Transcript Highlights:

• It did not pass through. It overwhelmed the watershed.
• It just passed around the corner to Center Point.
• It just passed around the corner to center point.
• So I'm not talking about the failed predictions.
• It needs to get passed.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll get it passed out and read in, thank you. We'll get it passed out and read in. Thank you.
• We pass. We're just like, hi.
• I want it to pass on June 30th.
• House Amendment 15 is passed by the House.
• Two years ago, the State of Delaware passed House Bill 209.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, last week we passed SR 74.
• Last week we passed SR 74.
• You passed your maiden voyage as your first time as presiding officer. Thank you, Senator.
• Review Committee on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, with the recommendation of due pass, be given their
• I quite frankly fail to see the urgency. We're talking about two business days.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed guests from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, including President Jeffrey Armstrong, students, and staff. Senator Laird highlighted the university’s 125th anniversary and student achievements, including a Rose Parade Sweepstakes Trophy and a national design-build competition win. The chamber also recognized guests from Senator Cortese’s office later in the session. On the floor, the Senate took up and adopted SCR 111 by Senator Niello, commemorating the 125th anniversary of the certified public accountant profession in California and recognizing the California Board of Accountancy and the California Society of CPAs. The resolution passed by unanimous vote after roll call. The Senate also adopted SCR 109 by Senator Grove, proclaiming January 2026 as National Mentoring Month and honoring Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central California for its long record of youth mentoring and community impact. In unfinished business, the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 25 by Senator Umberg, described as streamlining California’s merger process and aligning it with the federal process; the motion passed 33-0. The Senate then approved a motion from Senator Laird to give certain Budget and Fiscal Review Committee bills second reading upon report and third reading status, with the motion carrying 29-10. The chamber also approved several adjourn-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Congressman Doug LaMalfa, with multiple senators speaking to his rural advocacy, bipartisan relationships, and personal kindness, and for Barry Del Bono, Alan Stewart Hammond, and Jeb Bing. The session ended with the Senate in recess until the next scheduled floor meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, last week we passed SR 74.
• Last week we passed SR 74.
• You passed your maiden voyage of your first time as presiding officer. Thank you, Senator.
• Review Committee on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, with the recommendation of due pass, be given their
• I quite frankly fail to see the urgency. We're talking about two business days.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't look to pass tax dollars through for redistribution.
• It's going to pass out of Ways and Means.
• But it's going to pass out of this committee shortly, so thank you, Mr. Chair.
• </c> this coerced debt after the bill passed this coerced debt after the bill passed into<00:17:55.320
• </c><01:17:30.080><c> we</c> roads and bridges that are failing we roads and bridges that are failing

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:32:23.400><c> pass</c><05:32:23.680><c> this</c><05:32:24.160><c> as</c> have passes pass this
• as have passes pass this as amended<05:32:26.000><c> pass</c><05:32:26.320><c> House</c><05:32:26.600
• The motion passed, and the committee recommendation is ought to pass as amended.
• The motion passed, and the committee recommendation is ought to pass as amended.
• The motion passed, and the committee recommendation is ought to pass as amended.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair's recommendation is to pass with... The recommendation is to pass with amendments.
• :49.840><c> with</c> recommendation is to pass with recommendation is to pass with amendments.<01:38:
• </c><01:39:49.920><c> Uh</c> recommendation is to pass as is. Uh recommendation is to pass as is.
• </c> so this one is also to be passed as is. so this one is also to be passed as is.
• </c> Chair's recommendation is to pass as is. Chair's recommendation is to pass as is.

Bills: HB1997 , HB2343 , HB2566 , HB2493

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed the... Good morning.
• We passed the Personal injury lawsuit. This burden is untenable.
• AB 446, which the committee had passed out last year.
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Banking and Finance Committee.
• Motion is due pass as amended. Respectfully ask for my vote.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, one somebody move to pass? I’ll move to pass. I’ll second.
• So, one somebody move to pass? I’ll move to pass. I’ll second.
• So, one somebody move to pass? I’ll move to pass. I’ll second.
• So, one somebody move to pass? I’ll move to pass. I’ll second.
• </c><01:59:01.360><c> pass</c> uh is there a motion to off to pass pass uh is there a motion to off to

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every time the bill passed, the law expanded far beyond what was promised.
• Every time the bill passed, the law expanded far beyond what was promised.
• Every time the bill passed, the law expanded far beyond what was promised.
• Motion is due pass to Appropriations. Call: aye. Call: aye. Call: aye.
• Actually, in some ways, our entrepreneurs never fail to impress me.

Summary: The committee heard several immigration-, health-, food access-, and tribal-rights-related bills. AB 1725 would require disclosure of oil wells near homes and sensitive sites and stronger methane monitoring; supporters described health and safety harms in communities near wells, while apartment, realtor, building, and chamber representatives opposed or sought amendments, arguing the bill should better target the responsible industry and fit existing disclosure processes. AB 1650 would require privately rented or leased vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly identifiable and equipped with safety lighting; supporters, including immigrant-rights advocates and local officials, said unmarked vehicles create fear and confusion during ICE operations, while the chamber sought clarification and noted exemptions for ordinary undercover law enforcement. AB 1857 would prohibit grocery restrictive covenants that keep new supermarkets from opening after a store closes, with supporters framing it as a food-access and anti-hunger measure; grocers and retailers raised concerns but said amendments addressed many issues, and the committee moved the bill forward as amended to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with all members present voting aye except one absent member and the bill placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1876, which would codify federal health-care nondiscrimination protections in state law. Supporters from Equality California, Disability Rights California, Planned Parenthood, and other health groups said it would preserve coverage protections for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other protected classes amid federal rollbacks; opponents argued it would entrench gender-affirming-care standards and criticized the underlying medical framework. The bill passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with most members voting aye and one no vote, and was placed on call. AB 1908 would allow public entities to use judgment obligation bonds to finance self-funded victim compensation funds; Los Angeles County said the bill would fill a financing gap for faster compensation, and the committee advanced it on a recorded vote and placed it on call. AB 1881, the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, would protect California tribes’ access to sacred sites and traditional practices on state public lands and require meaningful consultation; it drew extensive support from tribal leaders and Native organizations, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and business groups were opposed unless amended, largely seeking clarification and narrowing. The bill was amended to focus on state public lands and passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, then placed on call. Later, AB 2465 would bar businesses that profit from private detention facilities or contract with immigration-enforcement agencies from receiving state grants, loans, or tax credits and create an immigrant resilience fund. Supporters said the state should not subsidize businesses tied to immigration raids and detention; opponents, including the chamber, bankers, and contractors, raised vagueness and scope concerns, especially over what contracts would be covered. Members said they supported the concept but wanted the bill tightened, and it passed to Revenue and Taxation on a recorded vote with one no vote and was placed on call. The committee then heard AB 2662, which would create a formal state process to monitor and report on federal immigration enforcement actions and their impacts; supporters from legal aid and health centers said raids have chilled access to work, schools, clinics, and naturalization, and the bill was presented as a modest accountability measure. The transcript cuts off before any vote on AB 2662. The committee also approved a consent calendar of several bills and resolutions, sending some to Appropriations and others to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is: what's the difference between a successful superintendent and a failing superintendent?
• I believe our last test results showed that 88% of our junior classes passed in reading and writing this
• year, and we're seeing pass rates in the 60s and 70s in K through 8.
• And most of them say, "I really hope I can pass this class. I've heard this is difficult."
• I make that statement because in New Mexico That has led to, of course, the educational system failing

Transcript Highlights:

• The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 57.
• The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 91.
• The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 91.
• The measure passes. Pass and retained on file item 93. No, 0. The measure passes.
• The measure passes. Pass and retain.

Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> counselor and those students to fail. counselor and those students to fail.
• </c><00:03:50.920><c> in</c> When this legislation was passed in When this legislation was passed in
• Iowa is 350... uh so it can get passed out, I'd like to uh so it can get passed out, I'd like to offer
• </c> the bill passes in its final passage. the bill passes in its final passage.
• </c><01:10:17.080><c> Senate</c> I ask for your support to pass Senate I ask for your support to pass

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should the IRIS system fail or experience any technical issues, as technology often does, it would cause
• Should the IRIS system fail or experience any technical issues, as technology often does, it would cause

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first reviewed the Industrial Commission’s base budget and FY 2027 requests. The analyst and agency staff described the commission’s dedicated-fund structure, the IRIS technology modernization project, and several requested adjustments: ongoing support for IRIS maintenance, additional funding for the annual seminar and CWICS training, an increase for the Peace Officer Temporary Disability Fund due to rising claims, and replacement IT hardware. Members asked about the IRIS contract, seminar fees, and the crime victims compensation fund and general fund support. Agency staff said IRIS is still being supported by an outside vendor because OITS lacks the needed expertise, that seminar and training fees are already competitive and the plan is to expand services rather than lower fees, and that crime victims compensation could be covered temporarily by dedicated or federal funds if needed. No votes were taken on the Industrial Commission budget during the meeting. The committee then heard the Public Utilities Commission budget review. The analyst explained the commission’s dedicated funds, staffing, and the FY 2026 trailer appropriation tied to the Wildfire Standard of Care Act, along with a FY 2027 request for IT hardware only. Questions focused on a large variance in the indirect cost recovery fund, which staff attributed to timing of federal reimbursements and rent not being charged to that fund at the time. Commissioners and staff also received positive comments about the implementation of the wildfire-related duties. No action was taken on the PUC budget. Next, the Secretary of State’s budget was presented. The analyst outlined the office’s election, business, and commission functions, noted the prior $10 million election system upgrade, and described FY 2027 requests for a voter pamphlet and guide, overtime for the post-election audit team, and replacement technology. Secretary of State Phil McGrane and staff emphasized the rapid growth in business filings, the office’s revenue generation, and the need to maintain service levels, arguing against ongoing cuts. He said the voter pamphlet request is tied to statutory election-year mailings, the overtime reflects cyclical election workload, and the office is considering AI cautiously due to sensitive voter data. Members asked about business filing growth, the difference between a pamphlet and a voter guide, and the possible impact of hand-counting ballots; McGrane said hand-counting would mainly affect counties, not the state office. The meeting ended with scheduling remarks for the next day’s budget work and a note that the FY 2026 rescission bill was still being processed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Climate Tech Award. is 80% of 5 million, but it turned out that after Silicon Valley National Bank failed
• unlock that and and and Stop that kind of paranoia that everything kind of closed down after SVB failed

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• examples of how in the plaintiff's view, the state, and namely the Public Education Department has failed
• And if they find that you have failed to comply with this and the courts do take over, I'm, I'm real

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, because I think over time we tried to pass this increase; it took four times to pass $2,500.
• The bill is passed to engrossment.
• The bill has passed a third reading. The bill is passed a third reading.
• HB. 1689 is finally passed.
• There being 31 ayes and zero nays, SB 361 is finally passed. SB 361 is finally passed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It passed through here 70-0.
• The majority having voted in favor of the motion, House Bill 951 has failed to pass the House and will
• House Bill 951 has failed to pass the House, will be filed in the office chief clerk. Jum 22. Mr.
• Pass the House. Senate Bill 1354, pass the House. Clerk will lock the machine.
• Pass the House. House Bill 561, as amended in the Senate, passed the House.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and approved the journal. A lengthy pages’ recognition program followed, with lighthearted awards and remarks about the students’ backgrounds and plans. The House then received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice of signed bills and enrolled measures, and reports from standing committees on enrolled, engrossed, and printed legislation. The chamber considered several measures under suspension of the rules. House Resolution 32, relating to administrative rules review, passed 68-1. Senate Bill 1270 as amended, requiring labeling and disclosure for cell-cultured animal protein, passed 70-0. Senate Bill 1335 as amended, addressing veterinary education and requiring recipients of state-funded out-of-state vet training to return to Idaho and practice large-animal veterinary medicine, passed 54-16 after debate about the state’s veterinarian shortage and the need to recoup the state’s investment. Senate Bill 1299 as amended, barring government from requiring digital identification for access to services and preserving physical ID options, passed 70-0 after questions about whether it affected police dogs. Senate Bill 1376, an elections cleanup bill shifting some candidate filing duties to county clerks and adding verification steps, passed 64-6. The House also passed Senate Bill 1416, the appropriation for the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, by 55-14, and Senate Bill 1417, Parks and Recreation enhancements funded by fees and federal dollars, by 69-30. House Bill 494 as amended in the Senate, on background-check cleanup for Health and Welfare, passed 69-30; House Bill 728 as amended in the Senate, on education-related transparency and continuity, passed 68-7; House Bill 703 as amended in the Senate, on land surveyor board cleanup, passed 67-0; House Bill 825 as amended in the Senate, on the America 250 license plate and Heritage Trust Fund flexibility, passed 67-2; House Bill 788 as amended in the Senate, a medical preceptorship pilot with a sunset, passed 39-30; House Resolution 33, covering committee review of several natural resources and licensing agencies, passed 68-2; House Bill 949, a net-zero trailer bill consolidating STEM Action Center and Workforce Development Council appropriations, passed 69-1; House Bill 950, appropriating $200,000 for a Medicaid managed care consultant, passed 60-10; and House Bill 951, an Attorney General enhancement bill tied to the Consumer Protection Fund and ICAC support, failed 33-37 after debate over whether the funding was truly needed. Senate Bill 1294 as amended, requiring newborn hearing-screen referrals outside hospitals while preserving parental choice, passed 37-32 after discussion of early hearing loss detection and the bill’s referral-based structure. The House also agreed to send Senate Bill 1351 to the amending order and recessed, then reconvened to take up additional messages and first-reading bills, including child protection and related measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2592, do pass as amended. House Bill 2752, do pass as amended.
• as amended; House Bill 2752, do pass as amended; House Bill 2916, retained; House Bill 2946, do pass
• ; HB 2999 do pass as amended; HB 1418 do pass; H.C.R. 2059 do pass.
• as amended; HB 2041 do pass; HB 2594 do pass as amended; HB 2932 do pass as amended.
• do pass.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they're passed without anything. they're passed without anything.
• </c> to pass as is. to pass as is.
• </c><01:46:46.200><c> Any</c> to pass with amendments. Any to pass with amendments.
• </c><01:47:46.920><c> Any</c> to pass with amendments. Any to pass with amendments.
• </c><01:49:10.240><c> Any</c> to pass with amendments. Any to pass with amendments.

Bills: HB1984 , HB1593 , HB2423 , HB1691 , HB2283 , HB2386 , HB1824 , HB1697 , HB2164 , HB2165

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: renewable energy, solar energy, self-certification, building permits, environmental regulations, HB1593, affordable housing, pet-inclusive housing, pet friendly housing, rental housing, affordable rental housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, tenant pets, companion animals, dogs, cats, landlord-tenant law, security deposit, pet deposit

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.