Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will begin with the Judicial Standards Commission. That is in your packet 210.
• With that, we're on the Judicial Standards Commission 210, the agency analyst.
• increased accessibility offered by the Commission's website, the number of complaints that the Commission
• And then we worked really closely with the Racing Commission on the Coggins for the racehorses.
• Frank Zubia, Director for the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• 51 years, and we represent the customer in utility matters primarily before the Public Service Commission
• Customer service hearings are where the commission goes out to the communities and they meet and they
• But we capture everything that we can ahead of time so we can focus the commission on the real meat of
• The Public Service Commission conducts a series of hearings and then they issue a final order.
• And I was encouraging staff to step into the space and say, look, I'm sorry, commission staff, but we

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think it uh well one question was, was your version was that the campaign spending commissions
• Uh, so uh my suggestion is we go with the HD1, which is the campaign spending commission amounts, but
• campaign spending commission amounts but campaign spending commission amounts but we<00:24:52.880><c>
• My memory is that the campaign spending commission does is they will um look at how much was was was
• to put together a table for commission to put together a table for us. us. us.

Bills: HB389 , HB469 , HB1510 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1946 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• So the reason I'm bringing this for you today is I had a county commission.
• Of course, they serve at the discretion of the county commission.
• And so the county commission, you know, either they have a standalone rule or they get to a point like
• And so the county commission had to hire a lawyer.
• The lawyers get together, and they typically would select a three-man commission that they...

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Iman Buzian Saidi, and I'm with the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• I'm the vice chair of the commission, one of the commissioners.
• I'm the new member of the commission.
• In the past life, I was the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. ...of the commission.
• Also, our commission is holding the Meeting the Moment series.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with SEED (the State Exchange on Employment and Disability) staff for a presentation on state disability employment policy options and possible collaboration with Massachusetts. After roll call, the committee approved prior meeting minutes and heard an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall emphasizing that every individual matters and can make a difference. Members then introduced themselves and described their roles in disability employment, accessibility, state government, and advocacy. SEED staff Katya Alpanis and Dina Klumkina explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy resources to help states advance disability employment. They outlined seven policy areas, including career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and retention, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and accommodation tools, disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer strategies. They shared examples from other states such as Kentucky, Virginia, Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, New York, and others. In response to questions, they clarified that PEAT has been refunded and is expected to return online, and that SEED’s role is policy support rather than implementation of accessibility requirements. Committee members discussed Massachusetts-specific interests, including digital accessibility, existing state efforts, and prior SEED engagement with Massachusetts agencies and legislators. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work requirements and the risk that people with disabilities could fall through the cracks, and asked whether SEED could help inform state policy responses. The group identified two likely project areas: a Massachusetts state-as-model-employer roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition supports and civic engagement. SEED agreed to follow up with briefs and a questionnaire, and the committee planned an offline follow-up discussion to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work. No formal votes beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• LEN TEAGLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION. WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• WE SHERRI WHEELOCK A REAPPOINTMENT ON TO THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY SERVICE.
• NEW APPOINTMENT FLORIDA COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY SERVICE.
• PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RELATIONS COMMISSION.
• AND FINALLY TAB NUMBER 27 DEANNA LYNN TALBERT REAPPOINTMENT STATE RETIREMENT COMMISSION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Followed by Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.
• First to testify, we have the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Hello, H.
• Leia Larme with the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.
• </c> this program um the climate commission this program um the climate commission has<01:07:16.440><
• <01:09:30.719><c> um</c> commission um commission um just<01:09:33.040><c> like</c><01:09:33.239><c>

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee met on February 13, 2025, after a brief recess for a concurrent hearing. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including HB 332 on recycling and lithium-ion batteries, HB 256 on environmental protection and federal air standards, HB 348 on single-use plastics in lodging establishments, HB 810 on noise pollution and helicopter-related civil actions, HB 505 on Red Hill coordination, HB 975 on carbon sequestration incentives, and HB 974 on utility financing and step-in agreements. Testimony was generally supportive on HB 256, HB 348, HB 505, HB 975, and HB 974, while HB 332 drew both support and opposition, including concerns from the Consumer Technology Association about battery recycling policy. On HB 975, OPSD supported the program but urged language to prevent use for carbon offsets, and the committee discussed how the program would be monitored and reimbursed. On HB 974, the chair summarized extensive amendments addressing reserve fees, revenue definitions, trust funds, default procedures, and customer credits, while noting the Consumer Advocate’s changed view that a reserve fee may not be constitutionally required. In decision making, the committee adopted amendments and recommended passage for HB 332, converting it into a working group to study recycling of small- and medium-format lithium-ion batteries, with members from state agencies and industry and a note that an appropriation may be needed. HB 256 was passed with amendments to clarify compliance with federal law unless standards become more stringent. HB 348, HB 810, and HB 505 were each passed as is. HB 975 was passed with amendments, including language to prevent use of the program for carbon offsets and a note that dollar amounts would be blanked out and addressed in the committee report. HB 974 was also passed with amendments after the committee reviewed the proposed changes and discussed the reserve fee issue. The committee additionally noted that HB 1476 had previously been deferred and would remain deferred, and the meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, just the Tax Commission. Or is Kurt? I think just the Tax Commission.
• Oh, just the Tax Commission.
• And I've reported to the commission that I've reported to the commission that I... ...hypothetical.
• And have you worked that out with the Tax Commission?
• Jason Gardner, Deputy Executive Director of the Tax Commission.

Committee: Joint Transportation Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission? Commission?
• ,</c> new commissioner uh onto the commission, new commissioner uh onto the commission, and<00:14:40.480
• Uh, I think we will be establishing a sister state commission and international commission because the
• Uh, I think we will be establishing a sister state commission and international commission because the
• </c> Um Hawaii State Youth Commission. Um Hawaii State Youth Commission. On<01:02:00.960><c> Zoom.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madeline Cavalary with the Coastal Commission.
• So I'll just leave the Coastal Commission positions at that.
• I don't think I have any follow-up on the Coastal Commission.
• And so, so I'll just leave the Coastal Commission positions at that.
• I don't think I have any follow-up Coastal Commission.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we hand out the commission? Would someone like to move the committee sub for consideration?
• One is that level of oversight from the Public Regulatory Commission.
• And fish and the Game Commission into a wildlife agency.
• And experience-based wildlife commission that can make sound decisions for wildlife management.
• It's also the same process that we put into the changes of the Interstate's Dream Commission.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An overall structure was recommended to the commission by the advisory group, which staff and our deputy
• An overall structure was recommended to the commission by the advisory group, which staff and our deputy
• The Fish and Game Commission can Record one more time. We always have to be for the record.
• The Fish and Game Commission does have proclamation authority to establish hunting seasons.
• This is only applying if those seasons get added in the future by the commission.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2243, as you heard, creates a commission to explore whether and how to create a bank owned by the
• The bill instructs the commission to create a plan for what I call a greed-free bank that prioritizes
• It creates a commission of appointed experts in banking, public finance, and other relevant areas to
• It's framed as a commission to rearrange the state's banking and lending functions.
• We have some recent experience here with the Cal Account Blue Ribbon Commission, which was a commission

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact heard several bills focused on trade, affordability, and public finance. AB 2745 (Fong) would update California’s international trade and investment strategy, add a public advisory process, and allow regional trade hubs; supporters from the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and California Forward said it would help California compete globally and attract investment, while no opposition testified. AB 2366 (Avila Farías) would require state agencies to analyze cost-of-living impacts when adopting regulations and direct the LAO to develop guidance; supporters from the New California Coalition and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association argued it would improve transparency and help address affordability, while members noted concerns about implementation and unintended consequences. The committee also heard AB 2243 (Haney), which creates a commission to study whether California should establish a state public bank and how it might be structured. Supporters from the California Public Banking Alliance, climate groups, and other organizations said a public bank could reduce borrowing costs and finance housing, climate, and small business needs; the California Bankers Association and credit unions opposed the bill, arguing it could compete with private banks, duplicate prior studies, and raise unresolved regulatory and cost issues. Several committee members said they would support the study concept but wanted the bill amended so any final decision would return to the Legislature, and the author agreed to clarify that point and remove language related to extending local public bank licensing timelines. The committee also took up consent items AB 2048 (Calderon), AB 2583 (Hoover), and ACR 129 (Haney), which were approved without opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted AB 2366 out on a 7-0 basis to Judiciary, AB 2745 out on a 7-0 basis to Appropriations, and AB 2243 out on a 7-0 basis to Finance, with the consent calendar also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Iman Buzian Saidi, and I'm with the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• I'm the vice chair of the commission, one of the commissioners.
• I'm the new member of the commission.
• In the past life, I was the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. ...of the commission.
• Also, our commission is holding the Meeting the Moment series.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and began with an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about every individual mattering and making a difference. Members introduced themselves and described their roles in disability services, workforce policy, accessibility, and advocacy. The committee then welcomed Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina from the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), who explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy support to help states improve disability employment outcomes. SEED presented seven broad policy areas where states are active: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health supports, stay-at-work/return-to-work programs, employer recruitment and accommodation supports, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer initiatives. They shared examples from other states, including scholarship and transition policies, peer support training, accommodation funds, procurement goals, and state hiring strategies. Members asked about SEED’s role in Massachusetts, digital accessibility, and the status of PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED’s role is policy-focused rather than implementation-focused, though it can connect Massachusetts with peer states and examples. The discussion then narrowed to two possible Massachusetts projects: developing a state-as-model-employer roadmap and creating a youth/young-adult employment and volunteer pipeline, especially for transition-age individuals. Members noted related state efforts, including the governor’s executive order reestablishing a disability policy subcommittee, the commission’s Meeting the Moment series, and the need to help people navigate upcoming work requirements and transition cliffs. SEED agreed to follow up with a questionnaire and draft briefs on Massachusetts analysis, career readiness, and state-as-model-employer policies, and the group planned an offline follow-up to define priorities and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to take up the Racing Commission for amendment.
• So we're on the Racing Commission right now. We were waiting on this Racing Commission one for...
• This is Industrial Commission 2021? Fourteen. Okay, I'm terrible with numbers.
• On Senate Bill 2014, the Industrial Commission.
• Industrial Commission?

Committee: House Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2023 for the Racing Commission. Members confirmed the bill’s existing items, including the internships program and copier replacement, and then adopted an amendment based on the worksheet that moved those items to one-time funding. The committee then passed SB 2023 as amended, with the only noted differences from the Senate version being the one-time treatment of the $20,000 internship item and the copier replacement. Next, the committee considered House Bill 2011 for the Highway Patrol. Representative Pyle explained a series of verbal amendments that shifted several one-time and ongoing expenses from the general fund to the electronic permit fee fund, including body armor, preliminary breath test devices, handgun replacement, emergency vehicle operations course resurfacing, and related items, while also removing the shooting range ventilation project because it could be completed with existing funds. The committee also added a section allowing carryover authority for federal grant dollars tied to the in-car router system. After adopting the amendments, the committee passed HB 2011 as amended. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2014 for the Industrial Commission, focusing on a proposed amendment by Representative Fisher that would direct additional percentages of North Dakota Mill net income to wheat breeding programs at NDSU’s main experiment station and branch research centers. Members asked about current funding, the size of the proposed transfers, and how the money would be used, with Fisher arguing the funds would support breeding, disease resistance, and related research. Several members said they wanted more information on existing funding and program costs before advancing the idea, so the committee held the amendment for further review and took no final action on the bill during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a nine-person bipartisan commission. It is a nine-person bipartisan commission.
• We are simply creating a commission. What the commission would recommend, I couldn't tell you.
• The commission makes its recommendations when we come to a vote.
• You have this commission LOFT is the one that prepares a report.
• The commission would then send a report to the legislature.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor and legislature collectively appoint leaders to more than 580 boards and commissions, filling
• Catherine Squire, on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, in support
• And really, when we look at the transparency and accountability of their boards and commissions, you
• And really, when we look at the transparency and accountability of their boards, commissions, you know
• So we think a Latino commission is key to closing some of these gaps in these disparities.

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organizations Committee met on June 25, 2025, with a quorum present and several members substituting for absent colleagues. The committee first approved a consent calendar of several Senate bills, sending them to Appropriations on a due-pass recommendation. Members then heard SB 702 by Senator Limon, which would expand transparency reporting for statewide and legislative appointments to boards and commissions. The sponsor and supporters from HOPE and other advocacy and civil rights organizations argued the bill would improve accountability, representation, and public trust; committee members broadly praised the effort and many asked to be added as coauthors. SB 702 passed the committee on a unanimous roll call, with members voting aye and the bill sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then heard SB 388 by Senator Padilla, which would establish a California Latino Commission to study and advocate on issues affecting Latino Californians, including education, housing, health, economic mobility, and related disparities. Senator Padilla and supporters cited data on poverty, educational attainment, climate and health impacts, housing overcrowding, and the Latina pay gap, while members emphasized the bill’s importance amid current attacks on immigrant communities and the need to address homeownership and generational wealth. SB 388 also received strong support and was approved on a 20-1 vote, with one no vote from Assembly Member Sanchez, and was sent to Appropriations. After the final roll calls and opening the roll for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the commission will open a docket.
• </c> and the commission and the commission how<00:25:30.159><c> to</c><00:25:30.960><c> uh</c><00:25:
• </c> all of that, but the commission all of that, but the commission previously<02:05:16.159><c> said
• </c><02:10:43.199><c> the</c> recently in this commission the recently in this commission the commission
• </c> commission has not found that balance. commission has not found that balance.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational briefing on the Public Utilities Commission’s performance-based regulation (PBR) framework and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ whistleblower complaint process. Chair Jared Kohole opened the meeting, noted it was informational only with no public testimony, and explained that members would hear presentations and then have an opportunity for questions. The committee heard first from Ulupono Initiative, which provided background on why utilities are regulated, how Hawaii’s cost-of-service model and rate cases work, and why PBR was adopted to shift utility incentives away from a capital-investment bias and toward performance, efficiency, cost control, and policy goals such as renewable energy and reliability. Ulupono described Hawaii’s PBR structure as a five-year multi-year rate plan with annual revenue adjustments, a customer dividend, a Z factor for extraordinary exogenous events, and an exceptional project recovery mechanism for large projects. It also outlined performance incentive mechanisms tied to renewable portfolio standard progress, interconnection speed, reliability, and shared savings. The presentation said the current docket is evaluating a possible hybrid approach that would combine forward-looking forecasting with historical results, and Ulupono advocated for stronger incentives, arguing the current rewards are too small relative to utility revenues and should be more meaningful to better align utility behavior with legislative intent. The PUC then presented its own overview, emphasizing that the PBR docket is open and active and that the briefing was limited to the record to avoid ex parte concerns. The commission described the development of PBR in Hawaii through multiple phases beginning in 2018: an initial collaborative phase to set goals, a formal contested-case phase that produced the initial framework, later phases adding scorecards, reported metrics, and additional performance incentive mechanisms, and subsequent refinements including sunset of some mechanisms and adjustments after the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The PUC said the framework is intended to be customer-centric, administratively efficient, and protective of utility financial integrity, and that current work includes evaluating how to balance forward-looking and historical test-year approaches within the rebasing process. No votes or formal actions were taken at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also makes changes to the duties of the commission relating to national defense industries,
• The bill requires the commission to meet twice annually rather than only annually and requires the commission
• The bill further institutes a reporting requirement for the Commission relating to the attraction of
• Finally, the bill establishes the Military Affairs Commission fund under DEMA and amends the membership
• of the Commission as outlined.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this was an action brought by the commission.
• Just briefly, the commission is the seven-person body.
• But it was a directive of the commission and the commission was driving the ship on that.
• , NOAA Fisheries, and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
• I didn't commission it. The CCA didn't commission it. It's impartial.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all