Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Kelsey Nagata or Christopher Leang from the AG office. Thank you.
• culture crimes thank you Mr bding of AG culture crimes thank you Mr Sal Uh, Mr.
• Members, any questions for the AG? Chair, okay. Hi, happy Friday, Deputy Attorney General Tom.
• They can start at a young age rather than at the gas pump.
• They can volunteer to start at a young age rather than label at the gas pump.

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The joint AEN-PSM hearing on February 7, 2025 focused primarily on three agriculture-related measures and one animal welfare bill, with additional discussion of pesticide drift monitoring, coffee labeling, and a gas-pump labeling bill. SB 762 would create an Agricultural Crimes Council and authorize agricultural crime investigators; testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and several members of the public was generally supportive, with repeated calls for stronger enforcement, community involvement, and in some cases allowing investigators to be armed. Some testifiers also urged changes to the appointment process for council members, preferring neighborhood boards or local officials over gubernatorial appointments. The committee discussed combining related agricultural crime bills and noted concerns about investigator safety in remote areas. SB 763 would establish an agriculture enforcement program within the Department of Law Enforcement and a special fund. Testimony was strongly supportive from state agencies and farm groups, with speakers emphasizing the need for more effective response to agricultural theft, poaching, and related crimes. Several public testifiers linked the bill to broader community safety and asked for clearer funding, training, coordination, performance metrics, and technology use. The committee also heard SB 1022, which would prohibit leaving pets in dangerous conditions in vehicles and allow officers, firefighters, animal control, and in some cases private citizens to rescue animals; the Attorney General said existing cruelty statutes may already cover the conduct and suggested amendments, while HPD opposed the bill. Members asked about liability for rescuers and whether the proposal might affect property-crime enforcement. The committee also heard SB 1304 on pesticide drift monitoring funding, with the Department of Agriculture supporting the measure and explaining it was needed to complete a required project under an EPA-related agreement. A Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action representative raised concerns about the methodology of prior studies, and a public testifier described a recent odor incident near a roadway and school. SB 1015, requiring labels on gas dispensing equipment warning about fossil fuel impacts, drew support from the Department of Agriculture and the Public Utilities Commission but opposition from the Hawaii Energy Marketers Association. SB 500 on coffee labeling and regional origin was also heard, with the Department of Agriculture in support. In decision-making, the committees adopted recommendations to pass SB 762 with amendments, SB 763 with amendments, SB 1022 with technical amendments, SB 1304 with technical amendments, and SB 1015 as is; SB 500 was not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• AGS 211 represents the land survey division. Our administrator is Reed Serat.
• AGS 240 and 244 represent our state procurement office.
• AGS 251 and 252 is our Automotive Management Division.
• </c><04:55:20.040><c> 131</c> that's Dr Adam Jansen AGS 131 that's Dr Adam Jansen AGS 131 representing
• </c><04:58:58.280><c> 879</c> n from the office of elections AGS 879 n from the office of elections AGS

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• An employer need only post the poster developed by the AG to notify workers of the requirements in the
• An employer need only use the AG model notice to notify workers of an upcoming I-9 audit and can attach
• own notice if it meets the same requirements, but is otherwise considered compliant if they use the AG
• Instead, the AG must publish guidance on employers' rights to refuse to consent to these searches.
• The proposed substitute adds a provision requiring the AG to conduct outreach to businesses, employers

Bills: HB2479 , HB2091 , HB2105 , HB2107 , HB2151 , HB2190 , HB2191 , HB2218 , HB2243 , HB2303 , HB2345

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unpaid wages, wage theft, wage recovery, labor standards, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, worker protection, low-wage workers, back pay, interest on wages, civil penalties, retaliation, immigration status coercion, gig workers, transportation network companies, rideshare drivers, app-based drivers, employment law, wage complaint, payroll enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an assistant director of aging at the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
• And Jay Hill, Division Director for Aging, Adult Behavior Health Services at DHS. Thank you, Mr.
• I believe it was in the aging.
• Yeah, when we looked at all the aging programs as well as behavioral health.
• We use the, you know, we do assessments for the aging waiver for the IDD population and for behavioral

Summary: The committee approved the December 8 minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees, adopting the chair’s recommendations. The main substantive item was a DHS rule package revising the State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, implement Act 853 by shifting licensure/certification for personal care agencies to the Department of Health, lengthen personal care prior authorizations from six months to one year, and keep the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and add/update sections for PASS, AR Choices, Living Choices, and PACE. DHS argued the current independent assessment process is costly and not controlling utilization, citing a 95% approval rate, annual spending of more than $212 million on personal care for about 17,000 people, and an estimated $6.173 million in savings from eliminating the Optum assessment and reducing prior-authorization frequency. Agency witnesses said the new process would reinsert primary care practitioner involvement, use standardized evaluation and prescription forms, and rely on personal care provider nurses for the assessment step, with training already available through an AFMC contract. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers, whether the change would delay services, and whether the savings estimate accounted for training or provider burden. Some members also raised concerns about conflicts of interest, the workload on physicians, and whether the agency had adequately worked with the existing vendor to improve the current system. The discussion became contentious, with Senator Irvin and others strongly opposing the proposal as inconsistent with the earlier independent-assessment approach and urging DHS to slow down and work with legislators. Other members asked for clarification on how the new process would work for new applicants and whether it would affect waiver or PASS participants; DHS said the rule would not apply to PASS and should not delay services. At the end of the hearing, the chair offered DHS the option to pull the rule down and work off-record with legislators on a revised proposal, and DHS agreed. The meeting then adjourned without further business or a final vote on the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an assistant director of aging at the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
• And Jay Hill, Division Director for Aging, Adult Behavioral Health Services at DHS. Thank you, Mr.
• The independent assessment has been a thorn in their side for school-aged children that received personal
• I believe it was in the aging.
• Yeah, when we looked at all the aging programs as well as behavioral health.

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees. It then took up a Department of Human Services rule package revising the Arkansas State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, align processes across programs, and implement Act 853 by moving licensure and certification for personal care agencies from DHS to the Department of Health. For state plan personal care, DHS proposed replacing the current Optum independent assessment and six-month prior authorization cycle with a PCP referral and a personal care agency nurse assessment, plus a 12-month prior authorization, while keeping the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and update sections for PASS, ARChoices, Living Choices, and PACE. DHS officials argued the current process is expensive and not controlling utilization, citing a high approval rate and annual spending of more than $212 million for about 17,000 people. They said the change would save an estimated $6.173 million, reduce red tape, and better align personal care with other state plan services. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers for personal care, noting concerns about physician workload, possible delays in access, and conflict-of-interest issues if provider-employed nurses conduct assessments. Members also asked about the history of the Optum contract, whether DHS had tried to modify it, and whether the fiscal note accounted for training or provider impacts. DHS said training would be handled through an existing AFMC contract and that the proposal was developed after stakeholder engagement since June 2024. Some members expressed support for controlling costs and reducing unnecessary assessments, while others said the proposal could burden PCPs and undermine the independent assessment approach previously recommended by the Healthcare Reform Task Force. Questions also focused on how the change would affect new applicants and whether services would be delayed; DHS said it should not delay services and that the rule would not apply to PASS participants. After extended debate, a member moved to pull the rule down and work further with legislators on a revised approach. The agency agreed, and the meeting adjourned without advancing the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Dudley by the Governor to allow him to work as a call firefighter in the town of Dudley past the age
• It'll allow him to work until the age of 70.
• that one of these three candidates, Patrick Daugherty, presented a unique challenge related to his age
• The town needs this legislation because of his age.
• The town needs this legislation because of his age.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 22nd hearing of the 194th General Court to consider late-file bills, with the chairs outlining testimony limits and instructions for submitting written testimony. The committee heard testimony on several local bills, including H.5520, which would allow George Petrinos of Dudley to continue serving as a call firefighter past age 65 until age 70. Representative John Moran said the bill had town support, would have no pension or fiscal impact, and was intended to let Petrinos continue a long record of service. The committee also heard testimony on H.4499 concerning the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. Witnesses Colleen Curran and Matthew Brunell said the bill would correct an oversight so certain employees of the zone could participate in the public retirement system. They described the organization as a public body subject to open meeting and procurement laws, performing functions similar to a public school district, and said a prior administrative decision had recognized it as a public entity but not extended retirement eligibility to its employees. Finally, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 3165 for the town of Holbrook, which would authorize the appointment of Patrick Daugherty as a firefighter despite the maximum age requirement. Holbrook Fire Chief Luke McFadden and Senators John Keenan and Representative Mark Cusack said the department needs paramedic-qualified firefighters, Daugherty is already known to the town and fully qualified aside from the age issue, and the exemption would help address staffing shortages. No questions were raised after the testimony, and the committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will raise the age to 70 so they can continue to do details, which really helps out the town.
• service toward my credible service for retirement so that I can retire with retirement plus at the age
• I'm hopeful that I can make it through to age 55, though at this time I'm not 100% positive.
• We already did hear House Bill 3900, an act authorizing the raising of the maximum retirement age of
• The next is House Bill 5034, an act relative to waiving the maximum age or time requirement for police

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Public Service Committee heard testimony on a series of retirement, public safety, and personnel bills, with most of the discussion focused on individual or local matters. House Bill 5054 would allow the city of Peabody to use an affidavit when pre-employment medical records for a firefighter or other public safety employee are missing, so a retirement application can proceed. Representative Tom Walsh, Mayor Ted Bettencourt, Fire Chief Jay Dowling, and Chief Thomas Griffin all supported the bill, explaining that a 27-year firefighter’s retirement had been delayed for months because the city could not locate the required records. Senator Joan Lovely also testified in support and urged a favorable recommendation. The committee also heard brief testimony on House Bill 4698, which would authorize the State Board of Retirement to pay benefits to Dale Kylie after a divorce affected his retirement option; House Bill 3900, which would raise the maximum age for Kingston special police officers to 70 amid staffing shortages; and House Bill 5159, which would grant creditable service to educator Sarah Shebelli, who said two years as a paraprofessional at a charter school were denied and that she is seeking the credit before retiring, in part because of a degenerative eye disease. Additional bills were read into the record without further testimony, including measures involving Pelham police chief employment, the New Bedford Police Association, retirement benefit transfers, age waivers for police officers, continued employment of Petersham police department members, a Dayton special police appointment, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee. No committee questions were raised on the bills discussed, and no votes were taken during the hearing. After confirming that no one else wished to testify, the committee moved to adjourn and did so by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will raise the age to 70 so they can continue to do details, which really helps out the town.
• service toward my credible service for retirement so that I can retire with retirement plus at the age
• I'm hopeful that I can make it through to age 55, though at this time I'm not 100% positive.
• We already did hear House Bill 3900, an act authorizing the raising of the maximum retirement age of
• The next is House Bill 5034, an act relative to waiving the maximum age or time requirement for police

Bills: H5159 , H5110 , H3900 , H5054 , H5034 , H4977 , S2939 , H4747 , S2942 , H4742 , H4698

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: retirement, teachers, service credit, superannuation, Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System, Petersham, police employment, age requirement, public service, retirement benefits, retirement age, special police officers, Kingston, public safety, law enforcement, pre-employment examinations, disability retirement, record maintenance, Peabody, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• The client demographic is boys up to the age of 21. We do not have females at John Paul.
• We have nine who are age 16, 25 who are 17 and 18, and eight that are ages 19 and 20.
• So it's up to the age of 21, so there's a little bit of leeway for us to try to get them services prior
• To the age of 25 so that they do have some support.
• Just speaking about J-PAL in particular, we try to have them by age and their learning abilities.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• consultation with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, study the feasibility of incorporating age
• BESE and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study the feasibility of creating age-
• Part of that education, depending on the age, is familiarity with a firearm, but not on campus.
• And he was saying that, you know, they put basketball in footballs and kids' hands at a very young age
• . that they put basketball and footballs and kids' hands at a very young age.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus. Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in consultation with our AG, we are following the statutory requirements.
• </c><00:05:18.320><c> the</c><00:05:18.920><c> statutory</c> AG, we are following the statutory AG, we
• So my understanding is the AG has said that you could renew the positions each year, or is that...
• The AG is interpreting it, and so there's a difference in legal interpretation that means that as long
• Senator, as I shared, we have consulted with our attorney general, and they have advised us that our AG

Bills: HCR122

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Hawaiian Affairs first took up HCR 122, which requests the University of Hawaii to allow an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi E Pathway under the Niʻihau dialect. Testimony was generally supportive, and the chair noted agreement with the House author to mirror amendments already made in the Senate version, including technical, non-substantive changes and a micro-credential reference. Both committees voted to pass HCR 122 with amendments. The committee then heard HCR 181, affirming the legislative intent of HRS 302A-1116 regarding the Department of Education’s authority to create temporary positions. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi testified that the department follows statutory requirements and consults with the Attorney General, while several members expressed concern that the department’s interpretation could allow repeated annual renewals and undermine the budget process. Members discussed the need to make the bill more explicit that temporary positions may not exceed one year. The committee ultimately adopted the proposed SD1 and passed HCR 181 with amendments. The committee also considered HCR 42 on recognizing cheerleading as a title sport, HCR 53 on a UH associate degree completion audit, HCR 110 on refining campus roles within the UH system, HCR 111 on clarifying UH system and campus responsibilities, and HCR 118 HD1 on strengthening menstrual health education and adopting a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. HCR 42 and HCR 53 were passed with technical/non-substantive amendments, HCR 110 and HCR 111 were passed unamended, and HCR 118 HD1 was passed with amendments reflecting the Senate version. Testimony on HCR 118 strongly supported standardized menstrual health education, with speakers emphasizing student demand and existing school infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The oldest cousin was nine years of age.
• The younger cousin was eight years of age, playing next door.
• The oldest cousin was nine years of age. The younger cousin was eight years of age.
• By doing so, this bill ensures that instruction remains age-appropriate, expert-driven, and responsive
• So with that, I ask you. start school at that young age. So with that, I ask you to vote no.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• know, the point is that since voters legalized cannabis, calls to poison control by children under the age
• Youth exposure risks differ across age groups and occur through different pathways.
• But all these pictures that we saw today, even if a store is age-gated, if this is in somebody's home
• But all these pictures that we saw today, even if a store is age-gated, if this is in somebody's home
• We've seen examples of these products being delivered without any age gates.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on products that may be attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on complaints rather than pre-market review. The audit found disagreements with DCC’s conclusions in 13 of 80 packaging reviews, and noted weaknesses in tracking repeat violators and escalating penalties. The auditor recommended clearer statutory standards, better internal review tools, stronger repeat-offender policies, and consideration of options such as plain packaging or pre-approval systems. Committee members and the audit requester emphasized rising cannabis poison-control calls involving children under five and cited examples of legal products with cartoon imagery, bright colors, candy-like names, and beverage packaging that resembled ordinary drinks. DCC representatives said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized review team, improved databases, enhanced technology tools, and new procedures to track compliance history and apply progressive discipline. They also stressed that illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp remain major sources of youth exposure and argued that some issues require both regulatory refinement and more legislative clarity. Public health witnesses argued that California has not done enough to protect children and urged plain packaging, limits on flavors and child-appealing design, and a pre-market review process. Industry representatives agreed that cannabis should not be marketed to children but said the current rules are too subjective and inconsistent, and asked for objective, bright-line standards rather than broader bans. Several members said the examples shown were plainly child-appealing and called for stronger statutory guardrails, while also acknowledging the need to keep pressure on the illicit market. No formal vote or action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The number of people aged 55 and older is rising. State prison populations are getting older.
• as a legal defense in crimes where the age of the victim is a crucial element.
• Age as an element of. 9 is SB 1136, age as an element of a criminal offense by Senator Jay Collins.
• as illegal defense in crimes, where the age of the victim is a crucial element.
• Specifically, uh, legal defense in crimes where the age of the victim is a crucial element.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee took up a full agenda of criminal justice and related bills, beginning with SB 1180 on AI-generated sexual images. Senator Gates explained the bill was prompted by an Escambia County case involving deepfake pornography created from images of teenage girls, and a student victim testified in support. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Members then approved SB 500, creating a Spectrum Alert system and related training for missing children with autism; SB 726, making swatting offenders liable for prosecution, investigation, and restitution costs; and SB 494, which would create a statewide animal abuse database, after extensive support testimony from shelters, law enforcement, and animal welfare advocates. SB 964, revising objective parole guidelines to account for rehabilitation and program participation, also passed after testimony from supporters of parole reform and compassionate release. The committee next approved SB 1344, a juvenile justice cleanup bill with a delete-all amendment that updated truancy, CINS, detention risk assessment, and other juvenile justice provisions. SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding and allowing impoundment of involved vehicles, was reported favorably after limited opposition and support from law enforcement-related groups. SB 1136, increasing penalties for offenses involving minors and clarifying that ignorance of a victim’s age is not a defense, also passed after testimony from law enforcement supporters and two speakers opposed. SB 1660, on prostitution, drew the most extensive public comment: the sponsor said it was intended to distinguish trafficking victims from willing participants and shift penalties toward buyers and facilitators, while survivors, prosecutors, and advocates debated whether the substitute amendment would improperly criminalize prostituted persons; the committee ultimately adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 1828, making trespass at large ticketed events and certain secured locations a felony, with discussion focused on crowd control and public safety at major events. SB 1386, increasing penalties for assault and battery on utility workers and adding propane workers through an amendment, passed with broad support. SB 612, closing a loophole so minors who distribute deadly drugs like fentanyl can be charged with murder in certain cases, was reported favorably after testimony from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and opposition from civil liberties groups. SB 814, which would allow firearms on college campuses and at school-sponsored events, drew strong opposition from students and faculty and was reported unfavorably. Finally, the committee began SB 1604 on corrections with a delete-all amendment that addressed filing deadlines for DOC-related claims, execution-method language, tracking devices, involuntary treatment, and parole-related statutory cleanup; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I do have a question for AG.
• Okay, I do have a question for AG.
• </c><01:20:59.520><c> suggested</c> with amendments adopting AG suggested with amendments adopting AG
• <c> amendments</c> We'll adopt AG suggested amendments We'll adopt AG suggested amendments adding<01:
• Uh we'll be adding AG processes.

Bills: SB3082 , SB3110 , SB3251

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hacken Phillips: And filling the jobs that we need to care for this aging population.
• Honestly, I don't really know what our ages or the ages of our kids have to do with anything, because
• So if anybody lets their age or whatever interfere with that duty, they shouldn't be in this room in
• or the ages of our kids have to our ages or the ages of our kids have to do<00:44:43.680><c> with</c
• </c><00:44:55.160><c> or</c> anybody lets their age or anybody lets their age or whatever<00:44:57.079

Summary: The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote. The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House. Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also increases the minimum age to operate an electric bicycle. Vice Chair, for testimony.
• </c><00:37:12.440><c> to</c> bicycles increases the minimum age to bicycles increases the minimum age
• I also want to require helmets for individuals under the age of 18.
• The prohibitions in this bill and e-bikes for those will apply to those under the age of 15, to only
• </c> class one and two use with no age class one and two use with no age restrictions<01:07:22.680><c

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in the conference draft you took out or added in some language allowing the AG to enforce as
• Yeah, it is AG enforcement, right? Okay. Passing SB 888 SD2 HD2 with conference draft one.
• you added in some language<00:08:36.560><c> allowing</c><00:08:36.760><c> the</c><00:08:36.840><c> AG
• to enforce as language allowing the AG to enforce as well,<00:08:38.320><c> right?
• </c> Yeah, it is AG enforcement, right? Okay. Yeah, it is AG enforcement, right? Okay.

Bills: SB2876 , SB3253 , SB2125 , SB2781 , HB549 , HB1768 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB1515 , SB2835 , HB2282 , SB3083 , SB2031 , SB2519 , SB2667 , SB2140 , SB2544 , SB2069 , SB2697 , SB874 , SB2043 , SB888 , SB2721 , HB2152 , HB1334 , HB2385 , HB1643 , HB2314 , HB1688 , HB1692 , SB2568 , SB2983 , SB2108 , SB3136 , HB1959 , SB3156 , HB1511 , HB1753 , HB1824 , HB2137 , HB1810 , HB2279 , HB2309 , HB1548 , HB2078 , HB2293 , SB3262 , SB2169 , SB2607 , SB2964 , SB3255 , HB2576 , HB1481 , HB1864 , HB1550 , SB2818 , SB3067 , SB2061 , HB1728 , HB1881 , HB2361 , HB2395 , HB1823 , SB2050 , SB2397 , SB2175 , SB2852 , SB847 , SB3001

Transcript Highlights:

• Anderson said, there currently is a gap in treatment resources for children and youth under the age of
• of the appropriation of any funding that would increase resources for children and youth under the age
• /c><00:03:42.440><c> youth</c><00:03:42.840><c> under</c><00:03:43.080><c> the</c><00:03:43.280><c> age
• </c><00:03:43.480><c> of</c><00:03:43.560><c> 21</c> children and youth under the age of 21 children
• </c><00:04:20.560><c> of</c> for children and youth under the age of for children and youth under the

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds from this license plate go to Idaho Ag in the Classroom, and so we're just simply moving the
• design purview underneath Idaho Ag in the Classroom to be able to do that.
• in the Classroom and where the Ag license plate goes to.
• connected to those core subjects that teachers are already teaching, but they have a little bit of ag
• I really think that the language in here will domino effect into expanding our program and building ag

Committee: Senate Transportation