Transcript Highlights:

• </c> programming and also humane conditions. programming and also humane conditions.
• </c><01:20:14.960><c> had</c> participating in um the program had participating in um the program had
• They feel Hawaiian programming.
• </c> because they're already in programs. because they're already in programs. um<01:28:23.520><c> or
• I'm the program manager for the Coalition for Hawaii program of the Hawaii Public Health Institute.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:35.759><c> of</c> are here to fight for the future of are here to fight for the future of
• They're trying to save their future.
• </c> needs to take a hold of in the future. needs to take a hold of in the future.
• </c> because we don't know what the future because we don't know what the future holds. holds. holds.
• </c> paraprofessionals in title one programs. paraprofessionals in title one programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:00.960><c> in</c> they are going to see in the future in they are going to see in the future
• and that new to access this program and that new program<01:52:08.880><c> has</c><01:52:09.280><c> barely
• </c> Sunset this program.
• So in program after program like this program, Mr.
• So in program after program like this program, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we can't always speak for what future we can't always speak for what future legislators<00:45:56.960
• So, are um in a future work session.
• What's amazing to me is in the future.
• And really protects us for the future.
• </c><04:27:39.840><c> might</c> so we don't know what the future might so we don't know what the future

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> engaged the efforts of these programs engaged the efforts of these programs led<00:17:09.799><c>
• </c> and increased Staffing for hisk program and increased Staffing for hisk program support<00:18:56.640
• </c> perpetuity so how so this this program perpetuity so how so this this program this<01:15:18.560>
• </c> developing so that we have a future developing so that we have a future Workforce<01:48:32.119><
• This program started in 2014.

Keywords: 910, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a premier civic engagement initiative that continues today. ...program, a premier civic engagement
• And you don't think about summer programming without thinking about the Y.
• And you don't think about youth development and prevention programs without thinking about the Y.
• It is the President's pleasure to welcome to the Senate members, program participants, and leaders of
• And the international medical graduates and this particular program that creates a pathway for... ...

Bills: SB5223 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024 , SB5223 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5941 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare, financial burden, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm very pleased to say thanks to you and to your program, I was able to spend time in Taiwan and

Bills: SB5223 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5941 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received a House message announcing passage of engrossed substitute House Bill 1604. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8679 recognizing Taiwan, with remarks emphasizing Washington’s trade relationship, shared democratic values, and Taiwan’s support during COVID. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments: Mark Silva to the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees, Shilpa Tavari to the Higher Education Facilities Authority, and Christine Johnson to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. The Senate then took up several bills on final passage. Substitute Senate Bill 5720, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, passed after supporters said it strengthened consumer notice protections and reflected extensive stakeholder work. Substitute Senate Bill 5824 passed, allowing fifth-wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet and aligning length rules for legal sales and highway use. Substitute Senate Bill 5886 passed to protect personality rights by addressing name, likeness, and voice in the context of deepfakes and AI. Senate Bill 6013 passed to update ski area and winter sports terminology, and Substitute Senate Bill 6039 passed to let the Department of Labor and Industries use electronic or non-electronic notices at the recipient’s choice. Substitute Senate Bill 6036 passed to exempt certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure, with supporters saying it would preserve stability for youth aging out of foster care. Senate Bill 6178 passed to prohibit post-loss assignment of property insurance benefits, with the sponsor saying it would keep homeowners in control of claims after disasters. Senate Bill 5892 passed to protect voter registration database information by routing requests through the Secretary of State, despite opposition over the bill’s felony penalty and strict process. Substitute Senate Bill 5941 passed to allow limited exemptions from renewable energy system requirements for certain school districts in cold, remote areas. Senate Bill 5177 passed to expand the topics considered in educator professional development on supporting historically marginalized and underrepresented students. Finally, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5912 passed after an amendment assigning staff support for the Indigent Defense Task Force to the Office of Public Defense; supporters said the task force is needed to address public defender shortages and caseload standards. The Senate then announced a later start time for the next day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, the program is super protected, but I intended to do an amendment in the future to reduce this
• So, uh, the program is super protected, but I intended to do an amendment in the future to reduce this
• So, uh, the program is super protected, but I intended to do an amendment in the future to reduce this
• This is a new program. requirements. This is a new program.
• </c> program. Thank you. program. Thank you.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Elections Division of the Office includes a team of state program administrators and IT staff that
• Voters who are inactivated are required to re-register before they're eligible to vote in a future election
• No, saying 500 is conservative because we don't know what the other person submitted.
• So 500 fake registrations is conservative.
• with that information has been a priority for the office and will continue to be moving into the future

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and the treatment service programs and the treatment programs<00:43:49.359><c> and</c><00:43:49.599>
• <c> recovery</c><00:43:50.079><c> programs</c><00:43:50.960><c> where</c> programs and recovery programs
• where programs and recovery programs where those<00:43:51.520><c> people</c><00:43:51.760><c> might<
• </c> treatment and mental health programs treatment and mental health programs within<00:51:17.520><c
• participate in the 287 program? participate in the 287 program?

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> indirectly capturing the future indirectly capturing the future incremental<00:57:53.280><c> value
• Now they're just looking at, you know, a database in a program online.
• Now they're just looking at, you know, a database in a program online.
• program and uh mandating a change in it program and uh mandating a change in it and<02:28:37.439><c>
• The appointed conservation committee.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, yes, I believe the uh a court-appointed guardian or conservator may remove the notice as may an agent
• ><c> remove</c><00:53:46.160><c> the</c><00:53:46.240><c> notice</c><00:53:46.960><c> as</c> or conservator
• may remove the notice as or conservator may remove the notice as may<00:53:47.600><c> an</c><00:53:47.800
• Um, we support an upgrade to the Secretary of State's software program.
• give you a report by the end of August 2027 because I know how important that information is for any future

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 17.199><c> security</c> disability insurance, social security disability insurance, social security program
• 18.399><c> Medicare</c><00:14:19.360><c> taxes</c><00:14:20.000><c> will</c><00:14:20.320><c> be</c> program
• , and Medicare taxes will be program, and Medicare taxes will be withheld<00:14:20.800><c> from</c><00
• My mom is actually doing it with me, showing me my background, so that way I can teach it to my future
• So you might as well just make a rule so that these kids who are not getting hurt in the future.”

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:01:26.760><c> decisions</c> guidance for for all future decisions guidance for for all future
• </c> the education Freedom account program the education Freedom account program however<03:34:05.160
• </c><03:35:06.319><c> of</c> row as the best implemented program of row as the best implemented program
• </c> address criticisms of the program to address criticisms of the program to gather<03:36:11.040><c
• </c><04:34:31.080><c> in</c> of medications across six programs in of medications across six programs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program program Nationwide<01:01:18.240><c> I</c><01:01:18.400><c> first</c><01:01:18.599><c> want</
• The school meal program is an investment in public health, our future workforce, and the future of our
• &R program is used statewide.
• </c><03:21:24.199><c> is</c><03:21:24.359><c> used</c> program yet the f&amp;r program is used program
• and</c><03:56:31.439><c> as</c> f&amp;r lunch program uh meal program and as f&amp;r lunch program uh

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 4974 provides this new tax compliance program at the department with ongoing funding of $15
• And so, the conservative estimate here is actually that you get a one to four return.
• It updates the inflation adjustment baseline year to 2026, ensuring future bracket adjustments remain
• In addition, the bill significantly increases local government aid and county program aid to counties
• , uh, with program aid and local<00:31:54.960><c> government</c><00:31:55.440><c> aid.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pre-construction permitting program pre-construction permitting program without<04:41:02.798><c>
• </c><04:55:45.360><c> EPA</c> Congress must act so that no future EPA Congress must act so that no future
• </c> future needs and eventually retirement. future needs and eventually retirement.
• </c><06:42:34.798><c> future</c> trillion to the national debt. future trillion to the national debt.
• ,</c><06:50:41.520><c> and</c> workers, plan for their future, and workers, plan for their future, and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> into that program? into that program?
• ><c> we're</c> programs, duplicate programs that we're programs, duplicate programs that we're seeing
• </c> be in the Bratback program. be in the Bratback program.
• </c> program, we don't have that. program, we don't have that.
• . program. program.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program off of General Funds.
• It talks about the grant program.
• </c> funding for for those sorts of programs funding for for those sorts of programs uh<04:05:50.520>
• Would it, in the future, make sense?
• So they pre-funded the program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disable the program disable the program okay<00:08:48.920><c> it</c><00:08:49.360><c> allows</c>
• </c><00:21:03.039><c> if</c> back and and fix that in the future if back and and fix that in the future
• </c> program says that if ever that program program says that if ever that program is<01:50:30.800><c
• The district is going to have to run that program, plus charter schools, plus this other program.
• the education tax credit program to the education freedom account program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.