Transcript Highlights:

• with a vote of well the bill uh passes with a vote of 10<00:31:30.000><c> to</c><00:31:30.200><c> zero
• <c> will</c><00:31:30.919><c> be</c><00:31:31.039><c> reported</c><00:31:31.399><c> with</c> 10 to zero
• so it will be reported with 10 to zero so it will be reported with favorable<00:31:32.000><c> expression

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:13 SB 15 Discussion 00:45 SB 15 Vote 08:40 SB 103 Discussion 11:12 SB 103 Vote 29:49, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've approved in 2024, I approved over 70 rate, zero percent rate increases or decreases for this marketplace
• And you’ve heard me today: my team and I can zero in on surplus, and we get focused on how to build it
• not-for-profit insurer of last resort, and because of that, we have no financial incentive to not pay claims—zero

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.

Transcript Highlights:

• the good news is that the number is low, and we are diligent in ensuring that we're trying to get to zero
• But as they zero in on a community, and maybe that company knows they're going to go to a particular
• But as they zero into a community and maybe that company knows they're going to go to a particular county

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of six yes and zero no, you have adopted the House Committee substitute.

Committee: House Legislative Review

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The representative passes, nine yeas, zero nays. I declare your bill passed. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The committee considered two Senate bills. Senate Bill 1859, presented by Representative Chapman, would establish a cyber crimes unit within the OSBI and create a revolving fund for future use. Chapman said it was nearly identical to a prior bill and moved for adoption; after no questions or debate, the committee voted 8-1 to pass it. Representative Fiffer then presented Senate Bill 1767, which aims to stop illegal shipments of spirits into Oklahoma by strengthening the state’s prohibition on out-of-state shipping of spirits and authorizing the Attorney General to enforce state and federal law. He said the bill should be revenue neutral or slightly positive for ABLE, despite a fiscal impact note. After no questions or debate, the committee voted unanimously, 9-0, to pass the bill. The meeting concluded after both measures were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, by your vote of six ayes, zero nays, and one not voting, you have passed House Bill 2177.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met, approved the February 16, 2026 minutes, and heard House Bill 2177. The bill would require the Director of Access to apply annually for a federal Section 1115 waiver to allow Medicaid reimbursement for certain services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native members through Indian Health Service or tribal 638 facilities for services reduced or eliminated since September 2010. No one testified for or against the bill, and members asked a brief question about whether the measure would cover ancestors of tribal members; the discussion indicated the bill was forward-looking. A motion was made for HB 2177 to receive a due pass recommendation. The committee then voted 6-0, with one member not voting, to pass the bill. No other business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of six yes and zero no, you have adopted the House Committee substitute.

Summary: The Legislative Review Committee met in executive session with six members present, establishing a quorum. The committee took up Senate Bill 1544 and first adopted House Committee Amendment 1, which was described as making language changes related to the Riggs district and adjusting wording about when the chiefs leave. The amendment was then rolled into a House Committee substitute. After adopting the substitute, the committee moved the House Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1544 do pass. A roll call vote was taken, and the substitute and do pass motion were approved by a vote of 6-0. No opposition or substantive discussion was recorded beyond the explanation of the amendment. With no further business before the committee, the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, I have a substitute ending in point zero four C. It is.

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seven aye, zero nay. Mr. President, vote, declare the vote? 7-0-0-N-A.

Bills: HB3329

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: long-term care, advisory board, sunset legislation, mental health, psychologists

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 3329. Before testimony, the committee adopted a proposed committee substitute as the working draft. Representative Osborn explained that the bill was a cleanup measure related to a previously passed sunset bill: a long-term care facility advisory board had mistakenly been restored in the earlier bill and this follow-up would remove it again. He said the bill was needed as a procedural fix and noted that, if another related bill passes, this one would be signed last to avoid conflicts in session law. Members asked why the correction could not simply be handled in the Senate, and Osborn responded that they did not want the larger bill to return for another vote and risk timing problems. There was also discussion about possible conflicts between session laws and the need for a companion bill addressing how such conflicts are handled. After discussion, the committee moved a do pass recommendation. The bill was then approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote, with all members voting aye. The chair announced that HB 3329 would be reported out as do pass and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being seven ayes and zero nays, the committee substitute for HB 3666 is adopted.

Bills: HB2217

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: law enforcement, bullet-resistant, grant program, safety equipment, peace officers, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Move it to zero? No.
• Please introduce yourself. rule would do what, move it to zero?
• But the alternative is we have zero integrity, zero accountability, zero transparency, and then it gets

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Move it to zero? No. You still have the... ...rule would do what? Move it to zero? No.
• But the alternative is we have zero integrity, zero accountability, zero transparency, and then it gets

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• people are required to take mitigation steps, which will soon include what could be expensive Zone Zero
• At the same time, that's the same time... ...could be expensive Zone Zero requirements.
• The ayes are seven, the noes are zero. That bill is out. File item 9, consent, SB 1206.
• The ayes are seven, the noes are zero. I, Rubio? Aye. The ayes are seven, the noes are zero.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone starts at zero.
• They start at zero; they have to get to 51%.
• </c><00:20:33.400><c> They</c><00:20:33.520><c> start</c><00:20:33.800><c> at</c><00:20:33.920><c> zero
• They start at zero, caused them damages.
• They start at zero, they<00:20:34.360><c> have</c><00:20:34.560><c> to</c><00:20:34.680><c> get</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've used every bathroom, every dressing room, every facility, locker rooms, and I had zero, zero women
• of sexual assault complaints in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, and Tucson, they found zero
• Zero instances of sexual assault taking place in which men, under the guise of being women or transgender
• Zero.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with HB 2855, which would let the Department of Labor adjust workers’ compensation administrative taxes and the second injury fund surcharge in smaller 0.1% increments instead of 0.5%. The sponsor and the department said the change would better right-size collections and reduce the burden on employers; the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as good governance. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2855 was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 3142, a camp-safety bill prompted by the Camp Mystic flooding tragedy in Texas and a Missouri drowning case. The sponsor and multiple grieving parents urged mandatory emergency plans, staff training, background checks, licensing, weather warnings, and clearer oversight for summer camps. Supporters included the American Camp Association and some state and youth-safety advocates, while opponents—especially camp operators, the Missouri Afterschool Network, and park and recreation representatives—argued the bill was too broad, could burden day camps and church camps, and might worsen child-care shortages. Several witnesses suggested the bill should be narrowed to distinguish overnight residential camps from lower-risk day camps and possibly be housed under DSS rather than DESE. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee took testimony on HB 1893 and HB 2075, which would require sex-segregated multi-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms in private schools and public buildings, with enforcement tied to state funding in some cases. Sponsors said the bills were meant to create clear statewide standards and protect privacy and safety; opponents argued the measures would harm transgender and intersex people, be difficult or impossible to enforce, and create safety and discrimination problems. Supporters emphasized private-school autonomy and concerns about safety in shared facilities. The hearing concluded after extensive questioning, with no action or vote reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moten said, the bill has a zero fiscal ask and is only permissive in nature, and the House companion.
• The bill has a zero fiscal ask and is only permissive in nature.
• The bill has a zero fiscal ask and is only permissible in nature.
• We do have an appearance form: Kylie, and a zero, waiving in support for the Orange County Sheriff's
• They have zero power if they have less than 15%.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have used every bathroom, every dressing room, every facility, locker rooms, and I have had zero, zero
• of sexual assault complaints in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, and Tucson, they found zero—zero
• Zero.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I presume you also would like zero enforcement of that, but obviously we make laws so that they can
• So I presume you also would like zero enforcement of that, but obviously we make laws so that they can
• c><01:08:46.719><c> also</c><01:08:47.040><c> would</c><01:08:47.279><c> like</c><01:08:47.440><c> zero
• </c> presume you also would like zero presume you also would like zero enforcement<01:08:48.159><c> of

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My point is that if DNR won't enforce zero take, why would they enforce something much more difficult
• My point is that if DNR won't enforce zero take, why would they enforce something much more difficult
• <00:30:47.760><c> DNR</c><00:30:48.399><c> won't</c><00:30:48.720><c> enforce</c><00:30:49.360><c> zero
• </c><00:30:49.840><c> take,</c> is that if DNR won't enforce zero take, is that if DNR won't enforce
• zero take, why<00:30:50.480><c> would</c><00:30:50.720><c> they</c><00:30:50.880><c> enforce</c><00:30

Bills: HB2101

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: aquatic life, commercial aquarium purposes, Hawaii, environmental protection, sustainability, Native Hawaiian values, marine resources, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Water and Land heard testimony on House Bill 21101, which would ban or otherwise end commercial aquarium collection. Chairs opened the hearing with a short time limit for testimony and noted they would move to decision-making before the next committee meeting. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it appreciated the bill’s intent and stood on written testimony, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the measure as part of its legislative package, citing community calls to ban the practice. Many other organizations and individuals also testified in support, including environmental, Native Hawaiian, and community groups, with arguments focused on reef protection, public trust, cultural concerns, and the view that the trade is extractive and not sustainable. Supporters repeatedly cited declines in yellow tang and other reef fish, especially on West Hawaii and Oahu, and argued that reef recovery has not occurred where collection pressure existed. Several testified that legal aquarium collection has not occurred in West Hawaii since 2017 or on Oahu since 2021, and that the state should not reopen an industry that has been effectively shut down for years. Others said the program is fiscally inefficient because permits generate little revenue compared with the cost of administering and enforcing the program, and that aquaculture or other alternatives could provide jobs without removing wild fish. Native Hawaiian speakers and civic club representatives emphasized traditional and customary practices, community stewardship, and the need to protect resources for future generations. Opposition testimony came from aquarium fishers and related advocates who argued the fishery has been shown sustainable, that the EIS process was completed, and that the bill would unfairly target one user group over another. They said the trade provides livelihoods for local families, that management is solid, and that the legislature should not ban a fishery after requiring compliance with environmental review. Some opponents also argued that fish populations have increased in recent years and that the issue reflects broader user conflict rather than science. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair continued taking testimony, including on Zoom, as time allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB level, there is a bill to try to systematically make these things more in line because DAGS has zero
• HB level, there is a bill to try to systematically make these things more in line because DAGS has zero
• ><00:46:50.079><c> because</c><00:46:50.480><c> DAGs</c><00:46:51.040><c> has</c><00:46:51.200><c> zero
• </c> more in line because DAGs has zero more in line because DAGs has zero towing. towing. towing. and

Bills: SB2341 , SB2306 , SB2782 , SB2161 , SB17 , SB2358 , SB2367 , SB2240 , SB2547 , SB2401 , SB3031 , SB1406 , SB521 , SB3247 , SB1654 , SB1112 , SB1301 , SB2443 , SB2996

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees, bureau of conveyances, land court, transaction fees, public services, cost recovery, notary public, fraud, real property, Bureau of Conveyances, title recording, property rights

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.