Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. >> The next group will be Scott Mina, Scott, half Stein and some errors do if you wish to
• Thank you, Scott Mina, you're recognized. Hello.
• My name is Scott and I'm here to speak to against House Bill 1119. I wasn't a youth.
• Thank you. >> Scott and seen tons teen you are recognized. >> Good morning.
• from Mineola waiving in opposition Scott Mina from St.

Transcript Highlights:

• following engrossed bill comes before the House being rightly and truly prepared for final passage: Senate
• The Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, to whom was referred the Senate amendment of the House Bill
• The Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, to whom was referred the Senate amendment of House Bill
• The Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, to whom was referred the Senate amendment of House Bill
• The Chair informs the House that Senate Bill 2799, an act establishing a sick leave bank for Jeffrey

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and routine procedural matters. It adopted a resolution congratulating the Warren Public Library on its 150th anniversary and approved an order extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development to March 18, 2026. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition on access to applied behavior analysis services in schools to go to the Committee on Education. The chamber then acted on a number of bills and local matters. It passed to enact Senate 2799, establishing a sick leave bank for Jeffrey Yacanthi of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and House 4233, amending the charter of the city of Malden. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to House 4031, increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston, and House 4401, dissolving a special fund in Athol. In addition, it ordered several bills to a third reading, including measures on professional employer organizations, Boston Police Department age waivers for several named applicants, and continued employment of Rochester Fire Chief Scott Weigel. The House briefly observed a silent tribute requested by Representative Beal for retired Associate Justice and former State Representative Michael F. Flaherty Sr., who had recently died. The session ended after the House agreed to adjourn until the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 123. Ayes 66, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 128.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 130. Ayes 66, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 157.
• Senate-concar resolution, 123. I-66, no, zero. Senate-concurrent resolution, 128.
• Senate-concurrent resolution, one-30. I-66, no-0. Senate and current resolution, 157.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 157. Ayes 66, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 161.

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate also shared these concerns last night.
• My understanding is the Senate failed to pass AB 158.
• Cork Silva and with our partners in the Senate and the administration.
• And I know there's been a lot of discussion on the Senate side.
• And so these... ...that this was legislative leadership with the Senate and the Assembly.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes. Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity. The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize Representative Scott. Representative Scott, uh, thank you, Madam Speaker and members.
• <00:56:22.000> for thank you representative Scott for thank you representative Scott for bringing
• Representative Scott will continue to yield? Representative Scott will continue to yield.
• Representative Scott, thank you.
• bill and thank you representative Scott bill and thank you representative Scott for<01:47:05.199

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Elkins, Senator Steven Meredith, Senator Nun, Senator Yates, Representative Hodgson, Representative
• >> Senator Nun has a followup. >> Senator Nun has a followup.
• Tim Holt, who is the brand new chair for our school of aviation. I'm so sorry today.
• Senator Storm? Thank you. Uh, mostly comment. I want to tell you, Dr.
• Senator Nun. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Womack. Here. Senator Cloud. Here. Senator Boudreaux. Senator Edmonds. Here. Senator Fesi.
• Senator Harris. Senator Jackson-Andrews. Senator Miguez. Here. Senator Pressly. Here.
• Senator Selders. Senator Stine. Here. Senator Pressly. Here. Senator Selders. Senator Stine.
• Scott Simon: Thank you.
• Senator Stine makes a motion to adjourn because Senator Womack's not here. Thank you.

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• To my right, I'm joined by Senator Barrett. We are joined by many members of the committee.
• So, Senator, thank you for that detailed question.
• I'll call Tim Snyder. I'll do my best, skip their relevant parts. Thank you.
• Yeah, thank you very much, Chair Cusack and Senator Barrett.
• Senator Barrett, Senator Cusack, thanks for having me.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Raric. and then Senator Mchuan. Senator Raric.
• Senator Senator Weber to Senator Green.
• Senator Scott Dibble of Minneapolis, thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm wondering if I could call Mr.
• Senator Scott Dibble of concerns.
• Senator Scott Dibble of Minneapolis.<01:10:40.480> Uh,<01:10:40.800> thank<01:10:40.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have Senator Reese with us today. Good morning. Good morning. Senate Bill 46.
• Members, this is Senate Bill 46 by Senator Reese.
• Members, this is Senate Bill 42 by Senator Edmonds.
• Members, this is Senate Bill 51 by Senator Klein-Peter.
• Denise Scott: Hi, my name is Denise Scott, and I support House Bill 323.

Summary: The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably. The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended. Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Errington. Here. Senator Broder. Senator Grawl. Senator McLean. Senator Polsky.
• Senator Errington, Senator Broder, Senator Graal, Senator McLean, Senator Polsky, Senator Rodriguez,
• Senator Errington, Senator Broder, Senator Grawl, Senator McLean, Senator Polsky, Senator Rodriguez,
• Senator Friotner, Senator Farrall, Senator McLean, Senator Polsky, Senator Rodriguez, Senator DeSigley
• Senator Broder, Senator Grawl, Senator McLean, Senator Polsky, Senator Rodriguez, Senator DeSigley, Chair

Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:48:13.000> Koran. Senator Koran. Senator Koran.
• Senator<01:41:56.560> Kupec. Senator Kupec. Senator Kupec.
• Senator Abeler, yes. Senator Boldon, aye. Senator Fateh, Senator Koran, no. Senator Kupec, yes.
• Senator<02:24:49.320> Boldon. Senator Boldon. Senator Boldon.
• Senator<02:37:32.280> Utke. Senator Utke. Senator Utke.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members are questions of this I see none, thank you for being here, Scott.
• Again, my name's Scott.
• Scott Norman.
• The chair lays out Senate Bill 1008.
• The chair lays out Senate Bill 2188.

Bills: HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19, HB256, HCR19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Scott, thank you for the question.
• Yes, Senator.
• Absolutely, Senator.
• I appreciate, Senator.
• Absolutely, Senator.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator McConkey. Um, thank you, Senator, for this.
• Senator W >> Okay. Senator Pearl moved.
• >> Senator Pearl but and Senator Waters. >> Senator Pearl but and Senator Waters.
• >> Senator McC. >> Senator McC.
• Senator Rosen. committee. Senator Rosen.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Miller: Good afternoon.
• Scott Miller: ...recruitment of our volunteers and the materials.
• Scott Miller: ...and the equipment to perform their duties.
• Scott Miller: ...the Panhandle.
• Scott Miller: ...department throughout their counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hall, Senator Hamilton, Senator Hicks, Senator Howard, Senator Ye, Senator Murdock, Senator Rossino
• Senator Hamilton, Senator Hicks, Senator Howard, Senator Ye, Senator Murdock, Senator Rossino, Senator
• Senator Hamilton, Senator Hicks, Senator Howard, Senator Ye, Senator Murdock, Senator Rossino, Senator
• Senator Bergstrom, Senator Boren, Senator Bullard, Senator Coleman, Senator Green, Senator Hall, senator
• Senator Hamilton, Senator Hicks, Senator Howard, Senator Yak, Senator Murdock, Senator Rossino, Senator

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329, SB2184, SB171

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Christian. Here. Representative Fai. Senator Gainer. Here. Senator Hasegawa.
• Senator Solomon. Representative Scott. Here. Senator Short. Senator Wagoner. Senator Wagoner.
• And Senator Gainer... So great segue. And Senator Gaynor, perfect question.
• Representative Scott. So moved. Representative Scott has moved it. Thank you.
• Senator Christian. Thank you, Mr. Senator Christian. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload. Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators by your vote show that Senate Bill 480, is approved as amended senators.
• We're going to go on to Senate Bill. I'm sorry, senators. We'll move on to Senate Bill 1226.
• >> Senators by your vote show that Senate Bill 988 reported favorably with committee substitute senators
• Senators by your vote show that Senate Bill 756, reported favorably with committee substitute senators
• Senators.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang is excused. Senator McKelvie: Yes. Senator Dort: Yes.
• Senator Mari I sand vuro F Senator Senator Mari I sand vuro F Senator vlla<00:31:09.200> is
• vote I Senator Chang is excuse Senator vote I Senator Chang is excuse Senator mckelvie<00:31:34.159
• Senator Mari: I. Senator San Vura: Aye. Senator Fa: I pass.
• > Senator<00:45:37.680> fella maruki I Senator sandura I Senator fella maruki I Senator

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee reconvened for decision-making on measures previously heard on February 6, 2025. Senate Bill 1513 was deferred indefinitely based on the testimony and issues raised. Senate Bill 786 was also deferred indefinitely and set aside for interim work on a proposed SD1 that could address the concerns discussed and incorporate ongoing federal changes. Senate Bill 1031 was amended and advanced as a Senate WAP 1; the amended version would allow the legislature to adopt non-binding advisory referendum questions only for general obligation bond proposals, require 30 days’ notice, require the legislature to consider the results, and require a written explanation if the final legislative action opposes the majority vote. The committee also set a far-future effective date and noted that any further review should examine opposition concerns and the fiscal, administrative, and legal implications of the proposal. The measure passed on a yes vote from the vice chair and supporting members, with one member excused. In the joint Government Operations and Water and Land hearing, Senate Bill 411, relating to capital improvement projects for boating and ocean recreation, drew support from the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation and several written supporters, while Budget and Finance opposed it and the Deputy Attorney General warned it could be challenged because it implied funding without an appropriation. The chair recommended moving the bill with amendments and a defective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation to pass SB 411 with amendments. Senate Bill 1103, relating to community districts, generated substantial discussion and was ultimately recommended for deferral. Testimony raised constitutional and special fund concerns, while the Hawaii Community Development Authority supported the concept but suggested major changes, including clearer governance language, a dedicated staff position, and funding. Members debated whether elected boards would undermine county planning authority and whether the concept was more suitable for Oahu or the Neighbor Islands. Senate Bill 1308, relating to plans, was presented as an administration bill and supported by DAGS. The bill would remove outdated filing requirements, update fee schedules, give DAGS more discretion over plan format, and update drawing scales. A member asked whether it could help replace survey monuments lost in the Lahaina wildfire cleanup; DAGS said it would not directly replace monuments but could help with future mapping and surveying. The chair indicated the committee would note the monument issue in the report and work on technical cleanup language, with the measure moving forward subject to those amendments.