Transcript Highlights:

• We have the rest of the data, but we need those eight counties, and we're glad to do the research if
• And get them on the ground to do, number one, research in finding the information that we need, and number
• we get additional funding, is to put on additional attorneys whose sole job is to do this kind of research
• That we're actively doing, as I say, as we research these properties, is looking at the history.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Researchers, um, for the Republicans, Aaron Bersie, and for the Democrats, Zack Minertz.
• Um researchers, researchers, researchers, um<00:35:54.480><c> for</c><00:35:54.720><c> the</c><00:35:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Research has shown that ATV use can affect habitat, reduce productivity and survival rates, and alter
• wildlife is significant and well on wildlife is significant and well documented.<00:15:01.680><c> Research
• Research has shown that ATV documented.
• Research has shown that ATV use<00:15:03.920><c> can</c><00:15:04.160><c> affect</c><00:15:04.760><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• autism kits and the swimming, because even the swimming lessons after we did a study and been doing research
• study and been lessons after we did a study and been doing<00:30:24.360><c> a</c><00:30:24.519><c> research
• > the</c><00:30:25.200><c> last</c><00:30:26.000><c> summer</c><00:30:26.399><c> and</c> doing a research
• for the last summer and doing a research for the last summer and now<00:30:27.799><c> and</c><00:30:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said research suggests that using citations decreases the number of people held in jails without exacerbating
• He also said research suggests that using citations decreases the number of people held in jails without
• He said they wanted to recognize that, and also pointed out that research suggests that using citations
• Lars Troutman said that research suggests using citations decreases the number of people who are held

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard testimony on several public safety and criminal justice measures. HB 433 HD1 would appropriate funds for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services; DCR Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the same $4 million request is in the governor’s executive budget, and the Correctional System Oversight Commission, Public Defender, ACLU, OHA, Chamber of Commerce, and other groups testified in support. Members asked whether the funding was already in the governor’s budget, and Johnson confirmed it was requested there for the next two fiscal years. HB 1045 would make emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and the Department of Law Enforcement, DAGS, Budget and Finance, and the Judiciary testified in support, with DLE saying the amounts match what Budget and Finance will present. HB 1296 would require timely notice and reporting to the Legislature when the governor transfers money to the major disaster fund; Budget and Finance and the Governor’s office offered comments, and no opposition was noted. HB 1002 would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify inspection authority; DCR and the commission supported it, with the commission saying a longer term would help the coordinator do the job effectively and allow inspections without notice. HB 596 would clarify what events qualify as disasters and emergencies for emergency management purposes. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency opposed the bill, while maritime and Grassroot Institute representatives supported it. Members asked whether the bill’s 21-day limit should be extended to 30 days, and HEMA said it opposed any change that would limit the governor’s flexibility in the response phase. The committee also heard HB 1128 HD1, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require officers to record the justification. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU, and some reform advocates supported it as a check on police discretion and a way to encourage citations, while the Attorney General, Honolulu Police Department, prosecutors, DLE, county police chiefs, SHOPO, and others opposed it as too restrictive and likely to create litigation and court delays. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think with the initial money, our idea would be to fund a lot of there's a research and information
• connections to gather information directly from the higher educational institutions, some of the research
• My name is Kyle, and I am the Director of State Policy for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
• Our membership includes more than 70 life science firms, and it also includes New Mexico's Opposed research

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial assistance, marketing, research, analysis, and statistics.
• Statistics was kind of mixed with research, and we had all our statisticians under economist.
• So research kind of stays on its own, and statistics can kind of focus on just doing statistics.
• So research kind of stays on functions.
• side, the animal side, the research side, the animal side, the plant<00:46:44.960><c> side.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that Delaware has the Delaware Yield, and that in 2017 research from the NHSA, or data from
• He said Delaware has the Delaware Yield, and that in 2017 research from the NHSA, or data from the NHSA
• </c> Nitsa based upon the current research Nitsa based upon the current research and<00:40:08.160><c>
• Jeremy Olson, who was next to me, did a lot of the research for the bill and wrote a lot of it.
• </c> next to me uh did a lot of the research next to me uh did a lot of the research for<03:22:41.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened its public hearing with HB 249, sponsored by Representative Seth Miller, which would allow bicycles, human-powered vehicles, and electric bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs in certain situations. Miller argued the bill would improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer injuries and crashes. He emphasized that the proposal would remain optional for cyclists, who would still be required to yield to cross traffic and obey right-of-way rules, and said the bill is intended to help riders maintain momentum and avoid the instability that comes from repeatedly starting from a full stop. Committee members raised concerns about uncertainty for drivers and pedestrians, liability, and whether the bill would create a special class of road users with different rules. Representative Crawford asked about the red-light left turn language, and Miller explained it was included because bicycles may not trigger some traffic signals. Representative Hill questioned how other road users would know what a cyclist intended to do at an intersection, and Representative Gon noted the bill did not appear to address liability the way some motorcycle-related laws do. Miller responded that cyclists would still be expected to yield appropriately and said he would be open to an amendment if liability language was needed. Representative Emble also questioned whether the bill would create a special vehicle class, and Miller replied that bicycles already have different roadway rules and that the bill was meant to improve safety and flow. Several supporters testified in favor of the bill. Michael Frank, a cyclist and League cycling instructor from Spofford, said he regularly rides a cargo bike for errands and that stopping fully at intersections leaves him exposed longer and makes it harder to restart on hills. He said the bill would let cyclists slow, assess traffic, and proceed safely while maintaining momentum, and noted that he had not personally received a ticket for rolling through a stop sign, though he had been warned by police. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy, and helps bicycles move through intersections faster and more safely. No vote or committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• not feasible, and need not feasible, and need need<00:02:42.920><c> further</c><00:02:43.200><c> research
• </c><00:02:43.760><c> determine</c><00:02:44.120><c> if</c><00:02:44.240><c> it</c> need further research
• to determine if it need further research to determine if it works.<00:02:44.640><c> So,</c> works.
• Rebecca and Elijah, our researchers, who help us to understand what we're doing.
• Elijah our researchers who help us to Elijah our researchers who help us to understand<01:38:21.480><

Bills: HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Transcript Highlights:

• That is certainly something that I can research deeper, potentially even with you more... that, you know
• </c><00:10:46.280><c> deeper,</c> that that I can research deeper, that that I can research deeper, potentially
• That is certainly something that I can research deeper, potentially even with you more specifically.
• It's something I'll have to do some research. Thank you for bringing that up.
• </c> something I'll have to do some research. something I'll have to do some research.

Bills: HF4712 , HF4801 , HF3756 , HF4860 , HF4931 , HF4289 , HF4460

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Nicole Smarillo, and I'm the director of data research and policy at Think Small.
• Nicole Smarillo, and I'm the director of data research and policy at Think Small.
• /c><00:51:43.280><c> to</c> Um, in addition to those additional conversations, what we know from research
• Yes, that's what I was referencing, is that research shows us that that is truly what makes a difference
• shows us that that is truly research shows us that that is truly what<00:55:32.480><c> makes</c><00:

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Housing Partnership drives innovative housing solutions through original research.
• Yeah, you know, I did a little bit of research on the cost of housing with neighboring states.
• </c><00:30:36.240><c> uh</c> know, I did a little bit of research uh know, I did a little bit of research
• ,</c><00:30:45.520><c> uh,</c><00:30:46.000><c> compared</c><00:30:46.399><c> to</c> their own research
• , uh, compared to their own research, uh, compared to Wisconsin,<00:30:48.159><c> I</c><00:30:48.399>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, not at this moment, but we will do some additional research and we'll come back. >> Thank you. >>
• Uh, the benefit to extending it and doing more research is important.
• ><00:34:43.839><c> and</c><00:34:44.079><c> doing</c><00:34:44.240><c> more</c><00:34:44.480><c> research
• </c><00:34:45.040><c> is</c> extending it and doing more research is extending it and doing more research
• a financial research into how much<01:18:51.840><c> this</c><01:18:52.000><c> is</c><01:18:52.159><c

Bills: HB1546

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• He asked House Research to direct more information on how that fiscally happens, if possible, or to ask
• For the record, my name is Ken B, and I'm the director of research, analysis, and policy for ARM.
• The University of Minnesota’s 2022 statewide research and the Acute Care Transition Advisory Council
• The University of Minnesota’s 2022 statewide research and the Acute Care Transition Advisory Council
• House File 2722 proposes targeted, research-based solutions to address these issues.

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• and we discovered that the research and we discovered that the consolidation<00:05:16.919><c> Aid</c
• <00:05:18.000><c> updated</c> When we started thinking about consolidation, we started doing our research
• After speaking with House Research, it is a small problem.
• After speaking with House Research, it is a small problem.
• </c><01:20:33.320><c> so</c> uh after speaking with house research so uh after speaking with house research

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:14.759><c> that</c><00:15:14.959><c> I</c> that with in all of the research that I that with
• in all of the research that I have<00:15:15.279><c> done</c><00:15:15.600><c> I</c><00:15:15.720><c>
• The Wayfinders are an important research for our outreach because they provide a presence which can help
• Lur Land Use Research, David Arawa, in opposition. Hawaii Farm Bureau, in opposition.
• uh David Arawa in opposition uh research uh David Arawa in opposition uh Hawaii<00:41:51.839><c> Farm

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe House Research sounds like or looks like may have more info on that, Mr. Chairman.
• Research from RAND and the American Bar Association shows clearly any claim that this law would enhance
• Research from RAND and the American Bar Association shows clearly any claim that this law would enhance
• Research from RAND and the American Bar Association shows clearly any claim that this law would enhance
• didn't go into that when you research didn't go into that when you look<01:17:48.639><c> review</c><

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1224, Jones, Emerging Therapies Research, holding committee.
• SB 895 (Wiener) — Science and health research bond: due pass as amended to reduce the bond to $5 billion

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff has continued to research that and better understand some of the complexities around that.
• medical study, planning to provide a short update, and then probably a longer, more comprehensive research

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension Policy approved the June minutes and received updates from staff and counsel. The attorney reported on two class action matters: the Fowler/Probst Fowler teacher interest case, where a court ordered the state to pay $118 million and the state has appealed and sought a stay, and the Dawson case challenging last year’s HB 2034 related to the LEOFF 1 plan, where the complaint was amended and the state plans to move to dismiss. The actuary also provided a brief update on asset smoothing and offered to provide additional education on the topic. The committee then focused on interim work planning and the September agenda. Members discussed an ad hoc COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1 retirees, with staff explaining options for making a COLA part of the base budget or otherwise structuring it. The committee agreed to move forward with a bill for a Plan 1 ad hoc COLA and to have it considered in October, with a request for fiscal analysis. The committee also heard from a Washington State Patrol Troopers Association representative about survivor medical benefits, and staff said a cost estimate could be prepared for October if the proposal included retroactive coverage. For September, the committee set the agenda to include PERS eligibility for animal control officers, a LEOFF 1 medical study update with possible action, and the Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item. Staff said the work plan would also add the ongoing Plan 1 COLA and survivor medical topics to October, along with preliminary 2027 meeting dates. The meeting ended with informal approval of the September agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• were very excited to have him for the last several weeks, helping us with vote recommendations, research
• Recommendations, research, and putting his own mark here in the State Capitol, so I want to welcome him

Summary: The Assembly met with an initial quorum call, then proceeded through routine floor business, guest introductions, and several procedural motions. Members approved requests to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, removed some bills from the consent calendar, and re-referred or withdrew several measures. The chamber also took up a number of second-reading and concurrence items later in the day. Two major bills drew floor debate. SB 762, a tax measure allowing eligible local governments to seek voter approval for transactions and use tax rates above the statutory cap, was presented as a response to local fiscal pressures and was described by supporters as giving voters local choice rather than imposing a tax increase. It passed with an urgency vote of 54-13 and was sent immediately to the Senate. AB 126, the education budget trailer bill, was presented as a major investment in TK-12 education, special education, community schools, and educator leave; one member supported many provisions but objected to policy changes affecting charter schools being included in a budget bill. The Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments on AB 126 by a vote of 56-1. The Assembly also concurred in AB 35, an urgency environmental protection bill intended to speed implementation of Proposition 4-funded projects by narrowing administrative delay; supporters said it would accelerate wildfire prevention, water, and other environmental projects. The measure passed unanimously, 66-0. The consent calendar was then adopted, including AB 2796 on criminal history information, which passed 67-0. The session concluded with multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remarks honoring victims of a B-52 test flight crash at Edwards Air Force Base, former West Covina Mayor Lloyd Johnson, civil rights leader Harold Brown, educator and activist Kiyoko Nancy Oda, and Auburn Mayor John Mike Holmes, followed by announcements of summer recess and adjournment until August 3.