Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's your traffic code, and local police and sheriffs are 169 and 609 criminal code.
• , respond to criminal code.
• So, we're asking that state code.
• </c><00:24:24.880><c> when</c> troopers to do criminal code when troopers to do criminal code when they've
• So, if act, respond to criminal code.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Senate Standing Committee on Codes.
• So the Codes Committee continues its streak of a bipartisan conversation.
• The bill is reported, and so concludes the meeting on Codes. Thank you.
• And so we conclude this meeting on Codes. Thank you. and so we include this meeting on codes.

Committee: Senate Codes

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Codes met on February 4, 2026, and considered a series of bills, mostly amendments to the Penal Law, with one Executive Law bill and one bill affecting both the Criminal Procedure Law and Penal Law. The committee moved and reported Senate Print 83 (Liu), 3158 (Schofez), 3693 (Sanders), 4470 (Mayer), 5041 (Sepúlveda), and 7202A (Hinch). Senate Print 3204 (Kruger) was advanced to finance after a member voted without recommendation, and Senate Print 5138 (Janaris) was reported despite negative votes from Senators Murray, Palumbo, and Gallivan. One bill, 3158, drew supportive comments about addressing animal fighting, with mention of letters from animal rights organizations. Another, 4470, prompted questions about who would create required training and whether existing police agency training would be superseded; counsel said the municipal council would promulgate the training rules and would follow up on the remaining question. Most votes were bipartisan, and the chair noted that the committee continued its pattern of bipartisan action. Senator Gallivan recorded a without-recommendation vote on several bills, and Senator Salazar was noted as without recommendation on the final bill. The meeting concluded after the last bill was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• then we also added 30 days for a person to appeal to district court, and we cited 28-32-49 of the code
• that is the version that you have in front of you, and I know there were some questions about the code
• and then we also added 30 days for a person to appeal to district court and we cited 28-32-49 of the code
• so that is the version that you have in front of you and I know there were some questions about the code
• and so we do have Liz the code.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 2224, which had been reviewed by a subcommittee. Representative McLeod reported that the subcommittee unanimously recommended amendment version 0107, incorporating several changes: a word change adding “paper,” inclusion of executive hearings, revision of subsection 3 to remove administrative procedure and use district court instead, and a 30-day appeal period to district court with a citation to section 28-32-49. Legislative Council staff was present to answer questions about the code language. The committee first voted on the amendments, with Representative McLeod moving adoption of version 0107 and Representative Schneider seconding. The motion to amend passed 13-0, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then considered the bill as amended, and Representative Wolff moved a do pass recommendation, seconded by Representative Schneider. On the final vote, the committee approved Senate Bill 2224 as amended by a 13-0 roll call vote, again with one member absent and not voting. Representative McLeod was designated to carry the bill. The meeting then adjourned after some brief informal comments about keeping nameplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jennifer Kaban continued: I have to get different parts that are, like, SAK coded, so I'll take it to
• counterparts you to again work with your counterparts in<00:54:16.480><c> the</c><00:54:16.559><c> city
• county Honolulu and with the in the city county Honolulu and with the other<00:54:19.040><c> state</
• Those were actually building code and fire code laws meant to ensure fire safety because black powder
• </c><02:31:39.040><c> and</c> situation is that the cities and situation is that the cities and counties

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered House Bill 279 and House Bill 392, both relating to firearms. HB 279 would restrict carrying or possessing firearm parts except at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container, define firearm parts and prohibited persons, and increase penalties for violations. The Department of Law Enforcement strongly supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole involving disassembled or “ghost gun” parts and help law enforcement charge people who carry weapons in pieces. Most public testimony opposed the measure, with speakers arguing it was unconstitutional, vague, hard to enforce, and would burden lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and firearm dealers; several also said existing laws already cover the conduct. One supporter, Dennis Dunn, said additional firearm security could reduce theft and suicides. The chair noted the committee had received 270 testimonies on HB 279, with 39 in support, 234 in opposition, and one comment. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for using a ghost gun in a felony. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported the bill, saying unserialized firearms are difficult to trace and that prosecutors need clear laws to address them. Supporters argued the measure would help prevent untraceable weapons from circulating and align penalties with other firearm offenses. Opponents, including several gun owners and association representatives, said the bill was unnecessary because existing state and federal laws already prohibit unserialized firearms, and warned it could create confusion, criminalize lawful owners of antique or self-built firearms, and be difficult to administer. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT MEANS A CHARTER SCHOOL:A DRESS CODE THAT SAYS A STUDENT CAN'T WEAR BRAIDS IN THEIR HAIR. >> Sen.
• OF CONDUCT, QUESTIONING IS MY COLLEAGUE, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, WHAT
• IS THE PROCESS THAT THE PARENT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN SRS DEVELOPMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE STUDENT CODE
• >> THE PARENTS WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE APPROVAL OF THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT. >> I BELIEVE THE PARENTS
• YES, I BELIEVE THE PARENTS WOULD BE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the original will be transferred using a qualified delivery method, as defined in the Estates Code
• that the original will be transferred using a qualified delivery method, as defined in the Estates Code
• A few other clarifications of the Estates Code are included, and there's a witness here to testify on
• Finally, the bill removes an archaic provision of the Estates Code that is infrequently used and that
• orders and judgments rendered in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship and amends the Family Code

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee first adopted its rules, which were distributed in the same form as the prior session’s rules. Members then took up several bills, beginning with SB 711, an HOA/condominium association bill that would extend and conform property-owner protections to condominium associations; the bill’s author and a Community Associations Institute representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 942 would allow child support and certain prenatal/postnatal medical expenses to be calculated from the date of conception rather than birth; it drew supportive testimony from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and was also left pending after testimony. SB 1448, an estates and probate cleanup bill, would require transfer of original wills by qualified delivery, add notice and electronic-order requirements for statutory probate courts, and make other clarifications; it received supportive testimony from the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute and was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1403, the Attorney General’s Title IV-D child support modernization bill, which updates notice, review, remote-hearing, and administrative-process provisions and clarifies several enforcement and evidence rules; the AG’s office testified that it would improve efficiency, and the bill remained pending. SB 1404 would allow courts to require an email address in final SAPCR orders when other contact information is nondisclosed and clarify service and judgment requirements; the Attorney General’s office described it as a good-government measure, and it was left pending. SB 1559 would require transfer of protective orders into divorce or custody cases to avoid conflicting orders; family-law practitioners and a family court judge testified that it would resolve longstanding conflicts identified by multiple courts of appeals, and the bill remained pending. Finally, the committee considered SB 746, a guardianship bill that would address conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings, allow guardian ad litem appointment earlier in the process, and require timely court action on annual guardianship reports and accounts; a committee substitute would remove some provisions and extend a reporting deadline from 20 to 30 days. TREP supported the bill, and one practitioner suggested requiring courts to state reasons when rejecting annual accounts. SB 1536 would require dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain family guardians, with a committee substitute narrowing the scope and reducing the training time from three hours to one; the Alzheimer’s Association supported the measure and the substitute, and the bill was left pending. No bills were voted out of committee during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• published as notices of correction emergency rule rules to be published in the Florida Administrative code
• So let's take up Amendment bar code 3, 8, 6, 5, or >> that amendment.
• So and would building codes still be required to be followed in connection with this?
• All state building codes. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions on the bill.
• The first section makes it a violation of Section one, 12, the Florida code of Ethics for anyone who

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we have to figure out how to get in code compliance and what it's going to cost.
• , we have to figure out how to get in code compliance and what it's going to cost.
• , or life safety codes and housing building codes.
• </c> Safety codes and housing building codes Safety codes and housing building codes and<00:40:19.480
• If that laptop were to be lost or stolen, there's codes that's built into it.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuskegee Airmen who proudly defended our country in Europe during World War II, removing our Navajo Code
• REMOVING OUR NAVAJO CODE TALK YOURS WHO HELPED US DEFEAT JAPAN.
• This bill makes two straightforward reforms to the Internal Revenue Code that will address this flaw
• in the tax code and ensure disaster victims are able to receive more timely relief.
• IN THE TAX CODE AND ENSURE DISASTER VICTIMS ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE MORE TIMELY RELIEF.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, Section 54-4710 of the Idaho Code requires this board to establish fees of an amount that
• We have a code. So they'll set that code to the occupational licensing board.
• They code that time to the pharmacy board.
• We have a code. So they'll set that code to the occupational licensing board.
• They code that time to the pharmacy board.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we went within the code, the children's code, and it used that definition.
• So we went within the code, the children's code, and it used that definition.
• And the deputy, you spoke about the sexual abuse, the crimes, and the Children's Code.
• But we listed the crimes out in the code, as these are the types of allegations. Children's Code?
• And the Children's Code. Okay.

Bills: SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB250 , SB433

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Transcript Highlights:

• SECTION 112 FLORIDA CODE OF ETHICS FOR ANYONE WHO IS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
• CHAIRMAN THIS DEALS WITH FINES IMPOSED BY THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS OR ANY VIOLATION OF THE FLORIDA CODE
• THESE ARE PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO HAVE BEEN FINE FOR VIOLENT AND THE FLORIDA CODE OF ETHICS AND WHO HAVING
• VIOLATED THE CODE THAT THAT'S THEN A THUMB THEIR NOSE AT THE LAW AND DO NOT PAY THEIR FINES.
• WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT WE WILL TAKE AMENDMENT BAR CODE 92278 BY SENATOR GAETZ.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of Section 12-60-24 of the North Dakota Century Code
• To amend and reenact sections 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to physician continuing
• and you will see the addition in Section 1 of the bill as it impacts Chapter 43-40 of the Century Code
• new sections of Chapter 43-15 and a new subsection to Section 43-48-03 of the North Dakota Century Code
• Century Code, relating to approved laboratory tests, and to provide for an effective date.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1624 , HB1623 , HB1622 , HB1625 , HB1626 , HB1627 , HCR3038

Keywords: presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0. The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12. Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• publish aggregated data identifying brokers with the largest number of clients in the plan by ZIP code
• California Insurance Code Section 1763 California Insurance Code Section 1763 requires that surplus line
• The SLA is a broker association, and per California Insurance Code Section 1780.52, subdivision (b),
• So that is a clear indication: if you're on that ZIP code list, that means that there's a high degree
• That ZIP code list means that there's a high degree of Fair Plan concentration there, and that's going

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held its first outcomes review oversight hearing on the residential fair plan clearinghouse program created by AB 3012. Chair and members focused on whether the program is actually helping depopulate the California Fair Plan and move policyholders back to the voluntary market. The Fair Plan and Department of Insurance testified that the program exists as a platform for admitted and, in some cases, non-admitted insurers to review Fair Plan policies and make offers through the broker of record, but they acknowledged limited participation and limited results. CDI said it has received no formal complaints specific to the clearinghouse, but identified obstacles including only 11 participating residential insurers, the broker-of-record requirement, compensation and appointment issues, and the lack of direct consumer contact. CDI said about 730 residential risks have moved to voluntary market coverage through the program from June 2021 through April 30, 2025, and opt-outs are under 1%. Committee members pressed witnesses on the program’s opacity, the lack of data on offers made versus policies actually moved, and whether the clearinghouse is functioning as intended. CDI and the Fair Plan said they do not have data on how many offers have been made, only on cancellations that are self-reported and marked as clearinghouse-related. Members also raised regional growth in Fair Plan enrollment, especially on the Central Coast, and concerns about underinsurance when policyholders move back to the regular market. CDI recommended more mandatory reporting, broader broker education, possible direct offers to policyholders after a period of time, and changes to commission and appointment rules to reduce barriers to insurer participation. The second panel of industry witnesses generally agreed the clearinghouse is not a stand-alone solution and said its effectiveness depends on a healthier admitted market and actuarially sound Fair Plan rates. Independent agents and brokers, admitted-market insurers, and surplus lines representatives said the current system is constrained by low rate adequacy, limited insurer appetite for high-risk properties, operational friction, and misaligned incentives. Several witnesses suggested improvements such as better data sharing, clearer depopulation procedures, stronger broker education, and more flexible appointment or compensation rules. Some supported giving the program more time under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, while others said the Legislature should consider whether to strengthen, modify, or potentially sunset the program if it continues to produce limited results. A public witness later reported that a new carrier had recently joined the clearinghouse and was working with brokers to bring in additional capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:14.799><c> And</c> the approved state fire code. And the approved state fire code.
• Last measure on yesterday's agenda was Senate Bill 2339 relating to the state building code council.
• The recommendation was to add two labor members to the building code council in conjunction with the
• </c><00:31:43.200><c> Uh</c><00:31:43.600><c> the</c> building code council.
• Uh the building code council.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several public safety and emergency-related measures. SB 3192, on emergency healthcare license waivers, drew support from nursing and healthcare advocates who said automatic emergency licensure during a governor-declared emergency would help avoid delays in bringing qualified clinicians to disaster areas, citing the Lahaina wildfire response. The committee reported 13 supportive testimonies, none in opposition, and one comment. It later recommended passage of SB 3192 with technical non-substantive amendments and a defective effective date, and the recommendation was adopted by vote. SB 2121, requiring ASL interpretation and visible picture-in-picture display during official emergency announcements, received supportive testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters. DAP demonstrated why captions alone are not sufficient and why an interpreter on screen improves effective communication. Broadcasters supported the bill’s intent but raised practical concerns about implementation and staffing, suggesting amendments. SB 3239, which would appropriate funds to HMA for bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English proficiency, was supported by legal aid and immigrant-rights advocates who emphasized the need for language access during disasters and noted the large LEP population in Hawaii. After discussion, the chair proposed folding the sign-language and multilingual access concepts into SB 21109, a broader emergency preparedness communications bill, and the committee deferred SB 2121 and SB 3239. The committee also heard SB 2645 on fire prevention and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire marshal supported the bill’s provisions to modernize the office, create cross-certified assistant fire marshals, shift inspections to a risk-based schedule, establish the state fire code as the baseline, and create a special fund, but DLNR opposed the section changing the marshal selection process from a council-based appointment to gubernatorial appointment. The chair ultimately recommended passage of the proposed SD2 with blank appropriation amounts and committee-report concerns, and the recommendation was adopted. The committee then passed SB 21109 with amendments, incorporating the deferred sign-language and language-access ideas into the broader emergency communications framework. It also later took up measures from the prior day’s agenda, passing SB 2882, SB 3191, and SB 2339 with amendments, including changes to the state buildings, water safety/drowning prevention, and building code council measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will start with Senate Bill 314, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to criminal
• Senate Bill 314, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to criminal proceedings, procedure
• Moving on to our next agenda item is Senate Bill 347, an act to amend Title VI of the Delaware Code relating
• Senate Bill 347 is an act to amend Title VI of the Delaware Code relating to the Medical Debt Protection
• Next up, we have Senate Bill 345, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to offenses

Committee: House Administration

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will start with Senate Bill 314, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to criminal
• Senate Bill 314, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to criminal proceedings, procedure
• Moving on to the next agenda item is Senate Bill 347, an act to amend Title 6 of the Delaware Code relating
• Senate Bill 347, an act to amend Title 6 of the Delaware Code relating to the Medical Debt Protection
• Next up, we have Senate Bill 345, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to offenses

Committee: House Administration

Summary: The House Administration Committee met with a quorum present and considered four Senate bills. SB 314 updated Delaware’s rape shield law governing criminal proceedings and evidence; the sponsor said it was developed collaboratively by the Department of Justice and the Office of Defense Services, and there was no public comment. SB 347 made technical corrections to the Medical Debt Protection Act; the Delaware Health Care Association thanked sponsors for early collaboration, and there was no virtual comment. SB 349 named the Millsboro Bypass the Senator Richard S. Cordrey Bypass in honor of Senator Cordrey’s service; Senator Petty Jodget spoke in support, and the bill was released. SB 345 would prevent minors involved in trafficking-related prostitution offenses from being tried for prostitution; there was no public comment, and it was also released. For each bill, the committee took a motion to release and approved it by roll call vote. SB 314, SB 347, SB 349, and SB 345 all received unanimous support from the members present, with Speaker Minor-Brown absent for the first two votes and present for the latter two. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the residential landlord tenant code. the residential landlord tenant code.
• </c> specialize in landlord tenant code specialize in landlord tenant code issues<01:14:03.760><c> so
• This measure landlord tenant code.
• I went to to the landlord tenant code.
• I can confirm code. I'm calling OCP.

Bills: SB2045 , SB2354

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 588 created labor code section 238.5.
• And so that is essentially. 8 created labor code section 238.5.
• Under Labor Code Section 238.4,... ...accountable.
• Under Labor Code Section 238.4, this is really important.
• remove the reference to Labor Code 238, which is the prior unpaid wage theft judgment.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment held a review hearing on SB 588, focused on wage theft enforcement and whether the law’s tools are working as intended. Committee members emphasized that wage theft is a major and under-enforced form of theft in California, citing large backlogs in wage claims and long delays that can leave workers waiting years for payment. The hearing was framed as oversight of the Labor Commissioner’s enforcement authority and a discussion of whether additional tools or funding are needed to improve collections and deter bad actors. Witnesses from UCLA, worker advocacy organizations, and legal aid described SB 588’s main enforcement mechanisms, including liens, levies, stop-work orders, successor and individual liability, and the ability to pursue upstream entities in fissured industries. They argued these tools have improved settlement leverage and recovery rates, especially in janitorial and property services cases, and gave examples involving Tesla, Cheesecake Factory, Optum, and grocery and care-home employers. At the same time, they said the law is less effective in industries like residential care, where employers often transfer assets or change ownership before judgments are collected, and they urged changes such as broader prejudgment lien authority, more license-revocation power, and additional staffing for the Judgment Enforcement Unit. Worker testimony highlighted the human impact of delayed or unpaid wages. A care worker described being underpaid, denied pay for breaks and off-the-clock work, and facing intimidation when filing claims. Marta Lepe Martinez said she was owed more than $300,000, waited more than three years for a hearing, and still had not recovered any money despite a judgment and a lien on property. Another worker advocate explained that SB 588 helped identify responsible individuals and businesses earlier, increasing the chance of recovery, but said more resources and faster enforcement are still needed. Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower said SB 588 has significantly improved collections, reporting that the Judgment Enforcement Unit has recovered $125 million since enactment and that first-year recovery rates have risen from 17% to 46%. She said the agency is using liens, levies, stop orders, and individual liability more aggressively, but acknowledged that the tools are limited when employers are undercapitalized, hide assets, or transfer property before judgment. She supported the need for more staff and continued legislative investment. Public comment from SEIU California also backed SB 588’s framework and encouraged focusing enforcement on bad actors and expanding the law’s reach.

Transcript Highlights:

• once in a while. ...and how we need to, in the Idaho Legislature, make adjustments to the code once
• And so here a couple of years ago, we changed the code to say, well, listen, if you don't live within
• And double I, or redesignated as A and B for consistency in the Idaho Code drafting.
• So this legislation amends Idaho Code 59-308 to replace just this one part.
• So this legislation amends Idaho Code 59-308 to replace just this one part.

Keywords: 989, all