Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that's predominantly funded through the state energy grant program through the Department of Energy
• But we track all permit coordination through the state, anything energy and mining related.
• Again, that's predominantly funded through the state energy grant program, through the Department of
• Energy.
• But we track all permit coordination through the state, anything energy and mining related.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee first reviewed the Department of Juvenile Corrections budget. Legislative analyst Noah Peterson outlined the agency’s three programs, funding sources, recent expenditure trends, and proposed FY 2027 requests, including replacement items, IT upgrades, a clinician services transfer from Health and Welfare, and endowment-funded facility and vehicle needs. Director Ashley Dowell described the department’s mission, declining juvenile census, and the role of county partnerships, youth assessment centers, and prevention/diversion services. Members asked about the governor’s holdback, vehicle replacements, staffing, and whether any juveniles were under mandatory minimums; Dowell said the holdback was managed through contract reductions, travel/training savings, and internal efficiencies, and that the staffing analysis found the department was understaffed by 12 positions, with six vacancies already reclassified into direct care roles. The committee then heard the budget review for the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Analyst Peterson explained that the office is mostly federally funded, with several dedicated funds and large reappropriated balances tied to energy resilience projects; he also noted a home energy rebates request that was not recommended by the governor because of uncertainty at the federal level. Administrator Calli Younger said the office uses federal and state funds to support rural energy efficiency, wildfire prevention, permitting coordination, and policy work on hydropower, geothermal, mining, and nuclear energy. She emphasized the new nuclear task force, the office’s request for flexibility to support nuclear policy work, and efforts to improve permitting efficiency through a one-stop-shop approach and participation in FAST-41 processes. Members asked about nuclear fuel recycling, workforce needs, incentives, and a possible merger with the Office of Species Conservation; Younger said Idaho’s lab and regulatory certainty make it well positioned for nuclear growth, but workforce development and policy clarity remain key, and she described the merger idea as a way to consolidate overlapping permitting functions and reduce costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:45:01.360><c> and</c> manufacturing these in the state and manufacturing these in the state and
• </c><01:50:17.119><c> or</c> the state or the state or &gt;&gt; yes &gt;&gt; yes &gt;&gt; yes &gt;&gt
• :42.400><c> parking</c> stated, mandatory minimum parking stated, mandatory minimum parking requirements
• </c><02:12:00.960><c> It</c><02:12:01.119><c> states,</c> section four. It states, section four.
• Make more housing in our state.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• and he told me that there's conversations in Washington about how a state can pay for a retirement point
• and he told me that there's conversations in Washington about how a state can pay for a retirement point
• and he told me that there's conversations in Washington about how a state can pay for a retirement point
• and he told me that there's conversations in Washington about how a state can pay for a retirement point
• Washington about how a state can pay for a retirement point for a soldier, but right now that conversation's

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But what does coding have to do, or do you code these prescriptions for services, or how does that all
• But what does coding have to do, or do you code these prescriptions for services, or how does that all
• They are the first state to enact provider non-discrimination at the state level. Thank you.
• And so in this bill, it just states that in the state of Massachusetts, insurance companies may not reimburse
• less for CRNAs in the state.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several health care access and insurance-related bills, with most testimony focused on H.1136 to improve the prior authorization process. The Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Health Care for All, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, physicians, and hospital representatives all supported the bill, arguing that prior authorization delays care, increases administrative burden, contributes to clinician burnout, and can worsen patient outcomes. Witnesses described examples involving delayed cancer treatment, diabetes care, COPD medication, shingles pain treatment, and hospital discharge delays. They said the bill would preserve prior authorization but add guardrails such as longer validity periods, continuity-of-care protections, faster responses for urgent care, clearer lists of services requiring authorization, and more transparency and standardization. The committee also heard testimony on H.1142/S.783 regarding equitable reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), with Senator Lovely and CRNA advocates supporting parity with physician anesthesiologists. They said CRNAs provide the same services at the same standard of care, but private insurers sometimes reimburse them at lower rates than physicians, which they argued is inconsistent with federal and state policy and harms access. Senator Keenan testified in support of a bill addressing claim denials and appeals, saying insurers should provide clearer explanations, time to resubmit claims, and timely appeal responses. Dr. Lorraine Schratz supported H.1126 to align state patient disclosure requirements with federal No Surprises Act rules, and Dr. Michael Trimbley supported H.1120 to recognize direct primary care as not being insurance and to encourage primary care participation. The committee also heard testimony on H.1140/S.801 to remove barriers to patient care by updating insurance statutes to reflect nurse practitioners’ full practice authority, and on H.1168/S.A.18 to eliminate the PCP referral requirement for specialty gynecological care. Witnesses on those bills described delays and denials affecting autism diagnosis, nutrition coverage, and endometriosis care, and said the proposals would reduce unnecessary barriers and improve timely access. After testimony and a few member questions, the chair closed the hearing; no votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the state, there are four programs: University of Arkansas, Arkansas State, Pulaski Tech, and Southern
• In our current state, the 3D program can serve 20 students at max at a time.
• The goal is to create individualized, state-of-the-art vocational programming.
• I mean, I think that I was there with Susie traveling the state.
• I think I had an opportunity to... ...code anyway.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate.
• municipalities by the Office of the Treasurer of State supplemental appropriation.
• So there is no funding tied to that from the state.
• The timber industry has a large economic impact on the state.
• The timber industry has a large economic impact on the state.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:56.400><c> your</c> you would please could you state your you would please could you state
• get state veterans benefits.
• </c> aligns with MDVA's uh comparable state aligns with MDVA's uh comparable state agency.<00:18:19.760
• </c> Ohio, Virginia, and Washington. Ohio, Virginia, and Washington.
• </c> with additional protection under state with additional protection under state law.<00:20:43.120>

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other mistakes that the state has made in broad energy policy.
• Bill number 2484, sponsored by Senator Parker, an act in relation to the State Energy Planning Board
• If the costs come back and they say the energy plans of New York State are actually saving people money
• state.
• Here in the Energy Committee that is literally to protect the consumers from the state.

Committee: Senate Energy And Telecommunications

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a large agenda focused mainly on energy affordability, the CLCPA, utility rates, and renewable energy siting. Senator Mattera and other Republican members argued that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has driven up utility bills, harmed reliability, and imposed costs on ratepayers, while Democratic members pushed back that rising costs are also driven by natural gas markets, infrastructure costs, and broader economic factors. Several bills sought to repeal or pause CLCPA-related policies, create a CLCPA task force, impose studies or moratoriums on new energy taxes and fees, and increase transparency around utility surcharges and state energy spending. Supporters framed these measures as ratepayer relief and accountability; opponents said some proposals would undermine clean-energy policy and existing consumer-benefit programs. The committee defeated S.1167, which would have repealed the All Electric Building Act, and S.1173, which would have created a CLCPA task force. It also failed S.5250, a bill to study CLCPA costs and impose a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees, or regulations, and S.7075, which would have prohibited the system benefits charge on utility bills. Several other bills advanced, including S.1236A on virtual access and electronic filing for Public Service Commission proceedings, S.1552 establishing reduced residential rates for low-income electric and natural gas customers, S.2484 directing a study of replacement timeframes for battery storage and renewable facilities, S.2638 on carbon allowance auction proceeds, S.3247 on electric vehicle charging stations, S.3553 requiring utilities to post promotional and educational materials on their websites, S.4571A creating a floating solar incentive education program, S.5518 shifting Public Service Commission funding to legislative appropriation, and S.6412A requiring itemized ratepayer disclosure of surcharges. S.9251, on labor-related legal costs, was referred to the Labor Committee. S.7710, which would have restricted energy storage systems near schools and homes in New York City, failed after concerns and support were debated. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And next, we have a presentation by the Honorable Cord Burr, the Secretary of State of the State of Florida
• Every state operates the same.
• states, because when I talk to our secretaries of state around the country, we see most of the transient
• The challenge becomes, voters sharing with other states? Sure.
• states, because when I talk to our secretaries of state around the country, we see most of the transient

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers. The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices. The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we passed the Code Cleanup Act.
• So currently in 2026, Redundant code.
• It mandates state and local governments, and all employers over 150 employees who contract with the state
• Of course, it affects state and local governments and large vendors that contract with the state.
• Vendors that contract with the state.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 943, Becker, commercial and industrial energy use, holding committee.
• SB 929, Jones, Energy Commission Report, holding committee.
• SB 1138, Padilla, energy resource trading, holding committee.
• SB 1337, Richardson, Energy Commission MOUs, due pass as amended to require the Energy Commission to
• SB 1295, Stern, distributive energy storage, holding committee.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have judges from all around the state, including justices from our state Supreme Court, shadowing
• , School Safety; Education; 1586, State Agency's Guidance; 1666, 3 Feet of Speech Monument; 1665, State
• We're representatives of the state of Arizona, seven and a half million people.
• This bill would address some concerns that we've seen throughout the state.
• They were the first ones that formed the code talkers up in San Diego.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> communities</c> Uh the energy transition communities Uh the energy transition communities want<00
• We'd rather from the state of Minnesota.
• Really, the focus of this bill is to address the energy transition communities, not the state as a whole
• State, at looking at redevelopment, not new development of antiquated energy sites for data centers.
• I not only the entire United States.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > continued as we will recall Decar state continued as we will recall Decar state championship<00:08:
• </c> win the Class 3A boys soccer state win the Class 3A boys soccer state championship.<00:09:12.800
• </c> previously led the 2002 state previously led the 2002 state championship<00:10:18.800><c> win</c
• We have some messages ahead of the State of the State tomorrow.
• Senate Bill 32, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, State Athletic Commission, Blood

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think that's why you see so much energy because it's sort of this pent-up energy of like, we need
• The committee stated they believed that this can help jurisdictions throughout the state.
• codes.
• The bill streamlines the permitting process for energy-code-compliant windows for residential window
• And the state used to have a fund.

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> a</c><00:05:09.120><c> fresh</c><00:05:10.080><c> new</c><00:05:10.400><c> start</c> Scripture states
• </c><00:06:46.800><c> chooses</c><00:06:47.280><c> compassion</c> The good news is that scripture states
• of America and to the republic States of America and to the republic for<00:08:03.520><c> which</c><
• The joint resolution authorizing the Green Mountain Boy State Education Program to use the State House
• . >> Senate Natural Resources and Energy will meet at 11. >> Senator from Rutland.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee with comments Hawaii state committee with comments Hawaii state energy<00:32:43.159><c
• </c> black on behalf of the Hawaii state black on behalf of the Hawaii state energy<00:32:48.960><c>
• Hawaii State Energy Office, with comments. Good morning, Chair, Vice Chair, Representatives.
• c> comments</c> Hawaii state energy office with comments Hawaii state energy office with comments good
• energy office we of the Hawaii state energy office we stand<00:39:16.880><c> on</c><00:39:17.079><c>

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 18, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures related to state funds, public lands, wastewater, port infrastructure, and other land and water issues. Early in the hearing, SB 1395, relating to state funds and climate mitigation financing, drew support from the Governor’s office, the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team, the State Energy Office, and others, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii urged the committee not to revert to the original version because of concerns about a special fund and compliance with state statutes. After discussion, the chair said the bill would be deferred because of budget uncertainty and the need to preserve reserves, and members agreed to that recommendation. The committee then took up SB 1393, SB 1669, SB 102, SB 1511, SB 1083, and SB 946, among others. SB 1393 and SB 1669 received support or comments from agencies including the Attorney General’s office, the State Energy Office, and other departments; SB 1669 was sent on with amendments and to Finance for further review. SB 102, concerning a third-party review process, prompted questions about who would select consultants and whether the bill would affect staffing and permitting costs; it was advanced with amendments, with one member noting reservations about the shift to private third-party review. SB 1511, SB 1083, and SB 946 also moved forward, generally with amendments or as amended, and several members noted reservations tied to budget impacts or statutory language. The committee also heard testimony on HB 1393, which involved public lands and school facilities, where the Department of Education sought a change to the deletion language and the School Facilities Authority said it stood on its written comments. For SB 146, relating to the Ali Canal, the University of Hawaiʻi and DLNR supported the measure, and a member asked about the estimated annual cost, which was described as $125,000 per year. On SB 946, members discussed whether removing the term “person” could narrow the law too much; after that discussion, the committee agreed to restore the term and proceed with an HD1. The meeting ended with the committee recessing after completing its agenda and adopting the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just not for agriculture; that is across the state.
• A huge economic driver in the state.
• And just a brief history on the trust code in the state of Minnesota: a big overhaul of it.
• revamping of the trust code.
• The amendment is coded A-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of where we get energy for the state and of where we get energy for the state and not<04:16:30.800
• Um it energy um supply in the state.
• </c> clean energy generation in the state. clean energy generation in the state.
• </c><05:22:41.040><c> by</c> state right whereas renewable energy by state right whereas renewable energy
• dollars leaving this amount of energy dollars leaving this state. state. state.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state auditor did an audit.
• The state auditor did a fantastic job. We concur.
• Moving on to page 7, the State Residential Facility.
• Currently the state has only 180 of those beds.
• immigration policies that state leadership wants.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Keywords: 1184, house, all