Transcript Highlights:

• And when Karen and her group came over from Monoa school, it was just like this huge rush of energy.
• this<00:08:35.760><c> huge</c><00:08:36.080><c> rush</c><00:08:36.320><c> of</c><00:08:36.719><c> energy
• And</c><00:08:37.279><c> it</c><00:08:37.440><c> was</c><00:08:37.519><c> all</c> this huge rush of energy
• And it was all this huge rush of energy.
• </c><01:11:58.719><c> in</c> for the time and effort and energy in for the time and effort and energy

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment. Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions. The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and not in Words and deeds of Jesus, consistently, what we see is this preferential exercise of energy
• And, you know, we serve on the energy committee.
• And, you know, we serve on the energy committee.
• , you know, you know, we we serve on And, you know, you know, we we serve on the<01:23:02.680><c> energy
• </c> the energy on the chair of the energy the energy on the chair of the energy committee.<01:23:04.560

Bills: HF4841 , HF4234 , HF3697

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• By opening America's vast energy resources, domestic production is about to rev up. a declaration of
• American energy independence that will echo throughout the entire economy.
• :23.440><c> resources,</c> opening America's vast energy resources, opening America's vast energy resources
• </c> a declaration of American energy a declaration of American energy independence<00:14:29.360><c>
• Their energy bills will be lower.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, we spent a lot of time in the Energy Committee on this.
• Senator we spent a lot of time<00:22:26.320><c> in</c><00:22:26.520><c> the</c><00:22:26.760><c> energy
• But as you know, in Energy and Natural Resources, when we had the hearings on things, we'd say, well,
• how the process going but as you know of how the process going but as you know in<00:30:24.159><c> Energy
• natural</c><00:30:24.919><c> resources</c><00:30:25.480><c> you</c><00:30:25.600><c> know</c> in Energy

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Jger talked about a little bit, is already in law, and that about 10 years ago there was a lot of energy
• He said newborn screening is already in law and that, about 10 years ago, there was a lot of energy and
• He said newborn screening is already in law and that, about 10 years ago, there was a lot of energy and
• and Jger talked about a little bit, is already in law, and about 10 years ago there was a lot of energy
• and changes around that lot of energy and changes around that and<01:11:15.679><c> uh</c><01:11:15.800

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Of those, $880 billion are in the Commerce and energy space, and I note that Commerce and energy is the
• <00:16:24.440><c> the</c><00:16:24.639><c> Commerce</c><00:16:24.959><c> and</c><00:16:25.120><c> energy
• </c><00:16:25.600><c> space</c><00:16:26.160><c> and</c> are in the Commerce and energy space and are
• ><c> Commerce</c><00:16:27.040><c> and</c><00:16:27.160><c> energy</c><00:16:27.519><c> is</c><00:16:
• 27.680><c> the</c> I note that Commerce and energy is the I note that Commerce and energy is the committee

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution by Representative Coates requests the Department of Conservation and Energy

Bills: HR252 , HR253 , HR254 , HR255 , HR256 , HCR103 , HCR104 , HR244 , HR245 , HR246 , HR247 , HR248 , HR249 , HR250 , HR251 , HCR101 , HCR102 , SCR40 , SCR60 , SB112 , SB131 , SB145 , SB194 , SB268 , SB307 , SB312 , SB319 , SB333 , SB341 , SB346 , SB464 , SB466 , SB488 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , HR9 , HR196 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR50 , HCR62 , HCR67 , HCR71 , HCR78 , HCR81 , SCR20 , HB123 , HB251 , HB625 , HB662 , HB709 , HB769 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB1011 , HB1057 , HB1155 , HB1186 , HB1224 , HB1245 , HB1247 , HB1253 , HB1254 , HB1255 , HB1256 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , SB97 , SB105 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , HR37 , HCR64 , HR170 , HR191 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HR217 , HCR11 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR66 , HCR68 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , HCR6 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB258 , HB633 , HB801 , HB61 , HB98 , HB102 , HB139 , HB142 , HB170 , HB185 , HB194 , HB199 , HB231 , HB247 , HB294 , HB336 , HB474 , HB661 , HB842 , HB852 , HB66 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB603 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB766 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB940 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1080 , HB1201 , HB1215 , HB1228 , HB1251 , HB1252 , SB1 , SB23 , SB32 , SB42 , SB43 , SB46 , SB51 , SB110 , SB113 , SB150 , SB154 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB221 , SB253 , SB289 , SB310 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB502 , SB26 , SB28 , SB29 , SB30 , SB41 , SB44 , SB64 , SB84 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB107 , SB118 , SB142 , SB192 , SB195 , SB199 , SB219 , SB222 , SB234 , SB241 , SB255 , SB275 , SB277 , SB292 , SB294 , SB306 , SB314 , SB482 , HCR32 , HB798 , HB998 , HB1084 , HB1223 , HB59 , HB955 , HB1191 , HB1234 , HB646 , HB824 , HB341 , SB397 , SB442 , HB901 , HB79 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB911 , HB926 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB47 , SB82 , SB89 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction, building codes, inspection practices, housing costs, task force, HR254, House Resolution 254, Ty Hebert, Acadiana Legislative Delegation, Louisiana State University, LSU, graduation, commendation

Transcript Highlights:

• the bill itself because of “the problem that we have nationally,” which he identified as private equity
• He said private equity is not sufficiently controlled in this particular bill.
• He then said he would vote against the bill itself because of the problem of private equity nationally
• He said private equity is not sufficiently controlled in this bill and that, although the thread and
• thought are good and many details have been sorted out, it is still heavily weighted for private equity

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The language in the bill will ensure a thorough and unbiased study of nuclear energy, including a true
• in the uh or in a uh we didn't have home in the uh or in a uh we didn't have an<01:38:45.760><c> energy
• </c><01:38:47.040><c> The</c><01:38:47.280><c> language</c> an energy bill this year.
• The language an energy bill this year.
• </c> unbiased study of nuclear energy unbiased study of nuclear energy including<01:38:53.520><c> a</

Transcript Highlights:

• planned for this year, but I quite frankly feel lucky that we didn't do that because we put in a lot of energy
• planned for this year, but I quite frankly feel lucky that we didn't do that because we put in a lot of energy
• planned for this year, but I quite frankly feel lucky that we didn't do that because we put in a lot of energy
• Didn't do that because we put in a lot of energy, a lot of time, and a lot of money.
• Paul and Little Africa and Minnesota because of the vibrant energy created by Little Africa and the team

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they just like to save their energy like this and that's right here in Minnesota, same idea.
• So, they just like to save their<00:03:19.960><c> energy</c><00:03:20.360><c> like</c><00:03:20.600><
• like this and that's right their energy like this and that's right here<00:03:21.880><c> Minnesota,<
• They cannot be disposed of in a waste-to-energy facility or a landfill.
• They cannot be disposed of in a waste-to-energy facility or a landfill.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We are home to world-class energy assets and energy innovation, and we have a workforce and a business
• Message 76, removed from the Rules Committee, ordered printed, and referred instead to the House Energy
• 56, introduced by Representative Lara, a memorial requesting the Oil Conservation Division of the Energy
• The House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30.
• The House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30, and

Bills: HB111 , HB61 , HB43 , HB156 , HB70 , SB3 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HB247 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:23:35.520><c> She</c><00:23:35.919><c> became</c> She chaired the judiciary finance, ethics, energy
• She instituted the Fond du Lac tribal and community college and established the wind power energy industry
• chaired the judiciary<00:24:45.919><c> finance,</c><00:24:46.640><c> ethics,</c><00:24:47.279><c> energy
• ,</c><00:24:47.840><c> and</c> judiciary finance, ethics, energy, and judiciary finance, ethics, energy
• </c> wind power energy industry in Minnesota. wind power energy industry in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• until such time that OMB could determine if there's a nexus between these programs and promoting energy
• <c> America's</c> executive order uh related to America's executive order uh related to America's energy
• :22.000><c> by</c><01:04:22.160><c> the</c><01:04:22.319><c> White</c><01:04:22.640><c> House</c> energy
• uh was issued by the White House energy uh was issued by the White House it<01:04:23.599><c> included
• </c><01:04:41.279><c> um</c> these programs and promoting energy um these programs and promoting energy

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we also have State Energy Office. Good morning, Vice Chair, members. Thank you.
• My name is uh with the State Energy Office. We stand on our written comments.

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to state facilities and agency procedures. SCR 177/SR 172 asked the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to convene a cooperative working group to address state projects requiring county permitting; DAGS supported the measure, and it was adopted unanimously. SCR 37/SR 36 requested a study on the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect; DAGS offered comments, but the chair deferred the resolution, citing a similar bill and lack of funding for a study. The committee then considered SCR 86/SR 77, which would require bi-level lighting in newly constructed state buildings and facilities beginning in 2028. DAGS and the State Energy Office provided comments, while DLNR, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Climate Future Forum testified in support. The committee amended the measure to apply to state buildings and facilities with designs finalized on or after January 1, 2028, and adopted it. SCR 122/SR 114, which would require written notice before final administrative action affecting protected liberty or property interests, drew comments from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and written comments from DOE, but was deferred due to limited support and time constraints. In the joint GVO/HHS portion, the committee heard SCR 87/SR 79, encouraging the state to examine requiring AEDs in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The State Health Planning and Development Agency, DOE, the American Heart Association, the Department of Health, an individual testifier, and DAGS all supported the measure; DAGS also described ongoing installation and training efforts in its facilities. The measure was adopted without amendment by both committees, with members noting broad support and no reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• we know how much our state relies... ...the Middle East, and we know how much our state relies on energy
• the federal level, and the impact in particular on human life, the President's policies are causing energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, the tasks before us often require more time, energy, and capacity, and even exceed personal ability
• Lord, the tasks before us often require more time, energy, and capacity, and even exceed personal ability

Bills: HB4358 , HB2398 , HB3557 , HB3129 , HB3312 , HB2210 , HB1937 , HB3021 , HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464 , HB3552 , HB2984 , HB4124 , HB3934 , HB3448 , HB3131 , HB4200 , HB4201 , HB3011 , HB1912 , HB3380 , HB3881 , HB3538 , HB3851 , HB3907 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4457 , HB2947 , HB2951 , HB2980 , HB3082 , HB3519 , HB3644 , HB3882 , HB3661 , HB3996 , HB4335

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, heard an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of introductions and floor presentations recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and the Luther cheer team. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Lydia Dennis, and several members made personal announcements later in the day. The House then considered and passed several bills, mostly by wide margins. Measures included HB 2947 on behavioral health, allowing Medicaid billing for supervised mental health interns; HB 2951 cleaning up Department of Corrections prison listings in statute; HB 2980 allowing DMVs to accept valid physical proof of insurance; HB 382 barring fire departments from employing people who must register as sex offenders; HB 3519 changing the abandoned medical marijuana grow cleanup process from a bond to a fee; HB 3644, the Blake Burgess Act, requiring clot and embolism training and reporting; HB 3882 creating a revolving fund for ODOT lake and industrial access grants; HB 3661 removing a sunset from the forestry equipment tax provision; and HB 3996 memorializing OIDS obligations in capital appeal cases. Several bills drew brief questions about fiscal impact or implementation, and title-striking motions were made on some measures. The most debated item was HB 4335 on pet shops and local regulation. Supporters said it created a framework for municipalities and counties to regulate pet shops without outright bans, while opponents argued it undermined local control and favored a commercial retailer. After debate from both sides, the bill passed 60-26. The House also adopted the emergency on HB 3882, and at the end of the day the chamber adjourned until March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• we know how much our state relies... ...the Middle East, and we know how much our state relies on energy
• the federal level, and the impact in particular on human life, the president's policies are causing energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Chair McKinnor and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opened by emphasizing CalPERS’ importance to retirement security for public employees and to the state budget. Scott Tarando, CalPERS Chief Actuary and a CAP member, presented on the statutory disclosure requirements in Government Code Section 2029, including the use of CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate and the need to show how changes in investment return assumptions and amortization periods affect liabilities, contribution rates, and budgets. Tarando explained that lower investment returns increase contribution rates and unfunded liabilities, while higher returns reduce them. He also described CalPERS’ 20-year amortization period for new unfunded liabilities, comparing it to a mortgage and noting that shorter periods raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs. He said the CAP has recommended a 15- to 20-year range and that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth volatility for a large, ongoing plan. Members asked about the meaning of average service lifetime, the timing of valuation data, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and workforce changes on assumptions, and whether contribution changes affect retiree benefits. Tarando said retiree benefits do not change with annual valuations, that CalPERS uses audited year-end data because it is the most reliable basis for rates, and that AI impacts are being monitored but are too early to quantify. Committee members also discussed CalPERS’ funded status, with Tarando saying it had improved from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at fiscal year-end and over 80% more recently, reducing pressure on employers and the state budget. Michael Cohen, CalPERS’ investment operations chief, said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that its annual audits are publicly available, but no formal federal review had been released. In public comment, a representative of the California State Association of Counties praised the improved funded status and the role of PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reaffirming CalPERS’ fiduciary duty and the goal of protecting retirement security for public workers; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we know how much our state relies... the Middle East, and we know how much our state relies on energy
• the federal level and the impact in particular on human life, the president's policies are causing energy

Transcript Highlights:

• The relationship that the state has had with the Department of Energy, this Senate concurrent resolution
• The relationship that the state has had with the Department of Energy places that in a new light, and

Committee: Senate State Affairs