Transcript Highlights:

• And then the final bullet point on page 10, section 52, statewide school distribution, security, CTE
• Um, you can see them all listed there by the section number and then the amounts highlighted in the column
• FY 26 estimates. listed there by the section number and then the amounts highlighted in the column FY
• The very top section, Hobbs Middle School.
• This was an early work package of $4.3 million that was awarded in January. section after that for potential

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• And since the period of this bill is shortened, we'll remove the timeline proposed in section three.
• And since the period of this bill is shortened, we'll remove the timeline proposed in section three.
• timeline is shortened, we'll remove the timeline proposed<00:33:50.720><c> in</c><00:33:50.880><c> section
• </c><00:33:52.080><c> There</c><00:33:52.240><c> are</c> proposed in section three.
• There are proposed in section three.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: At a joint Senate hearing on SCR 198 and SR 178, the committees considered resolutions urging Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to seek subrogation claims against polluters linked to worsening climate impacts and higher insurance costs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 47 written testimonies in support and additional oral support from former Honolulu chief resilience officer Josh Tamro. The committees recommended passage with amendments, narrowing the language to refer specifically to polluters who knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices about the connection between their products and climate change, along with technical non-substantive edits. Both committees adopted the amended resolutions by vote. At a separate joint hearing on STR 226 and SR 201, which urged changes to Medicaid 1915 home and community-based services waiver eligibility criteria, supporters argued the current rules and administrative guidance were inconsistent and left some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health dual diagnoses, without proper access. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the intent but noted factual issues and said a memo from the department addressed only part of the problem, not the mental health-related concerns. After discussion, the chair concluded the resolution was not the best vehicle and deferred it, suggesting a more comprehensive bill would be needed. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee also took up HB 799 HD2 SD1 on healthcare and recommended passage with amendments, including striking a written transfer-agreement requirement, shortening the sunset to June 30, 2028, removing a related timeline, and making technical corrections. In another joint hearing, SCR 222 and SR 197, which would have urged towing companies to have on-site ATMs for vehicle owners, drew opposition from the Office of Consumer Protection, which said Act 60 already requires credit and debit card acceptance and that ATMs could let companies evade the law. Members noted ongoing complaints and weak enforcement, and the chair recommended turning the issue into a task force for further study, with decision-making deferred because of quorum issues. The committee also heard several other resolutions: STR 57 and SR 41, urging Congress to create a national reinsurance program, received only supportive testimony; STR 70 and SR 54, calling for a pharmacy reimbursement working group, also drew support; and STR 123, proposing an attorney general-led landlord-tenant working group, received comments from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting a more appropriate lead agency and noting the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better suited to assist. No final adverse action was taken on those measures during the hearing segment described.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> section sorry I have a question for you. section sorry I have a question for you. Sorry.
• </c> So look at page one of the bill section So look at page one of the bill section four<00:25:58.960
• I'm joined by Jennifer Marts, who is the supervisor of our fund management section.
• Um, that 500,000 may be held or claimed or 250,000 for a single person under the section.
• So I actually think you're section.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, section one is really the process around consulting the stakeholders.
• Section two is where you'll see an outline of the required contents of the form, essentially.
• So again, section one is testifiers.
• Section two is where the stakeholders.
• </c><01:34:36.480><c> Chair,</c> comply with this section. Uh, Mr. Chair, comply with this section.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 230 defense liabilities makes it so that they're shielded completely from any responsibility
• Section 230 defense liabilities makes it so that they're shielded completely from any responsibility
• </c> weapon as defined in section 624.712. weapon as defined in section 624.712.
• The interactive process is spelled out specifically in 363A.08, which is the employment section.
• Uh but I do think public policy section.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> privacy section is written. privacy section is written.
• >> Yes. >> Section 2.
• </c> at section two page three? at section two page three?
• So, that would be just moving section one to be after section two in the bill.
• So, that would be just moving section one to be after section two in the bill.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee focused primarily on a bill concerning long-term care insurance rate increases and consumer notice. Members and staff discussed replacing or supplementing a proposed public hearing requirement with annual reporting, website updates, and consumer-facing disclosures about approved rate increases, carriers writing the products, and how the products work. Several participants emphasized that long-term care policies are long-term products, that rate increases can be spread over many years for actuarial reasons, and that consumers need better information about trends and the impact of increases. A major point of disagreement was whether the bill should try to cap premium increases. One member argued the real problem is unexpected increases of 15% to 20% and urged a statutory cap to protect consumers. Insurance department representatives and others responded that hard caps had been struck down in prior case law, that the department’s core responsibility is solvency, and that carriers need sufficient premium to pay future claims. They also said the market is struggling because many carriers stopped selling the product, leaving in-force policies to bear the cost, and that overly restrictive caps could cause insurers to withdraw from the state. The discussion then shifted toward a compromise requiring carriers to notify policyholders before a rate increase is approved and allowing a 60-day comment period. Participants debated whether the notice should come from the carrier, how confidentiality rules would apply before approval, and what the department should do with public comments. The department said it already reviews filings carefully and that submitted rates are often adjusted before approval; lawmakers noted that prior commissioners had pushed back on increases in some cases, including a seven-year moratorium. No final vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly tried to move the subcommittee along to other bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:17:09.120><c> of</c><00:17:09.640><c> uh</c><00:17:10.039><c> House</c> harm in putting this section
• of uh House harm in putting this section of uh House Bill<00:17:10.640><c> 71</c><00:17:11.160><c> no
• Follow-up: On this section, it doesn't say initial. So is that somewhere else in the RSA?
• It would be a new section created. I agree with you, yes.
• </c> would be a new section would be a new section created<02:13:12.159><c> I</c><02:13:12.280><c> agree

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on House Bill 71, which would bar public elementary and secondary schools and higher education facilities from being used as shelters for certain non-citizens, with a stated exception for short-term emergency sheltering of up to 72 hours and for community-wide emergency use. Prime sponsor Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia said the bill was modeled on federal and out-of-state proposals and was prompted by examples in New York and Massachusetts where schools or other facilities were used as shelters, causing disruption. She argued the bill does not truly “ban” anything, but instead places a condition on receipt of state funds, and said the fiscal note’s projected loss of federal funding was unsupported and should have been described as undeterminable. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and practical effects, including whether it would apply to vacant school-owned buildings, schools used during summer, charter schools, and situations where other states send people without advance notice. Harvey-Bolia said vacant buildings not functioning as schools would not be covered, and that the bill would still allow short-term emergency sheltering and community-wide use during weather events. She also said the bill would not prevent remote learning, and that its purpose was to avoid displacing students. Several members pressed her on the fiscal note and whether any federal or state program would actually be at risk; she said she found no evidence that funding would be lost and that DHHS had not identified a real threat. A witness from the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, Jerry FW, raised practical concerns about who would determine eligibility at a shelter site, how the 72-hour limit would be enforced, and whether the bill would apply to charter schools. He also noted that remote learning is no longer an option in New Hampshire, making one of the bill’s stated concerns less relevant. The discussion also included clarification of the terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker,” with members and the sponsor debating the distinction and whether refugees are vetted. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker Mariano of Quincy, reports that a precept be issued by the Speaker under the provisions of Section
• Speaker Mariano of Quincy, reports that a precept be issued by the Speaker under the provisions of Section

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters reported by the Committee on Rules. It adopted a resolution filed by Representative Pacheco honoring Partners for Youth with Disabilities on its 40th anniversary after suspending the rules. The House also adopted an order from Speaker Mariano setting Tuesday, June 10, 2025, as the date for the special election to fill the vacancy in the Third Bristol District, again after a motion to suspend the rules. Members then observed a moment of silent tribute for James Richardson of Shelburne, recognizing his long service as an elected assessor and tree warden and his contributions to the community. The House subsequently adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11 a.m. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved, and the House stood adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• disapproval of certain items and reductions of certain items, and also recommending amendments of certain sections
• The items and reductions of certain items, and also recommendations of amendments of certain sections

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message returning the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (House No. 4244) with disapprovals, reductions, and recommended amendments. The message was filed as House No. 4250, and the portions concerning disapprovals and reductions were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means under Joint Rule 30, with the remaining matter referred to the Committee on Bills and Third Reading. The House also considered a committee-reported resolution congratulating Fire Chief Brian C. Hickey on his retirement from the Town of Webster Fire Department. After suspension of the rules, the resolution was adopted. In addition, the House took up House No. 972, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District in Linfield. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered the bill to a third reading, and advanced it accordingly. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn when it next adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m. Mr. Jones of North Reading then moved immediate adjournment, and the House adjourned to meet Monday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The concern is that they may not conform to that provision of Article 4, Part 2, Section 20.
• has a provision in it where it withholds the counties from the expenditure limitation of Article 9, Section

Summary: The committee considered a mass motion declaring House Bills 4154, 4155, 4156, 4157, 4158, 4159, 4161, 4162, 4163, 4165, 4166, 4169, and Senate Bill 1630 constitutional and in proper form. Tim Fleming of the Rules Office said all of the measures were either budget bills or, in the case of SB 1630, separately reviewed and found constitutional and in proper form. He said the budget package was substantially constitutional and in proper form, but repeated several cautions about common issues in budget bills, including footnotes or directives that may go beyond appropriations, conditions placed on appropriations that could raise separation-of-powers concerns, and nonprofit funding that could implicate the gift clause or special legislation concerns. He also noted a provision in the health bill limiting counties from the expenditure limitation of Article 9, Section 20, which he said is not enforceable. After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the motion. The vote was 8 ayes and 0 nays, and the measures were recommended as constitutional and in proper form.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:23:41.920><c> is</c><01:23:42.159><c> about</c> because this section is about because this section
• Um, I'm looking on section F.
• </c><05:05:02.480><c> So</c><05:05:02.718><c> on</c> Um I'm looking on section uh uh F.
• So on Um I'm looking on section uh uh F.
• . section. section.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:35:13.000><c> two</c> would be to just take out section two would be to just take out section
• </c><03:35:42.800><c> have</c> fully completed all of the sections have fully completed all of the sections
• The first section is for any room, correct?
• The first section is for any room, correct?
• The first section is for any room, correct?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up several bills and repeatedly chose to retain or table them rather than advance them. House 167, dealing with past wax, was voted ought to pass; House 312 was retained because members said NCAA-related advertising and uniform policy issues were still unresolved; House 434, requiring insurers to provide rental cars for at least seven days, was voted inexpedient to legislate; and House 454, on biodegradable packaging claims, was also voted inexpedient to legislate after members said the proposal lacked a workable enforcement mechanism and would likely be only a symbolic state-by-state measure. House 721, making gold legal tender, was retained, with members saying the bill needed more work and that the issue was less compelling in New Hampshire because the state has no sales tax. The committee then discussed House 310, which was amended to create a study commission on blockchain and related regulatory issues. The amendment expanded the commission’s charge to include legal, regulatory, financial, technological, and environmental considerations, added review of federal developments, included blockchain-based trust and stable token issues, broadened membership, and extended the repeal and report dates by a year. Members said the commission would help New Hampshire develop expertise and a report for future legislation, while also noting that federal action could affect the state’s role. The amendment was adopted 8-1, and the bill itself was then retained. Finally, the subcommittee heard a revised amendment to House 406 on business filings and registered agents. The Secretary of State’s office explained that the amendment, drafted with input from the Business and Industry Association, narrows the bill to address fraudulent or unauthorized entity filings after a written complaint and sworn statement, sets minimum requirements for registered agents, bars use of commercial mail-drop addresses as registered offices, and allows removal or cancellation of fraudulent filings with penalties for false filings. Members asked about which entities must maintain registered offices and how the rules would affect home-based businesses; the sponsor said most New Hampshire business entities must have a registered office, with some exceptions such as domestic nonprofits and trade names. The discussion emphasized concerns about synthetic entities, identity misuse, and the need for a physical in-state registered agent address.

Transcript Highlights:

• day by Speaker Mariano of Quincy that the precept be issued by the Speaker under the provisions of Section
• day by Speaker Mariano of Quincy that the precept be issued by the Speaker under the provisions of Section

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several routine matters reported by the temporary Committee on Rules. Members adopted resolutions congratulating Joseph G. Finn for his work to end homelessness in Massachusetts and recognizing February 3 as Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Awareness Day. The chamber also adopted an order setting Tuesday, May 13, 2025, as the date for the special election to fill the vacant 6th Essex District House seat. All of these items were handled by suspension of the rules and adopted without recorded opposition. The House then briefly recognized Governor’s Councillor Nora Dolan and her brother, Thomas Dolan, who was visiting the chamber. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and scheduled its next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., with a formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m. Democratic members were notified of a caucus at noon in Room A1.

Transcript Highlights:

• because the concern is that they may be, they may not conform to that provision of Article 4, Part 2, Section
• provision in it where it not withstands the counties from the expenditure limitation of Article 9, Section

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we don't talk about that much in the opinion, but there is another section that talks about what
• So in accordance with section provider.
• It's under section 8.
• c> six</c><01:02:19.920><c> uh</c><01:02:20.079><c> which</c><01:02:20.319><c> we've</c> uh under section
• uh six uh which we've uh under section uh six uh which we've used<01:02:20.799><c> throughout</c><01

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Office of the Attorney General 00:01:18 LTS Kentucky Managed Technical Services LLC 00:13:41 Kentucky Wired Operations Company 00:34:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its May 21 and June 10 meetings, then heard testimony from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General on the effect of HB 314 on the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) board. The Attorney General’s representative said HB 314 changed KCNA’s structure and staffing, but did not alter the statutory duties of the board, which still include developing and implementing strategic plans, providing policy direction, monitoring results, and approving fiscal planning. He argued the board is not merely advisory, has operational and budget authority, and that actions taken outside board approval could be ultra vires and without effect. He also noted the board historically approved settlements and contracts, including matters involving Open Fiber, and said the removal of the executive director position reduced direct personnel control but did not eliminate the board’s broader oversight. The committee then heard from representatives of Kentucky Managed Technical Services/LTS, who described a dispute over the Kentucky Wired network refresh and service-provider transition. They said the project agreement required a market test and acceptance of a proposal for both the network refresh and service-provider role, but that their proposals were rejected and the refresh work was later treated by the parties as a change order issue. They said some equipment worth about $3 million had been delivered, transferred, and paid for, while roughly $7 million in additional equipment was canceled by LTS but reportedly shipped to a KCNA warehouse and not paid for. They also said no refresh installation work has been performed, that they continue providing network maintenance to avoid service disruption, but believe the contract has expired and that there is no current agreement for ongoing service-provider work. Committee members asked whether actions taken without board approval would be invalid, whether the board could alter or terminate contractor arrangements, whether the bond disclosures suggesting a successful contract extension were accurate, and what equipment had been purchased or remained in storage. LTS representatives said they would follow up with the committee on the financial delta between the contracted rate and the month-to-month billing they say has been in effect since the contract expired, and on an inventory of in-service equipment and end-of-life dates. They said they want a commercial resolution, but if no resolution is reached soon they may pursue the formal contractual dispute process, and identified September 1 as their stated target date for resolving the matter and completing the refresh.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be taking public comments in each section, and we're looking forward to hearing everyone's perspective
• So if you wanted to comment on the section of labor, we'll be calling you very shortly.
• It's my understanding we have over 40 people outside, and we still have two sections to cover.
• Senator Dorazo, did you have other questions, though, for this section?
• Senator Doraso, did you have other questions, though, for this section?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting on line 1.5, there's a series of instructions to take out uh sections related to Senate File
• Line 7.1 deletes uh the section from Senate File 4474, which is Senator Rasmussen's online sweepstakes
• Then starting on line 7.2, there are a series of instructions to insert non-fiscal sections from Article
• </c><00:03:27.680><c> from</c> Line 7.1 deletes uh the section from Line 7.1 deletes uh the section from
• </c> non-fiscal sections from Article 3. non-fiscal sections from Article 3.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [No audible content captured in this section.]
• </c> section and North Sun Mountain. section and North Sun Mountain.
• That's section 24.
• That's section 24.
• That's section 24.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. It adopted motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The chamber received multiple House messages and a gubernatorial confirmation, including House Bill 1 on motor vehicles, Senate Bill 170 on health insurance, and Senate confirmation 90 for Chenica Johnson Anom to the Alabama Cickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, all of which were referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate later concurred in the House amendment to Senate Bill 170 by a 29-0-1 vote. Committee reports covered a wide range of measures, with favorable reports and, in several cases, amendments or substitutes. Judiciary reported favorably on House Bills 228, 132, 347, 405, 86, 263, and 302, and on Senate Bills 318 and 260; State Government Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 435, 97, and 407 and Senate Bill 361; Education Policy reported favorably on Senate Bills 337 and House Bills 520 and 75; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported favorably on House Bills 303 and 477 and Senate Bills 360, 325, 329, and 330; Transportation and Energy reported favorably on Senate Bills 341, 354, and 340; Veterans and Military Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 465 and 307 and Senate Bills 338 and 359; and Local Legislation reported favorably on Jefferson County Senate Bill 243 and Shelby County House Bill 532. These reports generally advanced the bills to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The Senate also confirmed George Pierce to the Alabama Ethics Commission by a 33-0 vote after a favorable committee report, with several senators offering brief remarks of congratulations. In motions and resolutions, the chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 77 honoring the Section boys basketball team and Senate Joint Resolution 78 honoring the North Sand Mountain girls basketball team for state championships. It also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 79 establishing a legislative study commission on child sexual abuse laws and policies. A senator additionally urged colleagues to support broadband expansion efforts in rural Alabama and to ask the education chair to place HB 4 on the agenda. The most substantial floor discussion concerned Senate Bill 146, the state general fund budget substitute. The sponsor explained several budget provisions, including a $12 million transfer and an additional $5 million for the judiciary to address funding for newly created judgeships, a conditional $40 million for the Department of Corrections tied to progress on the Elmore and Escambia prison projects, conditional funding for DHR tied to reducing its federal error rate and developing a SNAP-related plan, conditional mental health funding tied to reporting and data requirements, and language preserving legislative control over certain federal rural health care funds. The Senate adopted the committee substitute for SB 146 by a 32-0-1 vote and then continued with the budget explanation as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a huge sections in uh products.
• We have a huge sections in our<01:23:31.040><c> stores</c><01:23:31.440><c> now</c><01:23:31.679><c>
• Our auditor's report and opinion dated December 19, 2025, can be found in the financial section of the
• </c><01:32:03.760><c> of</c><01:32:03.920><c> the</c> found in the financial section of the found in
• the financial section of the report<01:32:04.880><c> on</c><01:32:05.120><c> pages</c><01:32:05.520><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I note for sentence in section 9.
• We're going to remove section one.
• We're going to replace section two with Department of Health's proposed section 334 HRS addition.
• We're going to remove section one.
• We're going to replace section two with Department of Health's proposed section 334 HRS addition.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.