Transcript Highlights:

• With TLC Plumbing, we make use of both filters, which are kind of in that range of 6 to 12 months of
• To kind of get to the question behind the question of what is the level of activity of Class 6, maybe
• of of Military Affairs.
• Mexico, including our three large research institutions: the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Tech
• University than to do that at an out-of-state university. Great. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Joint Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kim Stone of Stone Advocacy on behalf of the Children's Advocacy Institute of the University of San Diego
• They may have a lot of the type of crimes that are helped solvable with these. ...a lot of the type of
• at the University of California campuses.
• Vincent Razo with the University of California Student Association, which represents over 230,000 students
• Vincent Razo with the University of California Student Association, which represents over 230,000 students

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
• , all of the impacts of...
• In terms of the impact of the loss of Medi-Cal, we project that about 1.2 million of those We project
• Jean Hurst here today on behalf of the University of California.
• UC's academic health centers represent 7% of The University of California.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the issue as a major federal disruption that would reduce benefits and shift costs to the state, counties, hospitals, and other local systems. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center, each describing projected enrollment losses, higher state and county costs, and implementation challenges. The LAO outlined H.R. 1’s main changes: new and expanded work requirements, more frequent eligibility redeterminations, restrictions on certain non-citizen eligibility, and financing changes affecting provider taxes and federal matching rates. The LAO estimated that 1 to 2 million people could be disenrolled from Medi-Cal and more than 600,000 could lose CalFresh, with additional costs from reduced federal support and possible state and county administrative burdens. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s budget includes about $1.4 billion General Fund in 2026-27 to respond to H.R. 1, with larger out-year reductions in federal funds and projected Medi-Cal caseload losses of up to 2 million by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, while noting the state could choose policies that would reduce some of those losses. The Food Research and Action Center warned that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, worsen health outcomes, and strain local economies and emergency systems. Members questioned the witnesses about procedural disenrollments, regional variation, the overall growth in Medi-Cal spending, the future of the MCO tax, the CalFresh error rate, and the downstream effects on hospitals and county indigent care. Several senators argued that the federal law was driven by tax cuts for high-income earners and would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color. Administration witnesses said some impacts are still being analyzed, that counties and departments are working on implementation, and that the Legislature may need to use statute, reporting, and oversight tools as federal guidance develops. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being here today. that you registered as James Peppers on behalf of University of Texas
• Professor Kumar, we show you registered as Shriyas Kumar on behalf of Texas A&M University.
• I'm a professor of computer science at Texas A&M University. and I am neutral on any issues or legislation
• The University of Texas at Arlington most recently has been working with our product and implemented
• of that same type of commercial vehicle.

Bills: HB512 , HB2248 , HB2679 , HB2832 , HB3112 , HB3368 , HB3490 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB3666 , HB3700 , HB3711 , HB3770 , HB3963

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Almighty God, Master of the universe, as we gather here today in this distinguished chamber, we pose
• of the great state of Florida, along with their families.
• In the West Gallery, we have representatives from the University of West Florida, beginning with someone
• All of this happened because of a lie.
• It's been 76 years—76 years of trauma, of stigma, of generational harm, of children, grandchildren, nieces

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote. The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• He completed high school at Mercersburg Academy, a college prep school, and went to the University of
• Daniel plans to attend the University of New Mexico, major in political science, and pursue a law degree
• We see a lot of our college and university professors are on here now.
• We see a lot of our college university professors are on here now.
• I was very, very proud to read about the University of New Mexico having a zero emissions goal by 2050

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't debate of policy; this is a reflection of the actual impact of the stated language in the
• So, yes, that's the basis of my—that's my sort of grammatical reading of the statute, yes.
• This is about all of these institutions, higher institutions included, so University of Arizona would
• of Arizona.
• All of these categories of students prior to the 2022 universal program are exempt from this, and voters

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Later, he was a research fellow at Yale University Center for the Study of American Politics and a Robert
• Wood Johnson Foundation fellow in health policy research at the University of California, Berkeley.
• <c> of</c><00:18:20.960><c> the</c> part of the structure of the part of the structure of the constitution
• </c> time of a period of tension with France. time of a period of tension with France.
• much of our history, much of course for much of our history, much of academic<00:25:33.360><c> political

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing with Professor Colin Moore on democratic norms and their erosion in the United States, with a focus on what that could mean for Hawaii. Chair Carl Rhodes introduced the topic and the professor, noting the briefing was livestreamed and could be rescheduled if technical problems arose. Moore defined democratic norms as unwritten guardrails that make written constitutional rules work in practice, emphasizing two core norms from political science: mutual toleration, meaning acceptance of political opponents as legitimate, and institutional forbearance, meaning restraint in using legal powers to the maximum for partisan gain. Moore used historical examples to show how norms develop and erode, including George Washington’s resignation, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the contested 1800 election, Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan, and Watergate. He argued that democracies usually erode gradually rather than through sudden coups, often through leaders who reject opponents’ legitimacy, tolerate political violence, restrict civil liberties, or attack the press. He said the United States is vulnerable because of its strong presidency, an 18th-century constitutional design that did not anticipate modern political parties or a neutral civil service, and because polarization has encouraged “constitutional hardball” and retaliation. He cited comparative examples such as Hungary, Turkey, and other countries that slid toward authoritarianism over time, and said the U.S. has been rated a flawed democracy by outside indexes. Moore said the erosion predates Donald Trump, though he believes Trump has accelerated it, and pointed to recent actions and rhetoric as moving beyond ceremony into government practice. He also warned that Congress has not consistently checked executive power and that public willingness to excuse anti-democratic behavior from preferred candidates is troubling. The briefing ended with Moore turning to federalism and Hawaii, arguing that the state depends heavily on federal funding for health care, schools, housing, and infrastructure, and that delays or disruptions from an unstable federal government could create serious local harm even if no law is formally broken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Russell, an employee of the Department of Correction, H 4587.
• retirement of Greg Heath, a former firefighter of the city of Westfield, Senate No. 1919.
• After graduating from Gloucester High School as a member of the class of 1990, she attended Tufts University
• An act revising the charter of the City of Lynn, H 4149; an act authorizing the town of Somerset to grant
• Russell, an employee of the Department of Correction, H 4587.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met for final passage on several measures, beginning with adoption of an emergency preamble for H 4587, a sick leave bank bill for David A. Russell of the Department of Correction. The chamber then took up and passed to be engrossed S 1919, providing for the retirement of Greg Heath, a former firefighter in Westfield, and H 4287, authorizing West Springfield to grant four additional off-premises alcohol licenses. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn in memory of Representative Anne Margaret Ferrante, with Senator Tarr offering a detailed tribute to her life, public service, and advocacy for Gloucester, fishermen, economic development, and children’s literacy. After a moment of silence, the Senate passed to be enacted H 4149, revising the charter of Lynn; H 4286, allowing Somerset an additional wine and malt beverage license; and H 4439, creating a simplified procedure for accepting subdivision roads in Marlborough. Finally, the Senate passed H 4587 to be enacted and laid it before the Governor. The chamber adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Representative Ferrante.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will now advance the second order of business: prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The book of Proverbs says, quote, 'The integrity of the upright guides them, but ...' ... but integrity
• The Senate will now advance the third order of business: the reading and correction of the journal.
• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal of the proceedings of January 19th,
• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. Thank you. Governor of Idaho.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's no objection, one matter will be taken out of order, the orders of the day: An act relative
• The question comes on adoption of the amendment. The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
• Institute of Politics.
• University to be able to build on the example that Senator Berry provided to all of us and carry on his
• President, that institute, the Frederick Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University, is thriving

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up House No. 62, an act extending certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency. Senator O'Connor spoke in support, praising the continued flexibility for municipal meetings and public participation, including remote attendance and testimony, and expressing hope the changes could eventually become permanent. The chamber adopted Senator Rodgers’ amendment striking and replacing the bill text with Senate Document No. 2506, then passed the bill to be engrossed. The Senate later adopted the emergency preamble by standing vote, with three in favor and none opposed, allowing final passage of the bill. The bill was then passed to be enacted and ordered signed by the President and laid before the Governor. Separately, Senator Tarr recognized a guest from Salem State University and spoke about the Frederick Berry Institute of Politics and its alternative spring break program. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of former Representative John Stasik, followed by a moment of silence. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, can you please make the motion of a favorable review of agenda item 10?
• Chairs, members of the committee.
• I'm executive director of the state fairgrounds as of about 100 days, so fairly new.
• This is really a shout-out to all the agencies of the general rules of this committee, and that's why
• A couple of...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Capital Review

Summary: The Joint Committee on Capital Review met on May 6 and first approved the minutes from its January 29, 2026 meeting. It then took up the consent calendar, which included agenda items 1 through 7, 8A, 8B, and 9B, plus item 9A with standard university financing provisions; the committee gave favorable review or approval to all consent items without opposition. The only non-consent item was agenda item 10 for the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board. JLBC staff explained that the fair was seeking an additional $400,000 for prefabricated restrooms at the exhibit building and another $400,000 for replacement of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum risers, both after earlier approvals in December 2024. State Fair Executive Director Dale Adams said the projects were important for safety and expanded use of the grounds, and noted the revised amounts followed a more thorough cost analysis. Committee members questioned why the request had increased and emphasized that agencies should come prepared with accurate costs and ready-to-implement plans. After discussion, the committee voted to give agenda item 10 a favorable review. The meeting ended with no opposition on any action items, and members were told it was likely the committee’s last meeting until the fall before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was invited to an AI conference at Valley City a couple months ago, and one of the universities presented—I
• A couple months ago, and one of the universities presented a framework they called HEART: human-centered
• I’m Director of Special Projects for Valley City State University.
• I'm Director of Special Projects for Valley City State University.
• A lot of information today, some of it kind of depressing and some of it good.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars every time we negotiate a contract.
• So in a recent survey of our members, the cost of living, cost of doing business, and condition of our
• share of wallet or share of GDP.
• picture of energy costs as a proportion of the total costs of living or as a proportion of total state
• I am the Chief Sustainability Officer at Tufts University, and I'm a member of the Green Ribbon Commission

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our friends at the University of Minnesota have developed new environmentally profound plants like Kernza
• </c> University of Minnesota have developed University of Minnesota have developed new<00:04:07.319><
• , director of commercialization, adoption, and scaling for the University of Minnesota: Greetings, Chair
• Finally, through University of Minnesota Forever Green, I would like to share that I am liaising with
• Finally, through University of Minnesota Forever Green, I would like to share that I am liaising with

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My views are not intended to represent the position of the University of California.
• My views are not intended to represent the position of the University of California.
• I'm the Director of Street Medicine for University of Southern California, as well as the Vice Chair
• Jen Chase, on behalf of the University of California, I would concur with CHA's remarks that we...
• , on behalf of the University of California, said she concurred with CHA's remarks that they support

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:

• </c> in order of sighting of enrolled acts. in order of sighting of enrolled acts.
• </c><00:36:26.160><c> I</c> 70 to 120 hours of of of training that I 70 to 120 hours of of of training
• The list of approved, again, universal dyslexia.
• </c><01:04:09.760><c> approved</c><01:04:10.720><c> again</c><01:04:11.599><c> universal</c> list of
• approved again universal list of approved again universal dyslexia.<01:04:13.440><c> It's</c><01:04:13.680

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• director of the Prism Center at the University of Vermont.
• Thank you. the Prism Center at the University of the Prism Center at the University of Vermont.
• </c> 18th of 2026. 18th of 2026.
• </c> of the bill. of the bill.
• </c> of Act 60. of Act 60.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the University of Minnesota.
• with the University of Minnesota.
• with the University of Minnesota.
• </c> University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota.
• </c><01:25:08.800><c> University</c><01:25:09.440><c> of</c> HCMC because 50% of University of HCMC because

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have the University of Hawaii in support.
• It's akin to having the university kind of build more student housing so you can get the students out
• It's akin to having the university kind of build more student housing so you can get the students out
• It's akin to having the university kind of build more student housing so you can get the students out
• </c> of Hawaii. of Hawaii.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays. HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners. The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.