Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1265 is a code cleanup bill.
• It simply removes and updates sections of code related to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, things
• It simply removes and updates sections of code related to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, things
• That's current code.
• Idaho Code 41-735 is a catch-all provision in the code that sets allowances for miscellaneous investments

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• yeah so moving on similarly section sections<00:17:38.120><c> 143</c><00:17:38.559><c> and</c><00:17
• The reason is, and this is why I gave you House Bill 1 sections, the back of the budget sections, this
• It's Section 2 of House Bill 1, sorry, Section 4 of House Bill 1.
• Section 2 and 4.
• This is a smaller section for H... We've certainly had bigger sections in this.

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on organizing the committee’s remaining budget work and reviewing a set of recommended changes to House Bills 1 and 2. Mr. Landrian explained the committee’s tracking sheets and draft amendment package, noted that the division was being asked to find roughly $200 million in reductions, and said the governor’s lottery proposal in House Bill 2 could help offset part of that target. Members also discussed how revenue estimates tied to fee changes would be handled, with the chair saying the committee could seek Ways and Means input but would ultimately decide the estimates itself. The committee then considered four mostly technical amendments to House Bill 2. It voted unanimously to delete Section 81, which duplicated CCSNH dual and concurrent enrollment language already moving in House Bill 192; to delete Sections 143 and 144, which duplicated police standards and training extra-duty language already in House Bill 778; to adopt a correction to Section 151 that removed an inadvertently repeated sentence; and to delete Section 178 because the same Lottery Commission language already appears in House Bill 1. The committee also agreed to approve Section 4 of House Bill 1, the Lottery Commission boilerplate language, while deferring action on Section 2 of House Bill 1 until the university and community college budget is settled. A substantial portion of the meeting was spent planning upcoming work sessions and discussing possible revenue measures. The committee planned to invite Fish and Game on Monday to review a large set of follow-up materials and to discuss a possible amendment requiring hunters and trappers to pay the license fee before taking free training classes, with a second chance to retake the class if needed. Members also discussed possible fee adjustments for Safety and Fish and Game, including using dedicated-fund fees to reduce reliance on general funds and help stabilize the Highway Fund and Fish and Game Fund. The chair emphasized that all actions were recommendations until the committee’s final deadline and encouraged members to review draft language carefully before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:43.039><c> two</c> within the department in section two within the department in section two
• </c><00:32:02.760><c> they</c> return to serve under this section they return to serve under this section
• section section 132d<00:50:39.680><c> uh</c><00:50:39.799><c> fireworks</c><00:50:40.319><c> prohibitions
• </c> a permanent issued pursuant to section a permanent issued pursuant to section 132<00:50:46.880><
• </c><00:50:57.880><c> are</c> Technic pursu to those two sections are Technic pursu to those two sections

Summary: The committee met in decision-making on a long list of Senate bills and adopted most measures with amendments or unamended, often with members voting aye and some recording reservations. Among the measures acted on were SB 40, SB 411, SB 436, SB 443, SB 447, SB 572, SB 583, SB 739, SB 742, SB 746, SB 816, SB 826, SB 830, SB 841, SB 850, SB 865, SB 952, SB 955, SB 1040, SB 1042, SB 1083, SB 1229, SB 1359, SB 1469, SB 1553, SB 1578, SB 1609, SB 1610, SB 1619, and SB 1641. Common amendments included deferring effective dates to 2050, adding sunset dates, adopting LRB technical changes, and narrowing or clarifying program language. Several bills drew brief discussion on policy details. SB 583 was amended to remove references to selling naming rights, leaving only leasing. SB 739 was discussed for its land exchange provisions and concerns about ceded lands and OHA revenue, but it was still adopted with reservations. SB 830 was amended based on DNR testimony to address reconstruction after disasters, excluding certain coastal hazards. SB 850 added State Council on Developmental Disabilities recommendations to address health disparities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. SB 952 shifted administration of a pilot program to the Department of Human Services in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resiliency, and SB 1610 added requirements for utility connections and capped spending on the Ohana Zones/Cales-related program. The committee also heard substantial discussion on SB 442, which concerned returning retirees to state employment. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Attorney General focused on whether the bill should allow a shorter waiting period and how it would interact with current 89-day hiring practices, succession planning, and law enforcement retirement rules. After debate, the committee moved to decision-making and adopted amendments to include investigators, expand eligibility to hard-to-fill or succession-planning positions, and set a term limit for returning retirees with director approval for extensions. In a separate joint Ways and Means/Judiciary hearing, SB 716, SB 763, and SB 804 were also advanced with amendments, including organizational placement changes for DLE programs and Attorney General amendments to avoid retroactivity and contract-impairment issues. Several items were deferred, including SB 983, SB 1220, and SB 828.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 28, section 550.01.8...
• All refund language was brought under one section, and exchange language was added to the section.
• All refund language was brought under one section, and exchange language was added to the section.
• Page 33, Section 801.
• Section 200 changes included language that was moved to another section.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, the Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee will come to order
• Many of you will know I chaired the Transportation Subcommittee for the last two years, and— Many of
• So it's really a potpourri of transportation items. I'll run through a couple of them.
• We have a lot of metrics when it comes to transportation.
• We have a fantastic transportation system.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, as amended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Senate Bill 1452
• Madam Whip, members, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Seeing none, 1456.
• Madam Whip, members, as amended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Senate Bill 1552
• contains various revisions for ADOT, including allowing blood transport vehicles to use the HOV lane
• reason why the Madam Whip, members, some of this tracks back to the Internal Revenue Service and the code

Summary: The committee reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across campaign finance, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, rural development, transportation, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent items or strike-everything amendments, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data, insurance and contractor conduct during emergencies, continuation of various boards and commissions, school safety and communication systems, DCS and child welfare procedures, public records fees, utility submetering, foreign adversary restrictions, and multiple health care licensing and reimbursement provisions. Several members asked for clarification on a number of bills, including school discipline communication, DCS photo documentation, and utility billing changes. A few bills drew more extended discussion. SB 1074, concerning teacher-initiated classroom removals and principal certification of return and discipline, prompted questions about parental notification and the purpose of the bill. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction, led to concerns about privacy and the scope of documentation, with supporters saying it would improve continuity and child protection. SB 1751, which would expand execution methods to include firing squad, generated strong opposition from one member and support from another, with debate focused on the morality of execution methods and the implications for those carrying them out. SB 1336, continuing the State Land Department and creating an oversight board, was pulled from the consent calendar. The committee also heard brief comments in support of bills on hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, research security at universities, and EMS licensure compacts. Toward the end, members reviewed bills on virtual currency investments and payments, telecommunications infrastructure, tax lien and revenue administration changes, and retirement system investment limits. No floor votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting primarily consisted of bill presentations, questions, and a few items being removed or pulled from consent calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no changes in section three to that code section.
• to that code changes in section three to that code section.<04:18:05.680><c> And</c><04:18:05.920><c>
• It was a different code the other bill. It was a different code section. section. section.
• </c><04:58:59.760><c> sections</c> that brings forward the code sections that brings forward the code
• And the bill and in the code section.

Transcript Highlights:

• That section in Idaho Code also directed the department to have a temporary rule into the statute itself
• That section in Idaho Code also directed the department to have a temporary rule That section in Idaho
• So then I want to jump down to Section 200.02 on page 406. Section 200.02 on page 406.
• But section 10 was moved from section 563. That's on page 342.
• So by sections 100 and 101, by adopting the federal subparts that we did in these sections, The sections

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• So the only amendment to this code section is on line 13.
• I believe it is in this code section. the property. Uh and that is I'm I'm the property.
• </c><00:05:08.240><c> Um,</c> is required by other code sections.
• Um, is required by other code sections.
• </c><00:05:11.840><c> section</c> they didn't reference that code section they didn't reference that

Committee: Joint Ports and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Van Orden: But it looks to me like we're just correcting the code in the two different sections
• But it looks to me like we're just correcting the code in the two different sections so they look the
• 76, section 102.
• These sections are already covered in Idaho Code.
• It's Section 075 and Section 250. I have the rule here if you want to. I appreciate that.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an opportunity for us to give young people free public transportation, but the Committee on Transportation
• With no further business, we are adjourned. free public transportation but the free public transportation
• c><00:00:32.000><c> decided</c> committee on transportation has decided committee on transportation has
• </c> Youth Transportation Council. Youth Transportation Council.
• </c> here at the Hawaii Transportation here at the Hawaii Transportation Council.<00:16:36.880><c> We

Bills: SB2699

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee reconvened and first addressed SB 2699 on public transit/free transportation for young people. Members noted that the Committee on Transportation had already deferred the measure, and this committee said it would defer it as well before adjourning that brief reconvened session. The hearing then moved to SB 2373, which would establish a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions and authorize the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop methods to quantify carbon reductions from marine ecosystem restoration. The Energy Office said marine carbon sequestration was outside its expertise and asked to be removed from that portion of the bill, while DLNR and OPSD offered comments and said the work fit better with their areas, with DLNR saying it could take it on if properly resourced. Testimony included support from environmental groups, and committee discussion focused on which agency should lead and whether existing methodologies could be used. Next was SB 21001 on organic waste reduction and diversion. The Department of Health supported the intent but raised implementation concerns. Hawaii Farmers Union strongly supported the bill, arguing it would help build compost supply, improve soil health, and give counties time to develop infrastructure; they cited Vermont as a model and said the bill could extend landfill life and reduce methane. Members asked about the Vermont approach and the need for infrastructure before household-level diversion. The committee also heard SB 2905, which would increase the environmental response, energy, and food security tax and direct more revenue to the electric vehicle charging system subaccount. The Energy Office, PUC, and Tax Department offered comments; youth and clean transportation advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to expand charging access and meet EV adoption goals. A member questioned whether the proposed increase would outpace the state’s ability to deploy chargers, and PUC staff said the current annual appropriation is about $750,000 and that they could provide more data on an appropriate funding level. Additional measures were briefly taken up: SB 3231 on condominium maps and county zoning certification in A districts drew support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; SB 2486 on climate change drew comments from the Energy Office, Climate Commission, and OPSD, who said it duplicated existing climate planning and should include adaptation language; and SB 2376 on the renewable fuels production tax credit drew support from industry and agricultural groups, while the Energy Office and Tax Department raised concerns about the rollover provision and the scale of the credit. No final votes were recorded in the excerpt beyond the earlier deferral of SB 2699.

Transcript Highlights:

• following section: Section 108, animal abuse rate.
• 107 the following section: Section 108, animal abuse rate.
• Section 17.
• Moran of Lawrence moves to amend the bill by inserting after Section 30 the following section: Section
• A transportation network... A transportation network...

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee sub just takes out a section about requiring a signature register of farm bureau farm vehicle
• Chairman, members of the committee. section uh about requiring a signature section uh about requiring
• I've had some conversations with transportation since then.
• ><c> since</c> conversations with transportation since conversations with transportation since then.<
• </c> better with the transportation better with the transportation department.<00:05:16.960><c> Avis<

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 41.
• He then said Oregon does not conform to Internal Revenue Code Section 41. Mr.
• Wynn said Oregon does not conform to Internal Revenue Code Section 41 and noted that Oregon is ranked
• Section 174 in the Internal Revenue Code deals with expenses. Think of engineers, food scientists.
• There is reference to Section 41 that is an interplay between 174 and Section 41.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• PUC section takes precedent.
• </c><00:57:31.520><c> of</c> that notwithstanding other sections of that notwithstanding other sections
• </c><00:57:41.640><c> of</c> that notwithstanding other sections of that notwithstanding other sections
• I respectfully request that the committee replace section 4 with section 4 of HB 1375.
• I respectfully request that the committee replace section 4 with section 4 of HB 1375.

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were deeply troubled that the governor returned the bill to you with this section removed, leaving
• This piece of legislation aims to revise the Commonwealth's use-of-bank-name statute, Chapter 176, Section
• One of the provisions in the bill says Section 6 that the banks and credit unions in other New England
• Apple Pay, QR codes, online ordering, all of those things are considered no card present.
• They had done it through the QR code, and then they later said that wasn't me.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some schools provide all the transportation.
• Some schools provide all the transportation.
• ,</c> spoke about earlier, transportation, spoke about earlier, transportation, tuition,<01:04:03.440
• </c> efficient system promised in section efficient system promised in section 183.<01:58:47.040><c>
• This dual existence proves that Section 183 is not rigid.

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what you have is your zip codes.
• So moving down into the same section, you know, when you hit section 6 and it talks about going on the
• I think this is because this is a new section of code; it just continues it.
• What codes are important, not just a code or a code out there.
• What codes are important, not just the code or a code out there.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• It offers quite an alternative to the heavily used section of the Appalachian Trail from North Georgia
• H.R. 7618, a bill to amend Title 54, United States Code, to modify certain cost-sharing requirements
• </c> to pass a successful transportation to pass a successful transportation highway<04:43:11.680><c>
• transportation</c><04:43:12.320><c> reauthorization</c> highway transportation reauthorization highway
• transportation reauthorization bill<04:43:14.160><c> recently.

Bills: HB2860 , HB3922 , HB7250 , SB254 , HB5631 , HB1687 , HB7831 , HB7618 , HB6162 , HB5911 , HB4463 , HB3831 , HB2768 , HR41 , HB5682 , HCR86

Keywords: Fort Peck Reservation, rural water system, water management, infrastructure, Native American, HB7831, H.R. 7831, License to Drill Act, Mineral Leasing Act, BLM, Bureau of Land Management, oil and gas, drilling permits, permit to drill, APD, application for permit to drill, permit processing fee, federal lands, public lands, energy development

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1562, public building, safe fire code. SB 1565, registrar of contractors recovery fund.
• Senator Farnsworth, with your permission, Appropriations, Transportation, and Technology will meet at
• Senator Farnsworth, with your permission, Appropriations, Transportation, and Technology will meet at