Transcript Highlights:

• So I would imagine if you're sitting there, you're writing off 57 Harbor... you know, seven Harbor AB
• legitimately.<01:50:41.360><c> So</c><01:50:42.400><c> I</c><01:50:42.639><c> would</c><01:50:42.719><c> imagine
• So I would imagine if legitimately.
• So I would imagine if you're<01:50:43.440><c> sitting</c><01:50:43.600><c> there</c><01:50:43.840><c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine housing is a concern in many of these communities who are trying to recruit health care professionals
• I imagine<00:34:41.599><c> housing</c><00:34:42.240><c> is</c><00:34:42.639><c> a</c><00:34:42.879><c
• > concern</c><00:34:43.280><c> in</c><00:34:43.599><c> many</c><00:34:43.839><c> of</c> imagine housing
• is a concern in many of imagine housing is a concern in many of these<00:34:44.720><c> uh</c><00:34:

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I'm trying to imagine a world where I showed up at a board meeting and told the owners of the company
• Now, I'm trying to imagine<00:23:27.520><c> a</c><00:23:27.760><c> world</c><00:23:28.720><c> where</
• 00:23:29.200><c> showed</c><00:23:29.440><c> up</c><00:23:29.520><c> at</c><00:23:29.679><c> a</c> imagine
• a world where I showed up at a imagine a world where I showed up at a board<00:23:30.159><c> meeting

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can imagine if you multiply that to, you know, every district in a county, it could be quite a
• So<00:25:59.120><c> you</c><00:25:59.279><c> can</c><00:25:59.360><c> imagine</c><00:25:59.679><c> if
• </c><00:25:59.919><c> you</c><00:26:00.159><c> multiply</c><00:26:00.640><c> that</c> So you can imagine
• if you multiply that So you can imagine if you multiply that to<00:26:02.000><c> you</c><00:26:02.159

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved corrected minutes from October 6 after members noted and fixed several transcription and spelling errors, including a clarification that a comment about SAU numbers came from former Senator Jim Rubin. The vote to approve the corrected minutes was moved, seconded, and adopted with one abstention. The main presentation came from Chuck Bates of the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), who described the organization, its certification program, and the role of school business administrators. He explained that ASBO members handle accounting and financial management, facilities, food service, HR, information systems, transportation, and risk management. He also outlined the certification program, which includes 21 courses, most online, plus four in-person workshops unique to New Hampshire, and noted that many members are not certified because the state licensure requirement was removed. Bates then addressed the committee’s interest in SAU consolidation and county-wide restructuring. He said business administrators often manage multiple budgets, attend school board meetings, and serve as a visible point of contact for the community. He argued that consolidation would create operational and financial challenges, including staff and facility relocation, differing accounting systems, lack of a standardized chart of accounts, and uncertain return on investment. He said the biggest obstacle would be local control, especially in small towns that do not want outside decisions affecting school closures, class sizes, or student transportation. Committee members questioned him about the distinction between administrative and academic control, the size of district offices in larger cities, and what might reduce administrative costs; Bates responded that many administrative costs stem from legislation and that consolidation would be difficult to implement without local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• community of Claremont have been through one of the most difficult starts to a school year that you can imagine
• <01:45:22.159><c> interest</c><01:45:22.719><c> I</c><01:45:22.960><c> would</c><01:45:23.119><c> imagine
• </c><01:45:23.360><c> they</c> their interest I would imagine they their interest I would imagine they

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think it's good common sense and I do not think that uh any stretch of the imagination that we
• <00:26:12.400><c> stretch</c><00:26:12.720><c> of</c><00:26:12.880><c> the</c><00:26:13.120><c> imagination
• </c><00:26:14.080><c> that</c><00:26:14.400><c> we</c> any stretch of the imagination that we any stretch
• of the imagination that we can<00:26:14.799><c> consider</c><00:26:15.120><c> this</c><00:26:15.360>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 26RS BR 8 - AN ACT relating to machine gun conversion devices: 00:01:33 Department of Public Advocacy Update: 00:51:33 26RS BR 126 - AN ACT relating to boating under the influence: 01:23:46 26RS BR 60 - AN ACT relating to grooming: 01:33:23, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do see that they're a bit different between the two systems, and I'm trying to imagine the age and
• between the two systems and I'm trying between the two systems and I'm trying to<00:43:15.839><c> imagine
• 16.800><c> and</c><00:43:17.119><c> risk</c><00:43:17.440><c> profile</c><00:43:17.839><c> and</c> to imagine
• the age and risk profile and to imagine the age and risk profile and and<00:43:18.319><c> a</c><00:43

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can't imagine what you all are going through, and that's one of the most horrific things I've ever
• And I I can't imagine<00:08:15.840><c> what</c><00:08:16.080><c> you</c><00:08:16.240><c> all</c><00:
• 08:16.479><c> are</c><00:08:16.639><c> going</c><00:08:16.879><c> through,</c> imagine what you all are
• going through, imagine what you all are going through, and<00:08:17.440><c> that's</c><00:08:18.479>

Keywords: This meeting was split into two parts due to a technical issue. This is the complete meeting pulled from backups. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 24RS HB198: “Angela’s Law”: 00:01:22 KRS Chapter 202C: 00:11:50 Eminent Domain: 00:54:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the June 10, 2025 minutes, then took up House Bill 198, Angela’s Law, sponsored by Representative Samara Heavrin. The bill would add a new aggravating circumstance in death-penalty cases when an offender abuses the corpse of a kidnapping or murder victim by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. Representative Heavrin and the victim’s parents described the underlying case and argued the current law does not adequately account for postmortem sexual abuse, leaving the offender parole-eligible despite the family’s view that the conduct warranted harsher punishment. Several members expressed sympathy and support, and one member suggested the proposal should be drafted carefully so it would apply broadly enough to cover co-conspirators or multiple offenders. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard an informational presentation on KRS Chapter 202C from Judge Lisa Payne Jones and Shauna Mitchell of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. They explained that Chapter 202C, enacted in 2021 to close a gap in the civil-commitment statutes, applies to respondents found incompetent to stand trial who are charged with qualifying serious offenses such as capital offenses, certain Class A and Class B felonies causing death or serious injury, rape in the first degree, or sodomy in the first degree. The process begins with a Commonwealth’s petition, followed by a prompt evidentiary hearing, appointment of a guardian ad litem, and then a commitment hearing if the offense is proven. The presenters outlined the procedural standards and recent statutory changes. At the evidentiary hearing, the Commonwealth must prove the charged offense by a preponderance of the evidence before a judge, with the respondent able to present defenses; if the Commonwealth fails, the respondent must be released. If the case proceeds, the commitment hearing requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt of at least one involuntary-commitment criterion, and the hearing may be before a jury if requested. They noted that a 2024 amendment changed the commitment criteria from requiring all four factors to only one, and added language about recent criminal behavior and prior involuntary hospitalizations under Chapters 202A or 202B. If commitment is ordered, the respondent is placed in a designated forensic psychiatric facility, currently KCPC.

Transcript Highlights:

• And three, the respect for our chair, whose number one priority I can't imagine I had one little priority
• chair whose number one priority<01:20:03.440><c> I</c><01:20:03.679><c> can't</c><01:20:03.840><c> imagine
• had</c><01:20:04.480><c> I</c><01:20:04.640><c> had</c><01:20:04.800><c> one</c> priority I can't imagine
• I had I had one priority I can't imagine I had I had one one<01:20:05.199><c> little</c><01:20:05.360

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you can imagine putting that in a scenario with what was just described by Teen Challenge and
• So,<02:11:52.880><c> if</c><02:11:52.960><c> you</c><02:11:53.119><c> can</c><02:11:53.199><c> imagine
• putting</c><02:11:53.679><c> that</c><02:11:53.840><c> in</c><02:11:53.920><c> a</c> So, if you can imagine
• putting that in a So, if you can imagine putting that in a scenario<02:11:54.800><c> with</c><02:11:

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I can't even imagine how a child would do that as a homeless person or relying on their teachers
• /c><00:50:30.319><c> even</c> there and so uh this I can't even there and so uh this I can't even imagine
• 31.839><c> child</c><00:50:32.079><c> would</c><00:50:32.240><c> do</c><00:50:32.400><c> that</c> imagine
• how I how a child would do that imagine how I how a child would do that as<00:50:33.200><c> a</c><00

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, including but not limited to, is overly broad and leaves too much to interpretation or one's imagination
• leaves too much to interpretation or leaves too much to interpretation or one's<01:15:34.400><c> imagination
• c> and</c><01:15:35.560><c> tips</c><01:15:35.840><c> the</c><01:15:35.960><c> scales</c> one's imagination
• and tips the scales one's imagination and tips the scales even<01:15:36.719><c> further</c><01:15:37.159

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're talking about actually a much smaller figure than perhaps I'd imagined this far into the conversation
• figure than actually a much smaller figure than perhaps<00:55:02.240><c> I'd</c><00:55:02.559><c> imagined
• this</c><00:55:03.119><c> far</c><00:55:03.280><c> into</c><00:55:03.599><c> the</c> perhaps I'd imagined
• this far into the perhaps I'd imagined this far into the conversation.<00:55:04.400><c> Y</c><00:55:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• You could imagine a million adding whatever that is; that would allow that expansion for us to be able
• 40.120><c> appropriation</c><01:20:40.800><c> you</c><01:20:40.920><c> could</c><01:20:41.120><c> imagine
• </c> current appropriation you could imagine current appropriation you could imagine a<01:20:41.960><

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine that you lose the right to decide where you live, who you spend your time with, or how you spend
• 00:50:18.000><c> family</c><00:50:18.440><c> friends</c><00:50:19.359><c> so</c><00:50:19.640><c> imagine
• </c><00:50:20.119><c> that</c> doctors family friends so imagine that doctors family friends so imagine

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 302, which would repeal the requirement that a provider-patient relationship for medical cannabis certification be established in person first. The Department of Health said it supported the House Draft 2 version as a way to expand patient access, and several testifiers from the medical cannabis community and dispensary industry supported the bill, especially for patients on outer islands or those unable to travel. One witness asked that earlier language removed in committee be restored to further improve access. Representative Shimizu asked whether follow-up in-person visits would still occur, and DOH responded that this varies by provider, with some continuing in-person care and others moving to telehealth for chronic conditions. The committee then took up House Bill 712, relating to the federal 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. The Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office both said they supported the bill’s purpose but wanted it clarified and possibly moved into a standalone chapter rather than chapter 481B. Supporters, including Hawaii Pacific Health and the Queen’s Health Systems, said the bill is needed to protect safety-net funding and access to discounted drugs, citing large financial benefits from 340B and losses caused by manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies. PhRMA opposed the bill, arguing the issue is not access to discounts but accountability and transparency in how contract pharmacies distribute benefits, and said it was willing to discuss amendments. Members asked follow-up questions about whether there was data showing misuse; PhRMA said it did not have numbers, while hospital witnesses said the program is federally audited and used appropriately in Hawaii. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1482, HD1, which would tighten hemp and controlled-substance definitions to exclude Schedule I cannabinoids from manufactured hemp products and clarify the treatment of artificially derived cannabis. The Department of Health supported the measure, saying it adds clarity to existing prohibitions. Kūre Hawaii and other supporters said it would close loopholes involving Delta-8 and similar products. An individual testifier urged stronger language to also cover compounds such as HHC, THCA, THCP, and THCO. In response to questions about enforcement against mislabeled hemp products, DOH explained that THC percentages are relative to product weight, that some products can remain under the hemp threshold while still containing significant THC, and that hemp flower is already prohibited from direct retail sale, though enforcement can be complicated and involves both administrative and criminal authorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, it's hard to imagine a large family posing with the corpse of a beloved relative, let alone displaying
• today it's photography was very popular today it's hard<00:58:35.319><c> to</c><00:58:35.559><c> imagine
• a</c><00:58:36.680><c> large</c><00:58:37.119><c> family</c><00:58:37.599><c> posing</c> hard to imagine
• a large family posing hard to imagine a large family posing with<00:58:38.359><c> the</c><00:58:38.559

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight million would bust our target, I would imagine.
• result in sound Tax Administration<01:39:37.080><c> so</c><01:39:37.440><c> first</c><01:39:38.080><c> imagine
• </c><01:39:38.679><c> a</c> Administration so first imagine a Administration so first imagine a business

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or more on the main roads, but it is an incredible contribution not only to safety but, I should imagine
• </c><01:25:59.480><c> but</c><01:25:59.679><c> I</c><01:25:59.760><c> should</c><01:26:00.119><c> imagine
• </c><01:26:00.600><c> to</c> only to safety but I should imagine to only to safety but I should imagine

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office has a very comprehensive process in evaluating the efficiencies of these systems, so I would imagine
• systems</c><00:48:38.520><c> so</c><00:48:38.640><c> I</c><00:48:38.720><c> would</c><00:48:38.880><c> imagine
• </c><00:48:39.280><c> that</c> of these systems so I would imagine that of these systems so I would imagine

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you imagine if I'm living in Litchfield and I had this thing on my property tax bill for subsidizing
• Can you imagine if I'm living in Litchfield and I had this thing on my property tax bill for subsidizing
• The situation I'm imagining is, say, the Conway Scenic Railway says we have some broken track.
• The situation I'm imagining is, say, the Conway Scenic Railway says we have some broken track.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.