Transcript Highlights:

• Members I rise today to present ACR 19, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.
• I say this as the proud daughter of a civil engineer, and that civil engineer was the only female in
• and the students who are pursuing engineering careers.
• ACR 29 declares the week of February 16th through February 22nd as Engineers Week.
• And I would like to once again recognize the engineers upstairs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow us to go from about 300 engineering majors to about 2,000.
• And for every software engineering graduate we graduate, there's four jobs waiting.
• For every electrical engineering graduate, there's three.
• We hear a lot of interest in that, but also accelerating site approval. for biomanufacturing through
• We just approved a $300 billion budget in the state of California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulated cities and design engineers Regulated cities and design engineers need<01:03:00.520>
• She asked whether it would be a blanket approval or whether approval would be needed each time. Mr.
• The bill The offer blanket approval.
• civil engineer, as a licensed<01:08:39.440> civil<01:08:39.720> engineer,<01:08:40.240
• > I<01:08:40.319> feel licensed civil engineer, I feel licensed civil engineer, I feel

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have code officials, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, the disabled community, residential
• We have code officials, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, the disabled community, residential
• So Roger Herring, I am the structural engineering representative, the history.
• I ran DCI Engineers, a structural engineering firm, for about 15 years.
• Roger, as a fellow structural engineer, your examples really resonate with me.

Summary: The committee heard first from Ferndale city officials and a representative of FutureWise on annexation planning. Ferndale described its “annexation blueprint” or phased annexation plan as a way to tie urban growth area planning, capital facilities, and eventual annexation together earlier in the process. Speakers argued that counties often allow incremental development in urban growth areas without city-level standards, impact fees, or coordinated infrastructure planning, which can leave cities and taxpayers with higher future costs and make annexation less likely. Members raised questions about fire districts, county revenue loss, and whether annexation incentives or interlocal revenue-sharing agreements could help. FutureWise supported requiring annexation phasing in countywide planning policies, using pre-annexation agreements, and applying city standards in urban growth areas to make annexation more predictable and less contentious. The committee then received a primer and update from the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Staff explained the council’s composition, standing committees, technical advisory groups, and rulemaking process, including normal, expedited, and emergency rulemaking. They described the ongoing 2024 code cycle and the separate work underway on Senate Bill 5491 and related legislation concerning single-stair residential buildings and multiplex housing. Members discussed how the legislature can better direct the SBCC, the difference between prescriptive and performance-based code approaches, and the importance of involving technical experts early. The SBCC also addressed concerns about the wildfire urban interface code, noting that problems arose when code language and maps were developed on different timelines and applied to urban areas in ways that were not anticipated. Several members asked about regional differences, especially energy code impacts in eastern Washington and the role of natural gas. SBCC representatives said the council can use climate zones and appendices for some regional variation, but statewide statutory targets still constrain the energy code. They emphasized that the council is largely reactive to legislative direction and public proposals, and that clearer legislative intent would help avoid ambiguity in future code development. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• After approval, the university needs to get approval from the Board of Regents for the capital program
• After approval, the university needs to get approval from the Board of Regents for the capital program
• After approval, the university needs to get approval from the Board of Regents for the capital program
• After approval, the university needs to get approval from the Board of Regents for the capital program
• the university needs to after approval the university needs to get<00:33:01.120> approval<00:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on March 14, 2025, and heard five University of Hawaii-related bills. SB 741 would create an external audit committee for the UH system and Board of Regents; UH and UHPA opposed it, saying existing internal and external audits already provide robust oversight, and the committee later recommended deferring the bill indefinitely as duplicative. SB 1252 SD2 would create a dementia training program for health care providers; the Alzheimer’s Association and other supporters said broader training is needed across the care workforce, while the university discussed using JABSOM as a coordinator. The committee deferred the bill to March 19 for an HD1 reflecting JABSOM’s suggestions and removing the appropriations/FTE language. SB 1502 SD1 would fund faculty positions, student programs, and facilities at UH Manoa and West Oahu for defense-sector workforce development. UH and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the measure, describing a pipeline for students into intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields, while one individual opposed it as too closely tied to military contracting and urged investment in other sectors instead. The committee amended the bill to remove FTE references and advanced it; the vote to pass with amendments was adopted, with several members voting aye and some excused. SB 1530 would require performance-based allocation of UH general funds and efficiency reporting. UH and the Attorney General’s office raised concerns, saying the bill’s metrics would apply across the entire general fund budget and were not practical as drafted; the committee also noted opposition from the Budget and Finance Department and individuals. SB 1624 SD1 would restrict RIM funds to renewing, improving, or modernizing existing facilities and require annual reports. UH opposed the bill and explained that RIM is a lump-sum approach used to address deferred maintenance and capital needs, with Board of Regents approval and quarterly reporting already in place; the Attorney General suggested constitutional amendments. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1624, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Downtowns in which ANR had to defer to a licensed engineer of these types of systems if the town also
• This general permit says that ANR may give deference to the engineer of these types of systems, also
• <00:46:37.119> Uh,<00:46:37.520> the Thomas Weiss, civil engineer.
• Uh, the Thomas Weiss, civil engineer.
• And a school in this bill is a public or independent school approved under section 166 of Title 16.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we won't spend too much time, but Sandia is an engineering lab.
• , New Mexico-led NSF regional innovation engine.
• The engine can help really provide that driving structure, that national...
• They are advanced computing, advanced energy, aerospace, and engineering.
• The minutes are approved then.

Transcript Highlights:

• units that have been previously approved units that have been previously approved by<00:21:23.960
• being developed despite being approved being developed despite being approved under<00:26:54.280
• from the American Council of Engineers from the American Council of Engineers Engineering<01:11:
• 30.320> Companies Engineering Companies Engineering Companies might<01:11:31.640> be<01
• Engineering Companies of Hawaii. Engineering Companies of Hawaii.

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:

• Seeing none, the minutes are approved as presented.
• She added that it is unclear what other approved uses would refer to and who would approve them.
• voters approve local sales taxes? voters approve local sales taxes?
• approval with the Secretary of State. approval with the Secretary of State.
• <01:40:34.960> and effective um with local approval and effective um with local approval and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:43.680> and get all of the necessary approvals and get all of the necessary approvals
• Uh we've had legislative approval.
• discussion about some engineering discussion about some engineering considerations<00:21:14.960>
• not approved that.
• , pre-esign, design, engineering, pre-esign, design, engineering, environmental<00:43:05.359>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• duplicative local inspections and full permitting fees for work that has already been completed and approved
• Under the current system, state inspectors review and approve modules off-site and local inspectors review
• These amendments do the following: they remove the deem-approved language and anti-displacement labor
• units were approved using the policy.
• Before a project reaches 90% design, there is planning, outreach, engineering, and public process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Toya's rate to November 15th to maintain their 60 day review and approval. and it requires two-thirds
• vote of the board to approve the probable maximum loss.
• It was the PUC greater oversight and authority to approve, modify, or deny the rider. and it adds load
• It treats transmissions as it treats a complete engine and transmission as a part.
• So, the engines, the transmissions and batteries, why are they such a big sticking point?

Bills: SB 1113, SB 1117, SB 1206, SB 1460, SB 1802, SB 1906, SB 1917, SB 2340, SB 2455, SB 2680, SB 2690, SB 705, SB 748

Keywords: SB 1113, converter's license, converter license, motor vehicle dealer, auto dealer, vehicle conversion, converted vehicles, direct sales, retail sales, trailer, semitrailer, manufactured trailer, chassis, manufacturer's statement of origin, MSO, Occupations Code, Transportation Code, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing, general distinguishing number

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee was marked by discussions on several significant bills, with a keen emphasis on legislative updates and committee substitutes. Notably, Senator Blanco presented a new committee substitute for SB2610, which modifies the employee cap from 100 to 250 and extends the update timeline for cyber security programs for small businesses. This substitute was adopted unanimously, reflecting a collaborative agreement among the committee members. Additionally, there were discussions surrounding SB1856 as Senator Crayton provided insights into how stakeholder feedback influenced the bill's committee substitute. The committee ultimately voted in favor, pushing it towards the local and contested calendar, indicating the bill's progression through legislative channels.

Transcript Highlights:

• standards for licensing of engineers. standards for licensing of engineers.
• . engineers. engineers.
• I got engineers.
• engineer exit interview with engineer engineer exit interview with engineer they<00:32:09.840>
• as a DPP engineer. as a DPP engineer. Why<00:32:25.800> not?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was President Donald Trump who approved that.
• accounting for only 16% of all engineering jobs nationwide.
• ; Professional Engineers in California Government; the Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors
• , and Geologists; and the National Society of Professional Engineers.
• Engineers.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a largely ceremonial floor session with multiple guest introductions and recognitions. Members honored the retirement of long-serving committee secretary Marisa Lancaster, recognized Assemblymember Rubio’s parents on her mother’s 80th birthday, welcomed school and agency guests, and celebrated Crescenta Valley Water District’s 75th anniversary. The body also adopted several resolutions recognizing Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and California FFA, with strong bipartisan support and co-author additions. The main policy item was AJR 27, a resolution urging federal disaster aid for Los Angeles-area wildfire recovery, especially the Palisades and Eaton fires. Supporters from both parties emphasized the need for immediate, unconditional federal assistance for displaced residents, businesses, and communities still rebuilding, while some Republicans argued the state and local governments should move faster on permitting, recovery, and mitigation and criticized state spending priorities. After debate, the resolution was opened for co-authors and then adopted on a 68-0 roll call vote. The Assembly also adopted ACR 133 on Girl Day by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added, ACR 138 honoring FFA with 73 co-authors and voice adoption, and ACR 136 on Engineers Week with 69 co-authors and unanimous consent on the consent calendar. The chamber then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Juan Antonio Pacheco and Paul L. McAiley, and adjourned until Monday, March 2, at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibilities are fully funded by the state, or unless such programs or responsibilities are approved
• So if we rely on past alternative approvals, we trust local input.
• <00:44:17.720> an Department of Transportation approved an Department of Transportation approved
• <01:49:59.480> and useful as reference for engineering and useful as reference for engineering
• There's a lot of advantages to it, in addition to, you know, for engineering and maintenance.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought I remember hearing this and approving it, and it didn't get funded.
• So I have a quick question for you, Council member, or to the city engineer.
• My name is Eric Seberg, city engineer for the City of Little Canada.
• **Plymouth** is an economic engine for the state.
• The motions prevail, and the minutes are approved.

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• to the house the approval thereof. to the house the approval thereof.
• approvals for energy seeking approvals for energy infrastructure<04:33:16.240> projects<04:33
• gas<05:02:22.080> engines<05:02:22.400> and these vehicles and gas engines and these
• combustion engines alike. combustion engines alike.
• You think they're already engines.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a motion to approve the minutes. So moved, Madam Chair. Second.
• Any objection to approving the minutes? Okay, they are approved. Thank you.
• And when the Water Trust Board makes its approval, the New Mexico Finance Authority makes its approval
• So we'll see some of those engineers several times in one day.
• That, but not approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• IS BRINGING IN SCIENCE EDUCATION AND ENGINEERING. IT'S ALL ECOSYSTEM IS WHAT YOU CAN LOOK AT.
• , OUR WIND ENGINEERING EXPERT, THEY ARE THE REAL PEOPLE WHO DO THE REAL WORK.
• WENT TO ONE OF OUR DOCTORS FOR WIND ENGINEERING AND IT WAS A MOVING CEREMONY BACK IN 2018.
• IT HAS LED TO THE FAMU FSU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING JOINT MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.
• SELECTED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHO APPROVES THE BOOKS THAT GO OUT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This deals with fuel for spark-ignition engine fuels, gasoline engine fuels, ethanol, and also blended
• This deals with fuel for spark-ignition engine fuels, gasoline engine fuels, ethanol, and also blended
• fuels and it deals with gasoline engine fuels and it deals with gasoline it<00:08:46.080> deals
• changes to the gasoline 2023m approved changes to the gasoline specification<00:10:18.640> d4814<
• also providing higher octane engine also providing higher octane engine performance<00:20:54.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all