Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney for Education Minnesota, where we represent 85,000 school professionals.
• plain<00:46:56.319><c> of</c><00:46:56.440><c> s</c><00:46:56.480><c> side</c><00:46:56.599><c> attorney
• if you want to plain of s side attorney if you want to borrow<00:46:57.599><c> the</c><00:46:57.720>
• </c><00:47:03.960><c> fees</c><00:47:04.280><c> so</c> we will also collect attorneys fees so we will
• also collect attorneys fees so I'm<00:47:04.640><c> that</c><00:47:04.760><c> part</c><00:47:05.000>

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Inouye, Chair Gabbard, advisory committee members, my name is Kylie Wager Cruz, and I'm an attorney
• with the Earth Justice attorney with the Earth Justice mid-pacific<00:27:35.159><c> office</c><00:27
• And, knowing that we're not attorneys, this would be the appropriate measure to move to Judiciary.
• </c><01:37:21.840><c> that</c> knowing that we're not attorneys that knowing that we're not attorneys
• I'm a solo practitioner attorney.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1838 by Senator Zaffirini is the bill about appointing attorneys that lie to them and the

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill about appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of them in suits affecting the

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• It tasks the attorney general, partnered with a Colorado-based domestic violence survivor coalition,
• The working group will be composed of key stakeholders including attorneys and judges to ensure there
• We want to try to standardize that to give attorneys, defendants, and litigants a more reasonable way
• We want to try to standardize that to give attorneys, defendants, and litigants a more reasonable way
• We want to try to standardize that to give attorneys, defendants, and litigants a more reasonable way

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law requires an attorney to represent you between at the Oklahoma corporation.

Bills: SB1213 , SB1221 , SB1636 , SB1687 , SB1772 , SB1932 , SB2062

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: SB1213, earned credits, inmate credits, good time, sentence reduction, Department of Corrections, DOC, prison reform, corrections policy, inmate classification, class levels, rehabilitation credits, achievement credits, vocational training, educational credits, prison programs, public safety, violent offenders, violent crime exclusions, sex offense exclusions

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney Vice Chair or Dean of the House, who is absent, and his attendance is not excused for the purpose

Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB 1 , HB 2 , HB 18 , HB 19 , HB 20 , HB 4

Keywords: disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council, broadband, public safety, disaster preparedness, funding, flood disaster plan

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, we asked the attorney general's office and those involved to come up with a way of, um,
• you can see on line 27, if the attorney general projects insufficient funding, may recommend to the
• of attorney general's enforcement actions<01:37:24.719><c> when</c><01:37:24.960><c> it's</c><01:37:
• </c> that time, we asked um the attorney that time, we asked um the attorney general's<01:38:09.280><
• line 27 if the attorney general projects insufficient<01:38:17.600><c> funding</c><01:38:18.639><c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the law as an attorney, read the law and see what the law says. The law says 89-day emergency.
• Read the law as an attorney, read the law and see what the law says.
• But again, the law Read the law as an<01:23:53.400><c> attorney,</c><01:23:53.920><c> read</c><01:23:
• , read the law and see what an attorney, read the law and see what the<01:23:55.880><c> law</c><01:23
• Well, we can give you a copy of the Attorney General opinion transferring funds.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just going to have Attorney Fry review a few different things.
• And that's really hard for attorneys to understand because they're not doctors.
• We have a very competent real estate attorney who sits on that real estate commission.
• We have a very competent real estate attorney who sits on that real estate commission.
• We have a very competent real estate attorney who sits on that real estate commission.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney with the law firm Young and Pignatelli and Conquered.
• I'm a tax attorney. I am not here on behalf of any client of our firm.
• Well, no, I just heard a tax attorney tell me that this is not taxable and he would not file that.
• uh Deputy assistant um uh attorney uh Deputy assistant Assistant<01:03:34.559><c> Attorney</c><01:03
• an Edwards Assistant Attorney General an Edwards who's<01:03:37.039><c> now</c><01:03:37.440><c> a</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Kristen Pier, an attorney with BKS Law Firm representing the Regional Water Authority and the Northern
• inspired in part by a lawsuit brought by This bill was inspired in part by a lawsuit brought by Attorney
• This bill was inspired in part by a lawsuit brought by the Attorney General Rob Bonta against ExxonMobil
• Margaret Gordon, longtime West Oakland environmental justice leader, and Colin O'Brien, attorney with
• My name is Colin O'Brien, and I'm a deputy managing attorney with Earthjustice.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 2218, which would declare state policy to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting California Native American tribes and require several state agencies to incorporate that policy into water-related decisions. The author and tribal witnesses said the bill would codify a seat at the table for tribes and build on existing consultation and equity commitments, while supporters from environmental and tribal organizations backed the measure. Opponents from municipal utilities, water agencies, cities, counties, agriculture, and business groups argued the bill was too vague, could create uncertainty for water supply and project approvals, and might invite litigation. The chair signaled support, and the author said the bill was intended as a consultation measure rather than one that would usurp agency authority. The committee then took up AB 1795, a wildfire smoke-damage bill that would establish statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke-damaged homes and create clearer insurance claim handling rules. The Department of Insurance supported the bill, saying it would bring consistency and accountability after major urban-interface fires, while wildfire survivors and advocates said current insurer practices leave families unable to safely return home. Insurance and local government groups opposed unless amended, warning about cost, implementation uncertainty, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed unresolved issues, including how the bill would interact with a separate wildfire health-and-safety bill, whether it would apply to existing policies, and how presumptions and testing standards should work. The committee voted AB 1795 out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 1642, another wildfire-related bill, was also heard and focused on setting science-based testing and clearance standards for homes, schools, and businesses after urban and wildland-urban interface fires. The author and a Caltech scientist described contamination from lead and other heavy metals in fire-affected homes and argued for a presumption that certain contaminants found after a fire came from the wildfire, to reduce costly disputes. Survivors and many advocacy groups supported the bill, while insurers and other industry groups opposed, saying the testing regime was too broad, the geographic scope was unclear, and the presumptions could function like strict liability and raise insurance costs. Senators pressed both sides on how AB 1642 would overlap with the CDI smoke-claims task force and with AB 1795, and the author said the two bills were intended to be complementary and would continue to be reconciled. The committee also briefly heard AB 1976, which would create a CEQA exemption for pedestrian malls and limit certain local procedural delays for pedestrian and traffic-calming projects. Supporters said it would make it easier to create safer, more walkable, and more livable streets, and there was no opposition testimony. The chair described it as a narrow CEQA exemption for active transportation-related projects and indicated support. The committee then moved on to AB 2026, a groundwater recharge permitting bill, with the author explaining that it would streamline permitting so more recharge projects can capture floodwater and store it for drought years; testimony on that bill began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, I'm not speaking on behalf of... just any attorney will do.
• To be clear, I'm not speaking on behalf of... just any attorney will do. >> Can you just...
• To be clear, I'm not speaking on behalf of... just any attorney will do. >> Can you just...
• </c><00:29:47.279><c> Um,</c> &gt;&gt; just any attorney will do.
• Um, &gt;&gt; just any attorney will do.

Bills: HB1924 , HB2121 , HB1928 , HB1979 , HB1650 , HB1543 , HB1981 , HB1982

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: mattress recycling, waste management, producer responsibility, environmental health, steafardship program, electronic cigarettes, disposable devices, environmental protection, plastic pollution, lithium batteries, pollution control, public health, deposit beverage container, bottle bill, container deposit law, container redemption, recycling refund, extended producer responsibility, EPR, deposit return system

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney Marjgerie Laauo with comments. >> Good morning, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the committee
• I'm Deputy Attorney General Margie Lao.
• &gt;&gt; Attorney<01:17:48.320><c> General</c><01:17:49.120><c> Lopez</c><01:17:49.760><c> with</c><01
• </c><01:17:57.920><c> I'm</c><01:17:58.159><c> Deputy</c><01:17:58.719><c> Attorney</c> >> Aloha Chair
• I'm Deputy Attorney General Ivon Shenmura.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1694, which would create a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and HB 1695, which would expand the state’s renewable fuels production tax credit. For HB 1694, supporters from the airlines, renewable fuels industry, business groups, and some environmental and youth representatives said sustainable aviation fuel is a practical near-term way to cut emissions in aviation, a hard-to-decarbonize sector, and argued the credit would send a market signal, support local production, and help meet state climate goals. Opponents, including Energy Justice Network and a taxpayer-focused testifier, argued the bill could subsidize expensive fuels that may not be truly clean, could duplicate benefits available under other tax provisions, and should not support transpacific aviation or technologies they said are unproven or harmful. The Department of Taxation stood on written testimony, and the chair later asked that all verbal testimony on remaining bills be limited to one minute because of time constraints. HB 1695 drew similar support and opposition, but focused more broadly on renewable fuels for transportation, trucking, shipping, and other sectors. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Energy Office, airlines, PAR Hawaii, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pacific Biodiesel, and the RNG Coalition, said the bill would help scale local fuel production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support jobs and agriculture, and advance the state’s climate and energy goals. Several supporters emphasized that the credit would help build a local industry and that life-cycle accounting should be used to measure emissions benefits. Opponents repeated concerns that some biofuels and waste-based fuels may not be climate-beneficial, may rely on flawed modeling, and could create costly infrastructure that would need to be replaced later. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It works with the attorney general, it works with BCA, doing similar work, and yet still is able to maintain
• It works with the attorney general, it works with BCA, doing similar work, and yet still is able to maintain
• It works with the attorney general, it works with BCA, doing similar work, and yet still is able to maintain
• It works with the attorney general, it works with BCA, doing similar work, and yet still is able to maintain
• The OA works with the attorney general, it works with BCA, doing similar work, and yet still is able

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• get through uh these<01:06:32.240><c> things</c><01:06:32.760><c> sometimes</c><01:06:33.039><c> attorneys
• </c><01:06:33.599><c> have</c><01:06:33.760><c> to</c> these things sometimes attorneys have to these
• things sometimes attorneys have to talk<01:06:34.079><c> to</c> talk to talk to attorneys<01:06:35.960
• 37.359><c> and</c><01:06:38.119><c> and</c><01:06:38.440><c> hopefully</c><01:06:38.799><c> we</c> attorneys
• um and and and hopefully we attorneys um and and and hopefully we come<01:06:39.160><c> to</c><01:06

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and sorry to come back twice, but on the emerging contaminants last year we had a hearing with the attorney
• and sorry to come back twice, but on the emerging contaminants last year we had a hearing with the attorney
• and how much money they get. ...on the emerging contaminants last year we had a hearing with the attorney
• 10:25.679><c> on</c><01:10:26.320><c> P</c><01:10:27.239><c> and</c><01:10:27.600><c> talking</c> attorney
• general en on P and talking attorney general en on P and talking about<01:10:28.480><c> the</c><01:10

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate, Attorney Rule 12 is suspended; the matters will be referred to their respective committees.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate session opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and the adoption of several congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including recognition of Fire Chief Brian C. Hickey’s retirement, the Bourne Fire Department’s 150th anniversary, New England Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s observance of Bosnian Remembrance Day, and Mayor Robert Bob Hedlund’s retirement from the office of mayor of Weymouth. All of the resolutions were adopted. The chamber then acted on multiple procedural matters. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 for several Senate and House petitions, referring them to the appropriate committees. The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight reported favorably on Senate bill 2128, authorizing the Commission of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain land in Brookfield, and the Senate suspended the rules to order the bill to a third reading. The Senate also adopted two special orders placing bills on the Orders of the Day for second reading and immediate consideration: Senate bill 1052, concerning the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, and Senate bill 2537, concerning fairness and debt collection, both with Ways and Means new drafts pending. Finally, the Senate adopted an order setting the next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m., dispensing with the printing of a calendar, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires long-term care facilities to contact the legal guardians or powers of attorney that the facility

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Andrew Labadini, Attorney General's office. Chris Richards, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank.
• I'm an attorney who worked on the federal debit interchange reform law in 2010.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission studying the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what leaders described as its last public hearing, though they said the commission would continue meeting to develop a report and recommendations. Chair Paul Feeney and other members noted the issue is complex and that they had sought testimony from a wide range of stakeholders before moving into a more deliberative phase. The commission adjourned after hearing from several in-person and virtual witnesses. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, the Electronic Payments Coalition, and others, argued that payment cards provide major benefits to consumers and merchants, including convenience, fraud protection, fast settlement, and broad access to electronic commerce. They warned that state-level changes to interchange rules could create a patchwork of conflicting requirements, disrupt global payment systems, and especially affect state-chartered community banks and small businesses. Several also said recent federal actions and litigation, including OCC and NCUA preemption rules and the Illinois interchange-fee litigation, have limited the practical reach of state laws. Restaurant, retail, and convenience-store witnesses pushed for relief from swipe fees, saying independent businesses operate on thin margins and pay fees on amounts that are not really their revenue, such as sales tax and gratuities. They urged transparency, the ability to surcharge, vendor compensation for tax collection, and limits on interchange or related fees. Some witnesses said merchants bear significant fraud and chargeback costs and that banks and card networks have not offered enough direct relief. Commissioners asked questions about surcharging, fee regulation, fraud, and whether industry should share more of the burden. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjourning the hearing.