Video & Transcript Research : 'speech pathologist'

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MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 1/22/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And also free breakfast tomorrow morning, where you can hear speeches from luminaries such as Governor
  • And also free breakfast tomorrow morning, where you can hear speeches from luminaries such as Governor
Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Commerce and Tourism Jan 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • curiosity hit with the last speaker, so I don't want to deviate you from your closing statement or your speech
  • curiosity hit with the last speaker, so don't want to deviate you from your closing statement or your speech
Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and reported favorably several bills. SB 386, by Sen. Trumbull, would create consumer rights and manufacturer obligations for defective farm equipment, modeled on lemon-law concepts, and passed without opposition. SB 528, also by Sen. Trumbull, would strengthen Florida’s manufacturing sector through Department of Commerce responsibilities, a chief manufacturing officer role, workforce grants, and reporting requirements; it drew questions about whether it differed from last year’s bill and was supported by several appearance forms before passing favorably. SB 806, a right-to-repair bill for portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment, drew the most testimony: supporters said it would expand consumer choice and repair access, while dealers and industry representatives argued existing manufacturer agreements already provide access and warned the bill could disrupt dealer/manufacturer relationships and future technology; it nevertheless passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 696 on trademark registration, which would modernize the trademark classification system, allow online applications, and clarify document verification procedures, and SB 930, which creates a 15-member Florida Retirement Savings Task Force to study retirement coverage gaps and recommend policy options without imposing employer mandates. SB 826, by Sen. Leak, would address reward cards that function like gift cards but expire, while excluding loyalty programs; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association raised concerns about unintended consequences and the need for tighter definitions, but the bill was reported favorably after the sponsor said the language would be refined. SB 874 would expand professional licensure reciprocity for experienced out-of-state surveyors and mappers to address workforce shortages, and it also passed favorably. After a pause, the committee took up CS/SB 838 on electronic payments of retail installment contracts. Sen. Yarbrough said the bill clarifies that reasonable convenience fees for optional electronic payments are permissible, provided they are disclosed and a fee-free option remains available, to reduce ambiguity and litigation. Members questioned whether the bill could authorize or expand fees and whether the “reasonable” standard was sufficiently clear; the sponsor said the fees are tied to processor costs and are not intended as revenue. An amendment adding the word “retail” was adopted, and the committee substitute was reported favorably. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on bills they had missed, and the meeting adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jul 16th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • exempts only good faith public appeals, such as those made through TV. radio, social media, or public speeches
  • As to be amended, it will exempt public speeches, such as those given in front of City Hall.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Administration May 7th, 2025

Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • He was kicked out of his preschool, out of Miracle League Baseball, out of speech therapy...
  • He was kicked out of his preschool, out of Miracle League Baseball, out of speech therapy.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of pending resolutions, bills, and the local uncontested calendar. The committee first reported HCR 80 favorably and placed it on the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar. It then heard and approved several commemorative resolutions, including HCR 12 designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for 10 years, HCR 55 reaffirming Poteet as the Strawberry Capital of Texas, HCR 56 designating May as NEC and Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and HB 3096 creating Profound Autism Awareness Day on March 17. Each of these measures was reported favorably to the full Senate, with no opposition in testimony except HB 3096, which included supportive testimony from Tara Duval describing the needs of individuals with profound autism and their families. The committee also approved HCR 58 redesignating Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas, SB 2959 designating August as Firearm Safety Month, HCR 74 naming Carthage the Country Music Capital of Texas, HCR 78 establishing Lone Star Santa’s Charities Day, HCR 116 redesignating Brownsville as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley, and HCR 117 designating Port Aransas as the Fishing Capital of Texas. SB 2959 drew supportive testimony from Stephen Price, who emphasized gun safety, suicide prevention, and public awareness, while other measures received no public testimony. All were reported favorably and recommended for the May 9 local and uncontested calendar. Later, the committee approved HCR 6 naming Galveston the Juneteenth Capital of Texas, HCR 50 naming Galveston the Mardi Gras Capital of Texas, HCR 107 making the Texas Almanac the official State Book of Texas, HCR 70 designating Jim Hogg County as the Vaquero Capital of Texas, HCR 71 recognizing LaSalle County for wild hog hunting and related traditions, and HCR 29 designating April as Counseling Awareness Month. HCR 6 received testimony from a Galveston city representative in support of the Juneteenth designation, and HCR 29 received testimony from the Texas Counseling Association supporting recognition of counselors. Finally, the committee certified the May 9, 2025 local and uncontested calendar after removing 32 bills for reasons including penalties, fiscal notes, or opposition, specifically noting SB 317 was removed due to criminal and civil penalties, and then recessed.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 26, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • In his acceptance speech, he remarked, "I am but one of many cogs in the United Nations, the greatest
  • <01:20:34.640> "I<01:20:34.960> am acceptance speech, he remarked, "I am acceptance speech
  • The Chair will entertain up to 15 requests for one-minute speeches on each side of the aisle.
  • Those in conversation, please leave the chamber so we can start with our one-minute speeches.
  • The Chair will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:42:29.839> to speech to speech to agriculture?
  • I think you've heard me give that speech before.
  • I think you've heard me give that speech before.
  • I think you've heard me give that speech before.
  • I think you've heard me give that speech before.
Bills: HF3718
Summary: The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met with quorum present, approved the March 2 minutes, and then heard a presentation on economic consolidation in agriculture from Austin Ferk, who said he was not taking additional public testimony. Ferk argued that consolidation in meat, dairy, and grain markets has squeezed farmers on both input and output prices, raised consumer prices, and reduced product quality. He used charts and examples to claim that concentrated markets lead to price gouging, that farmers now receive a historically low share of each food dollar, and that industrial production has contributed to environmental problems, especially in Iowa. Ferk focused on several large agribusiness firms, especially JBS and Cargill. He described JBS as a dominant meatpacker with a history of bribery allegations and market power across beef, pork, poultry, and leather, and said its ownership of brands can obscure who is actually selling the product. He also criticized Cargill as an opaque, privately held company with enormous influence over grain and food markets, and said the farm bill and crop insurance system have been shaped to favor overproduction of corn and soy rather than diversified farming. He argued that these policies, along with ethanol demand and export-oriented livestock production, have harmed rural communities, increased manure and nitrate pollution, and contributed to health problems. In the latter part of the presentation, Ferk discussed antitrust and policy responses, including concentration studies, a proposed packer ban that would prevent meatpackers from owning the animals they slaughter, and restrictions on slotting fees and other pay-to-play practices in grocery retail. He also referenced the failed Kroger-Albertsons merger as an example of consolidation harming local communities. No committee vote or formal action was taken on the presentation beyond approving the minutes.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Policy - 02/25/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, freedom of speech. Thank you for all of you testifying today.
  • Um, freedom of worship, freedom of speech, and lastly, freedom from want.
  • And when Norman Rockwell heard that speech by FDR defining the four fundamental freedoms of a democracy
  • Um, having seen these same speeches go down at the House in a seven-seven split and people who couldn't
  • In our education finance committee, we've heard rhetoric and, um, hateful speech against our immigrant
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • are<00:57:38.319> able<00:57:38.480> to<00:57:38.720> access<00:57:39.119> speech
  • <00:57:39.440> therapy,<00:57:40.079> ABA are able to access speech therapy, ABA are
  • able to access speech therapy, ABA supports,<00:57:41.440> aiology<00:57:42.160> care,
  • 00:58:00.240> Our<00:58:00.559> goal<00:58:00.799> is<00:58:01.119> to speech
  • Our goal is to speech, and mobility.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 6th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I didn't even write a speech.
  • If somebody wants to say that this bill quiets free speech, at the same exact time, they have to admit
  • that it protects free speech.
  • We are protecting free speech. You may not like it.
  • You may not like it, but you can't be disingenuous and say that this is an attack on free speech.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Education Committee, June 1, 2026 - AM

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We wouldn't necessarily give an English credit for participating in speech and debate, now would we?
  • We wouldn't necessarily give an English credit for participating in speech and debate, now would we?
  • We wouldn't necessarily give an English credit for participating in speech and debate, now would we?
  • in uh speech and debate, now<02:32:25.600> would<02:32:25.800> we?
  • credit for being in speech and debate. credit for being in speech and debate.
Keywords: 916, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary (02/09/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • It does compel speech.
  • It does compel speech.
  • It does compel speech.
  • It regulates speech.
  • only first amendment free speech only first amendment free speech concerns<03:58:14.319> but<
Keywords: 1189, house, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Over my 15 years of service in this wonderful chamber, I've given many speeches.
  • I've eulogized and talked speeches.
  • Instead of free speech and open debate, we see censorship.
  • We stand for freedom of speech, expression, and religion. They stand for none of our values.
  • The Chair will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 28th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Importantly, the cases were not about speech or online content.
  • The distinction matters because AB 1709 is focused on addictive design features, not protected speech
  • Awareness and bring attention to aphasia, which impacts language and speech.
  • American to reduce their risk of stroke by recognizing the warning signs, such as loss of balance, speech
  • difficulty, and... ...stroke by recognizing the warning signs, such as loss of balance, speech difficulty
Keywords: 988, house, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Use the powers of law enforcement to stifle speech and...
  • Do you think it's appropriate for the FBI to pressure them to censor the political speech of everyday
  • corrupt activities the FBI has participated in, especially those involved in the censorship of free speech
  • government under the last administration pressured and coerced these social media companies to censor speech
  • government coerced and colluded with some of the biggest companies in the history of the world to suppress speech
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • [Unintelligible speech.] Good morning, everybody, and happy Monday.
  • [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] Minutes. Thank you. Thank you.
  • [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
  • [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
  • [No audible speech captured.]
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/28/2025)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • [No audible speech; transcript contains only a filler/garbled character.]
  • [No audible speech; transcript contains only a filler/garbled character.]
  • [No audible speech; transcript contains only a filler/garbled character.]
  • [No audible speech; transcript contains only a filler/garbled character.]
  • [No audible speech; transcript contains only a filler/garbled character.]
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/6/26 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But the second thing, and we've heard speech after speech after speech that basically we're along the
  • But the second thing and we've heard speech after speech after speech that basically we're along the
  • Speaker, and I'm sure everybody wants another half-hour-long speech about a bill, but I'm not going to
  • bill, I had some reservations, and I thought I could see some good in this. another half hour long speech
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House took up Senate File 3432, a public safety bill requiring identifying equipment and insignia to be removed from emergency vehicles sold to the public. The chamber first adopted a House language amendment, then debated a broader security package that would fund judicial and courthouse security, Capitol security measures, short-term protection for legislators facing credible threats, State Patrol deficiency funding, and additional BCA analysts and investigators to assess threats statewide. Supporters framed the bill as necessary to protect public safety, democracy, and First Amendment activity at the Capitol and courthouses; they also said the package was pared down from larger requests and based on security reviews. The House adopted an A-1 amendment clarifying that BCA staff could investigate threats statewide, and later rejected a Schultz A-3 amendment that would have eliminated all appropriations in the bill. The A-3 was defeated on a 37-94 vote after the House upheld the Speaker’s ruling that a proposed school-safety secondary amendment was not germane, with that appeal decided 69-62. A major theme of debate was whether the Legislature should prioritize security for members and the Capitol before passing school safety funding. Several members argued they could not support spending tens of millions on Capitol and legislative security without first funding school safety for all students, including public, charter, private, and tribal schools. Others defended the bill as necessary because of recent threats and violence, including the June 14 tragedy, and said the Capitol security changes were based on professional recommendations. Some members also criticized the new security setup as overly restrictive or “security theater,” while supporters said the measures were needed to keep the public, staff, and lawmakers safe. After the A-3 was defeated, the bill was read for third time and members continued floor debate. The discussion remained split between those emphasizing immediate Capitol and legislative security needs and those insisting school safety should come first. Representative Agbaje then moved to table the bill, and the clerk began a roll call on that motion.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Number four, it lacks clear, enforceable protections for free speech.
  • clear, enforceable protections for lacks clear, enforceable protections for free<00:31:52.120> speech
  • > Number<00:31:53.520> five,<00:31:53.920> it<00:31:54.040> creates free speech
  • Number five, it creates free speech.
  • proper care at these clinics because of people standing in their areas that have the right to free speech
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first took up gubernatorial message nominations. Margaret Jackson was heard for reappointment to the State Council on Mental Health, where she said her lived experience with family members facing schizophrenia, houselessness, and substance use issues motivates her service. Andrew Savaiano was heard for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council and said he wanted to continue elevating youth voice and lived experience. Tao Yan was heard for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants and emphasized the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the environment. The Department of Health testified in support of the nominations, and the committee later adopted chair recommendations to advise and consent to all three nominations, noting Senator Favela’s excuse and no recorded objections. The committee then heard HB 1853 relating to dementia. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies, advocacy groups, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience, including a person living with Alzheimer’s and his caregiver spouse, who described the value of early diagnosis and coordinated support. Supporters said the bill would expand memory care navigation and access, especially on neighbor islands and in rural areas, and help families connect to resources earlier. One member raised concerns about the cost and scale of the proposed program, asking about the number and cost of dementia specialists and noting broader budget pressures, but the bill remained under discussion with no final action shown in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 1591 relating to health care, which would expand the preceptor tax credit to additional health professions, including physician assistant students and PAs, with testimony in support from nursing, public health, medical, and provider organizations. Supporters argued the measure would help address workforce shortages and improve training opportunities for local and economically disadvantaged students. A committee member asked about the aggregate cost of the credit and whether the existing credit had been fully utilized; the chair noted the bill was being kept narrower than broader proposals because of fiscal concerns. The transcript then moved to HB 1961 relating to health care access near facilities, with supporters arguing it protects access to legal reproductive health care and opponents saying it is unnecessary, vague, and burdensome on free speech and protest activity. No final vote on the bills appears in the excerpt provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/23/2025)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, it is permanent loss or impairment of your internal organs, your sense of speech, touch, taste, or
  • , touch, taste, or smell, but also speech, touch, taste, or smell, but also damage,<01:02:53.200>
  • If you were floor speech coming... Well, it's on... No, I'm not going to speak.
  • If you were floor speech<02:06:09.040> coming<02:06:09.440> Well,<02:06:09.599> it's
  • coming Well, it's on No, I'm not speech coming Well, it's on No, I'm not going<02:06:11.119> to
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • that's it for the bills let's take a brief<01:04:29.079> recess Recess. e e e [No audible speech
  • [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
  • [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
  • [No audible speech captured.] It reminds me of school. Sorry, reconvening the committee.
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.