Video & Transcript : 'Richard B. Cheney' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 33 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Michael Richard, Boston Office of the Consolidated Amendment A, the clerk will read the amendment.
- The amendment was Consolidated Amendment B, topic: transportation. Fiscal note: $28,830,000. Mr.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the dedication of the Woburn Battle Road Memorial as part of the Massachusetts 250th celebration, and another recognizing May 1-7 as Elks National Youth Week. The chamber then took up House Bill 4005, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill using FY24 Fair Share surtax surplus funds, and ordered it to a third reading before later considering it for passage to be engrossed.
During debate on the bill, the House heard a lengthy presentation in support of the proposal, which would direct about $828 million to transportation and $353 million to education. The transportation spending was described as primarily supporting the MBTA, including workforce and safety funding, reserve replenishment, station and infrastructure improvements, reduced fares, and reimbursement for tunnel closure costs, along with smaller amounts for regional transit authorities and unpaved roads. The education side included additional special education circuit breaker funding, vocational school capital, early education workforce supports, early literacy, universal school meals, higher education endowment matches, Green School Works, and ESOL waitlist reduction, with the Inspector General directed to review circuit breaker cost controls.
Members then debated several amendments. One amendment related to a school athletics policy was modified by a further amendment calling for DESE analysis before implementation; both the further amendment and the underlying amendment as amended were adopted. A transportation amendment to shift $50 million from MBTA funding to Chapter 90 municipal roads was supported by members emphasizing rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-120. Another transportation amendment adding at least $300,000 for Route 93 mitigation costs in Medford was adopted, 133-20. The bill itself then passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 140-14. The House also observed moments of silence for former First Lady Kitty Dukakis and for victims of the Santo Domingo nightclub collapse, and later adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning in memory of former Representative Philip W. Johnston.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor Richard
- House Rules will meet in 15 minutes in Big Mac B. Any other committee announcements?
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber recognized several guests, including state troopers, a nurse of the day, students, a cheer team, and a representative-elect. The Governor’s office also reported approval of House Bill 1002, Act 1. The House then moved into the red and yellow calendars to consider a series of appropriation bills and amendments.
House Bill 1003, the Arkansas House Representative Staff appropriation for fiscal years 2026-2027, passed unanimously with its emergency clause. On the budget calendar, the House adopted amendments to several appropriation bills, including funding changes for the Labor and Licensing Board, the University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain, the State Treasurer, the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Education, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and Fort Chaffee-related appropriations. Members also batched and passed a large group of appropriation bills by a 94-1 vote, while some bills were pulled out for separate consideration.
Several separate bills were then considered. House Bill 1014, for the Department of Health and Human Services’ DIPSQA appropriation, failed on a 74-9 vote with 12 present. House Bill 1021 (Arkansas State University–Mid-South), 1027 (Health Services permit agency), 1049 (Treasurer’s office appropriation for animal rescue shelters), 1056 (Martin Luther King Jr. Commission), 1061 (Department of Labor and Licensing), 1074 (Oil and Gas Commission), 1075 (Division of Agriculture and Arkansas Bioscience Institute), and 1079 (Department of Corrections contraband cell phone prevention program) all passed, while House Bills 1060 (Arkansas State Library) and 1062 (Medicaid Tobacco Settlement Program) failed. The House also adopted House Resolutions 1004 and 1005, which were described as necessary to introduce a non-appropriation bill.
At the end of the meeting, the House adopted a motion to adjourn until 11 a.m. the next day. Announcements were made for House Rules, Special Language, and Joint Budget committee meetings scheduled for the following day.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor Richard
- House Rules will meet in 15 minutes in Big Mac B. Any other committee announcements?
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted several leaves, and received a gubernatorial communication noting approval of House Bill 1002 (Act 1). The chamber also recognized guests, including state troopers, a nurse of the day, students, a cheer team, Entergy representatives, and a representative-elect, before moving to the calendar.
Members passed House Bill 1003, the Arkansas House Representative Staff appropriation, by 94-0 with the emergency clause. On the budget calendar, the House considered a series of appropriation amendments and bills affecting agencies and institutions including the Labor and Licensing Board, University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain, the State Treasurer, DFA, county turnbacks, career technical education, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and the Fort Chaffee appropriation. Several amendments were adopted by voice vote, and the House then batched and passed multiple appropriation bills, while some were pulled out for separate votes.
In separate roll-call votes, House Bills 1021, 1027, 1029, 1049, 1056, 1061, 1074, 1075, and 1079 passed, while House Bills 1014, 1060, and 1062 failed. The chamber also adopted House Resolutions 1004 and 1005, which were described as necessary to introduce a non-appropriation bill. The meeting ended with adjournment set for 11:00 a.m. the next day, and committee announcements noted upcoming House Rules, Special Language, and Joint Budget meetings.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR/AEN Joint Info Briefing - Fri Jan 17, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Tim Richards, Vice Chair.
- Hello, everyone. thank you chair Tim Richards Vice chair thank you chair Tim Richards Vice chair I<00
- Mahalo, Chair Kahaloa, Gabbard, Vice Chairs Kusch and Richards, and members of the committee for this
- that's of that for LFA and 1.1 for CR B that's of that 10<00:36:29.800><c> million</c><00:36:30.800><
- thank you chair U actually Richards thank you chair U actually couple<00:45:57.040><c> questions</c>
Summary:
The joint House and Senate agriculture committees met on January 17, 2025, for an informational briefing on biosecurity and invasive species; Chair Kahaloa opened by noting there would be no public testimony. Members introduced themselves, and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) program manager Chelsea Arnot outlined the purpose of the briefing and the statewide impacts of invasive species, citing examples such as coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coquí frogs, albizia, and mosquito-borne disease. She emphasized that biosecurity requires coordinated action across state departments, counties, federal agencies, universities, and communities, and highlighted HISC’s role in funding interagency projects, island invasive species committees, research, outreach, and early detection efforts.
Arnot and HISC representatives described major funding and program needs, including a requested $4.25 million increase to HISC to raise its baseline budget to $10 million, support island committee operations, research, biocontrol, marine biosecurity, surveillance, and staffing. They also requested $500,000 for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, saying it is critical to invasive ant research and little fire ant response. The briefing also noted HISC’s leverage of federal dollars, including a $4.6 million REPI award with HISC providing the match, and cited successful collaborative eradications and responses, including veiled chameleons on Maui, axis deer on Hawaiʻi Island, and a 2023 coconut rhinoceros beetle response on Maui that prevented further spread.
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials then discussed implementation of updated administrative rules effective January 20, 2025, which permanently restrict movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material and give the department stronger authority to stop movement of infested material. They reported 2024 import activity of about 50,000 ship and aircraft arrivals, inspection/clearance of 20 million pieces, and 16,000 interceptions, with additional staffing from Act 231 expected to increase interceptions. They also described Act 231 funding and current spending status: about 65% obligated and 52% encumbered, with some funds tied to contracts for CRB and little fire ant response, plus an $800,000 green-waste hauling RFP that had to be reissued because of a flaw. The department said 580 Oʻahu homes and 290 Hawaiʻi Island homes are slated for little fire ant treatment, while Maui and Kauaʻi will focus on survey and outreach.
Members questioned how homes are selected for subsidized treatment, whether HISC and the island invasive species committees received Act 231 support, and whether the state should direct how contracted funds are prioritized. Representative Martin raised concerns that the RFP limited eligibility to private pest control companies and excluded more experienced entities such as the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. Department officials said they would follow up on prioritization and funding details, and noted that emergency proclamations and procurement flexibility could help with rapid response and hiring during invasive species emergencies.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Nick is actually a constituent of mine from my area, and on the North Shore we say Nick Richard, but
- On the North Shore, we're Richards. Thank you, Senator, and thank you guys for taking this on.
- I'm looking at Section B, line 3 on the second page, and it says a peace officer or a peace officer accompanied
- in immediate danger that they can take them into custody immediately without I'm looking at section B
- People don’t want to talk about that one, but that’s Haemophilus influenzae B, that’s pneumococcus, and
Committees:
Senate Health & Welfare , Senate Health and Welfare
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 971, which would equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; supporters said independent clinics are disadvantaged by a large payment disparity, and the bill was reported favorable without objection. The committee also recognized visiting Alpha Phi Alpha members and other guests during personal privilege remarks.
Members then considered HB 414, which would bar hiring certain health care workers and direct support professionals with serious disqualifying convictions from other states and address background-check issues for therapeutic group homes. After adopting three amendment sets, the bill was reported as amended. HB 740, creating an independent review process for Medicaid behavioral health claim disputes in the coordinated system of care, was amended to clarify applicability and CSOC definitions and then reported as amended. HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation, drew emotional testimony from affected parents and advocates; the committee reported it favorable.
The committee also advanced several more bills: HB 405, updating the name of the national acupuncture certifying body, was reported favorable; HB 786, prohibiting extrapolation in certain managed-care claims recoupments, was reported favorable; HB 1095, allowing alternative backup power sources for nursing homes, was reported favorable; HB 403, raising the cottage food gross-sales cap, was amended from $50,000 to $150,000 and then reported favorable; HB 930, modernizing cosmetic-product regulation and creating a small-producer exemption, was reported favorable; HB 557, defining long-term pharmacies for policy purposes, was reported favorable; HB 779, on expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases, was reported favorable; HB 915, setting utilization-management timelines and standards, was reported favorable; HB 546, expanding criteria for peace officers to take someone into protective custody during a mental health crisis, was reported favorable; HB 796, creating a chiropractic preceptorship program, was reported favorable; and HB 933, authorizing commemorative birth certificates, was reported favorable.
The final major item was HB 1041, a “no-mandate” bill barring discrimination based on medical intervention status. The sponsor and Surgeon General said it was aimed at healthy, asymptomatic individuals and not at public health quarantine powers, but Senator Boudreaux objected to exemptions for schools and hospitals and offered an amendment to restore broader coverage. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended, with no final committee disposition shown in the excerpt.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- /c> the US as well as vetted thirdparty B the US as well as vetted thirdparty B vendors<00:51:15.839>
- And I, I, it's billions with a B in water development.
- And I, I, it's billions with a B in water development.
- /c> Wyoming statute 912601 paragraph B Wyoming statute 912601 paragraph B authorizes<03:06:08.960><c>
- </c> Director Richards. Director Richards. >> Mr.<03:12:07.600><c> Mr.
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Next is Richard Pinsky speaking for. Wave and support. Thank you, Mr. Pinsky.
- And I have a William B.
- —the middle initial is B, the last name begins with S, although it says Russ, 14.
- And I have a William B is the middle initial. S begins the last one, although it says Russ.
- B is the middle initial, S begins the last one, although it says Russ, 14. Oh, come, I know you.
Committee:
Senate Regulated Industries
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance.
On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:27:17.200><c> the</c><00:27:17.399><c> Department</c><00:27:17.799><c> of</c><00:27:18.120><c> B<
- /c> in your division of the Department of B in your division of the Department of B you<00:27:19.120>
- Okay, well, I would think it was during, uh, probably, uh, Richard then.
- 31.320><c> and</c><00:33:31.600><c> now</c><00:33:32.000><c> it's</c><00:33:32.559><c> changed</c> Richard
- then okay and now it's changed Richard then okay and now it's changed or<00:33:33.120><c> it's</c><00
Committee:
Senate Economic Development and Tourism
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved.
The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law.
On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement.
The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/27/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- His name is Richard, but Richard’s health is failing, so he couldn’t come down, and I’d like to tell
- Richard, I’ll tell you, he wanted to come down, but he can’t. He’s a Vietnam vet.
- I'll tell you he wanted to her Richard I'll tell you he wanted to come<00:30:29.720><c> down</c><00:
- /c> putam uh we'll now move on to Senate 5 B putam uh we'll now move on to Senate 5 B 1205<00:57:58.400
- I could go section by section and have comments, and I probably will under B, 1.7 through 1.11.
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Long are the days gone when we used to know how to get somewhere from point A to point B in our towns
- Richard Tidd, Daly City, e-bike rider, strong opposition.
- Richard Tidd, Daly City, e-bike rider, strong opposition.
- Richard Tidd from Daly City, e-bike rider, support. Bobby Napoli, Gazelle Bicycles, in support.
- Richard Tidd from Daly City, e-bike rider. I have a legal e-bike that I use for touring.
Committee:
House Transportation
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Would like to speak in opposition, Richard DeCody, on behalf of himself.
- And he did... ...politician, Richard DeCody, on behalf of himself.
- My name is Richard DeCody. I'm an attorney. I'm practicing in Covington.
- The current bill, the current law, R.S. 9:355-82(B) says, to the extent it is feasible and in the best
Committee:
Senate Judiciary A
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- , a very, very close friend whose son was killed in the city of Miami, and the son—the other son, Richard
- And Richard B. Williams, Florida Veterinary Medical Association, waiving in support. Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Keywords:
veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Commerce and Tourism Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- systems, regardless of whether the data originates from an ADS-B in or an ADS-B out system.
- systems, regardless of whether the data originates from an ADS-B in or an ADS-D-S-B in or an ADS-D-S-D
- . ...whether the data originates from an ADS-B in or an ADS-B out, as a means for calculating, generating
- So ADS-B is a huge safety thing.
- Congress mandated ADS-B to enhance safety and efficiency.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor.
The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.
Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably.
The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the committee, my name is Richard Sheets. I'm with the Missouri Municipal League.
- Members of the committee, my name is Richard Sheets. I'm with the Missouri Municipal League.
- Subsequent offenses are class B.
- Both of those are Class B misdemeanors that only have up to a six-month time in the county jail, which
- (2), as Regulations, 391.11(b)(2), as per what, according to this document, says the FMCSA enforcement
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- believe Senator Waters' amendment would direct $4 million of that money to be used for the phase two B
- believe Senator Waters' amendment would direct $4 million of that money to be used for the phase two B
- believe Senator Waters' amendment would direct $4 million of that money to be used for the phase two B
- My name is Richard Head with the Department of Environmental Services Legal Unit.
- My name is Richard Headigan from DES. The bill is passed in HB 2.
Committee:
Senate Finance
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- There are military bases throughout the country where the B-2 bombers are housed in Missouri that are
- I kind of took it as Camp B-B at Angola, they stay local. Yeah, the B-line, that's it.
- I kind of took it as Camp B-B at Angola, they stay local. Yeah, the B-line, that's it.
- Richard did a fantastic job, I'll do. a little bit about, I know we're known for tax reform.
- Richard did a fantastic job doing that, and he's off to bigger, better things at LCTCS, so they left
Committee:
House Appropriations
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (04/14/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I think Richard is going to give a...
- Um, I think Richard is going to give a...
- </c> districts established under RSA 53-B" districts established under RSA 53-B" and<01:20:15.440><c>
- Richard<01:24:18.440><c> Moore.
- I'll let him introduce Richard Moore.
Committee:
House Environment and Agriculture
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I've always meant to ask you, no relation to Richard Haynes, right? Not that I know of, no sir.
- Subchapter B contains, for lack of a better term, the draconian penalties and the adverse consequences
- looking into what Representative Spiller was discussing, regarding both Subchapter A and Subchapter B,
- It doesn't say Subchapter A and B.
- I agree with your interpretation that the addition of Subchapter B means that the initial 90-day right
Committee:
House Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- Ex-Senator Richard Roth, who chaired this committee on the Senate side, asked for a study a couple of
- It's a wild time at B&P today, it's that time of year.
- A, B, 13. 1332 is a lifeline to help sustain effective medicinal cannabis use. Thank you very much.
- Madam Secretary please call the record is being extended. on a B 1482 On a B 1582 Castillo the motion
- is due On a B pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
Committee:
House Business and Professions
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN-PSM, CPN-EDT, CPN Public Hearing 02-05-2025
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Richards? And Senator A? Your measure is adopted. Thank you very much.
- </c> ey Senator Melby yes Senator Richards ey Senator Melby yes Senator Richards Senator<00:49:27.480
- I'm sorry, I'm Richard Emry, principal broker for Hawaii First Realty.
- Again, Chair and Committee members, my name is Richard Emry.
- Richard Emry said his name is Richard Emry.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
Summary:
The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes.
Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782.
The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.