Bills: HB9 , SB2069 , SB2342 , SB2861 , SB3123 , SB2623 , SB585 , SB2211 , SB2446 , SB2919 , SB2125 , SB2116 , SB2999 , SB2656 , SB2001 , SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• County of Maui through an executive order by the governor to support the management of public transit water
• Board of Water Supply. In support. Kathy Mitchell, the Board of Water Supply.
• suffered erosion, flooding, and crop loss, and healthy soils with strong organic matter can absorb water
• Food waste, on the other hand, is mostly water, which just asks— Each power is notoriously hard to burn
• Food waste, on the other hand, is mostly water, which just ask.

Bills: HCR93 , HCR14 , HR85

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• of gallons of oil later and months, it took until December 1st to fully remove the vessel from the water
• My district is surrounded by water from the Key Peninsula, ...of vessels that are sinking.
• My district is surrounded by water, from the Key Peninsula out in Longbranch to Fox Island, and all of
• The solution is to get these vessels removed from the water as readily as possible, to be on the front
• This program improvement is a sound investment in the health of our waters and the prosperity of rural

Bills: HB2117 , HB2199 , HB2327 , HB2516 , HB2554

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: tribal member, board of natural resources, indigenous representation, natural resource management, local governance, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, audit, county, forest management, transparency, public lands, rodenticide, rodenticides, anticoagulant rodenticide, bromethalin, pesticide

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this bill provides some safeguards in terms of some transparency around what water use is and
• , not just one, that take 5% of the water, not 50, 5.
• They won't be taking the water because in Quincy I've got eight data centers, not just one, that take
• 5% of the water, not 50, 5.
• We're not taking the water. We're not taking the river streams in our rivers.

Bills: HB2296 , HB2301 , HB2212 , HB2515 , HB2436 , HB2496 , HB2605

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just going to shift it off the water to land mass of equivalent size.
• in the water.
• You could do bungalows over the water. Yes, yeah. So, be creative.
• To an eligible coastal municipality defeats the purpose of a park board.
• A bill proposed to single out a coastal community with the Parks Board of Trustees.

Bills: SB317 , SB1250 , SB1520 , SB1950 , SB2298 , SB2532 , SB2539 , SB2747 , SB2925 , SB2993

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, project financing zone, municipal tax revenue, convention centers, multipurpose arenas, infrastructure development, hike and bike trails, outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, Bicentennial Trail, Texas history, cultural heritage, unemployment benefits, eligibility, Texas Workforce Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Texas sovereignty over our coastal zone and recognizes, additionally, the Gulf of America's critical
• national demand just coming from the areas off of my district and within this 10-mile zone of Texas waters
• These areas are important and why they are Texas waters and part of the Texas coast, the history behind
• So we've got to recognize the importance of Texas waters and the importance of protecting our economy
• I appreciate that reference to Texas waters. Thank you, Senator. I appreciate you.

Bills: SB209 , SB529 , SB1265 , SB1592 , SB1728 , SCR37 , SCR38

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: SB 529, Texas Tax Code, municipality, hotel and convention center, hotel convention center project, tourism development, economic development, tax revenue pledge, revenue commitment, qualified project, municipal finance, local government, special district, hotel occupancy tax, nearby establishments, convention center financing, city population 130000, Section 351.155, Section 351.157, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• drinking water.
• They expressed concerns about our water supply and asked questions about efficacy and cost.
• About our water supply and asked questions about efficacy and cost.
• It has also been found in turtles, which makes us question how many of these are in our water.
• She was instrumental in the creation of the Massachusetts Clean Water Act.

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on late-file bills, with testimony focused first on multiple home rule petitions seeking local authority to restrict anticoagulant rodenticides in towns including Andover, Topsfield, North Andover, Williamstown, Georgetown, Lexington, and others. Municipal officials, residents, wildlife advocates, and conservation groups described documented harm to hawks, owls, foxes, turtles, pets, and other wildlife, and argued that towns should be able to regulate these poisons locally. Several speakers said their towns had already voted to support restrictions and were using integrated pest management and other alternatives. Committee members noted that statewide rodenticide legislation had already advanced out of committee in both chambers and that the environmental bond bill was in conference committee, but no votes were taken during the hearing itself. The committee then heard testimony on H. 5137, a bill to prohibit the retail sale of parrots. Supporters, including animal welfare groups, veterinarians, rescue operators, and advocates, said parrots are often sourced from large breeding facilities with poor conditions, that many birds are surrendered because they are difficult long-term pets, and that rescues are overwhelmed. They argued the bill would encourage adoption, reduce demand for commercial breeding and trafficking, and improve bird welfare and public health. Opponents, including breeders, pet retailers, aviculture representatives, and rescue operators, said the bill would harm small businesses, reduce consumer access and transparency, and push sales to unregulated markets without improving welfare. Several speakers said the bill should instead focus on stronger standards and enforcement rather than banning sales. A separate bill, S. 310, designating the Marion Stoddard River Walk, was also briefly discussed in testimony supporting Marion Stoddard’s environmental work. The hearing ended after the committee finished taking testimony and adjourned; no roll-call votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• drinking water.
• They expressed concerns about our water supply and asked questions about efficacy and cost.
• It has also been found in turtles, which makes us question how many of these are in our water.
• She was instrumental, being added to our soil and water.
• She was instrumental in the creation of the Massachusetts Clean Water Act.

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution

Transcript Highlights:

• dispenser, and she was independent with her meds 100% of the time, so it blew their goals out of the water
• I serve as the administrator for Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
• This expired at the end of 2024, and Boundary Waters Care Center was impacted with a decrease in revenue
• Care reduce revenue for Boundary Waters Care Center<00:57:49.000><c> an</c><00:57:49.200><c> additional
• I recently received a quote for a project to replace the facility water mains that came in at $355,000

Bills: HF1380 , HF1166 , HF487 , HF1553 , HF1472 , HF258 , HF1911

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: psychiatric treatment, human services, mental health funding, per diem rate, Clay County, disability services, assistive technology, remote support, advocacy, training programs, HF487, Wellness in the Woods, Minnesota human services, grant funding, general fund appropriation, peer support, substance use recovery, addiction recovery, reentry services, reentry after incarceration

Bills: HB12 , HB145 , HB222 , HB291 , HB430 , HB821 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB979 , HB1193

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• understand that we are— I want to make sure that we understand that we are dealing with electric, gas, and water
• Actually, I've given the PSC some tasks as a legislator and worked on water policy.
• Those things give me great insight into energy and water policy, and I believe they're very valuable
• Those things give me great insight into energy and water policy, and I believe they're very valuable

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: animal cruelty, reporting, veterinary, protection, liability, regulation, community association, management certification, Florida Statutes, certified manager, association governance, building permits, inspections, offsite construction, local government, housing, property regulation, construction standards, state of emergency, emergency response

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. SB 468 would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of patient records in good faith; it was reported favorably with support from animal welfare groups. SB 1706 narrows eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, and it also passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was amended extensively to clarify permit exemptions, private-provider rules, and timelines, then reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1260, dealing with building inspections after emergencies, was amended to require state-term contracts for inspection vendors and then passed. SB 822 would require professionally managed community associations above a budget threshold; an amendment raised the threshold to $750,000, added a parcel-count trigger, and allowed direct-hire credentialed managers, after which the bill was reported favorably. SB 1580 would increase penalties for illegal gaming operations, add enforcement tools, and clarify procedures for veterans organizations; after removing a fantasy sports provision, it also passed favorably. The committee also heard from several appointees and reappointees to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission. Public Service Commission nominees Anna Ortega and Robert Payne were questioned closely about utility hardening projects, ratepayer costs, and the role of the Office of Public Counsel. Gaming Commission reappointee Julie Brown and appointees William Spacola, John DeQuilla, Peter Cutterman, and Tina Rep discussed illegal gaming enforcement, audits, agency operations, and their backgrounds in law, regulation, law enforcement, and public service. Several members raised concerns about contract timing and evidence handling at the Gaming Commission, while others praised the nominees’ experience and service. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 1 through 7. Members then requested favorable placement on the record for specific bills, including SB 468, SB 1234, SB 1260, SB 1580, and SB 1706, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make sure that we understand that we are dealing with electric, gas, and water utilities, and
• Actually, I've given the PSC some tasks as a legislator and working on water policy.
• Those things give me great insight into energy and water policy, and I believe they're very valuable

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: animal cruelty, reporting, veterinary, protection, liability, regulation, community association, management certification, Florida Statutes, certified manager, association governance, building permits, inspections, offsite construction, local government, housing, property regulation, construction standards, state of emergency, emergency response

Bills: SB 34 , SB 119 , SB 261 , SB 532 , SB 1035 , SB 1245 , SB 1247 , SB 1267 , SB 1442 , SB 1930 , SB 1948 , SB 2078 , SB 2112 , SB 2143 , SB 2155

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: mRNA vaccine, food labeling, health and safety, consumer rights, transparency, consumer information, mRNA, vaccine labeling, food safety, consumer protection, health regulations, vaccine, labeling, public health, cell-cultured protein, lab-grown meat, young farmers, grant program, agriculture, financial support

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite growing up in a house without running water and electricity, he had to walk 7 miles to a school

Bills: SJR 2 , SB 4 , SJR 36 , SJR 2 , SB 4 , SR 42 , SR 74 , SR 76 , HCR 5 , SB 710 , SB 710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a focus on cutting property taxes, fortifying the grid, and addressing water and affordable housing
• Tied up, hands and feet thrown at the bottom of a bayou under a bridge in a bed of water with no pants

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR42 , SR74 , SR76 , HCR5 , SB710 , SB710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today it is my distinct honor to welcome the Coastal Bend Delegation.
• To the Senate floor, Coastal Bend is more than just a region, it's a way of life for many great people
• Stretching along the beautiful Gulf waters, the Coastal Bend is a place where history meets advan- cement
• I'm honored to welcome some of the leaders who are shaping the future of our coastal bend here on the
• I love the coastal Bend area. It's a great place to live. When I first graduated from...

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR42 , SR74 , SR76 , HCR5 , SB710 , SB710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We are opening the Water and Land Committee. I'm Vice Chair Dee Morikawa.
• We're going to do Reso HCR 19 and HR 20, designating the month of March as March for Water Month in Hawaii
• March for water month in Hawaii. March for water month in Hawaii.
• Okay, we are convening our 10:00 a.m. agenda for water, land, and decision making.
• </c><00:55:11.720><c> Our</c> for Water Month in Hawaii. Our for Water Month in Hawaii.

Bills: SB2405 , HCR19 , HCR63 , HCR85 , HCR140 , HCR166 , HCR82 , HCR98 , HCR104 , HCR106 , HCR141 , HCR165 , HR20 , HR57 , HR77 , HR132 , HR156 , HR74 , HR90 , HR96 , HR98 , HR133 , HR155

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: agricultural workforce, housing, Hawaii, working group, zoning, land use, financial incentives, tax credits, water conservation, infrastructure, public health, March4Water, water access, sustainable resources, Honopou Bridge, emergency access, wildfire risk, public safety, structural integrity, community outreach

Summary: The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park. Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• plans to deliver a 900-plus room hotel, 1.2 million square feet of resort development, an outdoor water
• where I live, and Chair Button, when this project is built, you can come over and we can go down a water
• As an eligible coastal community, the City of Galveston may use hotel occupancy tax revenue for beach
• patrol, lifeguard services, marine water safety, and park law enforcement.
• So we welcome tourists, but we are a little short on water out there.

Bills: HB 1039 , HB2289 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3066 , HB3076 , HB3117 , HB3118 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3182 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3377 , HB3500 , HB3567 , HB3715 , HB3954 , HB4098 , HB4109 , HB4222 , HB4226 , HB4412 , HB4659 , HB4682 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB5562 , HB5596

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax authority, border counties, tax legislation, municipalities, hotel tax revenue, convention centers, economic development, local government authority, HB 2370, HOT tax, venue projects, convention center, municipal finance, local government code, Section 334.0082, tourism tax, debt financing, bond repayment

Transcript Highlights:

• So I brought it up to Representative Armini and Senator Tarr, who co-chair the Coastal Caucus as well
• But I have brought it up, and it's something that I hope the Coastal Caucus will either take up as a
• Also, I want to just do a quick reminder, as I have a moment: this is a historic room, and water, but
• Bridicifum is considered highly toxic to warm and cold water fish species.
• or to areas where surface water is present; do not apply where runoff is likely to occur.

Bills: H5113 , H5076 , H4972 , H4917 , H4700 , S2896 , S2961 , S2933 , H5141 , H5140 , H5139 , S2877 , H3920

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Marion Stoddart, riverwalk, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Nashua River, Nashua River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, Department of Conservation and Recreation, DCR, trail designation, state forest, conservation, environmental recognition, commemorative naming, signage, public lands, toxic pesticides, Eastham, environmental regulation, local control

Transcript Highlights:

• We're convening our Committee on Water and Land. This is the Committee on Water and Land.
• </c> relating to coastal resilience. relating to coastal resilience.
• </c><00:31:52.640><c> resilience</c> establishing the coastal resilience establishing the coastal resilience
• </c> for protection of culture and water for protection of culture and water resources.<00:58:54.880>
• Well, more development is going water.

Bills: HB1527 , HB1823 , HB2490 , HB2223 , HB2325 , HB2104 , HB2593 , HB2592 , HB1927 , HB1553 , HB1964 , HB1918 , HB1990

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.