Transcript Highlights:

• are devices manufactured— for the sole purpose of stealing payment card information from fuel pumps, ATMs
• scams that target vulnerable elderly victims who are deceived. and deposit their life savings in the crypto
• ATMs.

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that someone trying to learn about crypto and dabble might only put in a few hundred dollars
• and dabble, they're going to put crypto and dabble, they're going to put a<00:24:25.120> few<
• These amendments are basically protecting the ATM owners more than the people who are basically being
• protecting the ATM owners than more<00:28:28.720> to<00:28:28.880> the<00:28:29.039>
• And I want to, when it comes to crypto, I want to be the state that is the best state to be in the crypto

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no oversight by any agency when an ATM or point-of-sale skimmer is found.
• This bill seeks to do the same with ATM and point-of-sale skimmers.
• These are the ATMs going into the throat of your card reader at the ATM, as well as the point-of-...
• Currently, there's no oversight by any agency when an ATM or point-of-sale skimmer is located.
• I'm confident we can do the same with ATM and point-of-sale skimming.

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these tow companies already do have ATMs on site.
• Um, we are concerned that encouraging the tow companies to have the ATMs would allow them to continue
• So it is still an ongoing issue, and they do have an ATM on site.
• <00:38:31.040> Um issue and they do have a ATM on site.
• Um issue and they do have a ATM on site.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: At a joint Senate hearing on SCR 198 and SR 178, the committees considered resolutions urging Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to seek subrogation claims against polluters linked to worsening climate impacts and higher insurance costs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 47 written testimonies in support and additional oral support from former Honolulu chief resilience officer Josh Tamro. The committees recommended passage with amendments, narrowing the language to refer specifically to polluters who knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices about the connection between their products and climate change, along with technical non-substantive edits. Both committees adopted the amended resolutions by vote. At a separate joint hearing on STR 226 and SR 201, which urged changes to Medicaid 1915 home and community-based services waiver eligibility criteria, supporters argued the current rules and administrative guidance were inconsistent and left some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health dual diagnoses, without proper access. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the intent but noted factual issues and said a memo from the department addressed only part of the problem, not the mental health-related concerns. After discussion, the chair concluded the resolution was not the best vehicle and deferred it, suggesting a more comprehensive bill would be needed. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee also took up HB 799 HD2 SD1 on healthcare and recommended passage with amendments, including striking a written transfer-agreement requirement, shortening the sunset to June 30, 2028, removing a related timeline, and making technical corrections. In another joint hearing, SCR 222 and SR 197, which would have urged towing companies to have on-site ATMs for vehicle owners, drew opposition from the Office of Consumer Protection, which said Act 60 already requires credit and debit card acceptance and that ATMs could let companies evade the law. Members noted ongoing complaints and weak enforcement, and the chair recommended turning the issue into a task force for further study, with decision-making deferred because of quorum issues. The committee also heard several other resolutions: STR 57 and SR 41, urging Congress to create a national reinsurance program, received only supportive testimony; STR 70 and SR 54, calling for a pharmacy reimbursement working group, also drew support; and STR 123, proposing an attorney general-led landlord-tenant working group, received comments from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting a more appropriate lead agency and noting the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better suited to assist. No final adverse action was taken on those measures during the hearing segment described.

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR EXAMPLE, THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN THE 1980S AND ATM MACHINES COULD EXECUTE THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF
• AS A RESULT BANKS SHIFTED THE FUNCTIONS AWAY FROM HUMAN BANK TELLERS AND TWO ATM MACHINES.
• BANKS USE SOME OF THE MONEY SAVED BY INSTALLING ATMS TO OPEN ADDITIONAL BRANCHES AND EACH ADDITIONAL
• SO CONCERNS THAT ATMS WOULD ELIMINATE THAT OCCUPATION TURNED OUT TO BE WRONG.
• ACTUALLY THERE ARE MORE BANK TELLERS FOLLOWING ATMS THEN THERE WERE TWO IT BECAUSE THE COST OF OPENING

Transcript Highlights:

• Just kind of like a more expensive ATM fee.
• And this isn't a one-time ATM fee. This isn't a one-time ATM fee.
• Do you do the same thing to ATM fees?
• Chair, okay, so you keep bringing up ATM fees.
• However, people use ATMs. People use ATMs every day, and sometimes it's 200 times a year.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Summary: The House Commerce Committee heard and advanced several bills. HB 2181, as amended, would extend the deadline for funeral establishments to submit death certificates from 7 days to a maximum of 14 days and clarify that a provider’s medical certification period excludes weekends and holidays. The sponsor and a mortuary owner testified that the current timeline is often difficult to meet because of weekends, holidays, doctor availability, county delays, and family circumstances. Several members said the bill did not fully address the underlying compliance problems, but the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4-1. HB 2682 would create a DES rental assistance program offering up to two months or $5,000 in aid, with a $5 million general fund appropriation for administration. The sponsor and a tenant advocate described the bill as a short-term bridge to prevent eviction and homelessness, while an industry representative said rental assistance is an effective early intervention tool. Some members raised concerns about limiting eligibility to households with children and about program administration, but the bill passed 7-4. HB 2698 would create a rental assistance study committee to evaluate program effectiveness and repeal in 2028; it passed on a 7-4 vote. HB 2476 would revise CPA certification and reciprocity requirements, creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said it would help address a CPA shortage and align Arizona with other states; after clarification from the sponsor and the State Board of Accountancy, the committee passed it unanimously, 11-0. The committee then heard HB 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices; the Arizona Dental Association supported it as a safeguard against vertical integration, while Delta Dental opposed it as overbroad and burdensome. The bill passed 8-0-3. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 2118 on mobile food vendors and local permitting, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing for streamlined county/state licensing and reduced local duplication, while a vendor representative warned the proposal could affect existing local ordinances and private-property vendors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if you think about a banking terminal that is traditionally known as an ATM, uh, there are these
• So this first section would basically say an ITM is the same as an ATM for the purposes of regulatory
• traditionally banking terminal that is traditionally known<00:02:55.200> an<00:02:55.360> ATM
• Uh there are these new known an ATM.
• <00:03:11.040> for<00:03:11.200> the an ITM is the same as an ATM for the an ITM is

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several banking, real estate, and licensing bills. Senate Bill 20007 would remove the repeal date for Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance authority to conduct joint bank exams with the Federal Reserve, after testimony that the program has been successful; it was passed out on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2011, extending the repeal date for the Mississippi Debt Management Services Act by three years, was also passed out. Senate Bill 2383, a banking modernization bill, was explained as updating definitions and procedures, including treating ITMs like ATMs, allowing state banks to approve dividends without prior regulatory approval if in good standing, streamlining articles-of-incorporation amendments by making the banking commissioner the final approver, and eliminating parity-request requirements for certain public welfare investments; it was passed out as a committee substitute. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2711, which would update residential mortgage lending recordkeeping and disclosure language under the SAFE Act to remove obsolete federal references and better fit manufactured-home lending; it was passed out as a committee substitute. Senate Bill 2706, a professional engineers and surveyors bill, was described as a reorganization and modernization of licensure statutes, with the main policy change expanding who may recommend board appointments, staggering six-year terms, and barring recent disciplinary offenders from board service; after questions about appointment advice-and-consent and term length, it was passed out as a committee substitute. Senate Bill 2713, supported by the Mississippi Association of Realtors, would codify buyer agency agreements and move the required signing deadline from before a home is shown to before an offer is submitted; it was passed out. Senate Bill 2748 would align real estate statutes with current rules, replace certified-mail renewal notices with email notices, and extend the earnest-money submission deadline from one business day to two; it was passed out as a committee substitute. Senate Bill 2715, from the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, would clarify the new money transmitter law, direct collected fees and penalties to enforcement of the act, add consumer notices and fraud warnings, and create data-security requirements based on a model law; senators questioned the fund balance, annual budget, and the relationship to a separate virtual currency kiosk bill, but the bill was passed out. The final bill on the agenda, 2768, was postponed to the committee’s Monday meeting, and the committee then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Think more of an ATM, members.
• If you go to an ATM, you're going to pay a fee depending on the ATM.
• If you Think more of an ATM, members.
• And then on the ATMs as well, I don't know the last time I paid an ATM fee is because I just find the
• And then on the ATMs as well, I don't know the last time I paid an ATM fee is because I just find the

Bills: HF2400, HF1724, HF3437, HF4333, HF2874, HF4052

Keywords: real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, direct primary care, healthcare agreements, medical services, patient care, health insurance, mortgage fees, residential loans, commercial loans, finance regulations, investment properties, insurance, supplemental health insurance, short-term care, home health care, nursing care

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill seeks to do the same with ATM and point-of-sale skimming, with the exception that TDLR will
• Currently, there is no oversight by any agency when an ATM or point-of-sale skimmer is located.
• When the FCIC is notified of an ATM skimmer, we are very often able to quickly throw field resources
• Currently, there is no oversight by any agency when an ATM or point-of-sale skimmer is located.
• When the FCIC is notified of an ATM skimmer, we are very often able to quickly throw field resources

Bills: SB330, SB663, SB1020, SB1152, SB1164, SB1896, SB2111, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2797, SB2798, SB2371

Keywords: county funding, prosecutors' offices, elections, law enforcement, local government, community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 1020, Texas, personal bond office, pretrial release, electronic monitoring, GPS monitoring, global positioning system, bond conditions, probation, parole

Summary: The committee heard several criminal justice bills, with testimony largely focused on public safety, court procedures, and local criminal justice administration. SB 2371 would expand mandatory skimmer-reporting requirements from gas pumps to ATMs, point-of-sale systems, and virtual currency kiosks, with the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center saying centralized reporting would improve investigations, preserve evidence, and help identify organized criminal groups. SB 2581 would repeal a special law governing commissary funds in certain large counties; the sponsor and the Sheriff’s Association said it would restore parity with other counties while keeping spending subject to audit and inmate-benefit limits. Both bills were laid out and left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them at the hearing. The committee also heard SB 330, which would require voter approval before counties over a certain size reduce prosecutor funding, similar to an existing law for law enforcement budgets. Supporters argued prosecutors are essential to public safety and need stable funding, while an opponent from the Texas Civil Rights Project said the bill would restrict local budget flexibility and impose costly elections. SB 663 would remove district judges’ approval role for community supervision and corrections department budgets, replacing it with judge review after TDCJ-CJAD approval; probation officials said the change would reduce delays and confusion without reducing judicial oversight. SB 1020 would require more immediate sharing of ankle-monitor violation information and clarify that such records are not judicial work product; the Harris County DA’s office and Crime Stoppers supported it, citing inconsistent local practices and delays that can hinder prosecutions. The committee then took up SB 1164 on emergency detention and court-ordered mental health services. The bill, from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, would update emergency detention forms, clarify officer duties, allow filings in the county where a person is apprehended or located, and add a factor related to a person’s inability to recognize symptoms or appreciate treatment risks. Supporters included family members, law enforcement, and mental health and judicial witnesses who described cases where earlier intervention might have prevented tragedy; opponents warned the broader language could be misused and emphasized due process and the need for dangerousness to remain the standard. SB 2111 on indigent defense would expand access to counsel at first hearings, strengthen managed assigned counsel programs, create internships and fellowships, and adjust other defense-related procedures; the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and county defense program leaders supported it, while the committee substitute removed some provisions to reduce fiscal impact. Finally, SB 2383 would let recently retired DPS officers return to work in limited roles to help address staffing shortages, and SB 2797 would create reciprocal discovery requirements for criminal cases; prosecutors and some committee members said it would reduce trial surprise and improve truth-seeking, while others questioned whether the bill fully matched the state’s disclosure obligations and whether it could burden defense rights. Several bills were left pending after testimony, and the committee established a quorum later in the hearing.

Bills: HB227, HB255, HB465, HB472, HB482, HB483, HB526, HB529, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• last year I was asked to take over technology, data and analytics, digital banking, call center, and ATM
• last year I was asked to take over technology, data and analytics, digital banking, call center, and ATM
• last year I was asked to take over technology, data and analytics, digital banking, call center, and ATM
• last year I was asked to take over technology, data and analytics, digital banking, call center, and ATM
• Uh, data and analytics, digital banking, call center, and ATM. So got quite a lot on my plate.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 6, 2026, and considered four gubernatorial nominations. For GM 690, Jesse Kola Dean was nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board. Testimony from the Retirement Savings Board and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported Dean, citing his original membership on the board and his role in advancing implementation of the retirement savings program. Dean described his background and said the program was moving into implementation after the board approved the Connecticut consortium model; in response to questions, he said the main challenges had been finding an executive director and adapting the program from an original opt-in structure to the opt-out consortium model. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent. For GM 634, Darlene Blakey was nominated to the board of trustees of the Employees' Retirement System. ERS and several individuals submitted support. Blakey, an executive vice president and chief lending officer at First Hawaiian Bank, said her banking and finance background and personal experience with her mother’s retirement benefits motivated her service. She told senators she had attended ERS meetings and was focused on improving retirees’ access to information, education, and retirement planning, and said she would recuse herself from matters involving First Hawaiian Bank because of a potential conflict of interest. The committee again voted to advise and consent. The committee then considered GM 627 and GM 726, both nominations of Gina Anu Novo to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council for different terms. Written testimony from numerous supporters was read into the record. Novo, a longtime First Hawaiian Bank executive and current vice chair, described her experience building audit, compliance, human resources, and technology functions, and said she wanted to help strengthen workforce pathways, career development, retention, and outreach to youth and workers who do not pursue college. Senators asked about her plans to connect workforce development with education and financial literacy; she emphasized career pathing, training, and adapting to changing skills needs, including the role of technology and AI. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on both nominations, and the meeting adjourned after all four nominations were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of these criminal groups will also break into ATMs. to damage the ATMs and to steal the money from
• ATMs.
• They haven't stolen anything yet, but they've damaged the pump or previously they damaged the ATM.
• And just like with ATMs, it used to just be a clash.
• That becomes a third degree felony so that we can bring them to justice, just like we have with ATMs.

Bills: SB251, SB608, SB487, SB535, SB761, SB955, SB957, SB958, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• I could not use the ATM. I could not use the cafeteria. I was not allowed in the building.
• I could not use the ATM. I could not use the cafeteria. I was not allowed in the building.
• I could not use the ATM. I could not use the cafeteria. I was not allowed in the building.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Faye Bernstein, a 20-year employee of the Department of Human Services, testified that she had experienced retaliation after raising concerns about contract irregularities and compliance problems years earlier. She said she was walked out of the building, banned from DHS property, and subjected to a lengthy investigation, which she described as professionally and personally harmful. Bernstein stated that the investigation ultimately found she had questioned leadership’s decision-making and held up contracts with compliance issues, and she said she stood by those actions. Her broader testimony focused on what she described as a culture of retaliation and a lack of fraud-prevention mindset at DHS. She criticized department leadership, including Commissioner Gandhi, and said internal auditors and others failed to adequately address the problems she raised. Bernstein argued that the department’s failures had serious consequences for vulnerable people, including homeless individuals affected by a program shutdown during winter, and said the agency needed major leadership changes and firings. The chair thanked Bernstein for her testimony at the end of her remarks. No committee vote or formal action was taken during this exchange.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this would actually be the first time any state just uses it in this third-party system with the ATM
• But what seems off to me is like the ATM portion and that third-party… Is like the ATM portion and that
• integrated system where predatory, there won't be predatory companies taking advantage of people with the ATM
• So what can… Taking advantage of people with the ATM fees and what that really does.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And other types of electronic terminals, point-of-sale systems, virtual currency keys and ATMs.
• agencies. substitute corrects a minor drafting error and eliminates language that initially exempted ATMs
• This bill seeks to do... the same with ATM and point-of-scale skimming, with the exception that TDLR
• Currently there is no oversight by any agency when an ATM or point-of-sale skimmer is located.
• FCIC is notified of an ATM skimmer.

Bills: SB330, SB663, SB1020, SB1152, SB1164, SB1896, SB2111, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2797, SB2798, SB2371

Keywords: county funding, prosecutors' offices, elections, law enforcement, local government, community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 1020, Texas, personal bond office, pretrial release, electronic monitoring, GPS monitoring, global positioning system, bond conditions, probation, parole

Transcript Highlights:

• nation's only federally chartered crypto bank.
• Finally, I have spoken to dozens of crypto leaders that have been debanked personally or had their crypto
• In the crypto space?
• They did not want to debank crypto.
• What kind of crypto did he use? **Mr. McCauley**: I don't think he used any crypto. Gotcha.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I bit about blockchain and crypto.
• > blockchain<00:14:02.240> are know that crypto and blockchain are know that crypto and
• So crypto is kind of the uh crypto.
• A16Z Crypto released this State of Crypto report, I think just a week or two ago.
• cryptos that are coming up all the time. cryptos that are coming up all the time.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're simply an ATM machine for the pension<01:02:06.480> bill.
• That's what we The taxpayer ATM machine.
• <01:24:32.719> machine through the ATM machine through the ATM machine of<01:24:34.960>
• <01:25:20.560> machine relief from the Democrats ATM machine relief from the Democrats ATM
• The people paying the bill for that ATM machine, they don't get consulted.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies. A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33. The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery. After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.

Bills: HB20, HB463, HB469, HB649, HB963, HB1163, HB1334, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1518, HB1519, HB1523, HB1524, HB1546, HB1548, HB1550, HB1553, HB1573, HB1574, HB1576, HB1588, HB1591, HB1618, HB1619, HB1628, HB1642, HB1643, HB1656, HB1658, HB1664, HB1667, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1696, HB1700, HB1705, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1716, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1749, HB1752, HB1753, HB1768, HB1782, HB1800, HB1804, HB1810, HB1823, HB1839, HB1842, HB1854, HB1858, HB1864, HB1870, HB1875, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1894, HB1897, HB1898, HB1920, HB1929, HB1946, HB1959, HB1961, HB1962, HB1973, HB1974, HB2001, HB2005, HB2020, HB2021, HB2022, HB2023, HB2062, HB2078, HB2093, HB2095, HB2096, HB2097, HB2101, HB2137, HB2152, HB2207, HCR137, HCR181

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, eviction, housing access, tenant rights, judicial reporting, disassociation, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, small boat harbors, moorage, harbor permits, commercial use permit, commercial fishing