Transcript Highlights:

• :22.760><c> anyone</c><00:02:23.080><c> to</c><00:02:23.200><c> have</c><00:02:23.360><c> any</c><00:
• any questions on this<00:02:26.640><c> do</c><00:02:26.760><c> I</c><00:02:26.920><c> have</c><00:02
• :27.000><c> a</c><00:02:27.160><c> motion</c><00:02:27.800><c> to</c><00:02:28.800><c> do</c><00:02:28.920
• ><c> Poli</c><00:02:32.720><c> call</c><00:02:32.920><c> the</c> Madam Secretary Poli call the Madam
• <00:02:43.400><c> Senator</c> Elkins Senator Elkins Senator Haron<00:02:45.560><c> Senator</c> Haron

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:44 Attendance Roll Call: 00:55 SB 193 (Sen. Girdler): 01:53 SB 9 (Sen. Higdon): 03:22 SB 257 (Sen. Tichenor): 34:14 Adjournment: 50:57, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government first took up Senate Bill 193, a simple measure described as restoring wallet cards for jailers to carry when they are outside the jail. The sponsor noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee approved the bill 9-0 for passage to the Senate floor. The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Higdon, which would change how the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) treats sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave in retirement calculations. The sponsor argued the bill is intended to address TRS’s financial challenges by standardizing leave rules statewide, limiting TRS retirement credit to 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, requiring districts to pay the actuarial cost for any leave beyond the cap, and adding reporting and oversight requirements for participating agencies. He also said the bill would add 30 days of maternity leave, allow voluntary district contributions for tier four teachers, and direct the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agencies. Committee members asked about how overages would be audited and billed, the cost of a sick day, and how the bill would interact with local leave policies, including paid parental leave in some districts. The sponsor clarified that existing accumulated leave would not be affected, that the bill applies going forward, and that districts could still offer more leave but would bear the added cost. Members also discussed whether the maternity leave language set a cap or a minimum, and one senator noted the bill was intended to preserve personal days while stopping annual leave from being converted into pension credit. No vote on Senate Bill 9 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• comes</c><01:02:04.079><c> to</c><01:02:04.240><c> AGR</c><01:02:05.000><c> tourism</c><01:02:06.000>
• have an issue<01:02:19.200><c> where</c><01:02:19.559><c> a</c><01:02:19.880><c> lot</c><01:02:20.039
• > trying</c><01:02:32.559><c> very</c><01:02:32.760><c> hard</c><01:02:33.000><c> to</c><01:02:33.400
• <01:02:51.559><c> when</c><01:02:52.039><c> you</c><01:02:52.240><c> have</c><01:02:52.400><c> the</c
• ><c> lot</c><01:02:54.480><c> of</c><01:02:54.640><c> consideration</c><01:02:55.119><c> to</c><01:02

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><02:02:08.159><c> there</c><02:02:08.360><c> anyone</c><02:02:08.679><c> else</c><02:02:08.920><c>
• c><02:02:18.159><c> because</c><02:02:18.400><c> we</c><02:02:18.520><c> have</c><02:02:18.679><c> a<
• ><c> and</c><02:02:25.520><c> the</c><02:02:25.679><c> committee</c><02:02:26.079><c> will</c><02:02:
• ><c> oh</c><02:02:31.320><c> yes</c><02:02:31.560><c> sorry</c><02:02:32.480><c> we</c><02:02:32.679>
• Bill 525<02:02:42.719><c> which</c><02:02:42.960><c> we</c><02:02:43.480><c> heard</c><02:02:44.480>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 610, which would fold the Office of the Consumer Advocate into the Department of Energy rather than fully eliminate consumer advocacy functions. The prime sponsor argued the current office is small, funded by a special assessment on ratepayers, and duplicative of DOE work. He said moving the function to DOE would streamline energy policy review, reduce bureaucracy, and better focus the larger agency on lowering residential energy costs. He also disputed claims that the Consumer Advocate is independent, saying the office is appointed through a political process similar to DOE leadership. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would actually relocate existing positions or replace them, and whether the Department of Energy would absorb the cost of the transferred staff. The sponsor said the fiscal note shows roughly a million-dollar reduction in both revenue assessment and spending, and that the bill would effectively reduce the office from five positions to three. He also defended his cost estimates for energy-code-related housing impacts and said the Consumer Advocate has sometimes supported policies he считает increase costs, such as energy-efficiency measures and building code changes. He argued the office should focus more on energy supply and generation, including natural gas and nuclear, rather than efficiency alone. Representative Wendy Thomas testified in opposition, saying the Consumer Advocate is an important, fair, and impartial voice for ratepayers and warning that the bill was fiscally irresponsible because the incumbent could still be owed salary and benefits if the office were repealed. She also said the bill’s drafting was confusing and that the Consumer Advocate’s role is to push back on utilities on behalf of consumers. Other members raised questions about whether the DOE would simply inherit the same political appointment structure and whether the bill would meaningfully lower bills. No vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated additional testimony would follow, and the Department of Energy was present to answer questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:01:20.199><c> and</c><02:01:20.400><c> beyond</c><02:01:20.920><c> what</c><02:01:21.159><c> statute
• </c> would be above and beyond what statute would be above and beyond what statute says<02:01:21.719>
• </c><02:02:00.639><c> this</c><02:02:00.800><c> is</c><02:02:01.480><c> weighted</c><02:02:02.079><c>
• ><c> things</c><02:02:03.119><c> that</c><02:02:03.239><c> are</c><02:02:03.440><c> outside</c><02:02
• 02:02:07.400><c> okay</c><02:02:07.760><c> I</c><02:02:08.119><c> I</c><02:02:08.199><c> think</c><02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula. The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now. Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:02:03.160><c> out</c><01:02:03.400><c> not</c><01:02:03.599><c> only</c><01:02:03.920><c> what</c>
• the issues<01:02:04.440><c> are</c><01:02:04.640><c> but</c><01:02:04.839><c> where</c><01:02:05.000
• cas</c><01:02:26.160><c> that</c><01:02:26.279><c> we</c><01:02:26.440><c> talk</c><01:02:26.680><c>
• to the opportunity<01:02:29.880><c> to</c><01:02:30.000><c> bring</c><01:02:30.160><c> it</c><01:02:
• the life<01:02:35.440><c> Jack</c><01:02:35.839><c> at</c><01:02:36.200><c> loner</c><01:02:36.760><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 28 for a Health and Human Services Oversight Committee meeting, approved the draft minutes from February 21, and then received updates from DHHS on the sudden termination of about $80 million in federal COVID-era funding. Commissioner Lori Weaver and Trisha Tilly said the funding had been expected to continue through September 2026, but an email ending it immediately created a 15-month budget gap. They explained that most of the money supported public health work, especially epidemiology, laboratory capacity, data systems, community health workers, outbreak response, and some behavioral health supports. DHHS said it had notified contractors, was reassessing which activities could continue, and had managed to avoid layoffs for its 20 affected staff by shifting funding sources, though some contract lab staff had to leave and some work would stop or be put on hold. Senators and representatives asked about impacts on labs, staffing, and the state budget lapse, and DHHS said the water lab and testing supplies would be affected and that the department was trying to backfill where possible with other federal funds. The committee then heard a maternal mortality report from the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Alison Power and Caroline Naami explained that the MMRC reviews maternal deaths to identify contributing factors and make recommendations, and that it had completed one CDC grant and received another five years of funding. For 2023, the state recorded five pregnancy-associated deaths, including three from overdose, two from cardiovascular causes, and one homicide; the share of deaths related to substance use fell from 62.5% in 2022 to 40% in 2023. Over the 2019–2023 period, half of pregnancy-related deaths were due to overdose, most occurred postpartum, and many involved Medicaid recipients, transportation or financial barriers, and deaths at home. The committee said mental health and substance use remained the main drivers of maternal mortality, but that 79% of pregnancy-related deaths in the five-year aggregate were considered preventable. Presenters highlighted recommendations and ongoing interventions, including expanding Medicaid coverage through one year postpartum, strengthening behavioral health access, partnering with the Department of Corrections on care for pregnant and postpartum women, and continuing clinical education through the Northern New England Perinatal Quality Improvement Network. Members asked why the maternal mortality rate had declined in recent years; staff said the 2021 spike was tied to the pandemic and that recent declines likely reflected both that spike and the impact of interventions, though the small number of cases makes trends hard to interpret. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank you<02:04:03.800><c> also</c><02:04:04.119><c> signed</c><02:04:04.400><c> up</c><02:04:04.559
• </c><02:07:24.119><c> if</c><02:07:24.239><c> I</c><02:07:24.400><c> may</c><02:07:24.920><c> I</c><02
• 02:09:39.840><c> in</c><02:09:40.079><c> place</c><02:09:40.320><c> to</c><02:09:40.520><c> S</c><02:
• 02:36:19.800><c> as</c><02:36:20.120><c> needed</c><02:36:21.120><c> so</c><02:36:21.240><c> I</c><02
• <02:57:23.720><c> in</c><02:57:24.399><c> the</c><02:57:24.800><c> in</c><02:57:25.000><c> any</c><02

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They had to replace that actually took the copper out. system we have system we have pretty<00:02:50.080
• ><c> much</c><00:02:50.879><c> $50</c> once<00:02:57.760><c> you</c><00:02:57.920><c> turn</c><00:02:
• in statute or allowable in statute, and then the rules that they came up with then went above that,
• </c><00:10:59.200><c> misalign</c><00:11:00.079><c> statute</c><00:11:00.959><c> uh</c><00:11:01.040>
• <c> with</c> been doing. misalign statute uh with been doing. misalign statute uh with current<00:11:

Bills: SB277 , HB395 , HB482 , SB251 , HB513

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: decentralized nonprofit association, unincorporated nonprofit association, blockchain, distributed ledger technology, smart contract, digital asset, crypto, web3, DAO, decentralized autonomous organization, nonprofit governance, digital membership, consensus mechanism, ledger, Alabama nonprofit law, entity formation, liability protection, service of process, real property, winding up

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:30.080><c> of</c><02:02:30.239><c> what</c><02:02:30.400><c> we</c><02:02:30.639><c> were</c><
• there.<02:02:31.599><c> We</c><02:02:31.760><c> had</c><02:02:32.400><c> numerous</c><02:02:32.800><c
• </c><02:02:34.639><c> Uh</c><02:02:34.960><c> so</c><02:02:35.280><c> they</c><02:02:35.599><c> were<
• We<02:02:40.719><c> had</c><02:02:40.880><c> a</c><02:02:41.199><c> booth</c><02:02:41.840><c> and</c
• and so on.<02:02:44.880><c> So</c><02:02:45.599><c> uh</c><02:02:45.679><c> they</c><02:02:45.920><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements to apply to new appropriations exceeding $2 million and meet the scope described in 21-02
• requirements to apply to new appropriations exceeding $2 million and meet the scope described in 21-02
• A statute of limitations is created stating that any claims filed challenging the validity of this act
• Please reject 2091, revisit the underlying statute, and put workers above unions. Thank you.
• My wife and my children are enrolled members of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota.

Summary: The committee took up executive action on the capital budget, Proposed Substitute Senate Bill 6003, and several policy bills. Staff described amendments to the capital budget that shifted funding among behavioral health, local/community projects, irrigation projects, and juvenile rehabilitation capacity, plus a technical fix to the water pollution control revolving program. The committee adopted Senator Dozier’s budget-neutral amendment and a technical amendment, then advanced the amended capital budget to the Rules Committee. It also moved House Bills 2441, 2124, 2471, 2133, 2610, and 2338 forward with due-pass recommendations, and advanced Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 on Climate Commitment Act accounts to the Transportation Committee after adopting two amendments and withdrawing three others. A major public hearing focused on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which would terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1 in 2029, transfer surplus assets, and direct portions to the Climate Commitment Account and the pension funding stabilization account. Staff said the plan is currently about 160% funded and explained the bill’s IRS-review process, statute of limitations, and estimated implementation costs. Testimony was sharply divided: some retirees, firefighters, counties, and cities opposed the bill as an improper use of pension assets and urged benefit enhancements or protection of local medical obligations, while others supported using the surplus for broader public purposes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2179 on PERS coverage for certain port workers, with ports and the Washington Public Ports Association supporting clarification for railroad employees covered by the federal railroad retirement system. House Bill 1069, allowing Department of Corrections employees to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits, drew support from Teamsters and corrections workers, while House Bill 2091, expanding employee-information sharing with bargaining representatives, drew union support and privacy objections from Washington Policy Center. Finally, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 on targeted urban area tax preferences drew support from labor, local governments, and project proponents, and opposition from contractor groups and environmental advocates over project labor agreement requirements and nuclear-related concerns; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 on community preservation and development authorities and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974 on land bank authorities for affordable housing were also heard, with both receiving supportive testimony from community and housing advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> above</c><02:02:05.840><c> that</c><02:02:06.239><c> I</c><02:02:06.480><c> don't</c><02:02:06.639
• reduce<02:02:40.480><c> the</c><02:02:41.119><c> uh</c><02:02:41.280><c> general</c><02:02:41.679><c
• c> first</c><02:02:45.199><c> year</c><02:02:45.360><c> and</c><02:02:45.679><c> 35</c><02:02:46.159>
• :02:51.199><c> items</c><02:02:51.679><c> on</c><02:02:51.920><c> on</c><02:02:52.320><c> the</c><02:
• Yes.<02:02:57.440><c> Where</c><02:02:57.599><c> where</c><02:02:57.840><c> is</c><02:02:58.000><c> it

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there. Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights. The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:32.359><c> sort</c><01:02:32.559><c> of</c><01:02:33.200><c> continued</c><01:02:34.200><c
• /c><01:02:36.039><c> parse</c><01:02:36.400><c> through</c><01:02:36.680><c> what</c><01:02:36.799><c
• 01:02:39.319><c> introduced</c><01:02:39.839><c> was</c><01:02:40.079><c> more</c><01:02:40.319><c> narrowly
• ><c> to</c><01:02:42.480><c> SFA</c><01:02:43.480><c> um</c><01:02:44.359><c> and</c><01:02:45.200><c
• > if</c><01:02:45.359><c> it</c><01:02:45.599><c> does</c><01:02:45.920><c> what</c><01:02:46.079><c>

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures. SB 38 SD2 drew mixed testimony on changes to 21H projects, with HHFDC supporting and county and community groups split between support and opposition. In discussion, members focused on how county legislative bodies can alter projects in ways that increase costs, including changes to AMI mixes and fee waivers. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, limiting county changes that would impose stricter conditions than HHFDC, stricter AMI requirements, or reduced fee waivers; the motion passed with one member voting with reservations and two members excused. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 71 SD2, which would revise the rental housing revolving fund. Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi YIMBY, and NAAP Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken support for deeply affordable units, eliminate the 5% set-aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and create a funding gap for households between 60% and 120% AMI. Supporters of the bill, including public housing and some development interests, emphasized the need to redirect funding and make the program more flexible. In decision-making, the committee described the bill as making comprehensive changes that would narrow Tier 2 toward higher-income projects and favor shorter loan terms, then moved it out with amendments. The committee also heard and advanced several other measures with little or no opposition: SB 40 SD2 on state finances, SB 378 on HHFDC, SB 572 SD1 on housing, SB 1229 ST2 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 602 on the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority all received support testimony and were moved forward. For SB 65 SD2, HPHA and other agencies supported the measure, and HPHA testified it sought roughly $8 million to $10 million for repair and maintenance of units not covered by CIP funds. The committee also took up SB 826 SD1 on the low-income housing tax credit, where HHFDC, the Tax Foundation, and DHHL expressed confusion over the bill’s intent and whether it would bar state agencies from using LIHTC financing; no action was taken on that item in the excerpt. SB 944 SD2 on LIHTC transferability drew support and a suggestion to keep clarifying language that notifies the tax department, and the committee indicated it would keep the provision in.

Transcript Highlights:

• good morning<00:02:03.920><c> committee</c><00:02:04.360><c> my</c><00:02:04.479><c> name</c><00:02:
• /c><00:02:12.560><c> my</c><00:02:12.720><c> name</c><00:02:12.879><c> is</c><00:02:13.000><c> Laura<
• <c> and</c><00:02:14.400><c> I</c><00:02:14.560><c> am</c><00:02:14.840><c> from</c><00:02:15.080><c>
• <c> this</c><00:02:21.920><c> bill</c><00:02:22.200><c> forward</c><00:02:23.000><c> House</c><00:02:
• from Nelson County<00:02:29.519><c> is</c><00:02:29.640><c> a</c><00:02:29.959><c> simple</c><00:02:

Keywords: The previous live stream for this committee experienced a technical issue. This is the complete meeting recording recovered from backups., 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 44, “Landon’s Law,” sponsored by Rep. Candy Massaroni. The bill would allow schools to keep anti-choking devices such as LifeVac on hand while limiting liability. Testimony from Equal First Aid and LifeVac emphasized that choking is a leading cause of death for children, that the devices are noninvasive and FDA-registered, and that updated Red Cross guidance allows their use when standard rescue protocols fail or are not feasible. Lauren McCubbins, Landon McCubbin’s mother, gave emotional testimony about her 8-year-old son’s death from choking at school and urged the committee to give schools an added rescue option. Members asked questions about how the device works, whether the Heimlich maneuver remains part of the protocol, and whether the bill is limited to LifeVac or applies to similar devices. The bill was reported favorably, with a roll call vote showing unanimous support from members present. The committee then heard a bill sponsored by Rep. J. Baker aimed at reducing administrative burdens in schools and supporting teacher recruitment and retention. The measure would lengthen the required evaluation cycle for tenured teachers from every three years to every five years, provide teachers a copy of their employment contract upon request, streamline professional development provisions, update continuous school improvement plan filing requirements, restore schools’ ability to use Title II funds for certain programs after an unintended consequence of prior legislation, and require KDE to review reporting requirements and eliminate those not required by law. Rep. Baker said the bill was developed with teachers and administrators through a working group and is intended to reduce “check-the-box” tasks so educators can focus on instruction. Amanda Butler of Spencer County Schools and other educators testified that the changes would save time, preserve funding for mentor and induction programs, and reduce repetitive paperwork. Rep. Fleming asked for clarification on the longer evaluation cycle, and an educator witness explained that each evaluation involves pre-observation, observation, and post-observation time and that districts would still retain flexibility to evaluate more often if needed. No final vote on this bill was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:05.440><c> is</c><02:02:05.760><c> made</c><02:02:06.679><c> but</c><02:02:06.840><c> the</c><02:
• the person<02:02:10.719><c> is</c><02:02:10.880><c> in</c><02:02:11.040><c> the</c><02:02:11.239><c>
• joint</c><02:02:12.000><c> custody</c><02:02:13.000><c> of</c><02:02:13.199><c> the</c><02:02:13.480
• custody is<02:02:16.280><c> the</c><02:02:16.520><c> key</c><02:02:16.800><c> word</c><02:02:17.159>
• :02:19.480><c> have</c><02:02:19.560><c> to</c><02:02:19.679><c> go</c><02:02:19.800><c> to</c><02:02

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: At the joint hearing on SB 951 SD2, the committees heard testimony on a child protection measure requiring mandatory child abuse and neglect reports to include military status and to improve communication between DHS and the Department of Defense. The U.S. Department of Defense testified in support and described its coordinated community response process for abuse reports, saying the bill would help ensure child safety and better coordination with DHS. DHS was initially absent, later appeared, and said it supported the measure but was still working with DOD on implementation details and staff training. Members asked about how DHS becomes involved and whether there were gaps in the current process. The chair recommended passage with technical amendments, including changing the effective date to 7/1/25 and conforming related language, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The Public Safety committee then heard SB 1377 SD2, which would create a Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services in the Department of Defense to provide guidance, education, and technical assistance to state veteran cemeteries. DOD supported the bill and explained that county-run cemeteries must meet National Cemetery Administration standards to remain eligible for federal reimbursements and grants; witnesses described past compliance problems at several cemeteries, including one still not compliant in Hilo, and said the board would help counties prepare for future site visits and improve oversight without taking over operations. Members asked about costs, reimbursement amounts, and whether the state would assume cemetery operations; DOD said the current reimbursement process runs through the state to the counties and that direct takeover would be costly. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The committee also heard SB 1382, which would make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a National Guard member performing duty a class C felony. The Hawaii National Guard and HPD supported the bill, citing incidents during the Maui response where Guard members encountered noncompliant and sometimes physically confrontational individuals while assisting police and protecting impacted areas. Testimony emphasized that Guard members are often unarmed and should receive protections similar to first responders. One witness opposed the bill, but the committee moved forward and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments. Finally, the committee took up SB 1379 SD2 on emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers. Hawaii Emergency Management supported the bill, and supporters said it would create a statewide framework for resilience hubs that can provide supplies, action plans, and refuge during disasters. Testimony highlighted recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards, and argued the measure would complement existing county efforts rather than replace them. County of Hawaii testimony opposed the bill, raising concerns about overlap and cost, while members asked about estimated expenses and implementation. The discussion ended with questions about planning and whether the bill would enhance existing programs; no final vote was captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:02.159><c> the</c><02:02:02.280><c> ocean</c><02:02:02.639><c> but</c><02:02:02.760><c> we</c><02
• will</c><02:02:04.560><c> get</c><02:02:04.719><c> that</c><02:02:04.840><c> from</c><02:02:05.040><c
• high<02:02:09.199><c> wind</c><02:02:09.480><c> Tempest</c><02:02:10.320><c> they</c><02:02:10.480><
• ><c> they've</c><02:02:12.280><c> all</c><02:02:12.440><c> had</c><02:02:12.560><c> to</c><02:02:12.679
• /c><02:02:16.520><c> tested</c><02:02:16.920><c> vetted</c><02:02:17.360><c> and</c><02:02:17.480><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:02:13.160><c> senators</c><00:02:13.640><c> and</c><00:02:13.720><c> guests</c><00:02:13.959><
• &gt;&gt; Y'all<00:02:36.840><c> pray</c><00:02:37.080><c> with</c><00:02:37.360><c> me,</c><00:02:37.520
• </c> God,<00:02:40.440><c> I</c><00:02:40.520><c> pray</c><00:02:40.840><c> that</c><00:02:41.200><c>
• </c><00:02:46.080><c> this</c><00:02:46.360><c> morning,</c><00:02:46.760><c> but</c><00:02:47.280><c
• :02:48.880><c> would</c><00:02:49.160><c> really</c><00:02:49.800><c> desire</c><00:02:50.880><c> to<

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:03.040><c> then</c><01:02:03.200><c> at</c><01:02:03.440><c> the</c><01:02:03.599><c> end<
• :02:08.400><c> place</c><01:02:09.119><c> after</c><01:02:09.440><c> everything</c><01:02:09.760><c>
• from all<01:02:18.000><c> of</c><01:02:18.079><c> those</c><01:02:18.319><c> polling</c><01:02:18.720
• Nowhere<01:02:32.720><c> else</c><01:02:33.119><c> do</c><01:02:33.359><c> those</c><01:02:33.599><c>
• I think<01:02:55.119><c> Representative</c><01:02:55.520><c> Decker</c><01:02:56.000><c> was</c><01:02

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes.<01:02:05.040><c> Are</c><01:02:05.119><c> we</c><01:02:05.280><c> ready</c><01:02:05.440><c> to<
• /c><01:02:05.599><c> do</c><01:02:05.839><c> Yeah,</c><01:02:06.160><c> I'm</c><01:02:06.480><c> Well
• Are we ready to do Yeah, I'm Well, yeah.<01:02:07.760><c> Which</c><01:02:08.079><c> bill?
• </c><01:02:08.319><c> Which</c><01:02:08.559><c> one?</c><01:02:09.400><c> 189.</c> yeah.
• Defining<01:02:10.799><c> the</c><01:02:11.040><c> clean</c><01:02:11.280><c> energy</c><01:02:11.760

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• edge in<02:02:14.880><c> technology</c><02:02:15.440><c> and</c><02:02:15.760><c> industry</c><02:02
• And<02:02:20.639><c> that's</c><02:02:20.880><c> what's</c><02:02:21.199><c> special</c><02:02:21.520
• </c><02:02:27.360><c> But</c><02:02:27.760><c> is</c><02:02:28.000><c> it</c><02:02:28.159><c> worth<
• Do<02:02:33.199><c> we</c><02:02:33.280><c> get</c><02:02:33.360><c> up</c><02:02:33.520><c> and</c><
• 02:02:33.599><c> do</c><02:02:33.760><c> a</c><02:02:33.840><c> yellow</c><02:02:34.080><c> letter</c

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have<00:02:43.200><c> a</c><00:02:43.360><c> good</c><00:02:43.519><c> number</c><00:02:43.920
• ><c> a</c><00:02:44.160><c> good</c><00:02:44.319><c> read</c><00:02:44.480><c> on</c><00:02:44.640><
• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:52.319><c> would,</c><00:02:52.720><c> you</c><00:02:52.879><c> know,</c><00:02:53.599
• ,</c><00:02:55.840><c> I</c><00:02:56.080><c> think</c><00:02:56.480><c> I'm</c><00:02:56.800><c> not
• </c><00:02:58.160><c> I'd</c><00:02:58.400><c> have</c><00:02:58.480><c> to</c><00:02:58.560><c> ask<

Bills: HB2241 , HB2316 , HB1566 , HB1926 , HB1673 , HB1948 , HB2602 , HB1598 , HB2334 , HB2451 , HB2243

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, lead materials, drinking water, public health, water infrastructure, safety regulations, HB1566, energy efficiency, LED lighting, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps, CFL ban, mercury-free lighting

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a bill to expand the solar energy tax credit for single-family residential properties by removing certain cap amounts and raising the adjusted gross income limits for taxpayers to elect a refund of excess credits. The Hawaii State Energy Office and Department of Taxation both said they were standing on written testimony, while industry and advocacy groups largely supported the measure. Members questioned whether the income thresholds were set appropriately, how many taxpayers would be affected at different income levels, and how many would qualify for refundable treatment; Taxation said it did not yet have the requested numbers but was preparing a fiscal estimate. A major issue raised was drafting and administration: witnesses said the bill appears to apply differently to owner-purchased systems versus third-party leased systems, and Taxation said it likely could not easily verify household income for leased systems or cross-reference different taxpayers. Discussion also covered whether the credit should remain refundable, whether credits should be limited to amounts actually expended, and whether the bill should instead be structured to keep the credit with the system owner or lessor, with concerns about equity, market effects, and possible incentives to lease rather than buy. The committee then moved to HB 2316, which would align state restrictions on lead materials in drinking water infrastructure with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The Department of Health and other supporters testified in favor, and there were no questions from the chair. Next, HB 1566 on energy efficiency would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting, with the Hawaii State Energy Office providing technical assistance and a compliance survey prioritized for first responder facilities; testimony from state agencies and advocates was in support, and again there were no questions. For HB 1926 on Red Hill, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of Water Supply, and multiple organizations and individuals supported funding for remediation studies, environmental monitoring, groundwater research, independent testing, and a public dashboard, with DLNR emphasizing that decades of work remain necessary even after defueling and that the bill supports ongoing university and community partnerships. The committee then heard HB 1673 on landfill units. The Department of Health initially said it was in support but later corrected the record and stated it strongly opposes the measure, saying the bill would undo protections enacted last session that keep landfills out of areas over aquifers; the Board of Water Supply also opposed repeal of those protections, while the City and County of Honolulu supported the HD1 version that leaves siting decisions to the counties. Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi and the Energy Justice Network opposed the bill, arguing the original protections should remain and that the amended version had confused commenters; supporters of the original version urged restoring it and considering additional language on ash.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; So,<02:02:42.239><c> the</c><02:02:42.560><c> process</c><02:02:42.880><c> of</c><02:02:43.280
• <02:02:46.480><c> Are</c><02:02:46.639><c> they</c><02:02:46.880><c> transcribing</c><02:02:47.599><c
• :02:50.400><c> this</c><02:02:50.560><c> out</c><02:02:50.719><c> and</c><02:02:50.880><c> giving</c>
• to<02:02:51.199><c> the</c><02:02:51.360><c> attorney?
• &gt;&gt; So,<02:02:53.280><c> they</c><02:02:53.440><c> have</c><02:02:53.520><c> to</c><02:02:53.679

Keywords: MS House Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all