Transcript Highlights:

• This is a morning hearing, so we have floor session at 12:00.
• Did I hear you said correctly?” “Yes, you did.
• and get to a point where we don't hear about these deaths anymore.
• and get to a point where we don't hear about these deaths anymore.
• </c><01:18:17.920><c> about</c> to a point where we don't hear about to a point where we don't hear about

Summary: The hearing opened with committee procedures and then took up SB 1, relating to vegetation management near utility lines. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it would shift rights, responsibilities, and liability onto the state and private landowners. Hawaiian Electric supported the measure with amendments, describing it as a first step to address wildfire risk and improve public safety and system reliability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and Command Schools both raised concerns that the bill could impose significant costs, liability, and access burdens on farmers, ranchers, and other landowners, especially where easements are old or unclear. Life of the Land argued the issue belongs before the Public Utilities Commission, and PUC staff explained that the commission is already reviewing Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation plan and vegetation management in a docket, with a decision expected by September and public meetings scheduled for April 23 and 24. Committee members questioned the need for legislation versus negotiated solutions, and witnesses said private parties could potentially renegotiate easements without statute. The committee then heard HB 1296, relating to disaster recovery. DLNR and OPSD supported the bill, saying it would ease regulatory burdens in post-disaster rebuilding and help speed permit review. Testimony and member questions focused on the bill’s five-year rebuilding timeline, the role of the coastal zone/SMA process, and how long permit reviews typically take; OPSD said SMA major/use permits generally take about six months, while minor permits are faster. Members also discussed whether the bill would apply to existing structures damaged in disasters and whether the amendments from the Attorney General’s office and OPSD were acceptable; no objections were raised. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. HHFDC supported the bill, and testimony from a Maui affordable housing project said the measure is needed to rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments, a 63-unit affordable project in Lahaina, using insurance funds rather than government money. Members asked whether the bill would help existing affordable rental projects damaged before the enactment of related coastal rules, and the response was that the bill is aimed at existing structures damaged during events and intended to speed rebuilding of affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we are going to hear Representative Perryman.
• </c><00:13:33.880><c> so</c> Water um bills that we're hearing so Water um bills that we're hearing so
• I hear from residents in the area we I hear from residents in the area we have<00:42:07.720><c> addressed
• </c><01:10:29.520><c> the</c> all right there um I did not hear the all right there um I did not hear
• I see that we have no other bills to hear.

Bills: HF201 , HF217 , HF314 , HF315 , HF406 , HF408 , HF425 , HF426 , HF730 , HF731 , HF652 , HF761 , HF1079 , HF928 , HF1017 , HF1056 , HF1081

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're going to be hearing from the Metropolitan Council.
• That's the extent of what we'll be hearing—no bills and no reports otherwise today.
• </c><00:38:11.599><c> from</c> implications of what we're hearing from implications of what we're hearing
• Did I hear you say somewhere in there about 15 or 50 million bond request?
• Did I hear you say somewhere in there about 15 or 50 million bond request?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bill Mr chair could I Mr let me hear bill Mr chair could I Mr let me hear from<01:37:51.520><c>
• I remember hearing from the testimony at the hearing was a concern that, well, a court—it's only under
• I hear it. I have it.
• and some discussions after the hearing.
• Chairman, I would be happy to hear about it.

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on HB 584, which would bar New Hampshire and its political subdivisions from enforcing mandates, orders, or similar directives from the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. Prime sponsor Representative Green described the bill as a sovereignty measure and offered an amendment to clarify language, including replacing a reference to entities that “create and enforce policies” with language covering enforcement of policies, mandates, orders, requirements, edicts, or directives. Supporters argued the bill was a preemptive safeguard against outside influence and cited concerns about pandemic-era public health measures and international organizations. Opponents, including the American Heart Association, warned it could chill local policymaking and limit the ability of communities to use outside research or guidance. The chair closed the hearing on HB 584 after testimony concluded. The committee then moved to HB 580-FN, relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases. Representative Anita Burroughs, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect people who report sexual assault, sexual harassment, abuse, or domestic violence from retaliatory defamation suits, so long as statements are made in good faith and without malice. She also said the bill preserves the ability of accused persons to defend their names. Burroughs explained that the proposal was prompted by a survivor’s experience and was meant to address the chilling effect of expensive litigation on reporting misconduct. Testimony on HB 580 was generally supportive. Witnesses said the bill would help survivors speak out without fear of meritless lawsuits and described retaliatory defamation as a tool used to silence or intimidate accusers. Burroughs noted the bill was informed by anti-SLAPP principles and referenced high-profile defamation cases as examples of the cost and pressure of litigation. No vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided; the hearing on HB 580 was opened and testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm even curious after hearing Dr.
• Senator Blanco and I and Senator Menendez, when we had the hearing in Kerrville… When we had the hearing
• We had hearings, multiple hearings, and opportunity for the stakeholders to provide comments on the proposed
• After that hearing, many of those hearings, I would go back to my staff and I'd say, 'Everyone's a loser
• I don't hear you saying anything.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm open to hearing it at a different point as well.
• Next<00:53:38.080><c> we</c><00:53:38.200><c> will</c><00:53:38.320><c> hear</c><00:53:38.680><c> hear
• </c><00:53:38.960><c> from</c><00:53:39.160><c> Brandy</c> Next we will hear hear from Brandy Next we
• will hear hear from Brandy Shoemake<00:53:40.200><c> Shoemaker</c> Shoemake Shoemaker Shoemake Shoemaker
• </c><01:29:18.360><c> teachers</c><01:29:19.440><c> um</c> hearing hearing about um why teachers um hearing

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear you very much and appreciate your comments. Thank you, Mr.
• We all hear it from our constituents.
• So we had a hearing that discussed that phenomenon.
• We'll hear from Graciela. Members, good afternoon.
• So this hearing is a good.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> if you don't mind, uh we'd love to hear if you don't mind, uh we'd love to hear some<00:01:42.880
• </c> &gt;&gt; Um so, department, we would love to hear &gt;&gt; Um so, department, we would love to hear
• We just were not able to hear her, unfortunately. You know, it's interesting.
• </c><01:22:20.719><c> Um</c> hear you this morning. I'm so sorry. Um hear you this morning.
• If you can hear me, I'm not really sure how to... >> Okay, we can hear you, Leslie.

Bills: SF0025 , SF0027 , SF0043 , SF0066

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And let's again be respectful and have a good hearing.
• And so I'm just hearing two different things. So I'd love to hear some more information on that.
• It's not the answer these kids should hear.
• This is nice to hear that.
• And I think it's just really important because I hear these, I hear in one breath, and I am looking at

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, you can hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Awesome. Hey, well, first off, thanks, ma'am.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Oh, you can hear me? &gt;&gt; Oh, you can hear me?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yes, we can hear you. &gt;&gt; Yes, we can hear you.
• </c><01:17:51.840><c> in</c><01:17:52.080><c> the</c> hearing as a representative in the hearing as a
• </c><01:26:46.719><c> and</c> important for the public to hear and important for the public to hear and

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start by thanking the committee for hearing this bill.
• We are going to hear Senate Bill 52. And do we have a quorum? Oh, that's right.
• We are going to hear Senate Bill 52. All right. All right. Are we ready? Yeah.
• I hear your point, and I don't, we don't disagree with you.
• We're hearing the mic isn't working. We're hearing the mic isn't working.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several bills on consumer protection, privacy, AI, and employment technology. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would require large AI developers to disclose safety and security protocols, report serious incidents quickly, and create CalCompute and whistleblower protections; supporters said it is a transparency-based, narrower follow-up to SB 1047, while industry groups opposed unless amended over concerns about size-based thresholds, trade secrets, and security. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify FTC car-sales rules and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases; testimony was broadly supportive, and several dealer and industry groups moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The committee also heard SB 7 by Senator McNerney, which would require notice and human oversight for automated decision-making in employment, and SB 833 by the same author, which would require human review and monitoring for AI use in critical infrastructure; both drew support from labor and consumer advocates and opposition or concerns from business and public-sector groups about scope and compliance. The committee also began hearing SB 11 on AI-generated voice/image/video cloning and nonconsensual deepfakes, with supporters backing consumer warnings and liability rules and opponents seeking narrower language and lower penalties. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance innovation with safety, with supporters arguing California should act where Congress has not, and opponents urging narrower definitions, stronger trade-secret protections, and more limited enforcement. On SB 53, committee members praised the author’s outreach but noted the bill still needs work; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion with seven votes and held open for absent members. SB 766 received unanimous support after amendments and was reported out 9-0. SB 7 and SB 833 were both advanced on do-pass motions but were left open with only partial vote counts at the time of the hearing. The committee later recessed and returned to continue the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The August 7th judges will hold their hearings in a bit.
• That information was provided at those hearings as well and then the.
• So I hear that, and I appreciate that.
• I'm pleased to hear that. Thank you.
• That hearing where I received an email at 6 p.m..

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the Chair hear any objections to proceed to the orders of the day?
• The Chair hears no objection. The clerk will dispense with reading the amendment.
• Does the Chair hear any objections to proceed to the orders of the day?
• The Chair hears no objection. The clerk will dispense reading the amendment. general laws.
• The chair hears no objection. The clerkal dispense reading the amendment.

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and scheduling matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of an order extending the Committee on Public Health’s reporting deadline to December 19, 2025, and also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee, including one on a confirmatory deed in Marlborough and another on regulation of Oregon transparent vehicles. The House suspended the necessary rules and adopted those procedural actions. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported six House bills for consideration: bills concerning the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, official marine flora, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Oker-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome Awareness Day, the appointment of the police chief in Fall River, and the Monson Select Board. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second readings, and ordered them to third reading. The House then acted on several bills from third reading. It concurred with a Senate amendment to House Bill 4645, the bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, after adopting a further House amendment. The House also adopted an amendment and passed to be engrossed House Bill 4178, allowing Adam T. Jankowski to take the civil service exam for police officer in Haverhill notwithstanding the age requirement. House Bill 4503, amending the charter of the town of Hudson, was amended by substitution and passed to be engrossed. Finally, House Bill 4645 was passed to be enacted, and the House adopted an order to adjourn and meet again Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, I want to welcome you to this morning's hearing of July 8th, 2025, for the Assembly Committee
• Our hearing room will be open for attendance at this hearing.
• This morning we are in Room 444 at the Capitol, and all are encouraged to watch the hearing from its
• person, if you see any conduct which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct, the hearing
• At this moment, we do not yet have a quorum, but we will begin this hearing at the subcommittee.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to today's informational hearing.
• Today we will hear from the principal architects of the compact, the Governor's Office, and the tribe
• We will hear from the principal architects of the compact, the Governor's Office, and the tribe.
• You can hear me okay? Yes. Okay, wonderful.
• Okay, hearing none, I think we will conclude.

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee held an informational hearing on a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians. Chair Blanca Rubio explained that no formal vote would be taken because the Legislature cannot amend the compact; SB 49 by Senator Grove is the ratification bill that would later come before the Assembly floor. The hearing focused on the compact’s background, including two amendments to extend an existing 1999 gaming compact while the new agreement was finalized. Matthew Lee from the Governor’s Office said the new compact is substantially similar to prior compacts but was revised to address the federal Department of the Interior’s earlier disapproval. He explained that the compact now includes CEQA exemptions and an explicit exclusivity provision that Interior had wanted to see in the compact itself. He also described standard terms such as worker protections, revenue sharing with the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, reimbursement of state regulatory costs, local government distributions, and authorization for up to 3,000 gaming devices at up to two facilities. Big Sandy Rancheria Chairwoman Elizabeth Hutchins testified in support of SB 49, saying the compact is important to the tribe’s long-term economic development, self-sufficiency, and ability to provide services to members. She noted the tribe’s ties to the Fresno area and said the new compact includes an impact mitigation fund to support local law enforcement, emergency services, and neighboring jurisdictions. No committee questions were raised, there was no public comment, and the chair adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You do not pay court costs unless you request an administrative hearing.
• If you request an administrative hearing and are found not liable, it's not guilty.
• whatever the fine is going to be is if you the fine is going to be is if you request an administrative hearing
• If he requested an administrative hearing, If he requested an administrative hearing, then I got to show
• that we know of over in Mississippi, um, only 3 to 4% of those people are requesting administrative hearings

Bills: HB575

Committee: House Baldwin County Legislation

Keywords: automated enforcement, speeding violations, civil fines, Baldwin County, municipal legislation, traffic safety, public awareness

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now hear from additional witnesses in opposition.
• Because when we had a hearing on this issue, an informational hearing on this issue, there was a lot
• We'll now hear from any additional witnesses and support.
• We will now hear from witnesses in opposition.
• Can you hear me? Oh, awesome. Good afternoon, everybody.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be hearing room 107 at 1:30.
• We will hear 20 bills. They are printed in your calendar today.
• We will hear 20 bills. They are printed in your calendar today.
• Thank you. hearing House Bill 1337, Senate Bill hearing House Bill 1337, Senate Bill 002,<00:28:10.960
• I just can't hear that anymore. That's where the budget's at.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing some of the arguments, hearing that the government has programs that need to be funded, I can't
• And we hear from our local governments on a regular basis.
• And we keep hearing in the argument against our amendments that, Mr.
• We keep hearing about the underlying tax policy. It's going to be the panacea.
• We've been hearing all night that... Mr.

Summary: The House debated a series of amendments to a major income tax bill, with repeated arguments over tax fairness, affordability, administrative feasibility, and the role of the Department of Revenue. Early motions to reconsider a failed child care amendment were rejected, and Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, was also defeated after debate over privacy, federal relationships, and whether the proposal was administrable. Amendment 2579, which would have required annual reporting on the tax’s effects on filers, businesses, and charitable donations, likewise failed, with supporters emphasizing transparency and opponents arguing DOR was not the right agency and the report was too speculative. Amendment 2598, proposing to use half of new revenue for a broad sales tax cut, was rejected despite arguments that it would reduce regressivity and provide immediate relief; Amendment 2556, expanding sales tax exemptions for diapers and other child-care essentials to include adult diapers and earlier implementation, also failed after debate over scope and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Hearing none. Final comments.
• </c> hearing none, we have two individuals. hearing none, we have two individuals.
• [clears throat] Can everyone hear me? Okay. >> Does anybody want to hear me?
• [clears throat] Can everyone hear<00:47:01.200><c> me?</c><00:47:01.359><c> Okay.</c> hear me?
• Okay. hear me? Okay.

Bills: HF3604 , HF2236 , HF3709 , HF3766 , HF2400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy