Transcript Highlights:

• We got a<00:05:57.880><c> request</c><00:05:58.440><c> from</c> a request from a request from um<00:06
• Did they do a request for production?
• Did they do a request for production?
• Did they do a request for production?
• </c> Architects to determine the appropriate Architects to determine the appropriate educational<00:19

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• As is our custom, we'll take legislators out of turn. And that is generally it.
• As is our custom, we'll take legislators out of turn to testify.
• My name is Alan Genevieve, And all our state legislators.
• Our request for the moratorium is based on the fact that...
• Sabadosa and Senator Mark for introducing this legislation.

Bills: H5171, H5261, H5294, H5317, S3026, S3033

Keywords: Holyoke, municipal governance, acting mayor, city council, local government, Oxford, town charter, municipal government, town manager, residency requirement, local approval, charter amendment, home rule, local governance, municipal administration, residence of officials, Worcester County, Worthington, solar, solar photovoltaic

Transcript Highlights:

• I also request that this be printed in the Senate Journal.
• Thank you for consideration of this request. Michael Leprosch, State Senator.
• This idea and this piece of legislation has been a labor of love.
• Given the importance of this legislation that I know is very near and Given the importance of this legislation
• regarding another piece of legislation also be placed in the record.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training. The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month. A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:02.360><c> some</c> this bill uh will uh appropriate some this bill uh will uh appropriate
• </c><00:30:09.320><c> from</c> structured to be an appropriation from structured to be an appropriation
• Accordingly, we offer our support for the proposed legislation.
• I'd like to highlight three benefits of this legislation.
• Second, this legislation will save school districts money on their energy costs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anti-mask legislation would take away my freedom to protect my health.
• This was due to some stakeholder responses that requested more time.
• I made an open records request, but oddly I never got a response.
• discharge, they would use my request to get a court order to hold me.
• the act without state appropriation.

Bills: HB45, SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1081, relating to a legislative budget office.
• Senate Bill 1081, relating to a legislative budget office.
• Senate Bill 1081, relating to a legislative budget office.
• Seeing none, we are going to move on to 1513 relating to appropriations. 1513 relating to appropriations
• </c> the executive as well as the legislative the executive as well as the legislative with<00:38:25.839

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on February 4, 2025, for decision making on previously heard measures, then later held hearings on additional bills. Early action focused on several measures that were amended and advanced, including SB 161 on state project exemptions from county permitting, which was heavily revised to allow programmatic or project-specific agreements with counties, require public reporting of exempted projects, and create a working group to study broader permitting and construction coordination issues. The committee also advanced SB 635 on energy efficiency with changes shifting survey leadership to the Hawaii State Energy Office, SB 700 on resilience hubs after narrowing it to focus on emergency-service-capable hubs and removing distributed energy language, SB 869 on community outreach boards with a technical amendment, SB 1081 on a legislative budget office by converting it to a feasibility study, SB 711 on gubernatorial appointments with a salary threshold change, SB 405 on neighborhood board agendas with a committee-report note about OIP concerns, SB 381 with privacy issues deferred to Judiciary, SB 2 as a two-year pilot for fruit tree planting in selected districts, SB 239 on disaster preparedness with sheltering revisions, and SB 998 as introduced with a cost estimate for site selection work. Several measures were deferred or not advanced, including SB 615, which was deferred indefinitely, SB 1132, which the chair said would be set aside in favor of another childcare bill, and SB 111, which was not taken up further because of confusion during an earlier hearing. During the later hearing portion, SB 1175 on procurement drew testimony from the State Procurement Office, which supported the bill but corrected its estimated database revision cost from $7,500 to $30,000; the Department of Transportation also appeared, while the General Contractors Association submitted opposition. Committee members questioned whether the past-performance database should include more detailed quality information and whether a one-year post-completion review would be useful, but no amendment was adopted at that time. SB 1587 on retainage received written support from the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and no opposition in the room. SB 1543 on government accountability, which would require justification for outside consultants and cap consultant spending, drew opposition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, which argued it could slow procurement, reduce flexibility, and worsen delays given existing vacancies and limited in-house expertise. The Public First Law Center supported the related transparency bill discussed in the hearing, arguing it would close a loophole by making contractor-created records used in government functions subject to disclosure under UIPA, while the Attorney General’s office opposed it. The transcript ends with that testimony still underway, and no final vote is shown for the later hearing bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the legislative session just started yesterday.
• So it sounds like you're thinking maybe prepare legislation for the next legislative session.
• , hopefully this legislative session.
• So appropriate training is a part of our approach.
• or reasons for any delay in fulfilling their request.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there are larger and smaller issues throughout the asset preservation request, and that the request
• </c> um examples of projects in this request um examples of projects in this request include<00:12:54.279
• </c><00:16:06.120><c> for</c><00:16:06.800><c> capital</c> requesting reimbursement for capital requesting
• request for the food science and request for the food science and nutrition<00:37:41.920><c> building
• </c> there's kind of a most of our requests there's kind of a most of our requests on<00:54:14.599><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh and use it<01:20:25.800><c> appropriately.</c> it appropriately. it appropriately.
• The intention is to safeguard the data appropriately so that it's protected appropriately.
• The intention is to safeguard the data appropriately so that it's protected appropriately.
• </c> and or the appropriate EMS provider. and or the appropriate EMS provider.
• by legislator, year after year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just going to move favorable at the appropriate time. Okay, Representative Billings.
• The other was over appropriations. And that total about $19.3...
• The other was over appropriations. And that total about $19.3 million.
• with additional funds or were appropriated funds that were not needed in this year.
• But that $10 million was appropriated to that one piece of the project.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 26 and first took up Senate Bill 406, which authorizes the city of Slidell to seek voter approval for a local hotel and motel occupancy tax. The bill was described as a local measure giving the city council authority to place the tax on the ballot, with members noting that similar taxing authority exists in many other municipalities. Representative Wiley moved favorable passage, there was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received an update from the Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control on capital outlay savings identified through cash-flow review and project “scrubbing.” Officials said they found about $50 million in savings from updated cash flows, over-appropriations, projects bid under budget, and reduced appropriations in bundled projects. They explained that bundling projects, including some LED-related projects, allows agencies to shift savings within a bundle and manage overruns or underruns more flexibly. Members praised the savings work but asked whether the process could be moved earlier so the House could benefit sooner, and whether similar reviews could be expanded to other administering agencies and non-state projects. One member raised concerns about whether some projects, including schools and certain NGO-related items, should qualify for capital outlay funding at all, and urged a review of the statutory definition and project approval criteria. Staff said they would look at the definition, review recommendations from prior discussions, and consider ways to tighten the process. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as Braden already spoke to, these two pieces of legislation work together.
• That's the nature of legislators, and that's the nature of how these things unfold.
• Thank you, legislators, for your support of this program.
• For fiscal year 2026, the commission is requesting to establish a miscellaneous revenue fund.
• In addition to creating the fund, the enhancement requests a $12,900 T&B appropriation to address an

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on request.
• It's on request.
• It's on request.
• It's on request.
• It's on request.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3542 was heard in committee and moved forward with a recommendation to be re-referred to the Children, Families, Finance, and Policy Committee. The bill would change current law so that the commissioners of Human Services and Children, Youth, and Families must disclose the existence of an investigation, rather than may disclose it, with the stated goal of increasing transparency to the public and legislature. Members and agency officials discussed concerns that mandatory disclosure could tip off subjects of investigations, especially in fraud cases, allowing them to destroy evidence, coordinate stories, or otherwise interfere. The Department of Human Services and the Inspector General said disclosure can compromise investigations and noted that providers are typically notified when payments are reduced, suspended, or withheld, though federal law can sometimes require delayed notice. Representative Pinto offered an A2 amendment to require disclosure within 30 days unless it would compromise an investigation, but it was rejected. Representative Hudson then offered an oral amendment stating that disclosure would be required if the commissioner has taken action to reduce, suspend, or withhold payments to the subject of the investigation. The chair waived the rule to allow the oral amendment, and it was adopted. Staff clarified that the bill would only require disclosure of the existence of an investigation, not underlying details, and would not address trade secret redactions. After the amendment, the committee approved the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, yeah, it's an appropriate ask of the members. It's an appropriate...
• The motion is to be adopted to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is to be adopted by the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass with the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard SB 220, which would require the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to submit an earlier governance reform report to the Legislature in light of Measure G, including consideration of the new countywide executive and future board changes. Senator Allen argued the bill was only a vehicle to prompt a locally driven discussion before 2028, while Metro, the City of Los Angeles, and several committee members opposed it as premature and unnecessary because local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue. After debate over local control and timing, the committee voted 3-2 to send SB 220 to Senate Appropriations, with the bill left on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require wayside detector systems on freight rail lines at specified intervals, with exceptions for some short-line railroads, and would require railroad response plans to be submitted to the CPUC. Supporters, including rail unions and labor groups, said the bill was a needed response to the East Palestine derailment and other safety risks, while opponents from freight railroads, passenger rail operators, business groups, and agricultural interests warned it could raise costs, slow freight and passenger service, and create a disincentive to invest in faster track. Members questioned the cost, implementation timeline, preemption issues, and possible impacts on passenger rail and the supply chain. The committee approved SB 667 on a 7-2 vote to Appropriations, with the bill also left on call. Finally, the committee considered ACR 71, which would designate a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. The Assembly Member author and community witnesses described the designation as a recognition of San Jose’s large Vietnamese American community and its history as refugees and contributors to the region. Numerous supporters from the community, local government, and the public testified in favor, and there was no opposition. Members praised the cultural significance and noted connections to other Vietnamese communities, including Westminster. The resolution was adopted unanimously, with 10 votes, and sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Fiscal Division. Good afternoon, members.
• It wasn't the first; this was at a request of the board.
• So every contract is dependent on appropriated funds. Okay. Thank you, ma'am.
• The next thing is a ratification request, which I will detail further here in a few minutes.
• Then she goes into identifying the contracts that were requested by Legislative Council to be contracted

Summary: The committee first considered an $88,000 used tire program contract for District 4 with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could worsen cash flow before funding was confirmed. Questions were also raised about procurement language in the RFP that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. After discussion, a motion was made and approved to hold the contract until next month so the tire board could appear and answer questions. Members then reviewed a large slate of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included capital projects at ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech, Ozarka, UA Fayetteville, UA Little Rock, UAMS, and UCA; a new UCA multi-purpose arena project estimated at $75.5 million; and DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, and rural hospital quality improvement. All of these items were reviewed without objection. The committee also heard a ratification request from UAMS for a Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing contract with FMLA Source. UAMS said an amendment had been prepared but never submitted for review, and payments continued after expiration; members expressed frustration and asked UAMS to review whether other contracts had similarly lapsed. The committee then reviewed numerous construction-related, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including airport economic impact study work, parking guidance technology at the University of Arkansas, veteran nursing services, and multiple DHS service contracts. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after reports of routine contract amendments and minor contracts were presented for information.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the guard rails that we as legislators the guard rails that we as legislators can<00:15:26.839><
• However, I think this legislation doesn't do that. It doesn't help the process.
• </c> there however I think this legislation there however I think this legislation doesn't<00:27:35.720
• </c> communities to just in the legislation communities to just in the legislation just<00:48:25.079>
• I think if that was a concern, that would have to be done with or without this legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:50.080><c> to</c><00:02:50.400><c> nonprofit</c> appropriations to nonprofit appropriations to
• </c> existing base funding is appropriated. existing base funding is appropriated.
• </c> the hunger-free campus appropriation. the hunger-free campus appropriation.
• </c> requests nor receive aid. requests nor receive aid. So<01:54:42.639><c> Mr.
• I request a roll call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, The administration had to request a supplemental appropriation bill of $2.8 billion in March
• We've had a lot of pieces of legislation.
• That, and it's not really an appropriate standard.
• Karina Hendron with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• I would strongly request that you reject diverting these funds.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> states that the DNR may request states that the DNR may request pre-lication<00:35:09.040><c> information
• </c> impacts of such appropriations. impacts of such appropriations.
• </c> these complex and large appropriation these complex and large appropriation permits.<00:50:30.160
• And in the context of appropriation.
• By voting yes legislative predecessors.

Bills: HF3793, HF3699, HF793, HF3322, HF3426

Keywords: groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Sound Transit has been developing this legislation through the course of the session in collaboration
• So, as I said, I think it's a reasonable request based on what their past performance has indicated.
• Now, Chair Dewar, you... ...a lot of these requests and these numbers.
• So those are some of the reasons why the requests were made for this.
• We worked with stakeholders to figure out some appropriate guardrails.

Bills: SB6132

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I think that would be very appropriate to have you on.
• At the appropriate time, we will take a motion. That's a great close.
• This bill makes it a really quick ...appropriately, appropriate lung cancer screenings.
• on Appropriations.
• And I will move the consent file when appropriate, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.