Transcript Highlights:

• Our colleagues on the other side claim that they're only concerned about finding funding for UI.
• Just two years ago, Democrats stood in this chamber and claimed they had passed the largest increase
• Our colleagues on the<01:26:01.199><c> other</c><01:26:01.360><c> side</c><01:26:01.520><c> claim</c>
• that they're only the other side claim that they're only concerned<01:26:02.560><c> about</c><01:26:
• they had passed the largest claimed they had passed the largest increase<01:27:06.639><c> in</c><01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• During this time, ophthalmology has often claimed that expanding optometry scope would lead to blindness
• </c><00:04:37.919><c> that</c> opthalmology has often claimed that opthalmology has often claimed that
• Opponents claim this bill compromises patient safety.
• Opponents claim this bill provider.
• Opponents claim this bill compromises<00:14:11.600><c> patient</c><00:14:12.000><c> safety.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In<00:10:33.120><c> the</c><00:10:33.240><c> post,</c><00:10:33.840><c> she</c><00:10:34.040><c> claimed
• </c> In the post, she claimed In the post, she claimed "Over<00:10:36.440><c> the</c><00:10:36.520><c
• Senator Mitchell implied to the public she was conducting a welfare check, even though she claimed to
• ><00:11:50.200><c> to</c><00:11:50.320><c> arresting</c><00:11:50.800><c> officers</c> though she claimed
• to arresting officers though she claimed to arresting officers she<00:11:51.960><c> was</c><00:11:52.160

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll add that I've made numerous claims as principal, and those are anonymous because lots of teachers
• as a lawyer, but I know I've had lots of mad parents, but they really have no idea who made those claims
• c> numerous</c> into um I'll add that I've made numerous into um I'll add that I've made numerous claims
• <01:14:12.320><c> as</c> claims as claims as principal<01:14:14.120><c> uh</c><01:14:14.280><c> and</
• </c><01:14:52.600><c> just</c> who made that who made those claims just who made that who made those

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, a proposal tied to the Southern Regional Education Board’s crisis recovery network. Senator West and Dr. Puit explained that, for an additional $10,000 in dues, Kentucky would help create a network of 40 trained counselors in each of the 16 Southern states to provide post-crisis stabilization and psychological first aid after events such as the Marshall County shooting. They emphasized that the effort would be complementary to local and state response, would run through the school district, would not replace therapeutic services, and would allow districts to coordinate parent notifications and other protocols as usual. Members asked about parent involvement and whether pastoral counselors could participate; the presenters said local districts would remain in charge and that pastors could be included if properly credentialed. The committee then voted, and SCR 43 passed with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up Senate Bill 207, the School of Innovation Act, with a committee substitute. Senator West described the bill as creating an optional path for districts to contract with an outside education service provider for a three-year school-of-innovation model, aimed at turning around low-performing schools or supporting other schools that want to innovate. He said the model would preserve core district functions such as transportation, facilities, and SEEK funding, while allowing waivers from certain statutes and regulations inside the school building. The committee substitute also added a high-quality instructional materials component, creating a vendor-supported repository of vetted instructional materials that KDE would still control, with testing data used to evaluate whether the materials were improving outcomes. Members questioned how the proposal differed from existing district-of-innovation law and what safeguards would exist for students. Senator West said the bill would repeal the unused district-of-innovation framework and replace it with a clearer process and guardrails, including KDE oversight, attendance rules, and authority to shut down a school arrangement for financial malfeasance. He also said the model could work with local partners, including superintendents’ associations, and could be used by magnet or other schools, not only low-performing ones. The discussion also touched on whether the bill would allow more flexibility in choosing third-party providers and whether it could support longer-term recovery and even philanthropy in schools. The transcript ends during the discussion of SB 207, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the current amendment is implemented for adults, DAS estimates that claims cost would increase from
• > implemented for adults Das estimates implemented for adults Das estimates that<01:14:20.920><c> claims
• > would</c><01:14:21.800><c> increase</c><01:14:22.239><c> from</c><01:14:22.639><c> 100</c> that claims
• cost would increase from 100 that claims cost would increase from 100 to<01:14:23.320><c> 500,000</c
• to just as we do the same with claimed to just as we do the same with um<02:23:39.680><c> gas</c><02

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the bill is that the aggregate of the tax credits issued by the commissioner to all taxpayers claiming
• 49.000><c> taxpayers</c> by the commissioner to all taxpayers by the commissioner to all taxpayers claiming
• 50.199><c> credit</c><00:04:50.759><c> shall</c><00:04:51.080><c> not</c><00:04:51.440><c> exceed</c> claiming
• the credit shall not exceed claiming the credit shall not exceed 10,000<00:04:53.039><c> 10</c><00:04
• He said the statutory claim that this bill is going to encompass housing that is actually being sold

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Initial unemployment claims is even down below the 2019 level.
• </c><00:14:20.480><c> is</c> the state initial unemployment claims is the state initial unemployment
• This chart shows one of the summaries I presented is the unemployment claims.
• <00:21:30.799><c> the</c><00:21:31.000><c> unemployment</c><00:21:31.559><c> claims</c><00:21:32.159>
• <c> you</c><00:21:32.320><c> can</c> claims the unemployment claims you can claims the unemployment claims

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did not clean up their books. I told them, "Your books are not clean.
• Um, I since now have cleaned up their set of books and their journal entry and cleaned up their balance

Committee: Joint Management Audit Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last number 12 at men's is duct cleaning. Happy to answer any... Duct cleaning.
• from the Hampstead Hospital by the vendor will be in warming carts, and we will have facilities cleaning
• We are unable to clean the mold from the grout.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Underneath, for a total with program, $56 million: $26 million for clean water grants for wastewater,
• width program, 56 million, 26<00:18:22.600><c> million</c><00:18:23.080><c> for</c><00:18:23.280><c> clean
• /c><00:18:23.560><c> water</c><00:18:23.840><c> grants</c><00:18:24.200><c> for</c> 26 million for clean
• water grants for 26 million for clean water grants for wastewater,<00:18:25.280><c> and</c><00:18:25.480

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section. House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package. Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• They assist us with document review and technical support when we clean up these military sites.
• technical support when review and technical support when [music]<00:23:36.160><c> we</c><00:23:36.240><c> clean
• </c><00:23:36.560><c> up</c><00:23:36.760><c> these</c><00:23:36.960><c> military</c> [music] we clean
• up these military [music] we clean up these military sites.<00:23:37.960><c> It</c><00:23:38.320><c>

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill modernizes MDVA's organizational structure, cleans up some outdated statutes, reclassifies
• MDVA's Uh this bill modernizes MDVA's organizational<00:14:17.400><c> structure,</c><00:14:18.280><c> cleans
• </c><00:14:18.680><c> up</c><00:14:18.839><c> some</c> organizational structure, cleans up some organizational
• structure, cleans up some outdated<00:14:19.640><c> statutes,</c><00:14:20.520><c> reclassifies</c><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we just recently moved to where we're actually cleaning all the canals and valves out from Highway
• The Secretary's back cleaning for me, and he can weigh in.
• find out the baiting requirements, the tagging requirements, where they can and can't hunt, how to clean
• an alligator. ...requirements, the tagging requirements, where they can and can't hunt, how to clean

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually, the department does an initial check and if it's clean and there are no issues, then they proceed
• Usually, the department does an initial check and if it's clean and there are no issues, then they proceed
• Usually, the department does an initial check and if it's clean and there are no issues, then they proceed
• Usually, the department does an initial check and if it's clean and there are no issues, then they proceed

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 2271 HD2, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, drew support from state agencies and other entities, including HPHA, the University of Hawaiʻi, DLNR, OYS, DAGS, DOH, DOA/Biosecurity, and the Behavioral Health Administration; no opposition was noted. HB 2324 HD2, relating to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law, was supported by DLIR, which said the bill removes a duplicative Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board requirement and aligns whistleblower investigation timelines with federal standards. HB 2387 HD1, relating to workers’ compensation medical benefits, also received support from DLIR and the State Fire Council, with the chair noting 40 supporters and no opposition or comments. HB 2116 HD2, relating to grants, was presented as a response to federal SNAP-related eligibility changes. Supporters included the Office of Community Services, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and several other organizations. Testimony said the bill would help nonprofits provide volunteer opportunities that could count toward an 80-hour monthly work requirement and help vulnerable residents avoid losing benefits; witnesses cited potential impacts on older adults and households with dependent children. HB 1682 HD1, relating to the disclosure of intimate images, drew strong support from advocates, the Uniform Law Commission, the Commission to Promote Uniform Laws, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and others. Testifiers emphasized the harms of non-consensual image sharing, the need for civil remedies, confidentiality protections, and the bill’s alignment with a uniform act already enacted in other states. HB 2468 HD1, relating to internship programs, received support from the University of Hawaiʻi, DLIR, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others. Testimony focused on the Hālau Mua internship program, workforce development, and the need to clarify sponsor contracts, background checks, and onboarding; committee members asked about a former intern now working in an 89-day hire position and how to streamline hiring into civil service roles. HB 2091 HD2, relating to petitions to restrain and enjoin harassment of DOE employees, was supported by DOE, the Attorney General’s office, UPW, and others; the AG’s office requested a data-driven appropriation amount, and members discussed a $300,000 figure for the full two-year pilot. The chair also asked for confirmation of prior cost figures for HB 2116 before moving toward decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• decarbonization, because sea gliders are all electric and they directly support the state goal of 100% clean
• 54.880><c> 100%</c> directly support the state goal of 100% directly support the state goal of 100% clean
• :30:57.840><c> Uh</c><00:30:58.159><c> the</c><00:30:58.480><c> second</c><00:30:58.799><c> is</c> clean
• Uh the second is clean energy by 2045.

Bills: HB1688 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1915 , HB1692 , HB1524 , HB1884 , HB1523 , HB2213 , HB2186 , HB2163 , HB1908 , HB1910

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: general excise tax, aircraft maintenance, tax exemption, aviation industry, economic competitiveness, water carriers, automatic adjustment mechanism, regulatory compliance, rate adjustments, public utilities commission, Hawaii Revised Statutes, biosecurity, community outreach, transportation rates, vehicle ownership, salvaged vehicles, insurance settlement, electronic signatures, administrative efficiency, vehicle transfer

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2699, which would create a youth transit program within DOT and a special fund tied to the environmental response/energy/food security tax fund. The chair described support from several agencies but also noted Attorney General concerns about whether the special fund met statutory criteria, DOE comments requesting a July 1, 2026 effective date, and broader funding concerns because the bill would draw from general fund resources. The chair recommended deferral, saying the measure involved significant long-term costs and needed more work on a funding mechanism. The committee deferred the bill. The committee then heard SB 3182, relating to administrative license revocation procedures. HDOT supported the measure, while the Judiciary opposed the bill as written, citing operational, staffing, fiscal, and mailing burdens from requiring ADLRO to mail all case documents to every respondent within five days. Judiciary said it handles about 3,000 to 4,000 DUI cases annually and would need additional staff and certified-mail costs. Prosecutors from the state and county supported a proposed SD1 version, saying it would address backlog concerns and help DUI enforcement by creating a presumption of revocation. The committee ultimately recommended support and passage of SD1. The committee also heard SB 3313 on interisland air service stability and transformation. The Attorney General warned the bill could be preempted by the federal Airline Deregulation Act and raised constitutional concerns about a local-hire provision. DOTAX said the program would be complicated to administer and suggested third-party certification. No action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard SB 3337, which would eliminate state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for motor vehicles; HDOT opposed it, while DOTAX provided comments and the Hawaii Transportation Association supported it. The transcript then moved to SB 2896, lowering the minimum age for commercial driving from 19 to 18. HDOT supported the bill, the Hawaii Transportation Association strongly supported it and suggested added training requirements, and an Operating Engineers representative supported the concept but urged that young drivers be tied to apprenticeship or other structured training programs. No vote was shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard SB 2400, which would exempt wing-in-ground craft from the Hawaii Waters Act and define those craft in law. The PUC supported the bill’s intent, and Regent Craft testified in strong support, describing sea gliders as all-electric vessels that could improve interisland access, resiliency, and decarbonization while using existing harbor infrastructure. HTDC and several other groups also supported the measure. Members asked about infrastructure, ports, weather operations, and Coast Guard jurisdiction, and the witness said operators would decide harbor locations and that the company had identified multiple possible ports. No final committee action was included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is access to clean drinking water, which I think is important to all of this.
• and we think while billions are being invested to prop up this technology, we could be investing in clean
• Small modular reactors have the potential to provide clean, reliable, low-carbon baseload power, something
• I support clean energy technologies, especially given the climate change impacts that we are already

Bills: SB1041 , SB1363 , SB1418 , SB1419 , SB1445 , SB1447 , SB1488 , SB1519 , SB1523 , SB1560 , SB1580

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use

Transcript Highlights:

• cut a ribbon on a sort of new facility there, and when I visited everything had been almost wiped clean
• <00:48:02.560><c> been</c><00:48:03.119><c> almost</c><00:48:03.440><c> wiped</c><00:48:03.839><c> clean
• </c> everything had been almost wiped clean. everything had been almost wiped clean.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum and postponed approval of the minutes. The committee first heard from Northern Kentucky University President Katie Short Thompson, who highlighted NKU’s enrollment growth, student success metrics, national recognition for value, lower student debt, and new programs tied to regional workforce needs, including AI, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, cardiovascular perfusion, and the Norse Network Hub for employer access. She asked for a $5 million recurring base funding adjustment to align NKU’s general fund support with peer institutions, along with support for tuition waivers with FAFSA requirements, continued debt collection authority through the Department of Revenue, inclusion of fire and tornado insurance premiums in base funding, inflation and performance-funding support, and increased asset preservation funding. She also outlined capital priorities for the Hail College of Business building, Nunn Hall, and the MEP building, and requested $5.4 million to match private support for the Young Scholars Academy, a dual-credit program serving first-generation and low-income students. Representative Tipton questioned NKU about the number of older students using tuition waivers and whether the university could continue the program without a statutory age-based mandate. Thompson said the number of students over 65 using the waiver was small, that some students pursue degrees while others audit classes, and that external fundraising could potentially support the program if state funding changed. Tipton also confirmed NKU’s requested priorities and the $5.4 million match for the Young Scholars Academy. The committee then heard from University of Kentucky representative Dr. Cavallo, who framed UK’s request around accountability, workforce development, research, and health care impact. He described a patient story to illustrate UK’s medical mission, cited growth in enrollment, degrees awarded, hospital patients treated, and research grant revenue, and emphasized UK’s role in extension services and disaster response. He said UK is consolidating services for efficiency and is focusing on future workforce needs, especially artificial intelligence, noting the launch of the state’s first AI bachelor’s degree and a partnership with Microsoft to expand AI tools and training across campus and the Advancing Kentucky Together network. He also discussed demographic challenges, the need to retain graduates in Kentucky, and the importance of aligning programs and funding with long-term state needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I'm going to pass for today, but I look forward to getting that cleaned up.
• forward to pass for today, but I look forward to getting<00:30:48.080><c> that</c><00:30:48.480><c> cleaned
• > And,</c><00:30:49.679><c> um,</c><00:30:49.919><c> I</c><00:30:50.159><c> know</c> getting that cleaned
• And, um, I know getting that cleaned up.

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:27 - Discussion of 26RS HB 470 29:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 470 32:06 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 25 34:49 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 25 37:08 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we took immediate steps to protect our most precious resource, clean water.
• 40:12.960><c> resource,</c> protect our most precious resource, protect our most precious resource, clean
• :14.640><c> Six</c><00:40:14.880><c> months</c><00:40:15.040><c> ahead</c><00:40:15.280><c> of</c> clean
• Six months ahead of clean water.

Keywords: 910, house, all