Transcript Highlights:

• Replaced. Replaced. Replaced. Rep.<00:42:23.920><c> Holds.</c> Rep. Holds. Rep. Holds. &gt;&gt; I.
• It replaces it rather than supplements it. So, will this bill correct that? US. Okay.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion. The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date. After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• put forward an amendment that just changed it to the word “guidance,” and that was strictly it: to replace
• c><01:49:33.679><c> strictly</c><01:49:34.159><c> it</c><01:49:35.360><c> to</c><01:49:35.760><c> replace
• </c><01:49:36.159><c> the</c> That was strictly it to replace the That was strictly it to replace the

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:12:04.320><c> 1922,</c><01:12:05.679><c> I</c><01:12:06.000><c> I'm</c> At the end of 2022, a replacement
• 30.159><c> 22</c> with and then at the end of 22 with and then at the end of 22 a<01:12:32.080><c> replacement
• </c><01:12:33.920><c> that</c><01:12:34.239><c> person</c> a replacement was hired. that person a replacement

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Including a plan for the studied mechanisms to replace the electrically electric vehicle search charges
• the studied Including a plan for the studied mechanisms<00:04:59.759><c> to</c><00:05:00.000><c> replace
• </c><00:05:00.320><c> the</c><00:05:00.560><c> electrically</c> mechanisms to replace the electrically
• mechanisms to replace the electrically electric<00:05:01.919><c> vehicle</c><00:05:02.240><c> search

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we replacing equipment? What, help me out with that?
• <00:58:42.480><c> Are</c><00:58:42.640><c> we</c><00:58:43.119><c> replacing</c><00:58:43.599><c> equipment
• Are we replacing equipment? equipment? Are we replacing equipment?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 10 meeting, and then approved a large agenda of contracts and related items, with the total agenda amount stated as $359,638,393.88. Most items were approved without objection, but two contracts were pulled for discussion: attorney general panel counsel contingency fee contracts and a Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission personal services contract. For the attorney general’s office, Chris Lewis explained that the contracts were panel counsel contingency fee agreements, with 14 qualified awards from 16 applicants. He said the contracts were contingency-based, so no money would be paid unless cases were successful, and that the fee structure worked out to roughly 5% under the statutory waterfall. Senators asked about the size of the contracts, whether the terms were uniform, why no Kentucky firms were among the awardees, and how the public should understand the large dollar figures. Lewis said one Kentucky firm applied but was disqualified for a late submission, other Kentucky firms had inquired but did not apply, and local firms could still work with national firms on cases. The committee then approved the contracts. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission contract drew more extensive questioning. Commission representatives said they had previously had a contract disapproved because the proper process was not followed, so they used an RFI process posted on the state and commission websites for at least three weeks. They received one applicant, a Kentucky firm, and set the rate at $125 per hour. Members questioned whether the commission was acting beyond its ethics mission, whether staff were helping draft complaints against legislators, and whether the commission was taking on a prosecutorial or human-resources role. The commission said its role is limited to enforcing the legislative code of ethics, providing advisory guidance, and following the formal complaint process; it does not pursue matters outside that code. Members also raised concerns about the earlier procurement misstep and the commission’s credibility, and the commission apologized, said it had corrected the process, and pledged to comply going forward. The committee then approved the contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that reaction can be replaced by hydrogen.
• Um that reaction can be replaced<00:13:29.040><c> by</c><00:13:29.279><c> hydrogen.
• 13:30.480><c> we</c><00:13:30.639><c> did</c><00:13:30.800><c> that,</c><00:13:31.120><c> we</c> replaced
• If we did that, we replaced by hydrogen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2012 there was maybe a movement to replace it.
• /c><00:47:30.000><c> a</c><00:47:30.240><c> movement</c><00:47:30.720><c> to</c><00:47:31.040><c> replace
• </c> there was maybe a movement to replace there was maybe a movement to replace it.<00:47:32.160><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, this replaced what used to be called the field purchase orders, where it was really going to
• /c><01:18:08.880><c> I</c><01:18:09.040><c> mean,</c><01:18:09.280><c> this</c><01:18:09.600><c> replaced
• I mean, this replaced fix something.
• I mean, this replaced what<01:18:10.239><c> used</c><01:18:10.320><c> to</c><01:18:10.480><c> be</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of partial minutes, with members noting that DHS/HHS material was not yet included and that the minutes would be finalized later. The committee then heard from the General Court about several dedicated funds. Testimony explained the Joint Legislative Historical Fund, which receives a $25,000 annual general fund appropriation and transfers from visitor center sales above a $50,000 threshold, and is used for portrait maintenance, chamber work, Hall of Flags upkeep, and other historical preservation needs. Members also discussed the preservation of the Civil War flags in the Hall of Flags, with the General Court stating the flags are monitored through annual high-definition photos and that no immediate stabilization project is planned. A question about Union cemeteries was raised but the witness said he had no knowledge of federal funding for them. The committee also reviewed the visitor center revolving fund and noted that the accounting presentation is confusing because transfers are netted out so the fund ends each year at $50,000. Members suggested the narrative should clearly identify the transfer amounts and actual revenue, and staff agreed to note that in future reporting. The General Court then described its special legislative account as a stability reserve for capital and emergency needs, citing past uses such as the plaza ADA renovation, the legislative parking garage, and moving operations to One Granite Place. Members asked about interest earnings and were told the account is held in the treasury and any interest goes to the general fund unless statute directs otherwise; no additional funding was recommended at this time. The Department of Administrative Services then presented the law enforcement memorial fund, explaining it is a long-standing leftover construction fund with a small balance that has not been needed because the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Memorial Officers Association privately funds memorial upkeep and plaques. Members discussed whether the state should transfer the remaining money to the nonprofit, but no decision was made; the department said it would research whether such a transfer is legally possible. The department also reviewed the former land conservation endowment fund, now moving to Fish and Game under House Bill 2, and explained that it primarily covers administrative costs, management fees, and investment losses for a long-term conservation program. Members asked about the fund’s large balance and the increase in expenses, and were told the fund is intended to last indefinitely and that future reporting will shift to Fish and Game.

Transcript Highlights:

• FRTs replace the standard trigger on a firearm such that the shooter need only pull the trigger once
• FRTs replace the standard trigger on a firearm such that the shooter need only pull the trigger once
• FRTs replace the standard trigger on a firearm such that the shooter need only pull the trigger once
• FRTs replace the standard trigger on a firearm such that the shooter need only pull the trigger once

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• was an accreditation report that was concerned about the leadership, and I went up as interim to replace
• leadership and I went up as an interim leadership and I went up as an interim to<00:56:58.880><c> replace
• 59.599><c> president</c><00:57:00.079><c> who</c><00:57:00.319><c> left</c><00:57:01.280><c> to</c> to replace
• the president who left to to replace the president who left to pull<00:57:02.079><c> things</c><00:57

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard updates from the chancellors of the state university system and the community college system on ongoing restructuring, collaboration, and enrollment trends. The university system said its office move to the NHTI campus is ahead of schedule and should save students about $250,000 a year while creating revenue for the community college system. Both systems described continued work on transfer pathways, direct-admit outreach, shared advising, and broader efforts to shrink footprints, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in response to declining enrollment and demographic pressure. A major topic was a possible federal change to Pell Grant eligibility that would require students to enroll in at least 7.5 credits. The chancellors said most community college students are part-time because of work and family responsibilities, and that the change could affect roughly 2,000 current Pell recipients and make it harder for students to afford or sustain enrollment. Members also discussed how the state’s governor’s scholarship statute largely benefits full-time students, suggesting possible future statutory changes. The chancellors explained how credits typically work, noting most courses are three or four credits and that students would likely need to add an entire course to meet the proposed threshold. The committee also discussed the broader higher education landscape, including declining high school cohorts, competition among New England institutions, and the need to right-size capacity. One member raised concerns about the health of regional campuses such as Plymouth and Keene; the chancellors said incoming enrollment is down at UNH and Plymouth and holding at Keene, attributing the trend to demographics rather than one campus drawing students away from another. They emphasized the importance of community colleges, adult learners, and short-term workforce programs as part of the state’s future education mix. Finally, the committee touched on the value of the university system’s research enterprise. The chancellor said about $250 million a year flows into the university system in federal research grants, with about $9.5 million currently under stop-work orders from federal agencies. She said the immediate concern is not DEI-related but federal cuts and possible caps on indirect cost recovery. Members noted that the R1 research designation supports business partnerships, student opportunities, and economic development projects such as West Edge in Durham.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment would non-amend the bill by replacing section one with the following: Non-payment of fee
• because of the hazardous waste, and they wanted a way in which to be able to collect the fees to replace
• Smith um non amend the bill by replacing Smith um non amend the bill by replacing section<00:10:40.240

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a Senate message on HB 179, relative to hazardous waste accident fees. Members reviewed the Senate amendment, which would cap the daily non-payment penalty at no more than $1,000 per day and limit the cumulative penalty to 25% of the cost, with no additional daily penalty if the responsible party is following an agreed payment plan. Members discussed the change from the committee’s earlier version, which had allowed penalties up to 100% of the damages, and agreed the revised language was reasonable. The committee voted to concur with the Senate amendment and indicated the bill could be placed on consent. The committee then recessed SB 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners, because a late request for an additional change had not yet been fully reviewed. It next voted on SB 229, relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. Supporters said the bill would expand retail access to these meats, support New Hampshire farms, and improve food security. Members also noted the Department of Agriculture did not object, that the bill would remove a sunset and keep more workable inspection rules in place, and that the animals involved are largely from closed herds. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 229 and agreed to place it on consent. Finally, the committee considered SB 50, establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. Members described disturbing testimony about missing, injured, or dead dogs and the lack of clear oversight, licensing, or even a reliable list of kennels in the state. They discussed possible study topics including licensing, inspection authority, standards, penalties, and protections for both pet owners and boarding operators, including disclosure of medical conditions. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 50 and also agreed to place it on consent. After the executive sessions, the committee heard a presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance on the state’s first food and agriculture strategic plan, introduced by director Nicole Cardwell, with participation from advisory committee members including Rep. Bixby and Commissioner Sean Jasper.

Transcript Highlights:

• eliminates the Second Harvest Heartland appropriation, but then the milk portion of that appropriation is replaced
• :38.720><c> that</c><00:18:38.960><c> appropriation</c><00:18:39.360><c> is</c><00:18:39.600><c> replaced
• </c><00:18:39.919><c> on</c> of that appropriation is replaced on of that appropriation is replaced on

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason for that is because we have just implemented a replacement of the legacy voter registration
• uh uh for that is because we have just uh uh implemented<01:22:54.480><c> a</c><01:22:54.880><c> replacement
• </c><01:22:55.360><c> of</c><01:22:55.520><c> the</c><01:22:55.679><c> legacy</c> implemented a replacement
• of the legacy implemented a replacement of the legacy voter<01:22:56.440><c> registration</c><01:22:

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be for each instance of the word "fee" and would be replaced with the word "penalty," just
• word<00:03:11.080><c> fee</c><00:03:11.879><c> would</c><00:03:12.040><c> be</c><00:03:12.239><c> replaced
• ><00:03:12.640><c> with</c><00:03:12.799><c> the</c><00:03:12.920><c> word</c> word fee would be replaced
• with the word word fee would be replaced with the word penalty<00:03:13.879><c> just</c><00:03:14.000

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state policy, employment, health insurance, fossil designation, public funds, community resources, Capitol Mall, grantmaking, community vitality, livability, funding, healthy aging, aging policy, older adults, seniors, elderly, gerontology, long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes

Transcript Highlights:

• said Hawaii, and we're in this discussion about how we deal with that language, I would be against replacing
• with that language I would<00:25:18.159><c> be</c><00:25:18.360><c> against</c><00:25:18.720><c> replacing
• </c><00:25:19.279><c> Hawaiian</c> would be against replacing Hawaiian would be against replacing Hawaiian

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Tourism met on April 1 to consider GM 510, the confirmation of Todd Aio to the board of directors of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center Authority. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from HTA representatives and numerous individuals. Supporters described Aio as a strong leader with experience in tourism, development, nonprofit work, and public service, including his time on the city council and work with Disney’s Aulani, Ward Village, and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. In his remarks, Aio said he would bring legal, development, and corporate governance experience to the board. He emphasized the need for the authority to better define its role, oversee contractors, and help guide the relationship between destination management and branding/marketing contractors. He also said community engagement and cultural considerations should be central to tourism planning, and that the board should work to stabilize the agency during its transition. Members questioned him about board conflicts, the lack of a permanent HTA CEO, and how to measure the success of cultural and branding campaigns such as mālama and kuleana messaging. Aio said conflicts are inevitable when board members come from industry backgrounds, but they must separate their “work hats” from their board duties. He supported replacing the interim leadership with a permanent CEO once compensation legislation is finalized, and said success should be measured through better data, including possible exit surveys and other technology-based tools. He also said he would oppose replacing Hawaiian protocol with another cultural protocol, while supporting inclusion of other cultures alongside a Hawaiian sense of place.

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioners in the commissioner's plan, to non-represented employees compensation plan, as well as replacing
• :25.360><c> as</c> employees compensation plan as well as employees compensation plan as well as replacing
• > u</c><01:22:26.760><c> other</c><01:22:27.760><c> obsolete</c><01:22:28.320><c> references</c> replacing
• u other obsolete references replacing u other obsolete references and<01:22:29.120><c> making</c><01

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We relocated that polling place just a half a mile down the road to a suitable replacement, and from
• ><00:15:36.000><c> to</c><00:15:36.160><c> a</c><00:15:36.240><c> suitable</c><00:15:37.000><c> replacement
• </c><00:15:38.000><c> and</c> the road to a suitable replacement and the road to a suitable replacement

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is actively happening in small rural school districts in Minnesota is just that: the replacement
• ><00:10:29.360><c> just</c><00:10:29.560><c> that</c><00:10:29.839><c> the</c><00:10:30.000><c> replacement
• </c><00:10:30.519><c> of</c> is just just that the replacement of is just just that the replacement of

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I also think that we should be replacing our heavily bureaucratic system and removing a whole bunch
• Um, I also think that we should be<00:42:33.839><c> replacing</c><00:42:34.319><c> our</c><00:42:34.880
• ><c> heavily,</c><00:42:35.440><c> as</c><00:42:35.680><c> you</c><00:42:35.839><c> point</c> be replacing
• our heavily, as you point be replacing our heavily, as you point out,<00:42:36.400><c> heavily</c><00

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It replaces it with these requirements that actually favor out-of-state imports over in-state produced
• It replaces it with these requirements that actually favor out-of-state imports over in-state produced
• It was led by Oisín Halal, but you know... rules now replaces it with these rules now replaces it with

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.