Transcript Highlights:

• </c> what's the appropriate time frame? what's the appropriate time frame?
• :08:32.200><c> Department</c> legislative director at the Department legislative director at the Department
• I am the legislative Kelly Haff.
• </c> the request in a timely manner. the request in a timely manner.
• </c><02:39:44.280><c> a</c> that the uh respondent may request a that the uh respondent may request a

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So has the ACLU looked at other states that have passed similar legislations?
• So has the ACLU looked at other states that have passed similar legislations?
• So has the ACLU looked at other states that have passed similar legislations?
• So has the ACLU looked at other states that have passed similar legislations?
• So has the ACLU looked at other states that have passed similar legislations?

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• could be done with uh future legislation could be done with uh future legislation and<00:14:59.480><c
• Thank you very much. specific form um and so we're requesting specific form um and so we're requesting
• means that people who can afford attorneys will undoubtedly request reviews and request hearings.
• means that people who can afford attorneys will undoubtedly request reviews and request hearings.
• </c> attorneys uh will undoubtedly request attorneys uh will undoubtedly request reviews<00:34:17.119

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several transportation and public safety measures on March 28, 2025. SB 1195 would prohibit parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, direct parking fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund, and remove the need for signs or curb markings in some cases. The Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Ulupono Initiative supported the bill, emphasizing improved visibility, pedestrian safety, and funding for school-route improvements; written testimony included both support and one opposition. No vote was taken during the hearing segment provided. The committee also heard SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit chief, which would set term-based appointment provisions for the airport division’s fire chief. DOT supported the measure, saying it would give the director flexibility to select leadership and adapt to changing needs, while a member asked about current removal procedures for underperforming employees. The bill was presented as a management and leadership measure, with no action taken in the excerpt. SB 1216, addressing noisy mufflers and safety inspection requirements, drew DOT support in principle but concern that existing rules already cover inspection standards and that enforcement after inspection remains difficult; DOT also described a planned noise-detection camera pilot on Oʻahu. Testimony included support from neighborhood and advocacy groups and opposition from three individuals. For SB 30, which would require helmets for moped riders under 21, DOT and HPD supported the bill, citing crash data and injury prevention; testimony was evenly split overall, with six in support and six in opposition. SB 344 would require helmets for skateboard users under 18; DOT supported it, and a DOT witness explained current helmet rules for other devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. SB 1095, increasing decal size limits for special number plates, drew DOT concerns that larger decals could interfere with plate readability and automated enforcement. SB 1522 would make proof of filing required vehicle-transfer notice forms a complete defense to actions arising from the vehicle’s later use or abandonment; the Judiciary said it had no position on the bill’s merits but objected to language requiring new court forms and raised access and legal-advice concerns, while Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services supported the measure. The committee then heard SB 597, extending the deadline for the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office to issue written review decisions. The Attorney General and DOT supported the extension, citing limited toxicology capacity and shipping delays for testing, and several law enforcement and public health entities also supported it. In contrast, the ADLRO hearing officer testified with serious concerns about due process, warning that eliminating or delaying the review process could create constitutional problems, disproportionately burden people without attorneys, and jeopardize thousands of cases. Finally, SB 1285 proposed a tiered revocation system for DUI arrests; ADLRO strongly opposed it on due process grounds, while DOT supported it as a safety measure and the Hawaii Public Health Institute commented that evidence is lacking for standalone mandatory revocation and suggested stronger impaired-driving standards instead. The committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not what we're passing as legislation. not what we're passing as legislation.
• The request is out come back to order. The request is out of<03:44:52.000><c> order.
• It's the legislative declaration.
• It's the legislative declaration.
• It decides if the investment is appropriate, if the return is appropriate.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Senator will move the bill at the appropriate time. We appreciate that.
• When the time is appropriate and you have a quorum, I would respectfully request your aye vote.
• I had appropriate time on Senate Bill 1775. Senator, I had appropriate time on Senate Bill 1775.
• With that in mind, when appropriate, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• We want to make sure it's appropriations. Bill is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tomorrow, Appropriation C will begin agency budget hearings at 8:30 in 2011A.
• Tomorrow, appropriation C will 302.
• to their 2026 legislative welcome reception.
• Thank you. to their 2026 legislative uh welcome to their 2026 legislative uh welcome reception.<00:30
• Ladies requested that all members be added.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 13 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I come before you to request your support of CS for Senate Bill 280.
• This legislation would create...
• I wish the news outlet took it down upon the request voluntarily.
• Well, I believe it is our legislative intent to find what it says.
• I am Jackson, and I'm the Legislative Director for Florida Rising.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In that legislation, the school was created to be pre-K through fourth grade.
• This legislation that we're proposing today will extend ...fourth grade.
• However, have you spoken with the chair as a member of appropriations?
• So have you spoken with the chair of the Appropriations Committee?
• I'd like to move this favorable, and at the appropriate time.

Bills: HB256 , HB272 , HB350 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB445 , HB690

Committee: House Education

Keywords: mandatory reporting, school employees, child protection, training requirements, Department of Children and Family Services, education, reading program, student eligibility, literacy, school performance, R.E.A.D. program, book distribution, École Pointe-au-Chien, French immersion, public school, Terrebonne Parish, grade levels, independent school, virtual school, extracurricular activities

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Appropriations. The Appropriations Committee is called to order.
• I am Chairman Blackman, and I represent Legislative District 7.
• I represent Legislative District 23.
• So you support the appropriation? We do support the appropriation. Okay.
• I think that's our job here in appropriations.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with introductions of members and staff. The committee first considered HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites. Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin argued the state should explore use of large brackish groundwater reserves amid Colorado River concerns, while one speaker opposed the bill on aquifer-protection grounds. The committee voted 11-6-1 to give HB 2056 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2798, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials relevant to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. Rep. Carbone and others framed the bill as an economic development and national security measure, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has meaningful deposits and whether the state should fund the research. The University of Arizona testified that the Geological Survey could do the work. The committee adopted the Livingston amendment and then approved the bill 11-5-1. Next, the committee considered HB 2303, which codifies investment standards for the State Treasurer, emphasizing safety and principal preservation and prohibiting speculative investments and insider misuse. The Treasurer’s Office supported the bill, saying it reflects existing policy and ethics rules, though members asked for clearer definitions of “speculative” and how the bill would interact with other statutes. The committee passed HB 2303 15-0 with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344, which directs the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool internally and allows a third-party contract only for emergency backup, also passed after questions about local control and whether the bill was necessary; the vote was 12-2-3 with one not voting. The committee later heard HB 2759, a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veterans programs. Retired Navy SEAL Chief Richard Rodriguez testified about Embry-Riddle’s veteran population and emergency assistance needs for housing, travel, and equipment, while opponents objected to using state funds for a private institution and argued veterans services should be broader and statewide. The bill received a due pass recommendation 11-6-1. The committee also approved HB 2207, which funds the prison Braille transcription program at $300,000 and was described as a successful rehabilitation and service program, and HB 2224, as amended to $1 million, which funds the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP; supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:54.159><c> policy</c> a great resource for legislators policy a great resource for legislators
• </c> being set in his County are appropriate being set in his County are appropriate and<00:36:17.920
• The DOC is requesting $9.1 million from the state's general fund, as well as legislative approval to
• </c> substantial supplemental budget requests substantial supplemental budget requests to<00:49:39.839
• </c> whether or not they were an appropriate whether or not they were an appropriate settlement<00:58

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to legislate by a vote of 3 to 1. to legislate by a vote of 3 to 1.
• </c> HB 53 inexpedient to legislate. HB 53 inexpedient to legislate.
• . legislate. legislate.
• </c> The motion is inexpedient to legislate. The motion is inexpedient to legislate.
• </c> inexpedient to legislate is adopted. inexpedient to legislate is adopted.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Committee on Appropriations.
• </c><01:14:07.840><c> Council,</c> Office of Legislative Council, Office of Legislative Council, uh,<
• >> There has been a roll call requested. >> Okay. Thank you.
• &gt;&gt; There has been a roll call requested. &gt;&gt; There has been a roll call requested.
• We who we hear from legislative council.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute also makes technical additions as requested by the comptroller to cover how TWA can request
• The Legislative Budget Board's own report confirmed this.
• We've supported legislative requests, met tight deadlines, and produced high-impact work all while saving
• We support this legislation for its benefits to Texas licensees and employers alike.
• , there's still uncertainty within the issue appropriately.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• , please know that this appropriation will go to those veterans who need it.
• Today, I stand before you to request your support and approval of H.F. 1845.
• This is more than just legislation; this is an act of justice.
• But anyway, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this important legislation.
• via this grant or legislative appropriation.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:35.600><c> history,</c> matters, legislative history, matters, legislative history, comparisons
• . legislators. legislators.
• </c> specific um you know either legislative specific um you know either legislative recommendations<
• </c> state got their direct appropriations. state got their direct appropriations.
• </c> when you evaluate those requests? when you evaluate those requests?

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so is this bill has an appropriation so is this going<00:02:56.680><c> to</c><00:02:56.840><c> be</c
• Tiana said, it's never been requested to have a working group like this that passed anyway.
• Note LRB can be asked to report on past gaming legislation and deleting number eight on line 19.
• </c> three line One D make appropriate three line One D make appropriate changes<00:36:45.079><c> to<
• It requires reports to the Legislature and appropriate funds.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And two, our legislated eligibility.
• </c> that one of the goal of this legislation that one of the goal of this legislation is<02:24:26.960
• We just don't believe that that's the appropriate place for it.
• <c> consideration</c><02:44:41.520><c> of</c> would request careful consideration of would request careful
• </c> population, and how we appropriately population, and how we appropriately support<06:03:38.240><

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services will now come to order.
• unnecessary investigations, and children may be removed from their homes without the benefit of appropriate
• when a child has a documented pre-existing medical diagnosis, or when a parent or legal custodian requests
• Also, the legislation streamlined statute by removing technical and operational Early Steps program language
• This legislative session, its mission is to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for those

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is legislation that is pending.
• SABLE's request for a partnership in legislative support.
• SABLE's request for a partnership and legislative support today: I'm not asking for sympathy.
• Legislative request. And stronger support. Legislative request: Endorse our task force.
• First, my final suggestion, as I'm not a legislator, is to create smart DEI legislation.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held an informational hearing on “Protecting Equity in Higher Education” and emphasized that no bills were being heard. Members and witnesses focused on the effects of recent federal actions on DEI, admissions, financial aid, student loans, international students, and campus equity efforts in Massachusetts. Opening remarks from the co-chairs and the chair of Higher Education highlighted Massachusetts’ investments in free community college, expanded financial aid, and early college programs, while warning that federal policy changes could undermine those gains. Testimony from BU law professor Jonathan Feingold argued that many DEI practices remain legally defensible after Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, and that the decision did not end all race-conscious or equity-oriented efforts. He said the Trump administration’s anti-DEI actions and funding threats were legally suspect and had created confusion and a chilling effect. Bahar Akman-in-Boden of the Hildreth Institute testified that proposed federal cuts to TRIO, Gear Up, Pell Grants, SEOG, work-study, and student loan programs would disproportionately harm low-income, first-generation, Black, Latino, and other underserved students, and urged the state to prepare hold-harmless and advising supports using Fair Share revenue. Commissioner Noe Ortega described Massachusetts’ long history of equity in higher education and said the state has expanded aid, success programs, and early college, but still has work to do on attainment and completion. He said the state responded to SFFA by creating ACARE and continuing to defend equity practices, while also warning that federal disruptions and “dear colleague” letters have created uncertainty. In the second panel, state university leaders and campus officials said federal threats to Pell, DEI grants, Medicaid, and international student policies could affect access, campus operations, and the economy; they stressed that most state university graduates stay in Massachusetts and that institutions are continuing their equity practices despite federal pressure. Roxbury Community College’s president said RCC remains committed to open access and inclusion, noted enrollment growth, and said executive orders do not change existing law or the college’s obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I think that would be very appropriate to have you on.
• At the appropriate time, we will take a motion. That's a great close.
• The motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.
• This bill makes it a really quick... ...appropriately appropriate lung cancer screenings.
• on Appropriations.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all