Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, by increasing vehicle registration fees, we distance fees, and establishing an electric vehicle surcharge
• Row 11, which is the motor vehicle excise tax. We did two things, Mr.
• tax, vehicle registration fees, um, gasoline tax and vehicle registration fees actually should seem
• registration, gasoline tax and vehicle registration revenues.
• Uh, increase to vehicle registration fees that was $30 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do about a quarter of our travel at night, but nearly half of motor vehicles.
• Following along on the safety theme, what vehicle technologies can help protect pedestrians?
• So that's an example of two technologies in the vehicle that can be really, really beneficial.
• vehicle occupant deaths go up about 12% and the exact opposite with pedestrian and fatality.
• pedestrian bicyclists and vehicle deaths.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: daylight saving time, Sunshine Protection Act, health impacts, clock change, legislative discussion

Summary: The committee meeting was dedicated to discussing significant legislative topics, focusing particularly on the implications of daylight saving time (DST). Senator Scott advocated for the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time year-round. He emphasized the negative health impacts associated with DST, including increased risks of heart attacks and accidents immediately following the time changes. Various witnesses provided personal testimonies and expert opinions, highlighting the confusion and health disruptions caused by the current time change practices.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're almost standard vehicles, right?
• And so I started looking into the situation. almost standard Vehicles right I mean almost standard Vehicles
• </c><00:26:34.840><c> by</c> different between or the vehicle by different between or the vehicle by
• </c> interaction with those smaller vehicles interaction with those smaller vehicles and<00:34:10.919
• and understand these vehicles are and understand these vehicles are they're<00:34:12.520><c> not</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:

• Recycling end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles reduces the demand for raw materials, thereby
• California has the greatest number of registered electric vehicles, or EVs, in the nation, with over
• As an early driver and adopter of zero-mission vehicle technology, California is also at the forefront
• for the end-of-life management and recycling of vehicle traction batteries.
• for the end-of-life management and recycling of vehicle traction batteries.

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard SB 615 by Senator Allen, which would create a Department of Toxic Substances Control program for end-of-life electric vehicle battery management. The bill is intended to promote reuse, repurposing, recycling, tracking, and responsible handling of EV batteries, with producer responsibility and certification of recyclers as key features. Supporters, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, California State Association of Counties, automakers, recyclers, and environmental groups, said the measure would help prevent hazardous waste problems, reduce illegal dumping, and prepare for a coming wave of battery retirements. Opponents, including Tesla, Rivian, the California Chamber of Commerce, and others, raised concerns about liability, burdens on smaller entities, and the bill’s structure, while some groups supported it if amended. Committee members discussed the current low recycling rate for EV batteries, the difference between reuse, repurpose, and recycling, and whether the bill appropriately places responsibility on producers rather than consumers. The author said the bill builds on prior work and stakeholder input and is designed to create a workable system without overburdening DTSC. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 615 out on a 5-1 vote, with one member voting no. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 39, SB 454, SB 724, and SCR 3, and those measures were approved. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the time these days attached<00:21:34.799><c> to</c><00:21:34.960><c> their</c><00:21:35.200><c> vehicles
• </c><00:21:36.240><c> If</c><00:21:36.480><c> one</c><00:21:36.640><c> of</c> attached to their vehicles
• If one of attached to their vehicles.
• We require our contractors to be licensed and go through this process.
• We require our contractors to be licensed and go through this process.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, going forward, um, I actually happen to have a private pilot's license.
• Um, going forward, um, I actually happen to have a private pilot's license.
• Um, going forward, um, I actually happen to have a private pilot's license.
• I actually happen to have a private pilot's license.
• </c> have a few questions about this vehicle have a few questions about this vehicle and<01:36:02.800

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have us in place with the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Division of Vital Records to incorporate
• </c><00:07:31.919><c> and</c><00:07:32.160><c> the</c> division of motor vehicles and the division of
• motor vehicles and the division<00:07:32.720><c> of</c><00:07:32.800><c> vital</c><00:07:33.199><c>
• It's paid by the license fee, so it's not a big drain on the general fund. Thank you. >> Yes.
• It's put by<01:06:45.520><c> the</c><01:06:45.680><c> license</c><01:06:46.160><c> fee,</c><01:06:46.480

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• earned my state of Minnesota boiler earned my state of Minnesota boiler operator operator operator license
• <01:36:14.600><c> maintained</c><01:36:15.080><c> full-time</c><01:36:15.560><c> employment</c> license
• maintained full-time employment license maintained full-time employment since<01:36:16.239><c> December
• 01:36:23.760><c> own</c><01:36:23.920><c> apartment</c><01:36:24.280><c> and</c><01:36:24.440><c> vehicle
• </c><01:36:24.760><c> in</c> obtain my own apartment and vehicle in obtain my own apartment and vehicle

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• counsel to State Police, the Department of Safety, so there's issues that come up with the motor vehicle
• Again, we opened a licensed cosmetology program during the pandemic.
• Again, we opened a licensed cosmetology program during the pandemic.
• Again, we opened a licensed cosmetology program during the pandemic.
• Again, we opened a licensed cosmetology program during the pandemic.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , federally defined as covered farm vehicles.
• Many exemptions already exist for similar vehicles.
• diesel-powered vehicles.
• Retrofitting these farm vehicles can be extremely costly for folks.
• And as previously stated, these vehicles aren't driving nearly as much as other vehicles that already

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:57.920><c> driver's</c> In that court case, the vehicle driver's In that court case, the vehicle
• </c><00:11:43.600><c> speeding</c> disturbing footage of vehicles speeding disturbing footage of vehicles
• </c><00:16:18.840><c> in</c> lights flash, approaching vehicles in lights flash, approaching vehicles
• I got obviously vehicles have to stop.
• </c><00:21:22.560><c> are</c> four-lane road where as vehicles are four-lane road where as vehicles are

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> connected and automated vehicle connected and automated vehicle technology<00:50:06.440><c> as</
• Most vehicles being sold in Minnesota today currently have some automated vehicle technology, ranging
• </c> of the governor's automated vehicle of the governor's automated vehicle advisory<00:52:42.880><c
• </c> that looks like for automated vehicles that looks like for automated vehicles on<01:02:17.160><c
• </c> manufacturers are on electric vehicles manufacturers are on electric vehicles is<01:15:24.159><c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the programs funded is zero-emission vehicle investments, both the vehicles themselves and the
• So 30% of those vehicles are the concern.
• The cars, a lot of our vehicles actually provide information, whether they're electric vehicles or they
• we can't target that specific vehicle.
• to vehicle-on-vehicle collisions and sort of specific things you may want to look for in responding

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 3432 will then be picked back up and turned into the safety and security package vehicle.
• Senate File 3432 will then be picked back up and turned into the safety and security package vehicle.
• </c> security package vehicle. security package vehicle.
• </c> the insignia from emergency vehicles the insignia from emergency vehicles sold<00:15:52.800><c>
• ,</c><00:18:07.800><c> emergency</c> public safety vehicles, emergency public safety vehicles, emergency

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:18.560><c> and</c> vehicles and vehicles and uh<00:01:19.920><c> railroad</c><00:01:20.360><c>
• </c> wheelchair accessible vehicles wheelchair accessible vehicles um<00:28:05.840><c> supply</c><00:
• </c> Commercial Vehicle Operations. Commercial Vehicle Operations.
• vehicles.
• > and</c> drive my own vehicle and drive my own vehicle and yet yet yet we're<00:50:17.720><c> still<

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have a vehicle or they have children where they can't bring them two hours.
• They don't have a vehicle or they have children where they can't bring them two hours.
• In 2021, the Legislature responded by creating a moratorium on new hospice licenses.
• In 2021, the legislature responded by creating a moratorium on new hospice licenses.
• In 2020, Responded by creating a moratorium on new hospice licenses.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard a series of bills focused on access to care, insurance coverage, and public health. AB 387 on youth sports AED access drew support from the author and safety advocates, but opposition from school, park, city, and county groups over liability, cost, and access concerns. The author said he would continue working on amendments to shift the bill toward requiring access to existing AEDs rather than mandating facility procurement. Committee members emphasized the life-saving purpose of the bill while also raising affordability and access concerns for youth sports programs. The committee also heard AB 1682, which would require health plans and insurers to cover FDA-cleared scalp cooling devices for chemotherapy patients. Supporters, including breast cancer survivors and health groups, described the emotional and quality-of-life benefits of preventing hair loss and said cost is the main barrier to access. There was no formal opposition, though one senator raised concerns about whether the mandate could exceed essential health benefits. The chair and members expressed support for the bill’s goals and said it would be taken up when quorum was established. AB 2093, a follow-up to the 988 crisis line law, sought to clarify statewide leadership, improve coordination among 988, 911, and mobile crisis teams, and create a more sustainable funding structure. Behavioral health organizations and crisis center representatives supported the bill, saying implementation challenges and demand growth require statutory fixes. Committee members generally supported the concept but noted the bill was a gut-and-amend and that additional work was needed with county and behavioral health stakeholders. The committee then heard AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment, AB 1629 on dental assignment of benefits, AB 2540 on community college access to medication abortion services, and AB 1929 on disclosure of health plan investments. AB 1843 had broad support from medical and public health groups but opposition from health plans, which argued it conflicted with the prior-authorization framework in SB 306 and could raise drug costs. AB 1629 was supported by dental and patient advocates but opposed by dental plans and insurers over concerns about network participation and out-of-pocket costs. AB 2540 drew strong support from reproductive health advocates and student representatives, while community college health services and some others opposed or were neutral pending amendments; the author said the bill was about equity and accepted amendments to reduce burdens. AB 1929 was backed by labor and immigrant rights groups as a transparency measure, but opposed by health plans and insurers who said Covered California was not the right entity to administer the disclosures and that the information was already publicly available. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly weighed public access and transparency against cost, administrative burden, and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program, In-Home Supportive Services, and SSI/SSP, as well as adult protective services and our licensing
• In addition to Home Safe, are there other approaches or vehicles to address older adult homelessness?
• $570 million in grants to create and expand housing with care and supportive services, including licensed
• The CCE Preservation Program has made $249.5 million available for counties to preserve existing licensed
• Without continued stabilization funding, small family-run licensed care facilities that operate on thin

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ARE ARE HAVING ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO BACKGROUND CHECKS AND OUR LICENSES BEING ISSUED AND RIGHT NOW
• WILL THEY HAVE THEIR LICENSE REMOVED?
• WILL THEY HAVE THEIR LICENSE REMOVED?
• WE HAVE 22 PEOPLE WAIVING TO RECEIVE THEIR MMT LICENSE RIGHT NOW AND WE ALSO THEIR MMT LICENSE RIGHT
• WE HAVE A FLORIDA LICENSE BUT THEY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Electric vehicles use a per-mile mileage system because the state provides free fuel for their vehicles
• </c><00:03:17.680><c> owners</c> free fuel to gasoline vehicle owners free fuel to gasoline vehicle owners
• ><c> a</c><00:03:20.920><c> high</c> gasoline vehicle owners pay a high gasoline vehicle owners pay a
• </c><00:05:33.360><c> in</c> to the 2033 with all of the vehicles in to the 2033 with all of the vehicles
• </c> he's from Hawaii Electric Vehicle he's from Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association<00:13:36.199><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to being a builder-developer, I'm also a licensed septic designer.
• I've had my license for over 15 years now. And we deal with this stuff day in and day out.
• In addition to being a builder-developer, I'm also a licensed septic designer.
• I've had my license for over 15 years now. And we deal with this stuff day in and day out.
• In addition to being a builder-developer, I'm also a licensed septic designer.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on SB 170 opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on a housing-related provision that would prohibit municipalities from requiring occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The chair proposed adding “school enrollment status” as a protected class to prevent towns from limiting where students may live, especially in Durham. Members debated whether that phrase was too vague and whether “educational status,” “enrollment status,” or “school enrollment status” was the best wording. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications under the state’s anti-discrimination law and could also affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the bill was aimed at preventing local rules that restrict student housing and group living arrangements. The subcommittee did not take a final vote on that language during the discussion. The committee then turned to land-use and subdivision provisions. The Department of Environmental Services testified that its test-pit and related land-development rules are already protective of groundwater and surface water, and that municipalities sometimes impose stricter setbacks or other requirements locally. Builders and housing advocates argued that more stringent local requirements for test pits, well siting, and related approvals add time and cost and can impede housing development, while some municipal concerns were raised about aquifer and wellhead protection overlay districts and local groundwater safeguards. Public testimony also supported making state standards uniform across municipalities, though one speaker noted that local and state review processes can differ and that the bill could simplify approvals. The subcommittee also discussed a road-length provision, with one member supporting limits on municipal caps that could impede development and another suggesting a possible water-and-sewer-capacity qualifier. Additional sections were explained as allowing utilities and infrastructure to be placed in subdivision open spaces or perimeter buffers, and requiring municipalities to act quickly on plan changes after initial review. The chair indicated support for several of the sections as drafted, and the discussion ended with the committee moving through the remaining provisions without recorded final votes in the transcript.