Transcript Highlights:

• So it depends on the goods and their ability to offload.
• </c><00:10:40.440><c> on</c><00:10:40.639><c> which</c> like a big box store depending on which like
• A 20-plus-year lifespan, depending on whether it's working on the PV, is another issue for us.
• The reason for our high electricity rates is our aging grid and the dependence on fossil fuel.
• </c><01:01:01.680><c> where</c> really can benefit right depending where really can benefit right depending

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 252 on invasive species, which would broaden the Department of Agriculture’s authority to inspect items moved into or within Hawaii, prohibit the sale of pest-infested merchandise, and allow quarantine, treatment, or destruction of affected materials with clarified penalties. Testifiers from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Farmers Union, and many others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing gaps in current inspection authority and the need to address high-risk non-agricultural commodities such as outdoor furniture and other cargo that can carry pests like red imported fire ants. Members raised concerns about staffing, inspection capacity, commerce impacts, and whether better manifest descriptions or scanners could help target higher-risk shipments. The chairs recommended passage with Department of Agriculture and technical amendments, and the committees adopted the recommendation. The joint CPN/EDT hearing then took up SB 148 on combat sports, which would create a Hawaii Combat Sports Commission and regulate combat sports while prohibiting no-rules contests. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments on effective dates and later said other jurisdictions generally use a single commission for boxing and MMA. Supporters, including a professional fighter and a longtime advocate, argued the bill would help revive the sport in Hawaii, improve local opportunities, and reduce costs associated with separate commissions; one testifier initially appeared opposed but clarified he was actually in support. Committee members asked about safety, medical coverage, staffing, vacancies, and whether separate commissions could share staff. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including an Attorney General effective-date amendment, amendments from the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses to increase health-care coverage at fights, and DCCA’s recommendation to unify boxing and MMA under one commission; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. A later joint CPN/Housing agenda began with SB 69 on deposits of public funds, which would require the Director of Finance to consider the benefits of using in-state depositories, including favorable lending terms for affordable housing. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Hawaii Bankers Association offered comments, and no other testimony or questions were noted before the discussion moved on. The next measure introduced was SB 24 on limited profit housing associations, which would create a regulatory framework and a limited profit housing council; the transcript cuts off as testimony on that bill was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:02.399><c> on</c> house sometimes the Senate depending on house sometimes the Senate depending
• That is really good news, and I heard as much as seven to eight percent depending on where we're at,
• </c><00:53:41.760><c> on</c> much as seven to eight% depending on much as seven to eight% depending on
• </c> equivalent public institution depending equivalent public institution depending on<00:58:53.119>
• on the demand the scholarship depending on the demand the eligibility<01:04:55.200><c> and</c><01:04

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's different depending on credit score and all the underwriting, but around six-ish. Sure.
• Obviously that depends on deposits, too.
• And as you can see, it varies depending on the life of the asset, what the term is.
• So it depends on the program.
• And it's hard to work because it's totally dependent on politics and who sits in those seats.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash. Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.

Transcript Highlights:

• A critical part of that work not only concerns our dependence on fossil fuels and other burn technology
• , a conservation organization whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends
• patterns of air currents that normally bring extra moisture to our region, so that we will need to depend
• We will need to depend more in the future on the rainfall that can be generated and stored by our own
• It depends on the scope of limitations that are placed on those reserves.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue. The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, uh, Senator McKeown, I think it probably depends on the entity.
• Chairman, uh they would have work papers um depending on their retention papers um depending on their
• Chairman, Representative Lee, so it kind of depends on what or when we look at it.
• And then I think it depends on what those issues are.
• And then I think it depends on what those issues are.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if our HCA Secretary is going to be there or not, depending on who the executive is.
• The more complicated answer depends on how long it will take you to get in to see the doctor because
• And dependence in our programs.
• However, our revenue stream is heavily dependent on it.
• targets is dependent on getting the staffing and resources that I need to be able to do it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Soldiers can opt in or opt out of that, depending on what they want to do.
• I've talked with nonprofits that are having to come up with two or three different budgets depending
• I'm the only site of the 13 other sites that doesn't depend on federal money, but our other sites now
• I'm referring to veterans and dependents. Let me couch that as one. Right?
• Other than veterans and their dependents, are non-veterans allowed to use VA services? No.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it happens at different times, you know, depending on the judge. The judge or what?
• Well, it happens at different times, you know, depending on the jurisdiction.
• So whether it's a judge or a hearing officer is going to depend on the jurisdiction.
• If a judge wants this filed and it goes up to the judge or hearing officer or commissioner, depending
• If a judge wants this filed and goes up to the judge or the hearing officer or a commissioner, depending

Summary: The committee first took up SCR 30 by Senator Connick, which memorializes Congress to compel the Department of Justice to release unclassified Epstein-related records. Senator Connick gave personal remarks about child sexual abuse and the need to hold powerful people accountable. Representative Newell supported the resolution, and the committee reported it favorably without opposition. Next, the committee considered SCR 40 by Senator Selders, urging Congress to timely pass defense appropriations that fully fund and align with the National Defense Authorization Act. The measure was briefly explained as a statement of support for military readiness and proper appropriations, and it was moved favorably with no opposition. The main substantive discussion centered on SB 259 by Senator Barrow, which would authorize an online portal for civil protective order applications. A Supreme Court protective order registry representative explained that the portal would let domestic and dating violence survivors complete petitions online, with the same judicial review, service, and hearing process that exists now; the bill would not eliminate manual filing. Members asked about fees, guidance for applicants, verification, judicial review, public access, and the risk of false filings. The witness and several members emphasized that the process remains temporary and ex parte at the outset, that final orders are issued by judges, and that the registry is not public. A domestic violence coalition representative also testified in support. Representative Newell moved favorable, Representative Edmondson objected, and the committee reported the bill favorably by a 10-1 vote. Finally, Representative Baham presented HR 245 condemning political violence in the United States. He cited recent and historical examples of political attacks and argued that violence against public figures and activists is harmful regardless of party. Members voiced support, no one objected, and the resolution was adopted before the committee adjourned, with the chair noting it was the last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That actually depends on the size of the county.
• So it really does depend on the size of the county and the amount of properties that go up for tax sale
• It does depend on the size of the county.” “Sure. Okay.
• So depending on how reliant a district might be on the foundation formula, they might have to cover heavier
• It just depends on the district.

Summary: The Special Committee on Tax Reform met in executive session and first adopted a substitute and then gave do pass recommendations to H.J.R. 115, which would align homestead language with the Senate version by changing the acreage limit from 2.5 acres to 5 acres, and to HB 2869, which was amended to tie a $500,000 threshold to CPI and use assessed value rather than market value. The committee also voted HB 3303 do pass without amendment after brief discussion about its purpose and potential tax implications. In regular hearing, the committee heard HB 2234 from Rep. Tricia Burns, which would change how surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales are handled. Burns and witness Tamara Rucker explained that when a home is sold for more than the delinquent taxes owed, the surplus can currently escheat to county revenue after three years; the bill would move those funds to the unclaimed property division and improve notice to property owners or heirs. Members discussed how the process works, the lack of uniform notification and payout standards, and the amount of surplus involved in some counties. No opposition testified. The committee also heard HB 2964, another bill from Rep. Burns, to move property tax bill mailing and delinquency dates later in the year, from early December/January to late February/April. Burns said the change would ease hardship around the holidays and help seasonal residents. Testimony from the Missouri School Boards Association raised concerns that districts would need to carry an additional 60 to 90 days of reserves, or roughly 15 to 20 percent more, to bridge the delayed revenue, though the witness said the impact would vary by district. The hearing concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill defines eligible persons as a child under 18, dependent college age child up to 26, and a disabled
• What makes the disease challenging is the outcomes are time dependent.
• A nurse's health should not depend upon zip code or employer.
• upon their program and depending upon the role.
• A daily dependence on 14 Roberta: medications and despite consistent engagement with conventional medical

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that the less a person is dependent on government, the more they depend on local community instead
• So the question, how many people in my community are dependent on welfare, is a common-sense question
• leaders like me with a vitally important baseline from which we can begin to work on reducing welfare dependency
• just to try to make sure that we are helping those who really need the help, but not encouraging dependence
• But not encouraging dependence for those that are making no effort on their own and hopping from place

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that the less a person is dependent on government, the more they depend on local community instead
• So the question, how many people in my community are dependent on welfare, is a common sense question
• leaders like me with a vitally important baseline from which we can begin to work on reducing welfare dependency
• just to try to make sure that we are helping those who really need the help, but not encouraging dependence
• for those that are making no effort on their own. ...but not encouraging dependence for those that are

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency held a public hearing on House Bill 1817, which would require the Department of Social Services to publish monthly public-assistance data at the municipal level for places with populations of 1,000 or more. The sponsor said the bill was intended to give local nonprofits, churches, and community leaders better information to target aid, measure whether their efforts are reducing dependency, and identify underserved areas, while avoiding identification of individuals in very small communities. Supporters echoed the transparency and planning benefits, saying the data could help nonprofits allocate resources, spot gaps, and coordinate more effectively. Several members questioned whether the bill was necessary, whether the data was already available through public records or existing reports, and whether it would create busy work or divert staff time. Others raised concerns about the 1,000-person threshold as arbitrary, the possibility of discouraging assistance applications, and whether the bill would really improve outcomes or reduce fraud. The sponsor responded that the data is already being collected, that the software had already been funded, and that the bill would simply make the information publicly available in a more useful format. Testimony in opposition was not presented, and the public hearing on HB 1817 was then closed. The committee then moved into executive session and took up House Bill 1641. A House Committee Substitute was offered and adopted after brief discussion. The substitute bill was then voted do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes, 1 no, and 4 present. Representative Burton stated a present vote was appropriate because of concerns with some language in the bill, while other members supported the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it all depends on where you live and what you can afford.
• And it all depends on where you live and what you can afford.
• It all depends on where you're at. And so it gets hard to know what's affordable.
• It all depends on where you're at.
• And it all depends on what size of pipe it is, too.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not weather dependent. It's not based on the wind or the sunshine or anything like that.
• They are intermittent, weather-dependent energy technologies, and we want to have our lights on.
• solar uh they are intermittent fine with solar uh they are intermittent weather<00:09:10.399><c> dependent
• </c><00:09:10.959><c> Energy</c> weather dependent Energy weather dependent Energy Technologies<00:09
• Whether it is nuclear, whether it's more gas that can help fill the gap with some of the weather-dependent

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• COST ON HOUSING TO WHAT WE KNOW IS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT CAN LOOK DIFFERENT AND WE ALSO KNOW DEPENDING
• THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPTIONS DEPENDING ON AREAS OF THE STATE. >> Sen. Jones: CAN WE PAUSE QUICK?
• Trumbull: BUT THE LIVE LOCAL STILL USES THE TRADITIONAL BOND PROCESS JUST LIKE SAILORS. >> DEPENDING
• ON THE TRANSACTION BOND PROCESS JUST LIKE SAILORS. >> DEPENDING ON THE TRANSACTION FOR THE MOST PART
• THEN WE CATEGORIZED THOSE 13 PROGRAMS AS HIGH MEDIUM OR LOW POTENTIAL FOR FLORIDA IMPLEMENTATION DEPENDING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that prioritize the well-being of our environment and those who depend on it.
• that prioritize the well-being of our environment and those who depend on it.
• that prioritize the well-being of our environment and those who depend on it.
• that prioritize the well-being of our environment and those who depend on it.
• </c><02:26:20.960><c> on</c> will also reduce our dependence on will also reduce our dependence on imported

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's still created a dependency that still exists to this day.
• </c><00:09:12.920><c> on</c><00:09:13.279><c> the</c><00:09:14.279><c> uh</c> uh make them dependent
• I mean, it depends how long they've been with us.
• I mean, it depends how long they've been with us.
• The witness said it depends on the contract.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't know how many hearings we're going to have because it depends upon the interested parties that
• up to testify at any of these hearings, so the number of hearings we're going to have is going to depend
• hearing, and when we do send out the hearing notice for the next hearing with this testimony, it depends
• It'll depend upon how many people sign up.
• And depending upon how many people we have testify or sign up to testify for that day, it may not just

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House and Senate chairs opened the first organizational meeting of the special initiative commission created by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 to study the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card and the impacts on small businesses. They explained that no testimony would be taken at this meeting; instead, the commission would begin its work, introduce members, and prepare for future hearings and a final report with recommendations on credit cards and other payment methods. The chairs outlined the commission’s charge: to examine payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now, pay later financing, and the effects of section 28A of chapter 140D on small businesses. They said the commission would likely organize hearings around business and consumer impacts, the legal and regulatory landscape, and policy options such as transparency measures, reporting requirements, and possible limits. Members discussed the importance of hearing from retailers, restaurants, banks, small businesses, and possibly experts, and suggested considering cryptocurrency and whether hearings should be held outside the State House or include regional access. Several commissioners and stakeholders introduced themselves, including representatives from the Attorney General’s office, the House, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Commissioner of Banks, retail and restaurant associations, a banking representative, and two small business owners. The chairs said interested parties could sign up to testify or receive notices, written testimony would be accepted, and the first hearing was tentatively set for April 8 in Gardner Auditorium. The meeting ended with a motion to close, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that's many times that's year dependent.
• I believe that's year, many times that's year dependent, because depending on if it's the first year
• I believe that's year, many times that's year dependent, because depending on if it's the first year

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1470, presented by Representative Cupps on behalf of Senator Bernsketter. The bill would update statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research by allowing revised statutes to be provided free in web-based form rather than as free physical copies, directing sales revenue into a statutory revision fund, changing the committee’s required meeting frequency from at least once every three months to at least twice a year, and extending the time to appoint a chair after the General Assembly convenes from 10 to 30 days. Cupps said the changes were intended as cleanup and efficiency measures reflecting how the committee has operated since staffing reductions in 2015. Members questioned whether the bill would reduce accountability by lowering the minimum meeting requirement, whether any other statutes would need cleanup if hard-copy publication changes, and whether virtual meetings should be considered. Cupps and later staff said the committee could still meet more often if needed and that the bill was meant to avoid unnecessary meetings when there is no business to conduct. Representative Steinhoff raised concerns about the statutory revision fund cap and whether the fiscal note matched the bill’s change from supplement costs to general republication costs. Director Matt Morris testified that the free-copy language is outdated, that the committee no longer has authority to give away revised statutes for free, and that the fund currently nets about $8,300 to $8,400 annually; he said a general republication could cost roughly $270,000 to $300,000 or more, with the bill intended to preserve enough reserve for that possibility and for server costs. No witnesses testified in opposition. The hearing concluded with the chair indicating a House committee substitute would likely be prepared, and that another hearing may be held the following week. No vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• fellows, and graduate workers, many represented by the United Auto Workers Union, whose livelihood depends
• The workers who carry it out deserve stability, and Washington's future depends on it.
• The workers who carry it out deserve stability, and Washington's future depends on remaining a place
• Progress from an idea to market depends on stable public investment.
• independent research program to experienced staff scientists and administrators, all of our work depends

Bills: SB6321, SGA9245, SGA9247, SGA9250, SGA9252, SGA9253, SGA9254, SGA9259, SGA9260, SGA9261, SGA9262

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding, 904, all