Transcript Highlights:

• We just don't have to start from ground zero. I appreciate what your agency does.
• They have zero depth in their staff.
• It was almost zero until you grew up on.
• It was almost zero until you go up on top of the hill where I was at.
• Camp Mystic has taken zero responsibility for the deaths of these 27 amazing girls.

Committee: House The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> As I understand it right now, zero. If we don't repeal this. Uh, what was my number?
• </c> &gt;&gt; As I understand it right now, zero.
• &gt;&gt; As I understand it right now, zero. if<01:55:29.920><c> we</c><01:55:30.239><c> don't</c><01
• and they killed it and put it on 14 to zero, put it on consent calendar.
• , put it on consent calendar. zero, put it on consent calendar.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes. 16 yay, zero nay. Any problems with consent? >> Nope. Okay, we'll put that in consent.
• >> Yes. 16 yay, zero nay. Any problems with consent? >> Nope. Okay, we'll put that in consent.
• >> Yes. 16 yay, zero nay. Any problems with consent? >> Nope. Okay, we'll put that in consent.
• </c><03:37:40.160><c> Zero.</c><03:37:40.560><c> Nay.</c> &gt;&gt; 16. Yay. Zero. Nay. &gt;&gt; 16.
• >> Yes. 16 yay, zero nay. >> Okay. We're putting that on consent.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While it's hard to zero in on exactly a specific number of artifacts that we have, by different search
• While<00:54:10.559><c> it's</c><00:54:10.800><c> hard</c><00:54:10.960><c> to</c><00:54:11.200><c> zero
• c><00:54:12.240><c> on</c><00:54:13.520><c> exactly</c><00:54:14.480><c> uh</c> While it's hard to zero
• in on exactly uh While it's hard to zero in on exactly uh a<00:54:14.880><c> specific</c><00:54:15.359

Committee: Joint Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there is less than plus something over zero. So zero or below in the bill.
• Well, there is less than plus something over zero. So zero or below in the bill.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• election days, having considered the same, recommends that the bill is ought to pass by vote of five to zero
• pass with an amendment by vote of<01:17:11.680><c> four</c><01:17:11.840><c> to</c><01:17:11.920><c> zero
• having considered the same, recommends that the bill ought to pass with an amendment by vote of four to zero
• having considered the same, recommends that the bill is inexpedient to legislate by a vote of three to zero

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have zero interest in replacing public sector employees with machines.
• We have zero interest in replacing public sector employees with machines.
• this data to ensure that we don't have child care deserts and we understand outcomes for children age zero
• And seeing as this is zero to five, well, they're born and they go into the system.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• were identified at a period of time, 4 or 5 years ago, that set of poles is being whittled down to zero
• set of poles is being whittled<00:16:57.360><c> down</c><00:16:57.839><c> to</c><00:16:58.040><c> zero
• </c><00:16:58.839><c> But</c><00:16:58.959><c> again,</c> whittled down to zero.
• But again, whittled down to zero.

Bills: SB2960 , SB2347 , SB2272 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2271 , SB2804 , SB2175 , SB2487

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: homeowners insurance, disaster recovery, replacement cost value, state of emergency, policyholder rights, insurance extensions, tenant rights, landlord obligations, housing crisis, eviction prevention, multilingual access, SB2272, Act 105, home health licensing, home health agency, home health services, Department of Health, DOH, CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when you net it all out, without 340B in this instance is zero.
• ><00:08:29.400><c> this</c><00:08:29.640><c> instance</c><00:08:30.480><c> is</c><00:08:30.919><c> zero
• </c> without 340B in this instance is zero. without 340B in this instance is zero.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the current balance, there is zero in this account.
• as far as the current balance,<01:20:39.920><c> there</c><01:20:40.080><c> is</c><01:20:40.239><c> zero
• </c> balance, there is zero in this account. balance, there is zero in this account.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It goes down to zero.
• annual increase and have at times<01:04:38.960><c> taken</c><01:04:39.200><c> a</c><01:04:39.440><c> zero
• </c><01:04:41.520><c> Um</c> times taken a zero% annual increase.
• Um times taken a zero% annual increase.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it could be zero. It could be they have rainsuits, snow boots. I watched it.
• Uh it<01:09:46.640><c> could</c><01:09:46.719><c> be</c><01:09:46.880><c> zero.
• could</c><01:09:47.839><c> be</c><01:09:48.319><c> they</c><01:09:48.640><c> have</c> it could be zero
• It could be they have it could be zero.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• up in terms of the monies necessary for career technical education, which we funded to the tune of zero
• to</c><03:49:33.439><c> the</c><03:49:33.520><c> tune</c><03:49:33.840><c> of</c><03:49:34.160><c> zero
• </c><03:49:34.560><c> dollars</c><03:49:34.960><c> for</c> funded to the tune of zero dollars for funded
• to the tune of zero dollars for capital<03:49:35.680><c> improvements?

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, Governor Green's recent Executive Order No. 25501 refers to zero energy ready homes, a term
• executive order number 25501 executive order number 25501 refers<00:05:04.160><c> to</c><00:05:04.400><c> zero
• energy</c><00:05:05.360><c> ready</c><00:05:05.680><c> homes,</c><00:05:06.240><c> a</c> refers to zero
• energy ready homes, a refers to zero energy ready homes, a term<00:05:06.720><c> applying</c><00:05:

Bills: SB2033 , SB2487 , SB2497 , SB2471 , SB2829

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: renewable energy, grid-ready homes, interconnection process, electric utility, energy independence, surcharge, customer access, energy storage, smart inverters, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, electric utility rates, ratemaking, performance-based regulation, performance-based incentives, performance incentive mechanisms, revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, reward and penalty mechanisms, alternative ratemaking

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• a longstanding issue, and it's really just bringing our community-based organizations up to ground zero
• organizations<00:59:56.880><c> up</c><00:59:57.119><c> to</c><00:59:57.359><c> ground</c><00:59:57.680><c> zero
• </c><00:59:58.319><c> and</c><00:59:58.559><c> it's</c> organizations up to ground zero and it's organizations
• up to ground zero and it's just<00:59:59.440><c> making</c><00:59:59.760><c> it</c><01:00:00.559><c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to be doing what we can to improve the economic situation where zero people are hungry, zero
• We need to be doing what we can to improve the economic situation where zero people are hungry, zero

Bills: HB1518 , HB1699 , HB1747 , HB1705 , HB1565 , HB1801 , HB1645 , HB2115 , HB2114

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just want to reassure people that it wouldn't drop to zero, because a lot of families are still
• going to need those benefits for other programs, and they would continue. ...zero, because a lot of families
• And this amendment also aligns with our goal from last session of zero property taxes eventually, which
• And that is if they continue with the measure and it passes, we have zero control.

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrollment's up 6 and a half percent or so, and 70 percent of our students graduate with zero student
• 35:12.480><c> students</c><00:35:13.359><c> graduate</c><00:35:13.920><c> with</c><00:35:14.160><c> zero
• </c> 70% of our students graduate with zero 70% of our students graduate with zero student<00:35:15.280

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it fair for a region with roughly 1.7 million Latinos to have zero representation in the U.S.
• Touched on it before, but we went under the current map from zero majority Black CVAP districts in the
• Texas currently has zero Black CVAP districts, and under the new map, there are two.
• Now, I haven't been to third grade in a really long time, but when you go from zero to two, that's an

Bills: HB4 , HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is zero evidence—none—that trans women are a threat to cisgender women in bathrooms.
• Not only did I pose zero harm to my cisgender girl classmates.
• But what I fear more is what I saw earlier from a young man who showed zero respect for the halls that
• We've heard repeatedly here today that there is zero evidence of trans women attacking women in restrooms

Bills: SB7 , SB14 , SB 7 , SB 14

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects