Transcript Highlights:

• </c> industry that I knew to experts on solar industry that I knew to experts on solar weather<03:29:
• </c> solar storm you know that that solar solar storm you know that that solar storm<03:33:21.600><c>
• </c> The first is the solar The first is the solar event,<04:04:09.920><c> right?
• </c><04:05:44.239><c> Um</c> of the solar event. Um of the solar event.
• </c> process um in the event of a solar process um in the event of a solar flare?

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are grave concerns with regards to any type of weather or solar modification.
• It's married to solar modification. The specifics as to delineating...
• , our solar radiation in any way, shape, or form is obviously prohibited under this bill.
• When you say they are putting... they are doing solar dimming, that was the language you used.
• So who would want solar dimming?

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species. Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses. Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• These exist in solar inverters across the state of Texas.
• I mentioned solar inverters... ...solar inverters as one of them.
• Theoretically, we could have a solar field, which I can't personally stand solar and... ...have a solar
• Solar, storage, wind, zero water.
• There is a solar farm not far away, and that solar farm has caught fire three times.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I just used my—the people that we loan to right now on the solar.
• You know, some of the people the solar.
• The task, because it's similar in price as putting up solar.
• The task, because it's similar in price as putting up solar.
• Yeah. ...similar in price as putting up solar, right?

Bills: HB1618

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committees held a joint hearing on HB 1618 HD1, which would create and fund a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to help homeowners upgrade, convert, or connect cesspools. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies and advocacy groups, with witnesses emphasizing that cost is the main barrier to cesspool conversion and that recent Kona flooding underscored the public health and pollution risks of cesspools. One testifier suggested the fund should actively pursue outside funding sources, and another urged an effective date that would allow counties to contribute sooner. A member raised concerns about whether loans would be affordable and whether other financing tools, such as tax credits, should also be considered; another member opposed the bill as not adequately addressing district-level sewer and septic issues. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the motion was adopted. The joint Judiciary and Ways and Means committees then considered HB 2592 on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The chair outlined amendments to clarify that the authority would assume property and liability associated with transferred assets, preserve existing liability rules, transfer conditional use permits if not already transferred, allow lease extensions before transfer, and set reversion triggers if the authority fails to adopt a management plan by June 30, 2028, or administrative rules by December 31, 2029. Members asked about preserving the public trust and whether the amendments would keep the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ role intact; the chair confirmed the fee and board role would remain unchanged. The committees voted to pass the bill with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also took up HB 2033, making further amendments to clarify the definition of state, delay certain effective dates, allow rental and U-Drive lessors to avoid liability by identifying renters, delete one section, and add administrative hearing language and bus-camera clarifications. HB 1888 was amended to expand protections for educational workers to include sports officials, define sports official, make intentional bodily harm a felony with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, and authorize the attorney general to assist with restraining orders. Both measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted. Later, several bills were moved with little or no discussion: HB 1515, HB 1713, HB 1718, HB 2022, and HB 2385 were recommended for passage unamended; HB 2375 was deferred; and HB 1741 was amended to reflect Honolulu’s concerns, narrow study requirements, add exemptions and a delayed implementation date, and was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees adopted the recommendations on these measures, with some members noting reservations or prior opposition on certain bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and so because solar of pavement.
• </c> of our existing rules regarding solar of our existing rules regarding solar projects. projects.
• </c> Bill 65, the department and the solar Bill 65, the department and the solar industry<00:13:06.320
• </c> hasn't um there's newer models for solar hasn't um there's newer models for solar that<00:14:05.920
• </c><04:44:09.920><c> and</c> resources are wind uh 10% are solar and resources are wind uh 10% are solar

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually make money on the float, right, and that's why it's done.
• They actually make money on the float, right, and that's why it's done.
• They actually make money on the float, right, and that's why it's done.
• They actually make money on the float, right, and that's why it's done.
• They actually make money on the float, right, and that's why it's done.

Bills: HF1234 , HF1956 , HF1025 , HF1172 , HF791

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been a lot of agendas floating around fish and wildlife.
• <00:19:30.559><c> in</c><00:19:30.720><c> the</c><00:19:30.880><c> johnboat</c><00:19:31.520><c> floating
• </c><00:19:31.919><c> down</c> the people in the johnboat floating down the people in the johnboat floating
• So, there's been a lot<00:20:09.200><c> of</c><00:20:09.280><c> agendas</c><00:20:09.760><c> floating
• around fish and lot of agendas floating around fish and wildlife.<00:20:10.880><c> I</c><00:20:11.120

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't worry about having to float for, what, 9 months? Not knowing what happens over that time.
• A farmer now who was paid in 2025 in that 8 to 12 weeks is having to float what they may have made throughout
• We don't worry about having to float for, what, 9 months? Not knowing what happens over that time.
• A farmer now who was paid in 2025 in that 8 to 12 weeks is having to float what they may have made throughout
• see the investment in rural Colorado. $100 million for a mile to get transmission line to get that solar

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is a chart that tracks how much wasted energy comes from wind and solar.
• And when we talk about wasted energy in the context of wind and solar, what I mean to say is, you have
• lots of solar being generated, and there's no one buying it.
• And what Bitcoin miners can do is they can co-locate right next to wind and solar farms.
• and solar providers who oftentimes struggle to make ends meet, whether it be because of...

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Bills: HB1974 , HB1853 , HB1973 , HB1574 , HB2619 , HB1966 , HB1643 , HB1671 , HB2558 , HB1854 , HB2173 , HB1575 , HB2229 , HB1535 , HB1978 , HB2508 , HB1549 , HB2187 , HB1550 , HB1977 , HB2314 , HB1871 , HB2319 , HB1591 , HB1858 , HB1898 , HB2372 , HB1765 , HB2012 , HB1706 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB1975 , HB2009 , HB2083 , HB2224 , HB1877 , HB1959 , HB1626 , HB1665 , HB2488 , HB2456 , HB2548 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2079 , HB1985 , HB1618 , HB2486 , HB2242 , HB2045 , HB1703 , HB2236 , HB2480 , HB1976 , HB2287 , HB2288 , HB1777 , HB276 , HB1660 , HB1676 , HB1605 , HB1751 , HB1967 , HB2383 , HB2340 , HB1946 , HB2268 , HB1950 , HB2156 , HB2118 , HB1859 , HB1863 , HB1996 , HB2114 , HB2423 , HB2429 , HB2475 , HB2534 , HB2545 , HB1813 , HB1941 , HB2474 , HB2583 , HB1576 , HB1886 , HB1939 , HB2540 , HB2590 , HB2000 , HB2163 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• generation, solar electricity.
• Um although solar and nuclear sectors.
• </c> solar generation uh solar electricity. solar generation uh solar electricity.
• Solar doesn't quite do that.
• </c><01:14:43.040><c> Solar</c> wind doesn't quite do that. Solar wind doesn't quite do that.

Committee: Joint Revenue

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, leaves of absence, guest introductions, and memorial remarks honoring former Representative Carolyn Gargas of Hollis, who was remembered for her long House service, work on child and family issues, and community involvement. The House then adopted a consent calendar and approved a motion to withdraw House Bill 431, which would have created a commission to review draft rules on minimum standards for public school approval and state academic standards; the motion failed after a roll call vote, so the bill remained in play. The House next took up House Bill 109-FN, relative to false reports to law enforcement. The majority supported the bill as a way to add penalties for knowingly false reports about law enforcement officers, arguing officers deserve protection from false accusations and that the knowingly standard is a high bar. The minority opposed it as duplicative of existing law and warned it could chill legitimate complaints against police. After debate and a division vote, the majority committee report of ought to pass was adopted, 198-173. The House also considered House Bill 218-FN, which would provide victims of crime a free police report. The committee amendment changed the bill so victims would receive a written confirmation that a crime occurred rather than the initial police report, to avoid conflicts with right-to-know law and active-investigation confidentiality. Supporters said the change was a small but important clarification agreed to by law enforcement and domestic violence advocates, while opponents argued the original language was already workable and that the floor amendment was unnecessary. A division vote was requested on the amendment, and the transcript ends during that debate before the final outcome on HB 218 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Edward describes to us that there are now canoes and kayaks floating.
• I remember some of the canoes and kayaks were floating.
• So you guys just grabbed onto a tree and floated down with it? Well, um, there was like his bottom.
• Those cars were all floating around, and car alarms were going off along with headlights.
• They were lucky that the cabin they were in was floating down the river. They just didn't die.

Committee: House The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Transcript Highlights:

• leases and sales on state trust lands, and reclamation requirements after solar leases or sales.
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2975 requires the State Land Department to suspend the use of solar
• scores or other similar solar evaluators and requires the State Land Department to develop, within two
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2975 requires the State Land Department to suspend the use of solar
• scores or other similar solar evaluators and requires the State Land Department to develop, within two

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large number of House bills, mostly on third-read consent or for floor strategy, covering education, health, water, land, energy, housing, taxation, and public safety. Topics included ESA administration funding, AI in schools and legal communications, towing and DUI changes, health facility licensing and nursing records, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction, superintendent pay and benefits, adoption disclosures in college health settings, anti-Semitism provisions, school safety firearms authorization, coerced abortion penalties, domestic violence testimony standards, border health and terrorism-related bills, and multiple water, land, and state trust land measures. Several members flagged concerns about unfunded mandates, local control, constitutional issues, and special legislation, while others supported bills as technical fixes, public safety measures, or ways to expand access and funding. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2575, HB 2906, HB 2040, HB 2136, HB 2665, HB 2904, HB 2957, HB 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2830, HB 2307, HB 2425, HB 2426, HB 2427, HB 2497, HB 2751, HB 2780, HB 2804, HB 2926, HB 4030, and HCR 2052, among others. Some bills were noted as unanimous or split votes, and several were described as party-line or having constitutional problems. The caucus also discussed committee amendments on multiple measures, including changes to water, land, health, and AI bills. The meeting ended with a series of remarks on the late Reverend Jesse Jackson and an “affordability award” presentation to Representatives Lorena Austin and Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can utilize technologies like solar, wind, and geothermal.
• We have four solar arrays and a combined heat and power system with two engines on site.
• Really what you're doing is leveraging the on-site solar.
• Representative Jones, yes, we do have solar on site, and we do have water.
• So it's not just the solar that's going to be powering it.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so as we venture more and more into industrial solar and, um, as you have industrial solar, you'll
• have large batteries associated with those merchant facilities located on those industrial solar sites
• She's shaking her head. and um as you have industrial solar you and um as you have industrial solar you
• </c> uh located on those industrial solar uh located on those industrial solar sites<00:14:35.199><c>
• panels as well we're going to have &gt;&gt; solar panels as well we're going to have to to to &gt;&gt

Committee: Senate Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• For nearly a decade, Abby has led efforts to develop, enact, and defend policies to support solar energy
• During this time, the solar industry has been massively successful.
• Some 250 GW of installed solar capacity nationwide now exist.
• DURING THIS TIME, THE SOLAR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN MASSIVELY SUCCESSFUL.
• SOME 250GW OF INSTALLED SOLAR CAPACITY NATIONWIDE NOW EXIST.

Bills: HB5764 , HB5763 , HB1663 , HR659 , HB5784 , HB5788 , HB3496

Keywords: AI for Main Street Act, artificial intelligence, small business, small business development centers, SBDC, Small Business Act, business technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, business training, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, AI literacy, outreach, main street businesses, Main Street Parity Act, Small Business Investment Act of 1958

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:08:53.239><c> if</c> most part the iso doesn't see solar if most part the iso doesn't see solar
• Chair, just a clarifying question here: Are these numbers behind-the-meter solar or larger-scale solar
• the meter solar or uh larger<04:10:14.880><c> scale</c><04:10:15.199><c> solar</c><04:10:15.680><c>
• I can see that the effect that solar is having, but your estimated demand without solar BTM, the dotted
• BT M solar uh the dotted line as solar BT M solar uh the dotted line as it<04:16:15.720><c> were</c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> solar has been effectively paused. solar has been effectively paused. billions<03:01:39.439><c>
• Wind and solar on an the United States.
• Solar and wind growth outpaced global demand growth in the first half of 2025, with solar alone meeting
• The average solar fastest to deploy.
• manufacturer, First Solar.

Bills: HB4758

Keywords: home electrification, taxpayer subsidies, energy efficiency, rebate programs, public law repeal

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we going to include the float of the investment earnings that they make over that?
• Are we going to include the float of the investment earnings that they make over that 10-year period?
• It creates liability for recklessly throwing from a parade float.
• things that happened during Mardi Gras this past season—the finger that was given of figuring off the float
• , in addition to that, there was a figure, an ethnicity figure showing somebody being hung on the float

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The committee first took up HB 51 by Rep. Villio, a constitutional amendment to prohibit post-conviction bail for people convicted of aggravated offenses against minors. Members adopted a technical amendment to simplify the ballot language, heard a 6.8A report explaining the committee’s authority over constitutional amendments, and then adopted the report and passed HB 51 with amendments. Support was noted from law enforcement and district attorney groups. The main item was HB 526 by Rep. Dickerson, which would cap general damages in civil cases at $500,000 in most cases and $1 million for severe permanent injury, while leaving economic damages uncapped. The bill drew extensive testimony from trucking, logging, business, and insurance-reform advocates who argued that unpredictable verdicts and “nuclear verdicts” drive up commercial insurance costs and push businesses out of Louisiana. Opponents, including attorneys and victims’ advocates, argued the bill would unfairly limit recovery for seriously injured people and could harm sexual assault survivors and families in wrongful death cases. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying the cap applies per individual plaintiff rather than to the action as a whole, but then rejected a motion to report the bill; the roll call was 4 yeas and 5 nays, so HB 526 remained in committee. The committee then heard HB 173 by Rep. Bamberg, which would bar recovery for bodily injury or property damage by a driver who had failed to maintain required auto insurance for at least 30 days before the crash. Supporters said uninsured motorists contribute to higher premiums and should not recover large awards, while opponents warned the bill would punish innocent spouses, children, and other people who may be unaware coverage lapsed. An amendment was adopted to add the 30-day uninsured requirement, and the bill moved to opposition testimony, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on HB 173.