Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't ban hemp. It draws a clear, enforceable line.
• We hope to see it fleshed out as it moves forward.
• It sounds good.
• And why does it matter?
• Appreciate it. Thank you.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Leave them out of it.
• Members, this bill has an urgency clause on it. It is a 54-vote bill.
• It will make it easier for local education agencies to help solve the problem.
• it all together.
• in that little bag until it gets to the point and it explodes.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file. Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold. The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception. The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when it became apparent, it was the day of the release, and it was the day that all those folks were
• It is very different.
• It is fairness.
• Actually, it isn't set. The director will be the one to set it.
• And then that is it. And then that is it. That's it other than that one for Elward.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keep working at it, sir. Keep working at it.
• Is it a treaty tribe? Is it a non-treaty tribe? Is it a federally recognized tribe?
• I appreciate it.
• I appreciate it.
• heard it today.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills, with most of the discussion focused on tribal representation and natural resource management. On HB 2117, which would add a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, the prime sponsor and DNR officials said the bill would strengthen government-to-government relationships without replacing existing consultation duties. Tribal leaders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation testified in support, as did the Commissioner of Public Lands and DNR’s tribal relations director. County and timber interests said they were not opposed to tribal representation but raised concerns about trust responsibilities, beneficiary interests, and whether the representative should come from a tribe with commercial forest management experience. The committee later closed testimony on HB 2117 and read into the record 192 pro, 124 con, and zero other sign-ins. The committee also heard HB 2516, which would impose a two-year moratorium on the use of certain anticoagulant rodenticides and bromethalin after a Department of Agriculture report and while the Washington State Academy of Sciences studies alternatives and impacts. The prime sponsor argued the bill balances rodent control with concerns about wildlife, groundwater, and human exposure, while opponents from the pest management industry warned it would remove effective tools and worsen rodent problems, especially for low-income and manufactured-home communities. Supporters included the Washington Poison Center, wildlife rehabilitators, Birds Connect Seattle, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and other advocates who cited poisonings in wildlife and children and pointed to non-toxic alternatives and integrated pest management. The committee read into the record 754 pro, 176 con, and five other sign-ins. For HB 2554, which would repeal RCW 77.110 and related language tied to Initiative 456 and tribal fishing rights, the sponsor and the Attorney General’s Office said the statute is unconstitutional and inconsistent with federal treaty law and court rulings. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also supported repeal, describing the measure as removing an unenforceable anti-tribal statute. The committee then moved on to HB 2327, a bill directing JLARC to audit the county forest board lands trust and DNR’s management of those lands. The sponsor, former Rep. Jim Buck, county representatives, and forest industry witnesses supported an independent review of the trust structure and performance; some asked for amendments to address reconveyance options, broader legal and ecological considerations, and consultation with tribes and the Board of Natural Resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does have a few things that make it distinct. And so, I'll just highlight those here.
• </c> have a few things that make it distinct. have a few things that make it distinct.
• </c> that towards it. that towards it.
• One, it point out three things.
• . it. it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It does.
• &gt;&gt; It<00:06:48.560><c> does.</c> &gt;&gt; It does. &gt;&gt; It does.
• Eyes have it. Senate. Floor &gt;&gt; I. Opposed. Eyes have it. Senate.
• It would impact revenue that we take in, or lower it one way down or raise it the other way up.
• It would impact revenue that we take in, or lower it one way down or raise it the other way up.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:25.640><c> around</c> Amendment it it changes the words around Amendment it it changes the
• I'm proud to vote for it.
• And now... yeah, motion to roll it. We had to have a motion on that. You already did it.
• "Well, it wasn't very well done, but it could have been better.
• c> it it wasn't very well done but it but it it wasn't very well done but it but we<00:27:12.559><c>

Keywords: Roll Call 00:23 Roll Call Approval of Minutes 00:57 HB 664 Discussion 01:26 HB 664 Vote 08:25 HB 682 Discussion 10:46 HB 682 Vote 12:12 HB 493 Discussion 13:00 HB 493 Vote 20:20 HJR 5 Discussion 21:14 HJR 5 Vote 25:08 Kavis and Sherriff’s Inspection Discussion 27:40 Admin. Reg Consideration 35:40, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up several transportation-related measures. House Bill 664, concerning work zone safety, was amended by the committee to clarify that a peace officer may issue a citation based on images from an automated speed enforcement device. Representative John Blanton said the bill was prompted by the 2019 death of Jared Lee Helton in a work zone and is intended to slow drivers, protect workers, and improve safety. The bill would allow automated devices to transmit speed and rear license plate images to an officer, require active worker presence and warning signage with flashing lights, keep the $500 fine, and direct fines to the work zone safety fund. After questions about whether citations would be mailed and whether a worker must be present, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 664 favorably with expressions of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 682, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, was also amended by a committee substitute and reported favorably. The bill gives cable operators and broadband providers the same reimbursement treatment as other public utilities when their facilities must be relocated for construction projects. House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Steve Pollock, was taken up next and, after a committee substitute was adopted, was reported favorably. Pollock described the bill as a transparency measure for towing and storage, creating a certification process through the Transportation Cabinet, requiring public rate sheets, and setting rates to be reasonable and customary in Kentucky. The substitute removed an initial $1,500 cap, extended notice timing to up to five days in some cases, and clarified fees related to investigations and fatalities. Senators asked about regional differences in towing rates, and Pollock said the cabinet would consider different situations and that posted rates would govern. House Joint Resolution 5, designating honorary road and bridge names, was amended by both a committee substitute and committee amendment and then reported favorably. Representative Josh Branscum said the resolution honors various Kentuckians and is especially in memory of Russell County Deputy Joshua Fipps, who was killed in the line of duty in September 2024. The committee approved the resolution and a title amendment. Later in the meeting, Senator Armstrong asked to be recorded as voting aye on HB 664, HB 682, and HB 493. The committee also received an update from Transportation Cabinet IT Director Heather Stout on the CAVIS system, including improved performance, upcoming integration with KY ELT, centralized lien management, online boat renewals, permanent fleet plates, rolling replating changes, temporary tag printing, insurance modernization, and an electronic sheriff’s inspection system expected to reduce fraud and streamline transfers. No vote was taken on the CAVIS update, and the committee also began consideration of a referred administrative regulation on hazardous materials endorsement requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to understand it.
• </c> diabetes and its complications. diabetes and its complications.
• </c> its complications. its complications.
• It<00:19:08.520><c> can</c><00:19:09.280><c> um</c> It can um It can um create<00:19:10.680><c> fewer
• </c> I could not support it. Okay. I could not support it. Okay.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I just pray rescue them don't know it.
• , and placed upon its passage.
• </c> and sponsor only and placed upon its and sponsor only and placed upon its passage.<00:16:27.120>
• It is wonderful to see us research a problem, come up with a solution, and pass it quickly.
• But not only that, it also spawns something else that it didn't intend to spawn.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:45 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:20 Report of Committees 07:05 Orders of the Day 08:23 HB 214 08:33 HB 416 12:26 HB 281 16:20 HB 134 18:13 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 21:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 37:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 39:15 ConC/Rules Report 42:29 Floor Amendments 44:27 Correction to Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 46:14 Adjournment 46:40, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:26.079><c> it</c> what the amendment is going to it it what the amendment is going to it it
• </c><01:39:47.719><c> private</c> duty it it does not force private duty it it does not force private
• Sorry about it, but I can't do it.
• It gives them a day to just discuss it and, hopefully, promote it.
• </c><05:21:29.000><c> it</c> this because it it only says here it this because it it only says here it

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• minutes</c> of its processes all of its um minutes of its processes all of its um minutes and<00:26:
• </c><00:26:48.159><c> it</c> um that's a great question so it it um that's a great question so it it
• </c><00:33:01.600><c> that's</c><00:33:01.840><c> it</c> for it and then we pay it that's it for it and
• </c><01:35:02.880><c> it</c><01:35:03.520><c> requires</c> it I believe if I I could it it requires it
• /c> which I do think it it it very well which I do think it it it very well should should should be<03

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I get &gt;&gt; I needed to keep hearing it. Now I get it. it. it.
• . it. it.
• </c> something it it definitely should have. something it it definitely should have.
• They are it. Um but it it has to happen.
• Madam clerk, the motion is it. it. it.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> said</c> the way it was crafted in 2016, it said the way it was crafted in 2016, it said we're<00
• </c> of it. of it.
• ><02:44:34.560><c> a</c> Um it takes a lot of work, it takes a Um it takes a lot of work, it takes a
• </c> Maybe just strike it so it just says a Maybe just strike it so it just says a rigid<04:15:27.279
• </c> bill if it makes it to the Senate. bill if it makes it to the Senate. Correct. Correct.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> challenge it if it was done improperly. challenge it if it was done improperly.
• it, it should be see a notwithstanding it, it should be uh<01:08:50.799><c> focused</c><01:08:51.199
• So it it it can be hard that definition.
• </c> it out. it out.
• </c> okay with it. okay with it.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember it like it was yesterday. It was January 19th, 2020. It was our anniversary.
• </c><00:46:56.560><c> weeks</c> behind that it was was it eight weeks behind that it was was it eight
• It will have to play it way out.
• It will have to play it way out. And it gets down to is it medically necessary?
• It will have to play it way out. You've heard a lot about it.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:20:43.640><c> the</c> responsible for it it would be in the responsible for it it would be in the
• </c><01:31:40.679><c> it</c><01:31:40.800><c> seems</c> against it um but as I read it it seems against
• </c> if it were to pass in this chapter it if it were to pass in this chapter it does<01:31:56.440><c
• when it remanded it back 343 it was only when it remanded it back to<01:44:19.639><c> judge</c><01:44
• It doesn't affect it.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• . it. it.
• It's it it it affects a big companies.
• </c> revealed in how it treats its children." revealed in how it treats its children."
• . it. it.
• Take it. Take it.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . it. it.
• seems like uh as we try to uh &gt;&gt; because it seems like uh as we try to uh modernize<00:37:42.320
• </c> it because it seems like it makes sense. it because it seems like it makes sense.
• It repeats the same short-term it.
• is because it is it viewed as a CBA it is because it is it has<02:29:16.560><c> funding</c><02:29:16.880

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it up as Dennis was told to suck it up. it up as Dennis was told to suck it up.
• It takes courage to speak about it.
• Sell it. Sell it back into the market.
• Sell it. Sell it back into the market.
• It is for my kids. It is for moment. It is for my kids. It is for your<04:43:13.360><c> kids.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it doesn't meet those requirements, we will kick it back to the agency, and we will not put it in
• </c><01:50:28.719><c> is</c><01:50:28.840><c> it</c> but you have to be careful is it is it but you have
• it watch for<01:57:23.920><c> it</c> for it for it guys<01:57:27.239><c> yes</c><01:57:27.520><c> so<
• /c> pattern came back and it it went back up pattern came back and it it went back up and<04:23:00.680
• > but</c><04:35:17.400><c> it</c><04:35:17.561><c> is</c> is but it is is but it is decreasing<04:35:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.