Transcript Highlights:

• Smart Start LLC in support. Anyone online or in person wishing to testify on this matter before us?
• </c><02:20:20.399><c> and</c><02:20:20.720><c> Smart</c><02:20:21.120><c> Start</c><02:20:21.760><c>
• LLC</c><02:20:22.240><c> in</c> &gt;&gt; Thank you. and Smart Start LLC in &gt;&gt; Thank you. and Smart

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Creating a 10-year process is likely a smart idea. We know that standards change over time.
• process</c><00:37:15.119><c> is</c><00:37:15.599><c> likely</c><00:37:15.920><c> a</c><00:37:16.079><c> smart
• </c> a a 10-year process is likely a smart a a 10-year process is likely a smart idea.<00:37:17.040><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, creating a 10-year process is likely a smart idea. Um, we know that standards change over time.
• process</c><00:37:15.119><c> is</c><00:37:15.599><c> likely</c><00:37:15.920><c> a</c><00:37:16.079><c> smart
• </c> a a 10-year process is likely a smart a a 10-year process is likely a smart idea.<00:37:17.040><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no way that a consumer, and I'm a smart consumer, I've bought probably eight different houses
• consumer<01:30:06.080><c> and</c><01:30:06.239><c> I'm</c><01:30:06.360><c> a</c><01:30:06.520><c> smart
• </c><01:30:06.920><c> consumer</c><01:30:07.520><c> I've</c> consumer and I'm a smart consumer I've consumer
• and I'm a smart consumer I've bought<01:30:08.440><c> probably</c><01:30:08.800><c> eight</c><01:30:

Bills: HF1865, HF2014, HF2028

Keywords: mortgage, qualified mortgage, QM, points and fees, conventional loan, consumer lending, home loan, residential real estate, lender fees, service charge, finance charge, closing costs, Minnesota Statutes 47.20, housing finance, borrower protections, cooperative apartment loan, contract for deed, real estate lending, foreclosure, notice requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• It's much more of a smart, intelligent system than the Opticom system, which is essentially pushing a
• much</c><01:01:13.920><c> more</c><01:01:14.200><c> of</c><01:01:14.400><c> a</c><01:01:15.119><c> smart
• </c><01:01:15.640><c> intelligent</c> it's uh much more of a smart intelligent it's uh much more of a
• smart intelligent system<01:01:17.400><c> um</c><01:01:17.680><c> than</c><01:01:17.880><c> the</c><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• wisdom of the legislature, has brought this program back, and now it's time to really start getting smart
• :32:57.080><c> really</c><01:32:57.320><c> start</c><01:32:57.600><c> getting</c><01:32:57.840><c> smart
• </c><01:32:58.280><c> some</c> time to really start getting smart some time to really start getting smart

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows other people then to congratulate you: wow, you’re so smart, I can’t believe you made that
• congratulate you wow people then to congratulate you wow you're<00:31:49.360><c> so</c><00:31:49.559><c> smart
• can't</c><00:31:50.120><c> believe</c><00:31:50.320><c> you</c><00:31:50.440><c> made</c> you're so smart
• I can't believe you made you're so smart I can't believe you made that<00:31:50.840><c> bet</c><00:31

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the smart committee here, okay, thank you. Yeah, Corell, thank you for taking my question.
• committee here okay thank you Smart committee here okay thank you yeah<05:20:03.558><c> Corell</c><05
• I'm sure they have smart people that work there, all right?
• I'm sure they have smart people that work there, all right?
• I know they have smart people that work there, all right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• fairly soon after they implemented this plan in order to incentivize more customers to have these smart
• more sophisticated technology more rapidly because it benefits the entire system. to to have these smart
• to to have these smart meters<00:25:32.360><c> well</c><00:25:32.520><c> I</c><00:25:32.600><c> don't
• Can you tell me what the Department of Energy's position on timing of adoption for AMIs or smart meters
• Harrington said, "Yeah, I think we just heard for hours on the whole bit with the time-of-use and smart

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another has restricted hours, and many more keep their doors locked with attendance monitoring entry.
• Um, business owners are now locking their doors during operating hours.
• Um, business owners are now locking<03:10:59.520><c> their</c><03:10:59.760><c> doors</c><03:11:00.160
• ><c> during</c><03:11:00.479><c> operating</c> locking their doors during operating locking their doors
• When businesses lock their doors and station guards, commerce dies.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The hearing of the Minnesota Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability focused on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, especially ICE and CBP operations, and their alleged constitutional and civil-rights impacts. Opening remarks from both parties emphasized the need for calm, cooperation, and public safety, though they sharply differed on the causes of the current situation. Republican members argued that violent criminal undocumented immigrants should be removed and that state and local officials should cooperate with federal authorities. Senator McEwen and other Democrats described the federal presence as abusive and terrorizing, citing deaths, family separations, and community fear, and called for accountability and truth-telling. The chair also held a moment of silence for Renee Mlin Good and Alex Prey before testimony began. Testimony from the ACLU of Minnesota and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota described what they said was a large-scale federal enforcement operation, including Operation Metro Surge, with widespread alleged violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, and other constitutional amendments. Witnesses cited alleged racial profiling, warrantless arrests, excessive force, denial of counsel, detention out of state, and failure to comply with court orders. They referenced specific cases involving Susan Tinure, Abdi Khadir Nure, Victor Manuel Diaz, and others, as well as reports of journalists and community members being threatened or detained while documenting ICE activity. The witnesses also said the federal government’s lack of transparency makes it difficult to know how many people have been detained or deported and argued that the harm extends to both immigrants and citizens. Committee members asked questions about ICE entering homes without judicial warrants, federal claims about constitutional limits, and access to counsel for detainees moved out of state. The witnesses said that out-of-state detention, poor locator systems, paid phone access, and lack of privacy make legal representation difficult or impossible, and that civil-rights remedies often come too late because people are removed before cases are resolved. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee moved from opening statements into testimony and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioner 6559 and and although the commissioner the<04:04:15.760><c> ballot</c><04:04:16.159><c> lock
• </c> the ballot lock the ballot lock commission<04:04:18.199><c> individuals</c><04:04:19.000><c> actually
• </c><04:27:56.960><c> at</c><04:27:57.080><c> the</c><04:27:57.239><c> ballot</c><04:27:57.560><c> lock
• </c> who testified at the ballot lock who testified at the ballot lock commission<04:27:58.840><c> thank

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can have good conversations around this and also understand the agencies need to figure out how to lock
• figure</c><02:42:59.840><c> out</c><02:42:59.960><c> how</c><02:43:00.040><c> to</c><02:43:00.160><c> lock
• </c><02:43:00.440><c> arms</c><02:43:00.840><c> with</c> need to figure out how to lock arms with need
• to figure out how to lock arms with the<02:43:01.480><c> legislature,</c><02:43:02.120><c> no</c><02

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It has implications for when we think about hardening schools because is the objective here to lock out
• <00:18:35.520><c> objective</c><00:18:36.000><c> here</c><00:18:36.240><c> to</c><00:18:36.400><c> lock
• </c> because is the objective here to lock because is the objective here to lock out<00:18:36.799><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a fast mover when they adopt, when they change the policy at the federal level, so that we're not locked
• c><00:05:09.639><c> that</c><00:05:09.759><c> we're</c><00:05:09.960><c> not</c><00:05:10.160><c> locked
• </c> federal level so that we're not locked federal level so that we're not locked in<00:05:11.199><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would be smart for them to do so because they could essentially say to the alumni, hey, we
• These bills offer a smart balance to the solution.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its first hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including hunger-free campuses, FAFSA completion, early college/college-in-high-school programs, banning legacy preferences, AP credit consistency, and tuition equity for the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Committee leaders opened by outlining the hearing process and noting the three-minute testimony limit. Legislators and advocates generally framed the bills as equity and access measures aimed at improving college affordability, student success, and workforce development. Representative Vargas testified for H. 1466 and H. 1467, arguing that hunger-free campus should be codified because many public college and community college students face food insecurity, and that FAFSA completion should be improved through individualized outreach and an opt-out or completion requirement. Senator Lovely, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and other advocates supported the hunger-free campus bill, citing data that 44% of public university and community college students experienced food insecurity in 2023 and that food insecurity harms graduation rates. Femi Stoltz and Shanti Lopez Toro backed the FAFSA bill, saying many students miss out on Pell grants and need direct support; they pointed to state examples such as Louisiana and to recent state action requiring FAFSA awareness. Committee members asked about the federal FAFSA rollout, regional equity in food access, and the need for long-term funding and data collection. A large panel supported H. 1455 on college and high school/early college, including former Chair Roy, the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College, a student graduate, MBAE, and Tripp Jones. They described early college as a proven model that helps low-income and first-generation students, improves degree attainment, and supports workforce needs; witnesses said the goal is to scale from about 9,000 students and 55 partnerships toward 22,000 to 25,000 students by 2030, with possible future growth beyond that. Members raised questions about funding, public-private partnerships, parental involvement, faculty development, and whether the bill should include data review and more standardized policies across institutions. Representative Garcia also testified for H. 1432 on AP credit, saying students should receive consistent credit for AP scores of 3, 4, or 5. Senator Edwards and James Murphy testified for the legacy preference ban, arguing it is unfair and rooted in exclusionary history; they said some states have already banned legacy preferences in public and private institutions. Finally, UMass Dean Michael Fox, alumnus Dan Mayer, and student Jake Rasmussen supported S. 920 to include Stockbridge associate degree programs in MassEducate, saying tuition equity would help enrollment and support Massachusetts agriculture and green-industry jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm not as smart as the rest of the people up here.
• Um, I'm not as smart as the rest of the people up here.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 10 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contract reviews, including a deferred Kentucky Transportation Cabinet item tied to Louisville bridge tolling and RiverLink. Transportation officials explained that the contract was part of a bi-state arrangement with Indiana: Indiana Finance Authority held the main contract with HNTB, while Kentucky needed a mirror contract to pay its 50% share under the bi-state management agreement. Members questioned why the work was treated as effectively no-bid, how much input Kentucky had in vendor selection, RiverLink’s collection performance, and when tolls might end. Transportation said Kentucky had equal representation in selection, HNTB served as a toll services advisor, collections and customer service had improved, and tolls are expected to remain until debt obligations are paid off in 2058. Several members criticized the company’s past performance and voted no as a statement of concern, but the contract still moved forward. The committee then deferred a Kentucky State University item because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State. It also approved the overall agenda and contract review lists. A Board of Optometric Examiners contract drew significant discussion: board representatives said they had previously relied on the Public Protection Cabinet for legal services, but that office lacked staff and advised them to seek outside counsel. Some members argued the committee could not approve a contract that appeared to conflict with statute, while others said the board should not be left without legal counsel and that the Attorney General should be brought in to resolve the issue. The committee ultimately voted to defer the optometric contract for one month and requested the Attorney General appear at the next meeting. Finally, the committee reviewed an Administrative Office of the Courts amendment for the Court of Appeals building project. Staff explained that the General Assembly had authorized the project, the design contract had already gone through multiple approved phases, and the current item was only an administrative correction to a prior modification amount. Members approved the amendment, with one member noting appreciation that the project costs had been reduced when an error was found.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a basic need and I think this is a smart bill to support and uh hope you can join us. >>
• This is just a basic need and I think this is a smart bill to support and uh hope you can join us. >>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryan Smart with the Florida Springs Council speaking against.
• I am Ryan Smart, Executive Director of the Florida Springs Council.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Investing in prevention and treatment is smart public health policy and it is smart fiscal policy.

Bills: SB2211, SB2025, SB2038, SB2050, SB2051, SB2090

Keywords: emergency funding, food assistance, healthcare, federal shutdown, Hawaii, DHS, jury duty, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, exemption, patient care, financial hardship, medication abortion, anonymous prescription, pregnancy rights, healthcare privacy, pharmacy regulations, chiropractic education, clinical training, student supervision

Summary: The House Committee on Health held its first hearing of the session and opened with housekeeping notes, introductions of members, and an explanation that the agenda would be taken out of order to accommodate a sign language interpreter. The committee first heard HB 469, relating to parking for disabled persons. Testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill, explaining that a travel placard would help people with disabilities who must travel interisland or to the mainland for medical care. Members asked about emergency travel, misuse prevention, and how to distinguish the travel placard from existing disabled parking placards; witnesses said the bill would need to be tied to administrative rules, and agreed the placard should clearly show an expiration date and likely be a different color. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 218, relating to hospital surgical smoke. The Department of Health supported the measure, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii supported it with amendments, saying hospitals already follow existing standards but that any new policy should account for different procedures and provider safety. A committee member questioned the proposed amendment language and whether it was too flexible; the witness explained the intent was to allow case-by-case application because some procedures generate only brief exposure. Members also asked what surgical smoke is, and the witness explained it is produced when electrical or cauterizing tools are used on tissue and creates vapor or fumes. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee next took up HB 814, which would fund a public information campaign and related services on cannabis use among youth. The Department of the Attorney General said the bill should be amended to clarify whether the funding would be used for contracts or grants and to include proper grant standards if grants are intended. The Department of Health supported the bill and said the funds would expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education efforts, including social media outreach, PSAs, and school-based youth services. Multiple organizations and individuals testified in support, emphasizing the harms of youth cannabis use and the need for prevention and treatment resources. Members asked what the department currently does, whether it is fulfilling existing law on science-based cannabis information, and what kinds of treatment would be provided; the department said services would mainly be intensive outpatient, outpatient, counseling, and related youth-focused supports. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a very smart man. He is a New England Patriots fan, Mr. President. Mr.
• We're going to pay cash, because that's smart.

Keywords: 996, all