Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder to the committee and our visitors and witnesses today under House Rule 4, Section 13, House
• And I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to lay on House Bill 294.
• It passed the House overwhelmingly last session.
• House Bill 294 is left pending. Thank you. Turn all these out.
• Uh If there's no objection, House Bill 405 will be left pending.

Bills: HB294

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 The House is terminated.
• The House Permanent Standing Subcommittee on County and Regional Government will come to order.
• The chair offers a committee substitute for House Bill 467. Thank you.
• House Bill 467 permits the county judges to place a dis- lose an election, on the ballot, and if approved
• Thank you for allowing me to lay out House Bill 503. House Bill 503.

Bills: HB467 , HB318 , HB503 , HB198 , HB318 , HB198

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• a recognition that there was a need to reorganize, but Len didn't have the bandwidth to run um permitting
• a recognition that there was a need to reorganize, but Len didn't have the bandwidth to run um permitting
• </c><00:55:11.119><c> for</c> bandwidth to run um permitting for bandwidth to run um permitting for landfills
• challenge to wake up to, and I feel like I have to bolt on a suit of armor every day to leave the house
• challenge to wake up to, and I feel like I have to bolt on a suit of armor every day to leave the house

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year. Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent. The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if House Public Works wants to kind of weigh in on that, you could, I would presume you could put
• And if House Public Works wants to kind of weigh in on that, you could, I would presume you could put
• >> And will the House have that?
• The time being 1:03 on January 27th, this is the subcommittee work session on House Bill 6007FN.
• So that's to the house for for a vote.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So somebody comes in for a building permit.
• And I'm here to stand in support of House Bill 626.
• I'm here to testify in opposition to House Bill 626.
• I'm before you today with House Bill 659.
• I build houses.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no permit system to approve use of catchments for drinking water purposes.
• There's no permit system to approve use of catchments for drinking water purposes.
• , next up we have SR 140, SCR 171 requesting the Department of Health to adopt rules or otherwise permit
• ><c> requesting</c> SR 140, SCR 171 requests the Department of Health to adopt rules or otherwise permit
• I'd have to check with the program exactly, but I know definitely if there's a food establishment permit

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered a series of Governor’s Message nominations, largely to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and one to the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances. Testifiers and agencies spoke in strong support of the nominees, emphasizing their advocacy, community involvement, and lived experience. The committee heard from nominees and supporters for John Paul Moses III, Cynthia Fowler, Joshua Eay, Alicia Kim, Raymond Mamea, Maria Christina Valenzuela, Eden Watabayashi, Sierra Whiteside, and Brandy Lynn Macallani Hayen. After hearing testimony, the committee voted to advise and consent on each nomination, with the votes adopted by the members present. The committee then took up SR 53 / SCR 69, which asks the Department of Health to convene a pharmacy benefit manager working group to improve transparency, fairness, and drug affordability. Supporters included the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, the University of Hawaii system, and several individuals, while the Department of Health said the issue is complex and may require additional support or a different structure. Members discussed whether the Department of Health should lead the effort or whether another entity, such as SHIPA with an appropriation, might be more workable; the Department of Health suggested a $100,000 appropriation could be sufficient. Next, SR 56 / SCR 73 proposed a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Wellness and Resilience supported the measure and asked for an extended deadline to the end of 2026, and several youth, mental health, and community organizations testified in support. The committee also heard SR 69 / STR 86 on creating an aeromedical services working group, with support from Air Methods, the Department of Health, and the Hawaii Medical Association, and SR 99 / STR 118 on studying the use of filtered catchment water for business activity, which drew support from the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association and comments from the Department of Health that the issue is complicated and should include the Department of Agriculture. No final votes on the resolutions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2274 and engrossed House Bill 2294.
• House Bill 2294.
• It passed the House 69 to 25.
• I'm testifying in support of House Bill 2294.
• We have Substitute House Bill 2428 before us.

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee will come to order. Good afternoon, everyone, and Happy New Year.
• Sorry, Mary Cogson, House Democratic Caucus. Auburbelke, House Republican Caucus. Well, welcome.
• And that closes the public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 1795, and the House Education Committee
• And that closes the public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 1795, and the House Education Committee
• And that closes the public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 1795, and the House Education Committee

Bills: HB1795

Committee: House Education

Keywords: restraint, isolation, public schools, educational programs, student rights, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have House Bill 35 by Representative Betol. House Bill 35, Representative Betol.
• Next up, we have House Bill 29 by...
• We are on the third bill on the calendar: it's House Bill 29.
• Transportation, daycare, housing—those are...
• Housing? Yes, housing. There’s one more: life skills training.

Bills: HB191 , HB35 , HB29 , HB123 , HB35 , HB29 , HB191 , HB123

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipality, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax exemption, ordinance, resolution, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, notice requirement, local government, tax administration, revenue law, state and local taxation, volunteer firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• It was House Bill 247 that changed some of the capital outlay rules.
• All right, I see Representative Diane Torres-Velasquez for House Memorial 65.
• This is House Memorial 65, and I'm just going to pull it up on my screen here.
• Thank you so much for bringing House Memorial 65 forward.
• I am in support of House Memorial 65.

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 64, which urges the Indian Affairs Department to quickly fill open positions and build technical assistance capacity to help tribes, pueblos, and nations use capital outlay funds effectively, especially in light of changes made by House Bill 247. The sponsor and several members discussed concerns that the new capital outlay rules could cause tribal projects to lose funding and be forced into a competitive tribal infrastructure process. After brief discussion and no public opposition, the committee voted do pass. The committee then heard House Memorial 65, which asks the Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety to convene a task force and study firearm safety and gun violence as a public health issue, with recommendations to reduce firearm deaths in New Mexico. Supportive testimony emphasized gun violence, school shootings, suicide, rural impacts, and the value of data-driven prevention; several members also raised concerns about including gun safety trainers, rural and tribal voices, and clarifying some language in the memorial. The sponsor said the task force would meet monthly and report by September 15. After debate, the committee approved the memorial on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative James Murphy, the chair on the House side of the committee—Special Commission, I should
• I'm joined by the chair of my house, Liam Murphy, who's out of school. Got to keep him busy.
• legislature would decide to lift that prohibition, they're not authorizing surcharging, they're permitting
• merchants also gain expanded authority to impose surcharges on credit cards in the states where it's permitted

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely. Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform. The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
• Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place, as permitted by me, the Chair.
• And one, which is Charter, that covers Charter, Time Warner, and Bright House together, all those three
• To date, one company, or a combination of three—Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Network—is

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), focused on telecommunications, broadband deployment, resiliency, and the California Teleconnect Fund. Chair Tasha Boerner said the hearing was intended to examine structural issues at the CPUC, including whether telecommunications oversight should remain within the commission, while also reviewing major programs such as Last Mile, BEAD, carrier of last resort, and emergency preparedness. CPUC President John Reynolds and Deputy Executive Director Anna Maria Johnson described the commission’s work on public safety, universal service, broadband grants, Lifeline modernization, and network resiliency, including the 72-hour backup power requirement and merger review. Members questioned CPUC officials about the pace and metrics for Last Mile and BEAD projects, the relationship between middle-mile and last-mile buildout, and how the commission balances carrier obligations with the risk of driving providers out of high-cost areas. They also pressed the CPUC on the California Lifeline home broadband pilot, asking when enrollment would be available, which providers were participating, how much of the state would be covered, and what the surcharge impact would be. CPUC said 15 providers had been approved, one was already serving customers, and the rest were still onboarding, and it committed to provide follow-up information on timelines, coverage, and costs. A major portion of the hearing centered on the California Teleconnect Fund and proposed changes to how schools would access the program. Superintendent Tony Thurmond argued strongly against shifting administration from county offices of education and districts to individual schools, saying it would add burden, worsen inequities, and risk underuse of a valuable broadband subsidy. Committee members echoed concerns that smaller schools and districts may lack the staff to manage direct applications and reporting. In public comment, the Los Angeles County Office of Education supported the CDE’s position and urged changes that would align the program more closely with E-Rate and reduce administrative burdens. No formal vote was taken, and Chair Boerner closed by saying she remained committed to pursuing reforms to the CPUC and referenced her bills AB 2289 and ACA 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilitate the goal of the hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
• Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place as permitted by the chair.
• allow access school nurses have to find workarounds to obtain epinephrine when preschool programs are housed
• Fortunately for this student the preschool was housed on an elementary campus so the stock EpiPen was

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in opposition to House Bill 641.
• They're asking for housing that they can afford.
• Trauma does not end when housing begins.
• Housing without care is not recovery. Care without housing is not stability.
• House Bill 991 overcorrects.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill is already here.
• The House is at $500 and a million. And so where that status is The House is at $500 and a million.
• We are incredibly concerned with the position in the House bill.
• And so we are very concerned about that provision in the House bill.
• We are incredibly concerned with the position in the House bill.

Bills: S0002 , S0006 , S0018 , S0026 , S0028 , S0050 , S0178 , S0326 , S0538 , S0786 , S1004 , S1096 , S1178 , S1366 , S1632 , S1634

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, child welfare, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, compensation, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, motorcycle accident, Department of Transportation, legal claim, police negligence, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, veterans

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee will come to order. Good afternoon, everyone, and Happy New Year.
• Sorry, Mary Cogson, House Democratic Caucus. Auburbelke, House Republican Caucus. Well, welcome.
• Good afternoon, Chair Santos and members of the House Education Committee.
• And that closes the public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 1795, and the House Education Committee
• And that closes the public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 1795, and the House Education Committee

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on reducing restraint and eliminating isolation in schools, then moved into a public hearing on House Bill 1795 and its proposed substitute. Chair Sharon Santos reviewed committee procedures and emphasized the short session timeline, then framed the discussion as part of a longer-running effort to address student restraint and isolation. Representative Callan, the bill sponsor, said the committee’s pilot and demonstration sites would help identify both benefits and implementation challenges for legislation. OSPI Acting Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Misha Cherniski presented an update on the state’s demonstration project, saying it is in its third year and has $2 million per year in the current budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. He described intensive, targeted, and universal supports, including grants to pilot and demonstration districts, a technical assistance manual, and statewide professional learning. He reported that 68% of project sites saw reductions in restraint and isolation compared with the prior year, and said OSPI’s immediate policy recommendations are to extend prohibitions on dangerous restraints such as prone, supine, wall, mechanical, chemical, and noxious spray restraints, and to clarify the definition of “imminent likelihood of serious harm.” Committee members asked for more detailed disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, grade level, incident type, and sample size, and raised questions about authorized entities, student movement, and whether data captures incidents in nonpublic settings. Representatives from Auburn, Bainbridge Island, and Concrete school districts described how the grant-funded work has affected their districts. Auburn reported major reductions in isolation after removing its last isolation room, expanding behavior supports, and training staff through multiple professional development options; the district said the biggest challenge has been shifting staff mindset and navigating delayed access to vendors and grant systems. Bainbridge Island said it has used grant funds for universal staff training, administrator training, social-emotional MTSS work, and partnerships with multiple providers; it reported zero isolations and sharply reduced restraints, while noting the need to monitor nonpublic agencies closely. Concrete, a much smaller district, said the grant allowed it to hire a part-time BCBA, adopt Safety-Care training, and use OSPI’s manual and tracking tools, but staffing shortages and limited substitute coverage make it hard to attend demonstration sites or training in person. During the public hearing, the substitute bill was summarized as prohibiting certain restraints, banning isolation as a planned intervention, narrowing the definition of serious harm, and extending requirements to other providers of public educational services, while preserving lawful duties of school resource officers. Proponents included disability advocates, the Washington Education Association, and public school employees, who said the bill would reduce trauma and align practice with student safety and dignity. A parent testified about a child harmed by a room that was later used for involuntary confinement. A representative from a specialized learning center testified in opposition, arguing that a complete elimination of isolation for younger students could increase danger in some settings, that medical-provider requirements could be difficult to meet, and that specialized providers need broader exemptions. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill is already here.
• The House is at $500,000 and $1 million. The House is at $500,000 and $1 million.
• We are incredibly concerned with the position in the House bill.
• And so we are very concerned about that provision in the House bill.
• We are incredibly concerned with the position in the House bill.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with several probate, civil rights, and claims measures. Senators Burgess’s SB 326 on curators of estates was explained as a modernization of probate law; an amendment narrowing the bill was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably 10-0 after limited public testimony, including opposition from Ray Contreras. Burgess’s SB 1096, clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, also passed unanimously 11-0. The committee then approved several claims bills, including SB 28 for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, SB 6 for a child injured after DCF’s handling of abuse allegations, SB 18 for the estate of McKenzie Navarre against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata against FDOT, and SB 2 for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV, with votes ranging from 10-1 to 11-0 and mostly no debate or opposition. The committee also took up trust and family-law related bills. Leader Berman’s SB 786 created a nonjudicial process for closing uncontested trusts and discharging trustees; after a technical amendment and testimony from Ray Contreras raising notice concerns, it passed 11-0. President Gates’s SB 50 expanded veterans’ courts statewide, drew broad support from veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations, and was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Simon’s SB 538 standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and homeschool students; after multiple amendments on homeschool eligibility, fees, and coach compensation, it passed 11-0 with support and opposition from education-related groups. President Gates’s SB 1004, aimed at consumer protections in the sale of dogs and cats, also passed unanimously after testimony from humane organizations. The committee then considered broader policy bills. President Pro Tem Brodeur’s SB 1366 on claims against the government proposed raising sovereign immunity caps and adding CPI adjustments; local government, hospital, and school representatives supported the Senate’s lower-cap approach while warning against the House version, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Jones’s SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, as amended, would let head coaches provide limited personal support to student-athletes and require reporting of assistance; it passed 10-0. Senator Grohl’s SB 1178 on foreign influence and foreign countries of concern drew extensive supportive testimony from national security witnesses and was reported favorably 11-0 after a technical amendment and withdrawal of another amendment. Finally, SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles prompted substantial debate and public testimony over domestic terrorism designations, Sharia law references, due process, and free speech concerns; the committee had not yet completed final action on that bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the Chair lays out House Bill 1761.
• Seeing none, the chair will withdraw House Bill 2322 and leave House Bill 2322 pending.
• This is House Bill 3647.
• Chair leaves House Bill 3647. House Bill 4081 pending at this time.
• House Bill 40, and we'll leave House Bill 40 pending at this time.

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• As the mayor has provided some handouts, House Bill 6, since its inception, has been challenging.
• Registrations: 350 new businesses in-house.
• The initial legislation was House Bill 6.
• Let's get everyone on board so we can get this bill through the House, and we do have time.
• Do we look at what it would look like if the pending permits for mining or...

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I transmit herewith House Bill 493 and 514, which have passed the House, for acting chief
• House Bills 493 and 514 will be referred to the 11th order of business for introduction.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 493, by the Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 514, by the Business Committee, an act relating to the Barber
• House Bill 493 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee, and House Bill 514 will be referred

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the corrected journal, and welcomed several student and constituent visitors. The chamber then moved through committee reports and gubernatorial appointments, including confirmations for Salvador Cruz as director of the Department of Finance, Clayton Steele to the Board of Environmental Quality, Carl Ray and Kenneth Long to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board, and Alan Kavanaugh to the Commission of Pardons and Parole for two terms. In each case, senators spoke in support of the nominees’ qualifications and public service, and the committee reports were adopted by voice vote. The Senate also received House Bills 493 and 514 for referral, and introduced Senate Bills 1248 through 1251, which were referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee. The main piece of legislation considered on the floor was Senate Bill 1221, which clarifies the Percy retirement work-limit exemption by replacing “irrigation district” with “irrigation or drainage entity” so the exception applies consistently to eligible water-related organizations. Supporters said the change would help retain experienced retired workers and avoid confusion in administering the rule. The bill passed the Senate by a 33-0 vote, with two senators absent, and was transmitted to the House. During miscellaneous business, senators made announcements about a church service, an Idaho Realtors reception, a Kratom presentation for majority members, and a Bible study. The Senate also recognized additional guests in the gallery before adjourning until the next day.