Transcript Highlights:

• So yeah, I think it's good general... ...practice to always let the consumer know what the, you know,
• If you like all of that, they don't generate those things in cities.
• So if patient, is it generically defined within the industry or...
• Health plans in general, what do you think? Sure.
• There's a report that we generated. You know, we talk about transparency.

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• That would include also the Secretary of State, the attorney general, and the Court of Justice.
• That would include also the Secretary of State, the attorney general, and the Court of Justice.
• </c><00:24:58.039><c> assembly</c><00:24:58.520><c> on</c><00:24:58.679><c> that</c> from the general
• Assembly stepped up bad uh this General Assembly stepped up uh<00:39:12.480><c> uh</c><00:39:13.119>
• assembly is we things about the general assembly is we get<00:48:51.680><c> people</c><00:48:51.920>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have an attorney general from the Department of the Attorney General in opposition on Zoom.
• from Department of attorney general from Department of attorney general<00:22:07.039><c> in</c><00:22
• I’m Deputy Attorney General Gavin Tom, appearing on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, and
• s right uh you just heard some general s right uh you just heard some of<00:25:41.200><c> the</c><00
• William Crowell, Deputy Attorney General, on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General, providing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's generated a lot of revenue.
• That's generated a lot of revenue.
• That's generated a lot of revenue.
• That's generated a lot of revenue.
• </c> third generation kama'aina. third generation kama'aina.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several gubernatorial nominations for confirmation, beginning with GM 788 for Karen Knudsen to the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnerships Commission. DBEDT strongly supported her nomination, describing her decades of Asia-Pacific and East-West Center experience. Senators asked about the new commission structure, confirming that the old committee was abolished and replaced by a five-voting-member commission with two governor appointees before the Senate, other ex officio and legislative appointees, and one OHA vacancy still pending. Knudsen said the commission would help review new sister-state and international partnership proposals, while existing relationships would remain in place. Members also discussed the commission’s lack of a separate budget and its use of DBEDT international relations funding. The committee then moved to GM 789 for Wesley Fong to the same commission; DBEDT supported him based on his military, legal, and international trade background. A concern was raised that he also served on the State Ethics Commission, and Fong stated he had resigned from that post effective the 20th of the month to avoid a conflict. Senators questioned his reasons for leaving ethics, and he explained that his term was ending and he wanted to continue public service in a role aligned with his background in international agreements, education, and Indo-Pacific relations. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee next considered GM 769 for Patrick Branco to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The foundation and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters both testified in strong support. Branco appeared by Zoom and said he was currently on temporary military orders on the East Coast, but had prior experience in public diplomacy as cultural attaché in Caracas and had worked on Fulbright and cultural exchange efforts. The committee then took up GM 770 for Makanani Salā to the same board. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported her nomination, and Noe Wong-Wilson testified in person, citing Salā’s work at Windward Community College and her role in organizing the Best Fest festival, saying she would bring Hawaiian cultural perspective to the foundation. Salā said her county experience included arts, culture, and sister-city work, and that she would emphasize public-private partnerships and helping other agencies use the foundation’s expertise. Members briefly discussed FESTPAC and its rotating international location. Finally, the committee heard GM 767 for Miles Miyatso to the Land Use Commission. The Land Use Commission and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters both supported the nomination, and Avalon Development Company was listed but did not appear on Zoom. The discussion in the provided transcript ended during this item, with no vote or final action shown for the nominations covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:09.960><c> would</c> you madam chair and we generally would you madam chair and we generally
• for the use of general funds.
• The recommendation repeals 21.116, which prohibits the use of any general fund towards the program.
• General funds are no longer an option to cover the shortfall.
• I'm a third-generation farmer on our dairy farm.

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> my name is Aaron krian I'm the general my name is Aaron krian I'm the general counil<00:20:06.919
• </c> Division and uh it reads the general Division and uh it reads the general court<00:42:39.119><c>
• </c><01:07:13.680><c> takeaways</c> there are uh three General takeaways there are uh three General takeaways
• </c> that as a general uh a general comment that as a general uh a general comment that<01:09:38.679>
• </c> those cases but reading the generalized those cases but reading the generalized complaints<01:21

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on the Children and Family Law Committee met organizationally to continue work on family court issues, building on a prior special committee’s report and taking a collaborative approach with the Judiciary. The chair said the group would focus on solutions rather than rehashing public complaints, and identified three main topics for early study: specialization and training of family court judges, the extent to which judges should be bound by the rules of evidence, and whether mediation in family cases should be mandatory or voluntary and what qualifications mediators should have. A fourth concern was also raised about overlap between superior court domestic violence cases and family court custody/support matters, and whether one judge should hear both. Members discussed whether to divide into smaller subcommittees, but the prevailing view was to work as a committee of the whole at first. Most members agreed that additional public testimony was unlikely to add much, though recent concerns could still be emailed to the committee. The committee then heard from Attorney Erin Krian, general counsel for the judicial branch, and Judge Michael Mace. Krian said the judicial branch could provide additional witnesses on mediation and judicial training, including Judge Kissinger, and noted the branch was preparing materials on how other states handle the issues. Mace described the history of the Family Division and said he had reviewed older reports going back to the 1990s. He also outlined current judicial branch efforts, including expanded shadowing for new judges, monthly family-law trainings, and a year-long focus on family law topics. He reported that court rules had been updated to clarify notice requirements for minor guardianship changes, and that the branch had received positive feedback on the family access motion, which provides a statutory timeline and listed remedies for parenting-time disputes. Members also discussed prior committee work on rules of evidence and family court procedures. One member recalled recommending quiet review of any judges who appeared to apply evidence rules inconsistently, and Krian said the administrative judge can review complaints even if they come from a single person. The committee also received a status update on prior initiatives, including a federal grant for guardian ad litem services for indigent litigants in four locations, testing of redesigned court forms, and continued training improvements. The chair scheduled the next subcommittee meeting for April 1 and the full Children and Family Law Committee for April 8, with further documents from committee research and NCSL to be circulated.

Transcript Highlights:

• These well spacing rules only apply to permitted wells, which generally are for commercial purposes.
• So Representative, if we're doing a new section of law on this, like if the Attorney General is involved
• Um, so then, basically, if the Attorney General is involved in a lawsuit in any other industry, nothing
• No, it has to be a suit that's filed by the attorney general for the State of Oklahoma.
• A suit that would be filed by the attorney general for the State of Oklahoma.

Bills: SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield, aquifer management, water allocation, water permits, temporary permits, irrigation

Transcript Highlights:

• General Register. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Any other questions from members?
• </c><00:09:38.000><c> General</c> &gt;&gt; Oh, where are my notes here?
• General &gt;&gt; Oh, where are my notes here? General Register.
• </c><00:12:54.639><c> All</c> referred to the general register.
• All referred to the general register.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the deputy general counsel for the KDA. >> Go ahead. >> Uh, thank you for hearing about this bill
• I'm<00:01:54.880><c> the</c><00:01:54.960><c> deputy</c><00:01:55.280><c> general</c><00:01:55.520><c
• > counsel</c><00:01:55.759><c> for</c><00:01:55.920><c> the</c> I'm the deputy general counsel for the
• I'm the deputy general counsel for the KDA.
• If it is an event that's open to the general public, like a fair or whatever, we still need the 14-day

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rebate back on the sales tax that are generated from that new development.
• This has to be for new projects, new developments, and so there is no revenue being generated there.
• Once this new development is in place, the sales tax that's being generated from this new development
• It's 60% of the new sales tax generated until I hit my total dollars invested.
• In other words, can they get up to 60% up to $100 million for sales tax revenue generated in X number

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we've got some that is going to have a significant impact on the general fund that will not be moved
• And this is just augmenting the existing bill to which this fund, this general fund already provides
• ><00:10:38.880><c> this</c><00:10:39.120><c> fund,</c><00:10:39.519><c> this</c><00:10:39.839><c> general
• </c> bill to which this fund, this general bill to which this fund, this general fund<00:10:40.399><c
• fund for a port in your the general fund for a port in your area.<00:11:23.600><c> I</c><00:11:23.839

Bills: HB247, HB317, HB318, HB253, HB271, HB135, HB247, HB317, HB318, HB253, HB271, HB135

Keywords: Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, age verification, parental consent, consumer protection, app store regulations, data privacy, Internet filters, digital safety, minors protection, civil liability, device manufacturers, obscenity, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• to House District 71 and Kevin Norwood as the person elected to House District 74, and a special general
• President Trump is championing a pathway to secure the American Dream for the next generation.
• Thank you, Chad, for championing the next generation of Oklahomans and for everything you do for the
• We're securing it for the next generation.
• It's been an amazing journey, and it's up to us to preserve the American dream for the next generation

Bills: HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370, HB2937, HB3419, HB3264, HB3266, HB3267, HB3268, HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, Senate Bill 1574 would codify the Centers of Excellence Program that identifies, supports,
• The industry consists of smaller family, multi-generational single-plant companies such as Metro, as
• The industry consists of smaller family, multi-generational single-plant companies such as Metro, as
• So I think the agency's position was just that under the bill, the savings that are generated by the
• So I think the agency's position was just that under the bill, the savings that are generated by the

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• So really, what it does on lines 102 through 103, it states that the attorney general in...
• It stated that the attorney general, in the attorney general's opinion, had to inform the governor if
• So we took out that the attorney general was going to... ...that the attorney general was going to issue
• Minimum security inmates will generally be assigned to community work.
• Gener... See, this is why I can't have this.

Bills: SB210, SB176, SB167, SB244, SB218, SB9, SB153, SB9

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, aggravated theft, employee benefits, retirement funds, criminal penalty, state law, overdose, failure to render aid, public health, Alabama Athletic Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• GENERALLY SPEAKING OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION HANDLES INSURANCE AND INSURANCE IDENTITIES AND EVERYTHING
• YOU SEE A GENERAL TREND FOLLOWING THAT OF A DOWNWARD PATH.
• CERIO COULD PROBABLY SPEAK TO THIS SPECIFICALLY TO CITIZENS BUT WHAT GENERAL POLICY PERSPECTIVE IS THE
• LEGISLATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR SURE ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE THAT DATA CORRECT?
• TRADE SECRET. >> IF IT IS TRADE SECRET DID WE CANNOT GIVE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:08:00.880><c> of</c> and that the attorney general of and that the attorney general of Maryland
• </c><01:09:41.920><c> And</c><01:09:42.159><c> then</c> attorney general of the state.
• And then attorney general of the state.
• </c> indicated and have the attorney general indicated and have the attorney general represent<01:14:
• </c><01:41:22.320><c> pro</c> disclosure in the uh general pro disclosure in the uh general pro provision

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:

• </c> been a problem that has generated been a problem that has generated litigation<00:55:12.599><c>
• I heard back from my wonderful colleagues that Attorney General Assistant Attorney General Edwards, who's
• I heard back from my wonderful colleagues that Attorney General Assistant Attorney General Edwards, who's
• I heard back from my wonderful colleagues that Attorney General Assistant Attorney General Edwards, who's
• </c> background we know that in general background we know that in general students<04:23:53.800><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability. Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption. Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does, but all of it is the Commonwealth in general?
• What happens when the weight of generational neglect outweighs principle?
• I'll close by lifting up the voices of our next generation.
• What about the next generations, your children, our children, and their children?
• The Massachusetts Inspector General is investigating local corruption.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination. Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think this generally is a good move for us across the state. Happy to answer any questions.
• I'm here to represent the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire.
• I generally would say I support where we're at. Yes. Yes. Okay, great.
• generally I would say I support where we're<01:13:05.360><c> at.
• Is this generally prohibited, or how basically nobody smokes at a camp in New Hampshire?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• also simultaneously generate more tax dollars for the state.
• Cata Deputy Attorney General commenting on HB 364.
• </c><00:36:34.119><c> financial</c> Control providers and generate financial Control providers and generate
• First up, we have the Attorney General in support.
• I'm a deputy attorney general with the Tobacco Enforcement Unit. Thank you for hearing this bill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.