Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm interested in the thoughts of the other Commerce Committee members.
• Um, I'm interested in the thoughts of the other Commerce Committee members.
• </c><00:31:10.600><c> in</c> women of the ELCA being interested in women of the ELCA being interested
• In the interest of time, I can either submit it to the committee or I can read it.
• Long-term care services are one of the most significant financial risks facing families.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> then uh also uh kind of a labor of love then uh also uh kind of a labor of love for<00:09:29.760>
• We continue to see the lingering effects of moral injury, PTSD, substance use, and financial stress.
• </c> a lot of the uh understanding a lot of a lot of the uh understanding a lot of the<00:56:52.400><
• ><c> times</c> veterans of America, a lot of times veterans of America, a lot of times veterans<01:09
• ><01:25:56.719><c> folks</c> uh department of of war and uh folks uh department of of war and uh folks

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the fund's financial support, releases are reported promptly, cleanups are completed quickly
• I'm going to turn to uh nonpartisan fiscal staff to address the financial implications of this bill.
• I'll turn now to the nonpartisan fiscal staff to explain the financial impacts of this bill.
• I'll turn now to the nonpartisan fiscal staff to explain the financial impacts of this bill. >> Thank
• I'll turn now to the nonpartisan fiscal staff to explain the financial impacts of this bill. >> Thank

Bills: HF3298 , SF3832 , HF3528 , HF3516 , HF3972 , HF4118

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> authorization of unobligated increment. authorization of unobligated increment.
• <00:04:43.600><c> of</c> of of of of the<00:04:45.840><c> not</c><00:04:46.560><c> not</c> the not not
• And so, um, the city of of Bloomington.
• </c><00:18:03.600><c> again</c> of work in front of us and we'll again of work in front of us and we'll
• You need a majority of sides. We don't have a majority of the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, you have two of almost the same thing and no statement of purpose.
• Otherwise, you have two of almost the same thing and no statement of purpose.
• Otherwise, you have two of almost the same thing and no statement of purpose.
• </c><02:31:03.359><c> section</c> statement of purpose and replace section statement of purpose and replace
• To me, that looks like a pretty good definition of a... >> Origination statement of journalism.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• the secretary of the Senate and not of the sergeant.
• the Senate and not of the secretary of the Senate and not of the sergeant<00:08:39.240><c> and</c><00
• of of a um agreement or an understanding of of a um provision<00:18:36.240><c> uh</c><00:18:36.360><
• </c><00:21:33.679><c> institution</c> way of of building up the institution way of of building up the
• passage of the rules?

Transcript Highlights:

• the State of Hawaii, the Department of the Attorney General will not be making any statement on any
• of the Attorney General will not be making any statement on any legal matters, including speculation
• and the Department of Health to do the same, to limit their statements to factual matters only, thus
• of you to some of kind of acquaint all of you to some of the<00:14:39.839><c> issues</c><00:14:40.240
• </c><00:26:29.399><c> of</c> there you can see evidence of of there you can see evidence of of moisture

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on construction defects and operational problems at the newly opened Hawaii State Hospital Halola building, a $160 million facility with 144 beds for forensic patients. Department of Health and DAGS officials described ongoing issues identified before and after occupancy in April 2022, including anti-ligature safety defects, roof and building-envelope leaks, drainage problems, plumbing failures, HVAC corrosion and moisture-control issues, mold, and corroding materials. They said the problems have affected patient areas, showers, hallways, the gym, and other parts of the building, creating daily operational and safety challenges for staff and patients. Officials said the state believes the defects are the responsibility of the design-builder, Hensel Phelps, but that they are working with the company and its subcontractors to address the problems while preserving the state’s legal position. The Attorney General’s office said it is conducting an inquiry and asked agencies to limit comments to factual matters. Witnesses explained that some defects appear to be latent and that repairs are being documented through photos, invoices, and testimony. They also said some work is being done by Hensel Phelps and some by other contractors, with efforts to preserve evidence for possible future claims. Committee members questioned how the defects were missed during design-build inspection, whether the state should pursue litigation sooner, and how evidence would be preserved if outside contractors make repairs. Officials said the state has two funding requests pending: about $8 million for emergency repairs and about $28.8 million for longer-term repairs, for a total near $40 million, while noting that additional defects may still be discovered. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• of care and the best quality of life for veterans and their families.
• through the secretary and the leadership of the Department of Health.
• Our financials.
• All right, so the next slide is just a view of the front of one of our homes.
• So this is just kind of looking head-on at one of our homes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope all of you found that very interesting, and there was a follow-up on that today in the press on
• I really appreciate the interest in trying to solve some of these problems.
• So, for example, yesterday we had a presentation—an interesting one to many of us—with something that
• Now, what's interesting to me is that one of the committees does have subpoena authority.
• Others with topics of particular interest? Yes, Representative Chandler [ID: member_12846].

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In the interest of brevity, I will just reiterate some of the points that have been made by the opposition
• I want to start by saying, And I want to be respectful of their statements and their committee's time
• And I can go get those for you if anyone's interested in how some of these cases work out.
• And I can go get those for you if anyone's interested in how some of these cases work out.
• But they always told me, hey, there's no conflict of interest.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in executive session and approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2765, which was amended to revise hemp beverage retailer delivery language, adjust retailer fees and renewals, require product registration, and remove residency requirements. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported do pass by a 10-0 vote. The committee also voted House Bill 2848, relating to mass intimidation offenses, do pass by a 9-0 vote. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Joint Resolution 130, which would ask Missouri voters to authorize retrospective civil laws for child sexual abuse claims. The sponsor and survivor advocates argued the measure is needed to allow revival windows and address delayed disclosure, while opponents from the insurance, tort reform, and business communities warned it could expose third parties such as schools, churches, nonprofits, and employers to broad, open-ended liability and higher insurance costs. No vote was taken on the resolution. The committee also heard House Bill 2254, which would speed capital post-conviction review by requiring earlier appointment of counsel and aligning Missouri procedures with federal standards. Supporters, including victims’ family members and the Attorney General’s office, said it would reduce years of delay and bring closure, while opponents raised concerns about wrongful convictions, conflicts from simultaneous representation, and increased public defender workload. Finally, House Bill 2206 on catalytic converter theft was heard; the sponsor and law enforcement supported stronger recordkeeping and licensing rules, while scrap/recycling and press representatives objected to added paperwork and a separate provision affecting public notice for self-storage sales. The hearing on HB 2206 was interrupted by the floor schedule and not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was pleased to hear her talk about her interest in supporting the work of the UN and trying to ensure
• These operations are threatening because their goals run counter to U.S. interests and because of the
• For example, the OIGs do a lot of interesting things that are at civil and administrative levels that
• One of the points that I alluded to in my statement, and that Melanie has spoken about, is that this
• I'm interested in all of this topic.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the threat. of the threat.
• Members, we are now go to the 13th order of business: announcements of Senate interest.
• Announcements of Senate interest. Any announcements of Senate interest? Senator Marty. Mr.
• Any other announcements of Senate interest?
• Any other announcements of Senate interest?

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a wide range of experience and interest. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• One of these two. One of these two.
• Chairman, members of the committee, again, John Thomas here on behalf of the Association of Chiefs of
• Chairman, members of the committee, John Thomas, on behalf of the Association of Chiefs of Police.
• financial condition, and facilitate the restoration of the license to a qualified individual or entity

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Public Safety Committee first considered SB 1071, which would repeal statutory protections for the Arizona Rangers. The sponsor argued the change was needed for accountability and transparency, while Rangers and several supporters said the organization provides substantial volunteer service and that the bill would undermine their work. Sheriffs from Yavapai and Navajo counties supported the bill, citing lack of access to background and training records and saying they could not fully trust or use the Rangers without clearer standards. The committee adopted a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote, with members noting they expected further amendment work. The committee then heard SB 1315 on interoperable communications for schools and law enforcement, followed by SB 1317 on reentry planning grants for counties. SB 1315 was supported by school safety officials and law enforcement representatives who described the need for common communication platforms during emergencies; concerns were raised about cost and information security, but the bill passed unanimously. SB 1317 would appropriate opioid settlement funds for county reentry programs; sheriffs and the Arizona Sheriffs Association supported it, citing reduced recidivism and improved jail outcomes, and it also passed unanimously. Members next took up SB 1416 and SB 1740, both related to missing and endangered children and the Turquoise Alert system. SB 1416, as amended, would strengthen reporting, photo-sharing, training, and public notification requirements for missing children cases; advocates, family members, and law enforcement all supported the compromise language, and it passed 7-0. SB 1740 would require training on the Turquoise Alert system and was discussed alongside concerns about statewide versus geographically targeted alerts; the sponsor said an amendment was being worked on, and the bill also received a do pass recommendation. Later, the committee considered SB 1493, which would require employers to pay fees and costs when a law enforcement officer wins a termination appeal and the employer refuses reinstatement. Police and sheriffs’ representatives supported the measure as a fairness issue, while chiefs’ representatives opposed it; the bill passed as amended on a 5-2 vote. The committee also passed SB 1537, renaming the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund, and SB 1542, which would conditionally authorize MDMA-based PTSD treatment for first responders and create related research and reimbursement provisions, after testimony about its potential therapeutic value.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts who are potentially of districts who are potentially interested<00:18:38.520><c> um</c><00
• /c> pay it out because of of where it was pay it out because of of where it was based<00:43:01.200><c
• </c><01:03:35.039><c> that</c> is that part of all of these things that is that part of all of these
• <01:29:38.280><c> Testimony</c> yeah so a lot of a lot of Our Testimony yeah so a lot of a lot of Our
• of that issue in terms of freezing funding, that sort of thing.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• H.J.R. 1092 is one of the items that we pulled out of the business and commerce.
• It says here on the rule impact statement the agency listed the date of notice in October, when it actually
• The amendment essentially pulls out one of the rules of one of our committee members, and I don't know
• of the state.
• It had no provision for what the standard of best interests of the state, and then they would then be

Bills: HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1094 , HJR1095 , SJR49

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Summary: The committee took up several joint resolutions dealing with agency rules. H.J.R. 1090, approving energy- and agriculture-related agency rules, was adopted and passed 10-0. H.J.R. 1091, covering business and commerce rules, was also adopted and passed 10-0. H.J.R. 1092, which had been split out from the business and commerce packet because of a reported $10 million cost impact on one business, was adopted after discussions with regulators about delaying remodeling requirements and addressing safety concerns; it passed unanimously. H.J.R. 1093, approving health-related agency rules, passed 11-0, with some Oklahoma Health Care Authority major rules noted as being handled separately in the Senate. The committee then discussed H.C.R. 1094, a major rule from the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission. Members raised concerns that the agency’s rule impact statement contained errors, incorrect notice and hearing information, and an incomplete economic analysis. After debate over whether the resolution could be amended or had to be accepted or rejected as a whole, the committee voted 11-0 that it did not pass. The committee then considered H.J.R. 1095 with an amendment to specifically disapprove a proposed permanent rule change by the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission that would have allowed the commission to ignore its own rules in the “best interest of the state.” The amendment was adopted 11-1, and the resolution as amended passed. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members and staff for their work and said the committee would try to move the resolutions to the floor on Thursday, with another meeting likely needed to address additional major rules coming from the Senate. A committee member also suggested a brief educational review of a prior procedural issue at a future meeting, and the chair agreed to discuss broader concerns about the administrative rules process in a later wrap-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm interested in some of the conversation we've had today.
• Think about what message adults are sending to all of our kids with that statement.
• Think about what message adults are sending to all of our kids with that statement.
• Think about what message adults are sending to all of our kids with that statement.
• 10.239><c> a</c> statement one of my constituents has a statement one of my constituents has a trans<

Transcript Highlights:

• and 13 of those 80 instances are just over 16% of the time.
• I think one of the key takeaways of the report and of the speech you just gave is that there is real
• I think one of the key takeaways of the report and of the speech you just gave is that there is real
• All of those products have warning statements on them, and all of them are sold in child-resistant packaging
• And just the nature of them having an interest does not necessarily mean a child would be attracted to

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on whether products attractive to children are being kept out of the legal market. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on licensees to self-police because there is no upfront review before products reach the market. The audit cited examples involving cartoon-like images, bright colors, flavor references, candy-like imagery, strain names, and beverage packaging, and recommended clearer statutory standards, possible pre-approval of packaging, better enforcement tools, and stronger tracking of repeat violators. Assemblymembers and senators largely agreed that child safety is the priority, but differed on the best policy response. Some members argued for clearer legislative limits and even plain packaging, saying products like root beer, cherry pie, and cereal-like designs are plainly appealing to children. Department officials said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized label-review team, a rubric, improved databases, and more attention to repeat violations, while also emphasizing that the illicit and intoxicating hemp markets are major sources of youth exposure and that resource constraints limit inspections. They said they are open to working with the Legislature on more specific standards and additional funding. Public witnesses split between public health and industry perspectives. A pediatrician and public health advocate urged stronger restrictions, including plain packaging, limits on flavors and potency, and a pre-market review system, arguing that vague rules have failed children. Industry representatives said they support youth protections but want bright-line, objective standards so compliant businesses can know what is allowed; they argued that most youth-targeted packaging is in the illicit market and that the legal market needs clearer rules rather than broader bans. No formal vote or committee action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, that is a conflict of interest if your chief compliance officer is also an owner of the company
• You know, that is a conflict of interest if your chief compliance officer is also an owner of the company
• You know, that is a conflict of interest if your chief compliance officer is also an owner of the company
• </c><00:47:24.320><c> interest</c> You know, that is a conflict of interest You know, that is a conflict
• I just wanted to close the potential personal substantial direct financial conflict of interest, because

Bills: SB1166 , SB888 , SB2387 , SB2471

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard SB 1166 SD2, a bill on insurance and climate-related damages that would authorize the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and, in amended versions discussed during testimony, other public and private entities to pursue civil actions to recover losses tied to climate disasters and extreme weather. DCCA’s Insurance Division and the Department of the Attorney General raised legal concerns, saying the bill’s scope may not fit the insurance code section being amended, that it could create subject-matter and title issues, and that some subrogation language may be duplicative of existing rate-filing practice. Lawyers for Justice opposed the measure, arguing it conflicts with existing subrogation law and recent Hawaii Supreme Court rulings that treat the judicial lien process as the exclusive remedy. The American Petroleum Institute also opposed, warning the bill would add liability and litigation risk for companies operating under existing permits and could undermine energy reliability and investment. Supporters said the bill would help shift climate-related insurance costs away from residents and onto fossil fuel companies and other responsible parties. Testimony in support came from the Polluters Pay Hawaii Coalition, Center for Climate Integrity, Hawaii Island Council, Our Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, who described recent flooding, storm damage, rising premiums, non-renewals, and underinsurance as evidence of a worsening climate-driven insurance crisis. Several supporters urged amendments to give the Attorney General explicit authority to recover insurance-related losses for the Hurricane Relief Fund, HPIA, and private insurers, and to ensure recovered amounts benefit policyholders. Committee members questioned whether HPIA is a private entity, whether the Attorney General could represent it, whether the bill could create double recovery or affect pending climate litigation, and whether insurers would have standing or damages if they are only paying contractual claims. The committee then took up SB 888 SD2, a consumer protection bill that would restrict smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a judicial order, and would bar conditioning device use on such consent. The Office of Consumer Protection testified in support and said an Illinois law could serve as a useful template for exceptions to the warrant requirement. An individual supporter said the measure would protect immigrant communities, judges, and others from surveillance and misuse of private data. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair noted additional written testimony submitted in support of SB 1166.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:08.080><c> of</c> you can imagine uh and the interest of you can imagine uh and the interest
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.
• And for your interest, that application starts on page nine of the bill.

Bills: SF0045 , SJ0001

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development