Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a long process.
• I don't wish to talk much more about that process other than the process worked the way it was supposed
• If probable cause is established in the process, it goes through the normal judicial process within the
• There was information submitted as a part of that intake process that the Secretary of State process
• There was information submitted as a part of that intake process that the Secretary of State process

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also going to insert language that an independent third-party consultant or consultants may be contracted
• remove LRB as a technical assistance resource but further clarify that the Department of Labor may contract
• /c><00:03:00.560><c> of</c><00:03:00.720><c> labor</c><00:03:01.040><c> may</c><00:03:01.280><c> contract
• </c> that department of labor may contract that department of labor may contract for<00:03:01.840><c>

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met for decision making on Friday, March 28, 2025, and considered two related resolutions, STR 145 and SR 117, concerning the creation of a legislative working group to develop recommendations for establishing and implementing a paid family and medical leave program for Hawaii. The chair explained that the committee would move the measures as a Senate draft with several amendments to clarify that the Department of Labor would convene the working group and could contract with an independent third-party consultant for facilitation, legal and regulatory review, comparative analysis, compliance and eligibility analysis, staffing and operating requirements, drafting recommendations, and the final report. The committee also amended the resolutions to require review of relevant federal and state laws and existing programs, specifically including the Orisa prepaid healthcare act family leave reference as stated in the transcript, and to add an actuarial study or analysis of Hawaii’s workforce, employers, and potential beneficiaries. Another amendment removed LRB as a technical assistance resource because of budget concerns raised in testimony, while clarifying that the Department of Labor may contract for those services. The chair also noted that a representative would be added as a member of the working group, and that the chair of the working group could add other stakeholders as needed, along with any technical, non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency. No questions or concerns were raised, and the committee voted to recommend passage of STR 145 and SR 117 with amendments. The votes were unanimous, and the recommendations were adopted, concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the division's rate-making and rate-approval process actually already accounts for, um, that process
• /c><00:16:17.600><c> process.
• So uh that language for that process.
• </c><00:38:53.920><c> I</c> allowed to bid on its own contract.
• I allowed to bid on its own contract. I RFPs,<00:38:55.119><c> right?

Bills: SB3326 , SB2911

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, intoxicating liquor, direct shipment, breweries, distilleries, Hawaii, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 3001 on artificial intelligence in a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Labor and Technology hearing. Testimony included support from the Department of Education and Google, comments from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office, and late opposition from Agentic LLC. The Attorney General raised constitutional and vagueness concerns and suggested clarifying amendments, while Google said the bill’s risk-based approach and proposed amendments could help establish industry-wide safety standards for minors. The committees recessed and then voted to pass SB 3001 with amendments, adopting DCCA/OCP recommendations on data minimization for minors and UDAP clarity, the Attorney General’s proposed clarifications and deletions, and Google’s nonconflicting amendments; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. The vote passed unanimously among members present, with some members excused. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then took up several previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2045 on combat sports passed with amendments reflecting DCCA and boxing commission recommendations, including clarifying the on-site medical professional requirement, reporting duties, promoter payment, removal of the combat sports registry and ambulance requirement, and other technical changes; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. SP 2347 on the residential landlord-tenant code passed with amendments striking landlord requirements so OCP could work on a multilingual tenant-rights notice, and SP 2495 on consumer protection passed with amendments requiring OCP to publish an annual report on potential code violations. SB 2777 on insurance was deferred to February 17, 2026 for further decision-making. At a later CPN decision-making agenda, SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons, passed with amendments clarifying the preamble, removing language about foreign artificial persons, and making other consistency and non-substantive changes; both effective dates were moved to January 1, 2027. SP 2033 on renewable energy also passed with amendments clarifying the definition of grid-ready homes, cost-sharing provisions, applicability to interconnecting customers, and safety/certification compliance, with the effective date deferred to July 1, 2050. In each case, the committee voted to adopt the recommendations without objections from members present. The committees also heard SB 3000 on insurance, which would authorize the Attorney General to bring civil actions to recover costs and losses tied to climate-attributable harm and future climate risk, including costs incurred by state insurance-related entities. The Insurance Division and Attorney General’s office offered comments seeking clarification and warning about redundancy, implementation issues, possible representation of private insurers, and concurrent litigation concerns. Supporters, including the Center for Climate Integrity, a resident testifier, Sierra Club, and Green America, argued the bill would help shift insurance costs to fossil fuel companies responsible for climate harms and address rising premiums and nonrenewals in Hawaii. Opponents, including the American Petroleum Institute, argued the bill singled out one industry, raised constitutional concerns, and should be deferred because related climate litigation is already pending. The transcript ends with the committee continuing testimony and discussion on SB 3000 and then moving into SB 3326 on energy, where the consumer advocate and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s proposed separation of generation from transmission and distribution, while the PUC stood on written testimony, Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported it, and Life of the Land raised concerns about assumptions and the need for more substance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the recruitment process is already underway.
• 00:59:31.079><c> homeowner</c><00:59:31.640><c> has</c><00:59:31.799><c> to</c><00:59:32.079><c> contract
• has to contract with a private<00:59:33.319><c> inspector</c><00:59:33.799><c> in</c><00:59:33.920><
• The process would go through the list of compliance criteria that's listed in the statute as the minimum
• I know how this works: if they're in the process and then the money comes in, you don't really have a

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , with the bill, access to peer-to-peer support counseling, but then if boards have a more formal process
• This bill would remove personal care and IDD waiver services from the CON process.
• I didn't think that should happen, so that's another reason I went through the CON process.
• I didn't think that should happen, so that's another reason I went through the CON process.
• So it's why I went through the CON process back then. Yeah. And you mentioned the needs out there.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Resources

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without these, they cannot move forward in the process, the jurisdictional process or their mental health
• ,</c><00:12:09.360><c> the</c> forward in the process, the forward in the process, the jurisdictional
• </c> jurisdictional process or their mental jurisdictional process or their mental health<00:12:12.000
• </c><00:24:51.279><c> with</c> public reporting and um contracting with public reporting and um contracting
• process process and<01:53:11.840><c> they</c><01:53:12.080><c> aren't</c><01:53:12.320><c> reading</

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• apprenticeship programs to grow the pipeline of new teachers, creating a three-year multi-instructional contract
• It improves assessments and accountability processes by simplifying local testing calendars, specifying

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, Youth and Government participants, and Dr. Thomas Clem as Doctor of the Day. Senators also noted the presence of guests from the YMCA and Lakeland Regional, and the chamber received a birthday acknowledgment for President Gates. The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session’s enacted statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed statutory provisions that had already been repealed or expired; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language and corrected cross-references and errors. Each of these bills passed 36-0. Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, was explained as reducing district-level requirements, expanding teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, adjusting assessment and budgeting rules, and increasing district flexibility in VPK and facility planning; it also passed 36-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, by a 36-0 vote. Senate Bill 1720 on public school personnel compensation was withdrawn from further consideration. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify the passed bills to the House and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the process.
• SB 1777 addresses this critical issue by prohibiting medical professionals and contract hospital staff

Bills: SB 2041 , SB 1777 , SB 1681 , SB 2311

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• continuity here that's impacted our negotiations, and our recent discussions have been with the contract
• That should Either be a negotiated rulemaking process, which is something that's in statute, or the actual

Bills: SB2037 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources took public testimony on Senate Bill 1757 and its committee substitute, a measure dealing with aggregate production operations and a new permitting option for rock crushers/aggregate facilities. Testimony centered on whether the bill should remain focused on air permitting or also include broader quarry operations such as stormwater, reclamation, monitoring, and public participation requirements. Supporters of the substitute, including representatives of the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association and Associated General Contractors, said the bill would provide a voluntary third permitting option, preserve existing authorizations, and create a more practical regulatory path for Texas growth. Opponents and critics, including representatives of Texas for Responsible Aggregate Mining, Job Materials, and Public Citizen, argued the bill as written was too weak or too broad in the wrong ways. They said best management practices should be set in statute or through negotiated rulemaking rather than left to TCEQ rulemaking, and they raised concerns about limited monitoring periods, vague air-monitoring standards, public notice procedures, and the inclusion of non-air requirements in an air permit. Several witnesses said the bill should better balance industry needs with neighborhood impacts and public health protections. Chair Birdwell questioned witnesses about ongoing negotiations between industry groups and said the bill was intended to be a practical compromise. After testimony and questions, public testimony was closed. The committee left SB 1757 and its committee substitute pending, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistance contracts for this group rise.
• And of that, their contracts are about $123 million.
• Because there could be some contracts that are direct services, right?
• The other thing that I'll note is within contracts, home visiting is paid through contracts, which is
• If she needs less than 29 hours, she just might need a part-time contract.

Bills: SB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• the Legislature establishes, and so I would encourage them to embrace that role, whether in this process
• or in the administrative implementation process.
• or in the administrative implementation process.
• They really appreciate the work that’s going on in the needs assessment process, and they thanked the
• The Department of Health request of $1 million may be contracted out, and other than that, that's it.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to cesspools, Red Hill cleanup, water testing, environmental governance, and beverage container recycling. For SB 472, SB 501, SB 675, and SB 958 on cesspools, most testimony supported accelerating cesspool conversion and expanding Department of Health capacity, though the Attorney General flagged a single-subject issue on SB 472 and the Department of Health and others raised concerns about funding, program structure, and coordination. Supporters emphasized cesspools as a major water pollution source and urged earlier deadlines, while some testimony questioned the tax credit approach and asked for clearer grant and staffing language. For SB 639 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill cleanup, the Department of Health asked for clearer cleanup standards and noted limits on laboratory detection and sampling, while supporters argued the bill would create a binding legal standard for remediation and help prevent reopening of the facility. Testimony also stressed the need to remove all contamination to the extent practicable and protect aquifers and drinking water. SB 664 on water quality testing drew strong support from residents and water advocates, but the Department of Health warned the measure could duplicate existing authority and create significant cost; the Board of Water Supply supported the concept while noting it would expand responsibilities into private-property testing. SB 674 on environmental advisory council and waste reduction received mixed testimony: supporters said it would help address landfill siting and protect water resources, while industry groups requested changes to advisory council membership and exemptions for certain products, and one witness opposed the measure. For SB 1067 on deposit beverage container recycling, the Attorney General said the grant language may be constitutionally problematic because it lacks standards, while industry testimony both supported the recycling goals and asked for amendments, including broader representation on the advisory council and clearer treatment of compostable and packaging-related issues. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have another process question.
• I have another process question.
• </c> I have another process question. I have another process question.
• </c> administrative process. administrative process.
• </c> contract for designing the plate. contract for designing the plate.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . process. process.
• </c> eviction processes. eviction processes.
• And yet we are told that the process that was followed was a sober, quasi-judicial process. Mr.
• </c><04:15:49.240><c> process.
• </c> sober, quasi-judicial process. Mr. sober, quasi-judicial process. Mr.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we have processed 191 civil penalties. we have processed 191 civil penalties.
• </c> correction process. correction process.
• Um I I think the appeals process.
• .<01:49:01.520><c> Um</c> process.
• Um process.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard brief presentations on Kentucky’s 2025 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Department for Public Health staff explained that the preventive health block grant provides about $2.3 million annually and supports programs such as accreditation and performance improvement, local health department grants, community health workers, prescription assistance, asthma and COPD programs, workforce development, and a sexual assault programs set-aside. They said the Title V block grant provides about $11.7 million, with 35% directed to children and youth with special health care needs and 65% to maternal and child health populations, largely through local health departments and a five-year needs assessment process. After no questions, a motion was made and seconded to approve both block grants. The roll call vote passed 19-0, and the two block grants were approved. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The next item was a discussion of the child waiver created in House Bill 6. Committee members raised concerns that the proposed 1915(c) waiver did not match the legislature’s intent, which they said was to move children from the Michelle P. waiver to free slots for adults. Cabinet officials from DCBS, behavioral health, and Medicaid described the proposed “Community Health for Improved Lives and Development” waiver as a targeted home- and community-based program for children under 21 with severe behavioral health or developmental needs, including those stepping down from inpatient or residential care or at risk of out-of-home placement. They said the waiver is designed for about 100 slots, uses a standardized needs-based assessment, and includes case management, community living supports, home modifications, respite, supervised residential care, and clinical therapeutic services. Officials said the public comment period ended July 15, responses are being compiled for August submission to CMS, and the waiver is part of the broader Families First initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've given up a lot in this process.
• Months, and that was going to be a process that he had to learn.
• Upbringing and contract labor.
• HB 138 is the result of that process.
• That happens in this legislative process all the time.

Transcript Highlights:

• For FY25, the personal income tax contracted or declined by 0.7%.
• In the last forecast, we expected it to contract by 7.8%.
• Chairman, on possible impacts from the federal budget process. I think we should also, Mr.
• Very familiar with the institution and the process.
• That completion rate process at a national level, local level, or state level to say what works best?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:28:52.080><c> in</c> have a flawed credit report process in have a flawed credit report process
• We are also bringing fairness and due process back to the supervision process.
• </c><05:08:09.920><c> back</c> bringing fairness and due process back bringing fairness and due process
• Finally, this process by design.
• </c><05:23:20.320><c> and</c> current denovo chartering process and current denovo chartering process

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:15.519><c> I</c><00:10:15.839><c> think</c> work through this process?
• I think work through this process?
• </c> years to complete the entire process. years to complete the entire process.
• So, a a good example that I had process.
• </c> planning process through our uh program. planning process through our uh program.

Bills: SF0069 , SF0070 , SF0016 , HB0078 , HJ0002 , HB0085 , HB0086

Committee: Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• And we provide information and input into that very important process. improved our public outreach.
• And that's a two-year process, four semesters.
• And that's a that's<01:05:59.599><c> a</c><01:05:59.760><c> two-year</c><01:06:00.240><c> process,</c
• ><01:06:00.720><c> four</c> that's a two-year process, four that's a two-year process, four semesters
• these contracts go through really<01:57:34.080><c> quickly.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we renew it, it's a very collaborative process across the state agencies on do we want to renew
• 00:31:56.000><c> through</c><00:31:56.159><c> the</c><00:31:56.320><c> normal</c><00:31:56.640><c> process
• </c> legislation through the normal process legislation through the normal process which<00:31:57.200
• In the BU 10 contract, there's no time limit to the consultation period.
• Well, our current contract is actually at the beginning of our current contract. Oh, okay.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2145, which would establish a statutory right for the public to record law enforcement activities in public. Supporters, including the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii, said the bill would clarify First Amendment protections, reduce confusion, and provide a private right of action if the right is violated. Most written testimony was in support, while the Maui Police Department and Honolulu Police Department submitted opposition. A senator asked about existing court cases, and the ACLU witness said courts have consistently recognized a right to record officers in public so long as recording does not obstruct police activity. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2151 on emergency management. Testimony from the Office of Information Practices and HEMA focused on proposed changes to Chapter 127A, including limits on emergency powers and a two-thirds legislative override. Earthjustice and other supporters argued the bill was needed after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s Nakoa decision, which they said read emergency powers too broadly and could allow suspension of laws for long-term policy issues rather than true emergencies. HEMA opposed the restrictions, saying emergency managers need flexibility to respond to unknown, statewide crises such as tsunamis, hurricanes, war-related threats, and large disasters, and objected especially to limits on the governor’s ability to suspend public records requirements during emergencies. Several witnesses, including the Public First Law Center, said the bill was a step in the right direction but suggested amendments to better define emergencies and make clear the changes respond to the Nakoa decision. Committee members questioned whether the proposed limits would hinder disaster response and whether the legislature already has tools to override emergency proclamations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.