Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we're paying for these adjustments out of the earnings on the fund. Correct.
• </c> pay grades and uh be able to adjust pay grades and uh be able to adjust through<01:25:21.679><c>
• Um, let's make an adjustment to your amendment based on the prior discussion. Any questions?
• The adjustments have already been made. This was through the executive order.
• </c> the adjustments have already been made. the adjustments have already been made.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> households and communities, and adjust households and communities, and adjust statutory<03:40:08.960
• The rest of that recommendation is still as noted, but that is the adjustment. Thank you.
• </c><04:24:31.840><c> I</c> kind of modernization and adjustment.
• I kind of modernization and adjustment.
• </c> but that is the adjustment. but that is the adjustment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:38:47.800><c> the</c> and last year we worked to uh adjust the and last year we worked to uh
• adjust the program<01:38:48.920><c> parameters</c><01:38:49.600><c> in</c><01:38:49.719><c> a</c><01:
• There are two levers in the State Grant Program that we may adjust in order to essentially lower awards
• Grant Program that we may adjust in order to essentially, I mean, we are lowering awards to students
• So, in that sense, they are adjusted relative to the baseline. How could I phrase this?

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate
• ><c> of</c><01:09:27.040><c> qualifying</c> adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying adjusts the minimum
• of the expenditure limit an adjustment of the expenditure limit and<01:10:22.239><c> increasing</c><
• Okay, this one adjusts<01:29:48.400><c> the</c><01:29:48.639><c> salaries</c><01:29:49.120><c> of</c>
• <01:29:49.280><c> the</c><01:29:49.440><c> campaign</c> adjusts the salaries of the campaign adjusts

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've adjusted the role of community partners to go forward versus backwards.
• the</c><00:13:01.360><c> role</c><00:13:01.519><c> of</c><00:13:01.639><c> Community</c> um we've adjusted
• the role of Community um we've adjusted the role of Community Partners<00:13:02.320><c> to</c><00:13
• that's still been benefit the adjustment that's still been benefit the<00:20:29.280><c> program</c><
• </c> get these done and so that adjustment get these done and so that adjustment would<00:58:09.960><

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that has adjusted up and down. It's basically 1,400.
• Have they been adjusted for inflation during what was a very highly inflationary four-year period?
• They're not adjusted for any inflation. Okay, thank you.
• work uh it covers uh some adjustment work uh it covers uh some amount<01:42:10.320><c> of</c><01:42:
• </c><01:42:24.400><c> in</c> here um is oper ational adjustments in here um is oper ational adjustments

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• was gang suppression as a tool of what’s been called the new Jim Crow—law enforcement practices that claim
• Law enforcement practices that claim to be race-neutral but produce overwhelmingly racial disparities
• Both parents claim Cyrus fell off the bed and he's clumsy, and Cyrus's mother filed for mental health
• unresponsiveness he was in the care and custody of his mother and father, and both of the parents claimed
• specific criteria for obtaining a search warrant and due process for claimants to file a verified claim

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• by taxpayers to which shall be claimed by taxpayers to which qualified<01:25:10.720><c> renewable</c
• </c> And we remove any language that allows taxpayers to claim the tax credit over subsequent years.
• </c><01:33:12.560><c> And</c><01:33:12.680><c> it</c><01:33:13.080><c> claims</c><01:33:13.520><c> to
• And it claims to substance, right?
• And it claims to promote<01:33:15.240><c> or</c><01:33:15.800><c> control</c><01:33:16.280><c> CRB,</

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only is it claiming to solve a problem that does not exist in New Hampshire public schools, but it
• I also just want to say that anyone who drafts a bill like this or supports a bill like this and claims
• </c><00:27:04.559><c> to</c> supports a bill like this and claims to supports a bill like this and claims
• </c><00:58:42.079><c> So</c> be um not what people claimed it was.
• So be um not what people claimed it was.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• When we are claiming that banks and credit unions are teaming up with AARP to increase protections for
• So, if they go ahead and they process the transaction and claim, well, the customer was haranguing me
• ,</c><01:20:26.640><c> well,</c> process the transaction and claim, well, process the transaction and
• claim, well, the<01:20:27.440><c> customer</c><01:20:27.840><c> was</c><01:20:28.159><c> heranging</
• </c> providers who haven't submitted a claim. providers who haven't submitted a claim. uh<02:14:09.760

Transcript Highlights:

• When we legislate as though only one viewpoint deserves oxygen, we weaken the very system we claim to
• Claim your space.
• By Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, Representative Trubolsey and others, CS for House Bill 925,
• As Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, Representative Tribulsey and others, C, C, Speaker.
• As reported by the Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, Representative Trubolsey and others, CS for

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and adoption of the special order report for the day. Members observed a moment of silence for several service members killed in the Middle East conflict, and the chamber also recognized visiting students, law enforcement, and later several guests in the gallery during farewell remarks. The House then moved through the special order calendar, taking up a series of bills on third reading. The first major measure was CS for CS for HB 981 on tributaries of the St. Johns River, which sponsors described as a community-driven plan to restore the Ocklawaha River while balancing conservation, recreation, and economic concerns. Representative Sapp opposed the bill, arguing it would harm rural communities, Rodman Reservoir interests, freshwater resources, property values, and local jobs without adequate funding or certainty. Representative Cross supported the restoration effort and its long-term environmental and community benefits. The House adopted an amendment updating planning references and expanding the advisory council, then passed the bill 107-3. The chamber next passed CS for CSHB 1389 on affordable housing and the Live Local Act after debate over state preemption of local authority, accessory dwelling units, and the removal of local opt-out provisions; supporters emphasized the statewide housing shortage and the need for more housing supply, while opponents argued the bill further limited local control. The bill passed 70-29. The House also passed CS for CSHB 1085, codifying the local government cybersecurity grant program and giving preference to fiscally constrained counties, by a unanimous 109-0 vote. CS for HB 273 on special districts passed after extensive questioning about downtown development districts, rural areas of opportunity, budget approval, and administrative caps; an amendment to remove the downtown district provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 88-? yeas as announced on the floor. CS for HB 989 on motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers passed 109-1 after sponsor testimony that it would prevent manufacturers from concentrating new vehicle inventory with one dealer group and protect competition and small businesses. CS/CS for HB 1329 on local government spending and budget transparency passed 82-28 after a lengthy debate over whether the bill would impose costs on local governments; a Cheney amendment to provide hardship assistance for smaller governments was adopted, and supporters framed the bill as improving public access to local budget information while opponents argued it duplicated existing transparency and could require new software or staff. The House then began consideration of CS/CS/CS/CS HB 1417, the Department of Environmental Protection package, with the sponsor outlining provisions on environmental regulation, septic systems, solar facility stormwater controls, coastal resiliency partnerships, and air-pollution permit timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second, which would require legislative action, would be to adjust the public school support program
• The second, which would require legislative action, would be to adjust the public school support program
• have the same funding formula as us, where they take cohorts of students—is there's no regional adjustment
• Washington, they assign FTPs based on cohorts of students like we do, but then they make further adjustments
• so I think that's part of a bigger issue with our current funding formula: we don't make those adjustments

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know when the last time was that that was adjusted? No, I do not.
• Do you know if there's ever been an adjustment? I do not think there has. Okay.
• determined upon county population,<00:47:07.600><c> and</c><00:47:07.720><c> it's</c><00:47:07.840><c> adjust
• </c><00:47:08.160><c> it's</c> population, and it's adjust it's population, and it's adjust it's reviewed
• </c> So, it's determined upon county population, and it's adjusted every 2 years, and the match can be

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• What they're proposing in this bill takes it many steps further and allows them to adjust minimum qualification
• What they're proposing in this bill takes it many steps further and allows them to adjust minimum qualification
• What they're proposing in this bill takes it many steps further and allows them to adjust minimum qualification
• What they're proposing in this bill takes it many steps further and allows them to adjust minimum qualification
• What they're proposing in this bill takes it many steps further and allows them to adjust minimum qualification

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't really have an ability to easily adjust them at that point or change the structure, because
• that were programmed and anticipated might no longer be feasible, and there may be some modest adjustments
• in 2023-24 and 2024-25... ...subsequent General Fund solutions and other budget adjustments in the 2023
• evaluation by the Mineral Policy Committee, we could come back to this committee and ask for an adjustment
• First, if adjustments to the FY 2025-26 GGRF expenditure plan are needed, we urge the Legislature to

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill is requesting another $10 million, but with some few adjustments.
• The first adjustment is to change how we look at the 75-foot high-rise threshold. successful installation
• So this bill makes that adjustment.
• ><c> second</c><00:03:45.959><c> part</c><00:03:46.400><c> is</c><00:03:46.760><c> changing</c> adjustment
• the second part is changing adjustment the second part is changing the<00:03:47.599><c> Ami</c><00:03

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• tale here is that this is the start of things that we as a state government are going to have to adjust
• tale here is that this is the start of things that we as a state government are going to have to adjust
• tale here is that this is the start of things that we as a state government are going to have to adjust
• tale here is that this is the start of things that we as a state government are going to have to adjust
• And over the 23 years that this law has been in effect, a lot of beekeepers adjust because a certified

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 186, which would streamline food-service rules for churches and nonprofits providing meals to homeless shelters and people displaced by natural disasters. Representative Duvall said the bill is meant to remove unnecessary kitchen and plumbing requirements so organizations can safely serve simple meals in emergencies. Members discussed food safety, whether the bill applies only in declared disaster situations or also to homeless shelters, and whether training should be offered; Duvall clarified that the disaster and homelessness provisions are separate and that food must still be safe and wholesome. After discussion, the committee took a roll call vote and House Bill 186 passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 370, a Department of Agriculture reorganization measure sponsored by Representative Payne. Payne and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said the bill would move the Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health and create an Office of Economic Development to better support programs such as Food Is Medicine, rural health, farmer mental health, and farm safety. Members asked about the removal of references to shows and fairs, whether the bill would affect livestock shows and county fairs, and whether any new funding was included; Payne said the department would still support shows and fairs, the change was about efficiency and focus, and no new funding was specified because budget decisions come later. Discussion on House Bill 370 also highlighted the department’s broader economic role, including agricultural economic development and outreach tied to the new USDA secretary’s visit to Kentucky. The committee then voted and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee began House Bill 304 on soybean assessment language. Representative Bivens and soybean association representatives explained it as cleanup language related to the soybean checkoff and a contingency if the federal checkoff changes. Members asked whether a referendum had already occurred and whether producers supported the measure; the witnesses said the referendum had already taken place and that soybean producers and the association supported it, while one member noted the state may increasingly need to adjust to federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next three requests, Chair, are for adjustments for health premium payments for the EUTF, and this
• The next three requests, Chair, are for adjustments for health premium payments for the EUTF, and this
• The next three requests, Chair, are for adjustments for health premium payments for the EUTF, and this
• </c><00:04:05.599><c> for</c><00:04:06.079><c> health</c><00:04:06.360><c> premium</c> for adjustments
• for health premium for adjustments for health premium payments<00:04:07.280><c> for</c><00:04:07.760

Transcript Highlights:

• So we adjusted that language of who would be doing that assessment. Let's see.
• So we adjusted that language. Let's see.

Bills: SB237

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 20 and took up Senate Bill 237 by Senator Barrow, a child welfare measure addressing the duties of the state child ombudsman, DCFS, public reporting, confidentiality, critical incident reviews, multidisciplinary investigative teams, forensic interviews, mandatory reporter training, and related child abuse and neglect procedures. Before discussion, the committee reconsidered and withdrew a previously adopted amendment set, then heard the bill re-read and reviewed a new amendment package developed through meetings among Senator Barrow, Representatives Spell and Berault, DCFS, and the ombudsman’s office. Members described the revised bill as narrowing and clarifying several provisions: reducing the number of law enforcement liaisons, limiting death/near-fatality notifications to legislative leadership and committee chairs with later notice to affected district members if substantiated, adjusting medical review language, and adding quality-improvement and training components. Other changes included keeping school-related reports routed to law enforcement, changing some mandatory language to discretionary language for certain child-on-child sexual abuse situations, aligning multidisciplinary team procedures with existing interagency protocols, and making technical revisions to reduce burden and likely lower the fiscal note. The committee also adopted a separate amendment to include recreation language for the Department of Children and Family Services. Senator Barrow and several representatives emphasized that the goal was to improve child protection and review processes while making the bill workable for DCFS and other agencies. They noted the importance of outside review, ombudsman access to records, and using review findings to drive implementation changes. After no objections, the committee adopted the amendment sets and reported Senate Bill 237 favorably with amendments. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The actual amounts, and I think there may need to be an adjustment, the committee substitute— The actual
• amounts, and I think there may need to be an adjustment, the committee substitute—we're talking cents

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum, announced that House Bills 3304, 2777, and 3054 would not be heard that day, and then moved into executive session. In executive session, the committee considered House Bill 1910, which concerns child maintenance/child support obligations for certain persons convicted of DWIs. Representative Davis offered an amendment changing mandatory language from “shall” to “may” to preserve judicial discretion; the amendment was adopted 5-2 with one present. The committee then adopted a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 1910 do pass 7-0 with one present. The committee next took up House Bill 3116, a civil jurisprudence bill. An amendment was adopted to incorporate provisions from three previously heard bills: HB 1711 (Uniform Deposition Act), HB 1713 (allowing circuit courts to dissolve LLCs), and HB 3072 (workers’ compensation changes). The committee rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3116 do pass 8-0. The committee also considered House Bill 3289 on court operations. An amendment was adopted to add treatment court administrators in certain circuits, subject to appropriations, then rolled into a substitute. The House Committee substitute for HB 3289 was voted do pass 8-0. In public hearing, Representative Dolan presented House Bill 3443, which would raise the court automation fee from $7 to $10 and add a CPI-based annual adjustment. Supporters from the Judicial Conference of Missouri said the fee has not been updated since the 1990s, that court automation costs continue to rise, and that the surcharge covers only a portion of the system’s expenses; they also noted that salaries are generally funded through general revenue rather than fees. Committee members asked about the new fee amount, what the revenue would support, and the collection-rate assumptions in the fiscal note. No opposition testimony was offered. Representative Parker then presented House Bill 2865, which would remove the statutory cap of $75 per hour for attorney’s fees in certain agency/licensure proceedings and replace it with “reasonable” fees. He and supporters said the current rate has not been updated since 1989 and is too low to attract attorneys for cases involving licensed professionals defending their licenses. Testimony in favor came from a private attorney who practices in this area, the Missouri Bar, and another supporter who said the bill would improve representation for Missouri licensees. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing on HB 2865 was concluded.