Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a powerful voice for good. a powerful voice for good.
• </c> she has been a courageous and powerful she has been a courageous and powerful leader leader leader
• </c> powers our modern life. powers our modern life.
• </c><05:36:47.440><c> our</c> reliability of the grid that powers our reliability of the grid that powers
• power to come<05:37:06.440><c> on.

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Transcript Highlights:

• If the power goes off in the building here and the network goes off and if we have to reschedule, we'll
• They even constructed a field trial of ash-amended asphalt pavement at the H-Power facility.
• So that is where all ash currently goes from H-Power. Mr.
• So that is where all ash currently goes from H-Power. Okay. Thank you.
• It was very powerful and moving.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• These strengths provide a powerful foundation for continued leadership and AI innovation.
• These strengths provide a powerful foundation for continued leadership and AI innovation.
• ,</c><00:41:21.359><c> what</c> don't have any oversight or power, what don't have any oversight or power
• </c><00:59:46.000><c> and</c> beyond just boosting worker power and beyond just boosting worker power
• Not being considered till next year, then AI will have quadrupled in power.

Bills: HF1316 , HF4369

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They did not comply with executive orders issued by the governor.
• And what power will the advisory board have?
• Will they have veto power to push back on the Department of Mental Health?
• advisory board &gt;&gt; And what power will the advisory board have?
• Will they have veto power to push have?

Transcript Highlights:

• this movement, and my indefatigable staff, my team who powered this work.
• That acid rain was caused by polluting power plants in the Midwest.
• Here's what the power accountable.
• It was because our mayor and our governor kept hammering us to death.
• </c> was because our mayor and our governor was because our mayor and our governor kept<06:44:03.840>

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Clelebourne, at that time, under our power share agreement, I was a non-voting member,
• I want to thank you for bringing your powerful stories before the committee.
• said that the University of Minnesota list of employed people is 2,169 people paid more than the governor
• </c> that was paid more than the governor that was paid more than the governor which<01:41:32.880><c>
• </c><01:41:44.639><c> And</c> governor. And with that, thank you. And governor.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We work in Title 32 status, where the governor is commander in chief, and if we're mobilized for a federal
• 00:09:09.079><c> status</c><00:09:09.640><c> where</c><00:09:09.839><c> the</c><00:09:09.959><c> governor
• </c><00:09:10.240><c> is</c><00:09:10.320><c> a</c> 32 status where the governor is a 32 status where
• the governor is a commander-in-chief<00:09:11.360><c> and</c><00:09:11.519><c> then</c><00:09:11.880
• General Mankey continued that the governor is the commander in chief in Title 32 status, and that the

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• A resolution is powerful. generation. A resolution is powerful.
• I even got two people right now asking me how do they pay their power bill?
• We need programs to help with food and power bills. >> I have no idea.
• have powers to enjoy others, but they don't have that kind of power.
• nobody's power bill down. down. down.

Transcript Highlights:

• As everyone knows, we have a power-sharing agreement in the Senate now, and for the next couple of weeks
• The four legislative caucuses and the governor each appoint one labor and one business representative
• it's while I'm while I'm glad to<01:11:04.280><c> see</c><01:11:04.480><c> the</c><01:11:04.600><c> governor
• </c> to see the governor to see the governor uh<01:11:07.120><c> you</c><01:11:07.239><c> know</c><01
• And I'm hoping that we finally have a governor that will support us in that effort. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it has a diminishing, uh, power<00:34:43.960><c> to</c><00:34:44.040><c> reduce</c><00:34:44.520>
• <c> the</c><00:34:44.639><c> effective</c><00:34:45.040><c> tax</c><00:34:45.360><c> rates</c> power
• to reduce the effective tax rates power to reduce the effective tax rates the<00:34:45.679><c> higher
• </c><00:45:49.720><c> Um</c> more powerful factor. Um more powerful factor.
• </c> uh the economy is even more powerful uh the economy is even more powerful than<00:45:56.120><c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I respond to the governor. So that's where this request came from.
• Chair, I was wondering about the electric power capacity upgrade project.
• So we will be using the same portfolio that PNM is using for that power.
• Chair, Madam Vice Chair, no, PNM will be the supplier to that power source for that power source to us
• from PNM. ...of that line, so the additional power will come from PNM.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• What they told us is powerful.
• What they told us is powerful.
• upon the approval of actually being able to secure the appropriations and with the signature of the governor

Bills: SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB250 , SB433

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's easier if we just send it To the governor and send it back to the house.
• It is the evidence required to be able to even bring something to power.
• says that to protect these freedoms, governments are instituted amongst men, deriving their just powers

Bills: HB1168

Transcript Highlights:

• rate payer, the citizens in Louisiana, our constituents, the ability to still have cheap, reliable power
• And in January, we announced Governor Landry's whole-of-energy strategy.
• one, scope two, scope three emissions, and ultimately that's what that end user that's producing the power

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on March 17, 2026, adopted its rules again because they had not been properly posted, and voluntarily deferred several bills before taking up the day’s agenda. The committee then moved through a series of commerce and financial services measures, with members repeatedly noting the bills had been worked on jointly by authors and stakeholders. HB 489, on transfer-on-death securities, was amended to make the transfer requirements mandatory and to remove a liability limitation for registering entities, then reported favorable. HB 545, which narrowed a consumer-loan bill to origination fees only, was amended and reported favorable. HB 555, expanding protections for eligible adults from financial exploitation, was amended with technical changes and an amendment from Rep. Boyd, then reported favorable after testimony from bankers and advocates describing scams targeting seniors and the need for delayed transactions, trusted contacts, and training. HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program, was amended to clarify electronic payment platforms and reported favorable after questions about state involvement, insurance, and consumer protections. HB 952, modernizing the consumer loan framework, was amended to a three-tier rate structure and to add ability-to-repay and disaster-relief provisions, then reported favorable. The committee also considered two economic development bills from Rep. Owen. HB 672 would encourage brick manufacturing in Louisiana; after an amendment changed LED’s role from directing a priority industry to allowing support through existing programs and guidance, the bill was reported favorable. Testimony emphasized Louisiana’s clay deposits, limited in-state brick production, and potential benefits for housing costs and jobs. HB 670, on wood pellet manufacturing, received a similar amendment limiting LED to support and guidance rather than mandates, and was also reported favorable. A consultant testified that a proposed North Louisiana pellet facility could generate significant payroll, local spending, and revenue from timber that is currently underused, while LED described the sector as part of the state’s agribusiness and energy strategy and discussed global demand, carbon footprint requirements, and the role of CCUS in attracting large projects. The discussion on HB 670 continued at the end of the transcript, with members probing how the industry works and how Louisiana could benefit from it.

Transcript Highlights:

• rate payer, the citizens in Louisiana, our constituents, the ability to still have cheap, reliable power
• And in January, we announced Governor Landry's whole-of-energy strategy.
• Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3 emissions, and ultimately that's what that end user that's producing the power

Bills: HB489 , HB545 , HB555 , HB583 , HB670 , HB672 , HB797 , HB814 , HB913 , HB952

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: transfer on death, TOD, beneficiary designation, investment accounts, brokerage accounts, securities, nonprobate transfer, estate planning, succession, probate, community property, forced heirship, financial advisor, broker-dealer, custodian, transfer agent, banking, wealth transfer, inheritance, Louisiana Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that plan, the governor, of course, will have A budget on that.
• The people you care for deserve that kind of care, and we should be doing everything in our power to
• The people you care for deserve that kind of care and we should be doing everything in our power and

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition for the next two years, there is an additional 4 cent penalty on top of the 12 cent power
• Most small businesses do not have the power to assign responsibility to the manufacturer of this T-shirt
• The bill in California was vetoed by the governor of California.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several waste and recycling bills. House Bill 2212 would require microfiber filters on commercial and industrial washing machines, with Ecology authorized to consider residential machine rules later if cost thresholds are met. Supporters, including the sponsor, students, environmental advocates, and scientists, said washing machines are a major source of microplastics and that filtration is a practical way to reduce pollution before it reaches waterways and human bodies. Opponents, including appliance manufacturers, laundromat operators, business groups, and Ecology staff, raised concerns about technical feasibility, worker safety, cost, and the lack of third-party certification for commercial systems. Ecology said the science is emerging and the proposal would create new agency work and costs. No vote was taken. House Bill 2233 would tighten the state’s carry-out bag laws by banning reusable film plastic bags, raising the paper bag pass-through charge to 20 cents, and extending certain requirements to manufacturers, distributors, and third-party sales platforms, while preserving protections for food assistance cardholders. Supporters argued the current thicker-bag approach has not reduced plastic waste, that plastic bags contribute to litter and microplastics, and that a stronger ban would better protect waterways and wildlife. Opponents from grocery, retail, hospitality, paper, and business groups argued the bill would raise consumer costs, create checkout and food-safety problems, and add operational complexity; some also said the state should wait to see the effects of the recent fee increase. Several local government and environmental witnesses supported the bill. No final action was taken. House Bill 1420 would establish an extended producer responsibility program for textiles and apparel, requiring producers to form a producer responsibility organization to manage collection, reuse, repair, recycling, and related infrastructure. The sponsor described the bill as a response to textile waste, overconsumption, and landfill impacts, and said the proposal had been refined through extensive stakeholder work. Supporters from environmental groups, local governments, Ecology, counties, Goodwill, and circular-economy organizations said textiles are a growing waste stream and that producer responsibility could improve collection, reduce dumping, and support repair and reuse. Opponents from business, retail, hospitality, apparel, and medical-device groups raised concerns about complexity, consumer and compliance costs, governance, supply-chain reporting, and possible unintended coverage of uniforms or medical products. The hearing also included a State Board of Health health impact review noting likely increased awareness and collection but limited evidence on large-scale reuse and recycling outcomes. No vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• have something that increases uptake and builds that demand in the meantime, I think that's really powerful
• have something that increases uptake and builds that demand in the meantime, I think that's really powerful
• The governor, again, in his State of the State speech, proudly mentioned California's newly established

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on housing construction innovation, focusing on factory-built and modular housing as a way to lower costs, speed delivery, and expand housing supply. The chair framed the effort as a search for practical innovation paired with land use, financing, and regulatory changes that could make housing more affordable for working families. Government witnesses from HCD, the Strategic Growth Council, and the tax credit and bond allocation agencies explained how factory-built housing is regulated, how California standards and third-party approvals work, and how state programs are trying to build regional demand and financing pipelines for modular production. Testimony from investors and developers emphasized both the promise and the risks of modular construction. JP Morgan Chase and the Housing Accelerator Fund described projects that achieved meaningful time and cost savings, but said lenders still see elevated risk because of manufacturer solvency, upfront deposits, transportation and installation issues, and the need for standardized designs and experienced teams. They urged more standardization, more local factories, better alignment between financing timelines and construction schedules, and state support such as backstops, top-loss capital, and scoring preferences in tax credit and bond programs. Several speakers noted that recent federal changes to the 4% tax credit program increased production capacity, but warned that without continued state investment the pipeline could face a future funding cliff. The workforce panel, including union contractors, factory supervisors, and labor representatives, said modular construction can support good jobs if it is paired with union labor, training, and fair standards. They described benefits for workers such as steadier schedules, less commuting, improved safety, and better work-life balance, while also stressing the need for wages, health coverage, retirement benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities. Union representatives supported a model that keeps both factory and on-site work unionized and said the industry could create more jobs overall if California builds more factories and develops a stable, long-term demand pipeline. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Washington committed to inclusive democracy and representing people's interests in the halls of power
• You have the power to make a difference. Please pass HB 2333. Thank you. Ms.
• I served for eight years as one of Governor Inslee's appointees on the Sunshine Committee.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with House Bill 2333, which would expand protections for elected officials, candidates, executive state officers, election officials, and criminal justice participants by allowing address confidentiality, redacting campaign and property records, increasing some penalties for threats, and authorizing security assessments and reimbursement for personal security measures. The prime sponsor and supporters described rising political violence and personal threats, while opponents and agency staff raised concerns about implementation, constitutional issues, public-records transparency, costs, and whether the bill would actually prevent determined actors from finding addresses through other sources. The Secretary of State’s office, county officials, and the Public Disclosure Commission said the bill would create major logistical and fiscal challenges, while prosecutors, judges, and advocacy groups testified that the protections were needed for safety and retention in public service. House Bill 2176 would make collaborative drug therapy agreements confidential under the Public Records Act except when the agreement is the basis for a disciplinary action, in which case only relevant information would be disclosed with personal information redacted. The sponsor and supporters, including pharmacists, physicians, and reproductive-health advocates, said the bill would protect clinicians from harassment and out-of-state targeting while preserving accountability for misconduct. News media representatives and open-government advocates said the underlying agreements should remain accessible only in limited circumstances and emphasized the balance between privacy and transparency. Committee members also discussed how the bill would affect access to the agreements and the scope of disclosure. House Bill 2120 would eliminate two JLARC reporting requirements: the biennial report on municipal lodging-tax revenues and the periodic evaluation of the training benefits program. The bill’s sponsor and JLARC leadership described it as a cost-saving measure that would free staff for other audits, while the hospitality industry supported tourism funding but warned that the lodging-tax report provides useful oversight and accountability. The committee also received staff briefings on House Bill 2244, which would implement multiple Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee recommendations by changing confidentiality rules in 13 areas, including grand jury reports, accident reports, driver case records, certain health and social-service records, corporate interrogatories, family court files, and other records.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has the student got at least basic Training in it, so this is really a powerful study, and it comes down
• Chair, you know, as long as I mean you've been around for a while, also some of us may remember Governor
• It is incredibly powerful for students. And for learners.