Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> um</c><00:32:03.919><c> I</c><00:32:04.080><c> don't</c><00:32:04.519><c> think</c><00:32:05.320
• 00:32:09.960><c> yeah</c><00:32:10.480><c> it</c><00:32:10.639><c> would</c><00:32:10.880><c> you</c>
• have<00:32:11.320><c> to</c><00:32:11.519><c> be</c><00:32:12.440><c> pretty</c><00:32:13.519><c> um
• <c> you</c><00:32:16.120><c> you</c><00:32:16.200><c> got</c><00:32:16.320><c> to</c><00:32:16.399><c
• comfortable<00:32:17.200><c> in</c><00:32:17.320><c> the</c><00:32:17.480><c> water</c><00:32:18.159

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:32:02.559><c> file</c><00:32:02.799><c> a</c><00:32:02.960><c> claim</c><00:32:03.200>
• </c><00:32:11.200><c> making</c><00:32:11.679><c> process</c><00:32:12.640><c> so</c><00:32:12.880><c
• </c><00:32:17.519><c> or</c><00:32:17.840><c> question</c><00:32:18.240><c> related</c><00:32:18.720>
• :45.679><c> in</c><00:32:46.000><c> this</c><00:32:46.240><c> case</c><00:32:47.120><c> and</c><00:32
• ><c> you</c><00:32:50.000><c> may</c><00:32:50.240><c> have</c><00:32:50.640><c> different</c><00:32:

Bills: HB300 , HB40 , SB19 , HB283 , HB179 , HB296 , HB300 , HB40 , SB19 , HB283 , HB179 , HB296

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration

Transcript Highlights:

• pay more<00:32:03.360><c> and</c><00:32:03.919><c> uh</c><00:32:04.159><c> and</c><00:32:04.399><c>
• again</c><00:32:04.880><c> I</c><00:32:05.120><c> think</c><00:32:05.279><c> it's</c><00:32:05.519><c
• </c><00:32:24.000><c> and</c><00:32:24.640><c> and</c><00:32:24.960><c> I</c><00:32:25.120><c> I</c>
• :32:29.600><c> to</c><00:32:29.840><c> hear</c><00:32:30.159><c> and</c><00:32:30.320><c> and</c> I'm
• </c><00:32:33.519><c> side</c><00:32:33.760><c> is</c><00:32:34.000><c> that</c><00:32:35.200><c> u</

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.120><c> support</c><00:32:01.120><c> of</c><00:32:01.320><c> it</c><00:32:02.320><c> um</c><00:32
• ><c> so</c><00:32:06.440><c> I</c><00:32:06.559><c> can</c><00:32:06.679><c> have</c><00:32:06.880><c
• ><c> and</c><00:32:09.559><c> you</c><00:32:09.679><c> can</c><00:32:09.880><c> live</c><00:32:10.000
• :32:39.960><c> funding</c><00:32:40.399><c> we</c><00:32:40.519><c> must</c><00:32:40.720><c> demand<
• > for</c><00:32:46.760><c> how</c><00:32:46.960><c> these</c><00:32:47.120><c> funds</c><00:32:47.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:05.679><c> got</c><00:32:05.919><c> a</c><00:32:06.080><c> little</c><00:32:06.320><c> bit</c
• ><00:32:06.480><c> more</c><00:32:06.720><c> work</c><00:32:06.880><c> to</c><00:32:07.039><c> do</c>
• </c><00:32:07.600><c> some</c><00:32:08.240><c> amendments</c><00:32:08.799><c> that</c><00:32:08.880
• We It's<00:32:18.720><c> recommendation</c><00:32:19.200><c> the</c><00:32:19.360><c> chair</c><00:32
• Um, vice<00:32:34.000><c> chair</c><00:32:34.240><c> also</c><00:32:34.559><c> votes</c><00:32:34.880

Bills: SB2178

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: industrial hemp, Hawaii, agriculture, sustainability, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2178, which would create an industrial hemp program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, establish an advisory board, support research through the University of Hawaii, and promote hemp-based materials and partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners and cooperatives. Testimony was generally supportive from industry, Native Hawaiian advocates, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the department, with supporters emphasizing economic opportunity, community-based development, and potential uses such as hempcrete and fiber products. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity also said it supported the intent, but its representative explained that the bill would require additional staffing and resources for education, monitoring, testing, and enforcement. Members raised concerns about overlapping regulation with USDA hemp licensing and the cost of new positions; the department estimated three additional positions at about $80,000 each and noted current federal licensing does not charge fees. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including removing state licensing requirements to avoid duplication with USDA authority, making technical changes, and blanking the appropriation amount for later consideration, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. The committee also heard and later took action on several other measures. SB 2702, relating to Hawaiian Homes and an irrigation system inventory, drew support but was postponed for decision-making until February 5 so additional amendments could be prepared. SB 2785, relating to economic development, received mixed testimony but was recommended and adopted for passage without amendments. SB 2790, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Mākai irrigation system, received strong support and was also passed unamended. SB 2314, relating to the Hawaiian language and the legal effect of Hawaiian versions of laws, drew support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and others, while the Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the wording; the committee adopted amendments incorporating language from the judiciary, clarifying that English and Hawaiian are official languages and that priority goes to the version consistent with legislative intent when there is a material difference, and then passed the bill with amendments. All final votes reported were in favor, with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• of</c><00:32:15.039><c> us</c><00:32:15.279><c> are</c><00:32:15.519><c> required</c><00:32:16.080><c
• 00:32:19.279><c> certainly</c><00:32:20.080><c> should</c><00:32:20.799><c> listen</c><00:32:21.200><
• And so what you<00:32:33.519><c> have</c><00:32:33.760><c> before</c><00:32:34.200><c> you</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:39.600><c> about</c><00:32:39.840><c> today</c><00:32:40.080><c> and</c><00:32:40.320><c>
• ><c> at</c><00:32:57.600><c> a</c><00:32:57.840><c> level</c><00:32:58.080><c> that</c><00:32:58.399>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> what</c><00:32:09.120><c> we</c><00:32:09.279><c> did</c><00:32:09.840><c> and</c><00:32:10.159>
• 32:11.519><c> the</c><00:32:11.760><c> bid</c><00:32:12.080><c> based</c><00:32:12.320><c> on</c> is
• </c><00:32:13.600><c> not</c><00:32:13.840><c> how</c><00:32:14.000><c> much</c><00:32:14.240><c> to<
• </c><00:32:15.120><c> would</c><00:32:15.440><c> cost</c><00:32:15.760><c> to</c><00:32:16.000><c> do
• :32:31.760><c> is</c><00:32:31.840><c> this</c><00:32:32.080><c> the</c><00:32:32.240><c> last</c><00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.519><c> In</c><00:32:01.760><c> this</c><00:32:01.919><c> role,</c><00:32:02.240><c> she
• all<00:32:06.880><c> students</c><00:32:07.200><c> to</c><00:32:07.440><c> receive</c><00:32:07.840><
• Lauren,</c><00:32:27.279><c> I</c><00:32:27.519><c> now</c><00:32:27.760><c> yield</c><00:32:28.000>
• <00:32:45.919><c> Teacher</c><00:32:46.240><c> of</c><00:32:46.320><c> the</c><00:32:46.480><c> Year<
• </c><00:32:54.240><c> Ian</c><00:32:54.640><c> has</c><00:32:54.799><c> been</c><00:32:54.880><c> the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:00.399><c> Vice</c><00:32:00.640><c> chair</c><00:32:00.960><c> for</c><00:32:01.120><c> the<
• Sher<00:32:01.760><c> vi.</c><00:32:02.559><c> I</c><00:32:02.720><c> vote</c><00:32:02.960><c> yes.
• Senator<00:32:04.799><c> Kim</c><00:32:05.120><c> and</c><00:32:05.519><c> excuse</c><00:32:05.840><c
• :32:13.279><c> a</c><00:32:13.519><c> contract</c><00:32:13.840><c> for</c><00:32:14.080><c> the</c>
• that</c><00:32:44.880><c> we</c><00:32:45.039><c> discussed</c><00:32:45.279><c> in</c><00:32:45.519

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on economic development, tourism, agriculture, and gaming. It first took up a measure to support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity through the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, with testimony from DBEDT, HTDC, and APE Hawaii in support. Witnesses said the proposal aligns with federal and university partnerships, could help small and medium-sized businesses, and could support use of industrial sites such as the Mililani Technology Park. The committee then considered a resolution asking DBEDT to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants statewide; testimony was mixed, with support for culinary recognition but concerns about cost and uncertainty over the return on investment. The committee amended that measure to require review and evaluation of the cost and benefit before sponsorship. The committee also heard a resolution directing the Agribusiness Development Corporation to assume routine maintenance and repair of the Kohala ditch. ADC testified that it would need to meet with stakeholders, assess the damage, and likely spend the first year determining needed repairs before seeking additional capital funding; members noted a prior $10 million appropriation and asked that the committee report reflect a transfer of those funds to ADC. The measure was moved forward as is, with that comment for the report. The most extensive discussion centered on a resolution to establish a tourism and gaming working group within DBEDT. Supporters included DBEDT, Aloha Halawa District Partners, labor representatives, the stadium authority, and Boyd Gaming, who described it as a first step to gather data and recommendations before any gaming policy decisions. Opponents argued the gaming industry should not help write the rules, warned about problem gambling and outside corporate influence, and urged the committee to reject the measure. The committee ultimately passed the resolution with an SD1 and technical amendments, and members said they would keep the issue open for further discussion, including possible inclusion of AHDP in the working group. The committee also heard and advanced a separate resolution urging the stadium authority to finalize the new Aloha Stadium contract and continue work on the entertainment district, with testimony both supporting the project and opposing it in favor of more housing. The committee voted to pass the stadium resolution as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:27.360><c> in</c><00:32:27.480><c> our</c><00:32:27.600><c> test</c><00:32:27.880><c> Tony</c>
• ><c> stand</c><00:32:31.960><c> on</c><00:32:32.360><c> um</c><00:32:32.559><c> for</c><00:32:32.960>
• </c><00:32:42.159><c> with</c><00:32:42.279><c> the</c><00:32:42.360><c> retail</c><00:32:42.720><c>
• merchants of Hawaii<00:32:43.960><c> and</c><00:32:44.159><c> yes</c><00:32:44.360><c> we</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:54.200><c> or</c><00:32:54.559><c> weed</c><00:32:54.880><c> whackers</c><00:32:55.360><c>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 205 HD1 and HB 480 HD1 on workers’ compensation. Testifiers from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Resources Development supported the bills, with DLIR saying HB 205 would codify and regulate nonprescription over-the-counter drugs at a reasonable rate, and DHRD saying HB 480 would encourage timely and accurate assessments of injured workers’ physical abilities. No opposition was raised on those measures, and the committee moved on without votes or amendments noted. On HB 331 HD1 relating to permits, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Facilities Authority supported the bill, while the Board of Water Supply and Greg Mikan opposed it. Supporters did not elaborate much beyond standing on written testimony, but the School Facilities Authority asked that renovations be added to the definition of repeatable projects. Opponents argued the Department of Planning and Permitting is understaffed and that bypassing or speeding the permitting review process could create problems, especially for projects requiring proper engineering review. No action was taken beyond hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 72 HD1 on pharmacy technician regulation, with the Board of Pharmacy offering comments and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Walgreens, and Mōʻiliʻili Drugs supporting the measure. Supporters said pharmacy technicians already perform essential duties such as vaccinations, compounding, inventory, and dispensing, and argued Hawaiʻi is the only state without an active managed list of practicing pharmacy technicians. On HB 139 HD1 regarding insurance, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and the Hawaii Society for Clinical Oncologists supported the bill, arguing fertility preservation coverage should not conflict with federal law or the prepaid health care system. On HB 32 HD1 relating to cannabis, the Attorney General and Department of Health raised concerns about allowing purchase before certification is approved, while the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association supported the bill and suggested lowering the purchase limit from 2 ounces to 1 ounce; the Department of Health said its average turnaround is two to three business days, with about 20% of applications returned for incompleteness and an internal expedited process for certain cases. Later, the committee heard HB 470 HD1 on noise, with the Department of Health supporting the goal of reducing noise pollution but cautioning that regulating intermittent noise like string trimmers is complicated, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill as a hardship for small businesses and questioned the practicality of battery-powered equipment. Ted Bolan supported the measure, saying it would not ban gas leaf blowers but would require quieter models over time. The committee then heard HB 534 HD1 on labeling requirements, where DLNR and the Department of Agriculture offered comments and several fishing and consumer groups supported the bill. Testimony focused on seafood origin labeling, especially raw tuna used in poke and sushi, with DLNR explaining the bill was being narrowed to avoid federal preemption and to avoid unintentionally covering canned tuna or other processed products. Finally, the committee heard H47 HD1 on aquaculture, with the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supporting the measure; no votes were taken on any bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:16.480><c> of</c><00:32:16.720><c> imposing</c><00:32:17.200><c> the</c><00:32:17.360><c>
• This<00:32:18.799><c> notice</c><00:32:19.200><c> must</c><00:32:19.440><c> include</c><00:32:19.760>
• Section 15 requires<00:32:26.480><c> the</c><00:32:26.640><c> court</c><00:32:26.880><c> to</c><00:32
• :43.039><c> in</c><00:32:43.279><c> a</c><00:32:43.440><c> hospital</c><00:32:44.240><c> or</c><00:32
• c> risk</c><00:32:48.799><c> of</c><00:32:49.039><c> substantial</c><00:32:49.519><c> harm</c><00:32:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:03.279><c> much</c><00:32:03.519><c> simpler</c><00:32:03.840><c> than</c><00:32:04.000><c
• </c><00:32:05.360><c> I</c><00:32:05.519><c> mean,</c><00:32:05.600><c> when</c><00:32:05.840><c> I</
• ><c> was</c><00:32:16.559><c> only</c><00:32:16.720><c> me</c><00:32:16.880><c> and</c><00:32:17.039>
• :32:22.799><c> to</c><00:32:22.960><c> run</c><00:32:23.120><c> the</c><00:32:24.159><c> town</c><00:
• We<00:32:28.000><c> do</c><00:32:28.159><c> also</c><00:32:28.480><c> have</c><00:32:28.640><c> to</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion broadly around whether school building aid should remain a state program, how to address limited revenues, and whether the current system should continue to prioritize debt service and the existing formula or move toward a different model such as per-pupil allocations, a dedicated fund, or a split between new construction and renovation. He also raised questions about whether leasing should be included and how to manage any new fund under current law and the school building authority structure. Representatives and department staff discussed the current backlog of applications, the age and condition of school facilities, and the possibility that large projects can consume available funding for a year while other districts go unsupported. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities introduced himself and provided technical context on the program and current debt levels. Representative Luneau argued that under the ConVal decision, the state’s responsibility includes school buildings, construction, and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property wealth. He noted that construction and renovation have long been recognized categories and asked about leasing, which staff said is already supported in statute for charter schools and possibly CTE, with a cap of 30% of annual lease cost or $50,000. The discussion also covered CTE facilities: staff explained that capital funding for CTE centers is state-funded, that federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction, and that the current rotational capital model means only a few centers are funded each year, which may not match changing program needs. A committee studying CTE capital needs was referenced, along with concerns that the report from that work had not yet been received. Representative Papich urged the subcommittee to focus on policy, principles, and structure rather than just numbers, saying the current system produces a few winners and many districts that never receive aid. He favored a simpler, more equitable per-capita or formula-based approach, while acknowledging the need for a transition plan for projects already in the pipeline. The chair later cautioned against mixing maintenance and operations with construction and renovation, noting that operation and maintenance are already part of the adequacy formula and should not be confused with capital funding. No votes were taken during the meeting; the discussion was exploratory, with members and staff laying out competing approaches and identifying issues for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:07.200><c> once</c><00:32:07.480><c> again</c><00:32:07.840><c> a</c><00:32:08.000><c> federal</c>
• <00:32:30.960><c> budget</c><00:32:31.320><c> being</c><00:32:31.679><c> passed</c><00:32:32.519><c>
• c> that</c><00:32:41.200><c> we</c><00:32:41.360><c> have</c><00:32:41.519><c> in</c><00:32:41.720><c
• 00:32:47.559><c> right</c><00:32:47.760><c> now</c><00:32:48.279><c> and</c><00:32:48.559><c> and</c>
• </c><00:32:49.159><c> level</c><00:32:49.360><c> of</c><00:32:49.919><c> reserves</c><00:32:50.919><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:04.240><c> shortage</c><00:32:04.840><c> I</c><00:32:04.960><c> was</c><00:32:05.200><c> just<
• 09.960><c> of</c><00:32:10.120><c> people</c><00:32:10.360><c> to</c><00:32:10.559><c> talk</c><00:32
• 00:32:18.760><c> jails</c><00:32:19.639><c> waiting</c><00:32:20.279><c> to</c><00:32:20.559><c> have
• > exams</c><00:32:21.720><c> or</c><00:32:22.080><c> to</c><00:32:22.360><c> have</c><00:32:22.679><c
• </c><00:32:30.639><c> so</c><00:32:31.240><c> it's</c><00:32:31.399><c> a</c><00:32:31.600><c> big</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe I I get<00:32:02.320><c> a</c><00:32:02.480><c> few</c><00:32:02.640><c> calls</c><00:32:02.960
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:32:17.120><c> So</c><00:32:17.760><c> the</c><00:32:18.159><c> the</c><00:32:18.640
• ><c> do</c><00:32:23.039><c> and</c><00:32:23.279><c> then</c><00:32:23.440><c> for</c><00:32:23.760>
• </c><00:32:29.360><c> deciding</c><00:32:29.840><c> where</c><00:32:30.080><c> they</c><00:32:30.240>
• </c><00:32:36.799><c> so</c><00:32:36.960><c> they're</c><00:32:37.200><c> coming</c><00:32:37.440><c

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:47 Maintenance 12:40 Approval of Minutes 12:55 Vehicle Regulation 21:08 General Admin and Highways 34:11 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the minutes once quorum was established. The committee heard presentations from Transportation Cabinet officials Mike Hancock, Jeremy Slinker, and Sean McCarnieran on maintenance, vehicle regulation, general administration, highways, and related capital projects. Hancock emphasized that maintenance is the cabinet’s most visible public service, especially for snow and ice removal and routine roadway upkeep, and said rising costs have outpaced funding. He cited a 61% increase in highway construction costs since 2020 and said maintenance spending was $488 million in FY 2024 and $511 million in FY 2025, while the FY 2026 baseline request was $483.3 million. The cabinet’s additional maintenance request would add $23.6 million in FY 2027 and $38.6 million in FY 2028, with expected impacts on litter pickup, mowing, vegetation management, and pothole repair if not funded. The cabinet also outlined five maintenance-related capital projects: additional funding for Ballard County maintenance/salt storage, Hopkins County maintenance/salt storage, Whitley County maintenance/salt structure, and the District 2 office and materials lab, plus reauthorization of the Breckinridge County maintenance and salt facility. Hancock also asked for budget language allowing the cabinet to use unexpected restricted and federal funds more quickly, similar to existing authority for federal earmarks. McCarnieran described the governor’s inclusion of funding for the ASHTOWare system, employee health exams, priority IT projects, and a District 7 office renovation request, noting that some items were not funded because they ranked low among competing projects. He also said the governor’s budget included a $7.5 million annual maintenance pool for the cabinet’s 1,200 facilities and requested additional restricted fund authority for Trimark and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. Slinker focused on the Department of Vehicle Regulation, saying recent investments in staffing and equipment had reduced wait times and improved customer service in driver licensing offices. He requested $535,600 to keep temporary contract workers in place for the rest of the year, warning that without it regional office operations would have to be reduced. He said the surge in demand was driven by new 15-year-old licensing requirements, vision testing, and Real ID implementation, but believed the volume was beginning to level out. He also outlined FY 2027 and FY 2028 plans totaling $20.38 million and $19.85 million, including six new regional offices and a shift away from temporary workers toward state positions. Additional requests included $106,000 for debt service on the new driver’s license modernization system and operating costs of $5 million in FY 2027 and $2.5 million in FY 2028 to support the transition from the old system. Members asked about the cabinet’s funding sources, and officials said the road fund is the primary source, supported by motor fuels tax, usage tax, driver-related receipts, and some restricted funds; they stressed that the requests were not for additional general fund dollars. Questions also covered employee health exam reimbursements, the annual Trimark/Cumberland Gap contract, and the District 7 renovation request. No votes were taken on the budget items during the meeting, beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• maybe</c><00:32:03.200><c> um</c><00:32:03.760><c> reserve</c><00:32:04.159><c> some</c><00:32:04.399
• &gt;&gt; explain<00:32:18.480><c> my</c><00:32:18.640><c> vote,</c><00:32:18.960><c> Madam</c><00:32
• Uh again, Senator,<00:32:24.000><c> I</c><00:32:24.240><c> commend</c><00:32:24.480><c> you</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:30.960><c> What</c><00:32:31.200><c> they</c><00:32:31.440><c> won't</c><00:32:31.600><c>
• 32:32.159><c> from</c><00:32:32.320><c> the</c><00:32:32.480><c> study</c><00:32:32.880><c> though</c

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we're<00:32:00.640><c> we</c><00:32:00.960><c> will</c><00:32:01.120><c> end</c><00:32:01.360><c>
• Um there<00:32:11.840><c> is</c><00:32:12.240><c> a</c><00:32:12.559><c> nonprofit</c><00:32:13.360><
• </c><00:32:30.880><c> We're</c><00:32:31.120><c> not</c><00:32:31.279><c> going</c><00:32:31.360><c>
• </c><00:32:33.760><c> uh</c><00:32:34.960><c> the</c><00:32:35.279><c> merits</c><00:32:35.679><c> of
• I</c><00:32:36.720><c> do</c><00:32:36.960><c> think</c><00:32:37.120><c> it's</c><00:32:37.360><c>

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: HB 66 (discussion only) -- 00:05:33 Consideration of HB 213 -- 00:12:16 Consideration of HB 314 -- 00:22:11, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.840><c> uh</c><00:32:04.000><c> as</c><00:32:04.159><c> well</c><00:32:04.320><c> as</c><00
• </c><00:32:09.919><c> that</c><00:32:10.159><c> are</c><00:32:10.240><c> in</c><00:32:10.399><c> the<
• multiple<00:32:24.399><c> phases</c><00:32:24.799><c> of</c><00:32:24.880><c> a</c><00:32:25.120><c>
• </c><00:32:41.200><c> Uh</c><00:32:41.679><c> so</c><00:32:41.919><c> that's</c><00:32:42.320><c> a</
• :32:45.360><c> uh</c><00:32:45.440><c> grant</c><00:32:45.679><c> and</c><00:32:45.919><c> aid</c><00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.799><c> um</c><00:32:01.039><c> the</c><00:32:01.159><c> way</c><00:32:01.360><c> that</c><00:32:
• 32:35.279><c> deal</c><00:32:35.600><c> with</c><00:32:36.080><c> uh</c><00:32:36.399><c> bills</c><00
• <00:32:42.559><c> this</c><00:32:42.679><c> is</c><00:32:42.799><c> what</c><00:32:42.960><c> we</c><
• > about</c><00:32:48.240><c> he</c><00:32:48.440><c> needs</c><00:32:49.039><c> to</c><00:32:50.240><
• </c><01:32:03.080><c> the</c><01:32:03.760><c> the</c><01:32:04.360><c> um</c><01:32:05.360><c> the</

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:03.799><c> within</c><00:32:04.039><c> our</c><00:32:04.240><c> children's</c><00:32:04.679><c>
• ><c> care</c><00:32:05.399><c> and</c><00:32:05.519><c> if</c><00:32:05.639><c> we</c><00:32:05.880><
• </c><00:32:08.080><c> um</c><00:32:08.279><c> what</c><00:32:08.399><c> I</c><00:32:08.480><c> would<
• <c> away</c><00:32:09.720><c> from</c><00:32:09.960><c> this</c><00:32:10.159><c> is</c><00:32:10.320
• 32:44.000><c> to</c><01:32:44.480><c> to</c><01:32:44.639><c> do</c><01:32:44.840><c> to</c><01:32:45.119

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.