Transcript Highlights:

• These increases in price and the insurer exits from the marketplace are due to nuclear verdicts which
• Now a nuclear verdict is defined in my industry as a verdict of $20 million or more.
• Florida between 2010 and 2020 there were 11 nuclear verdicts and the last two years since 2023, there
• were eight nuclear verdicts in Florida highest which was $260 million, which was later reduced to $211
• I still ask myself how my dad could travel the sea on a ballistic nuclear missile and make it back alive

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we would consider the traditional nuclear family.
• However, nowadays, the traditional nuclear family is no longer the norm.
• fact, analysis of 2020 Census Bureau data found that only 18.4% of households follow the traditional nuclear

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several bills related to insurance coverage, wildfire risk, workers’ compensation, and paid family leave. SB 8 by Senator Ashby would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers, with testimony emphasizing that they perform law-enforcement-like duties and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. SB 429 by Senator Cortese would create a public wildfire catastrophe model and related wildfire safety program, with support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates who said public access to modeling data would improve transparency and help evaluate private insurance risk models. The committee also heard SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the FAIR Plan to offer coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, including replacement cost coverage. Supporters said the bill would help lower-income residents obtain meaningful insurance protection, while no opposition testified. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger contents-coverage advance after a total loss during a declared emergency without requiring an immediate itemized inventory, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to provide catastrophe modeling and reinsurance data to the Department of Insurance. Several insurers withdrew opposition after amendments, and the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure. SB 590 by Senator Durazo would expand paid family leave to cover care for designated persons or chosen family members, with strong support from AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and health organizations, and testimony from a parent describing the need to care for a non-legal family member during surgery recovery. The committee also took up consent items SB 230 and SB 854. After roll calls, SB 8, SB 429, SB 495, SB 525, and SB 590 all received do-pass votes, with SB 429 sent to the Committee on Emergency Management, SB 495 to Judiciary, and SB 525 and SB 590 to Appropriations. The consent calendar bills were also approved, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small modular reactors, so small modular nuclear reactors.
• Solar comes in second, and nuclear right behind that, and then a whole mix of...” “...on natural gas.
• Solar comes in second and nuclear right behind that and then a whole mix of other energy generation,

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we, as an organization, have opposed the legislation related to potential taxpayer dollars for nuclear
• The one thing you didn't like were the nuclear provisions in the budget. Is that right?
• The Sierra Club is fully supportive of the bill with one exception, and that one exception was nuclear

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB 1

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Small modular reactors, so small modular nuclear reactors.
• Solar comes in second, and nuclear right behind that, and then a whole mix of On natural gas.
• Solar comes in second, and nuclear right behind that, and then a whole mix of other energy generation

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's critical that we establish a deterrence to those who would utilize these technologies in furtherance
• wanted to know whether there's any evidence and data that the third degree is not working or is not a deterrent

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met and considered five bills, all of which were reported favorably. The committee first heard SB 1168 by Senator Leek, which increases the penalty for unlawfully installing or using a tracking device or app on another person’s property when done in furtherance of a dangerous crime; an amendment broadened the bill to cover both furtherance of and commission of such crimes. The bill passed unanimously. The committee then approved SB 1286 by Senator Grall, clarifying that parents allowing children to engage in unsupervised activities like biking, walking, or playing outside does not by itself constitute child harm or neglect unless the conduct is reckless and endangers the child. That bill also passed without opposition. The committee next took up CS for SB 1198 by Senator DiCeglie, creating a new statute addressing fraudulent use of gift cards and setting penalties and guidelines for such conduct. Several organizations and businesses, including AARP, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Walgreens, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 774 by Senator Wright, which requires clerks of court to electronically transmit certain involuntary mental health, substance abuse, and risk protection order paperwork to the county sheriff within six business hours after entry; the bill was presented in response to a fatal delay in serving an ex parte order in Volusia County. An amendment clarified the six-hour requirement applies to business hours, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 806 by Senator Yarbrough, which clarifies that the Florida Attorney General is the exclusive public official with standing to assert the rights of qualified beneficiaries in Florida charitable trusts. Senator Ruson raised concerns about whether the bill could limit out-of-state attorneys general and potentially affect litigation over trust distributions, but said he would support the bill while continuing discussions before Rules. The committee adopted the bill and it was reported favorably. Senator Simon later asked to be recorded in support of SB 1168 and SB 1286, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is probably the strongest deterrent in the measure, along with the requirement that ratification
• That is probably the strongest deterrent in the measure, along with the requirement that ratification
• And I guess, does the criminal penalty provide a sufficient deterrent given that once this constitutional
• convention is A sufficient deterrent given that once this constitutional convention is called, there

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered HB 2908, which would require any approved U.S. constitutional amendment to be ratified by a bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, and would impose oaths, reporting duties, civil penalties, and felony liability on “faithless” constitutional convention delegates. The committee adopted a Fincham amendment changing recall to disqualification and giving the Senate President and House Speaker authority to determine disqualification. Supporters argued the measure would add guardrails against a runaway Article 5 convention, while opponents said the safeguards would be ineffective and could falsely reassure the public. The bill, as amended, passed 4-3. The committee then took up HCR 2047, a resolution recognizing Judea and Samaria as the proper terms for the West Bank and rejecting that label in official state communications. Supporters framed it as a matter of historical and biblical accuracy, while opponents argued it injected the state into foreign policy and raised First Amendment concerns. The resolution passed 4-3. The committee next heard HCM 2006, urging Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act and to reduce burdens on ranchers affected by Mexican gray wolves and related federal rules. The sponsor and supporters said wolf recovery goals had been exceeded and that ranchers were suffering livestock losses, while opponents said existing compensation already exists and that the memorial mischaracterized endangered species protections. The memorial passed 4-3. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in termination-of-parental-rights cases by requiring service of the mother within the 30-day timeframe, drew no testimony and passed unanimously 7-0. The committee also approved HCM 2005, which urges Congress to consider restricting foreign ownership of U.S. real property by communist or authoritarian governments; supporters said it was a national security and land-use issue, while opponents criticized the measure as discriminatory. It passed 4-3. HCM 2001, urging the President and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and directing Arizona law enforcement to identify linked groups, drew testimony from civil rights advocates and community members who said the measure stigmatized Muslims and exceeded state authority; supporters said it was a legitimate federal-policy memorial. It passed 4-3. Finally, HCM 2002, urging Congress to review CAIR for possible terrorist designation, prompted extensive opposition testimony from CAIR representatives and supporters who described the organization’s civil-rights work and warned the memorial would fuel discrimination; supporters argued it was a proper federal request and a response to concerns about CAIR. The memorial passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes away the deterrent effect of these kinds of lawsuits.
• It takes away the deterrent effect of these kinds of lawsuits.
• It takes away the deterrent effect of, by the punitive damages.
• It takes away the deterrent effect of these kinds of lawsuits.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it serves as a great deterrent.
• You hope with something like this, it becomes enough of a deterrent that one attorney gets it done.
• not, they know to stop and tell them, "Hey, there's an ordinance or there's a law right now." of a deterrent
• that one attorney gets it of a deterrent that one attorney gets it done. done. done.

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill restores real deterrence by making the operation of illegal gambling houses and leasing space
• This bill restores real deterrence by making the operation of illegal gambling houses and leasing space
• It's about restoring a level of consumer protection and deterrence.
• It's about restoring a level of consumer protection for deterrence.

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes that away, and so it also removes the deterrent effect of the law.
• He said the bill takes that away, and so it also removes the deterrent effect of the law, because it
• And we do have one more testifier on Zoom: April Bautista, please proceed. deterrent this enhanced penalty
• and that deterrent this enhanced penalty and that it<01:43:45.080><c> will</c><01:43:45.360><c> also
• </c><01:56:58.840><c> against</c><01:56:59.280><c> that</c> we would want to deterrent against that we

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described. The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 1041 by Archer of the House, a resolution relating to supporting designation of a nuclear
• Designation of a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus.

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine business including second-reading referrals and committee reassignments. Senate Bill 1627 and Senate Bill 625 were withdrawn from their prior committees and assigned to Rules. The chamber also recognized Dr. James David Campbell as Doctor of the Day and Courtney Copen as Nurse of the Day. Members held several floor presentations honoring the Choctaw High School drama team for winning the 2025 OSSAA 6A-1 one-act play state championship and related speech and debate honors, and the Arapaho-Butler Lady Indians for winning the 2025 Class A fast-pitch softball state championship. A proclamation was read designating March 31, 2026, as Affordable Housing Day, highlighting Oklahoma’s housing shortage and the economic impact of the state’s affordable housing tax credit program. The House adopted House Resolution 1041, which supports designation of a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus in Oklahoma, after Representative Archer explained the measure and requested unanimous consent. During announcements, members noted Transgender Day of Visibility, committee meeting changes, a rural caucus meeting, a public health meeting, and a Capitol devotion. The House then adjourned without objection until Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• night would not even be able to hold her keys between her fingers, a move that many people do as a deterrent
• night would not even be able to hold her keys between her fingers, a move that many people do as a deterrent

Transcript Highlights:

• We're continuing to collaborate on nuclear power, and we're continuing to advance communications and
• We're continuing to collaborate on nuclear power, and we're continuing to advance communications and
• Texas, some of the advanced nuclear opportunities.
• and all that we're doing here to... ...speak, some of these new technologies in nuclear with regard
• That's not speaking to the nuclear regulatory permitting speed. Okay.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from the new chair and members, who emphasized Texas’ energy leadership and the committee’s focus on natural resources, regulatory certainty, private property rights, and stewardship. The first agency update panel included the Railroad Commission, TCEQ, and the General Land Office. The Railroad Commission reported record oil and gas production, low flaring rates, progress on orphan well plugging, implementation of SB 1150 on inactive wells, new federal primacy for Class VI carbon sequestration permitting, and work on petroleum theft through the STOP theft task force. TCEQ described its broad environmental permitting and enforcement responsibilities, including air, water, waste, emergency response, and implementation of SB 1145 transferring land application permitting for produced water to TCEQ. The GLO discussed management of permanent school fund minerals, lease compliance, orphan well coordination, and emerging opportunities such as lithium extraction from brine and rare earth mining. Members questioned the agencies about orphan wells, bankruptcy as a cause of orphaning, priorities for plugging wells, contested permits, data center oversight, water rights, and the division of authority between the Railroad Commission and TCEQ. A recurring issue was the need for clearer jurisdictional lines, especially for treated produced water and related treatment, discharge, and land application activities. TCEQ said it was using existing TPDES and T-LAP frameworks, conducting rulemaking, and relying on technical staff and consortium data to develop site-specific permits. The Railroad Commission said it wanted clearer legislative guidance on where its authority ends and TCEQ’s begins. The committee then took up monitoring charges for SB 1145 and HB 49 on the treatment and beneficial reuse of produced water. Witnesses from the Railroad Commission, TCEQ, the Texas Independent Produced Water Association, the Texas Produced Water Consortium, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association testified that produced water volumes are large and disposal capacity is tightening due to seismicity and pressure concerns. They argued that beneficial reuse, land application, and surface discharge could help sustain oil and gas production, but only if Texas creates prompt, predictable permitting pathways and liability certainty. TCEQ said it had received and was reviewing multiple discharge and land application applications, while consortium researchers reported that treated produced water can meet high water-quality standards and may be suitable for irrigation, river augmentation, and industrial use. Members pressed for faster permitting, clearer definitions, stronger standards, and more certainty about future capacity and agency roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let’s take, for example, where we are with nuclear.
• So we propose to eliminate that so that it’s easier to bring nuclear in the state.
• MIT and other organizations have nuclear already.
• We are ahead in many areas, MIT and other organizations have nuclear already.
• So we are currently working on an open solicitation in Connecticut on nuclear.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• of AI, what's happening is the equivalent of the transcontinental railroad, the invention of the nuclear
• Vistra is proud to partner with Amazon to develop a computing campus on the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power
• Peak by completing uprate projects and even exploring one day new nuclear units at the site.
• Navy on a nuclear fast attack submarine.
• SMRs, we're looking into nuclear very closely.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And the way that happens is through power generation of fossil fuels, nuclear, a diversified portfolio
• A bill to be entitled CS/CS House Bill 1461, a bill to be entitled an act relating to advanced nuclear
• This bill establishes a framework for the licensing and regulation of advanced nuclear reactors.
• The focus of your legislation, correct me if I'm wrong, is for these smaller nuclear reactors that are
• CS/CS House Bill 1461, a bill to be entitled an act relating to advanced nuclear reactors.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is to create a strong deterrent to further innovation with drones and felonies, but of course
• So this bill addresses both of those problems: the deterrent effect as well as the Motta problem.
• </c><00:03:03.480><c> strong</c> this bill is to create a strong this bill is to create a strong deterrent
• to further Innovation uh with deterrent to further Innovation uh with drones<00:03:06.920><c> and</c
• effect as well as um the the deterrent effect as well as um the Moda<00:03:44.840><c> problem</c><00

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 282 would increase penalties for using an uncrewed aircraft, or drone, in the commission of a felony. The Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney strongly supported the bill, saying drones are being used to facilitate crimes such as burglaries, sex offender registration violations, and even murders, and that the measure would create a stronger deterrent and address sentencing issues. Members discussed how drone use could be investigated and noted that a prior Uncrewed Aircraft Offenses Act already covers a range of drone-related offenses. Testimony also included support from a Kauaʻi County Council member and the Office of the Public Defender, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. The committee also heard SB 1032 on campaign finance, which would amend restrictions on foreign nationals and foreign corporations making contributions and expenditures. Testimony was listed in support from labor, civic, and advocacy groups, with some opposition, but the measure was not debated further in the portion provided. SB 1160, a consumer protection bill on ticket resale, drew support from venues and event groups and opposition from the Chamber of Progress, which argued the bill should target scalpers and deceptive practices rather than legitimate resale platforms. The Attorney General suggested an amendment to limit the bill’s scope to Hawaiʻi events, citing Commerce Clause concerns. On SB 344, requiring skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported the measure. SB 106, which would let pedestrians cross outside marked crosswalks when a reasonably careful pedestrian would see no immediate danger, drew mixed testimony: public health and equity advocates supported it as a safety and anti-profiling measure, while others opposed it, warning it could increase danger on wider, faster roads. Committee members questioned whether Hawaiʻi’s current law is more dangerous because pedestrians must step into the roadway before drivers are required to stop, and the discussion continued at length without a final vote in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 10009 on accessible parking fines, with DCAB and DAGS supporting the intent; a member asked that any new fine revenue go to the state parking revolving fund. SB 820, shortening the vehicle title transfer deadline from 30 days to 14 days, drew opposition from the Public Defender and Honolulu Customer Services, who said the current deadline is reasonable and the bill did not clearly solve a problem. Later measures included SB 1095 on license plate decal restrictions, SB 215 on towing and immobilization fees, and SB 1117 on electric mobility rebates and age/helmet rules, which received support from transportation and safety groups, though the transcript cuts off before any final actions or votes on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls has been at the forefront of nuclear energy research.
• The laboratory in Idaho Falls has been at the forefront of nuclear energy research for decades.
• And today, under President Trump, America is experiencing a nuclear energy resurgence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Opportunity to get here to this spot, but it's the Toyota plant in San Antonio and the South Texas Nuclear
• If you go back to look at that South Texas Nuclear Project, that one was behind schedule.
• That was the Toyota plant and also the South Texas Project Nuclear Facility, both of which have been

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction