Transcript Highlights:

• you offer an amendment that changes the bill language to say that the petition for the district boundary
• you offer an amendment that changes the bill language to say that the petition for the district boundary
• And so even though a district boundary amendment seems like, you know, you don't have a specific project
• And so even though a district boundary amendment seems like, you know, you don't have a specific project
• amendment process at the boundary amendment process at the earliest<00:28:27.520><c> stage</c><00:28

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• basic tasks regulation, an effort aimed at reducing ambiguity, reinforcing appropriate clinical boundaries
• basic tasks regulation, an effort aimed at reducing ambiguity, reinforcing appropriate clinical boundaries
• We believe it is important to reaffirm that boundary.
• We don't have an issue with natural health practitioners working within the boundaries of lifestyle coaching
• . ...with natural health practitioners working within the boundaries of lifestyle coaching.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides good left- and right-lane boundaries on this and would help curtail those shysters that are
• If you look on line 5 of page 1, where you see the word boundaries, it didn't get put on this draft because
• corrected this morning that that shouldn't be in there, and we should just go with determining the boundary
• It was a high water level on my original draft, and it got changed to boundaries.
• So what you see in the latest version of 25.3080.0204 is boundaries, and that's what we need to have

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4. The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote. The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does changing district boundaries mid-decade respect the expectations of voters who cast ballots
• How does changing district boundaries mid-decade respect the expectations of voters who cast ballots
• ...boundaries more frequently, as case law has directed us to do when we're drawing maps.
• Because we already knew where the Democrats were when you drew the map and you drew the boundaries.
• It splits more counties, and it deviates from existing boundaries. You've heard it.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fire and water do not know jurisdictional Boundaries. Right.
• What actually occurs on those jurisdictional boundaries where fire goes into state and private lands?
• The red boundary is the footprint of the Eaton Fire.
• So the outer red boundary of that fire was shown on there. That's real. And that's real.
• We need to work across all jurisdictional boundaries to be able to make a larger impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a federal commitment due to the Federal Boundary Waters Treaty Act with Canada.
• When you converted into a district, one of the things was you had to cite your boundaries.
• So these are the boundaries of all the rural water systems out there.
• When you converted into a district, one of the things was you had to cite your boundaries.
• So these are the boundaries of all the rural water systems out there.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, criminal activity often crosses city boundaries.
• Finally, criminal activity often crosses city boundaries.
• Finally, criminal activity often crosses city boundaries.
• Finally, criminal activity often crosses city boundaries.
• That principle invisible city boundary.

Bills: HF3351

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun control, gun safety, local control, home rule, preemption, municipal regulation, county regulation, city ordinances, zoning, firearm dealers, gun dealers, ammunition, carry permits, permit to carry, pistols, Saturday night special, metal-penetrating bullets, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with Northwest on the west side boundary, as you see on the map there, southwest, and then also
• In those events, the lake exceeds its boundaries, the Everglades exceeds its boundaries, and the reason
• on end particularly in Broward in Miami and basically those in those events the lake exceeds its boundaries
• the Everglades exceeds its boundaries and the reason you have a cow on that report is because there

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with Northwest on the west side boundary, as you see on the map there, southwest, and then also
• In those events, the lake exceeds its boundaries, the Everglades exceeds its boundaries, and the reason
• on end particularly in Broward in Miami and basically those in those events the lake exceeds its boundaries
• the Everglades exceeds its boundaries and the reason you have a cow on that report is because there

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• protects women and girls in Missouri by clearly defining the terms male and female to enshrine safe boundaries
• Again, where does that lead us, torturing us in mental wards or camps until we comply?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintains legislative intent to promote graywater technology while establishing clear eligible boundaries
• As Jay is coming, we have Zena Ward waving against, Ronald Williams waving against, Teresa Roach waving

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way that ward seats get appointed on appraisal districts and so that, you know, whoever controls
• bottom-up approach divided into 15 regional groups based on water shed, flood conditions, and watershed boundaries

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply redefines the boundaries of the existing Driftwood Conservation District to reflect
• Through SB 2183, I aim to redefine the district's boundaries to reflect the fact that the district, acting
• Bill 5670 pertains to Municipal District Number 259, which provides for the district's initial boundaries

Bills: HB103

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our descriptions of our boundaries have always been, how would I say, when you describe the land grant
• So it was from the north to the Savoia Valley, to the east, the boundaries of the Martinez Grant, to
• Surveyed to the surprise, everyone showed 470,000 acres plus were embraced within the boundaries set
• The San Joaquin-Tito-Chamo Land Grant Committee's pueblos are within its boundaries.
• The Cejita Blanca, just to point it out, was a contentious point of the land-grant boundary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward-Johnson, as he has important business. Ms. Cole. Is there any objection, members?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So no property tax, no GRT, even for land and activities that are within their boundaries.
• New Mexico Trans Boundary Resources Center, where we work closely with the Land Grant Council and do
• And then we also would like to add counties and municipalities that have colonias within their boundaries
• talking about allowing counties and municipalities at least one designated colonia within their boundaries

Transcript Highlights:

• of seasonal residents and guests who visit our resorts and travel to Voyageurs National Park, the Boundary
• of seasonal residents and guests who visit our resorts and travel to Voyageurs National Park, the Boundary
• Because district boundaries have a direct impact on elections, any input to the creation of those boundaries
• </c> districts because District boundaries districts because District boundaries have<00:54:37.680><c
• needs to be by impartial boundaries needs to be by impartial people<00:54:44.440><c> this</c><00:54:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• relationship building and partnerships with tribal nations and Native people living within the boundaries
• :15:24.760><c> we</c><01:15:24.960><c> we</c><01:15:25.120><c> ask</c><01:15:25.280><c> you</c> boundaries
• of this state we we ask you boundaries of this state we we ask you to<01:15:25.679><c> consider</c><
• signs to look for so they can stop child abuse when it happens and teach children about healthy boundaries
• signs to look for so they can stop child abuse when it happens and teach children about healthy boundaries

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a problem a couple of years ago, and that is within I think the boundary of the airport, I'm
• There was a problem a couple of years ago, and that is within I think the boundary of the airport, I'm
• There was a problem a couple of years ago, and that is within I think the boundary of the airport, I'm
• There was a problem a couple of years ago, and that is within I think the boundary of the airport, I'm
• </c><00:36:04.400><c> You'll</c> have a boundary outlined yet. You'll have a boundary outlined yet.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard several bills, beginning with SB 2010, which would authorize impoundment of motor vehicles for certain alleged or committed traffic violations. The Department of Transportation supported the bill, while the Department of the Attorney General asked for clarification in section 4 on who could seek remedies and what remedies would be available. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, citing unclear officer-initiated impound criteria, potential strain on judicial or administrative resources, and concerns about hardship for families and indigent owners; the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill with amendments, saying it should be limited to traffic offenses and could serve as an alternative to fines or imprisonment. The chair then recessed before moving to the next items. The committee next heard SB 2527 on commercial driver licensing, which would require state and county firefighters exempt from CDL requirements to be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy equivalent to or stronger than federal DOT standards. DOT, the Department of Human Resources Development, county officials, and the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association all indicated support. SB 2697, which would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, also drew DOT support, with the Attorney General, judiciary, and others submitting comments. SB 2812, requiring driver license applicants to be tested on the dangers larger vehicles pose to pedestrians and bicyclists, was supported by DOT but opposed by the Public Defender, who argued the excessive-speeding portion was too broad for first offenses and that the DUI-related language was unnecessary because DUI relicensing already requires re-examination. SB 291, clarifying that drivers whose licenses were revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses must undergo re-examination before relicensing, received DOT support. The committee then took up SB 3044, which would remove references to pedestrian countdown timers and the requirement that pedestrians begin crossing before the timer starts. DOT opposed the bill, but Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported it, arguing the current rule is confusing and can lead to citations even when pedestrians can safely cross. The Department of Health submitted late comments emphasizing the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and physical activity, and the chair noted the split in testimony. Finally, SB 2995 proposed a zero-emissions rideshare rebate program funded by a rideshare fee and administered by DOT. Earthjustice strongly supported the bill, describing it as a fee-and-rebate structure to help rideshare drivers transition to zero-emissions vehicles. A witness for Tom Yamachika suggested that if the state wants to tax ridesharing, it should amend existing tax law instead of creating a new chapter, but the bill’s supporters said DOT was better suited to administer the rebate program and that similar models exist in California and Washington. The committee also heard SB 3153, which would authorize DOT to designate airport special district zones at airports statewide to improve security and enforcement; DOT’s airports deputy director supported the measure, saying it would clarify jurisdiction and help address trespassing and hazards, and senators asked about boundaries, mapping, and coordination with the Attorney General. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward Johnson for important business on motion of Ms. Cole. Is there objection, members?