Transcript Highlights:

• design and the additional size that EGIP brings will provide the state with additional negotiating power
• We need power to negotiate for our health insurance as a single unit. This can't wait.
• We need to we need power to resources.
• We need to we need power to negotiate<00:05:14.479><c> for</c><00:05:14.720><c> our</c><00:05:14.960>
• When we work together, we have increased<00:10:00.880><c> bargaining</c><00:10:01.360><c> power</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• states that is part of MISO, which is the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, who manages our power
• </c> operator who manages our power operator who manages our power grid.<00:03:27.680><c> They</c><00
• We could have localized power so we don't have the transmission loss.
• </c> modular nuclear and have localized power modular nuclear and have localized power wouldn't<00:21
• </c> full and they can't utilize the power. full and they can't utilize the power.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about power and power from a secret police agency for the purposes of a single man.
• It is<00:06:48.880><c> about</c><00:06:49.199><c> power</c> is about power is about power and<00:06:51.759
• We value the importance, power, and integrity of peace officers in our communities.
• I was actually at the body that has the power to regulate this in the U.S.
• </c> can regulate, anyone we have the power can regulate, anyone we have the power to<00:43:47.680><c

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:06.279><c> um</c><00:09:07.040><c> and</c><00:09:07.440><c> the</c><00:09:07.600><c> powers
• </c><00:09:07.839><c> of</c><00:09:07.959><c> the</c><00:09:08.160><c> board</c> to Powers um and the
• powers of the board to Powers um and the powers of the board try try try to<00:09:10.920><c> um</c><
• of CA is with the fact that it the power of CA is with the fact that it becomes<00:19:58.400><c> your
• and for the eal such as from H power and for the eal according<00:38:32.280><c> to</c><00:38:32.640>

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee reconvened for decision-making on measures previously heard on February 6, 2025. Senate Bill 1513 was deferred indefinitely based on the testimony and issues raised. Senate Bill 786 was also deferred indefinitely and set aside for interim work on a proposed SD1 that could address the concerns discussed and incorporate ongoing federal changes. Senate Bill 1031 was amended and advanced as a Senate WAP 1; the amended version would allow the legislature to adopt non-binding advisory referendum questions only for general obligation bond proposals, require 30 days’ notice, require the legislature to consider the results, and require a written explanation if the final legislative action opposes the majority vote. The committee also set a far-future effective date and noted that any further review should examine opposition concerns and the fiscal, administrative, and legal implications of the proposal. The measure passed on a yes vote from the vice chair and supporting members, with one member excused. In the joint Government Operations and Water and Land hearing, Senate Bill 411, relating to capital improvement projects for boating and ocean recreation, drew support from the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation and several written supporters, while Budget and Finance opposed it and the Deputy Attorney General warned it could be challenged because it implied funding without an appropriation. The chair recommended moving the bill with amendments and a defective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation to pass SB 411 with amendments. Senate Bill 1103, relating to community districts, generated substantial discussion and was ultimately recommended for deferral. Testimony raised constitutional and special fund concerns, while the Hawaii Community Development Authority supported the concept but suggested major changes, including clearer governance language, a dedicated staff position, and funding. Members debated whether elected boards would undermine county planning authority and whether the concept was more suitable for Oahu or the Neighbor Islands. Senate Bill 1308, relating to plans, was presented as an administration bill and supported by DAGS. The bill would remove outdated filing requirements, update fee schedules, give DAGS more discretion over plan format, and update drawing scales. A member asked whether it could help replace survey monuments lost in the Lahaina wildfire cleanup; DAGS said it would not directly replace monuments but could help with future mapping and surveying. The chair indicated the committee would note the monument issue in the report and work on technical cleanup language, with the measure moving forward subject to those amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is market power. You can say, well, then a physician shouldn't sign that contract.
• The problem is market power. You can say, well, then a physician shouldn't sign that contract.
• The problem is market power. You can say, well, then a physician shouldn't sign that contract.
• The problem is market power. You can say, well, then a physician shouldn't sign that contract.
• The problem is market power. You can say, well, then a physician shouldn't sign that contract.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• The preference originally applied to the purchase of power infrastructure equipment as well as both new
• So they've increased the power requirements needed to qualify for the exemption.
• , encouraging those data centers to use less power?
• You had just mentioned the 1.5 megawatts of available power that had to be available.
• On the second question, there's nothing in the statute that stipulates where that power needs to come

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, Governor Green wants to turn Hawaii schools into health clinics for vaccinations, and if passed
• Also, Governor Green wants to turn Hawaii schools into health clinics for vaccinations, and if passed
• green wants to turn Hawaii Governor green wants to turn Hawaii schools<00:24:35.640><c> into</c><00:
• Green's vaccination drives fund Governor Green's vaccination drives by<00:24:44.000><c> providing</c
• I would love to see our governor, who is so hard pushing this.

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure. The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua. A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts. No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is it ensures that municipalities all retain their zoning power while clarifying
• the power is down.
• power is down it doesn't say we're not saying you know you can't time that the power is down it doesn't
• It ensures continuity of the system if the power is down, which the business owners appreciate.
• There are solar-powered ones, there are battery-powered ones, there are ones you can plug into the wall

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 54, which would create a stakeholder working group to study utility-service problems in manufactured and mobile home parks and recommend solutions. The sponsor described repeated water and utility outages in large parks, said current law places maintenance responsibility on park owners, and argued that the state needs clearer standards and alternatives to costly attorney general lawsuits. Supporters from PNM and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty backed the memorial as a step toward better oversight and protections for residents. The committee asked about existing landlord obligations and whether rent withholding is available; the sponsor said current law does not clearly provide that remedy. HM 54 was reported out with a due pass. The committee then considered House Bill 166, which would create a statewide permitting framework for battery-charged electric fences used by commercial businesses while preserving local zoning authority. The sponsor and an industry witness said businesses face inconsistent local permitting, delays, and added costs, and that the bill would provide uniform standards and security options. Several members raised concerns that the bill appeared to favor a specific product type, could override local code differences, and might not address mixed-use areas, historic districts, or homeowners associations. After debate, the bill passed on a 4-3 vote, with one member explaining support but urging further work with local government experts before floor consideration. House Bill 20, a bipartisan measure, would allow Native American applicants to request a voluntary Native American designation on state driver’s licenses and ID cards, without naming a specific tribe, and with documentation requirements tied to tribal cards, certificates of Indian blood, or affidavits of birth. Supporters said it would recognize tribal political status, help with law enforcement and Turquoise Alert verification, and assist with education, health, and child welfare matters; tribal representatives and State Police testified in favor. Several members expressed concern about racial profiling, privacy, and possible unintended consequences of marking IDs, while others noted the designation is optional and tied to political status rather than race. Members also flagged drafting language that appeared to require multiple documents, and the sponsor agreed to clarify it. The bill ultimately passed, with some members explaining their votes and asking for continued discussion with tribes. The committee also approved Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would amend the state constitution to allow school bond and mill levy questions to appear on the general election ballot rather than being limited to separate school elections. Sponsors said the change would reduce special-election costs, increase turnout, and remove outdated language dating to 1910; school board and education groups supported it. Members asked about ballot crowding and local election timing, and sponsors emphasized that the measure gives school districts a choice rather than a mandate. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 295, which would create an Office of Accessibility to centralize reporting, provide technical assistance, and produce annual reports on accessibility of state buildings and websites. Disability advocates largely supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and consistency, while one webcast commenter opposed it, arguing that without enforcement authority it would not produce meaningful change. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 295, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot reach our 100% goals by 2040 without the nuclear power that we have on the grid now.
• Wherever you had nuclear power before, it's got to rise up in the mix that you see for Minnesota.
• Wherever you had nuclear power before, it's got to rise up in the mix that you see for Minnesota.
• Wherever you had nuclear power before, it's got to rise up in the mix that you see for Minnesota.
• Wherever you had nuclear power before, it's got to rise up in the mix that you see for Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Governor.
• Thank you, Madam Governor.
• Thank you, Madam Governor.
• Thank you, Madam Governor.
• All right, thank you, Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say, as an organization, we haven't been supportive of other bills involving new nuclear power
• are some issues that I don't necessarily think need to be addressed today, but as these new nuclear power
• I will say, as an organization, we haven't been supportive of other bills involving new nuclear power
• Generation, power generation purposes.
• As we all know, we are in a new era of nuclear power generation and nuclear power. research that uses

Bills: HB573 , HB1499 , HB1768 , HB3071 , HB3249 , HB3866 , HB4112

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: environmental enforcement, legislative oversight, inspection, concrete plants, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental product declaration, grant program, ready-mixed concrete, manufacturers, sustainability, concrete plant, concrete batch plant, wet batching, dry batching, central mixing, standard permit, TCEQ, environmental regulation, air quality, construction permit

Transcript Highlights:

• Fusion is the energy that powers the stars.
• That's what powers the stars.
• It is truly the ultimate answer to the question of how do we power the planet going into the decades
• A fusion power plant is a gigawatt power plant. It's not a small reactor, right?
• A powerful addressing system must be secure by default.

Bills: HB2809

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Keywords: cybersecurity, post-quantum encryption, CMMC 2.0, state agencies, data protection, US-based vendors

Transcript Highlights:

• The deal that was offered to us 15 days ago, um, with speaker in the name only and no power behind that
• a deal, um, the deal that was offered to us 15 days ago, um, with speaker in the name only and no power
• So would you entertain something in writing from about what a power share could look like if there is
• So would you entertain something in writing from about what a power share could look like if there is
• share could look like if there is Power share could look like if there is a<00:04:52.360><c> tie</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Adrian Beatty, the chief executive officer of the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers
• I am the chief executive officer of the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance
• I am the chief executive officer of the Association of California Water Agency's Joint Powers Insurance
• And we have public safety power shutoffs, or public safety power shutoffs, and those are not operable
• , we need to get backup power, we need to get backup power, we need to get backup power on his planning

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee held its first meeting and adopted committee rules for the 2025-26 session. The committee heard SB 1001, which would require the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to issue identification cards for essential utility workers so they can more easily access evacuation zones during emergencies. The author and supporters, including Rowland Water District and the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority, said the bill was prompted by delays during the Eaton Fire, when utility crews in marked vehicles were denied access despite having authorization. Members generally supported the bill as a practical way to improve coordination between utilities, law enforcement, and incident command during disasters. The bill was voted out on a do-pass motion to the Senate Public Safety Committee. The committee also heard SB 1153, which would require urban retail water suppliers in high-risk areas to include wildfire-specific procedures in emergency response plans and make findings clarifying the role and limits of public water systems during wildfires. The author and witnesses from water agencies argued that public water systems are not designed to function as wildfire suppression systems and that the bill would improve planning while addressing growing liability exposure after major fires. Senator Perez raised concerns about balancing liability reform with accountability and the need for future infrastructure hardening, and the Vice Chair emphasized that the bill should not create a hollow safe harbor. The author accepted committee amendments clarifying that negligence liability remains intact, and the bill was moved out as amended to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. A consent item, SB 870, was also approved. After roll calls were completed and absent members later voted, all three measures passed the committee 8-0. SB 1020 was pulled from the hearing for a future date.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a good government bill that will help joint powers authorities operate effectively and recruit
• the process for public employees to retain their CalPERS retirement when transitioning to a joint powers
• Public employees to retain their CalPERS retirement when transitioning to a joint powers authority.
• This restriction only applies to joint powers authorities.
• This restriction only applies to joint powers authorities.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several measures dealing with public employee retirement and school employee rights. SB 301 would prevent CERL-contracting cities and districts from selectively excluding groups of employees from retirement membership, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed in CalPERS law. SB 443 would clarify that employees moving into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status under the same rules whether the transfer occurs when the JPA is formed or later, with supporters citing regional dispatch and flood-management JPAs as examples. SB 494 would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge, similar to teachers and community college faculty, while opponents argued it would override local bargaining and school board authority. SJR 2 urged Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, leave, safety, and workplace voice. Support for the bills came primarily from the authors, California Professional Firefighters, the City of La Verne, Pajaro River Flood Management Agency, AFSCME, CSEA, and CFT. Opposition to SB 494 came from school boards, county superintendents, school business officials, community college administrators, and county education offices, who said the bill would impose a one-size-fits-all process and shift costs to districts. No opposition was voiced on the other measures. The committee initially voted to place SB 301, SB 443, SB 494, SJR 2, and the consent calendar items on hold, then later reopened the roll and advanced all of them. Final recorded votes were unanimous or near-unanimous: SB 301 passed 7-0, SB 443 passed 7-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations, SB 494 passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Higher Education, SJR 2 passed 5-0, and consent items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 passed 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• One establishes infrastructure that allows the SEA board to grant loans to power producers, municipal
• thinking is when it comes to economic development, we don't have a rapid way to deploy assets to get power
• just reported out regarding transmission that dealt with delays that we see many times in getting the power
• Can you provide power in x amount of time? Usually power in x amount of time?
• power, whoever, can't do that. power, whoever can't do that.

Bills: SB311 , SB322 , SB304 , SB313 , SB315 , SB316 , HB489 , SB90

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: electric transmission, public highways, permit processing, economic growth, infrastructure, rural development, condemnation actions, state regulations, community development district, CDD, annexation, municipal annexation, wet municipality, dry county, wet county, Sunday alcohol sales, ABC Board, alcohol licensing, on-premises consumption, golf course

Transcript Highlights:

• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">And then the governor proves </font> <font color="aaaaaa">that.
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">And then the governor proves </font> <font color="aaaaaa">it.
• It was clear </font> <font color="aaaaaa">that the governor, legislative </font> <font color="aaaaaa"
• It was clear </font> <font color="aaaaaa">that the governor, legislative </font> <font color="aaaaaa"
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">that the governor, legislative </font> <font color="aaaaaa">leaders and

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Health, during which I received two exemplary service awards at the State House from two governors
• , Governor Weld and Governor Mitt Romney.
• Public Health, during which I received two exemplary service awards at the State House from two governors
• , Governor Weld and Governor Mitt Romney.
• , Governor Weld and Governor Mitt Romney.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hybrid hearing focused on insurance and retirement-related bills. Representative Hendricks testified in support of H.2874, which would create a Medicare buy-in program for certain state retirees age 65 and older who are not currently Medicare eligible, with the Commonwealth paying Part A premiums and late penalties. He argued the bill would reduce retiree health costs for the state and municipalities while improving benefits for retirees. Don Buckley also testified in support of H.2874, describing his own situation as a long-serving state retiree without Medicare coverage and urging passage of the bill. Paul Jakes of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Michael Riley of the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems testified in support of H.2999/S.1862, which would provide fair worker representation on joint purchasing group committees. Riley also supported H.2933/S.1816, which would add a seat on the PRIM Board for non-state teacher retirement systems, and H.2954/H.1813, which would change the criteria and duration for systems considered underperforming in the public employee retirement system funding rules. He said the changes would better reflect current conditions and limit forced participation in PRIT to five years rather than in perpetuity. Committee members asked no questions during the hearing. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• A message from Her Excellency the Governor.
• The message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public Service.
• A message from Her Excellency the Governor.
• The message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public Service.
• The message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public Service.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do it twice because the November forecast usually informs what the governor produces for his budget
• And most recently, the governor has submitted a capital investment recommendation for the legislature
• And most recently,<00:03:06.480><c> the</c><00:03:06.640><c> governor</c><00:03:06.959><c> has</c><00
• :03:07.200><c> submitted</c><00:03:07.680><c> a</c> recently, the governor has submitted a recently,
• the governor has submitted a capital<00:03:08.640><c> investment</c><00:03:09.200><c> recommendation<