Transcript Highlights:

• 00:42:05.000> past<00:42:05.359> the<00:42:05.520> lunch<00:42:05.839> hour
• > to<00:42:07.560> get<00:42:07.640> a<00:42:07.720> little<00:42:07.880>
• chair<00:42:27.240> kosnik<00:42:27.800> uh<00:42:27.920> and<00:42:28.000><
• > on<00:42:31.200> this<00:42:31.440> issue<00:42:32.040> my<00:42:32.160
• > for<00:42:37.200> those<00:42:37.319> of<00:42:37.480> us<00:42:37.640>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• first<00:42:39.400> 550<00:42:40.200> million<00:42:40.520> in<00:42:40.720>
• > to<00:42:43.720> pay<00:42:43.920> it<00:42:44.079> over<00:42:44.359><
• um<00:42:58.800> and<00:42:58.920> then<00:42:59.160> recently<00:42:59.720>
• :11.320> in<01:42:11.440> terms<01:42:11.760> of<01:42:12.159> for<01:42:
• 42:41.599> we<01:42:41.760> also<01:42:41.960> need<01:42:42.119> a<01:42

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.359> of<00:42:02.480> two<00:42:02.720> sections<00:42:03.040> of Revenue
• there's kind of two sections of Revenue there's kind of two sections of the<00:42:03.440> payment
• two of the bill uh section three section two of the bill uh section three uh<00:42:43.559> include
• :47.440> the<00:42:48.079> computation<00:42:49.079> section<00:42:49.400> and
• > uh<00:42:54.480> section<00:42:55.079> four compute property taxes uh section

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that's the special<00:42:06.160> oh<00:42:06.440> because<00:42:06.599> that's<
• so<00:42:08.160> the<00:42:08.319> build<00:42:08.640> ask<00:42:08.880>
• ask to expand the<00:42:10.359> uh<00:42:10.640> the<00:42:11.359> expenditure<
• <00:42:20.000> okay<00:42:20.480> seeing<00:42:20.839> n<00:42:21.079> v<
• <00:42:23.079> on<00:42:23.400> SB<00:42:24.200> 934<00:42:25.040> sd2

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 18, 2025, to hear several measures and later take up amendments and votes. Early items included a budget measure to increase the mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling, a bill extending lapse dates for drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory funds, and a measure creating buffer zones for parking near crosswalks and intersections. Testimony on the crosswalk-parking bill was broadly supportive from transportation, law enforcement, planning, bicycling, public health, and advocacy groups, with the Department of Health emphasizing visibility and roadway safety. The committee also heard a bill establishing the Mokai air carrier subsidy program for Molokaʻi, which drew support from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and comments from the Department of Transportation. The committee then heard SB 106 on pedestrian rules, which generated mixed testimony: the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, and the Department of Health supported it, while the Honolulu Police Department and Kīpuka Injury Prevention Coalition opposed it. Supporters argued the bill would reduce inequitable jaywalking enforcement and reflect a broader safety culture; opponents warned it could create confusion and risk. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect other traffic-code provisions and asked about crash data in other jurisdictions; the Department of Health said crashes had not increased in other places and cited California data showing decreased crashes and fatalities. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 934 SD2 with amendments, with Representative Miyake reserving and Representative Cochran excused. It then passed SB 1526 SD2 with amendments. SB 1195 SD1 was also passed with amendments after the chair proposed adding language tying fines for illegal parking near crosswalks and intersections to the Safe Routes to School special fund and establishing a fine range of $100 to $500 per violation, with collected fines dedicated to pedestrian safety improvements. Members voiced support for the dedicated revenue source and community safety rationale. The committee next passed SB 1638 SD2 with amendments to strengthen the constitutional/public-purpose findings for subsidizing air carriers serving Molokaʻi and to add annual audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. The amended findings emphasized that affordable air service is essential for health care, employment, education, and overall well-being in remote island communities, and that the subsidy program is intended to improve access and competition while lowering costs for residents. The chair then recessed the meeting after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other part<00:42:00.640> my<00:42:00.880> question<00:42:01.200> then<00:42:
• <00:42:07.680> so<00:42:08.079> um<00:42:08.240> does<00:42:08.400> that<
• exempt them<00:42:09.040> from<00:42:09.280> any<00:42:09.520> reporting<00:42:
• <00:42:15.359> Uh<00:42:15.760> the<00:42:16.400> requirement<00:42:16.880><
• <00:42:27.839> And<00:42:28.079> so<00:42:28.960> part<00:42:29.200> of

Bills: HF4210, HF4212, HF4549, HF4464, HF4546, HF4447

Keywords: senior nutrition, older adults, aging services, home-delivered meals, congregate dining, meal delivery, grocery delivery, food insecurity, nutrition support, area agencies on aging, Minnesota Board on Aging, human services, special revenue fund, nonprofit grants, SNAP outreach, medically tailored meals, rural nutrition, food access, transportation services, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• section two. section two.
• :00.000> that's<00:42:00.240> a<00:42:00.320> flaw<00:42:00.600> in<00:42
• Uh,<00:42:05.400> Chair<00:42:05.640> Swedzinski,<00:42:06.040> do<00:42:06.120>
• and<00:42:11.520> you<00:42:11.600> know,<00:42:11.760> as<00:42:12.040>
• > be<00:42:17.200> a<00:42:17.240> little<00:42:17.440> on<00:42:17.600><

Bills: HF4308, HF4153, HF4703, HF4711

Keywords: HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• yourself<00:42:11.839> for<00:42:12.000> the<00:42:12.160> record<00:42:12.520>
• > my<00:42:17.400> name<00:42:17.520> is<00:42:17.640> Ben<00:42:17.880><
• :42:21.520> been<00:42:21.640> in<00:42:21.800> business<00:42:22.079> for
• :42:31.839> as<00:42:31.960> a<00:42:32.119> center<00:42:32.359> for<00:
• <00:42:44.079> our<00:42:44.319> crop<00:42:44.559> is<00:42:44.720> the<

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• in<00:42:05.040> finding<00:42:05.520> ways<00:42:06.240> of<00:42:06.560><
• If this if<00:42:10.640> this<00:42:11.040> legislation<00:42:11.920> were<00:42
• <00:42:13.520> sitting<00:42:13.839> here<00:42:14.000> with<00:42:14.240>
• Would<00:42:15.200> it<00:42:15.359> be<00:42:15.520> possible<00:42:16.079>
• > that<00:42:18.960> the<00:42:19.200> fee<00:42:19.520> were<00:42:19.680><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :39.520> ruling<00:42:40.520> and<00:42:41.000> Mr<00:42:41.359> President
• ruling and Mr President I think it's<00:42:42.599> important<00:42:43.359> when<00:42:
• > our<00:42:46.280> rules<00:42:46.720> and<00:42:47.200> Masons<00:42:48.200
• :48.480> us<00:42:48.680> to<00:42:48.960> just<00:42:49.200> simply<00:42
• language<00:42:53.160> in<00:42:53.440> Masons<00:42:54.440> for<00:42:54.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and adopted the committee reports. It then moved through second reading of Senate File 334 and first readings/referrals of Senate Files 645, 684, and 700, with SF 645 sent to State and Local Government and SFs 684 and 700 sent to Health and Human Services. The chamber also approved a motion to withdraw Senate File 567 from State and Local Government and re-refer it to Elections. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 5 and Senate Resolution 6, both recognizing Senate employees for years of dedicated service, including a specific recognition of David Jorgenson. The most significant floor action was a motion by Senator Rasmusson to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell and declare her seat vacant. Senator Rasmusson argued that Mitchell’s pending felony burglary case and delay of her trial justified expulsion; Senator Frentz opposed the motion, arguing the Senate should wait for the criminal process and that due process requirements had not been met. After a point of order and appeal, the President ruled the Frentz point of order well taken, and the Senate upheld that ruling by a 33-33 vote. The meeting also included several recesses and procedural calls of the Senate while the expulsion issue was debated. During announcements, members noted committee schedule changes, including cancellations or postponements for Energy and Jobs, and meetings for Judiciary, Policy, and Human Services. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, January 30th at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• > funding<00:42:06.800> doesn't<00:42:07.119> get<00:42:07.359> cut<00:42
• And part<00:42:08.880> of<00:42:08.960> the<00:42:09.200> picture<00:42:09.440><
• c> of<00:42:09.680> all<00:42:09.839> of<00:42:10.000> this,<00:42:10.319>
• I<00:42:11.280> appreciate<00:42:11.599> that<00:42:11.839> you<00:42:12.079>
• 42:17.040> if<00:42:17.280> you<00:42:17.440> don't<00:42:17.520> get<00:

Bills: HF3901, HF962, HF4428, HF4478, HF1775

Keywords: foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:04.440> three<00:42:04.800> of<00:42:04.960> that<00:42:05.200> section
• <00:42:05.760> is<00:42:06.200> the subdivision three of that section is the subdivision
• three of that section is the um<00:42:06.960> enforcement<00:42:07.480> section<00:42:
• 08.040> it<00:42:08.160> can<00:42:08.359> be um enforcement section it can be um
• enforcement section it can be enforced<00:42:09.880> by<00:42:10.119> the<00:42:10.280

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• :42:10.160> the<01:42:10.240> group<01:42:10.560> that<01:42:10.720> you<
• that<01:42:12.040> I<01:42:12.160> run<01:42:12.440> with<01:42:12.640>
• > going<01:42:16.480> to<01:42:16.560> be<01:42:16.680> limited<01:42:17.240
• <01:42:19.920> species<01:42:20.560> or<01:42:20.640> they're<01:42:20.760><
• <01:42:23.680> going<01:42:23.800> to<01:42:23.840> have<01:42:23.960> to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The kid that's<00:42:08.280> really<00:42:08.680> smart,<00:42:09.200> but<00:42
• But<00:42:44.920> if<00:42:45.240> we<00:42:45.560> are,<00:42:45.664> [snorts
• > 1<00:42:47.480> year<00:42:47.760> before<00:42:48.080> we<00:42:48.200
• we get back here.<00:42:49.200> If<00:42:49.400> we<00:42:49.600> are<00:42:49.760
• they wouldn't<00:42:57.120> otherwise<00:42:57.760> or<00:42:57.880> get<00:42:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:06.600> Yeah<00:42:06.760> if<00:42:06.960> I<00:42:07.000> may
• I I appreciate that.<00:42:10.240> Um<00:42:10.760> I<00:42:10.880> think<00:42:
• > come<00:42:15.880> out<00:42:16.040> of<00:42:16.120> the<00:42:16.240>
• :42:23.840> with<00:42:24.000> the<00:42:24.160> other<00:42:24.400> same
• <00:42:28.600> uh<00:42:28.680> because<00:42:29.080> what's<00:42:29.520>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:42:01.600> legislation<01:42:02.719> that<01:42:03.040> you<01:42:03.360
• <01:42:08.960> that<01:42:09.199> were<01:42:09.360> raised<01:42:10.159>
• <01:42:12.560> what<01:42:12.800> what<01:42:13.040> do<01:42:13.199> you
• >> Yeah,<01:42:20.960> I<01:42:21.119> I<01:42:21.440> think<01:42:21.920>
• ><01:42:35.840> meant<01:42:36.159> that<01:42:36.560> we<01:42:37.920> we

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 42:02.000> because<00:42:02.240> in<00:42:03.119> you<00:42:03.280> know
• Chair, not<00:42:25.599> that<00:42:25.760> I'm<00:42:26.079> uh<00:42:26.240>
• <00:42:32.960> Um<00:42:33.599> uh<00:42:33.680> but<00:42:33.920> they
• And I guess that<00:42:42.640> that<00:42:42.960> would<00:42:43.119> be,<00:42:
• 42:45.280> you<00:42:45.359> know,<00:42:45.520> have<00:42:45.680> them<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . section. section.
• <00:42:45.760> I<00:42:45.920> am<00:42:46.079> here<00:42:46.319> today<
• c><00:42:49.359> here<00:42:50.079> and<00:42:50.560> to<00:42:50.800> introduce
• <00:42:53.200> So<00:42:53.440> I<00:42:53.599> will<00:42:53.760> read
• <00:42:56.160> Thank<00:42:56.319> you<00:42:56.560> Chairman<00:42:56.880><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:42:02.920> use<01:42:03.480> and<01:42:03.679> this<01:42:03.920> would
• c><01:42:11.960> a<01:42:12.159> 25%<01:42:13.159> pilot<01:42:13.880> for
• 01:42:51.400> I'm<01:42:51.560> going<01:42:51.719> to<01:42:51.840> use<
• c> 90<01:42:54.679> seconds<01:42:55.159> back<01:42:56.199> um<01:42:57.199
• of<02:42:06.160> the<02:42:06.279> capital<02:42:06.560> Center<02:42:06.800

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so<00:42:12.880> this<00:42:12.960> is<00:42:13.160> the<00:42:13.319>
• <00:42:19.520> the<00:42:19.680> hcda<00:42:20.280> is<00:42:20.440> one<
• > starting<00:42:42.800> with<00:42:42.920> the<00:42:43.040> Gold<00:42:
• <00:42:48.800> the<00:42:48.960> green<00:42:49.280> area<00:42:49.640> is
• honlulu<00:42:50.960> and<00:42:51.960> their<00:42:52.200> lands<00:42:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• this section. this section.
• I just<00:42:11.040> wanted<00:42:11.240> to<00:42:11.280> make<00:42:11.440>
• <00:42:19.920> It<00:42:20.040> is<00:42:20.240> not<00:42:20.480> an
• And<00:42:31.760> happy<00:42:32.000> to<00:42:32.120> talk<00:42:32.320> to<
• 42:34.360> we<00:42:34.560> also<00:42:34.920> have<00:42:35.120> another

Keywords: 1187, senate, all