Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:14.480><c> yes</c> Watkins briefly explain my uh vote yes Watkins briefly explain my uh vote
• Therefore, I vote...
• Therefore, I vote... Okay, motion passes. Thank you very much.
• Representative Smith: Quickly, explain my vote, Mr. Chairman. Mr.
• Representative Smith: Quickly, explain my vote, Mr. Chairman. Mr.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are for ITL, you vote yes; if you are against ITL, you vote no.
• ><c> will</c><01:32:16.639><c> vote</c> against you will vote against you will vote no<01:32:18.719><
• If you are for ITL, you vote yes; if you are against ITL, you vote no.
• Chairman Pearson, this time I am going to vote yes. itl you vote itl you vote Yes<01:34:22.600><c> if
• </c><01:36:40.840><c> he</c> up you got to vote I vote Yes which he up you got to vote I vote Yes which

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them. After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will now move into executive session, and I move that Senate Bill 937 be voted do pass.
• Be voted do pass. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Mayhew? Yes.
• By your vote of 12 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 present, you have voted do pass House Committee substitute for
• I happen to have voted against that idea.
• I happen to have voted against that idea, but I lost.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session with 12 members present and 4 absent, establishing quorum. Members considered Senate Bill 937, adopted a House committee substitute and one amendment, then voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of 12 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 present. The bill was then moved out of executive session. In open session, the committee heard Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 from Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman. The bill is a cleanup measure to remove obsolete boards, commissions, and panels from statute, based on long periods without appointments or because duties have been reassigned elsewhere. Coleman also described a workforce development reorganization and noted that some panels were removed at the request of state agencies. Members asked about whether any of the bodies were still meeting, the fiscal note, and whether adding or extending a committee such as the joint committee on child abuse and neglect would fit under the bill’s title; Coleman said the legal question was uncertain but that the bill was intended to address obsolete entities. No one testified in opposition or for information, and the hearing closed. The committee then heard House Bill 1829 from Representative Terry Violet, which would let municipalities that publish their codes online keep one physical copy instead of three. Violet and supporters said the change would save cities money and improve public access to ordinances. Members asked about how quickly ordinances appear online, whether there was any penalty for not maintaining three copies, and how the current system works; witnesses said online posting is typically fast and that the hard-copy requirement is outdated. The Missouri Municipal League testified in support, saying the bill would reduce unnecessary costs for municipalities. There was no opposition or informational testimony, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote on it? I'm not quite understanding there. Senator Carlson.
• on it I'm not quite understanding there vote on it.
• So I guess that has yet to be voted on by the bodies. So anyway, thank you. That's correct.
• The JFAC voted to cut the budget by $13 million, but I don't believe there was a cap.
• The JFAC voted to cut the budget by $13 million, but I don't believe there was a cap.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would ask for a yes vote. Any further remarks?
• I encourage a yes vote. Senator Muzzall: Thank you, Mr. President.
• I urge a yes vote. Conway? I should note that this is my last rules poll and my career here.
• The bill encourages the yes vote. Further remarks?
• do not backslide on voting rights in our state, despite what may happen elsewhere.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ask for a yes vote. Further remarks?
• So I would encourage a no vote.
• Encouraged yes vote. Further remarks?
• I would urge a no vote. Further remarks?
• I'd urge a no vote. Further remarks?

Summary: The Senate took up a proposed consent calendar package and advanced it to the consent calendar by voice vote, with remarks noting the measures had broad agreement, no con testimony, and support from chairs and ranking members. Members also briefly noted that many of the items in the package were minority-party bills. The chamber then advanced a long series of bills from the white sheet to the floor or second reading calendar, generally without opposition. Topics included HIV antiviral drug coverage without prior authorization (SB 6183), limits on carrier refund requests to providers (SB 6071), extending limits on replacing jobs with fully automated equipment (SB 5995), medically tailored meals under Apple Health (SB 5966), earned wage access services (SB 5328), financial aid outreach for high school seniors (SB 5841), campaign finance reporting timing (SB 5840), a tourism promotion program (SB 6061), wage enforcement flexibility for Labor and Industries (SB 6058), workforce development changes (SB 5931), collective bargaining for language access providers (SB 5944), compensation petitions for wrongfully convicted persons (SB 5520), court safety background checks for judges and staff (SB 6011), liability protections for donated baby items (SB 6087), clean energy procurement for consumer-owned utilities (SB 6076), non-opioid pain treatment coverage (SB 5916), technical land-use changes involving aquifer recharge areas (SB 6016), human trafficking remedies and business liability (SB 5936), collegiate sports wagering limits in tribal casinos (SB 6137), pathways to medical licensure for overseas graduates (SB 5185), AI and surveillance limits in K-12 discipline and safety decisions (SB 5956), fetal death definition changes (SB 6025), permanent direct-appeal procedures for environmental and land-use cases (SB 6009), allowing unattended vehicles to idle briefly to protect pets (SB 5833), dementia education materials from the Department of Health (SB 6161), asbestos training rules (SB 6188), negligent driving changes tied to excessive speeding (SB 5890), abortion medication reimbursement changes in corrections settings (SB 5917), a Growth Management Act exemption repeal for one county (SB 5820), initiative and referendum process protections related to money in signature campaigns (SB 5973), a federal wildfire response memorial (SJM 8015), juice grapes under agricultural marketing rules (SB 5816), workers’ compensation rate transparency (SB 6136), and a real estate marketing transparency bill (SB 6091). Most motions passed by voice vote with little debate, though a few drew brief support or opposition. Senator Braun opposed the bill extending the prohibition on replacing jobs with fully automated equipment, and Senator Short opposed the bill on initiative and referendum financing and the bill removing a county-specific Growth Management Act exemption. The meeting ended after no further business was raised and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voice vote. Oh, and a voice vote on this? All in favor? Opposed?
• Vote on the motion. Did you have a debate on the motion, right? What's that?
• The debate first before we vote. Yeah, is there a debate on the motion?
• The debate first before we vote. Yeah, is a debate on the motion?
• Maybe we have a roll call vote. Okay, we will have a roll call vote. Okay, I have a booming voice.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, SB 754 is reported favorably. All right, I will now turn the chair...
• After all the advertising and discussion, a statewide referendum vote in...
• I am going to vote for it today. I see it again in Rules.
• And by your vote, let's show SB 796 is reported favorably.
• I'd like to be recorded as voting in the affirmative for tab 1. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to also make California a leader in consumer protection by voting aye on AB 1349.
• We urge you to also make California a leader in consumer protection by voting aye on AB 1349.
• Number one, This week, by a vote of 409 to 15—I repeat, 409 to 15—the U.S.
• I applaud you for it, and I will be voting for your bill today. Thank you. Thank you.
• We are going to add on votes. Vice Chair Dixon at the moment. Dixon? Oh, no. The vote. Thank you.

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased. Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we ready to vote? you? Yes, it does. Okay, sounds good. you? Yes, it does. Okay, sounds good.
• Um, may I take the vote on behalf Okay.
• Um, may I take the vote on behalf of<00:02:49.280><c> the</c><00:02:49.360><c> house?
• Chair votes I. Representative Po, I. Representative Muraoka is excused.
• I take the vote for the Senate? Senator I take the vote for the Senate?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TAKE UP TAB 4 AND FIVE, CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR APPOINTMENTS, UNLESS A SENATOR REQUEST TO SEPARATE VOTE
• ON AN INDIVIDUAL APPOINTEE WE WILL TAKE ONE VOTE ON ALL APPOINTEES.
• Berman: THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND BOTH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE WELL-QUALIFIED AND I WILL BE VOTING FOR
• I GET TO VOTE FOR THE HIGHEST PRESIDENCY WITHIN THIS COUNTRY AND I DON'T GET TO VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT
• ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS WISHING TO BE RECORDED AS VOTING ON BILLS BEFOR THE COMMITTEE TODAY?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:28.559><c> no</c> lead representative Andrew to vote no lead representative Andrew to vote
• </c><00:28:31.200><c> which</c> that would be a a 10 to one vote which that would be a a 10 to one vote
• I'm going to vote no because I think we need 20 people here to vote on this bill.
• </c> I think we need 20 people here to vote I think we need 20 people here to vote on<01:46:46.920><c
• The vote is 11 to 1 in favor of the amendment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The one that we got yesterday, I actually would have voted for, but this one I can’t vote for because
• Had we been voting on yesterday's amendment, I actually would have voted for the bill as amended, but
• Had we been voting on yesterday's amendment, I actually would have voted for the bill as amended, but
• Had we been voting on yesterday's amendment, I actually would have voted for the bill as amended, but
• Had we been voting on yesterday's amendment, I actually would have voted for the bill as amended, but

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Explain my vote. Explain my vote. Briefly<00:46:32.440><c> please.</c> Briefly please.
• </c> Explain my no vote. Explain my no vote. Proceed<00:46:58.800><c> briefly.
• </c> Senator Mills Explain my I vote. Senator Mills Explain my I vote.
• Were you an I vote, Senator Williams? No. No vote. I was a no vote.
• I'm an I vote.

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Riley. >> Representative Sharp. >> Explain my vote.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Explain my vote, please. &gt;&gt; Explain my vote, please.
• </c> &gt;&gt; explain my vote. &gt;&gt; explain my vote. &gt;&gt; Mhm. &gt;&gt; Mhm. &gt;&gt; Mhm.
• </c> &gt;&gt; explain my vote. &gt;&gt; explain my vote. &gt;&gt; Yes,<00:48:44.079><c> ma'am.
• </c> &gt;&gt; may I explain my vote? &gt;&gt; may I explain my vote? &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 1939 be voted do pass. I move that House Bill 1939 be voted do pass.
• I now move that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 1939 be voted do pass.
• By your vote of 13 ayes and zero no, you have By your vote of 13 ayes and zero no, you have voted do

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Committee on Transportation met in executive session and considered House Bill 1939. Members adopted an amendment that incorporated changes discussed in the public hearing, including allowing municipalities to permit golf carts on roads over 25 mph, requiring golf carts to carry insurance, and creating a carve-out for private property owners to allow golf carts on their sidewalks or paths. A member raised a question about a possible accommodation for a disabled young man who uses a golf cart but is not licensed; the sponsor said that issue was not included in the bill but might be considered later as a floor amendment. After adopting the amendment, the committee rolled it into a new substitute and adopted the House Committee Substitute for HB 1939. The substitute was then voted do pass by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 noes. The committee adjourned after completing that business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully urge your aye vote on SB 1259. Thank you.
• So I respectfully ask for a vote. Thank you.
• Not voting. Chen? Davies? No. Gonzales? No. Gonzales, not voting. Davies? Davies, no. Gonzales?
• With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• Wallis, not voting. No. Ta, no. Wallis, not voting. Zbur? Aye.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 16 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 1850
• By your vote of 14 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2368
• By your vote of 14 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Bill 2034 do pass.
• By your vote of 14 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2745
• By your vote of 14 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2463

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and different voting periods.
• , voting by mail, in person, and a myriad of other things.
• in-person voting period.
• It allows county-wide voting, reduces the need for two sets of county voting equipment, and it secures
• by personal appearance and election day voting.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:00.320><c> as</c> uh do you acknowledge having voted as uh do you acknowledge having voted
• </c> If you, um, had to vote on it, would you have, um, voted to...? Well, let me ask...
• So you might have missed some votes, but you would have had to have voted on everything that was put
• So you might have missed some votes, but you would have had to have voted on everything that was put
• , sure, I would have voted.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.