Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, it depends if we're able to get this filing in and we're able to accelerate this process
• you</c><00:43:36.440><c> know</c><00:43:36.720><c> it</c><00:43:37.000><c> it</c><00:43:37.160><c> depends
• c><00:43:37.480><c> if</c><00:43:37.599><c> we're</c><00:43:37.800><c> able</c> um you know it it depends
• if we're able um you know it it depends if we're able to<00:43:38.119><c> get</c><00:43:38.280><c> this
• Yeah, it just depends on the type of technology used, which is determined by the temperature and the

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided. The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs. Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it is a scale of fees that is dependent on how much water you use.
• c> how</c><00:20:04.480><c> much</c><00:20:04.720><c> water</c><00:20:05.039><c> you</c> that is dependent
• on how much water you that is dependent on how much water you use<00:20:05.640><c> so</c><00:20:05.960
• especially and making sure that we are minimizing impacts to landfills and to water and land that depends
• especially and making sure that we are minimizing impacts to landfills and to water and land that depends

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The counties usually accept it, but it depends on whether there are some not-to-standard issues.
• We really won't limit you; it depends on how we're doing this morning, but we'd like to make sure that
• won't<00:25:02.520><c> limit</c><00:25:02.880><c> you</c><00:25:03.559><c> um</c><00:25:03.799><c> depends
• </c><00:25:04.320><c> on</c><00:25:05.159><c> uh</c><00:25:05.320><c> how</c> won't limit you um depends
• on uh how won't limit you um depends on uh how we're<00:25:05.720><c> doing</c><00:25:06.200><c> this

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on if people come with an accent. I was born and raised here.
• So it’s sort of situational depending on what the teachers’ experiences bring with them.
• </c><01:07:09.160><c> on</c> it's sort of situational depending on it's sort of situational depending
• /c><01:09:14.880><c> it</c> born and raised in Hawaii so it it born and raised in Hawaii so it it depends
• in how well are you're going to depends in how well are you're going to study<01:09:17.159><c> again

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it depends on what we mean by beginning this path.
• It depends on what the comptroller rules and how they put that together, but it would not be at the higher
• It just depends.
• We use all of the federal poverty levels for our various programs, so it depends on the program being
• But in terms of diversification, I think it would depend on the area.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would depend on the situation.
• I think it would depend on the situation.
• I think it would depend on the situation.
• I think it would depend on the situation.
• I think it would depend on the situation.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this and the cost, because there is a cost involved with the programming of these elections and depending
• this and the cost, because there is a cost involved with the programming of these elections and depending
• the programming of these<00:29:46.360><c> elections</c><00:29:47.360><c> and</c><00:29:47.519><c> depending
• </c><00:29:47.880><c> on</c><00:29:48.000><c> the</c> ...these elections, and depending on the type of
• those cities that do not have their own devices currently, I believe our office could work with them depending

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk be directed to spend the depending on the calendar.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the pledge of allegiance and then took up a committee report from the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petitioned bill by Michael D. Brady establishing a firefighter staffing grant program. The Senate also suspended Rule 36 to consider the matter forthwith and referred the bill to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The chamber then acted on several bills from the Orders of the Day. It ordered to a third reading a Senate bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the City of Boston, and it passed to be engrossed House Bill 4602, which increases the membership of the select board in the town of Monson after a title change by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. After a brief recess, the Senate received House Bill 5280, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill. The House had non-concurred with the Senate amendment and appointed a conference committee; the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appointed its own conferees. The Senate also took up House Bill 5317 concerning easements or takings of certain parcels of land in Boston, suspended the rule to consider it forthwith, and ordered it to a third reading. The session ended with adoption of an adjournment order and adjournment until Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, for the individuals in New Hampshire who are patients and are depending on this, the cancer patients
• Um, for the individuals in New Hampshire who are patients and are depending on this, the cancer patients
• They would be able to have an extension or a hand control depending on their disability, but they need
• They would be able to have an extension or a hand control depending on their disability, but they need
• on when this a formal break depending on when this hearing<03:24:43.680><c> ends.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard anywhere ranging from six months to three years, so it depends where you are.
• Um, I think that would depend on the business.
• Um it depends formal subcommittee.
• Um it depends what<04:21:02.319><c> you</c><04:21:02.560><c> prefer.
• So it may just depend on who's doing the asking. ...on lately.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; possibly it just it just be it depends &gt;&gt; possibly it just it just be it depends
• Um, depending on what it says, there's a possibility a waiver could be submitted where some of these
• Um<02:13:54.400><c> depending</c><02:13:54.880><c> on</c><02:13:55.040><c> what</c><02:13:55.280><c>
• it</c><02:13:55.440><c> says,</c><02:13:56.480><c> there's</c><02:13:56.719><c> a</c> Um depending on
• on what the federal government depending on what the federal government will<02:14:41.360><c> do</c>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 15 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:56.079><c> So</c> heavily dependent on the US economy.
• So heavily dependent on the US economy.
• It’s because we’re so dependent on that right now.
• I mean, the caveat to that, of course, is that uh it depends on when it flips, right?
• </c><01:55:01.440><c> It</c> depends on when it flips, right? It depends on when it flips, right?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know exactly how we would do it; that depends on the outcome of the legislation.
• That depends on the outcome of the legislation, but we would somehow have to reflect the interest of
• </c><01:14:33.280><c> on</c> contact uh and just have to depend on contact uh and just have to depend
• </c><02:02:01.760><c> on</c><02:02:02.400><c> Congressional</c> each year depending on Congressional
• each year depending on Congressional approval<02:02:03.960><c> and</c><02:02:04.079><c> then</c><02:02

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk be directed to spend the depending on the calendar.

Summary: The Senate began with the pledge of allegiance and then took up several procedural and local matters. A committee report on a petition and bill by Michael D. Browell and Michael D. Brady to establish a firefighter staffing grant program recommended suspension of Joint Rule 12; the Senate suspended both Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 and referred the matter to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The chamber then advanced two House and Senate bills without objection. It ordered to a third reading a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the City of Boston, and it passed to be engrossed a bill increasing the membership of the select board in Monson. The Senate also considered a House bill on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, where the House had disagreed with the Senate amendment; the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appointed Senators Rogers, Comerford, and O'Connor to a conference committee. Finally, the Senate received another House bill authorizing easements or takings in Boston and, after suspending the rule, ordered it to a third reading. The session concluded with adoption of an adjournment order, and the Senate adjourned to meet again on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk be directed to spend the depending on the calendar.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's it's fact and law dependent.<02:56:57.760><c> But</c><02:56:58.479><c> I</c><02:56:58.720><c> think
• But I think of the reason for dependent.
• on exactly how the order comes depending on exactly how the order comes down<03:05:56.240><c> from</
• on the property tax revenue from depend on the property tax revenue from these these these coal<03:31
• It really depends on the person.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• children, the horrible stench that it is, and have a contact high by your little three-year-old depending
• </c><02:09:24.159><c> on</c><02:09:24.320><c> whose</c> more every year and depending on whose more every
• year and depending on whose shoes<02:09:24.800><c> you</c><02:09:24.960><c> walk</c><02:09:25.119><c
• I mean, I couched it as it depends on whose shoes you walk in, but you've said it more directly, and
• Yeah, depending on the model that you're talking about — in the jail model, the two jail models, yeah

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Often they are granted depending; they just don't fit into the cookie-cutter mold.
• Often they are granted depending; they just don't fit into the cookie-cutter mold.
• Often they are granted depending; they just don't fit into the cookie-cutter mold.
• It really depends on the language that's in front of me at the time.
• Um, it does, but it depends, right?

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The decision of whether or not to seek legal counsel by an individual student is right now very dependent
• The decision of whether or not to seek legal counsel by an individual student is right now very dependent
• </c><04:16:48.159><c> as</c> success of our whole system depends as success of our whole system depends
• It provides a different percentage of grant, uh, depending on the fiscal capacity of the district.
• on the fiscal capacity of the depending on the fiscal capacity of the district.<04:23:44.319><c> It<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said it depends on the child and the goal being worked toward.
• She said it depends on the child and the goal being worked toward.
• on the child may so it's it all depends on the child all<01:15:19.480><c> depends</c><01:15:19.880><
• This bill is chock-full of it, taking away resources that students depend on and isolating them from
• </c><02:16:28.520><c> on</c><02:16:28.679><c> from</c><02:16:28.880><c> future</c> what I've depended

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on HB 222, which would repeal the requirement that a chartered public school and the resident school district sign a memorandum of understanding on how students with disabilities will receive special education services. The prime sponsor, Rep. Peggy Balboni, said the bill was requested by the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators and the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She argued that federal and state law already require districts to provide FAPE and that the MOU requirement has created extra work, legal costs, and delays without improving services. She said many MOUs remain unsigned, but students are still receiving services and complaint numbers have not changed. Rep. Mooney also supported repeal, calling the MOU duplicative and impractical because IEPs and 504 plans already govern services. Testimony from Jane B. Brulu of the special education administrators’ association and Beth McLure of the charter schools alliance echoed that view, saying the MOU has not helped students, has added hours of work and legal fees, and has mostly been a source of disputes over funding and service costs. McLure said her school has worked with more than 15 districts and has always been able to reach agreements, though the first year of the requirement took substantial time and money. Committee members asked about the original purpose of the law, unsigned MOUs, and whether disputes could be resolved without the requirement. A representative from the Department of Education said the MOU was originally proposed to address reports that some students were not getting services on time and to provide some oversight, but the department has no authority to order charter schools or districts to agree and no appeal process if they cannot. The department also said it does not currently audit charter school special education services because it lacks authority to monitor charter schools directly, and it urged the committee to consider some alternative oversight if the MOU requirement is repealed. The hearing on HB 222 was then closed, and the committee announced it would begin the hearing on HB 699 after a short break.