Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative Reference Bureau to cooperate with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural
• 44.079><c> identify</c> State Public Library System to identify State Public Library System to identify rural
• underserved</c><00:14:46.000><c> communities</c><00:14:46.959><c> in</c><00:14:47.279><c> the</c> rural
• and underserved communities in the rural and underserved communities in the state<00:14:47.680><c> with
• 11.359><c> public</c><00:35:11.760><c> library</c> The Hawaii State Public Library system to identify rural

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three resolutions. STR 53 SD1 sought to have the Legislative Reference Bureau work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access so residents can participate in the legislative process. Testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure, emphasizing that many advocates cannot always travel to the Capitol and need better access. STR 117 SD1 urged the Department of Education to work with the Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and the County of Hawaii to inventory bus stops on Hawaii Island used by students and develop safety improvements; DOE described an upcoming live route audit, noted the large number of routes and stops on the Big Island, and said some stops are on private roads. The Department of Transportation, Hawaii County Council, the mayor’s office, and others supported the measure, and members discussed whether the effort could eventually expand statewide. STR 134 asked the Department of Education to provide a detailed report on the true cost of producing school meals to improve transparency and avoid unnecessary price increases. DOE said it already tracks food, labor, benefits, supplies, equipment, and other costs to calculate per-meal costs, but does not currently include transportation costs in the same way; it stated its breakfast cost was $5.80 and lunch cost was $8.66. Support testimony came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the Hawaii Hunger Action Network, and others, who said clearer cost information is especially important amid funding uncertainty. In decision making, the committee amended and passed STR 53 SD1, reverting it to the original draft by replacing the Legislative Reference Bureau with the Controller and adding coordination with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, while removing references tied to the LRB and the public access room outreach clause. The committee also amended and passed STR 117 SD1, shifting the lead role to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and adding a request for the County of Hawaii to consider funding the effort. STR 134 was passed unamended. Representative Souza was excused for the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we all understand it's difficult at times, especially in some of these more rural areas.
• Continuing on pages 18 through 20, we have another investigative report on the Hector Rural Volunteer
• I represent a rural district, which is this country boy very well.
• Senator Johnson thanked the mayor for her candor and said he is interested in rural problems.
• As Senator Clark said, I'm very interested in the rural problems, and we do have a disconnect here.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior minutes and then received a series of audit and compliance updates. Staff reported on delinquent private water and sewer reports, delinquent 2013-2023 water reports, and several municipal accounting code noncompliance cases. Denning and Gum Springs were recommended to be removed from the 60-day clock after staff visits showed improved records, while Fargo, Lead Hill, Almy, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove were discussed for repeat findings involving missing audits, poor bookkeeping, unpaid or misapplied street funds, deficit balances, and other accounting deficiencies. Several of these entities were given additional time or had reports filed without objection, while others were deferred for later review. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was working to improve its accounting systems; the committee voted to defer the matter to the August meeting. Lead Hill’s mayor described efforts to complete overdue water audits and improve office procedures, and the committee also postponed action for 60 days. Almy’s mayor and recorder-treasurer were present, and the committee placed the town on the 60-day clock for repeat accounting issues. Biggers and Gilmore both acknowledged long-running audit problems and said they were working with auditors and the IRS; their reports were filed. Holly Grove’s treasurer said she had only recently taken the position, and that report was filed as well. The committee spent considerable time on the street-fund misuse cases for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho was found to have exceeded the statutory threshold tied to fines and costs, with staff noting the town had since become current on its repayment plan; the committee deferred the report to September. Haynes was also behind on its repayment plan for street funds, with staff saying the town had recently made up the shortfall and was current as of the meeting, but the committee still deferred the report to September. Members and staff also discussed how the speed-trap law is applied, whether certain fines and costs count toward the threshold, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in deciding whether to take further action. The committee then reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which had six findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, competitive bidding, electronic funds controls, and unusually high advertising spending. District Director Craig Douglas said the board had delegated some authority, that receipts were missing during a temporary staffing gap, and that advertising was needed to educate the public; he also defended the sale of trailers and other equipment as a way to exit the trailer business. Several members questioned the explanations and the low resale value of equipment, but the committee ultimately deferred the report to September. The meeting also included a recognition of accounting students interning with audit staff and a final set of actions on deferred water and sewer reports: 11 were filed, seven were deferred for lack of proper responses, and a private report on Shannon Hills Water, Sewer, and Fire Department was noted as involving misappropriation by an office manager and inadequate internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• that was impacted since the year of, I’m going to say, 1998?
• chronic impacts are cancers, as have been mentioned before.
• </c><00:55:42.880><c> water</c> that continued cessful use impacts water that continued cessful use impacts
• </c><01:45:02.400><c> the</c> uh and our amendments do not impact the uh and our amendments do not impact
• So, you need to impact our uh youth.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the impacts of the last<00:26:42.559><c> several</c><00:26:42.880><c> years.
• And the impact of that is respect for the guidelines that we have for these projects, and they do not
• While we are just over one square mile in size, our impact extends far beyond our borders.
• 150 full-time employees, translating to 193 indirect, high-paying and steady jobs and an economic impact
• </c><01:22:43.600><c> extend</c> we've already seen, the impacts extend we've already seen, the impacts

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that would clearly impact a ship. States to offload.
• impact on our economy.
• a negative impact?
• So what are you doing to impact the negative impact of tourism right now? One thing I'll say is...
• I'm focused on on how this is impacting families.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: tariffs, Trump administration, economy, public testimony, trade policy, market access, export controls

Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill amends the Education Law to establish a rural teacher education loan repayment program for
• teachers who commit to working in underserved rural areas of New York State for at least five years.
• It's going to help those in the very ruralness of my 51st Senate District.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Higher Education Committee met on May 5 and considered 12 bills, with most measures relating to higher education administration, student services, and professional licensing. The committee advanced a rural teacher loan repayment program for teachers serving underserved rural areas, a SUNY/CUNY mental health staffing requirement, a bill allowing SED access to patient or client records in professional misconduct cases, an AI-in-therapy regulation bill, cross-profession supervision for certain mental health professionals, an extension of limited permits for social workers, continuing education requirements for acupuncturists, and updated supervision rules for physical therapy assistants. One bill reorganizing SUNY police was held for further negotiations with SUNY, SUNY police, and stakeholders. Two Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E motions for committee consideration were taken up. Senator Rose’s bill to withhold financial aid from SUNY or CUNY institutions that permit organizations designated as terrorist organizations was defeated after several senators voted no or without recommendation. Senator Kanzanari Fitzpatrick’s bill requiring anti-Semitism awareness training, incident reporting, and compliance with state reporting rules for higher education institutions was approved and sent to the Codes Committee, with some senators voting without recommendation because they viewed the subject as already covered by existing law. The committee also reported Senator Rivera’s nurse practitioner conformity bill to the floor, and several other bills were reported either to the floor or to Finance depending on their fiscal impact. Most measures were approved without opposition, though some senators voted without recommendation on bills they said overlapped with existing statutes or prior legislation. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking out for the little guy and for what we have in the state of Arizona, especially in your more rural
• looking out for the little guy and for what we have in the state of Arizona, especially in your more rural
• Haven Provider's Hospital Deliveries, allows a parent to surrender a newborn to a general hospital or rural
• Stahl Hamilton, so the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund is what we kind of refer to as the Rural
• Stahl Hamilton, so the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund is what we kind of refer to as the Rural

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments. Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns. The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think about those mom and pops who may not have connectivity out in some of our rural areas, but yet
• I think about those mom and pops who may not have connectivity out in some of our rural areas, but yet
• in</c><00:04:22.639><c> some</c><00:04:22.800><c> of</c><00:04:22.880><c> our</c><00:04:23.040><c> rural
• </c> connectivity out in some of our rural connectivity out in some of our rural areas,<00:04:23.600>

Bills: HB393 , HB61 , SB234 , SB234

Committee: Senate Tourism

Keywords: entertainment district, alcohol consumption, local governance, city council, public spaces, home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, Cherokee County, off-road vehicle park, ORV park, ATV, all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike, off-highway vehicle, recreational vehicle, county permit, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• We work awfully hard to make sure this big, geographically diverse state—urban, rural, suburban—is able
• We work awfully hard to make sure this big, geographically diverse state—urban, rural, suburban—is able
• really diverse Geographic State that's really diverse Urban<00:09:34.600><c> uh</c><00:09:34.760><c> rural
• 36.839><c> is</c><00:09:37.040><c> able</c><00:09:37.399><c> to</c><00:09:37.560><c> do</c> Urban uh rural
• suburban um is able to do Urban uh rural suburban um is able to do its<00:09:37.959><c> work</c><00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1257, which would eliminate the Public Safety Advisory Committee to the POST Board, was the final bill heard. The bill’s sponsor argued the committee was created in 2020 in response to post-Floyd criminal justice reforms but had since become obsolete because local agencies and communities had created their own oversight bodies and the main POST Board still includes citizen members and public participation. The sponsor said the advisory committee had run out of issues to address and was effectively meeting just to justify its existence. Former Representative Carlos Mariani testified in opposition, saying the committee was a bipartisan part of the 2020 Minnesota Police Accountability Act and was intended to preserve citizen involvement in policing policy and protect civil and human rights after George Floyd’s murder. He argued that eliminating it would weaken a state-level structure created to rebuild public trust and ensure consistent oversight, while still allowing local efforts to continue. Another member asked about compensation and noted the committee has a $20,000 ongoing appropriation through the POST Board; the sponsor clarified members are not individually compensated beyond per diem and travel. After discussion, the sponsor renewed the motion to recommend re-referral to the General Register. The committee voted, and the motion carried, sending House File 1257 to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• proving they have appropriate medical knowledge, and then will practice in Minnesota for two years in a rural
• Minnesota for 2 years will practice in Minnesota for 2 years in<00:02:59.159><c> a</c><00:02:59.280><c> rural
• underserved</c><00:03:00.319><c> area</c><00:03:00.760><c> under</c><00:03:01.000><c> the</c> in a rural
• or underserved area under the in a rural or underserved area under the supervision<00:03:01.760><c>
• There are a lot of shortfalls in rural Minnesota, especially, so we experience those on a daily level

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hospitals, um we thought the best rural hospitals, um we thought the best approach<00:19:10.480><c>
• I tend to believe that rural hospitals such as mine can take this amendment and we'll be able to put
• I tend to believe that rural hospitals such as mine can take this amendment and we'll be able to put
• I tend to believe that rural hospitals such as mine can take this amendment and we'll be able to put
• I tend to believe that rural hospitals such as mine can take this amendment and we'll be able to put

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Decisions that have directly impacted Decisions that have directly impacted the<00:23:41.600><c>
• It impacts democracy itself.
• It does not just impact the individual.
• </c> impacts democracy itself. impacts democracy itself.
• </c> of these courouses are in rural areas. of these courouses are in rural areas.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now it’s impacting one community, but it impacts all of us.
• ,</c><00:32:11.039><c> but</c><00:32:11.279><c> it</c> it's impacting one community, but it it's impacting
• one community, but it impacts<00:32:12.000><c> all</c><00:32:12.159><c> of</c><00:32:12.399><c> us.
• Um, it's building impacts all of us.
• c> single</c><01:40:15.920><c> delayed</c> In rural communities, a single delayed In rural communities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to remind folks that this work really does impact real people.
• </c> can continue to do the hugely impactful can continue to do the hugely impactful work<00:17:58.000
• </c> arrange to have a family that's impacted arrange to have a family that's impacted here<00:43:35.160
• We do have proven impacts.
• This center is more than just research; it's about impact.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> whose leadership has positively impacted whose leadership has positively impacted the<00:32:33.919
• ,</c> I from Randolph County, a very rural, I from Randolph County, a very rural, even<00:49:06.800><
• </c><01:10:17.679><c> and</c> and some great thoughts and impact and and some great thoughts and impact
• </c> impact over the last three years. impact over the last three years.
• So you're not given that type of an impact. "Okay.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a good bill, and it can help you if you're in a rural area or if you're in an urban area.
• Speaker, this bill did come through your committee on rural issues. It's a very good bill.
• I do sit on the rural community development or rural issues committee and voted in favor of this.
• This amendment is a bill that did come through your special committee on rural issues.
• For a period of time in my career, I was a resident deputy working in rural areas, and the number of

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In many areas of Mississippi, the volunteer firefighters are the only source of service to the rural
• So, uh, Senator, you the rural areas.
• And to give an example, we have issues in rural communities where small law firms can't bring on a new
• </c><00:30:13.039><c> communities</c><00:30:13.600><c> where</c> have issues in rural communities where
• have issues in rural communities where small<00:30:14.880><c> law</c><00:30:15.120><c> firms</c><00:

Committee: Joint Insurance

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I think it has a significant impact because. The fiscal impact?
• Vamaday's bill would impact what we did last year. Yeah.
• And what's your impression of how that would impact the fiscal note?
• Under insurance exchange impact, it would cut that somewhat.
• So, you know, estimate about a $20 million state impact.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, I really want to recognize the tremendous impact of dedicated educators and mentors such as Coach
• Madam President, our rural communities deserve more equitable access to transportation, options that
• DEATHS, HOW HAS THAT BEEN IMPACTED BY THE BANNING OF THIS SUBSTANCE IN OTHER STATES?
• You don't believe that's going to have a negative impact here in New York?
• The purpose of the bill is to restore it; however, it doesn't seem to have that impact.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• the health or safety of way that impacts the health or safety of others. others. others.
• The principal fiscal analyst from the Joint Fiscal Office stated that the bill has no fiscal impact.
• However, as noted, if the fiscal impact.
• In our finding section, we underscore that of those children and families impacted by a report to DCF
• In our finding section, we underscore that of those children and families impacted by a report to DCF

Keywords: 926, house, all