Transcript Highlights:

• that the residential rate that the consumer advocate is making sure that people can afford their energy
• <01:28:35.520><c> can</c><01:28:35.679><c> afford</c><01:28:36.000><c> their</c><01:28:36.159><c> energy
• </c> that people can afford their energy that people can afford their energy bills.<01:28:37.120><c>

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• aisle, and apart from just the ability to care for your child, mom or dad, they do bring a positive energy
• <01:03:41.960><c> bring</c><01:03:42.680><c> a</c><01:03:42.760><c> positive</c><01:03:43.280><c> energy
• </c><01:03:44.400><c> You</c> they do bring a positive energy in.
• You they do bring a positive energy in.

Summary: The Rules and Administration Committee met on March 19, 2026, to consider the referral path for Senate File 4139, the sports betting bill, rather than the substance of the proposal. Senator Franzen, the bill’s chief author, asked that the bill be referred first to the Commerce Committee, saying he had discussed the matter with the relevant committee chairs and that Commerce was the best place to address the bill’s consumer protection provisions. He emphasized that any final path to passage would still require the bill to go through State and Local Government as well. Senator Rasmusson objected and argued the bill should go first to State and Local Government, citing Senate jurisdiction rules, which he said assign gambling bills to that committee. He noted that prior sports betting bills had been referred there first and said a predictable referral process is important. Senator Maye Quade, Senator Dibble, Senator Bar, and Senator Jasinski also supported sending the bill to State and Local Government first, arguing that the committee has primary jurisdiction over gambling and that the bill’s consumer protection language does not change that basic referral. Senator Champion and Senator Miller supported the Commerce referral, saying authors may request an initial committee and that the bill’s consumer protection sections fit Commerce jurisdiction. Senator Marty moved to re-refer Senate File 4139 to the Committee on State and Local Government. Before the vote, members continued debating whether the bill’s structure and prior referral history justified Commerce or whether committee jurisdiction rules required State and Local Government first. The transcript ends with the motion pending and no final vote or disposition shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• foster home trainers, like Mark, Sophie, and Melissa Hortman, that dedicate so much of their time and energy
• c><00:08:12.440><c> and</c> dedicate so much of their time and dedicate so much of their time and energy
• ><c> only</c><00:08:13.680><c> selflessly</c><00:08:14.400><c> hand</c><00:08:14.720><c> over</c> energy
• to only selflessly hand over energy to only selflessly hand over these<00:08:15.840><c> gifts</c><00

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register. House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register. Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• portfolios in recent years and most of them now sell non-alcoholic products including things like energy
• 48:21.400><c> including</c><00:48:21.840><c> things</c><00:48:22.120><c> like</c><00:48:22.320><c> energy
• </c> products including things like energy products including things like energy drinks drinks drinks

Bills: HF4145 , HF4009 , HF4304 , SF2511 , HF4090 , HF357 , HF901

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• that do healing touch, or craniosacral therapy, or acupressure, anything that involves touch or even energy
• :53:31.520><c> even</c> anything that involves touch or even anything that involves touch or even energy
• </c> energy work. energy work.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• retailers, rising labor costs, costly state mandates, tariffs, increasing property taxes, soaring energy
• property mandates, tariffs, increasing property taxes,<01:16:12.760><c> soaring</c><01:16:13.160><c> energy
• </c><01:16:13.520><c> rates,</c><01:16:14.120><c> and</c> taxes, soaring energy rates, and taxes, soaring
• energy rates, and escalating<01:16:15.000><c> levels</c><01:16:15.320><c> of</c><01:16:15.440><c> crime

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Children need stimulating environments where they can release energy and explore new understandings.
• <00:46:35.839><c> they</c><00:46:36.000><c> can</c><00:46:36.160><c> release</c><00:46:36.480><c> energy
• </c><00:46:37.200><c> and</c> where they can release energy and where they can release energy and explore

Transcript Highlights:

• sort of philosophical difference in do you choose one bill to address this concern and put all your energy
• and<02:39:30.880><c> put</c><02:39:31.040><c> all</c><02:39:31.280><c> your</c><02:39:32.080><c> energy
• </c><02:39:32.560><c> and</c><02:39:32.800><c> negotiating</c> and put all your energy and negotiating
• and put all your energy and negotiating and<02:39:33.760><c> process</c><02:39:34.160><c> into</c><02

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• public health protections by restricting the construction of new solid waste incinerators and waste energy
• We will figure out where incinerators and energy facilitators will go, but it will not be next to people's
• In 2021 and again in 2023, laws that were intended to provide Floridians access to all energy sources
• whatever into their homes and they do not want to pay an extra penalty for not consuming one source of energy

Bills: SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972 , SB 365 , SB 1786 , SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 14 , HB 43 , HB 36 , HB 26 , HB 149 , HB 121 , HB 206 , HB 136 , HB 3114 , HB 2733 , HB 1732 , HB 3700 , HB 467 , HB 1130 , HB 1846 , HB 1442 , HB 1147 , HB 2176 , HB 2701 , HB 805 , HB 2890 , HB 1154 , HB 1644 , HB 2118 , HB 1718 , HB 2488 , HB 2596 , HB 2468 , HB 484 , HB 2578 , HB 3204 , HB 1041 , HB 307 , HB 685 , HB 538 , HB 2525 , HB 3125 , HB 2027 , HB 2894 , HB 3077 , HB 106 , HB 18 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> here</c><00:40:14.000><c> will</c><00:40:14.440><c> require</c> For comparison, our Community Energy
• 00:43:06.319><c> know</c><00:43:06.440><c> our</c><00:43:06.599><c> community</c><00:43:06.960><c> energy
• </c> comparison you know our community energy comparison you know our community energy transition<00:

Bills: HF8 , HF1416

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So the low-voltage side—low energy—but that doesn't mean that there's not a lot of energy coming through
• Thank you. ...laid on top of the distribution side, so the low-voltage side—low energy—but that doesn't
• mean that there's not a lot of energy coming through those lines.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1 and SB 1561 on vegetation management near utility lines and wildfire prevention. Testimony focused on requiring DLNR to create and update wildfire hazard maps, setting vegetation-trimming responsibilities for property owners near rights-of-way and utility lines, and authorizing utilities to enter property to remove hazardous vegetation. DLNR, the PUC, and Hawaiian Electric all testified, with Hawaiian Electric asking for clearer access language, after-the-fact notification in imminent-risk situations, and liability limits. Committee members discussed balancing wildfire response with property rights and the need for clearer responsibility and enforcement, including on easements and utility poles. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1 pass with amendments, incorporating comments from testimony, and SB 1561 was deferred. The next major item was SB 640 on artificial intelligence disclosures. The bill would require businesses and individuals in commercial transactions to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with an AI chatbot or similar technology, and it would create private rights of action and penalties. TechNet, the Office of Consumer Protection, and the Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about vague definitions, overbroad application, enforcement, and the private cause of action; the Chamber also argued the bill could burden small businesses that use AI tools for routine functions. In response to questions, OCP said the measure was ambiguous as to who it applies to and that the remedies and treble-damages provisions were unclear. The committee recommended SB 640 be deferred. The committee also heard SB 454 on prorating the rental motor vehicle surcharge tax when a vehicle is rented for only part of a day. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the proposal would make the tax system fairer but more complex and would require better recordkeeping by rental companies; the Department of Taxation and Enterprise Mobility also submitted comments. Senator Melby noted possible effects on the special highway fund and said that could affect his vote. The measure was referred onward, with the discussion indicating it would proceed to Ways and Means. Finally, the committee heard SB 1272 on towing, which would create a licensing framework for tow companies. Testimony from tow-industry representatives strongly supported the measure, describing unlicensed or noncompliant operators, poor insurance practices, and the need for accountability and consumer protection. They said a licensing board would give regulators a clearer enforcement avenue and help ensure fair treatment of vehicle owners. The hearing ended before a final action was taken on SB 1272 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was actually established maybe a decade ago with a Department of Energy grant.
• 00:54:41.480><c> the</c><00:54:41.640><c> Department</c><00:54:42.000><c> of</c><00:54:42.119><c> energy
• </c><00:54:42.480><c> Grant</c> ago with the Department of energy Grant ago with the Department of energy

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a direct loss of $1.25 million in equity. We're a private citizen, a private landowner.
• It's a direct loss of $1.25 million in equity. We're a private citizen, a private landowner.
• It's a direct loss of $1.25 million in equity. We're a private citizen, a private landowner.
• It's a direct loss of $1.25 million in equity. We're a private citizen, a private landowner.
• It's a direct loss of $1.25 million in equity. We're a private citizen, a private landowner.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• S-3183 by Senator Scutari modifies various provisions of the New Jersey Affordable Energy Incentive Program

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and your excitement, energy, and passion emanates from you.

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard two main bills. AB 1934 by Assembly Member Bennett would create a voluntary home hardening certification program under the State Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee. Supporters, including local governments, counties, fire-related organizations, and conservation groups, said the certificate could help guide future incentives for wildfire resilience and home hardening. Senators discussed how long certifications should last, whether recertification should be required, and how the program could align with local fire inspections and future state incentive funding. The bill was advanced to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The committee also heard AB 2411 by Assembly Member McKinner, which would create a process to train and deploy out-of-state law enforcement officers as temporary supplemental security for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The author, the Los Angeles mayor’s office, and the Los Angeles Police Protective League supported the bill, saying the Games will require far more officers than California can supply on its own and that out-of-state personnel should augment, not replace, California officers. Opposition from PORAC and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs focused on ensuring California POST standards, accountability, and proper training, while also raising concerns about recruitment, retention, and cost. Committee members generally supported the concept but emphasized that California officers should remain the primary source of personnel and that federal involvement should be limited; the bill was sent to the Senate Public Safety Committee. The committee also took up a consent calendar of additional measures, which were approved. After several roll calls and calls placed on absent members, both AB 1934 and AB 2411 ultimately passed the committee 9-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to add, as I just got off a plane two hours ago, that the hope, the orgullo, the energy in Cabo

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes, review a legislative funding update, finalize subcommittees, and plan for an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The chair reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment was partially adopted, securing $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval; the portion allowing new commissioners to be added later was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. Members discussed organizing the work into subcommittees. The commission ultimately voted to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. There was discussion about whether legislators should serve on the fundraising-related group, with concerns raised about ethics and a suggestion to rename it Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked members to confirm assignments within about two weeks so subcommittees could begin meeting before the next full commission meeting. The commission also planned for President Neves’s visit on Friday, with a smaller commissioner-only meeting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon. Members were encouraged to attend, bring guests to the public event, and help identify commissioners who could speak at the smaller meeting. In public comment, members suggested meeting with leaders of other cultural institutions to learn from their experience, discussed compiling a fuller calendar of Cape Verdean events across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and noted that the commission’s website and public meeting materials are already available online. The meeting adjourned by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to add, as I just got off a plane two hours ago, that the hope, the orgullo, the energy in Cabo

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes and review progress on its work plan. Members recapped prior discussions about commission structure, summer engagement, data collection methods, and limited funding. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The group then received a legislative update: Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment securing $125,000 for the commission was partially adopted, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial action, while a separate provision to allow commissioner appointments at any time was not adopted and may be pursued through another vehicle. A major focus was finalizing subcommittees. The commission agreed by vote to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members discussed possible ethics issues around legislator participation in fundraising, prompting a suggestion to rename that group to Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked commissioners to confirm assignments within about two weeks, with a June 22 deadline mentioned for responses. Staff support for the summer was also noted. The meeting also covered an upcoming visit by Cabo Verde’s president, José Neves, including a commissioner-only session and a larger community event, with encouragement to invite guests and use the opportunity to build support for the proposed cultural center. In public comment, members discussed gathering best practices from other community centers and cultural institutions, and the need to connect with existing Cape Verdean organizations and historical resources. Commissioners also shared updates on summer and July events, including Cape Verdean Independence celebrations, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• His work brings energy, pride, and a strong sense of place to the neighborhoods we represent.

Bills: SCR48 , SCR28 , SCR74 , SCR62 , SCR60 , SCR89 , SCR147 , SCR179 , SCR182 , SCR59 , SCR54 , SCR180

Transcript Highlights:

• Dave Shuklow, with the Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy, in support. Thank you very much.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met in subcommittee and heard three non-consent bills plus a consent calendar. SB 1159 by Senator Cabaldon would let public agencies disregard AI- or bot-generated public participation that is not from a human, in response to concerns about floods of automated comments and public records requests overwhelming local government processes. Supporters included Sierra Club California, the League of California Cities, counties, special districts, municipal clerks, and several local governments; there was no opposition. Committee members raised questions about how agencies would detect AI-generated submissions, possible liability or First Amendment concerns if human comments were mistakenly excluded, and whether the bill needed more specific amendments for each affected act. The author said the bill does not create enforcement against bots but instead clarifies that agencies need not treat non-human input as human participation, and the committee voted the bill out on a series of roll calls, ultimately 12-0, to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee, with the bill placed on call during the process. SB 932 by Senator Dato would require greater transparency in civil proceedings involving assignments of claims, aiming to prevent people from hiding behind shell companies or transferred rights to collect money while avoiding debts or other obligations. The Conference of California Bar Associations sponsored the bill, and its witness said the measure would help identify the real party in interest and curb misuse of assignments, including in bankruptcy and other recovery actions. The Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition opposed the bill unless amended, arguing that in complex litigation—especially wildfire cases with multiple overlapping interests and litigation financing—the proposal could miss important disclosures and create inequities. The author said the bill was a narrow accountability measure and acknowledged broader issues would require more discussion. The committee passed SB 932 on a 12-0 vote, with the bill also placed on call during the vote sequence. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing several other measures, including SB 994, SB 1100, SB 1374, SB 1189, and SCR 124. Those items were adopted unanimously after roll calls, and the committee adjourned after completing the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In reconnection with those they love and with acquaintances new and old, may their energies be refreshed

Bills: SCR8410 , SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution