Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Anaheim CBB that is the primary the Anaheim CBB that is the primary promoter<00:38:22.359><c
• </c><00:38:47.960><c> I</c><00:38:48.080><c> think</c> that's going to be the primary.
• I think that's going to be the primary.
• And I would say that, of course, our first primary responsibility now is to nominate the CEO, which was
• responsibility now is to primary responsibility now is to um um um nominate<01:24:58.120><c> the</c>

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard several governor’s message nominations to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s advisory board. The first nominee, Daniel O’Leary, received strong support from HTA leadership and Deputy Director James Kunane Tokioka, who praised his visitor-industry knowledge and work on brand marketing and tourism planning. O’Leary said he hoped to contribute his experience and strengthen the organization’s integrity. Joel Guy was also supported by HTA, Tokioka, and several community testifiers, who highlighted his long work in Hana, his film-industry background, and his role in community-focused tourism planning. During questioning, Guy said the advisory board should still have influence, especially on strategic planning and community concerns, even though its role is advisory rather than decision-making. The committee then considered Linda Wong’s nomination. HTA and Tokioka strongly supported her, citing her long community experience and familiarity with HTA work. Wong said the new advisory board was collaborative, had no conflicts so far, and was trying to balance resident concerns with attracting higher-value tourists. Senator Kim questioned her about the advisory structure, and Wong said she believed the Legislature had reduced HTA’s authority because of past conflicts but that the new board could help turn things around and possibly regain more authority in the future. The committee also heard testimony on Kimberly Algos and Terry Fisher. Algos was described by HTA and Tokioka as a strong leader and solid board member; Tokioka explained that she and another co-chair were selected because of their busy schedules and that the advisory board’s committees were created so members could contribute beyond the single statutory duty of selecting the chair, president, and CEO. Fisher was supported for his tour-operator experience and strategic planning work. In questioning, he endorsed performance-based contracting and accountability for contractors, while acknowledging that external events can affect results. He also said the convention center is critical infrastructure that should be repaired and used to help fill tourism lulls and attract major conferences. The hearing included supportive testimony from industry representatives, but no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• they're comparatively low because of the barriers to getting into the program, the cost being the primary
• The cost being the primary one.
• family as well. uh whether<00:27:17.760><c> they're</c><00:27:18.000><c> the</c><00:27:18.159><c> primary
• </c><00:27:18.559><c> bread</c><00:27:18.880><c> winner</c> whether they're the primary bread winner
• whether they're the primary bread winner or<00:27:19.520><c> not.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• including but not limited to public health, community health, family mental health, emergency, and primary
• including but not limited to public health, community health, family mental health, emergency, and primary
• including but not limited to public health, community health, family mental health, emergency, and primary
• Health family mental health emergency Health family mental health emergency and<02:21:44.080><c> primary
• nursing care so my thought and primary nursing care so my thought on<02:21:47.800><c> this</c><02:21

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thankfully, I get to sleep In my own bed because I live so close, but I do have a law degree.
• Mastio was close enough.
• Are there refineries shutting down and closing?
• If you had like one sentence you wanted to close with, go ahead. I'll ask you a question.
• You are on closing, and members, he's not taking any questions. Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. Mr.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on House Bill 7 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which would remove eminent domain authority for carbon capture and geological sequestration projects. After housekeeping and roll call, the committee adopted a set of technical amendments that cleaned up definitions, removed a stray statutory reference, and changed “commissioner” to “secretary.” The author then gave an extended presentation arguing the bill was needed to align Louisiana law with the state constitution’s property-rights protections and recent court rulings, and to ensure carbon capture projects proceed only through voluntary agreements rather than forced takings. Several members questioned the author and supportive witnesses about whether the bill would stop carbon capture, affect oil and gas pipelines, or disrupt investment. The author and supporters said it would not stop projects, only prevent taking land without consent, and argued that landowners—especially small and rural owners—should not face the threat of expropriation. Supportive testimony also emphasized family land, inheritance, and constitutional limits on takings. Some members raised concerns about changing the rules after prior legislative action and about the economic importance of carbon capture, but the author responded that the legislature had made a mistake in 2020 and should correct it now. Opposition testimony came from representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, and attorneys who handle right-of-way matters. They argued that eminent domain is a rare last resort, that existing law and the Landowner Bill of Rights already protect owners, and that the Constitution’s provisions for private-entity expropriation are different from the provisions discussed by the bill’s supporters. They warned that removing the tool for carbon capture would chill investment, threaten jobs and revenue, and could spill over into other energy infrastructure. The committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Using deterrence as a primary means for addressing the issue didn't work in California, Louisiana, or
• And what they mean by that is that we work closely with the police department, the commander in the area
• gun violence intervention program. closely with our community gun violence intervention program.
• I have also worked very closely with Jimmy Santoro.
• We work, obviously, very closely with these. You heard Asana's story, Michael's story.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll just go to the author, I think, for closing remarks.
• We were on the way to close on our house when Wells was announcing the shutdowns.
• I work with Joel Carlson very closely, and I hear the struggles that a lot of resorts go through.
• </c><00:51:19.920><c> to</c> bowring is it no we're very close to bowring is it no we're very close to
• I work with Joel Carlson very closely, and I hear the struggles that a lot of resorts go through.

Bills: HF1359 , HF1829 , HF290 , HF1933 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the machine. The clerk will close the machine.
• Clerk will close the machine. I'm sorry. Baralt, yes. You've already closed it.
• You've already closed it.
• I've worked closely with her, worked closely with the Senate.
• I've worked closely with her, worked closely with the Senate.

Bills: HB410 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HR307 , HR273 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR32 , HB776 , HB42 , HB119 , HB159 , HB302 , HB1017 , HB1028 , SB217 , SB283 , HB953 , SB208 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB74 , HB75 , HB258 , HB259 , HB414 , HB459 , HB784 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1095 , HB1220 , HB1252 , SB469 , SB479

Keywords: recording, privacy, notification, direct conversation, law enforcement, first responder, penalties, oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• Our primary directive is to provide a safe, uninterrupted learning environment for our 4,000 students
• Appreciate as close as you can to stick into that.
• :26:47.120><c> our</c><01:26:47.360><c> state</c> closely with families across our state closely with
• On February 4th, we had ICE abduct two people from their home close to our school.
• The classes had to close their curtains, lock their doors.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• caregivers of infants provide primary caregivers of infants with<00:23:46.400><c> information</c><00
• I didn't know it then, but I had developed myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, a condition closely
• Representative Tom Dippel continued: "I just want to say also, to close us out here, and I don't want
• </c><01:20:28.239><c> So</c><01:20:28.480><c> if</c> capital to close our schools down.
• So if capital to close our schools down.

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and the goal, uh, is to provide two primary things.
• Um, and the goal, uh, is to provide<00:08:14.960><c> two</c><00:08:15.360><c> primary</c><00:08:16.639
• </c><00:08:17.360><c> Uh,</c><00:08:17.840><c> one</c> provide two primary uh, things.
• Uh, one provide two primary uh, things.
• They are pretty close.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, he would close the public hearing.
• We'll close executive session on 119 in a few minutes to reset.
• </c> none that's where it'll go we'll close none that's where it'll go we'll close exzac<04:24:43.279
• I'll close the executive session on House Bill 182.
• I'll close the executive session on House Bill 239.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened with an announcement correcting the public hearing list: House Bill 209 was mistakenly listed as a continued hearing, but the chair said that hearing had already been closed and would not be reopened. The committee then moved to House Bill 305, which would allow municipalities to install and use speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement. The prime sponsor, Rep. Jones, said the bill was intended as a tool to address police staffing shortages and erratic driving, and emphasized that municipalities would pay the costs, work with DOT and the Department of Safety, and retain full control without using third-party vendors. He said the bill was meant to target speeding, red-light violations, and similar conduct, with enforcement handled locally and subject to state and federal law. Committee members raised questions about how citations would work, who would be held responsible in multi-driver or rental-car situations, whether due process would be affected, and whether cameras could identify the driver rather than just the vehicle. The sponsor and supporting witness Edward H. of Keene said municipalities would determine procedures, that an officer would still have to review and issue any summons, and that the bill was meant to be a limited enforcement tool rather than a catch-all. Edward H. also described the bill as adding guardrails such as a needs analysis, coordination with DOT, annual reporting, and public records of detections and fines. The Department of Transportation testified neutrally, saying it had no position on the bill and noting that current state systems include speed feedback signs, bridge security cameras, toll cameras that capture plates only, and traffic-signal detection cameras that do not record video. No vote was taken. The committee then held a brief hearing on House Bill 368, which would prohibit smoking tobacco products or e-cigarettes in a motor vehicle when a child under 16 is present and impose a $100 secondary fine. Rep. Miller introduced the bill in the sponsor’s absence, and there was no public testimony for or against it. The chair closed the hearing. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 390, which would add retired fire apparatus to the antique vehicle exemption so old fire trucks can be registered and used in parades without being stripped of their equipment. Rep. Parson explained that a strict reading of current law had led DMV to reject some antique fire engine registrations, and said the bill would fix that while preserving the ban on commercial use and on impersonating emergency vehicles. Members asked about the relationship to existing laws on emergency-vehicle impersonation, and the sponsor said the bill would not affect those laws. The hearing remained open as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• an order after they've heard the testimony and they've decided that one parent should have either primary
• decided that one parent should<00:48:39.960><c> have</c><00:48:40.240><c> either</c><00:48:40.480><c> primary
• </c> should have either primary should have either primary uh<00:48:41.840><c> custody</c> uh custody

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Lambert, did you want to close on your bill?
• It closes doors that should remain open.
• Senator Mizeau, you want to close on your bill?
• Senator, you want to close on your bill?
• It will be appropriate after Senator Meisel closes. Senator Meisel, you want to close on your vote.

Bills: HB75 , SB134 , SB201 , SB258 , SB288 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB339 , SB345 , SB393 , SB422 , SB440 , SB470 , SB487 , SB523

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB75, Act 963, gaming, casino gaming, promotional play, promotional wagers, slot machine proceeds, net gaming proceeds, gross revenue, taxable revenue, gaming operators, gaming tax, Louisiana gaming, gaming revenue deduction, casino tax, gaming promotion, revenue cap, pilot program, child sexual abuse materials, sexting

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Vern, anything you want to share with us to close out?
• </c><00:26:51.039><c> but</c> year um I'll get primary but year um I'll get primary but kind<00:26:54.120
• Representative Lee said she would close and thanked the chair.
• </c><01:02:59.559><c> to</c> they're also often Farmers uh close to they're also often Farmers uh close
• Well, with that, any closing comments?

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the primary concerns we... even be another state that can provide even be another state that can
• One of the primary concerns we have is that in the past seven years we have had to get more in place.
• I'll ask our healthcare administrator, Rob Glidewell, to come close. specific in the proposed language
• 38:43.280><c> come</c> administrator, Rob Glidewell, to come administrator, Rob Glidewell, to come close
• . close. close.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The working group convened with all members present, approved the minutes from its October 16, 2025 meeting and its October 28, 2025 Halawa Correctional Facility site visit by unanimous consent, and received no public testimony on the agenda or minutes. The chair then reviewed the statutory timeline under Act 292/SB 104, noting the group continues until January 8, 2027, and discussed required reporting dates and the need to develop a work plan for the remaining meetings. The chair also said the October 16 DCR presentation would be treated as satisfying the group’s interim-report purpose, though the legal reporting obligations to the Legislature and oversight commission still needed to be sorted out. The main discussion focused on DCR’s proposed amendments to Act 292 and the department’s interim report. Director Johnson said the department’s October 16 presentation included recommended statutory amendments because the law, as written, could not be fully complied with; the proposals were described as section-by-section changes intended to address implementation problems. Members discussed several specific issues, including transfer language for higher levels of care, the 2010 MOA with the Department of Health, and replacing “physician” with “clinician” to reflect staffing realities. DCR explained that the change would allow licensed clinicians, including APRNs and doctors of osteopathy, to make decisions when physicians are not on duty, and that the MOA is being updated so transfers can occur from any DCR facility to the state hospital. An OHA staff member gave a detailed critique of the proposed amendments, saying they would weaken Act 292’s intent by reducing procedural protections, expanding exceptions, and relying on aspirational language such as “strive” and “if practicable.” OHA also raised concerns about the lack of baseline data on restrictive housing use and said the department’s report showed serious operational problems, including overcrowded and outdated facilities, limited space for private medical or mental health exams, and the use of suicide/safety cells for people who may not need mental health treatment. DCR responded that it had requested 35 new medical positions in the budget, supported by the governor, and said those positions are needed to meet basic care obligations for people in custody. The group did not take a vote on the proposed amendments. Instead, members agreed to continue the discussion, with the chair saying the reports, settlement tracker, 2010 MOA, and comparison guidelines would be distributed and used as the basis for future work. In the final discussion on work-plan priorities, members identified staffing shortages, physical plant limitations, and the need to examine humane alternatives and implementation challenges as key topics for upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We apologize if the closed captioning does not accurately transcribe the names.
• We apologize if<00:01:05.439><c> the</c><00:01:05.600><c> closed</c><00:01:05.840><c> captioning</c><
• 00:01:06.320><c> does</c><00:01:06.560><c> not</c> if the closed captioning does not if the closed captioning
• Chair Eric Abbe Hawaii<00:19:25.280><c> Primary</c><00:19:25.679><c> Care</c><00:19:26.000><c> Association
• </c><00:19:26.640><c> in</c> Hawaii Primary Care Association in Hawaii Primary Care Association in support

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in closing, Chapter 2267 had good intentions.
• I want to be candid about one thing before I close, please.
• And so they're doing it now, and they're doing it as a closed system.
• And so they're doing it now, and they're doing it as a closed system.
• I don't see anybody, so we are going to close that off.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School board, you have closed-door sessions.
• Senator Leake, you're recognized to close on your bill.
• Senator Kalata, you're recognized to close on your amendment.
• So, Nicolato U, you are recognized to close. lot.
• So Nicolato U you, you recognized to close. Good policy.

Summary: The committee first heard SJR 1104, a proposed constitutional amendment on voluntary religious expression in public schools. Senator Massullo said the measure would protect students and school personnel from discrimination for lawful religious expression, while not requiring prayer or religious activity. Questions focused on whether the proposal would change existing law, whether it could be used to protect coercive conduct by school officials, and whether the staff summary accurately reflected the bill. Public testimony included support from religious-freedom advocates and opposition from American Atheists and some senators who said the measure could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee voted to report SJR 1104 favorably. The committee then took up SB 1738 on educational facilities, which directs state education offices to review facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices to improve safety and accountability. Senator Yarborough offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusting the bill to preserve safe spaces during emergencies. The bill was reported favorably after brief discussion about balancing transparency, access control, and emergency safety. The committee also adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 824 on charter schools, replacing it with a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education, which would publish a statewide report; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next approved confirmation recommendations for appointees on tabs 7 and 8, then took up SPB 7036, a committee bill sponsored by Chair Simon. The package included school turnaround and early literacy changes, updates to school safety and health policies, early learning revisions, instructional changes, and educator pipeline provisions. The most contentious part was a proposal to let the state develop instructional materials; several senators questioned costs, guardrails, and whether the state should enter the textbook business. Simon said that portion was still being considered and that the bill would need safeguards if it moved forward. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1620 on public education, described by Senator Leak as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give individual board members direct access to district documents and staff, limit district attorneys’ ability to represent both the board and administration, strengthen nepotism rules, and prohibit nondisclosure agreements for employees. Testimony from Volusia County board members, educators, and advocates was sharply divided: supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and protect minority board members, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendent authority, expose confidential student or personnel information, and create confusion in district operations. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 1620 favorably. The committee then heard SB 1170 on cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, with an amendment changing the proposal from a statewide mandate to a district policy allowing parents of students with disabilities to request cameras. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, centered on protecting non-speaking and vulnerable students and documenting abuse; one witness opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate. The committee was still in debate on the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go ahead and close the hearing on HB 2175.
• So we are trying to close this gap.
• With that, we are going to close the hearing on House Bill 2227.
• I’ll close the public hearing.
• We will close the hearing on HB 2292.

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, worked closely with Chair Baker.
• </c> a math error in the primary amendment. a math error in the primary amendment. repres<00:09:25.920
• [Music] The clerk will close the roll.
• [Music] The clerk will close the roll.
• </c> make sure that we could rethink closing make sure that we could rethink closing of<02:03:11.040>

Keywords: 1183, house