Transcript Highlights:

• If someone were to mail in their application, it would be 5 days.
• c> in</c><00:13:09.680><c> their</c> someone were to mail in their someone were to mail in their application
• Most people understand that when you mail an application in, it takes time.
• Most people understand that when you mail an application in, it takes time.
• Most people understand that when you mail an application in, it takes time.

Summary: The JLCAR June meeting opened with the pledge, approval of the prior minutes, and adoption of the consent calendar after one Fish and Game item was pulled for separate consideration. The committee then reordered the regular calendar and postponed an HHS item at the agency’s request because work was still ongoing. The committee next considered OPLC item 2547, concerning amendments to licensure and discipline forms for regulated professions. Members raised concerns that the application was still too geared toward health professions and that renewal forms should be shorter, but the agency said it was moving toward a dynamic online form that would collapse irrelevant questions. The committee concluded the issue was more about agency operations than policy and adopted the rule. For DNCR item 2551, on rules for the Adopt-a-Park volunteer program, staff explained the agency had been operating the program under statute but had realized rules were required and had been using DOJ review in the meantime. Committee members noted the agency had not followed the rulemaking requirement but was now correcting it, and the rule was approved. Fish and Game item 2570, on electronic OHRV and snowmobile registration applications, drew discussion over whether the online process should be processed in five days to match mail-in applications or remain at ten days; the agency cited workload and file-transfer delays, and the committee adopted a conditional approval with an oral amendment leaving the ten-day timeframe in place for now. In other business, staff described a planned upgrade to the committee’s agency portal and database workflow, moving from email submissions to an online portal with better form validation and document upload features. Members supported the modernization and approved the manual change, with implementation expected after agency sign-up and training later in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• using a vote-by-mail ballot this past November.
• himself has voted by mail, including at a recent election.
• Number one, they like the convenience of mail-in ballots.
• keep mail-in balloting, but we have to do it in a way that restores trust and confidence.
• In fact, California's vote-by-mail system, in my opinion, it is secure.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.

Transcript Highlights:

• is the result of a constituent calling in, irritated because his driver's license was lost in the mail
• It directs Service Oklahoma to implement a system that allows applicants to track the mailing status
• So the tracking service would be on anything that is mailed to the customer and then, or the citizen.
• Right now, they're mailing these in regular envelopes, paying probably your normal one-ounce, you know
• So, in this situation, we would have a printed date and a mailing date from both the vendor and also

Bills: SB1220 , SB1221 , SB1239 , SB1309 , SB1349 , SB1434 , SB1516 , SB1531 , SB1538 , SB1861

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation-related Senate bills, beginning with memorial naming measures and then moving into funding, licensing, and safety proposals. Senate Bill 1220, naming the Terry Walker Memorial Interchange, and Senate Bill 1516, allowing Real ID applicants to donate to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs through Service Oklahoma forms, both advanced on 10-2 votes after brief questions about funding and where donations would go. Senate Bill 1239, which extends the sunset for County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund appropriations and cleans up duplicate statutory language, advanced after title was stricken and members raised questions about reporting requirements and a possible conflict in the funding language. Senate Bill 1531, an ODAA request related to future drone regulation, advanced unanimously after title was stricken. The committee also considered several road and licensing measures. Senate Bill 1349 would increase apportionments to the Roads Fund over eight years up to $1 billion; members questioned the long-term commitment, inflation, and overlap with other road-funding bills, but it advanced 10-2. Senate Bill 1221 would let Service Oklahoma provide tracking for mailed driver’s licenses and IDs and offer optional expedited delivery; after Service Oklahoma testified that refunds would be issued if expedited service was not provided, the bill advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 1538, reinstating the requirement to pass or show proof of an eighth-grade reading exam to obtain a driver’s license, advanced 11-1 after discussion of the literacy goal and the employment-based exemption. The committee then approved Senate Bill 1309, which raises from $80 million to $100 million the amount reserved from Roads Fund apportionments for debt service, on a unanimous vote. The most debated measure was Senate Bill 1434, which would authorize automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones with warning signs, limited image retention, independent audits, and penalties for noncompliance; supporters argued it would save workers’ lives, while opponents raised privacy and future-use concerns and suggested officer-based enforcement instead. Despite those objections, the bill advanced 7-5. The meeting ended with a notice that Senator Merrick’s bill, SB 1861, would be laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they're not there, they are mailed a letter.
• </c> they have they're mailed a letter. they have they're mailed a letter.
• </c><00:27:49.880><c> out</c> but if a state decided to mail out but if a state decided to mail out ballots
• ,</c> ID to put it back in the mail, ID to put it back in the mail, then<00:28:02.000><c> nobody</c><
• She votes by mail.

Transcript Highlights:

• said, 'Jim, well, if your name is not Jim,' but they said to me, 'Jim, I have an actual ballot in the mail
• really rooted in the idea of making it very, very clear that the thing that you're getting in the mail
• and who who sent me this and why mail and who who sent me this and why did<00:01:03.359><c> they</c>
• file was used to mail out an unsolicited application.
• an outdated mailing file was used<00:06:36.840><c> to</c><00:06:37.000><c> mail</c><00:06:37.240><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Coconino County, and so when my ballot gets mailed, it gets mailed from Flagstaff and it goes
• I live in Coconino County, and so when my ballot gets mailed, it gets mailed from Flagstaff and it goes
• those ballots earlier to allow for mailing time.
• those ballots earlier to allow for mailing time.
• Making it mail-in voting is a challenge out there.

Bills: HB2006 , HB2085 , HB2109 , HB2167 , HB2205 , HB2410 , HCR2016

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair

Transcript Highlights:

• barcodes for processing and tracking mail ballot envelopes and also the election mail logo on envelopes
• That list would be of all those individuals who are being mailed an absentee ballot.
• It requires that the proposed rule include requirements for election mail, including intelligent mail
• It prohibits mailings from persons not on that list.
• And it directs USPS to create a list of persons enrolled for mail-in ballots.

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But doing a Prop. 218 vote, you could do basically a mail-ballot election, and...
• Unfortunately,... ...and accessible, and our vote-by-mail process is both.
• Young voters face unique challenges when voting by mail.
• They are not accustomed to using the mail or making a signature, and they are new to voting.
• primary voters using a vote-by-mail ballot, and nearly 89% this past November.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• All righty, last but certainly not least, House Bill 2664 removes the certified mail delivery requirement
• via certified mail.
• Folks that are receiving them to have to receive their mail via certified mail.
• And what we saw happen was many of these pieces of mail are now undeliverable.
• So this takes it to being able to send the notice by first-class mail plus the other options that were

Summary: The Housing Committee reviewed three bills: House Bill 1542, which would establish minimum rights for senior independent housing residents and allow enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act; House Bill 2452, which concerns service of rent increase notices; and House Bill 2664, which removes the certified mail requirement for unlawful detainer and related notices. Staff explained amendments to HB 1542 that would narrow the definition of senior independent housing, replace Consumer Protection Act enforcement with Attorney General enforcement and civil penalties, and remove a Commerce Department reporting requirement. For HB 2452, an amendment would remove the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act portion and leave only Manufactured Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act notice rules. For HB 2664, there were no amendments. On HB 1542, the committee rejected the amendment narrowing the housing definition and rejected the amendment replacing Consumer Protection Act enforcement with civil penalties. It adopted the amendment removing the Commerce report requirement. Members supporting the bill said seniors need stronger protections, while opponents argued the bill was too broad and could create unintended consequences, especially for age-restricted and manufactured housing communities. The committee then approved a second substitute version of HB 1542 with a due pass recommendation by a 10-7 vote. HB 2664 was supported as a fix to prior certified-mail requirements that had caused many notices to be returned undeliverable; the bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. HB 2452 was amended to remove the RLTA portion and keep only the manufactured housing notice provisions, with members saying this would restore clarity and align with the earlier passage of HB 2664. The committee then approved Substitute House Bill 2452 with a due pass recommendation by a 17-0 vote, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, missing or mismatching signatures still result in far too many invalidated vote-by-mail
• process and our vote by mail process is both.
• Young voters face unique challenges when voting by mail.
• They are not accustomed to using the mail or making a signature, and they are new to voting.
• I don't know what means that they are using, by mail or telephone, to verify, to cure their signature

Summary: The committee heard AB 2255, which would require more detailed disclosure for certain large campaign expenditures made when a candidate is not on the next ballot. The author and the FPPC said the bill would improve transparency around campaign spending; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard AB 686, extending California’s ban on election-related deepfake media from 2027 to 2031, and AB 1130, which would strengthen disclosure and liability rules for paid social media campaign posts; both measures were approved. Members also considered AB 2281, which would have the Office of Election Cybersecurity assess whether additional resources are needed to replace lost federal support and consult with academic researchers, and AB 2604, which would create a statewide electronic signature-curing system for vote-by-mail ballots. AB 2281 was presented as a response to reduced federal cybersecurity support and was approved; AB 2604 was supported as a way to help voters, especially younger voters, cure signature issues more quickly, but faced opposition from the Secretary of State’s office over regulation and standards concerns, and it was also approved. The committee heard AB 2753, which would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding state or local office, and AB 2691, which would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include the most serious sexual assault and sex trafficking offenses. AB 2753 drew support from the author and Fresno officials but opposition over its breadth and registry concerns, and it ultimately failed on a 2-1 vote. AB 2691 drew strong support from survivors and education advocates but also opposition from groups objecting to amendments that excluded certain crimes involving minors; despite that dispute, the bill passed 4-1. The committee also approved AB 2573, clarifying the confidential voter registration program for elected officials and candidates, AJR 31 urging Congress to restore Voting Rights Act provisions, and SB 830 making election-administration cleanup changes for the Bay Area regional transit measure. The consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• That may occur between the final day to request a mail ballot and Election Day.
• to mail to the residence regardless.
• My question is regarding the mail ballots.
• Getting those mail ballots counted, all of the mail ballots that come in before Election Day, having
• First, Section 12, which refers to mail ballot counting by the counting board and states, quote, the

Bills: AB534 , AB562 , AB595 , AB597 , AB600 , SB74 , SB226 , SB422 , SB488

Committee: Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• processing and tracking mail ballot envelopes, and also the election mail logo on envelopes.
• All states do send absentee and mail ballots.
• , including intelligent mail barcodes.
• It prohibits mailings from persons not on that list.
• And it directs USPS to create a list of persons enrolled for mail-in ballots.

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• something you haven't heard, it's a growing form of fraud in higher education where scammers use stolen
• 00:52:24.000><c> where</c><00:52:24.160><c> scammers</c><00:52:24.800><c> use</c><00:52:25.040><c> stolen
• </c><00:52:25.440><c> or</c> education where scammers use stolen or education where scammers use stolen

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for an overview of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). After approving the prior meeting minutes, staff from CPE explained that the council was reconstituted in 1997 and serves as Kentucky’s statewide coordinating body for higher education, with responsibilities including advising the General Assembly and governor, coordinating the postsecondary system, supporting budget and performance funding work, and using data to track outcomes. They described Kentucky’s governance structure, including the KCTCS governing board, independent boards at public universities, and CPE’s role in licensing private institutions and overseeing transfer, closed-school records, and tuition approval. CPE staff emphasized statewide strategic planning and the “60 by 30” goal of having 60% of working-age Kentuckians hold a meaningful credential by 2030. They said the agency uses dashboards, KPIs, and peer comparisons to set targets for institutions and monitor enrollment, retention, and graduation. They also highlighted the Kentucky Graduate Profile, a voluntary effort to embed 10 essential workforce skills into general education and major programs, and noted ongoing work on academic program approval, performance funding, and a biennial budget request. The presentation also focused on student support and workforce alignment initiatives. Staff described the Kentucky Advising Academy, the Commonwealth Education Continuum, and the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative, which work with K-12 partners and campuses to improve advising, transfer, wraparound supports, and career planning. They also discussed GEAR UP, the Futurity career-planning platform, and efforts to connect education pathways to workforce needs, including healthcare, veterans, and other adult learners. CPE reported that student debt at graduation has fallen to $10,168 at public institutions and that six in ten Kentucky undergraduates graduate debt free.

Transcript Highlights:

• She continued that there have been huge sums of money stolen by fraudsters from public programs, that
• c><00:08:30.960><c> that</c><00:08:31.040><c> have</c><00:08:31.160><c> been</c><00:08:31.280><c> stolen
• </c> huge sums of money that have been stolen huge sums of money that have been stolen by<00:08:31.960

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• memorandums of agreement with community-based organizations to enhance outreach, referral, and recovery of stolen
• memorandums of agreement with community-based organizations to enhance outreach, referral, and recovery of stolen
• experienced a large wage theft case a couple years ago, where they were able to receive over $300,000 in stolen
• experienced a large wage theft case a couple years ago, where they were able to receive over $300,000 in stolen

Bills: SB2198 , SB2140 , SB3055 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2761

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota, we can protect the poor people that we're supposed to be serving, and their dollars are being stolen
• serving and their their dollars<00:44:20.720><c> are</c><00:44:20.880><c> being</c><00:44:21.119><c> stolen
• c><00:44:21.440><c> from</c><00:44:21.720><c> them</c><00:44:22.720><c> and</c> dollars are being stolen
• from them and dollars are being stolen from them and the<00:44:23.119><c> fraudsters</c><00:44:23.760

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about an entire generation being stolen before they've had a chance to live fully.
• it's about an entire<00:17:53.200><c> generation</c><00:17:53.799><c> being</c><00:17:54.000><c> stolen
• </c><00:17:54.480><c> before</c> entire generation being stolen before entire generation being stolen

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• alleviate logistical issues posed by sending and returning ballots to and from the Middle East by mail
• ballots at all or submitting their ballots by mail in time to be counted.
• Armed Services and their families in these countries are literally unable to mail their ballots back.
• The Department of Defense survey found that one in seven military voters did not receive a mail ballot
• This includes one voter who sent their ballot back via mail on May 20. ...window.

Summary: The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee met and considered several measures, with most of the discussion focused on veterans’ access to food assistance, overseas voting, and veteran mental health research. SB 1201, the “No Hungry Heroes Act,” would seek federal waivers to protect certain veterans from CalFresh time limits and require referrals to county veteran service officers; supporters said federal SNAP cuts are leaving vulnerable veterans at risk of hunger, while no opposition testified. Members spoke strongly in favor, emphasizing the need to support service members and their families. SB 970 addressed ballot access for military and overseas voters after the federal DOD fax service was discontinued. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations for a secure ballot return method. County election officials and veterans groups supported the measure, while the Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised concerns about cybersecurity and urged a more deliberate process, including a possible task force. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 970 and send it to Appropriations. SB 1224 proposed a California Emerging Therapies Research Partnership to help the state compete for federal research funding for alternative therapies, including treatments relevant to PTSD, depression, and substance use among veterans. Veterans advocates described the bill as a way to expand options for those not helped by traditional treatment, and the author noted amendments to address conflicts of interest and administrative issues. The committee approved the bill and referred it to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including HR 120, SB 892, SB 1188, SJR 14, and SJR 17, and later voted SB 1201 and SB 970 out of committee as well. Overall, the meeting reflected broad bipartisan support for veteran-focused measures, with the main policy debate centered on how to balance access and security in overseas voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• ballots at all or submitting their ballots by mail in time to be counted.
• Armed Services and their families in these countries are literally unable to mail their ballots back.
• The Department of Defense survey found that one in seven military voters did not... ...receive a mail
• This includes one voter who sent their ballot back via mail on May 20. ...window.
• This includes one voter who sent their ballot back via mail on May 20th from Canada, and Fresno didn't

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The mailing would have to be by certified mail to satisfy proof of mailing.
• So, if we're required to mail each year.
• > to</c><00:09:08.720><c> be</c><00:09:08.800><c> by</c> The mailing would have to be by The mailing
• to satisfy proof of certified mail uh to satisfy proof of mailing.<00:09:13.360><c> Uh</c><00:09:13.680
• ><c> addresses</c> Certified mailing to multiple addresses Certified mailing to multiple addresses would

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

Committee: Senate Transportation

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