and that the bill could criminalize being in the wrong room. The committee voted to introduce RS 33092 on a 10-3 roll call. The committee then heard RS 33183 from Representative Hill, which would require public buildings and accommodations to maintain separate facilities by biological sex and create a private right of action and civil penalties for violations. Hill said the bill was intended to protect women and girls in public restrooms, locker rooms, and showers, and cited constituent complaints and prior policy efforts. Members pressed him on how the bill would be enforced, whether it applied to private facilities, why it used civil rather than criminal remedies, and whether it would generate lawsuits and costs for businesses and government. Supporters said it would deter violations and complement criminal laws, while opponents argued it would punish mere presence in a space rather than assault or harassment. The committee voted to introduce RS 33183 by voice vote. At the end of the meeting, the committee also voted to hold House Bill 510 and RS 33245 subject to the call of the chair because the sponsor was unavailable, with the chair noting those measures would be revisited later. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that is, we're doing some mechanical fuel treatments and some of the areas down there that's not
• And so we're doing some mechanical treatments for some areas that are not in burn rotations and or maybe
• forest and the little oak trees kind of grow up and try to take it over so we can go in and do some mechanical
• Staff use various techniques highlighted on this patch art with prescribed burning mechanical treatments
• Absent mechanical assistance, Joan means the vessel has been substantially stripped of vessel components

Transcript Highlights:

• A very efficient mechanism already exists, and we respectfully ask of this committee for an aye vote,
• A very efficient mechanism already exists, and we respectfully ask of this committee, and I vote, efficient
• mechanism already exists, and we respectfully ask of this committee and I vote, so that we can use the
• throughout the report are recommendations to establish pilot projects that use innovative insurance mechanisms
• , including community-based insurance and parametric insurance. ...mechanisms, including community-based

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee and heard several bills related to workers’ compensation, insurance access, climate resilience, and farmworker protections. AB 815 would prevent social service workers who use personal vehicles to transport clients from being misclassified as commercial or for-hire drivers under personal auto policies; supporters said the current practice leads to unaffordable premiums and denied claims, while no opposition testified. AB 1329 would revise the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund to reduce litigation and medical-legal costs and lower employer assessments; insurers and business groups opposed unless amended, citing concerns about eligibility standards and the QME process, but the bill advanced after amendments were discussed. AB 1048 would allow disputed unauthorized payment reductions for medical providers to be reviewed through independent bill review; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opposition argued IBR is the wrong forum and existing contract dispute processes should control, though the bill also passed. AB 1236 would create a Department of Insurance grant program for climate and sustainability risk-reduction projects, with broad support from the department, environmental groups, and insurers, and it passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 1336, the Farmworker Heat Illness Prevention Act, which would create a rebuttable presumption that a heat-related injury arose out of employment when an agricultural employer fails to comply with heat illness prevention standards. Supporters, including United Farm Workers, argued the bill would help protect farmworkers amid extreme heat and enforcement gaps; opponents from the workers’ compensation and agricultural sectors said the measure improperly uses the compensation system to enforce OSHA rules and could create unclear adjudication and delay issues. Members discussed Cal/OSHA enforcement limits, undocumented workers’ reluctance to report violations, and the relationship between the bill and existing workers’ compensation procedures. Despite opposition, AB 1336 passed on a divided vote. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 1125, AB 1293, and AB 1398, which were approved together. Roll calls were held open and later completed, and the bills that advanced were sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after final votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We tried to get the counties to be part of the solution in this and some cost-sharing mechanisms for
• We tried to get the counties to be part of the solution in this and some cost-sharing mechanisms for
• Maybe it was a coping mechanism, the jovial nature that they used, but this isn't easy.
• Maybe it was a coping mechanism, the jovial nature that they used, but this isn't easy.
• I was pretty salty about the way they presented themselves, and just maybe it was a coping mechanism,

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh line 54 ask Aaliyah to to create uh these regulations that prevent and establish a legal mechanism
• regulations that prevent and establish<00:07:57.680><c> a</c><00:07:57.759><c> legal</c><00:07:58.000><c> mechanism
• </c><00:07:58.479><c> for</c><00:07:58.720><c> the</c> establish a legal mechanism for the establish
• a legal mechanism for the removal<00:07:59.440><c> of</c><00:07:59.759><c> vessels</c><00:08:00.080><

Bills: SB326, SB326

Keywords: sheriff, credit card, debit card, financial procedures, Jackson County, purchasing authority, boating regulations, anchoring, rafting, enforcement mechanism, environmental protection, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• might not make sense to put in statute, and but I think there's also making sure that the process mechanism
• it's just not practical mechanism it's just not practical practical<02:27:00.760><c> or</c><02:27:01.120
• I spent a long time on it, so I'd love feedback if there's a way that I can meet with the subcommittee
• I spent a long time on it, so I'd love feedback if there's a way that I can meet with the subcommittee
• Just, um, I'd love feedback if there's a way that I can meet with the subcommittee.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know that we can, but there are mechanisms to approach that should there be non-compliance.
• whereby they can can chase the mechanism whereby they can can chase the sub<00:25:54.600><c> to</c><
• between the leasing company of mechanism between the leasing company and<00:26:01.800><c> the</c><00
• </c> there are mechanisms whereby there are mechanisms whereby the the the whereby<01:29:16.240><c> those
• ,</c><02:12:01.560><c> it</c> resolved through that mechanism, it resolved through that mechanism, it

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We educate 90% of the peace officers in Minnesota, 90% of graduate mechanics, 60% of nurses, and more
• uh which is program in Airline mechanics uh which is a<00:59:22.400><c> phenomenal</c><00:59:22.960>
• program because these these mechanics program because these these special<00:59:53.359><c> programs<
• on tractors and training mechanics on tractors and things<01:04:29.440><c> just</c><01:04:29.599><c>
• Research Center where fluid mechanics Research Center where researches<01:36:53.080><c> tackled</c><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is there any enforcement mechanism for that?
• </c> there's not a specific penalty mechanism there's not a specific penalty mechanism that<02:36:42.880
• </c><02:40:12.479><c> for</c> time and would there be a mechanism for time and would there be a mechanism
• /c><02:40:26.800><c> the</c> mechanism currently exists within the mechanism currently exists within
• </c> a mechanism built into this language. a mechanism built into this language.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and the mechanisms to to prevent fraud. and the mechanisms to to prevent fraud.
• He asked what is going to backfill that and what the mechanism is.
• He asked what is going to backfill that and what the mechanism is.
• So that's what's going on with that mechanics.
• Then article 2 we with that mechanics.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I've submitted extensive testimony describing the different mechanisms involved.
• </c><00:07:05.280><c> that</c> different um mechanisms involved. that different um mechanisms involved
• </c><00:20:44.480><c> And</c> really a cost shifting mechanism.
• And really a cost shifting mechanism.
• <c> law</c><01:37:12.320><c> enforcement</c> There's no mechanism for law enforcement There's no mechanism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes. >> And does the department currently have, as part of your mechanism, a way for those students
• >> Yes. >> And does the department currently have, as part of your mechanism, a way for those students
• </c><00:51:34.559><c> once</c> you do have the current mechanism once you do have the current mechanism
• That's really a key sort of safety mechanism.
• That's really a key sort of<01:34:26.960><c> safety</c><01:34:27.360><c> mechanism.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• One other piece of note is that technical assistance provision is a common mechanism for producers to
• One other piece of note is that technical assistance provision is a common mechanism for producers to
• >> Oh, um, we have the mechanism, which are surveys and the personnel.
• mechanism which are surveys and the personnel.<00:40:39.280><c> It</c><00:40:39.520><c> would</c><00
• </c> we view this as an important mechanism we view this as an important mechanism to<01:18:21.120><c

Bills: SB874, SB2097, SB2098, SB2126, SB2154, SB2153, SB2160, SB2123, SB2110

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary will assume that such a mechanism will have several features including allowing a consumer
• that would simplify the mechanism that would simplify the process<01:33:19.600><c> for</c><01:33:19.720
• will have several features mechanism will have several features including<01:33:28.160><c> allowing<
• </c> of creating such a mechanism. of creating such a mechanism.
• The Secretary of State's mechanism.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we provide them with well-paying jobs, careers as engineers, as electricians, as mechanical engineers
• </c> as electricians, as mechanical as electricians, as mechanical engineers. engineers. engineers.
• $10 million funded are depleted by our high-value grants in a single fiscal year, what matching mechanism
• </c><00:42:59.760><c> is</c> year, what matching what mechanism is year, what matching what mechanism
• First-time applicants are preferred in the scoring mechanism.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused. The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused. A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.