Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:05.360><c> optin</c><00:32:05.840><c> and</c><00:32:06.080><c> allow</c><00:32:06.399><c>
• to make<00:32:07.360><c> a</c><00:32:07.600><c> decision</c><00:32:07.840><c> at</c><00:32:08.080><c
• </c> So<00:32:14.320><c> what</c><00:32:14.559><c> are</c><00:32:14.640><c> the</c><00:32:14.799><c>
• key</c><00:32:14.960><c> benefits</c><00:32:15.600><c> of</c><00:32:15.919><c> of</c><00:32:16.159><c
• </c><00:32:17.440><c> I</c><00:32:17.519><c> I</c><00:32:17.760><c> talked</c><00:32:18.000><c> about

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a magazine<00:32:05.399><c> um</c><00:32:05.639><c> so</c><00:32:05.880><c> just</c><00:32:06.039><c>
• <c> that</c><00:32:07.480><c> we</c><00:32:07.639><c> have</c><00:32:07.840><c> not</c><00:32:08.120>
• ><c> me</c><00:32:25.159><c> what</c><00:32:25.279><c> is</c><00:32:25.440><c> the</c><00:32:25.720><
• 00:32:33.000><c> figure</c><00:32:33.440><c> it</c><00:32:33.559><c> is</c><00:32:33.799><c> about</c
• 32:43.159><c> goes</c><00:32:43.480><c> with</c><00:32:43.639><c> it</c><00:32:44.240><c> so</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.799><c> at</c><00:32:01.919><c> the</c><00:32:02.200><c> table</c><00:32:03.200><c> um<
• the</c><00:32:08.440><c> bill</c><00:32:08.799><c> the</c><00:32:08.919><c> way</c><00:32:09.120><c>
• :32:16.080><c> going</c><00:32:16.200><c> to</c><00:32:16.320><c> be</c><00:32:16.440><c> at</c><00:32
• 32:17.840><c> the</c><00:32:18.000><c> House</c><00:32:18.200><c> and</c><00:32:18.360><c> Senate</c>
• :32:24.039><c> three</c><00:32:24.240><c> members</c><00:32:24.559><c> from</c><00:32:24.760><c> the<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:32:23.480><c> say</c><00:32:24.000><c> we</c><00:32:24.160><c> have</c><00:32:24.280>
• :32:29.280><c> under</c><00:32:29.560><c> the</c><00:32:29.840><c> the</c><00:32:29.960><c> name</c><
• </c><00:32:35.760><c> they're</c><00:32:35.880><c> creating</c><00:32:36.320><c> law</c><00:32:36.520
• Um,<00:32:39.200><c> so</c><00:32:39.440><c> they</c><00:32:39.640><c> actually</c><00:32:39.960><c>
• came</c><00:32:40.160><c> to</c><00:32:40.240><c> the</c><00:32:40.360><c> city</c><00:32:40.520><c>

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Madam Chair, I'll<00:32:07.440><c> just</c><00:32:07.640><c> say</c><00:32:07.960><c> I</c><00:32:
• :16.760><c> to</c><00:32:16.880><c> make</c><00:32:17.080><c> this</c><00:32:17.679><c> the</c><00:32
• ><c> is</c><00:32:23.679><c> a</c><00:32:23.720><c> bill</c><00:32:23.920><c> that</c><00:32:24.080><
• that I we will<00:32:24.480><c> see</c><00:32:24.679><c> signed</c><00:32:24.920><c> into</c><00:32:
• ><c> able</c><00:32:33.560><c> to</c><00:32:33.720><c> be</c><00:32:34.600><c> um</c><00:32:35.240><c

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:08.640><c> here</c><00:32:08.880><c> on</c><00:32:09.519><c> at</c><00:32:09.760><c> the</c
• <00:32:12.320><c> I</c><00:32:12.559><c> cannot</c><00:32:12.880><c> as</c><00:32:13.039><c> well.
• But<00:32:16.480><c> to</c><00:32:16.720><c> know</c><00:32:16.880><c> that</c><00:32:17.120><c> we</
• c><00:32:17.360><c> were</c><00:32:18.159><c> um</c><00:32:18.880><c> we</c><00:32:19.200><c> looked<
• at all<00:32:19.679><c> the</c><00:32:19.840><c> the</c><00:32:20.240><c> contracts</c><00:32:20.640

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:05.279><c> Um</c><00:32:05.600><c> this</c><00:32:05.840><c> is</c><00:32:05.919><c> from<
• corporation<00:32:24.640><c> in</c><00:32:24.880><c> the</c><00:32:25.039><c> in</c><00:32:25.360><c
• This will<00:32:27.200><c> be</c><00:32:27.440><c> this</c><00:32:27.679><c> will</c><00:32:27.840><c
• > need</c><00:32:30.240><c> to</c><00:32:30.399><c> do</c><00:32:30.559><c> our</c><00:32:30.720><c>
• </c><00:32:35.200><c> land</c><00:32:35.440><c> according</c><00:32:35.760><c> to</c><00:32:35.840><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um,<00:32:14.559><c> in</c><00:32:14.799><c> the</c><00:32:15.039><c> funding</c><00:32:15.919><c
• > we</c><00:32:16.240><c> have</c><00:32:16.399><c> got,</c><00:32:17.120><c> um,</c><00:32:17.360><c
• Um,<00:32:23.519><c> this</c><00:32:23.760><c> was</c><00:32:23.840><c> in</c><00:32:24.080><c> FY25,
• :32:28.720><c> um,</c><00:32:28.799><c> in</c><00:32:29.120><c> subreient</c><00:32:29.919><c> grants
• ><c> you</c><00:32:33.600><c> look</c><00:32:33.840><c> at</c><00:32:34.559><c> um</c><00:32:34.960><

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:14.480><c> So,</c><00:32:14.640><c> the</c><00:32:14.760><c> remaining</c><00:32:15.240><c
• <c> we</c><00:32:17.240><c> do</c><00:32:17.560><c> have</c><00:32:18.000><c> those</c><00:32:18.600>
• </c><00:32:24.200><c> up</c><00:32:24.560><c> on</c><00:32:24.840><c> June</c><00:32:25.120><c> 18th<
• Uh<00:32:48.680><c> Is</c><00:32:48.760><c> it</c><00:32:48.800><c> too</c><00:32:48.920><c> much</c>
• Oh, yeah.<00:32:50.440><c> I</c><00:32:50.520><c> don't</c><00:32:50.760><c> get</c><00:32:50.880><c>

Keywords: The live stream ended prematurely due to a network issue. A full recording will be uploaded as soon as possible, 958, all

Summary: The committee first discussed and approved a new airport-related project involving two 60-by-80 corporate hangars. Members asked about how the project would generate revenue, and staff explained that hangar rent and fuel sales would help repay the costs, with more than half of the funding coming from the FAA. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved two large capital pool projects: a $1,715,120 roof replacement and skylight project for the Libraries and Archives building in Frankfort, and a $2,105,400 exterior renovation project for several state buildings, including Health and Family Services, the Kentucky History Center, and the State Office Building. After that, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented one loan increase and five grant reallocations. The loan increase was for Springfield’s wastewater treatment plant project, rising by $262,300 to just over $2.88 million because bids came in higher than estimated. Members asked about the delay between approval and bidding, and staff explained the design, environmental review, and state approval process can take one to two years. The committee approved the six action items, and then received informational updates on additional water projects that required no action. The Cabinet for Economic Development next presented one forgivable loan and 11 KPDI/KPDI EDF grant projects. The loan was a $1 million forgivable loan for the Perry County Economic Development Board to acquire the Coalfields Industrial Building, with repayment forgivable if a project creates at least 75 jobs. The grant projects included site-readiness and industrial development work in Pendleton, Elizabethtown/Hardin, McCreary, Floyd, Marion, Fleming, Graves, Eddyville/Lyon, Caldwell, Mercer, and Johnson counties. Members asked how local match percentages are set and were told they are based on county population and updated every two years; staff also explained that beneficiaries usually provide the match and are reimbursed after submitting costs. The committee approved the action items. Finally, the Office of Financial Management presented two new debt issues and three SFCC debt issues. The new debt items were a Kentucky Housing Corporation bond authorization of up to $600 million for single-family mortgage revenue bonds, including a $100 million initial transaction, and a $5.5 million multifamily conduit bond for 98 apartments in Lexington. Informational items covered University of Kentucky refunding bonds and Turnpike Authority refunding bonds, both of which produced savings. The three SFCC debt issues for Campbell, Edmonson, and Perry counties were then approved by roll call vote. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the upcoming calendar and scheduling before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You all voted<00:32:14.960><c> for</c><00:32:15.200><c> it</c><00:32:15.279><c> and</c><00:32:15.519>
• :32:20.559><c> by</c><00:32:20.720><c> the</c><00:32:20.880><c> state</c><00:32:21.120><c> legislature
• 32:33.919><c> take</c><00:32:34.159><c> effect</c><00:32:34.480><c> at</c><00:32:34.640><c> least</c>
• If someone's<00:32:39.440><c> voting</c><00:32:40.000><c> poll</c><00:32:40.559><c> is</c><00:32:41.120
• voting for<00:32:49.440><c> changes,</c><00:32:50.640><c> that</c><00:32:50.960><c> impact</c><00:32:

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 34 senators present. The chamber then received a House message referring House Bill 1 on primary elections to the Committee on County and Municipal Government, and moved to Senate Bill 1, also dealing with primary elections and tied to ongoing court action over Alabama’s legislative maps. Senator Elliott explained SB 1 as a prospective measure meant to set up a special election if federal courts lift injunctions on the state Senate districts, while opponents argued the bill was being rushed and could disrupt voters, candidates, absentee voters, and election administration. Much of the debate focused on whether the bill would effectively change election rules too close to an election and whether it conflicted with a 2022 statewide amendment requiring election-related changes to take effect at least six months before a general election. Supporters said the bill simply preserves the legislature’s enacted maps and responds to recent court rulings, while opponents said it could disenfranchise voters, especially military, elderly, absentee, rural, and Black voters, and that the underlying litigation and federal Voting Rights Act issues remained unresolved. Several members also referenced a Brennan Center report and broader concerns about racial turnout gaps and minority representation in Alabama. Senator Coleman offered an amendment to give the state discretion rather than mandate a special election, arguing it would better align with the current court order; the Senate rejected it on a roll call vote, 8 yeas to 25 nays. Senator Vivian Figures then offered a notice-focused amendment requiring adequate public notice before any election changes, arguing that voters need time to learn new dates, polling places, deadlines, and ballot information; that amendment also failed on a roll call vote, with the clerk announcing it did not pass. The transcript ends with further discussion beginning after the failed amendment votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:20.720><c> Um,</c><00:32:21.760><c> masking,</c><00:32:23.039><c> um,</c><00:32:23.279><c>
• co</c><00:32:25.039><c> vaccine,</c><00:32:26.399><c> um,</c><00:32:27.760><c> the</c><00:32:28.000>
• </c><00:32:36.559><c> oh,</c><00:32:36.720><c> no,</c><00:32:36.880><c> no,</c><00:32:37.120><c> the<
• > does</c><00:32:37.919><c> not</c><00:32:38.080><c> recommend</c><00:32:38.399><c> those,</c><00:32:
• &gt;&gt; So,<00:32:42.080><c> I</c><00:32:42.320><c> can</c><00:32:42.399><c> only</c><00:32:42.640><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:32:03.760><c> is</c><00:32:04.039><c> not</c><00:32:04.720><c> this</c><00:32:05.080><c> large</
• wave of<00:32:07.519><c> people</c><00:32:08.000><c> who</c><00:32:08.200><c> don't</c><00:32:08.440
• ><c> fit</c><00:32:08.679><c> into</c><00:32:09.679><c> one</c><00:32:09.960><c> or</c><00:32:10.159>
• </c><00:32:18.399><c> to</c><00:32:18.600><c> be</c><00:32:18.760><c> seen</c><00:32:19.639><c> and</
• :32:37.240><c> not</c><00:32:37.720><c> a</c><00:32:37.919><c> section</c><00:32:38.279><c> of</c><00

Bills: HF1233

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: women's athletics, gender, sports competition, Human Rights Act, biological sex, participation limits, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:23.760><c> and</c><00:32:24.000><c> mayors</c><00:32:24.320><c> not</c><00:32:24.559><c> to<
• </c><00:32:25.360><c> take</c><00:32:25.519><c> it</c><00:32:25.760><c> take</c><00:32:25.919><c> his
• ><00:32:33.039><c> this</c><00:32:33.200><c> thing</c><00:32:33.519><c> be</c><00:32:33.679><c> over<
• because it's<00:32:34.880><c> it</c><00:32:35.200><c> is</c><00:32:35.360><c> going</c><00:32:35.519
• We all we<00:32:41.919><c> all</c><00:32:42.080><c> know</c><00:32:42.240><c> that</c><00:32:43.360><

Committee: Joint Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:03.760><c> So</c><00:32:04.000><c> it</c><00:32:04.240><c> would</c><00:32:04.399><c> be</
• <00:32:09.039><c> for</c><00:32:09.360><c> any</c><00:32:09.679><c> unknowns</c><00:32:10.320><c> or<
• c> have</c><00:32:12.799><c> whether</c><00:32:13.039><c> it</c><00:32:13.200><c> be</c><00:32:13.440
• Erica's<00:32:32.799><c> going</c><00:32:33.039><c> like,</c><00:32:33.600><c> I</c><00:32:33.760><c>
• Yeah,<00:32:36.880><c> what</c><00:32:37.039><c> else</c><00:32:37.279><c> could</c><00:32:37.440><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Personnel Cabinet and Kentucky Employees Health Plan officials presented a request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System (CHRIS), the state’s HR/payroll ERP system procured in 2007. They said the system supports core HR and payroll for about 48,000 state employees, 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and the Kentucky Employees Health Plan, which covers more than 300,000 lives. Officials emphasized that SAP has said the system will be end-of-life and out of support by 2030, which would eliminate security updates, vendor maintenance, and tax-compliance support. They argued that replacement is necessary to protect sensitive personnel and health data, maintain payroll accuracy, and avoid major operational and cybersecurity risks. Officials described the project as a true replacement, not just an upgrade, and said the proposed $151 million request covers a five- to six-year implementation, stabilization, and ongoing maintenance period. They broke down the estimate as including roughly $54 million for software licensing and hosting, about $76.5 million for systems integrator/professional services, and additional amounts for independent verification and validation, dependent verification for the health plan, FSA administration, contingency staffing, and hardware-related needs. They said the cost increase from prior estimates was mainly due to inflation and updated requirements. They also noted that payments would be tied to deliverables and checkpoints, with third-party IV&V oversight, and that the cabinet expects to continue normal quarterly IT reporting to LRC while also providing at least monthly project updates because of the 2030 deadline. Committee members asked about the total cost of ownership, recurring operating costs, the size of the integrator contract, how vendor costs were estimated, and how progress would be tracked. Officials said they used market research, peer-state comparisons, vendor discussions, and independent reviews, including input from AON and a third-party QA resource. They explained that the integrator would handle requirements mapping, system design, configuration, training, change management, and implementation support across the Personnel Cabinet, KHP, and other stakeholders. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion; the meeting consisted of testimony, questions, and answers on the funding request and implementation plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:08.159><c> going</c><00:32:08.279><c> to</c><00:32:08.399><c> recommend</c><00:32:08.760><c> that<
• :25.279><c> is</c><00:32:25.440><c> confined</c><00:32:25.919><c> in</c><00:32:26.039><c> a</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:33.960><c> going</c><00:32:34.080><c> to</c><00:32:34.200><c> change</c><00:32:34.480><c>
• </c><00:32:38.559><c> on</c><00:32:38.760><c> page</c><00:32:39.000><c> 26</c><00:32:39.480><c> Line<
• </c><00:32:45.880><c> to</c><00:32:45.960><c> note</c><00:32:46.159><c> in</c><00:32:46.279><c> the</

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on January 29, 2025, and first took up deferred SB 259 on record keeping. The chair said Honu Police Department had submitted support, and the committee recommended passage with amendments, including a technical change to the effective date on page 4, line 6 to July 1, 2077. Vice Chair Elefante voted yes; Senators Fevella and Rhoads were excused; the recommendation was adopted. The committee then heard SB 603 and SB 608, both relating to veterans benefits consulting and compensation. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to address First Amendment, Contracts Clause, and savings-clause issues, and testimony was mixed, with several supporters from veterans-related organizations and several opponents, including some testifiers from the public and industry groups. The committee later adopted chair recommendations to pass both bills with amendments, including preambles about protecting veteran consumers from misleading or unfair practices, savings clauses, and effective-date changes to July 1, 2077. SB 601, relating to law enforcement search notices and securing entrances, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender and a private citizen who described the bill as a response to warrantless searches and a transparency measure; there was also opposition from Maui County police and one other testifier. The committee then moved to SB 871 on arson, where the Department of the Attorney General raised drafting and constitutional concerns and the Public Defender opposed the measure as vague, overbroad, and creating problematic sentencing provisions, while HPD supported it as a public-safety tool. The chair ultimately recommended SB 871 pass with amendments softening mandatory language, adding parole language, and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077; the recommendation was adopted. The final measures were SB 1130, exempting certain construction rebuilding materials from general excise tax in federally declared disaster areas, and SB 104, restricting solitary confinement in correctional facilities. The Department of Taxation requested third-party certification and a later effective date, and the committee adopted amendments reflecting those requests and moving the effective date to January 1, 2026. On SB 104, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed the bill, citing staff assaults and existing policy updates, while the Oversight Commission, Public Defender, and multiple advocates supported it as a safeguard with oversight and due process protections. The committee passed SB 104 with amendments, including adopting the commission’s definition language, changing terminology to “restrictive housing,” and setting the effective date to July 1, 2077.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:10.320><c> for</c><00:32:10.480><c> burning</c><00:32:10.840><c> when</c><00:32:11.000><c>
• <00:32:13.679><c> um</c><00:32:13.880><c> happy</c><00:32:14.039><c> to</c><00:32:14.159><c> answer</
• /c><00:32:18.399><c> then</c><00:32:18.840><c> uh</c><00:32:18.960><c> Ted</c><00:32:19.200><c> Bolan
• and Kon<00:32:22.960><c> sh</c><00:32:23.480><c> shizuma</c><00:32:24.120><c> in</c><00:32:24.360><c
• 32:49.279><c> at</c><00:32:49.679><c> the</c><00:32:49.840><c> data</c><00:32:50.159><c> dashboard</c

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on a series of energy, transportation, climate, and waste bills. HB 977 would provide additional funding to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for low-interest financing of rooftop solar and storage for underserved ratepayers; HB 1295 would require state and county agencies to use federal energy tax credits; HB 1051 concerns energy efficiency portfolio standards; HB 1019 addresses long-duration clean energy storage; HB 344 concerns EV charging infrastructure at state facilities; HB 733 would change EV parking requirements; HB 242 creates a working group on EV battery reuse and recycling; HB 1022 expands access to energy industry information reporting; HB 1017 repeals the greenhouse gas sequestration task force; HB 787 asks for a feasibility study on a Buy Clean program; and HB 751 sets composting goals. Testimony was largely supportive across the bills, with some agencies standing on written testimony or offering comments, and a few measures drawing opposition or concerns, including HB 751 from county agencies and HB 242 from Redwood Materials requesting inclusion of a specialized battery recycler on the working group. Members asked several questions, including about EV charging siting, whether bike parking and showers should be considered in EV facility planning, how often EV charging stalls are relocated to other sites, and whether Hawaiʻi has in-state capacity to prepare EV batteries for shipping and recycling. On HB 751, the committee discussed county diversion rates and Maui’s composting capacity, with the Department of Health noting Maui’s diversion decline was tied to closure of the EKO co-composting facility at Central Maui landfill and that reestablishment was planned. On HB 242, Redwood Materials explained it handles lithium-ion batteries, including work related to the Maui wildfire response, and said a full in-state recycling chain is unlikely, though local facilities can safely prepare batteries for shipment. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures with amendments. For HB 977, the committee noted a recommended appropriation of $50 million and made technical amendments. HB 1295, HB 1051, HB 1019, HB 344, HB 733, HB 242, HB 1022, HB 1017, and HB 787 were all advanced with technical or substantive amendments, including changes to dates, appropriations, and working group membership. For HB 344, the committee accepted DAGS’s suggestion to make HSEO the expending entity and adjusted the appropriation to one year. For HB 242, the committee added a battery storage industry member, included stationary storage as a consideration, and extended the reporting date to 2027. HB 787 was advanced with a request that the Climate Commission and State Procurement Office work together on more specific amendments if the bill continues moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:08.960><c> because</c><00:32:09.200><c> you've</c><00:32:09.360><c> got</c><00:32:09.519><
• </c> The<00:32:23.679><c> first</c><00:32:24.080><c> I</c><00:32:24.320><c> agree</c><00:32:24.640><c
• > needs</c><00:32:26.480><c> to</c><00:32:26.640><c> come</c><00:32:26.799><c> after</c><00:32:27.039
• 32:36.640><c> if</c><00:32:36.799><c> you</c><00:32:36.960><c> took</c><00:32:37.120><c> that</c><00:
• 32:37.279><c> out</c><00:32:37.440><c> and</c><00:32:37.600><c> you</c><00:32:37.760><c> read</c> &gt

Bills: SF0087 , SF0088 , SF0092

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, false claims, civil penalties, state accountability, whistleblower protection, fraud prevention, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:11.440><c> more</c><00:32:12.120><c> substantive</c><00:32:13.120><c> uh</c><00:32:13.279>
• uh bills that will<00:32:13.919><c> be</c><00:32:14.159><c> before</c><00:32:14.760><c> us</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:20.639><c> as</c><00:32:20.760><c> a</c><00:32:20.919><c> team</c><00:32:21.480><c> and</c
• c><00:32:28.039><c> thanks</c><00:32:28.320><c> I</c><00:32:28.440><c> appreciate</c><00:32:29.320><c
• <c> so</c><00:32:31.000><c> the</c><00:32:31.159><c> key</c><00:32:31.399><c> facts</c><00:32:31.679>

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> time</c><00:32:00.159><c> to</c><00:32:00.320><c> get</c><00:32:00.480><c> the</c><00:32:
• 02.000><c> and</c><00:32:02.240><c> I</c><00:32:02.399><c> think</c><00:32:02.559><c> they</c><00:32:
• c> we</c><00:32:06.640><c> than</c><00:32:06.880><c> what</c><00:32:07.039><c> we</c><00:32:07.200><c
• ><c> have</c><00:32:08.880><c> the</c><00:32:09.039><c> time</c><00:32:09.200><c> to</c><00:32:09.360
• </c><00:32:18.640><c> is</c><00:32:18.799><c> a</c><00:32:19.279><c> the</c><00:32:19.840><c> St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think<00:32:06.400><c> we</c><00:32:06.640><c> skipped</c><00:32:07.320><c> over</c><00:32:07.840><
• You<00:32:12.640><c> Yes,</c><00:32:13.080><c> Chair</c><00:32:13.320><c> Davids</c><00:32:13.720><c>
• :32:22.920><c> if</c><00:32:23.080><c> we</c><00:32:23.200><c> can.
• <00:32:42.520><c> Norris</c><00:32:42.880><c> and</c><00:32:43.000><c> I</c><00:32:43.080><c> had</c>
• We<00:32:46.120><c> sat</c><00:32:46.360><c> down</c><00:32:47.160><c> uh</c><00:32:47.280><c> with</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all