Transcript Highlights:

• up at 5:30 a.m., dressing at the table, Monday through Sunday, to eat delicious grits with cheese, eggs

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and observed a moment of silence for Senator Geraldine Thompson. The committee first took up CS/SB 102, a bill by Senator Gates directing the Department of Education to develop a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum, in coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Supporters said the bill would help autistic students gain job skills and workplace safety credentials, while an opponent argued the bill should clearly make participation voluntary, expand to other exceptional student groups, include funding, and add stronger accountability. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 166, the Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools bill by Senator Simon. The bill would reduce or remove several state mandates and give districts more flexibility on testing, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, audits, facilities planning, emergency make-up days, federal fund use, and public VPK oversight. Senators asked about the impact on student proficiency, teacher evaluations, and the transfer of public VPK oversight to districts; Simon said the tests would remain but count as 30 percent of the grade, districts would retain flexibility in evaluation measures, and only public VPK would shift to districts. Public testimony was largely supportive, with some speakers praising reduced testing and local control, while one senator cautioned that Florida still has a math proficiency problem. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 296 by Senator Bradley, which would repeal the 2023 statewide mandate requiring later middle and high school start times and return the decision to local districts, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation and consider later start times. Supporters argued the mandate created transportation, staffing, and scheduling problems and that local control was more practical, while opponents emphasized sleep science and the benefits of later start times for teens. Several senators discussed the tension between research and district resources, and the bill sponsor said the measure preserves the conversation about sleep while allowing local scheduling decisions. CS/SB 296 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sessions, would you be amenable to an amendment that would add eggs to that?

Bills: SJR 3, SB 5, SJR 36, SJR 3, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 5, SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842, SB 971, SB 790, SB 767, SB 480, SB 1066, SR 44, SR 135, SR 171, SR 180, SR 185, SR 187, SR 188, SR 191, SR 197, SR 198, SR 199, SR 200

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Transcript Highlights:

• He noted that can be pretty small—about two dozen eggs right now—and said that a small farmer is probably

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to billionaires, giveaways to to<02:50:45.600> to<02:50:46.640> big<02:50:47.120> egg
• to to big egg, to uh big tech, big oil. to to big egg, to uh big tech, big oil.
• In my district right now, we have eggs at $1.29. We have chicken breast at 99.
• In my district right now, we<08:53:08.478> have<08:53:08.558> eggs<08:53:08.878> at<
• We have chicken we have eggs at $1.29.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we currently have in statute was to be, you know, there are some uncertainties, that's where the egg
• that we currently have in statute was to be, you know, there are some uncertainties, that's where the egg
• 56.159> the are some uncertainties, that's where the are some uncertainties, that's where the egg
• <01:59:58.159> um<01:59:58.480> if<01:59:58.800> we egg groups are coming from
• . um if we egg groups are coming from. um if we don't<02:00:00.000> fix<02:00:00.320> this<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also sit on the egg committee and we see, you know, discussion around how we propagate here, how we
• also<00:26:49.200> sit<00:26:49.360> on<00:26:49.440> the<00:26:49.600> egg
• I also sit on the egg it to that point.
• I also sit on the egg committee<00:26:50.720> and<00:26:50.880> we<00:26:51.080> see

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some<00:50:07.440> of<00:50:07.599> the<00:50:07.680> the<00:50:08.079> egg
• wildfires we use some of the the egg wildfires we use some of the the egg water<00:50:09.200>
• Yeah, no Department of Egg. Thank you. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• also noted that Representative Jones had mentioned a similar approach in the Commerce bill and the Egg
• Commerce<00:19:19.080> bill<00:19:19.280> and<00:19:19.400> the<00:19:19.480> Egg
• 00:19:19.720> Bill<00:19:20.039> two<00:19:20.240> years Commerce bill and the Egg
• Bill two years Commerce bill and the Egg Bill two years ago<00:19:20.840> had<00:19:21.039>

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Specific to food and egg businesses, the funds will support expansion for low to moderate income food
• specific to profitable and sustainable. specific to food<00:49:02.640> and<00:49:02.800> egg
• <00:49:03.599> The<00:49:03.760> funds<00:49:04.000> will food and egg businesses
• The funds will food and egg businesses.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you make eggs for breakfast without fearing third-degree burns on your forearms from the pan?
• position<00:52:18.680> could<00:52:18.880> you<00:52:19.040> make<00:52:19.440> eggs
• <00:52:19.720> for position could you make eggs for position could you make eggs for breakfast

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• think that was a proposal on the legislature maybe about 10 years ago to make it somewhat easier for egg-heavy
• to make it you know somewhat<00:15:53.240> easier<00:15:53.680> for<00:15:54.319> egg
• <00:15:54.720> heavy<00:15:55.199> districts somewhat easier for egg heavy districts
• somewhat easier for egg heavy districts to<00:15:57.000> um<00:15:57.279> to<00:15:57.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: HR153, HR154, HR155, HR156, HR157, HR158, HCR57, HCR58, HCR59, HR133, HR134, HR135, HR136, HR137, HR138, HR139, HR140, HR141, HR142, HR144, HR145, HR146, HR147, HR148, HR149, HR150, HR151, HR152, SCR28, SB141, SB169, SB206, SB233, SB417, SB421, SB429, SB437, SB477, SB510, SB521, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB902, HB943, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, SB127, HB284, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB383, HB314, HCR3, HB983, HB1126, HB21, HB24, HB29, HB31, HB39, HB45, HB77, HB136, HB150, HB263, HB273, HB299, HB315, HB376, HB377, HB431, HB444, HB450, HB519, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB663, HB664, HB715, HB717, HB805, HB822, HB823, HB834, HB864, HB867, HB1017, HB1018, HB1068, HB1134, HB1137, HB1234, HB1235, HB1236, HB211, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB345, HB366, HB446, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, HB401, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB982, HB1010, HB132, HB193, HB635, HB690, HB1003, HB750, HB911, HB151, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB961, HB1146, HB977, HB181, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB615, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Transcript Highlights:

• different, more just to ensure that the policy makers and regulators understand the unique nature of egg
• Okay, and I do not—so I'll be honest, I don't know what egg whips are, so you're going to have to give
• you know, we start putting in too many guardrails on this, you might kill the goose that's laying the egg

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we see a dramatic reduction in the loss we see a dramatic reduction in the loss of<00:21:33.600> egg
• :34.360> from<00:21:34.560> our<00:21:34.680> row<00:21:34.880> crop of egg
• chemicals from our row crop of egg chemicals from our row crop fields,<00:21:35.880> effectively<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call the third meeting of the Interim Egg and Water Management Committee to order, and I will
• from Legislative Council on a background memorandum regarding the purpose of an insurance discount for egg
• The other issue... the safety insurance discount, egg safety insurance discount.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• away<00:10:57.640> all<00:10:57.800> of<00:10:57.920> our<00:10:58.040> egg
• because they took away all of our egg because they took away all of our egg land.<00:10:58.880><

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the egg committee in and very much like agriculture.
• This is the egg committee in, and so it's the same issue.
• There's a universally accepted principle, I think, at the legislature, that energy development, egg development

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so we think that that could be established as a nest egg going forward, uh, ultimately in hopes that
• Uh, so we think that that could be established as a nest egg going forward, uh, ultimately in hopes that
• Uh, so we think that that could be established as a nest egg going forward, uh, ultimately in hopes that

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• does the department work with Department does the department work with Department of<00:18:29.799> egg
• Distributors<00:18:31.840> the<00:18:32.240> the<00:18:32.480> like of egg
• the Distributors the the like of egg the Distributors the the like food<00:18:33.080> hubs<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and Senator Nelson's medical device sales tax exemption, uh, and then we also, uh, Weber bill for egg
• exemption and um then we also uh Weber<01:34:33.880> bill<01:34:34.119> for<01:34:34.360> egg
• <01:34:34.639> homestead<01:34:35.159> credit Weber bill for egg homestead credit expansion

Keywords: 1187, senate, all