Transcript Highlights:

• It always has been and I expect it always will be.
• So it doesn't actually reduce smoking. It doesn't actually reduce smoking. It doesn't...
• So it doesn't actually reduce smoking. It doesn't prevent teens and youth from taking it up.
• Yeah, it does make it more expensive. It makes the tax more aggressive.
• Got it.

Bills: HB2713 , HB2730 , HB2297 , HB2487 , HB2382 , HB2089 , HB2431 , HB2451 , HB2590 , HB2325 , HB2278 , HB2224 , HB2322

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: private detention facilities, business tax, occupation tax, financial impact, state revenue, aerospace, tax preferences, effectiveness, economic impact, grocery stores, underserved communities, food access, incentives, economic development, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, excise tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> worked on it. worked on it.
• the it would it would be decided by it the it would it would be decided by the<01:22:22.159><c> parties
• It doesn't hurt it; it only helps it. It enhances it.
• </c> it now. it now.
• </c> probably want it but they can't take it. probably want it but they can't take it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is currently at 402. ...that 2,560, it is currently at 402.
• It is expensive.
• That's it.
• It is a tactic to try and get it passed.
• It is signy die.

Bills: AB275 , SB371 , SB457

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Keywords: criminal procedure, wiretap, law enforcement, child protection, sexual offenses, SB371, Nevada, trespass, criminal trespass, NRS 207.200, property rights, misdemeanor, warning period, 24 months, 36 months, no trespassing, posted signs, fencing, private property, public property

Transcript Highlights:

• I I have it written. I'll hand it Sure. I I have it written.
• . it. it.
• what it says it could not it's not doing what it says it could do.<01:16:42.640><c> There's</c><01:16
• </c> no way it works like you guys say it no way it works like you guys say it works.<01:16:46.480><c
• </c><01:17:54.400><c> It</c> doing it once every 10 years? It doing it once every 10 years?

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think we could pass it, and I'm happy to explain it once. Certainly.
• </c> put it. put it.
• it makes it seem as if there would be it it makes it seem as if there would be three<00:12:54.320><c
• Do we need to and it might vote on it.
• They can send it to an attorney general on their own. Got it.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires. Okay. Then, okay. We'll keep thinking about it. It is a Stanford Children bill.
• I mean, it could also pass just as it is if it passes the Senate.
• I mean, it could also pass just as it is if it passes the Senate. So thank you, members.
• So there's a lot of issues with this bill, and it sounds really, really good when you read it, but it
• So there's a lot of issues with this bill, and it sounds really, really good when you read it, but it

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others. Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work. The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We dropped it to 12 months because they requested it.
• If you print it off the web, sometimes it comes a little bit different when you print it off.
• I don't know that it made it into the official.
• I don't know that it made it into the official.
• It continues. Right, it continues in the fund.

Bills: SB20 , SB111 , SB211 , SB218 , SB14

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• of it. it doesn't have all the logistics of it. it doesn't have to<01:09:58.000><c> go.
• It explains it easier and comes into it.
• Um so it it it it smaller R&amp;D companies.
• We'll review it. If it makes sense, we'll OTP it. If it doesn't make sense, we could ITL it.
• If it makes sense, we'll OTP it. If it doesn't make sense, we'll OTP it.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . it. it.
• in, it made it a putting those percents in, it made it a lot<00:57:22.799><c> easier</c><00:57:23.119
• </c> referred it to this committee which it referred it to this committee which it has<01:19:02.800><
• </c> can do it or somebody else is doing it can do it or somebody else is doing it which<01:45:55.920
• When it was own when it before it state.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law. Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut. Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• it.
• it worth having it much more to have it worth having it there<00:37:25.839><c> further</c><00:37:26.280
• c> found the notes it was it was the found the notes it was it was the Department<00:49:15.680><c> of
• c> it's it to me it is it is very enabling it's it to me it is it is very enabling and<01:00:51.839><
• </c><01:47:07.679><c> it</c><01:47:07.800><c> is</c> and it it is and it it is Criminal<01:47:10.119>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We knew someday it was going to hit us, and it did catch us a little bit off guard. - When did it actually
• It actually is incorrect. It should be strong support.
• We can look at it.
• We saw it in 2018 with the Kauai floods and it hit Oahu.
• It would be that we can do it, but it would be at a county level. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered three gubernatorial nominations. GM510, Faith Tui Pulotu to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, received strong support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, though the nominee was not present online. GM614, Mark Gordon to the Environmental Advisory Council, also drew unanimous support from state and private testifiers; Gordon described his environmental health and safety background and said he could commit the time needed. GM696, James Falconer to the Advisory Board on Pesticides, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Falconer discussed his long experience in coffee and sugar, including work responding to coffee leaf rust and the need for timely pesticide tools. All three nominations were recommended for advise and consent and were adopted by four-member votes. The committee then heard several agriculture bills. HB 1603 HD1 would allow the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend agricultural park leases without the current county-population restriction; supporters called it an equity measure and asked that it apply to all ag park leases, while the department gave standard testimony. HB 1707 HD1 would create a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program; supporters said transportation is a major production cost and suggested amendments to define “necessary supplies” and explicitly include honey. HB 2155 HD1 would establish an agricultural statistics program, with supporters emphasizing the need for better data to guide planning. HB 2594 HD1 would direct a study on insurance coverage for small producers, which supporters linked to recent storm damage and the lack of tailored insurance products. HB 2595 HD1 would create a regional agricultural feasibility and food systems production working group; supporters said it should consider markets as well as crop suitability and regional conditions. Members asked questions about lease competition, transportation reimbursement amounts and anti-double-dipping safeguards, the usefulness of agricultural data, and whether state or federal insurance models could be used as templates. Testifiers generally said the bills would help reduce costs, improve planning, and support small and neighbor-island producers, while noting that implementation details and funding levels would need further work. The committee then voted to pass all five bills with amendments, generally including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and in the case of HB 1707, the committee adopted the suggested amendments to define necessary supplies and add honey to the covered commodities.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it really is just to clarify it.
• But it it read through the whole bill.
• And when it comes to waiting for it.
• ><c> the</c> it doesn't say whether it should be the it doesn't say whether it should be the earlier<
• It would be more appropriate to address it in the rules. Got it.

Bills: HB1697 , HB1678 , HB1679 , HB2282 , HB1940 , HB1671 , HB1481 , HB2015 , HB2207 , HB2486

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: natural hair braiding, registration, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, public health, sanitation, cumulative voting, associations, unit owners, board of directors, elections, Hawaii Revised Statutes, condominium, association meetings, electronic voting, proxy voting, mail voting, insurance, premium increase, policy cancellation, licensing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It fails the consumers. It fails the homeowners.
• But if we immediately remove the agents from it, it just gets kicked to federal court, and then it becomes
• that it would nor should it, I mean, it has got admittedly a lot of warts on it that need to be resolved
• It can be the first pass at it, but then before it claims officially denied, a human needs to touch it
• I don't need it to have my name on it at the end of the day.

Bills: HB3048 , HB3259 , HB3646 , HB3696 , HB3780 , HB3781 , HB3802 , HB3818 , HB4294 , HB4488 , HB2929

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Transcript Highlights:

• It was great.
• It was great.
• So it was as exciting as it sounds. Thank you.
• It looks like Trump killed it, though. Oh, no. Yeah, it must be my photo. Anyway. Oh, no.
• We loved it for the music, the talent delivered it.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission meeting opened with a roll call that established a quorum, after which members could not approve prior minutes because the earlier meeting had not been official. Co-chairs Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey offered remarks praising recent America 250/Henry Knox Trail events in Great Barrington, Alford, and Springfield, and noting the upcoming Worcester commemoration. Sheila from the Office of Travel and Tourism then outlined Massachusetts’ America 250 plans, including the state’s 250th signature event on July 4 with the Boston Pops, grant-funded programming across the Commonwealth, and several national initiatives: a time capsule contribution, a coordinated July 8 reading of the Declaration of Independence, America’s Potluck on July 5, volunteer-service promotion through America Gives, and a tractor-themed tribute idea from Kansas. Members discussed how to handle the time capsule, with suggestions that Secretary of State William Galvin help decide the final item and that Massachusetts create its own backup time capsule; they also said the Declaration reading should be broadly promoted, while the potluck should likely wait for Governor Healey’s buy-in. Jonathan Lane and Dusty Rhodes then updated the commission on Henry Knox Trail, Evacuation Day, and Sail Boston, describing large crowds at prior events, the move of the Worcester program to a larger venue, planned commemorations in Framingham, Cambridge, Roxbury, and Dorchester Heights, and a major Sail Boston schedule in July with many international ships and extensive public-safety coordination. They also noted related plans such as an invitation-only Boston Public Library event to unveil the Washington Medal and a March 17 Dorchester Heights ceremony with a procession and tented program. The final presentation was from John Lane on Rebel Town, a musical about the Boston Tea Party developed in western Massachusetts. He described the show as a family-friendly, educational production that blends history and theater, with characters including John Adams, Paul Revere, Mercy Otis Warren, and John Hancock, and said it had been staged in Lenox with strong audience response. Lane asked the commission to help find a Boston venue and broader support so the production could be mounted for the 250th anniversary, estimating a larger-scale budget and noting interest from local supporters and cultural organizations. Members asked a few questions about prior performances and logistics, then agreed to circulate his materials to the commission. With no further business, the commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• . it. it.
• It is fairly small, isn't it? >> It is rather small.
• </c> back on it. back on it.
• Was there a fiscal note on<01:52:00.000><c> it?</c> on it? on it?
• It might work of my comment about it. It might work out.

Committee: Joint Revenue

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it include expedited permits? Does it include... Does it include expedited permits?
• And y'all know it. We all know it. Everybody knows it.
• Anyways, it goes too far. It goes too far. It goes too far.
• But it has been the Wild Wild West when it comes to dog breeding in Florida. And it causes a...
• way it is.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it will make it easier.
• um it comes it that comes Typically from um it comes it that comes from<00:27:55.679><c> the</c><00:
• </c> back it off to two and a half back it back it off to two and a half back it off<00:53:34.079><c>
• It gets subtracting it from cap.
• </c> don't know if it is as much as it was. don't know if it is as much as it was.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met for its third discussion on special education aid under retained bill 742, with the chair noting that no action would be taken at the meeting. The chair reviewed prior hearings on Medicaid and local special education funding shortfalls, saying the committee was trying to understand why districts are facing proration of special education aid and how to reduce unfunded costs. He raised a series of questions for the Department of Education about the Nessus system, eligibility and ineligibility, invoices and vouchers, audit procedures, reimbursement rates, out-of-state placements, and who enters data at the district level. Rebecca Fdet, director of special education services at the Department of Education, explained that Nessus is the statewide special education information system and that every child in special education must be entered into it. She said most districts use it to develop IEPs and track services, while six districts use it only as a data reporting tool. She described which fields are required, how the system connects IEP development to the financial section, and how districts submit invoices when seeking special education aid, court-ordered placement payments, or episode-of-treatment placements. She said the department reviews invoices against the IEP, pays only for allowable services, and uses a cap that notifies districts when they reach the annual limit. Members asked about who submits the information, how districts decide when to seek aid, and how costs are calculated for individual or group services. Fdet said the district, usually an administrative assistant in the SAU office, submits the documentation electronically, and districts decide when to track students for aid based on their own circumstances. She said reimbursement is based on actual costs tied to the IEP, with group services split among students, and that the department does not generally set rates for local services. The only rate-setting she described was for approved private special education providers, which submit annual cost spreadsheets for tuition rates. She also said out-of-state providers must be approved by their own state, and the department checks licensure and certification through monitoring and investigations if concerns arise. The department also described its monitoring process, called Program Approval and General Supervision Monitoring, or PAGS. Fdet said districts are reviewed on a six-year cycle, with more intensive review for districts needing assistance or intervention and fewer file requests for districts meeting requirements. She said the department can review up to 65 data points on an IEP and that districts must submit special education aid paperwork by July 31, with superintendent verification due by August 15. The meeting ended with continued questions about procurement, audit procedures, and how the department handles out-of-district and out-of-state placements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> when we picked it up where we picked it when we picked it up where we picked it up<00:25:53.360>
• </c> um I I think it it could be perhaps um I I think it it could be perhaps amended<01:26:36.920><c>
• </c><01:58:52.199><c> it</c> recognized well we'll uh leave it it recognized well we'll uh leave it it
• </c><03:28:08.680><c> or</c> do it either because you forced it or do it either because you forced it
• </c> method of resending it so it's it comes method of resending it so it's it comes in<03:41:29.239>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If I had it, it would be there.
• We talked about it, but I just thought it would be nice to go over it.
• </c><00:19:52.760><c> permit</c> review and it would it would then permit review and it would it would
• </c><00:20:46.480><c> it</c><00:20:46.960><c> it</c> 90 days I love that idea but it it it 90 days I
• </c> were to pass it out of this committee it were to pass it out of this committee it still<00:26:47.240

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It almost did. Yeah, correct. It almost did.
• That's what it says here. Okay, let me find it. That's what it says here.
• All you have to do is look it up, and I'll quote from it.
• The ayes have it. You have it, so ordered.
• it.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee opened with a lengthy chair’s statement about Department of Child Safety oversight, saying prior hearings had revealed systemic failures in communication, child placement oversight, response times, transparency, and accountability. The chair said the committee would continue pursuing reforms through legislation and ongoing reporting requirements. Members then discussed allegations involving child trafficking in congregate care settings and the need for separate legal representation for children who are victims of crimes, with one member saying the state and AG’s office were aware of trafficking issues and that outside representation was necessary. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors if a candidate dies, withdraws, or becomes incapacitated before the Electoral College meets, received support from the sponsor and outside groups and passed 4-3. SB 1186, requiring disclosure of certain things of value by companies seeking government contracts or grants, also passed. SB 1808, concerning display of certain flags in HOA and planned community settings, passed after the sponsor said it was intended to protect the ability to fly the Israeli flag. SB 1050, providing a lifetime state parks pass for certain veterans, passed after adoption of an amendment expanding eligibility to some disabled veterans; Arizona State Parks testified neutral but warned of revenue impacts, while members debated the fiscal note and support for veterans. The committee also passed SB 1140, which creates a misdemeanor expungement process for certain people, including trafficking survivors, after testimony from anti-trafficking advocates and service providers who said it would help survivors rebuild their lives while excluding serious offenses. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic form when possible, passed over opposition from some local government groups. SB 1246, raising the delinquency threshold before a condominium lien foreclosure can occur, passed unanimously. SB 1664, lowering signature requirements for constable candidates in large counties, passed unanimously. Finally, SB 1338, making certain noncitizens ineligible for state or local public benefits, passed 4-3. The meeting ended with members offering farewells and thanks to one another and staff, and the committee adjourned.