Transcript Highlights:

• As you've probably heard just now about the new E-pull tab restrictions that were legislated in 2023
• As you've probably heard just now about the new E-pull tab restrictions that were legislated in 2023
• As you've probably heard just now about the new E-pull tab restrictions that were legislated in 2023
• As you've probably heard just now about the new E-pull tab restrictions that were legislated in 2023
• As you've probably heard just now about the new E-pull tab restrictions that were legislated in 2023

Bills: HF169 , HF195 , HF194 , HF1756 , HF2133

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: HF169, Minnesota insurance, health plan, summary of benefits and coverage, SBC, patient assistance program, deductible, health insurer, consumer disclosure, out-of-pocket costs, medical assistance funds, copay assistance, health coverage transparency, chapter 62Q, enrollee, HF195, Fairmont, street reconstruction, bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• but under the way it was written, if you've provided it to law enforcement there were no other restrictions
• but under the way it was written, if you've provided it to law enforcement there were no other restrictions
• but under the way it was written, if you've provided it to law enforcement there were no other restrictions
• </c><00:56:38.319><c> on</c><00:56:38.559><c> what</c> there were no other restrictions on what there
• were no other restrictions on what you<00:56:38.799><c> could</c><00:56:38.960><c> do</c><00:56:39.160

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313 and, on motion by Representative Perez, voted to retain the bill because members felt it needed further work and was not ready for final action. The motion passed 18-0, and no further action was taken on the bill. House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure, was then discussed; supporters said it addressed a real problem and should move forward, while opponents raised concerns that it was too broad, could affect criminal cases, and might create procedural complications. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and it was placed on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved OTP, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0, and the bill was also placed on consent. The committee then turned to House Bill 509, which would require reporting on forfeitures. Supporters argued the information was useful for future legislation, while opponents said the reporting would be costly, duplicative, and potentially split data across fiscal years. The committee voted 11-7 to recommend OTP, with a minority of members opposed. House Bill 520, authorizing Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas, drew the most extended debate. Supporters argued DOE needed the same tools other agencies have, while opponents said DOE already had access to needed information, the Attorney General could handle subpoenas, and the bill would create an unbalanced process and raise due process and student-record concerns. Representative Tur offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena power from DOE hearing officers to the Attorney General; after debate, the amendment failed 10-8. The transcript cuts off as the committee begins the roll call on the underlying bill after rejecting the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• setting forces to work we believe setting deadlines<01:02:38.359><c> while</c><01:02:38.559><c> restrict
• </c><01:02:39.079><c> restricting</c> deadlines while restrict restricting deadlines while restrict restricting

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• support this bill, as while it doesn't abolish the practice, it will give expanded guidelines and restrictions
• This restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of felony offenses where the
• you last but not least is SB<01:46:36.560><c> 722</c><01:46:37.520><c> this</c><01:46:37.760><c> restricts
• /c><01:46:38.199><c> civil</c><01:46:38.480><c> asset</c><01:46:38.719><c> forer</c> SB 722 this restricts
• civil asset forer SB 722 this restricts civil asset forer to<01:46:39.440><c> cases</c><01:46:39.760

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several bills on January 30. SB 286 and SB 287 both concerned supplemental funding for the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney: SB 286 for the career criminal prosecution unit and SB 287 for the victim witness assistance program. Testimony from the department explained that these bills are filed each year because the Attorney General’s core budget allocation may not be sufficient, though the department said the core had recently been increased and the supplemental request might no longer be necessary. For SB 287, the department also warned of a possible federal Victims of Crime Act funding freeze that could cut about $1.88 million and severely harm victim services. Both bills drew support from county and community witnesses, and members asked about prior-year funding and why the requests were limited to fiscal 2025-26; no votes were taken in the excerpt. SB 289, from the State Ethics Commission, would create a more uniform administrative fine process under the ethics code and lobbyist law. The commission said the measure would not change substantive enforcement but would let it issue a notice and order of fine first, with the respondent able to request a hearing within 20 days, which would speed up cases that are not factually disputed. Members questioned whether the bill would deny due process or function like an automatic parking ticket, and the commission responded that respondents could still challenge the fine and that the process would apply to violations with fines under $1,000. The committee also heard SB 304, which would add 11 positions for the First Circuit Adult Client Services Branch; Judiciary testimony said probation caseloads are high, with an average of 116 cases per officer, and the added staff would help meet national supervision standards and better serve higher-risk clients. Members asked whether the positions were already in the budget and about current staffing ratios; the witness said the positions were not already funded and that the Judiciary supported the bill with amendments. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment to exclude spending money to influence elections from protected free speech. Testimony was strongly divided: supporters argued that Citizens United has distorted elections and empowered special interests, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could affect nonprofit advocacy and grassroots groups. Finally, SB 313 would impose a 1% wealth asset tax on individuals with $20 million or more in assets. The Department of Taxation said it had concerns about the bill’s ambiguity and administration and noted it would require annual valuation and likely additional resources; opponents, including family business representatives and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued the tax would be difficult and costly to administer, would require sensitive business disclosures, and could force family businesses to pay from company cash. Supporters said wealthy residents should pay a fair share. The committee heard testimony and questions on these bills, but the excerpt does not show final committee votes or actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, those seven new employees would be funded through Department of Labor restricted funds, so
• Administration fund or the Department of Administration fund or the Department of Labor<04:11:57.279><c> restricted
• ><c> um</c><04:11:59.199><c> so</c><04:11:59.640><c> there</c><04:11:59.760><c> would</c> Labor restricted
• funds um so there would Labor restricted funds um so there would not<04:12:00.159><c> need</c><04:12

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in other states, the right to vote is being restricted.
• too bad that we got ourselves into this in the first place by oversupplying with tax credits and restricting
• too bad that we got ourselves into this in the first place by oversupplying with tax credits and restricting
• 02:36:42.960><c> tax</c><02:36:43.200><c> credits</c><02:36:44.080><c> and</c><02:36:44.399><c> restricting
• </c><02:36:44.880><c> the</c> with tax credits and restricting the with tax credits and restricting the

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are also important misunderstandings about who uses these waivers. restrictive institutional settings
• . restrictive institutional settings.
• </c><00:30:25.800><c> and</c> and be forced into more restrictive and and be forced into more restrictive
• I've considered closing my doors, which would force the individuals I support out of the least restrictive
• I've considered closing my doors, which would force the individuals I support out of the least restrictive

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're<01:16:36.400><c> not</c><01:16:36.560><c> restricted</c><01:16:37.040><c> on</c><01:16:37.360><
• c> time</c><01:16:37.600><c> for</c><01:16:37.840><c> doing</c> We're not restricted on time for doing
• We're not restricted on time for doing that<01:16:38.239><c> work.
• I'm sorry, it's page two of the amendment, which I think is less restrictive.
• Um the other thing I would restrictive.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but they're restricted to the mills.
• It just removes the restrictions.
• And so the restricted to the mills.
• It just removes<02:06:23.119><c> the</c><02:06:23.280><c> restrictions.
• So if there's removes the restrictions.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're looking at height restrictions, easements, and general infrastructure analyses to determine how
• uh easements uh just restrictions uh easements uh just general<01:49:09.920><c> infrastructure</c><01
• 02:08:51.480><c> funds</c> commission which stated such funds commission which stated such funds restrict
• budget</c><02:08:52.880><c> flexibility</c><02:08:53.880><c> and</c><02:08:54.040><c> reduce</c> restrict
• budget flexibility and reduce restrict budget flexibility and reduce accountability<02:08:55.719><c>

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:15:14.320><c> unless</c> projects to move forward unless projects to move forward unless restrictions
• c> and</c><01:15:15.360><c> oversight</c><01:15:15.760><c> are</c><01:15:15.920><c> better</c> restrictions
• and oversight are better restrictions and oversight are better for<01:15:16.360><c> them</c><01:15:17.239
• not make sense because businesses are involved, people travel to Hawaii to do these sports, and restricting
• and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreational residential use by public lottery and restrict

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• airports would have to operate during the federally funded hours, and whether a noise abatement restriction
• The primary reason for restricting blue lights to emergency vehicles is to maintain public safety and
• This restriction is not only unnecessary but harmful.
• Restricting access to a driver's license would make it harder for these individuals to support themselves
• the EADs is based on federal agency standards, and that the state would not have the ability to restrict

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 758, which would establish a study committee on airport operation hours and possible noise abatement measures, including whether New Hampshire should prohibit departures between midnight and 6 a.m. The sponsor said the committee would examine the pros and cons and consult stakeholders. The Bureau of Aeronautics testified neutrally, noting that New Hampshire has 25 public airports, 12 with federal funding and grant assurances that may require them to remain open during those hours, and that cargo operations, including at Manchester, commonly occur overnight. Members also discussed existing noise abatement programs and how mitigation is determined by noise contours and FAA funding decisions. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing after testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 489, allowing voluntary emergency workers to use rear-facing blue lights on private vehicles when responding to emergencies. The sponsor said the bill corrects an oversight in existing law, would not cost the state or towns money, and would improve visibility and safety, especially in rural areas. Supportive testimony from a volunteer responder emphasized that blue lights help cut through fog, snow, and nighttime conditions, and that the bill would only add a single rear-facing blue light to existing red, amber, and white emergency lighting. The New Hampshire State Police opposed the bill, arguing that expanding blue lights to private vehicles would confuse the public and desensitize drivers to blue lights, which are associated with law enforcement. The hearing closed without action. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 533, which the sponsor and State Police clarified is actually two separate changes: one authorizing civilian automotive equipment inspectors to assist with vehicle inspection work, and another expanding language in motor carrier enforcement to include new entrant safety audits and compliance reviews. The State Police explained that civilian inspectors are hired and trained through the department and that any findings of state-law violations would be referred to troopers; they also said the new motor carrier language was requested to satisfy federal audit concerns about right of entry. The New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said it had no position if the civilian inspectors were not doing commercial truck inspections, but would oppose the bill if they were. Members asked about the difference between audits and compliance reviews, and the State Police said audits are for newer carriers and are non-enforcement, while compliance reviews look for violations. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 533. After a brief reset, the committee opened House Bill 594, which would repeal an alternate definition of “way” for the driving-after-suspension statute. The sponsor said the change was requested by the Department of Justice. Representative Erica Leon opposed the repeal, explaining that the prior language was intended to avoid criminalizing people who mow lawns or perform similar work near property edges while suspended, but she worried the repeal could create a loophole allowing driving on places like highway medians. Members questioned whether the issue was limited to mowing or broader vehicle use on property edges, and Leon said she would work with agencies to clarify the language so it protects lawful mowing without allowing misuse. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:18:20.160><c> than</c><02:18:20.280><c> recommended</c><02:18:20.920><c> guidelines</c> restrictive
• than recommended guidelines restrictive than recommended guidelines for<02:18:21.599><c> many</c><02
• Should it be covered, or when should it be covered, and how should it be restricted if it's covered?
• c><02:28:39.399><c> should</c><02:28:39.560><c> it</c><02:28:39.640><c> be</c><02:28:39.760><c> restricted
• </c> covered and how should it be restricted covered and how should it be restricted if<02:28:40.319>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to briefly point out that the liability waiver is simply restricted to just the, you know, ability
• </c><00:27:34.640><c> to</c> liability waiver is simply restricted to liability waiver is simply restricted
• those treatments um or or rule restrict those treatments um or or rule out<01:33:17.440><c> potentially
• Major hospitals, including those in Boston, are now restricting or stopping these surgeries for minors
• or stopping these are now restricting or stopping these surgeries<02:15:57.199><c> for</c><02:15:57.440

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does include a wide range of unrelated mandates, liability standards, speech restrictions, and there

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So your bill seems to direct that the role of the SRO is restricted from traditional school discipline

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on H.5171, an act relative to safer schools, and H.3895, which would expand career and technical education opportunities for Lynn students. The chair outlined short testimony limits and noted the hearing was livestreamed. Most of the discussion centered on H.5171 and the role of school resource officers (SROs) in schools. Witnesses from the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the CPCS Education Law Project supported H.5171, arguing it would limit SRO involvement to serious criminal conduct, reduce school-to-prison-pipeline harms, and encourage restorative justice, de-escalation, and anti-bias practices. They described examples of students with disabilities being arrested or disciplined in ways they said reflected misunderstandings of disability-related behavior. Committee members asked about real-world school safety concerns, including gang activity and weapons in schools, and the witnesses responded that the bill would not eliminate SROs but would better define their role and improve training. A parent advocate, Joey Ford, testified neutrally on H.5171, saying over-criminalization in schools often stems from district discipline practices, restraint and seclusion, and inconsistent DESE oversight, not only from SROs. On H.3895, Ford spoke in favor of expanding CTE, saying such programs helped him succeed and stay engaged in school. After testimony concluded, the committee closed testimony on both bills and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this legislation does is permanently remove a sunset provision that restricts retired employees

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it’s basically those, these still fall under the Title 19 restrictions of every county, how they go

Bills: SB2130 , SB2135

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: municipal finance, audit exemption, biennial reporting, local government, transparency, county purchasing, purchase card, government accountability, emergency expenditures

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 2135, as amended, would let county purchasing agents obtain purchase cards through a local bank instead of only through the current state program, while keeping existing competitive-bidding and other guardrails. Senator Reinhart said the amendment was developed with the State Auditor’s Office to add protections, and committee questions focused on sealed bids, public award of contracts, spending limits, and how the bill aligns with current state P-card rules. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill then advanced on a 10-0 roll call vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 2130, a constituent-request bill aimed at helping very small towns qualify for grants by easing pre-grant audit requirements. Senator Murdoch explained that towns of 500 people or fewer with $50,000 or less in total funds would be exempt from having to obtain an audit before applying for a grant, though customary audits would still apply otherwise. Members discussed whether the bill could weaken fiscal oversight, whether other audit requirements would still apply, and whether agreed-upon procedures engagements might be a cheaper alternative. The chair and several members supported the measure as a way to help struggling rural communities, and the bill advanced on a 9-1 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• money can do: the capability to deny or approve a specific transaction, or allowing user-specific restrictions

Committee: House Business

Summary: The Business Committee met with a quorum and first approved the February 13 minutes without objection. It then heard House Bill 750, which would create protections around “programmable money” by defining it and prohibiting issuers from requiring it without a free non-digital alternative or from denying transactions based on factors such as race, sex, religion, political views, speech, medical history, or browsing/purchase history. The sponsors said the bill is intended to prevent social-credit-style controls and does not ban cryptocurrency, stablecoins, or digital payments. Members generally supported the measure, with one member noting concerns about the bill’s length but reserving the right to revisit it on the floor. A motion to send HB 750 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed, and one outside witness said the bill addressed theoretical concerns and clarified that stablecoins were separate from the issue. The committee next considered House Bill 738, which would allow LLCs with home-based businesses to use a commercial registered agent’s address instead of their home address on public filings, while still requiring certain ownership information. The sponsor said the change is meant to protect privacy and reduce the risk of people showing up at home addresses, while improving reliability of service for legal and business notices. There was a brief question about whether the bill applied to S-corporations; the sponsor said it applies only to LLCs. The committee voted to send HB 738 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 648, a replacement bill related to parity for anti-cancer medications, including oral and intravenous treatments. The sponsor said the bill had been worked out with interested parties and advocates and was ready to move forward. The committee approved a motion to send HB 648 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• money can do: the capability to deny or approve a specific transaction, or allowing user-specific restrictions

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all