Video & Transcript Research : 'foreign relations'
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NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/20/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> In relation to Calendar 699, voting in the negative are Senator Weik.
- FOREIGN POLICY.
- They can, in fact, receive foreign monies. Is there any prohibited...
- I would say if you have received foreign monies into your nonprofit, that you can't lobby in the State
- There were several debates about Utility-related bills, and someone mentioned that utility rates are
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no.
The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship.
The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 13, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Not long ago, Secretary of State Rubio said, quote, 'Foreign aid is not charity; it is critical to our
- aid is not Rubio said quote foreign aid is not charity<00:09:43.279>
it <00:09:43.399>is make them targets of our foreign make them targets of our foreign adversaries<02:38:31.359>- At least one of the smugglers was himself a foreign national from Nicaragua.
- In other words, criminals and foreign nationals have little incentive not to evade them.
they
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 20, relating to the establishment of the Applied Sciences Pathway Program.
- House Bill 20, relating to the establishment of the Applied Sciences Pathway Program.
- House Bill 4690, relating to motor fuel measuring, quality, and testing standards.
- This bill relates to the regulation of transportation protection agreements.
- House Bill 127, relating to measures to protect institutions of higher education from foreign adversaries
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator West, approved the previous day’s journal, and then adopted several recognitions, including Senate Resolution 625 honoring the McLennan Community College Dance Team for winning two 2025 National Dance Alliance national titles. The chamber also recognized University of Texas Rio Grande Valley interns, the doctor of the day, and the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families. The governor’s withdrawal of a Texas Lottery Commission nomination was received and the nomination was returned, and the Senate appointed numerous conference committees on pending bills.
The body then took up and passed several measures, often by suspending the rules and the constitutional three-day rule. Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23 were concurred in House amendments as part of property tax relief, with supporters emphasizing homeowner savings. House Bill 20 creating the Applied Sciences Pathway Program passed after a floor amendment and was described as a way to expand career and technical education and help students earn industry certificates in high-demand trades. House Bill 2594 passed to expand venue options for prosecuting certain theft and cybercrime cases, and House Concurrent Resolution 167 was adopted to correct a typo in House Bill 1314.
The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, Senate Joint Resolution 5, and Senate Bill 6. SB 9 and SJR 5 were presented as major bail-reform measures, with supporters saying they would strengthen public safety, clarify appeal procedures, and give judges and prosecutors more tools in serious cases; the debate included questions about records, counsel, and the standards for denying bail. SB 40 dealt with nonprofit bail-bond funding, and SB 6 addressed electricity and data-center growth. The chamber also passed House Bill 423 on digital asset service provider reporting and auditing, with amendments adding protections for cryptocurrency kiosks and a technical correction.
Additional bills passed included House Bill 4690 on motor fuel standards, House Bill 1094 on transportation protection agreements, Committee Substitute for House Bill 2731 on roadside vendors and solicitors in certain border counties, Committee Substitute for House Bill 127 on protecting higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft, and House Bill 549 on airway clearance devices at public school campuses. The Senate granted or requested conference committees on a long list of other measures, including HB 4, HB 145, HB 493, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3556, and multiple Senate bills. The session ended with adjournment until the following Friday morning.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:02:04.520>
creative <00:02:04.960>Industries David Sinking, Administrator of the Foreign - 18.000>
military <00:03:18.560>and <00:03:18.799>community <00:03:19.280>relations - the military and community relations the military and community relations office<00:03:20.280>
- still have foreigners up there running<00:54:15.880>
every <00:54:16.119>single <00:54:- US to foreign countries now we have to US to foreign countries now we have to get<01:00:30.520>
that - still have foreigners up there running<00:54:15.880>
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- You cannot take a campaign contribution from a foreign national.
- national, you have to certify that you're not a foreign national in order to donate.
- So it's not in that organization's best interest to accept donations from foreign nationals.
- <00:58:19.720>
from going to disallow foreigners from going to disallow foreigners from playing - <00:59:13.000>
National campaign they're not a foreign National campaign they're not a foreign
Keywords:
Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20
Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44
Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56
Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression.
The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup.
Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 083 Apr 7th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Priola [member_999] and Representative Herzik, concerning strengthening the sister state relations
- Support the further strengthening of trade relations and academic exchanges between Colorado and Taiwan
- of this joint resolution be sent to Lai Ching-te, President of Taiwan; Lin Chia-lung, Minister of Foreign
- and academic exchanges between relations and academic exchanges between Colorado<00:33:39.640>
and - Affairs of Taiwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, and<00:34:03.760>
Debbie <00:34:04.000
Summary:
The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports. Health and Human Services reported appointments to the Commission on Aging and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission for consent-calendar confirmation, and also advanced or killed several bills, including favorable recommendations on SB 140, HB 1229, and HB 1244, while postponing indefinitely HB 1096 and SB 8. Business, Labor, and Technology reported SB 114 with amendments and a favorable recommendation to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted a motion to proceed out of order for resolutions and later for selected bills.
The Senate adopted SJR 19, which celebrates Colorado’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supports stronger trade and academic ties, backs a double-taxation agreement, and urges Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The resolution was adopted 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed consent-calendar HB 1234 on access to child abuse or neglect records unanimously.
On third reading, HB 1186 on bail bonding agents passed 34-1, and HB 1044 on maternal health equity passed 30-5. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate advanced a large consent calendar of technical and policy bills, including HB 1303, 1297, 1296, 1295, 1294, 1293, 1220, 1219, 1218, 1217, 1216, 1215, 1135, 1238, and 1079, all of which were adopted and ordered to third reading. The committee report was adopted 35-0.
Later, the Senate took up several House-amended Senate bills and concurred or re-passed them, including SB 77 on epilepsy-related mortality awareness, SB 31 on lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I substance, SB 9 on charitable organizations for sales and use tax, SB 126 on teacher licensure for out-of-state applicants, and SB 53 on eligible mortgage borrowers. The chamber also passed HB 1311 on using a bond in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, HB 1107 on standardized information for medical-care facilities, and HB 1101 on adding critical-infrastructure-related offenses to commodity-metals crimes. The remainder of the calendar was laid over to April 7, 2026, and the Committee of the Whole report reflecting those actions was adopted 35-0.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, this is SB 70 Representative Cullen: is relating to amending the Racketeering Act, adding certain
- Speaker, this bill relates to embezzlement and it's allowing a twelve-month aggregation of incidents
- Speaker, Senate Bill 303 relating to gaming requiring that Representative Zamora: gaming machines meet
- And so, compared to the rest of the US where about 60% of foreign born are working age.
- We have a lot of crime in New Mexico and a lot of it is cartel related.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 64 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We stand fast against any government, foreign or domestic, that would seek to reach into Massachusetts
- We here in Massachusetts acted by removing unconstitutional vestiges in our statutory code relating to
- We stand fast against any government, foreign or domestic, that would seek to reach into Massachusetts
- Relating to health care, they will have the peace of mind that their personal information will remain
- As drafted, the bill primarily focuses on protecting legally protected health care activity related to
Summary:
The House first took up several routine matters, adopting resolutions recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival and congratulating Father Gerald Francis Finnegan, S.J., on his long ministry. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition establishing a sick leave bank for a Massachusetts State Police employee to go to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then moved to Senate Bill 2543, An Act Strengthening Health Care Protections in the Commonwealth, and adopted the Ways and Means amendment before sending the bill to third reading.
Later, after the bill was released from third reading, the House considered it on final passage. Supporters described the measure as protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care, patient data, providers, and Massachusetts residents from out-of-state interference, while also incorporating federal emergency care requirements. Amendment 4, which would have barred state funding for campaign ads discouraging pregnant women from using pregnancy resource centers, was rejected. Amendment 8, which would have broadened the bill to include refusals of care and other preventive care for adults and minors, was also rejected after opposition argued it could allow one parent to block care for a child. Amendment 6, as changed, narrowing certain data protections to abortion-related care, IVF, and gender-affirming care, was adopted.
The House also adopted Amendment 7, clarifying that businesses handling information for payment, treatment, or health care operations would not violate the bill, and Amendment 9, directing the Commissioner of Public Health to convene a technical advisory group to review a section of the General Laws. After these amendments, the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 136-23. The House then observed a moment of silence for victims of the Gabriel House assisted living fire in Fall River and adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- has no effect on anything UN related. has no effect on anything UN related.
- the committee on state federal relations the committee on state federal relations and<05:27:48.638
- This resolution, however, directly undertakes foreign policy and diplomacy by making demands of a foreign
- This resolution does foreign country.
- resolution does not set foreign policy. resolution does not set foreign policy.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/17/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #6
Transcript Highlights:
- on genetic sequencing procedures with a device produced by a company that is either domiciled in a foreign
- adversary or substantially controlled by a company that is a foreign adversary.
- The committee amendment removes revisions relating to driving or actual physical control, home detention
- So I think, yeah, as current statute stands as it relates to the Good Samaritan Law, individuals are
- There's maybe this is an ongoing problem relating to the lack of beds in the state.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills.
Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests.
A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development May 12th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And for us, with crawfish, crawfish and rice is all intricately related.
- There's 20 years ago to eight now, and a lot of it's driven by labor and the costs, and then the foreign
- competition from foreign crab meat and foreign crawfish, that's a huge problem as well.
Keywords:
crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration, arborist, property disputes, tree trimming, neighborhood, landowner rights, Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District, board of commissioners
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/21/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> In relation to Calendar 169, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
- >> IN RELATION TO CALENDAR 393, VOTING IN NEGATIVE ARE SENATORS BORRELLO, CHAN, OBERACKER, O'MARA
- In relation to Calendar 608, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
- >> IN RELATION TO CALENDAR 646, VOTING IN NEGATIVE ARE SENATORS BORRELLO, CHAN, GALLIVAN, GRIFFO
- It is also any foreign body or anybody he personally chooses to designate as a recognized SOUGHT.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship.
The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed.
The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - Senate Federalism
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair and members, Senate Bill 1683 is an emergency measure that expands the prohibition on a foreign
- substantial interest to mean a 5% interest or more in all contingent interests that are held by a foreign
- The bill prohibits a foreign adversary from installing, maintaining, or having access to the data of,
- this bill, but how do you define a person who acts in support of an organization designated as a foreign
- I believe the question was regarding a foreign terrorist organization.
Summary:
The Federalism Committee met to consider one measure, Senate Bill 1683, an emergency bill expanding Arizona’s restrictions on foreign adversary involvement in real property. The bill would bar foreign adversaries from leasing or otherwise obtaining a substantial interest in Arizona real property, lower the definition of “substantial interest” from 20% to 5% for contingent interests, prohibit foreign adversaries from installing or accessing equipment or data on Arizona property, and make violations a Class 5 felony. It also covers transactions designed to evade the law through intermediaries, shell companies, partnerships, or trusts, and requires certain utilities, telecom providers, critical infrastructure owners, and agencies to notify the Attorney General and Arizona Corporation Commission if they suspect prohibited equipment or lease arrangements.
The committee heard supportive testimony from retired Lt. Col. James Rusty Mitchell, who said Arizona has been a national model for protecting military training and argued the bill would strengthen those protections, especially around Luke Air Force Base. Committee members questioned the breadth of the bill, particularly the reduction of the ownership threshold to 5% and the definition of a person acting in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization. Mitchell said he was not the expert on those legal details, while Department of Emergency Affairs legislative liaison Travis Schulte said the definition is tied to federal statute. One member expressed concern that the bill could sweep in non-adversarial transactions and implicate First Amendment activity.
After discussion, the vice chair moved SB 1683 for a do pass recommendation. The committee voted 5 ayes and 2 nays to advance the bill, and the meeting adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I will miss our foreign trips together during the administration, where you taught me everything I know
- Ensure that our country's elections are decided only by American citizens and not foreign nationals.
- And our policy is directly related toward it.
- We have 53 million foreign-born people in the United States. That's 16% of the population.
- Let's ban the entry Let's ban the entry of and removal of foreign nationals who adhere to Sharia law
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- continued: “...at a time when the Trump administration is chaotically kidnapping American citizens, foreign
- continued: “...at a time when the Trump administration is chaotically kidnapping American citizens, foreign
- Senator Abbas, again, it's the talking about the Trump administration's chaotic policies as it relates
- c> fentanyl relative to penalty for certain fentanyl relative to penalty for certain fentanyl related
- related offenses. related offenses.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The first one relates to a concern that I have had in looking at this bill and the online marketplace
- and consumer-related actions.
- Madam Chair, so most, if not all this language relates to jurisdiction.
- Corporations in New Mexico, foreign corporation doesn't mean foreign in terms of another country.
- If the aggregate would be 12 months, Madam Chair, and it would only relate to one specific victim.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a very simple measure saying essentially that community relations expenses, marketing expenses
- ... ...saying essentially that community relations expenses, marketing expenses, and other marketing-related
- You know, this relates to advertising, promotion... Mr.
- Utilities should not be able to pay for public relations on the backs of these ratepayers.
- some of my colleagues' concerns, and I believe that Sandy Barr mentioned that with the community relations
Bills:
SB1246, SB1338, SB1428, SB1443, SB1501, SB1566, SB1571, SB1645, SB1646, SB1663, SB1688, SB1805, SB1808, SB1825, SCR1023, SCR1029, HB2079, HB2080, HB2130, HB2239, HB2324, HB2375, HB2610, HB2619, HB2620, HB2716, HB2745, HB2749, HB2837, HB2857, HB2968, HB4064, HB4066, HB4087, HB4130, HCR2048, HCR2058
Keywords:
homeowners associations, foreclosure, common expense liens, condominiums, special assessments, unit owner, public benefits, eligibility, immigration status, documentation, Arizona law, county governance, supervisorial board, population-based representation, local government, elections, noise pollution, environmental nuisances, building permits, urban development
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1825, which would shift precinct committeeman vacancy applications in certain cases from county party chairs to legislative district chairs and require the list of nominees to be submitted within five days. Supporters said the bill would streamline a bottlenecked process and better reflect local party leadership, while the County Supervisors Association said it had no issue with the basic structure but objected to the five-day deadline. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 5-0 vote, with two members not voting.
The committee then considered SB 1566, a measure aimed at preventing municipalities, counties, the state, and state agencies from maliciously delaying permits or approvals, with enforcement by the Attorney General and civil penalties. After a strike-everything amendment narrowed the bill mainly to single-family residential construction and clarified terms, the sponsor and home builders argued it would deter intentional delays that increase housing costs, while one member raised concerns about breadth and public safety or planning issues. The amended bill passed 3-2, with two not voting.
SB 1571, as amended, would bar monopoly utilities with a defined customer base from passing marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and similar costs through to ratepayers, and would require annual public reporting and an attestation that such costs were not passed on. Support came from the sponsor, the Home Builders Association, and environmental advocates, while a municipal power users representative warned the language could be too broad for small public utilities and emergency communications. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then gave the bill a do pass as amended recommendation by a 4-2 vote, with one not voting.
Later, the committee approved SB 1501, which expands the Administrative Rules Oversight Committee’s review authority to include whether agency rules or policies exceed statutory authority, and SB 1805, which requires county recorders to verify that a notary on a quitclaim deed is actively commissioned before recording the deed. It also passed SB 1808, as amended, to prohibit HOAs and condominium associations from banning flags of nations designated as major non-NATO allies, and SB 1688, as amended, to require certain membership associations receiving public dues support to disclose fees and allow opt-outs. SB 1246, as amended, increased the delinquency thresholds and time periods before HOA/condo foreclosure on common expense liens, and passed unanimously. Finally, SB 1428 was introduced to expand county boards of supervisors in larger counties, with debate focused on representation, cost, and the differing constitutional roles of counties and cities; the transcript cuts off before any final action on that bill.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- She has the keen ability to relate to people of all walks of life.
- At this crossroads, it's a foreign place.
- <01:03:18.799>
These crossroads, it's a foreign place. - These crossroads, it's a foreign place.
- And in a foreign space, when you can make that kind of a connection, it means the world.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered three judicial confirmations for the First Circuit family court. The first nominee, Maria F. Penn, was introduced for confirmation to a six-year term as a district family court judge. Testimony from family law attorneys and the Hawaii State Bar Association was strongly supportive, emphasizing her courtroom demeanor, preparation, knowledge of family law, respect for litigants and counsel, and ability to manage emotionally difficult family court matters. Judge Penn also spoke about her background, including her legal career, prior service as a PDM family court judge, and her view that family court requires both legal judgment and empathy. The chair noted that the committee would not vote that day and would take up votes the next morning.
The second nomination was Wilson Aunga for a district family court judgeship. Supporters described his character, community involvement, and suitability for family court, including testimony from the Honolulu prosecutor, longtime friends, classmates, community members, and others. Speakers highlighted his work with youth, his leadership in the prosecutor’s office, his calm and impartial temperament, and his commitment to education and public service. The chair reported 105 supporters, no opposition, and one comment from the Hawaii State Bar Association. Additional testimony continued from members of the public, including a speaker discussing mental health and personal support for Aunga.
Throughout the hearing, the chair enforced a two-minute limit on oral testimony and explained that the committee was short on time and would recess as needed. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair announced that voting would occur the following day in the same room.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It repeals the current literacy aid formula and related definitions that were based on students' MCA
- You may state your name for the record and begin. formula and related definitions that formula and related
- direction can support very innovative ways within the schools, whether that's paying stipends to foreign
- direction can support very innovative ways within the schools, whether that's paying stipends to foreign
- Whether that's, uh, paying stipends to foreign teachers in the schools that are really good, to support
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EIG-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 01-29-2025
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And so there's a big tax break when you come through the foreign trade zone from foreign importers and
- <00:59:45.599>
to and operation of programs relating to and operation of programs relating - you okay next measure is sp351 relating you okay next measure is sp351 relating to<01:06:42.880>
- <01:32:52.600>
to measure is sp 498 relating to measure is sp 498 relating to agricultural - <01:42:51.760>
directs 563 sp sp 563 is next relating directs 563 sp sp 563 is next relating
Summary:
The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 103, relating to electric vehicle batteries, and then moved to Senate Bill 995, relating to renewable fuel. On SB 103, the Department of Health and the State Energy Office supported the measure, and Redwood Materials said it supported the bill’s intent but requested an amendment to add a battery recycler to the commission. Other testimony on SB 103 included support from several individuals and organizations, with one opponent noted. A committee member also raised a possible deadline change requested by the Alliance of Automobile Innovation for future work on the measure.
The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 995, which would create tax incentives for sustainable aviation fuel and related renewable fuel production. Supporters included the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pono Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Tax Foundation, PAR Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel, and others. Supporters said the bill would help build a local SAF industry, encourage camelina and other feedstocks, and advance decarbonization goals. Several supporters also said they had proposed amendments or technical comments and stood on their written testimony.
Opposition testimony argued the bill could allow toxic waste feedstocks, such as construction and demolition waste, into fuel production, and questioned whether the incentives would truly benefit Hawaii farmers or consumers. One opponent said the bill’s benefits could flow to the producer and to imported feedstocks rather than to local agriculture, and another questioned the scale of local land and water available for camelina production. Committee members pressed witnesses on acreage, water use, expected yields, the role of PAR Hawaii’s refinery investment, and whether the state would be subsidizing a business decision that might not produce significant local fuel. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.