Video & Transcript : 'marine resources' :
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WTL-HWN DEFER, WTL-PSM, WTL Public Hearings 02-03-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:05:06.240><c> including</c><00:05:06.759><c> the</c> Resources including the Resources including
- </c><00:28:59.399><c> Management</c><00:29:00.080><c> and</c> Water Resource Management and Water Resource
- </c> department of land and natural resources department of land and natural resources shall<01:10:44.480
- Coast Guard, for a lot of our marine operations.
- </c> Department of land and natural resources Department of land and natural resources chair's<01:26:
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means.
Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no.
The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jan 13th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- Prevention Coalition, Surfrider Foundation, Rejohn, Monterey Environmental Action Committee, West Marin
- prevention coalition surf rider foundation rejohn monterey environmental action committee of west marin
- for public health cannabis policies natural Environmental Action Committee of West Marin, Marin Residents
- for Public Health Cannabis Policies, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Stewardship Action
- Law enforcement needs strong tools, meaningful penalties, and resources to dismantle these networks.
Committee:
House Business and Professions
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 29th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Colleagues, today I'm honored to introduce a special group visiting today from Marin County.
- Joining us is Marin County Supervisor Brian Cobert. Thank you.
- Joining us is Marin County Supervisor Brian Cobert, somewhere here hopefully, along with his outstanding
- Supervisor Cobert is a dedicated public servant and leader in Marin committed to community engagement
- This bill is about protecting public dollars and resources. It's essential.
Summary:
The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a largely procedural floor session. Members also heard guest introductions recognizing the 20th anniversary of UC Merced and visiting interns and local officials. The Speaker reminded members about floor managers for Senate bills and noted several items were passed and retained on file or deferred during the day’s business.
On the Daily File, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 385 on park property and AB 1119 on teacher credentialing, both by unanimous 57-0 votes. The house also passed SB 351, a health practices measure presented as strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules and protecting the doctor-patient relationship, by a 61-0 vote. SB 697, relating to water rights adjudication and allowing the State Water Board to use technology such as drones for investigations, passed 55-0.
The Assembly then took up SB 346 on local government and short-term rentals. Supporters said it would help cities collect transient occupancy taxes, enforce local ordinances, and identify unpermitted rentals; Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Papin, and Dixon spoke in favor, with Dixon describing local regulatory challenges from her time in Newport Beach. The bill passed 50-0. The second-day consent calendar was then approved.
The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment in memory remarks honoring Miguel Antonio Cano, Officer of the California Highway Patrol; Vincent Dino, a longtime Palmdale water district and civic leader; Andrew Meredith, a labor and building trades leader and former Galt mayor; and Erica Hoffman, a California School Boards Association advocate for public education. The Assembly then adjourned until Tuesday, September 2 at 1 p.m.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WLA, EDT-WLA, WLA DEFER Public Hearings 03-23-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- . resources. resources.
- </c><00:34:39.440><c> deposits</c><00:34:39.960><c> of</c> of marine deposits of of marine deposits of
- ,</c><01:01:34.000><c> which</c> Land and Natural Resources, which Land and Natural Resources, which
- </c><01:12:00.560><c> So</c> of the resources that we Okay. Okay. So of the resources that we Okay.
- </c> to the taking of marine deposits. to the taking of marine deposits.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown.
The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing.
In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it.
During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Offshore wind is Massachusetts' most scalable clean energy resource.
- , not just an energy resource.
- That doesn’t change the fundamentals of offshore wind and solar as the best resources.
- I would say one potential issue with that is just staffing resources.
- One potential issue with that is just staffing resources.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative.
The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs.
Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NJ
Transcript Highlights:
- Assemblywoman Pintor Marin. Assemblywoman Pintor Marin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Motion by Assemblywoman Pintor Marin.
- Assemblywoman Pintor Marin. Mr. Speaker.
- Assemblywoman Pintor Marin. Mr. Speaker, I move the bill.
- those resources during the budget process.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- for the Florida Highway Patrol, in my professional opinion right now... ...resources for the Florida
- We cost less per man-hour, less per flight hour, less per marine hour. With this budget, Mr.
- We cost less per man-hour, less per flight hour, less per marine hour. With this budget, Mr.
- The soldier onboarding training and equipment that you see there for 14, we're not resourced to grow.
- We're statutorily authorized for 1,500, but we are resourced at current thresholds to contraction.
Bills:
S0048
Keywords:
housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes, 999, senate, all
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems.
Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues.
The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Armed Forces Apr 7th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Veterans and Armed Forces
Transcript Highlights:
- And it was in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.
- And it was in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.
- And so, like Jared did in the Marine Corps, he was there to stand up and lift up people.
- These veterans come out, and they tell us that they've attended Focus Marines.
- These veterans come out, and they tell us that they've attended Focus Marines.
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:14:14.840><c> for</c> County serves as a crucial resource for County serves as a crucial resource
- Some of our Marines were alone.
- Marine Corps 24 years ago today. Marine Corps 24 years ago today.
- </c> Marines not caught in the alleyway. Marines not caught in the alleyway.
- </c> And are remembered by only the Marines And are remembered by only the Marines who<03:17:21.440><
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I live in Marin County. I'm a mother and a grandmother.
- I worked for 13 years at a high school in Marin County.
- I am the Executive Director of Arab Resource and Organizing Center and Arab Resource and Organizing Center
- I'm the organizing director of the Arab Resource Center.
- And the resources that we give them to engage with critical conversations.
Committee:
House Education
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- This added burden will divert valuable resources and time away from directly supporting students and
- Dustin Gushru, Director of Human Resources at Castro Valley Unified School District, and Aledia Fisher
- My final year as board president at the Saucita Marin City School District.
- Elia Shev with the Multicultural Center of Marin in support. Thank you. Dinesa.
- Rhea with the Multicultural Center of Marin in support. Tristan Brown with the CFT in support.
Committee:
House Education
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Mar 14, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 32
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- organizations, such as the Rotary Club, the Native Hawaiian Civic Club, the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine
- <00:23:57.360><c> Hoy</c><00:23:57.760><c> Institute</c><00:23:58.120><c> of</c><00:23:58.440><c> marine
- </c><00:23:58.679><c> biology</c><00:23:59.600><c> and</c> the Hoy Institute of marine biology and the
- Hoy Institute of marine biology and many<00:24:00.240><c> other</c><00:24:00.679><c> cultural</c><00
- </c> that they are our most valuable resource that they are our most valuable resource and<00:26:01.760
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (02/10/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> distributed energy resources, distributed energy resources, um That's correct.
- We Hampshire Marine Trades Association.
- </c> of natural resources. of natural resources. >> That's<02:11:01.840><c> great.
- Um so again, I kind of look resources.
- </c> it needs another week to marinate, Mr. it needs another week to marinate, Mr.
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Bills:
SB62 , HB361 , HB244 , HB377 , HB411 , HB422 , HB423 , HB425 , SB16 , HB452 , HB354 , SB62 , HB361 , HB244 , HB377 , HB411 , HB422 , HB423 , HB425 , SB16 , HB452 , HB354
Committee:
House Ways and Means Education
Keywords:
SB62, Alabama, conservation and natural resources, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife heritage license, license identification, government-issued ID, residency determination, in-state residency, student residency, tuition classification, public higher education, domicile, resident status, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, Section 9-11-32, Section 9-11-33, Section 16-64-3
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Sep 2nd, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so you need a legitimate factual resource rather than just saying, "I read it on TikTok or Instagram
Bills:
HB18 , SB 54 , SB 10 , HR 76 , HR 77 , HR 78 , HR 82 , HR 83 , HR 88 , HR 89 , HR 93 , HR 94 , HR 95 , HR 98 , HR 101 , HR 102 , HR 104 , HR 105 , HR 107 , HR 108 , HR 109 , HR 110 , HR 111 , HR 112 , HR 113 , HR 123 , HR 125 , HR 79 , HR 80 , HR 81 , HR 84 , HR 85 , HR 86 , HR 87 , HR 90 , HR 91 , HR 92 , HR 96 , HR 97 , HR 100 , HR 103 , HR 106 , HR 114 , HR 115 , HR 116 , HR 117 , HR 118 , HR 119 , HR 120 , HR 121 , HR 122 , HR 124 , HB 18 , SB 54 , SB 10 , HB 8
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 2 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Marine Resources and Ports Committee will finish their committee meeting in 216 immediately after
- The Marine Resources and Ports and Harbors Committee will finish their committee meeting in 216 immediately
- I believe Ports and Marine will have one bill to take up in 216, and then we will meet in 216 following
- Immediately following Ports and Marine today, Senator... Mr. Clerk. Senator Hobson. Announcement.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Friday, January 30th, 2026, House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
- Resources Committee or your 500th time.
- It does not change the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- It doesn't ask Congress to change the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- I'm a marine mammal scientist.
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding.
The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 47 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2020, William commissioned into the Marine Corps.
- attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida, and is currently a QE helicopter pilot stationed at Marine
- She has been an extraordinary partner and resource in helping us move this legislation forward so that
- families, to a well-resourced hospital or to a smaller, less-resourced hospital, every family has access
- It gives people the ability to access resources that can drastically improve their personal safety.
Summary:
The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology.
Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters.
The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 47 May 20th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 2020, William commissioned into the Marine Corps
- After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 2020, William commissioned into the Marine Corps
- She has been an extraordinary partner and resource in helping us move this legislation forward so that
- families, to a well-resourced hospital or to a smaller, less-resourced hospital, every family has access
- It gives people the ability to access resources that can drastically improve their personal safety.
Summary:
The House took up several Senate and House bills, often suspending rules to advance them quickly. Early in the session, the chamber handled a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a conference committee. It also referred a poverty-related petition away from Judiciary to the Committee on Children and Families after suspending Joint Rule 12. The House then considered a series of Ways and Means bills, including measures on police interactions with people with autism, honoring Blue Star families, Bolton land conveyances, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology; most were amended, ordered to third reading, or passed to be engrossed.
The most extensive debate centered on House 5441, requiring newborn screening for congenital CMV. Supporters described CMV as a common but often overlooked infection that can cause hearing loss, developmental delays, and other serious harms, arguing that universal screening would allow earlier treatment and better outcomes. An amendment to add several rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment to create a broad parental opt-out was rejected by a roll call vote of 153-1. The bill then passed to be engrossed by a vote of 154-1. The House also passed House 5443 on expanded public access to epinephrine after emotional testimony about fatal anaphylaxis cases; that bill passed 149-0.
Another major measure, House 5444 on civil rights and technology, would prohibit weaponized drones and robotic devices, restrict threatening or harassing use, and set rules for law enforcement use and warrant requirements. Members emphasized both public safety and civil liberties, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 154-1. The House also passed the Blue Star families bill, which creates commemorative license plates for immediate family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, with members speaking about fallen officers and the importance of honoring their families. Additional bills passed included the autism-related Blue Envelope bill, the Bolton land conveyance bill, and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The session included multiple recesses, quorum checks, memorial tributes to Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, and concluded with the House adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Standing Committee Report 780, third reading of Senate Bill 841, Senate Draft 1, relating to marine life
- draft<00:09:32.959><c> 1</c><00:09:33.480><c> relating</c><00:09:33.839><c> to</c><00:09:34.000><c> marine
- </c><00:09:34.360><c> life</c> draft 1 relating to marine life draft 1 relating to marine life conservation
- Committee Report 783, third reading of Senate Bill 1269, Senate Draft 1, relating to geothermal resources
Summary:
The Senate convened, called the roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and heard several introductions recognizing staff, visiting students from Do Middle School participating in Working Families Day, and advocates from organizations including H-CAN, Hawaii Workers Center, Aloha Care, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the American Association of University Women Hawaii. The clerk then reported gubernatorial messages withdrawing several nominations to boards and commissions, transmitting one nomination to the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, and House communications sending House bills to the Senate for first reading and committee referral.
The chamber adopted multiple groups of standing committee reports, including reports requiring 48-hour notice and one-day notice, and then took up third reading of Senate bills. Several bills passed third reading by unanimous consent or near-unanimous votes, including measures relating to water pollution, spaying and neutering animals, condominiums, marine life conservation districts, mental health, geothermal resources, the University of Hawaiʻi, and aircraft. Senate Bill 841 SD1 and SB 1042 SD1 each passed 22-1, SB 1197 SD1 passed 21-2, and SB 319, relating to marijuana, failed on third reading with 11 ayes and 12 noes.
The Senate also granted a waiver of referral for Senate Bill 1621 SD1 to the Committee on Ways and Means so it could meet the first taking deadline, and gave one day’s notice for third reading. The session concluded with a motion adopted to leave the journal open until 11:00 p.m. for additional committee reports and to recess until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.