Transcript Highlights:

• resulting from the the threat analysis resulting from the the threat analysis and<00:31:10.600><
• <00:35:37.160> toward uptick in threatening behavior toward uptick in threatening behavior
• their personal behaviors. their personal behaviors.
• I mean, the sort of norms around people’s behavior have really shifted, and it is very concerning.
• <00:56:27.600> Threat for the BCA's Behavioral Threat for the BCA's Behavioral Threat Assessment

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• adult disability services and behavioral adult disability services and behavioral health<00:29:55.400
• <00:49:29.480> health county share in the behavioral health county share in the behavioral
• some uh um idea about some cost analysis some uh um idea about some cost analysis of of of do<01
• No cumulative impact analysis has been conducted.
• analysis has been conducted. analysis has been conducted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:21.280> I'll<00:49:21.400> correct<00:49:21.800> the analysis.
• I'll correct the analysis. Thank you.
• For school districts, this is a big change and we need more discussion and analysis to implement it.
• analysis to implement it. analysis to implement it.
• with the necessary analysis. with the necessary analysis.

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• advisors if you are making a recommendation for or against that and it's based on a written financial analysis

Bills: HB1739, HB1784, HB1889, HB2116, HB2206, HB3625, HB2939, HB3028, HB3265, HB3313, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3420, HB3588, HB3748, HB3721, HB3852, HB4132, HB4263, HB4303, HB4311, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, disability benefits, pension system, Oklahoma, education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, public retirement systems, pension, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, inflation adjustment, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, firefighters pension, police pension

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not accept disruptive behavior or behavior that incites or threatens violence.
• We've also seen this analysis highlight that the San Francisco Chronicle had written some cases about
• We would like to thank the committee and staff for a very thoughtful analysis and the amendments, which
• The toxicology and pathology testing and analysis, as well as the collection of all documents and records
• The toxicology and the pathology testing and analysis, as well as the collection of all documents and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not accept disruptive behavior or behavior that incites or threatens violence.
• We've also seen this analysis highlight the San Francisco Chronicle had written some cases about these
• We would like to thank the committee and staff for a very thoughtful analysis and the amendments, which
• The toxicology and pathology testing and analysis, as well as the collection of all documents and records
• The toxicology and the pathology testing and analysis, as well as the collection of all documents and

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of local government, housing, transportation, and public safety bills. Early items included SB 762, which would give certain local governments a voter-approved path to seek additional local sales tax authority to address fiscal pressures; SB 1400, which would modernize Alameda Health System governance and give Alameda County more flexibility and oversight; and SB 1408, which would authorize Contra Costa County to place a renewal of its transportation sales tax on the ballot. Supporters for those bills included local officials, county representatives, labor groups, fire and police organizations, and transit advocates, while no organized opposition was presented on those measures in committee. The committee also heard SB 1272, which would give homeowners more time to correct certain inherited code violations and allow an affidavit process for buyers who did not know about the violation at purchase. The bill drew support from the California Apartment Association and opposition from code enforcement and county groups, who argued it would reduce local enforcement discretion and create health and safety risks. After questions about disclosure and enforcement, the committee approved SB 1272 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1055, dealing with procurement flexibility for Pajaro flood control and levee repairs, also passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. Later, the committee approved SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner system. The author and supporters argued the change was needed for transparency and independence in in-custody death investigations, while opponents raised labor, cost, and governance concerns; some opposition was softened after the author agreed to employee-protection amendments. The committee also passed SB 1172, limiting consultant compensation and adding transparency rules for local tax-sharing agreements, and several housing bills from Senator Grayson: SB 1003 on pro-housing infrastructure financing districts, SB 1014 on early disclosure of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, and SB 1169 on extending tentative vesting map validity. The committee took votes on consent items and later add-ons, with most measures passing on bipartisan or unanimous votes and several being re-referred to Appropriations or Housing and Community Development as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must acknowledge your record of behavior and statements.
• It was not in any way intended to excuse the behavior of any head of state including President Putin.
• Overbaugh, are you familiar with MISSEC and MISSEC's analysis?
• Now, it was the result of much analysis and careful planning. It's this document... right here.
• Well, I'm displeased with the cowardly behavior of many people, but...

Keywords: Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure

Summary: The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the analysis affirms, this bill doesn't in any way, shape, or form change current law.
• And just so you know, in the same report, because the behavior now, and this behavior stemmed and started
• But what this behavior is, is the conversion.
• As the analysis rightly notes, this process can oftentimes drag on for months.
• As the analysis noted, it primarily does two things.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:48.240> Thank predatory behavior, not educators.
• Thank predatory behavior, not educators.
• And so, um, this type of analysis that P20 is talking about.
• is this type of analysis that P20 is talking<00:59:01.760> about.
• <00:59:12.240> at to invest in this type of analysis at to invest in this type of analysis

Bills: HF3650, HF1791, HF3489, HF4231, HF4232, HF4269, HF4270, HF3490

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• And a way to address behavior is behavior change, and that's why we're looking at these specific roadway
• And a way to address behavior is behavior change, and that's why we're looking at these specific roadway
• And a way to address behavior is behavior change, and that's why we're looking at these specific roadway
• And a way to address behavior is behavior change, and that's why we're looking at these specific roadway
• had has it second disposition analysis had has it second round<00:49:17.520> to<00:49:17.680>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Plakon: THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN UNDER 743.604 IS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE STAFF ANALYSIS.
• POLITICAL STUFF, SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, THESE KINDS OF THINGS RUNNING THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS.
• Plakon: I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT MORE AT THE STAFF ANALYSIS.
• MELANIE BROWN, FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
• ON MELANIE BROWN OF THE FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fear, not judgment, will drive professional behavior.
• There are no guardrails against elective investigations, no standards, and no fiscal analysis.
•   79 FEAR NOT JUDGMENT WILL  DRIVE PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR.
• And when you go and look up, and I was taken aback at the staff analysis of the definition of a health
• And when you go and look up, and I was taken aback at the staff analysis of the definition of a health

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of health care-related bills, with Chair Tuck emphasizing respectful debate and noting that all bills on the agenda would be voted on that day. The first measure, HB 743, would give the Attorney General authority to investigate and bring civil actions against health care practitioners who violate Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and would make aiding or abetting such conduct a third-degree felony. Supporters said it closed loopholes and protected minors and parental rights, while opponents argued it was vague, overbroad, and could chill lawful care and professional judgment. The bill passed 13-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 567, which narrows a continuing-education requirement for podiatrists so only those who prescribe controlled substances must take the related two-hour course. It also unanimously approved HB 439, allowing chiropractors, under specified training and certification requirements, to inject vitamins and nutrients while continuing to prohibit intravenous injections. The committee also passed HB 1235 to enter Florida into the respiratory care interstate compact, and HB 1237, a linked public-records/public-meetings exemption needed to implement that compact; both measures were supported as workforce and access-to-care bills and passed without opposition. Later, the committee approved PCS for HB 809, which addresses temporary physician certificates in areas of need and aims to prevent doctors from losing the ability to practice when area designations change. Members asked about licensure pathways and the effect of federal or board designation changes, and supporters framed the bill as protecting continuity of care in underserved communities. The committee also unanimously passed HB 1347 to align clinical laboratory personnel licensing with federal CLIA standards amid staffing shortages, and HB 1515, a public-records exemption tied to a uterine fibroid research database. Finally, the committee approved HB 169 updating acupuncture statutes, including terminology changes and limits on injection therapy, and HB 1021, Representative Young’s first bill, allowing qualified hospital pharmacists in Level I and II trauma centers to administer emergency medications at a physician’s direction during life-threatening situations. HB 1021 drew the most questions, mainly about scope, definitions, and who could authorize the pharmacist, but after a technical amendment it passed unanimously. All remaining bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• HAVE YOU DONE A DEEPER DIVE ANALYSIS VARIANCE WITH BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER FOR EXAMPLE AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC
• VERSUS ACCREDITED PRIVATE BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THIS FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF THE PRESSURE POINTS OF NURSING
• I'M WONDERING IF THAT WAS PART OF AN ANALYSIS THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED. >> Speaker: YOU ARE
• THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO GO TO HAVE THE MULTI VARIANCE AND TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM THAT ANALYSIS.
• MENTIONED THERE ARE ADVERSE ACTIONS AS A RESULT OF NOT EITHER BEING COMPLIANT OR OTHER TYPES OF BEHAVIOR

Transcript Highlights:

• Walk through your analysis of how you're formulating a policy based upon this 12 CP.
• Is there a dollar amount associated with your analysis here?
• Unfortunately, I haven't done that analysis, so I can't sit here and comment on that reasonably.
• People who are at a 95% load factor and don't curtail are impacted by that behavior as well.
• That behavior is different from the historical interconnection practices that we've seen.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LFC staff undertook this analysis, which you'll see more about in PED's quarter 3 report card after the
• Mandating nursing, social work, and counseling to support behavioral health, creating stipends and other
• We joke all the time, you can't legislate behavior, and we can try.
• All right, that's the economic impact analysis calculated using a REMI software.
• I think that cost-benefit analysis gets at exactly that point.

Transcript Highlights:

• This project is 45% behind schedule, and that's driven primarily by vendor delays related to gap analysis
• So we do that by doing current state assessments and doing what we call gap analysis.
• We also provide after-hours behavioral health crisis support for our eight behavioral health clinics
• We also provide after-hours behavioral health crisis support for our eight behavioral health clinics
• If we can help over the phone, if not, then we deploy the mobile crisis through our behavioral health

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Behavioral Health Administration is a new administration.
• Previously, it had other policy areas within it, so right now it's only focused on behavioral health.
• The Behavioral Health Administration is a new administration.
• <00:09:18.560> health sphere we also run the behavioral health sphere we also run the behavioral
• <01:04:18.240> health do have one that's a behavioral health do have one that's a behavioral

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are no consequences for bad behavior, expect bad behavior.
• And if this bad behavior that I and many of my colleagues have experienced, and it is only this bad behavior
• The population, the data analysis supports the creation of multiple new courts. population the data analysis
• So tell me what goes into an OCA analysis on creating a new court.
• workload analysis.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• ANOTHER AREA IS, IN ADDITION TO WILDFIRE, CLAIMS IS ALSO WILDFIRE ANALYSIS PRIOR TO LOSSES OCCURRING.
• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS BEING ANALYSIS PRIOR TO LOSSES OCCURRING.
• Martin: WE WOULD START WITH OFFERING THE INSURANCE REGULATION TO DO AN ANALYSIS AND SEE IF THERE ARE
• WE WOULD ENCOURAGE THE DEPARTMENT TO DO ITS ANALYSIS AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO YOU AND PROBABLY TAKE
• TELL YOU AS A PREVIOUS, HAS BEEN MADE THERE IS A DECISION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE THAT THOUGHT AND ANALYSIS

Transcript Highlights:

• Please refrain from profanity or uncivil behavior; such behavior may be grounds for removal from the
• Please refrain from profanity or uncivil behavior; such behavior may be grounds for removal from the
• So that's the benefit-cost analysis that I would make of it.
• So that's the benefit-cost analysis that I would make.
• I mean, that's a cost-benefit analysis that I would make.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on several bills. HB 628 HD1, relating to education, would reinstate a prior law allowing veterans whose high school education was interrupted by wartime to receive a diploma. Testimony was generally supportive from the Office of Veterans Services, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and an individual testifier, with one person in opposition. The committee later recommended passage of HB 628 HD1 as is, and the motion was adopted. The committee also heard HB 1158 HD1 and HB 1159 HD1, both relating to commercial harbors. HB 1158 HD1 concerns firefighting at commercial harbors and drew support from the Department of Transportation; the committee recommended passage as is and adopted the recommendation. HB 1159 HD1 would require masters or persons in charge of vessels to comply with a Harbor Master’s order to evacuate a commercial harbor during emergencies. Testimony included support from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and comments from the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. Members raised concerns about small boat operators and safety, and the committee passed the bill with reservations. The committee then discussed HB 1262, relating to the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, and HB 1296, relating to the major disaster fund. Supporters of HB 1262 included the Climate Advisory Team and AARP Hawaii, while the Department of Budget and Finance cautioned about duplication of benefits with federal disaster aid and the need to preserve the fund’s primary purpose. Members questioned how the bill would interact with federal assistance and whether the fund could be used more broadly; no vote was taken, and the bill was deferred to decision-making. On HB 1296, HEMA and Budget and Finance opposed the measure, citing the need for flexibility in emergencies and concerns that added reporting requirements could hinder response efforts, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii noted the major disaster fund is much smaller than the EBF. The committee likewise deferred HB 1296 to decision-making, and the meeting adjourned.