Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, we're certainly happy to discuss the fine levels.
• </c><00:40:19.120><c> I</c> willingness to have this discussion.
• I willingness to have this discussion.
• </c> have open discussion? have open discussion?
• We were not big topic of discussion.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'll finish the discussion.
• </c> have two more bills that in discussion have two more bills that in discussion with<04:20:08.960>
• Any other discussion?
• Do you wish to discuss Bridal seconds. Do you wish to discuss your<04:26:26.479><c> motion?
• Any other discussion? &gt;&gt; A second. Any other discussion?

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 60% uh we so the these were discussions 60% uh we so the these were discussions with<00:23:57.840
• This decision can be discussed.
• </c> can be added to the to the discussion can be added to the to the discussion because<00:50:05.000
• It wasn't a topic that came up for discussion until a recent hearing, or a discussion prior to that hearing
• until a recent hearing uh or discussion until a recent hearing uh or a<01:54:38.440><c> discussion</

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any further discussion?
• Representative Tabke: Yes. discussion I would um suggest a yes vote discussion I would um suggest a yes
• See no other discussion. Representative Joy, thank you, Chair.
• </c> any other m memb uh discussion any other m memb uh discussion representative<01:49:24.639><c> Berg
• </c> didn't spend a lot of time discussing didn't spend a lot of time discussing but<01:49:34.040><c>

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we talk about here and when we discuss we talk about here and when we discuss how<00:20:46.880><
• </c> students was a big discussion as well. students was a big discussion as well.
• So, there are a lot of discussions on whether or not the weighting's fair.
• or not the of discussions on whether or not the weighting's<01:25:02.960><c> fair.
• </c><01:27:46.880><c> with</c> we did with a lot of discussions with we did with a lot of discussions

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education Committee held its first-ever meeting and first meeting of the session, with Chairman Tipton outlining committee procedures, attendance rules, and the process for submitting committee substitutes. After a roll call confirmed full attendance, the committee heard a presentation from Senator David Givens on the history and purpose of Kentucky’s performance-based funding model for postsecondary education. Givens said the model was created to replace an older “shares” approach that distributed funds based largely on prior-year allocations, and argued the new system better aligns funding with student success and the state’s long-term educational attainment goals. Council for Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson and CPE staff then explained the model in more detail. They said the system was designed to address long-standing funding disparities among institutions, reward outcomes such as degrees, credit-hour progression, and completion in high-demand fields, and support the state’s “60 by 30” goal of having 60% of Kentuckians hold a postsecondary credential by 2030. Thompson said Kentucky is now at 56.2% attainment, above the national average, and highlighted gains in graduation and retention rates, lower student borrowing, and improved completion outcomes. He also emphasized that the model is part of a broader strategy that includes affordability, adult learners, low-income students, and wrap-around support services. CPE staff described the work group process that developed and periodically revises the model, noting that the General Assembly created the framework in House Bill 303 and later enacted Senate Bill 153 and Senate Bill 191 to codify changes. They explained that in 2016 the legislature carved out about 5% of institutional budgets, roughly $43 million, to be redistributed through the new model, and that the model has been reviewed every three years with changes made each time. Recent revisions included increasing the student-success weight, adding a premium for low-income students, creating a premium for adult learners, and redefining underrepresented students as first-generation college students. No votes were taken at this meeting, and the committee adjourned after the informational presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any further discussion on House Bill 98?
• All right, any further discussion on HB 74? So the motion is to retain HB 74.
• </c> about all the um efforts and discussions about all the um efforts and discussions and<01:36:21.400
• All right, anything else that we need to discuss?
• All right, anything else that we need to discuss? Anything else anybody wants to discuss?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had already been reported out unanimously. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by a 16-0 roll call and placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, concerning local records, was reopened because of a fiscal note amendment; the committee adopted Amendment 2025-0087 unanimously and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0. Because HB 164 goes to Finance, it will not go on consent, and the chair asked for the updated report that night. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. Representative Manos moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing the resolution overreached because disparate impact is a judicial doctrine and the legislature cannot bind the courts. Representative Cordelli also supported ITL, citing drafting problems and the need for substantial revision, including an outdated reference to the New Hampshire governor. The committee voted 15-2 to ITL the resolution, and it was placed on consent; the chair asked for the report by the end of the day and noted there would be no minority report. Finally, the committee discussed HB 111, which extends the right-to-know ombudsman position. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to address concerns raised in testimony about discouraging use of the office and shifting attorney-fee burdens; the amendment was adopted 16-1. The committee then voted 15-2 to ought to pass as amended. Supporters said the ombudsman saves money by reducing court filings and should be continued, while opponents argued the office needs restructuring and that additional funding was not justified. The bill will go to Finance, and the chair requested the report by the end of the day. The committee also began discussion of HB 66 and related bills on right-to-know access, with the chair outlining a proposed amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, not sure that we can have much discussion about that right now, however, and uh, we will discuss
• Um, not sure that we can have much discussion about that right now, however, and uh, we will discuss
• Um I did have a discussion question.
• :26.159><c> point</c><04:22:27.040><c> uh</c> our discussions at some point uh our discussions at some
• </c> there's a certain amount of discussion there's a certain amount of discussion of<04:24:17.600><c

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we’re obviously going to discuss it right now, so I appreciate the question.
• So we can have more discussion by the time we go to the floor next week, but they’re not going to support
• I can’t get both parties to agree, so we can have a discussion before we go to the floor.
• So we can have more discussion by the time we go to the floor next week, but they’re not going to support
• I can’t get both parties to agree, so we can have a discussion before we go to the floor.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB34 , SB18

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance met in the second special session and considered a series of bills, mostly related to flood response, water infrastructure, taxation, school accountability, property fraud, and legislative procedure. Senator Zaffirini presented SB 18 on TCEQ permit exemptions for certain erosion, floodwater, and sediment control dams or reservoirs; Senator Perry presented SB 2 on flood relief preparedness, SB 14 on credit impact fees and water supply/conservation incentives, and SB 5 on Hill Country relief funding; Senator Bettencourt presented SB 3 on early warning flood sirens, SB 9 on replacing STAAR with three annual tests and strengthening A-F accountability, and SB 10 on lowering the rollback tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%; Senator West presented SB 16 on property transaction ID requirements and new real property theft/fraud offenses; and Chair Huffman laid out SB 34, which changes legislative witness immunity rules from transactional immunity to testimonial immunity consistent with federal law. The committee also heard brief explanations that several bills were the same as versions previously passed by the Senate or committee, and there was limited public testimony, with no witnesses on most bills and only position cards on SB 16. Senator West raised a concern on SB 10 about a possible carve-out for police pay raises, but Senator Bettencourt said no change would be made at that time. For SB 34, Chair Huffman explained the bill would still allow compelled testimony before the legislature but would no longer provide blanket immunity, while preserving the right to counsel. The committee voted favorably on all bills considered. SB 18, SB 2, SB 14, SB 3, SB 16, SB 5, and SB 34 were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously, while SB 9 passed 10-1 and SB 10 passed 8-3. At the end of the meeting, Senator West requested to be shown voting nay on SB 9, and the chair granted unanimous consent. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Discussion to the amendment. I recognize the member from Ramsey, Representative Mohler.
• Further discussion<00:04:13.040><c> to</c><00:04:13.360><c> the</c> discussion to the discussion to the
• Further discussion to the bill as amended.
• Any further discussion to the bill? Representative Scott.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Further &gt;&gt; Further &gt;&gt; Further discussion? discussion? discussion?
• Any<03:38:31.200><c> discussion?</c> Any discussion? Any discussion?
• Uh any discussion? Hearing that measure. Uh any discussion?
• Okay, with that members any any discussion discussion discussion hearing?<03:42:04.080><c> None.
• Any discussion? None. is to pass as is. Any discussion? None.

Bills: SB2003

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Members, any discussion?
• </c><01:31:14.440><c> Uh,</c> that funding discussion. Uh, that funding discussion.
• Any discussion? Seeing none, amendment. Any discussion?
• Any discussion?
• Seeing none, all in favor of discussion?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . discuss. discuss.
• </c> Any discussion on the amendment? Any discussion on the amendment?
• Seeing no discussion. No. Seeing no discussion.
• So, any other discussion? >> Okay. Very good. So, any other discussion?
• Other discussion on the bill?

Bills: HB0101 , HB0062 , HB0109

Committee: House Revenue

Keywords: guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, property tax, tax exemption, homeowner, armed forces, residency requirement, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion?
• Any other discussion? You all set?
• Any other discussion? You all set?
• </c><01:50:34.360><c> from</c> I hope to prevent this discussion from I hope to prevent this discussion
• we remain open to Future discussion we remain open to Future discussions<01:51:30.760><c> should</c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think they're serious questions that should be discussed.
• We had this discussion in the last legislature.
• All right, is there any further discussion in the committee?
• I think there is a separate discussion about tribes themselves.
• Any further discussion?

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh any further discussion to the Right.
• Um, and I guess with that, there's no further discussion.
• Um, and I guess with that, there's no further discussion.
• Um, and I guess with that, there's no further discussion.
• Um the opportunity to discuss it now.

Bills: HF2436 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Committees will reconvene to discuss the Committees will reconvene to discuss any<00:00:51.800
• Members, do you have any questions or discussion?
• Is there any discussion? If not, Acting Vice Chair, for the vote please.
• There's no discussion. Vice Chair, for the vote.
• </c> pass with tech amendments any discussion pass with tech amendments any discussion chair<01:13:00.280

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of discussion on this one.
• A lot of discussion on this one.
• A lot of discussion on this one.
• A lot of discussion on this one.
• A lot of discussion on this one.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The work group discussions were supplemented by engagement at statewide conferences and tribal housing
• And, you know, as you discussed, you know, knowing that so many who are coming and applying for state
• I know that you have seen me in front of our budget committee discussing everything from the housing
• I'd also like to discuss a key focus of our work since HDFC's July 1 launch.
• I'd also like to discuss a key focus of our work since HDFC's July 1 launch.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We contacted the author's office and met to discuss our concerns. Additional meetings are planned.
• And so we are continuing those discussions. ...concerns, and we're definitely addressing them.
• And so we are continuing those discussions.
• And I want to thank the author for bringing this forward and appreciate the conversation and discussion
• Our support position did not come lightly, and not without considerable internal debate and discussion

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then took up a series of bills on business, professions, health, cannabis, and consumer protection. AB 72, creating an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County, drew questions about whether the state should target one region over others, but supporters argued it would help bring EV manufacturing and related jobs to the Inland Empire. The bill passed on a 8-1 vote to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. AB 685, which would create the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs, drew broad support from small business networks and chambers, but some groups raised concerns that the June amendments could affect eligibility and that the funding should be clearly supplemental rather than replacing existing support. The author said discussions were ongoing, and the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 173, a resolution, on a 7-0 vote, and AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill sponsored by the Dental Board, on a 10-0 vote. AB 1637, which would limit changes to physician-authored medical records and make unauthorized alterations a misdemeanor, was supported by physicians and labor groups who said it would protect patient safety and professional accountability; it passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing age and quantity safeguards, passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding the ability of advanced practice clinicians to perform procedural abortions within their training, drew strong support from reproductive health providers and strong opposition from anti-abortion witnesses who raised safety concerns; after questions about training and oversight, it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. The committee then considered AB 2025, requiring disclosure when rental listings use digitally altered or AI-staged images. Supporters said it would prevent renters from being misled, while the California Apartment Association said it was working with the author on implementation; the bill passed 8-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection. AB 2697, allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval and security requirements, was supported by cannabis businesses and operators as a way to improve access and compete with the illicit market, while narcotics officers opposed it over ID verification and public safety concerns; it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. Finally, AB 2249, responding to a state audit on cannabis packaging attractive to children by defining prohibited imagery and creating a public rubric and pre-review process, received support from the cannabis operators association and the state auditor’s office, while small independent farmers raised concerns that some categorical bans could sweep too broadly. The transcript cuts off during that bill’s opposition testimony, and no final action on AB 2249 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, I will say in the halls there were some discussions.
• To the floor, maybe we can discuss some more things about the program.
• And in fact, that was discussed in the House side. I promise I'm wrapping up, Mr. Chairman.
• And in fact, that was discussed in the House side. I promise I'm wrapping up, Mr. Chairman.
• And in fact, that was discussed in the House side. I promise I'm wrapping up, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all