Transcript Highlights:

• . >> First reading of the bill: landowner license limits and limited quota hunt areas.
• and limited quota hunt areas.
• and limited quota hunt areas.
• It's not uncommon for there to be time limits on criminal offenses, repeat offenses within a certain
• Managing these ecosystems and our natural resource to the benefit of these species.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the testifiers, uh, we ask that you stand on your written testimony or, if you can, limit your oral
• Now, we're talking about, um, this particular bill, the benefits.
• </c><00:56:34.799><c> your</c> written testimony or limit your written testimony or limit your testimony
• </c> limitations for those protrusions. limitations for those protrusions.
• We're time limited here.

Bills: HB2392 , HB2462 , HB2423 , HB1771 , HB2081 , HB2334 , HB2336 , HB1666 , HB2375 , HB2415 , HB2451 , HB2373 , HB1641 , HB1694 , HB1695 , HB1986 , HB1797 , HB1879 , HB2034

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 2356, relating to parking, drew support from the Office of Planning, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Appleseed Center, Realtors, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Members discussed the bill in the context of the planned stadium-area mixed-use development, with questions about whether parking would be built in structures rather than as large surface lots. Senators expressed support and noted the measure’s broader housing and parking-reduction goals, but no vote was taken during the hearing. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2699, which would create a fare-free youth transit program, a special fund, annual evaluations, and appropriations tied to the environmental, energy, and food security tax. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about whether the special fund met statutory requirements. The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the bill, as did the City and County of Honolulu DOT, Appleseed Center, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Hawaii Bicycling League, Our Children’s Trust, and numerous youth testifiers. Supporters emphasized reduced family transportation costs, better school attendance, improved health and mobility, and environmental benefits. One senator raised emergency-planning concerns about how children using free transit would be handled during events like tsunamis; DOT and DOE responded that emergency procedures are being developed. The chair said the committee would work on language changes, including a delayed effective date to July 2027, and defer decision-making until the 12th. The final measure discussed was SB 2470, which would require leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements at state-controlled intersections, and create a process for community requests for accessible pedestrian signals. Appleseed Center, the Hawaii Association of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Center supported the bill, citing pedestrian safety, reduced collisions, and the need for audible cues for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Testifiers urged a phased-in approach that prioritizes high-traffic intersections. The hearing ended with the bill still under consideration and no final vote announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• So one of the things is we don't have a statute of limitations.
• people have that limit.
• limit on insurance is pretty inadequate.
• Raising those limits would be fantastic.
• Well, the liability limits, if we were to raise the, of costs?

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So generally, quantity limits are the only restrictions in place.
• </c> intended to treat acute pain is limited intended to treat acute pain is limited to<00:15:34.080>
• Outdated laws arbitrarily limit what a PA scope already is.
• It does not limit the to direct bill.
• Thank you for your comment about limiting the number of bills.

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to allow as many people to testify as possible, there will be a two-minute time limit per testifier
• In order to allow as many people to testify as possible, there will be a two-minute time limit per testifier
• the points Micah made, there is tremendous return on investment for this position, and it really benefits
• Um, and it really benefits our position.
• Um, and it really benefits our entire<00:13:43.040><c> food</c><00:13:43.360><c> system.

Bills: HB1602 , HB2246 , HB1707 , HB2216 , HB2594 , HB2595 , HB2155 , HB2113 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2015 , HB2152 , HB2548

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, grant specialist, financial support, farmers, Hawaii, federal grants, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, transportation, reimbursement, food security, local production, sustainability, agricultural loans, financing, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii agriculture, loan portfolio

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> benefit analysis. benefit analysis.
• ratio, favoring the benefit over the risk, in case that was a question.
• ratio, favoring the benefit over the risk, in case that was a question.
• Chair. um even from uh my own benefit, I want um even from uh my own benefit, I want to<01:03:55.480>
• </c> uh trying to limit uh trying to limit while<01:11:39.840><c> while</c><01:11:40.080><c> this</c>

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy for New Hampshire held its first organizational meeting. The chair read the committee’s updated mission statement, which says the bipartisan committee will fact-find on the state’s COVID-19 response and its impact on the healthcare system, with focus areas including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID, the Patient Bill of Rights, and vaccination policies. The chair also announced committee staffing changes: Linda McGrath stepped down as vice chair and Representative Gerard was named vice chair; Representative DeRoy was named clerk. The chair emphasized the committee’s work is intended to be science-based and fact-finding, not anti-vaccine, and noted that the committee may issue follow-up reports and recommendations. Members discussed a broad list of topics for future hearings, including long COVID treatment, ongoing vaccination policies, reporting of COVID deaths, standards of care and provider discretion, COVID-related funding such as ESSER/CARES Act money, and communication of treatment developments during the pandemic. Representative Pollina argued the committee should examine specific treatments and outcomes, including remdesivir, oxygen/intubation practices, and ivermectin, and raised concerns about whether some treatments were harmful or suppressed. He also focused on pediatric vaccination policy, saying the committee should review New Hampshire’s recommendations for children and medical students, and questioned the state’s reliance on federal guidance versus independent review. The chair responded that shifting federal positions may justify an independent New Hampshire evaluation and asked him to gather more information and potential witnesses. In open discussion, members suggested additional witnesses and topics, including local funeral directors, nursing homes, and emergency medical services, as well as how nursing homes were affected by positive tests and admission restrictions. Another member suggested the committee consider what products it should produce, such as a final report, possible bill recommendations, and better documentation or footnotes tying findings to testimony and scientific sources. The chair said the committee’s deliverables could include reports, letters to department heads or legislative leaders, and other actions, and noted that the committee’s 2024 report and supporting documents are available on the House committee page. No votes or formal actions beyond the organizational appointments were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of families here today that can talk about the benefits to their... ...the benefits to
• It said income limits for EFA programs are increasing this week.
• It said income limits for EFA programs are increasing this week.
• It said income limits for EFA programs are increasing this week.
• It said income limits for EFA programs are increasing this week.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, budget decisions are made without the benefit of the most current information available
• modernize how the town of Shrewsbury provides notification to the public and others, removing certain limitations
• The primary benefit of this legislation is that it would move our town meeting later in the year, allowing
• I respectfully ask for your support in this legislation to benefit the residents of Plymouth and support

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:

• and due to the fact that any of us have to get to other committee meetings at 12:30, we're going to limit
• Those who benefit from it should cover the costs.
• Those who benefit are the people in the entire state, not just one particular area.
• increased electric costs on the local electric consumers because a road is being widened for the benefit

Bills: HB606 , SB271

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: HB606, Alabama, Department of Transportation, DOT, public highways, utility relocation, right-of-way, state right-of-way, road construction, bridge, tunnel, toll road, interstate highway, defense highway, utility facilities, broadband, telecommunications, cable, electricity, gas

Transcript Highlights:

• And, yeah, we knew we had a limited number of times. I'm glad we were able to get them on.
• </c><00:32:59.200><c> of</c><00:32:59.320><c> the</c> we serve uh and for the benefit of the we serve
• probation to five believe we limited probation to five years<00:59:34.799><c> what</c><00:59:35.280>
• As to the question about MRA eligibility, would they be able to realize the benefits of MRA?
• </c> maintained that there isn't a benefit maintained that there isn't a benefit but<01:13:23.880><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• good, for I assure myself That whilst you carefully avoid every alteration which might endanger the benefits
• the pecuniary estimates for the station in which I am placed may, during my continuance in it, be limited
• We're making this change to reflect current repair economics to benefit customers and also bring the
• How that will benefit consumers. Thank you for the question, Mr. President.
• The the benefit to consumers is far too often if you've been in a car accident, especially with the rising

Bills: SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102 , SB1772 , SB1958 , SB2010 , SB1595 , SB1687 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1989 , SB1191 , SB1258 , SB1920 , SB1936 , SB2143 , SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157 , SB1806 , SB1430 , SB206 , SB1547 , SB1849 , SB1428 , SB1653 , SB1984 , SB1644 , SB1561 , SB1813 , SB1570 , SB1796

Keywords: education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• the Tax Commission did point out to me that with those two yard sales currently in law, there is no limit
• two yard sales, you potentially don't have to collect sales tax as long as it's below that $5,000 limit
• you're going to have more than two, you may have to pay sales tax if you're over that small seller limit
• But would she be the one that would be responsible for the $5,000 limit, or would it be everybody who
• But would she be the one that would be responsible for the $5,000 limit, or would it be everybody who

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• It deems who an appraisal report is considered prepared at the request of and exclusively for the benefit
• of, for purposes of limiting who appraisers and appraisal companies may be found to have liability to
• amendment would Number H-3366.1, and this amendment would move the proposed codification of the new limitation
• It also adds language that the new limitation on claims and causes of action arising out of an appraisal
• report would not limit the Department of Licensing's authority to conduct investigations or take disciplinary

Bills: HB2483 , HB2477 , HB2274 , HB2394 , HB2624 , HB2240

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: data broker, registry, consumer protection, privacy, data regulation, real estate, appraisal, business operations, regulatory compliance, email regulation, commercial communications, data privacy, electronic mail, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties, real estate transactions, nonprofit

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary witness testimony is limited to two witnesses in support and two in opposition.
• All additional witnesses will be limited to stating their name, organization, if they represent one,
• dilapidated housing stock, high energy cost burdens, contaminated or unreliable drinking water systems, and limited
• Many farmworker communities do not have access to these benefits because California's definition of disadvantaged
• Seeing as I have teenagers, I will not benefit from this bill, but perhaps my grandkids will.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• participate in a violation of these excess expenditure prohibitions, which I will refer to as expenditure limits
• Turning to item three of the bill, this relates to penalties for violating budget expenditure limits
• If, as a result of a civil or criminal action, a violation of school district budget expenditure limits
• would disqualify the applicant because of knowingly violating school district budget expenditure limits
• life cycle, we face a practical question: How do we extend their useful life in a way that directly benefits

Summary: The House Education Committee heard several bills focused on school district operations, student access, and special education. Substitute Senate Bill 6222 would allow school districts and educational service districts to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students, with priority for low-income students and documentation of the transfer. Testimony from the sponsor, district staff, and advocates emphasized helping students keep familiar devices, reducing waste, and extending the public investment in technology. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 5969, which would better integrate IEP transition plans with the statewide online IEP system and the universal high school and beyond plan platform to reduce duplication; staff noted a fiscal note had been requested, and there were no public testifiers on the bill. The committee spent substantial time on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6247, a school district financial management bill. The bill would require additional ESD oversight and support for districts showing signs of financial distress, create mandatory school director training on funding and finance, strengthen penalties for knowing violations of budget expenditure limits, and require disclosure authorizations before hiring certain budget or accounting personnel. Senator Dozier said the bill was prompted by district financial problems, declining enrollment, failed levies, and reserve fund declines. ESD, WSSDA, WASA, WOSBO, and OSPI testified in support overall, though some witnesses raised concerns about mandatory training, funding for implementation, and whether training should extend beyond school directors. Committee members asked about the bill’s scope, the undefined term “significantly,” the $750,000 reimbursement cap, and how it compared with House Bill 2593. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 622, which would exempt school districts and ESDs from certain surplus-property notice requirements when selling or granting surplus technology hardware to students at depreciated cost or no cost to low-income students. Senator Hunt said the bill came from constituent concerns about unused laptops and tablets and would help students transition to work, college, or technical school. Zero Waste Washington and an Issaquah School District official supported the measure, citing environmental benefits and practical student access to technology. The committee closed public hearings on the bills, noted sign-in counts for pro and con positions, and announced amendment deadlines and upcoming executive sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have several witnesses here today, so to be respectful of everyone's time, we will be limiting the
• to discover that the... funds were not used to pay the vendors or suppliers as intended, has very limited
• This can limit access to much-needed capital and deny an opportunity to save money.
• employee looking to review a decision by the Workforce Commission to award or deny unemployment benefits
• This bill simply provides that TWC benefit appeals be brought. in a county or district court from the

Bills: HB2226 , HB2269 , HB2343 , HB2760 , HB3621 , HB4079 , HB4204 , HB4518 , HB4531 , HB4555 , HB4850 , HB4876 , HB4903 , HB4996 , HB5122

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a two-minute limit for each witness.
• By the way, the conversation is outside the two-minute limit, so you don't need to worry about that because
• you to leverage our knowledge of operational challenges, such as staffing shortages and funding limitations
• Our company has been a benefit to Texas consumers for over 35 years, offering award-winning service.
• This would benefit everyone and promote innovation in our industry, meaning fans can choose where they

Bills: HB2226 , HB2269 , HB2343 , HB2760 , HB3621 , HB4079 , HB4204 , HB4518 , HB4531 , HB4555 , HB4850 , HB4876 , HB4903 , HB4996 , HB5122

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we control funds to limit spending to the amounts appropriated by the legislature.
• ><c> spending</c><00:10:23.320><c> to</c><00:10:23.400><c> the</c> control funds to limit spending to
• the control funds to limit spending to the amounts<00:10:23.920><c> appropriated</c><00:10:24.560><c
• </c><00:26:43.360><c> uh</c> pre- and post-tax benefits uh pre- and post-tax benefits uh administered
• benefits? benefits?

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:52.840><c> of</c><00:04:52.960><c> all</c> workplace for the benefit of all workplace for
• the benefit of all employees<00:04:53.440><c> in</c><00:04:53.520><c> the</c><00:04:53.680><c> state<
• and benefits like these.
• This bill pertains to the tax benefits that people who are not here legally would receive.
• provide outweigh the benefits they they provide outweigh the benefits they receive<01:09:18.359><c>

Bills: HF10

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• It deems who an appraisal report is considered prepared at the request of and exclusively for the benefit
• of, for purposes of limiting who appraisers and appraisal companies may be found to have liability to
• Number H-3366.1, and this amendment would move the proposed codification of the new limitation on claims
• It also adds language that the new limitation on claims and causes of action arising out of an appraisal
• and revises the crime of insurance fraud including its definition and penalty and the statute of limitations

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met in executive session to review several bills and amendments. Staff briefed House Bill 2483 on creating a data broker registry, House Bill 2477 on limiting claims arising from appraisal reports, House Bill 2274 on the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act, House Bill 2394 on insurance fraud enforcement, House Bill 2624 on consumer protections for unsolicited real estate transactions, and House Bill 2240 on self-service storage rental agreements. Members discussed proposed amendments on narrowing the data broker definition, delaying registration dates, expanding exemptions, clarifying appraisal-related limitations, and revising email and insurance fraud language, but action on HB 2483 and HB 2477 was deferred. The committee then moved HB 2274 forward. Supporters said it was a needed fix after litigation involving misleading commercial emails, while some members noted remaining concerns but wanted to advance the bill before policy cutoff. The committee adopted the proposed substitute and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a 12-3 vote. HB 2394 was also deferred without action. HB 2624 was reported out with a due pass recommendation after debate over whether the bill’s carve-out for public entities, tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies was too broad; the vote was 9-6. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2240, requiring both email and first-class mail delivery of rental agreements when an email address is provided and extending notice for termination or nonrenewal to 25 days. As amended, HB 2240 was reported out with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned.