Transcript Highlights:

• </c> already um uh targeted for general already um uh targeted for general aviation<00:18:06.320><c>
• </c><00:18:19.120><c> aviation</c> another project on a general aviation another project on a general
• ><c> across</c><00:19:26.160><c> the</c> general aviation reports across the general aviation reports
• :17.760><c> a</c><00:23:17.919><c> criteria</c> generally speaking, there is a criteria generally speaking
• </c><00:34:38.240><c> you</c> is generally probably a good idea. you is generally probably a good idea

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, Texas Attorney General Opinion, J.S.
• I'm a student leader at Pflugerville ISD and a first-generation American.
• It affects my first generation. generation friends who rely on specialized support just to understand
• I have a generalized anxiety disorder.
• Generally, I want to thank the three of you for the excellent feedback.

Bills: SB12 , SB1565 , SB13 , SJR12 , SB686 , SB371 , SB204 , SB609 , SB112 , SB400 , SB813 , SB 12 , SB 13

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Department of the Attorney General in opposition.
• </c> but that's that's my general but that's that's my general understanding<00:20:20.800><c> as</c><
• </c> impact there is to the to the general impact there is to the to the general state<00:47:12.000><
• I'll summarize our comments in general. We're in general concurrence with the Insurance Division.
• You know, I think that CMS is going to be supportive of this in general.

Bills: SB2607 , SB2031 , SB2043 , SB2623 , SB2876 , SB2396 , SB2964 , SB2089

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• General water at 15%, discretionary at 18%.
• What we're generally seeing here, obviously it's a small sample size, but the general observation is
• And then just some general cleanup, sovereign lands updates.
• So I would say in general, the city is applying those costs.
• Then we can add an extra penny... ...for general operations.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But generally, it really is a good report when it comes down to our grants oversight audits.
• </c> Our conclusion was that DNR generally complied with the criteria we tested.
• So, the term I heard at the beginning of the presentation was generally complied.
• </c> and note that we said that DNR generally and note that we said that DNR generally complied<00:25
• but those are our general principles but those are our general principles with<01:00:47.240><c> that.

Bills: HF3564

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , an office of inspector general with enforcement powers.
• So, if Leader Long will yield to a question. of inspector general with enforcement of inspector general
• </c> like an independent inspector general. like an independent inspector general.
• </c><00:49:11.599><c> bill</c> inspector general bill inspector general bill while<00:49:13.920><c> gutting
• </c> for generations for generations are<01:23:21.360><c> walking</c><01:23:21.600><c> around</c><01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the attorney general issued an opinion on Senate Bill 188, the PBM bill.
• Other general scams, that could be any variety.
• /c><01:20:27.360><c> assembly's</c> was clearly the general assembly's was clearly the general assembly's
• So we just ask that the General Assembly essentially not support such a ban.
• </c><01:26:35.840><c> essentially</c> that the general assembly essentially that the general assembly

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> generate their own recommendations. generate their own recommendations.
• </c><00:36:59.599><c> Um</c> artificial intelligence generally.
• Um artificial intelligence generally.
• </c><01:08:36.640><c> is</c> nature of the social media in general is nature of the social media in general
• generated the image?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> uh Department of the Attorney General, uh Department of the Attorney General, their<00:14:18.639
• Uh so years than the general public.
• </c> to recidivate than the general public. to recidivate than the general public.
• This is just a generic example.
• Um it Um this is just a generic example.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of these students have a very special place in my general music classroom.
• </c><00:25:42.960><c> music</c> place in my general music place in my general music classroom<00:25:44.840
• </c><00:42:25.839><c> so</c> um but if you're able to generate so um but if you're able to generate so
• He said it was just a general comment, and he thanked the chair and said to keep it up.
• </c> available now and for future Generations available now and for future Generations one<00:54:19.359

Bills: HF1679 , HF1019 , HF2321 , HF1740 , HF2278

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Smith said he generally agrees with what Representative Bur said.
• He said the attorney general already has the authority to do what this bill does.
• has the authority already to do general has the authority already to do what<00:37:34.640><c> this</
• </c> attorney general attorney general um<00:42:29.280><c> we</c><00:42:29.440><c> heard</c><00:42:29.640
• I'm I may be wrong, but it sounded to me like there was generally a consensus on the amendment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared. The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> spend any part of its sort of General spend any part of its sort of General budget<00:43:22.599>
• They go to meeting after meeting and are told generalities.
• They go to meeting after meeting and are told generalities.
• Some of them have been multi-generational.
• Some of them have been multi-generational.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This initial template is very general.
• That's ballistic shields in general.
• Generally, there's a reason for that.
• General Counsel is not here to help me.
• The Attorney General, or current governor, former Attorney General, has already determined that.

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that has no direct impact to our general that has no direct impact to our general fund<01:04:05.200
• </c><01:04:13.280><c> more</c> activity which will then generate more activity which will then generate
• </c> 76 be re-referred to the general 76 be re-referred to the general register. register. register.
• </c> which is the future of energy generation which is the future of energy generation in<01:44:02.080
• </c> amended be re-referred to the general amended be re-referred to the general register<01:46:38.800

Bills: HF4059 , HF76

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• c> while</c><00:10:44.240><c> pushing</c> general firearm season while pushing general firearm season
• <00:25:04.799><c> of</c><00:25:05.039><c> investment</c> generally there's a lack of investment generally
• First, that future generations us.
• But I think there's a real challenge with air permits in general.
• Um, but generally I would say you can see how many permit applications we receive generally trends with

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:24.960><c> policies</c><00:34:25.919><c> usually</c> past but in general policies usually
• </c> but I can share with you the general but I can share with you the general idea<00:50:07.119><c>
• </c><01:34:24.960><c> And</c><01:34:25.600><c> for</c> generated to fund that program.
• And for generated to fund that program.
• So it that funding is that general fund.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But generally, their skill set better.
• ><c> support</c> internal operations general support internal operations general support services.<01
• Uh, generally today, what I'm exports.
• We also generate $2.4 billion in state.
• Again, that's for every $1 spent. generation by 300%. So it reflects that generation by 300%.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General Travis<01:05:11.520
• </c><01:13:08.960><c> excise</c> produced food from the general excise produced food from the general
• </c> recommend is that when the general recommend is that when the general excise<01:14:30.400><c> tax
• Happy &gt;&gt; Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General &gt;&gt; Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General
• Uh, we submitted General Travis Moon.

Bills: SB2709 , SB3154

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: biosecurity, Department of Agriculture, quarantine, Akamai Arrival Program, importation regulations, pests control, plant health, animal health, compliance mechanisms, environmental review, transportation projects, NEPA, state sovereignty, federal compliance, streamlining, Hawaii Department of Transportation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can find data that backs this up, this general sentiment.
• </c><01:20:14.800><c> really</c> um the legislature in general really um the legislature in general really
• I was an assistant attorney general with the general criminal division of the attorney general's office
• </c><01:53:20.719><c> general</c> attorney general with the general attorney general with the general
• </c><01:59:46.000><c> New</c> assistant attorney general at New assistant attorney general at New Hampshire

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am, guess a point about AI in general.
• </c><01:34:05.520><c> um</c> I think allowing the attorney general um I think allowing the attorney general
• </c><01:38:25.440><c> communication</c> open-ended generative communication open-ended generative communication
• And general to make a cure at any time.
• </c> uh a procedure that is generally uh a procedure that is generally disfavored<02:22:14.640><c> in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 268, a bill related to biological sex and related classifications. Members opposing the bill argued it was unnecessary, poorly drafted, and a personal attack on a small group of people, while supporters said it was needed to protect girls and women and to avoid repeated floor debate on a measure they viewed as proper. Several members also discussed the bill’s definition of biological sex, the lack of guidance on what information could be required to make determinations, and concerns about unintended consequences. The committee voted on a motion to retain the bill and approved it by a 10-8 roll call vote, with the bill retained. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 189, described by supporters as a housekeeping measure requested by the Secretary of State and the Department of Health and Human Services concerning fetal death records. Supporters said the bill was narrow, time-sensitive, and ready to pass, while opponents argued it needed further work and that the committee should not use retention to reopen the bill for broader changes. Some members said they wanted to add or explore additional provisions related to fetal death reporting, while others objected that such changes were outside the bill’s scope and poor procedure. After debate, the committee voted to retain Senate Bill 189 as well.