Transcript Highlights:

• My mother would have a phrase that would describe Bruce, and it would be, “Still waters run deep.”
• c><00:59:22.319><c> would</c><00:59:22.480><c> be</c><00:59:23.200><c> still</c><00:59:23.520><c> waters
• </c> and it would be still waters run deep. and it would be still waters run deep.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Emma Waters in support. And that's everyone who signed up on SB 3076.
• </c><00:35:25.839><c> Emma</c><00:35:26.160><c> Waters</c><00:35:27.200><c> in</c><00:35:27.520><c> support
• Emma Waters in support. And &gt;&gt; in support. Emma Waters in support.

Bills: SB2040 , SB2248 , SB2530 , SB2732 , SB2871 , SB2919 , SB3076 , SB3300 , SB3301

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: freedom of speech, elections, campaign finance, non-natural persons, regulated participation, constitutional amendment, financial disclosures, government transparency, public confidence, Senate confirmation, conflicts of interest, state ethics commission, campaign contributions, state contracts, transparency, conflict of interest, government ethics, pretrial release, bail reform, financial ability

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment. SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members. SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies. SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been collectively finance carries the water on that and does all the heavy lifting.
• collectively uh finance carries<00:48:59.359><c> the</c><00:48:59.680><c> the</c><00:49:00.160><c> water
• on</c><00:49:00.559><c> that</c><00:49:00.800><c> and</c><00:49:01.040><c> does</c> carries the the water
• on that and does carries the the water on that and does all<00:49:01.359><c> the</c><00:49:01.520><c

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:23 Approve Minutes from January 15, 2026- 00:01:03 Kentucky State Police Update on SERVS- 00:01:47 Adjournment- 00:54:18, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from Kentucky State Police on the SERVE radio system project, with David Barker and consultant Brandon Marshall explaining progress across multiple phases. They reported that Mayfield PD fire/EMS and Graves County Sheriff are fully operational on the system, Phase 2 is 77% complete with 48 existing sites finished and 13 new sites pending acquisition, and Phase 3A remains funded but not yet complete. They also said router upgrades are complete, radio dispatch positions and mobile/portable rollout are complete, and microwave replacement is nearly finished, with one remaining site delayed by weather. A major part of the discussion focused on why the project has taken so long and why equipment is being purchased before some sites are built. KSP said the project began as a radio system upgrade but expanded as they discovered additional infrastructure needs, including routers and microwave links that were not in the original scope. They explained that equipment must be purchased in advance to match versions and preserve warranty coverage, and that older existing tower sites are being refurbished rather than replaced to make use of existing public-safety infrastructure. They also said all expenditures are tracked in inventory and accounting records and that the project remains transparent. Members pressed for a master plan and timeline, with Representative Smith arguing the project needs clearer structure and fewer layers of decision-making. KSP acknowledged the need for a timeline, said they had plans but not a full timeline earlier, and stated that if the remaining funding is approved they expect to complete the remaining existing sites and 25 new sites by June 30, 2027. They said 56 new-build sites remain, identified as the yellow-dot sites on the maps, and that some sites may be able to use existing Demar/National Guard tower locations. The committee did not take a vote on the project during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is somewhat watered down, but it is a hands-free bill.
• And um so this is<00:20:30.960><c> um</c><00:20:31.360><c> somewhat</c><00:20:31.760><c> watered</c><
• down,</c><00:20:32.559><c> but</c><00:20:32.720><c> it</c><00:20:32.880><c> it</c> is um somewhat watered
• down, but it it is um somewhat watered down, but it it is<00:20:33.440><c> a</c><00:20:34.080><c> hands-free

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 01:09 Roll Call 02:11 SB 7 12:42 SB 7 Vote 13:48 SB 30 17:26 SB 30 Vote 19:56 SB 28 46:35 SB 28 vote, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• well-earned pay raise, and millions of federal dollars are coming to Eastern North Carolina for schools, water
• 44:30.560><c> Carolina</c><00:44:31.200><c> for</c><00:44:31.520><c> schools,</c><00:44:32.079><c> water
• </c> North Carolina for schools, water North Carolina for schools, water systems,<00:44:32.880><c> fire

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we've seen, these bills have been so horribly watered down, we talk to your constituents every
• that as these bills have been so seen that as these bills have been so horribly<00:55:39.119><c> watered
• 40.880><c> um,</c><00:55:41.280><c> we</c><00:55:41.520><c> talk</c><00:55:41.760><c> to</c> horribly watered
• down, um, we talk to horribly watered down, um, we talk to your<00:55:42.160><c> constituents</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I support this measure because, as it was confirmed in our hearing on water and land, even though
• in in um our as it was uh confirmed in in um our hearing<00:43:31.119><c> on</c><00:43:31.359><c> water
• c> land</c><00:43:32.880><c> um</c><00:43:33.040><c> that</c><00:43:33.440><c> even</c> hearing on water
• and land um that even hearing on water and land um that even though<00:43:34.079><c> we</c><00:43:34.640

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also put in other parameters like setbacks from property lines, distances from water, all that come
• property lines um uh setbacks from property lines um distances<00:14:42.480><c> from</c><00:14:42.800><c> water
• um</c><00:14:44.160><c> all</c><00:14:44.480><c> that</c><00:14:45.440><c> come</c> distances from water
• um all that come distances from water um all that come from<00:14:46.480><c> the</c><00:14:46.800><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know, local papers break things open about school districts or employees of school districts, the water
• districts</c><00:36:41.480><c> um</c> school districts um school districts um the<00:36:42.520><c> water
• </c><00:36:43.600><c> These</c><00:36:43.800><c> are</c><00:36:43.880><c> really</c> the water quality
• These are really the water quality. These are really important<00:36:44.440><c> things.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was worried about our water pipes freezing, so I went home one evening after session in the, I think
• I was worried about our water pipes freezing, so I went home one evening after session in the, I think
• I was worried about our water pipes freezing, so I went home one evening after session in the, I think
• I was worried about our water pipes freezing, so I went home one evening after session in the, I think

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• goods and from wasting taxpayer dollars on inappropriate items like jewelry, lingerie, admission to water

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Summary: The Arizona Legislative Council met to revise the adopted analysis for Proposition 212, the Protect Education Act, after the Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling that would remove the measure from the ballot. Staff presented a revised draft analysis, explaining that the only changes were on page one and that the revised text was intended to comply with the court order and state law. One member of the public testified, saying she was neutral on the revision but questioned whether a sentence was necessary and urged that the analysis remain unchanged so voters could still consider the initiative. Members then debated the prior analysis and the court ruling. Democratic members argued the earlier language was biased, argumentative, and unlawful, and said the committee had to fix language the court found improper. Republican members responded that passing a law later ruled unconstitutional is not itself illegal and criticized the discussion as partisan. One member also argued that the revised analysis still contained other biased references, including language about severability and the funding source. The motion to adopt the revised analysis passed on a roll call vote of 7 ayes, 6 noes, and 1 not voting. During the vote explanation, one senator opposed the measure, arguing the initiative would have added guardrails to ESA voucher spending, restricted luxury purchases, required fingerprint clearance cards for private schools and tutors receiving ESA funds, and returned unused funds to the general fund. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• goods and from wasting taxpayer dollars on inappropriate items like jewelry, lingerie, admission to water

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these dangerous, lethal poisons that are killing our wildlife and our raptors and getting into our water

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a brief hybrid hearing on late-file bills, with Chair Becca Rausch outlining procedures and limiting testimony to three minutes. The hearing focused on six home rule petitions from Ayer, Boxborough, Groton, Lincoln, Nahant, and Sharon that would restrict or prohibit the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, referred to by speakers as harmful “escars.” Testimony was uniformly in support of the petitions. Speakers including Christine Goulet, Heather Packard of Mass Audubon, Carrie Stamos of Save Lincoln Wildlife, and Lisa Nayan de Muel described the dangers of these poisons to bald eagles, other wildlife, pets, and ecosystems, and argued that towns had already shown local support for restrictions. Several witnesses said non-rodenticide pest management methods and integrated pest management can work effectively, and urged the committee to report the bills favorably. Mass Audubon also framed the local petitions as a step toward a broader statewide ban, citing recent action in Rhode Island, California, and other states. No opposition testimony was presented, and no votes were taken during the hearing. After the final witness, the chair asked whether anyone else wished to be heard and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• George is the current water and sewer commissioner and, excuse me, superintendent in Dudley, and this

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kasha Hunt with Political Solutions, on behalf of the California Water Association, respectfully in opposition

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills, with the chair announcing AB 2200 would be taken on consent. AB 353, by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath, would convert the CPUC’s internal audit office into an Inspector General office to improve transparency and oversight; it drew support from some local and consumer groups and opposition from the California Water Association. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass from wildfire mitigation efforts, with broad support from forestry, labor, local government, and energy groups, and opposition from environmental organizations that argued biomass electricity is costly and polluting. Members asked about the bill’s transparency and ratepayer impacts, and the author said she would work with opponents. Assembly Member Rogers presented AB 1761, which would increase transparency around the PCIA “exit fee” charged to community choice aggregators and other load-serving entities. Supporters said the bill would help CCAs forecast rates and audit calculations, while Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric opposed it, citing market-sensitive data concerns and CPUC oversight. Rogers also presented AB 2369, aimed at improving transmission planning for energy-only projects in rural areas by allowing the CPUC to begin planning before a project is formally proposed; it drew support and no opposition at the hearing, with members noting the need to break the “chicken-and-egg” problem in transmission development. Assembly Member Pacheco presented AB 2124, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require the California Council on Science and Technology to evaluate the cost and efficacy of proposed legislative mandates affecting utility bills before committee votes. Utilities and labor supported the bill as a way to inform lawmakers about rate impacts, while members questioned the analysis process and timing. Assembly Member Schultz presented AB 1787, which would require investor-owned utilities to offer dynamic electricity rates to customers after smart meter upgrades, with supporters saying it could lower bills and improve grid use; utilities opposed parts of the bill over cybersecurity and cost-shift concerns, though some CCAs moved to neutral after amendments. Finally, Assembly Member Zbur presented AB 2383, a data center rate bill intended to ensure new large loads pay their fair share and do not shift costs to other ratepayers; supporters included labor and oversight groups, while opponents said the bill still lacked key protections on clean energy procurement, transmission costs, demand response, and treatment of existing data centers. The committee also heard AB 2493, by Assembly Member Cardenas Norris, which would impose deadlines, audits, remedial action, and return-on-equity consequences to speed grid interconnection work; clean energy and environmental groups supported it, while utilities opposed it as duplicative and costly, though they said they were willing to keep working on amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• other projects out there in the world, some we have identified specifically, that are just dead in the water

Bills: HB2 , HB3

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, with that work mostly behind them, they're turning their eyes to the state's roadways, water systems

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the overuse, because we've heard plenty of stories about overuse and the effects it can have on our waters

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Committee for Rural Issues met with a quorum and took up House Bill 3076, with a House Committee Substitute offered for adoption. The bill sponsor explained that the substitute was intended to clarify language so the Department of Natural Resources would not have to permit common agricultural non-point source practices, describing it as codifying current DNR practice and not creating a blanket exemption from pollution rules. Committee members discussed concerns about CAFO manure application, runoff, over-application, and environmental impacts, while supporters said best management practices and existing conservation measures address those risks. Representative Burton argued the bill was a solution in search of a problem and said DNR is not currently mandated to issue these permits, while the sponsor responded that the bill was needed because the current interpretation could require permitting of non-point sources. There was also clarification on the record that DNR did not testify on the bill. After discussion, the committee adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote. The committee then voted on the substitute for House Bill 3076 and reported it do pass. The roll call showed 11 in favor, 1 opposed, and 2 present, with Representative Burton voting no and the rest of those voting supporting the measure. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the overuse, because we've heard plenty of stories about overuse and the effects it can have on our waters

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• author, to specify DTSC enforcement authority, adjust the scope of included materials, and revise water

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee held a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony, taking up a long list of Senate bills and amendments. Measures discussed included battery recycling, property tax exemptions, railroad wayside detector systems, military protective orders, an affordable housing bond, fireworks permits, workers’ compensation earnings, metal shredding facilities, election system inspection, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards and safety, youth housing bonds, student health, air quality standards for hydrogen sulfide, electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, property taxation for family homes and farms, state agency contract bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI in legal settings, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician certificate revocation, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including changes to bond measures, technical fixes, narrowed remedies, and other author-requested revisions. Most measures advanced on unanimous 7-0 votes, while a number of higher-profile or more controversial bills passed on 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 667 on railroads passed 4-2 after amendments; SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed 6-0; and SB 742 on permanently abandoned electrical infrastructure passed after a roll call that was corrected on the floor. The committee repeatedly substituted roll calls from earlier bills to record votes on many items, reflecting the suspense-file process. No testimony was taken, and the chair emphasized that all items had already been heard previously. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations, thanked the committee staff and members, and the committee adjourned after noting that results and addendum analyses would be posted online for amended bills.