Transcript Highlights:

• groups in our state and beyond, this bill sponsor states that the goal of this bill is banning drag performances
• kids pretending to be a woman, would you think that's appropriate if it's part of a theater or performance
• ...it's part of a theater or performance? Absolutely! It happens all the time, reading to kids.

Bills: HB141 , HB161 , HB231 , HB67

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: HB141, Alabama, state employees, salary deductions, payroll deduction, State Comptroller, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, employee associations, state payroll, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 36-1-4.3, public employees, union dues, benefits administration, payroll withholding, financial products, deferred compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to present a Senate resolution this morning recognizing the outstanding performance of Indiana
• government-issued IDs and signatures that are readily available to the supervisors of elections when they are evaluating
• there are certain prohibited places for ticketed university sporting events, concerts with similar performances

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and featured a series of member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, a newly awarded PhD, and the day’s doctor. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. After routine business, the Senate moved to special order bills. The first measures taken up were CS/SB 68 on health care patient protection, which required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, readiness assessments, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. CS/SB 350 on public records, protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the names of law enforcement officers who are victims in the line of duty, passed 33-4 after questions about access for victims’ attorneys. CS/SB 576 on local government cybersecurity established a state-administered cybersecurity protection program for local governments, prioritized rural and fiscally constrained communities, and was amended before passing 37-0. CS/SB 532 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and incorporating related provisions on legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee splits, passed 38-0. CS/SB 696 on trademark registration modernized the filing system and passed 38-0. CS/SB 698 on septic system permits, addressing permit delays and aligning House and Senate language on liability if construction begins early, also passed 38-0. The longest debate centered on CS/SB 1334 / CS/HB 991 on elections and election integrity. The bill would use REAL ID data to verify citizenship for voter registration and list maintenance, revise candidate-qualification rules, change acceptable voter IDs, add citizenship markers to driver licenses and ID cards by July 1, 2027, and make other election-administration changes. Multiple amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to allow attestations in lieu of documentation, exempt seniors, require human review over automated systems, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, and delay implementation to July 1, 2027. One amendment was adopted to retain a stock-trading disclosure for candidates. The chamber then continued debate on the underlying bill, with supporters citing state reports of non-citizen registrations/voting and opponents warning of disenfranchisement for students, seniors, and others who may lack the required documents.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:33.679><c> the</c> Representative Shimizu asked whether, after any five-year interval and evaluation
• They were not sure if it would be an action item every time, but if someone is not performing, they would
• They were not sure whether it would be an action item every time, but if someone is not performing, they

Bills: HB1881 , HB2218 , HB1956 , HB2151 , HB1845 , HB1844 , HB2103 , HB2424 , HB1650 , HB376 , HB2599 , HB1861

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does change some of the responsibilities that the EPA has already been performing with regard
• place with four rooms for birth, which this—let's be clear—can a reproductive health care clinic perform
• , the New Mexico Environment Department already conducts a comprehensive emissions inventory and evaluates

Transcript Highlights:

• clarify what they mean by performance.
• Is it operational performance? I state that right? All right. All right.
• </c> the idea of waiting for that performance the idea of waiting for that performance audit<03:03:28.480
• </c><03:09:16.840><c> So,</c> &gt;&gt; I'm on performance audit committee.
• So, &gt;&gt; I'm on performance audit committee.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with quorum and seating issues, including the temporary appointment of Representative Shaw to fill in for a House member, followed by approval of the previous minutes and the consent calendar. Two items were then postponed to next month: Mechanical Licensing Board item 25-241 and Board of Veterinarian item 25-223. The committee then took up Department of Energy rulemaking on distributed energy resources interconnection procedures, including items 25-220 and related sections on fees, additional controls, and equipment. The Department explained revised language to address concerns that the original draft improperly suggested agency or PUC approval of utility fees; under the amended language, utilities would set fees designed to recover costs, with complaints handled through existing complaint procedures. Committee members and the Department discussed the statutory basis for that approach, including cost responsibility versus fee-setting authority. Public testimony was mixed. A small solar developer argued the rules still exceed statutory authority, impose unfair costs on customer generators, and allow utilities to shift transmission-related study costs onto interconnecting customers. Clean energy advocates supported the Department’s revised language but asked for clearer limits on charging customers for later-added controls, arguing costs should be tied directly to the customer’s interconnection and not to later utility-driven changes. Eversource supported the revised fee language, said most prior concerns were resolved, and recommended conditional approval, while also suggesting a minor wording change in the “Additional Equipment” section to clarify that only operational performance is covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that you take some of their input, evaluate it, and please continue to share with Representative

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the county or city to evaluate whether local street, frontage, and right-of-way standards

Bills: SB6181 , SB6154 , SB6211 , SB6234 , SB6242 , SB5633 , SB6279 , SB6291 , SB6274 , SB6309

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit, SEPA, environmental review, local government, county authority, agricultural irrigation

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the county or city to evaluate whether local street, frontage, and right-of-way standards

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held its last Senate bill hearing before cutoff and then moved into executive session. The chair announced several bills were being removed from the executive calendar, including SB 6181, SB 6154, SB 6242, and SB 6279. Staff then summarized the remaining bills: SB 6211 would create uniformity for how GMA-planning cities implement real estate excise tax, with no amendments; SB 6234 would regulate sewage grinder pumps for new residential buildings, with a proposed substitute narrowing the bill to single-family residences, adding public utility districts, clarifying conditions for installation, and assigning maintenance responsibilities; SB 5633 would change subdivision and preliminary plat procedures, with a proposed substitute and a large Commerce fiscal note; SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period a non-certified person may work on on-site wastewater treatment systems under supervision; SB 6274 would require housing and transportation planning to identify infrastructure barriers and review street and frontage standards; and SB 6309 would allow regional transit authorities more flexibility to apply for permits and construct facilities, with a proposed substitute expanding permit application authority and adjusting subdivision exemptions. In executive session, the committee adopted the proposed substitutes for SB 6234, SB 5633, and SB 6309. SB 5633 drew a no vote from one member, who cited concerns about the fiscal note and public input. The committee then voted do pass on SB 6211, SB 6234, SB 6291, and SB 6274, sending them to Rules. SB 5633 and SB 6309 were sent to Ways and Means after adoption of their substitutes. All measures were reported as passed subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative analyst noted in its 2025 report, better demographic and geographic data is essential to evaluating

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every year we spend hundreds of hours evaluating hundreds of billions of dollars in asks to construct

Transcript Highlights:

• I came from one of the lowest performing high schools in the state of South Dakota and didn't do great
• I came from one of the lowest performing high schools in the state of South Dakota and didn't do great
• I came from one of the lowest performing high schools in the state of South Dakota and didn't do great
• I came from one of the lowest performing high schools in the state of South Dakota and didn't do great
• I came from one of the lowest performing high schools in the state of South Dakota and didn't do great

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:26.919><c> now</c><00:21:27.480><c> possible</c><00:21:27.880><c> to</c><00:21:28.080><c> perform
• </c><00:21:28.679><c> an</c> female it is now possible to perform an female it is now possible to perform
• </c> then can't say I'm not going to perform then can't say I'm not going to perform abortions<04:18:
• </c><04:18:45.159><c> a</c> just you know the hospital performs a just you know the hospital performs
• </c> conscientiously object to a performing conscientiously object to a performing of<04:21:18.080><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this allows us to run through the practice of performing these with in cooperation with the Department
• 02:52:47.239><c> the</c><02:52:47.479><c> practice</c><02:52:47.840><c> of</c><02:52:48.840><c> performing
• </c><02:52:49.479><c> these</c> through the practice of performing these through the practice of performing
• within DHHS would be created, would require authorization of the department to hire individuals to perform
• 19.800><c> to</c> of the department to hire individuals to of the department to hire individuals to perform

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What this amendment does is specify that school counselors are evaluated based on Florida school counselor

Transcript Highlights:

• Every year we spend hundreds of hours evaluating hundreds of billions of dollars in asks... ...to construct

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plastics and um I don't performance plastics and um I don't believe<00:25:42.080><c> that</c><00:25:
• So, um, I would ask for you all to vote against the amendment and then support the policy work performed
• So, um, I would ask for you all to vote against the amendment and then support the policy work performed
• So, um, I would ask for you all to vote against the amendment and then support the policy work performed
• Vote against the amendment and then support the policy work performed by the Criminal Justice Committee

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the 2024 regional route performance analysis, MBTA's suburban local service costs $40.20
• <00:03:45.760><c> analysis,</c> performance analysis, performance analysis, MBTA's<00:03:48.200><c> suburban
• a study of transit service in perform a study of transit service in the<00:09:30.280><c> area</c><00
• That progress happened because local oversight allows us to respond quickly and improve performance in
• What this would do is absorb a high-performing local provider into a much larger system with less local

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funding based on system performance. funding based on system performance.
• That variable support depends on the operating efficiency and performance of Fairview.
• That variable support depends on the operating efficiency and performance of Fairview.
• That variable support depends on the operating efficiency and performance of Fairview.
• That variable support depends on the operating efficiency and performance of Fairview.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• create a stressful and unsafe work environment that can complicate the ability of these workers to perform
• Just last month, one of our crews performing routine work in El Dorado County came under attack and was
• Police Department established a perimeter around a factory while immigration enforcement agents performed
• enforcement of federal criminal laws and exercising their federal arrest powers pursuant to the performance
• Frankly, I think we've addressed a lot of the issues that... ...to the performance of their duties.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 907, which would strengthen California DUI laws in several ways, including mandatory Watson advisements when DUI charges are reduced, judicial discretion for consecutive sentences in cases with multiple victims, enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders and certain hit-and-run cases, and adding vehicular manslaughter offenses to the violent felony list. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, described the bill as a response to repeated, preventable tragedies and argued it would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about duplicative penalties, legal overreach, and the violent-felony and sentencing provisions. Committee members were divided but generally supportive of stronger DUI enforcement; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the three-strikes provision removed and the bill kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, aimed at online child exploitation and extortion networks. The bill would create a new offense for adults who recruit, direct, coerce, or use minors to harm or exploit other children, and it would also allow limited misdemeanor or felony charges for minors engaged in extreme coercive conduct, with diversion available for juveniles. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, and child-safety advocates, said the bill addresses a fast-growing cybercrime problem involving grooming, blackmail, self-harm, and organized online groups using minors as intermediaries. Opponents argued existing laws already cover much of the conduct and warned against criminalizing adolescent behavior, urging the Legislature instead to focus on platform accountability. The committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with members emphasizing the need to address evolving online harms. The committee also heard SB 1285, which would clarify that juvenile court dismissals under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 remain a broad “general dismissal” remedy, separate from record sealing, so that eligible youth can more fully avoid future collateral consequences. Supporters said the bill would restore the intended effect of prior juvenile justice reforms and help young people access employment, education, military service, and licensure without lingering barriers. There was no opposition after one group withdrew its objection, and the bill was moved to the floor on a do-pass motion. SB 1342 followed, a technical cleanup measure for automatic record clearance laws that would prevent outdated pending charges from blocking relief, require local court records to match DOJ updates, and create a way for people to obtain written proof of clearance; it also advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1330 was heard to extend existing assault-and-battery protections for certain workers to utility workers; supporters described rising assaults and even shootings against crews, while one utility worker opposed the bill as only increasing penalties after the fact rather than preventing attacks. The bill was moved out on a do-pass motion and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have athletics, but you also have the performing arts.
• What makes the performing arts students different than the athletic students in terms of being helped
• The reality is that if we don't have NIL dollars, then our teams will not perform.
• /c><00:26:29.200><c> Student</c><00:26:29.520><c> athletes</c><00:26:29.840><c> will</c> will not perform
• Student athletes will will not perform.

Bills: HB2384

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: student-athletes, compensation, name image likeness, NCAA, Title IX, transparency, education, Hawaii, athletic programs, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HB 2384, relating to student athlete compensation, with testimony largely in support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics, and several other supporters. UH Mānoa said the bill would create a framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies, including education, financial literacy, agent regulation, transparency, and reporting. Supporters argued NIL is now a necessary part of college athletics to recruit and retain athletes, keep Hawaiʻi talent in-state, and remain competitive, while also helping student athletes develop as future leaders. One supporter also emphasized the need for financial guidance so young athletes do not mishandle NIL income. Committee members questioned why the bill would direct public funds to NIL payments rather than broader athletic operations or other student groups, whether other states are funding NIL directly, and whether the approach could create a bidding war. UH representatives said the university already has NIL contracts in place, but the bill would strengthen and formalize policies. They said the requested funding model includes about $5 million for NIL and $10 million for athletics operations, with the NIL amount intended to supplement private fundraising; they also noted UH has raised roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for NIL since July 1 and is targeting $3 million this fiscal year. Members also raised concerns about fairness, public spending priorities, and whether the university’s policies adequately protect student athletes. The committees voted to pass HB 2384 HD1 with amendments. The chair said the bill should be amended to explicitly state that allocated funds may be used by UH for NIL payments to student athletes, and asked the next committee to examine whether a different payment scheme, similar to those used elsewhere, might be more appropriate for public funds. One member announced a no vote, citing concerns about direct public funding of NIL and unequal treatment of student athletes versus other students. The JHA committee adopted the same recommendation, with some members voting with reservations. Afterward, the meeting moved on to HB 644 HD1 on single-use plastics, where the first testimony was in opposition from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, both arguing the bill as drafted would improperly exclude certified compostable products and should better align with composting and certification standards.