Transcript Highlights:

• Our downtown<01:53:04.800><c> businesses</c><01:53:05.599><c> depend</c><01:53:06.000><c> on</c> downtown
• businesses depend on downtown businesses depend on visibility.<01:53:07.280><c> They</c><01:53:07.599
• It can't be changed to electronic, or can it be changed to electronic under the current... >> It depends
• I think it would depend heavily on how much investment was made and how much fight exists in the parties

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration. Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tim O'Malley, program integrity director, mentioned in his report and as they have testified, that depending
• have mentioned in his report and that we have testified<01:02:37.520><c> that</c><01:02:37.880><c> depending
• </c><01:02:38.440><c> on</c><01:02:38.640><c> the</c><01:02:38.760><c> grant</c> testified that depending
• on the grant testified that depending on the grant and<01:02:39.840><c> the</c><01:02:39.920><c> requirements
• Stone: It is a time-consuming task to complete the financial reconciliation, but it also depends on the

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses that have shuttered, families who have suddenly found themselves without a paycheck they depend
• without<00:24:53.840><c> a</c><00:24:54.000><c> paycheck</c><00:24:54.400><c> they</c><00:24:54.640><c> depend
• </c><00:24:55.760><c> Every</c> without a paycheck they depend on.
• Every without a paycheck they depend on.
• It is the foundation that safety, healthy, and economic opportunity depend on.

Bills: HF3403 , HF3410 , HF3424

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, eviction, rent, redemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Time limits for addressing the committee may be imposed depending on the committee's agenda and the numbers
• committee<00:02:10.640><c> may</c><00:02:10.879><c> be</c><00:02:11.039><c> imposed</c><00:02:11.599><c> depending
• </c><00:02:11.920><c> on</c> committee may be imposed depending on committee may be imposed depending
• Representative Clouston asked a follow-up question about whether reimbursement levels are the same depending

Bills: HB0003 , HB0004

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In reality, justice depends on trust, privacy, and people's willingness to come to the courts without
• In reality, justice depends on trust, privacy, and people's willingness to come to the courts without
• In reality,<01:45:22.639><c> justice</c><01:45:23.040><c> depends</c><01:45:23.520><c> on</c><01:45:23.760
• ><c> trust,</c> reality, justice depends on trust, reality, justice depends on trust, privacy,<01:45:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's depends and then you have a problem. So, I understand all that.
• That's depends and then you have a problem. So, I understand all that.
• </c><01:51:01.040><c> That's</c><01:51:01.280><c> depends</c><01:51:01.840><c> and</c><01:51:02.080><
• That's depends and then multiple places.
• That's depends and then you<01:51:02.719><c> have</c><01:51:02.880><c> a</c><01:51:03.119><c> problem

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a right of conscience in federal law, but we did hear testimony that it kind of depends sometimes
• There is a right of conscience in federal law, but we did hear testimony that it kind of depends sometimes
• testimony that<00:28:48.480><c> it</c><00:28:48.799><c> kind</c><00:28:48.960><c> of</c><00:28:49.120><c> depends
• ><00:28:49.520><c> sometimes</c><00:28:49.919><c> on</c><00:28:50.320><c> who</c> that it kind of depends
• sometimes on who that it kind of depends sometimes on who is<00:28:51.440><c> who</c><00:28:51.679><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first recessed for a subcommittee meeting on HB 313, which concerned an open-meetings-related issue. In the subcommittee, members discussed concerns that the bill might be unnecessary because current law already allows a person to request an open meeting in advance; the subcommittee then voted ITL on HB 313 by voice vote and closed its work session. The full Judiciary Committee then reconvened and took up CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” with members debating whether the language was too broad and could create unintended consequences. Supporters framed it as a forward-looking protection for computation resources and strong encryption, while opponents said it was too open-ended and better addressed by future legislation. The committee voted ITL on CACR 6 by a 17-0 roll call. The committee next turned to HB 232, as amended, concerning the rights of conscience for medical professionals. The amendment narrowed the bill to abortion-related objections, removed sterilization and artificial contraception, aligned the abortion definition with existing state law, and reduced damages from treble damages to actual damages. Supporters said the bill would protect conscience rights, give physicians and patients more choice, and could help attract providers to New Hampshire. Opponents argued it was overly broad, unclear in key definitions, and could interfere with employers’ ability to assign staff, especially in rural health settings. Members also raised concerns about the bill’s scope and enforcement, including the broad definition of “participate,” the lack of clarity around exceptions for providers whose services include abortion as a “major part,” emergency determinations, and the inclusion of nursing homes in the definition of health care institution. Some members argued the bill singled out abortion while other controversial medical procedures were not treated similarly, and others criticized the minimum-damages provision as potentially punitive and designed to deter participation. The discussion continued without a final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we're allowed five, three does, three bucks, depending on the zones.
• bucks and<01:05:40.559><c> two</c><01:05:40.799><c> dough</c> and two dough and two dough &gt;&gt; depending
• </c><01:05:42.400><c> Yes,</c><01:05:42.640><c> that</c><01:05:42.880><c> would</c> &gt;&gt; depending
• Yes, that would &gt;&gt; depending on the zones. Yes, that would be<01:05:43.119><c> correct.
• So that discussion is held every year, and minor changes are made depending on the results of those studies

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our secondary and minor roads are maybe striped every three years, depending on how far we can stretch
• That is tested between 30 and 60 days as well. maybe striped every three years depends maybe striped
• every three years depends on<00:58:15.839><c> um</c><00:58:16.400><c> uh</c><00:58:16.559><c> the</c>
• Occasionally, our stripers work statewide, so depending on when that might be, it may take a little while
• It depends on the jurisdiction and if they have a budget to allocate for that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are provided under state contract, and each of those contracts looks a little bit different depending
• ><c> different</c> contracts looks a little bit different contracts looks a little bit different depending
• </c> depending on the area agency. depending on the area agency.
• Um, it depending on what you wanted for services, there's certainly a wide range of services that are

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is to repair or replace, depending on what we learn, its cooling tower, which is critical for
• And this is to repair or replace depending<00:10:11.760><c> on</c><00:10:11.920><c> what</c><00:10:12.160
• ><c> we</c><00:10:12.320><c> learn</c><00:10:13.040><c> uh</c><00:10:13.200><c> its</c> depending on
• what we learn uh its depending on what we learn uh its cooling<00:10:13.839><c> tower</c><00:10:14.240
• The Franklin County lease space report determined the Commonwealth needed to reduce its dependence on

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:05 Approval of Minutes 00:01:48 Welcome New Members 00:02:03 Information Items 00:02:35 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:03:33 A. Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:04:00 B. Kentucky Department of Education 00:17:03 C. Education and Labor Cabinet 00:29:33 D. Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:42:38 E. Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:53:30 F. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 01:13:28 G. Personnel Cabinet 01:31:04 H. School Facilities Construction Commission 01:41:39, 958, all

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• More than 42% of our kids are on Medicaid, and the seniors who are depending on nursing homes, people
• So it depends on which part of it you're looking at. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• are not.<01:02:56.559><c> So</c><01:02:56.799><c> it</c><01:02:56.960><c> it</c><01:02:57.280><c> depends
• So it it depends on which which not.
• So it it depends on which which part<01:02:58.720><c> of</c><01:02:58.799><c> it</c><01:02:58.960><c>

Bills: HF2433 , HF2434

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Association's numbers, the CHBRP report, California Health Benefits Review Program, that this committee depends
• that make it harder for patients to access the care they urgently need, often prolonging pain and dependence
• paperwork over and over again to prove the need for physical therapy, and this process varies widely depending
• So that is why we present to you Assembly Bill 955, which allows those employees and their dependents
• That means a person's chance of receiving life-saving pre-arrival care can depend on whether they live

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on your definition of shenanigan.
• their expertise to build and maintain the essential transportation infrastructure that Minnesotans depend
• /c> transportation infrastructure that transportation infrastructure that motans<00:49:26.000><c> depend
• <c> every</c><00:49:27.760><c> corner</c><00:49:28.000><c> of</c><00:49:28.160><c> the</c> motans depend
• on in every corner of the motans depend on in every corner of the state.<00:49:29.520><c> Thank</c><

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And depending on how it's done, there could be potential impacts to how we need to fund school districts
• They can depend on it. They know what they're getting, and people will be safer...
• They can depend on it. They know what they're getting, and people will be safer because of it.
• in this building about rising insurance costs, rising medical costs, people that have to become dependent
• People that have to become dependent on the government because they are injured, and we know, we have

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• : As a person who has lived experience with homelessness, with a family member who is chemically dependent
• Depending on which school district or county students reside in, information about attendance may look
• 14.040><c> said</c> campaign like representative green said campaign like representative green said depending
• ><c> which</c><00:40:15.000><c> school</c><00:40:15.280><c> district</c><00:40:15.640><c> or</c> depending
• on which school district or depending on which school district or County<00:40:16.119><c> students</

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• and workforce development, creating a sustainable model of serving the community that will be less dependent
• and workforce development, creating a sustainable model of serving the community that will be less dependent
• /c><01:31:46.080><c> will</c><01:31:46.239><c> be</c><01:31:46.320><c> less</c><01:31:46.639><c> dependent
• </c><01:31:47.040><c> on</c> community that will be less dependent on community that will be less dependent

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• director at the Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit working to conserve the lands and waters on which life depends
• conserve the lands and waters on which conserve the lands and waters on which life<00:10:33.360><c> depends
• towards</c><00:10:34.480><c> our</c><00:10:34.640><c> vision</c><00:10:34.959><c> where</c> life depends
• towards our vision where life depends towards our vision where people<00:10:35.440><c> in</c><00:10:
• But reducing these payments risks the participation of landowners who are dependent on these payments

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cooperation runs both ways and it serves as the foundation of the law enforcement community, which depends
• cooperation runs both ways and it serves as the foundation of the law enforcement community, which depends
• of the law enforcement<01:11:05.719><c> Community</c><01:11:06.719><c> which</c><01:11:07.000><c> depends
• </c><01:11:07.440><c> on</c> enforcement Community which depends on enforcement Community which depends

Bills: HF1051 , HF16

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• declaration if the circumstances weren't, in most cases, surface water is very reactive, you know, if depending
• reactive you cases surface water is very reactive you know<00:34:12.359><c> if</c><00:34:12.760><c> depending
• 13.079><c> on</c><00:34:13.200><c> the</c><00:34:13.320><c> rain</c><00:34:14.200><c> the</c> know if depending
• on the rain the know if depending on the rain the shortage<00:34:14.800><c> could</c><00:34:14.960><
• increase is necessary, the statute already gives the commission the authority to order further measures depending

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.