Transcript Highlights:

• And the ayes have it; House Amendment 1 is adopted. Further discussion on the bill.
• for House Bill 2007, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2008, House Committee Substitute for
• House Bill 2009, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2010, House Committee Substitute for House
• Bill 2011, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2012, House Committee Substitute for House Bill
• , House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2035, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2350, House

Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of the Freedom of the Road Riders and Warsaw High School students. Members then took up House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on alpha-gal syndrome. The sponsor described the bill as a public health surveillance measure to add alpha-gal to Missouri’s reportable conditions, require lab reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and send aggregated data to the CDC. Supporters said the bill would help identify hotspots, guide education and funding, and address a serious tick-borne condition affecting rural and urban Missourians alike. Opponents raised concerns about cost, false positives/negatives, and privacy, but the sponsor and others said the system would be HIPAA-compliant and de-identified at the federal level. Two amendments to HB 1855 were debated. An amendment changing the department’s follow-up authority from “may” to “shall” was adopted, with supporters arguing that if the legislature funds follow-up, the department should be required to do it. A second amendment creating an opt-in/opt-out consent process for reporting was rejected 41-10 after extensive debate over privacy, data collection, and whether consent would undermine disease surveillance. The House then adopted the House committee substitute for HB 1855 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bills 2230 and 2978, a revised education measure aimed at reducing screen time in K-5 classrooms and encouraging handwriting and cursive instruction. The sponsor said the bill was based on research linking heavy screen use to poorer educational and behavioral outcomes, and supporters emphasized local control, parent access to screen-time policies, and the need to bring experts together through a state-level focus group. An amendment to exclude virtual school programs was adopted. The House then adopted the committee substitute for HB 2230 and 2978 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2355, the Food Is Medicine Initiative. The sponsor said the bill would let Missouri use federal funds through 1115 waivers to pilot medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling, and related interventions to improve health and lower Medicaid costs. Members generally supported the concept, citing food deserts and the benefits of better nutrition, but an amendment adding vitamin therapies and cleanup language prompted concern from one member about supplement quality and regulation; the transcript ends during that amendment discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me write a bill about this. And that's how this bill came to be.
• But most recently, Assembly Bill 1108 passed and will become effective on January 1, 2027, which essentially
• That item is out 7-1.
• Thank you, Senator, for presenting your bill today. I will be supporting the bill today.
• Thank you for presenting the bill today. I will be supporting your bill.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the first bill before us today is House File 2274.
• Um, I'm going to move that House File 2274 be laid over for possible inclusion in the tax omnibus bill
• </c><00:15:10.400><c> with</c> when the House bill left the floor with when the House bill left the floor
• </c><00:55:20.359><c> the</c><00:55:20.480><c> house</c> as we put forward our bill the house as we put
• House File 2274 was laid over for possible inclusion in the House tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is more appropriately placed in House Bill 2.
• It does also open up House Bill 8 opportunities for student housing.
• get it in House Bill 2.
• If we can get it in House Bill 2... We can get it in House Bill 2.
• If we can get it in House Bill 2, that's maybe we can get it in House Bill 2.

Bills: SB151 , HB8 , SB177 , HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• STR 986, House Bill 1452, House Draft 1.
• </c> 986, House Bill 1452, House draft 1. 986, House Bill 1452, House draft 1.
• On page 19, House Bill 2575, House Draft 1.
• House Bill 2575, House Draft 1.
• </c> House Bill 2050, House draft 1. House Bill 2050, House draft 1.

Bills: HB2117 , HB2155 , HB1832 , HB1601 , HB2297 , HB2397 , HB1893 , HB2533 , HB1890 , HB2004 , HB1810 , HB2323 , HB1691 , HB1671 , HB2619 , HB1481 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2214 , HB2488 , HB2009 , HB2007 , HB1964 , HB2218 , HB1535 , HB1977 , HB2054 , HB2046 , HB146 , HB2094 , HB2181 , HB2515 , HB2444 , HB2385 , HB1724 , HB1733 , HB2416 , HB2001 , HB1603 , HB1753 , HB2140 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB2096 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB2293 , HB2288 , HB1752 , HB1573 , HB469 , HB2091 , HB1851 , HB1688 , HB1696 , HB2417 , HB2375 , HB2333 , HB2152 , HB1881 , HB2395 , HB1721 , HB1921 , HB1730 , HB1697 , HB1824 , HB2282 , HB2078 , HB2321 , HB2279 , HB1522 , HB2097 , HB2433 , HB2106 , HB2274 , HB2452 , HB1764 , HB2438 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2118 , HB2017 , HB2216 , HB1934 , HB2454 , HB2427 , HB2207 , HB1840 , HB1644 , HB1645 , HB1946 , HB1648 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2283 , HB2386

Transcript Highlights:

• This is my bill, House Bill 2260.
• This amendment was from House Bill 2913, which is a joint bill with House Bill 3228 from the lady from
• This amendment was from House Bill 2913, which is a joint bill with House Bill 3-228 from the Lady from
• Speaker, this is my House Bill 3535. It has gone through Corrections 13 to 1, Rules 9 to 2.
• Speaker, this is my House Bill 3535. It has gone through Corrections 13 to 1, Rules 9 to 2.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to get started with House Bill 2949, Representative Tedford.
• House Bill 2949 has two ayes and two nays. I declare the bill to have not passed.
• You're recognized to present the provisions of House Bill 3052.
• House Bill 3638... Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Those are all the House bills. We'll be back for Senate bills.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2949, as amended by a PCS, which would relax child care staffing ratios in an effort to improve the economics of day care centers and expand availability. Representative Tedford said the bill came from an interim study on child care deserts and that he was open to further changes, including tightening the infant ratio back to 4:1 and possibly reducing the toddler ratio. Members raised concerns about safety, learning, and the lack of data on how the changes would affect staffing and children. After discussion, the committee vote ended 2-2, and the bill did not pass. The committee then heard House Bill 3052, the Sir Major White Bullock Child Protection and Family Notification Act, which would require a more structured DHS response when there are repeat fentanyl-related births, including broader family notification and earlier involvement of extended family. Representative Stewart emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on fentanyl, did not criminalize mothers, and did not mandate automatic removal. Members discussed whether the bill should also address drug dealers or other drugs, but Stewart said separate legislation would address penalties for fentanyl suppliers. The bill passed unanimously, 5-0. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 3638, with a PCS, to create a summer EBT program and revolving fund to help provide food support for children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Vice Chair Guys said the program would supplement existing SNAP benefits and summer meal efforts, and would be funded through a mix of public and private sources. Members asked about overlap with food pantries and school meal programs, and about federal matching and administrative costs. The committee approved the bill 5-0. The meeting then adjourned after all House bills were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with House Bill 129 by Rep. Walters. Mr. Odom: Mr.
• Representative Walters has moved to report House Bill 129 with amendments.
• Seeing none, House Bill 129 would be reported with amendments. Next, House Bill 130, Ms. Champagne.
• Seeing none, House Bill 130 will be reported with amendments. Next, House Bill 854, Ms. Champaign.
• Back on the bill, Rep. Walters. Thank you. Thank you, members. This is HB... House Bill 854.

Bills: HB129 , HB130 , HB854

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 17 and first took up House Bill 129, which would designate a portion of Louisiana Highway 173 as the Dr. Harry Blake Senior Memorial Highway. An amendment package was adopted that also added a separate designation for a portion of Louisiana Highway 3194 in Shreveport as the Virginia Green Evans Memorial Highway. Representative Walters described both honorees as important figures in civil rights and community service. HB 129 was then reported with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 130, which redesignates the elevated portion of Interstate 220 in Caddo Parish as the American Legion Post No. 14 Memorial Bridge. Amendments were adopted to add “Memorial Bridge” to the name. Representative Walters spoke in support of honoring veterans, and HB 130 was reported with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 854, a specialty license plate bill. Amendments added several schools, made technical changes, required OMV implementation when statutory and system requirements are met, removed a provision allowing OMV to retain $1 per annual fee, and redirected annual fees to the Louisiana chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and the R. Tamney-Fleming Lupus Foundation. Members raised concerns about the growing number of specialty plates and OMV’s ability to produce them, but HB 854 was also reported with amendments. After the bills, the committee received an update on the proposed privatization of the Cameron Ferry Service. The Secretary said the process began with an unsolicited proposal from Laborde and a competitive solicitation that produced a qualified bid, and that negotiations would focus on service improvements rather than guaranteed cost savings. Members asked about costs, maintenance, fuel, staffing, and the impact on travel times if the ferry is out of service. The Secretary said the goal is to complete the process by the end of the fiscal year, around July 1. The committee then adopted the minutes from the listed 2025 regular session dates and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are going to hear the bill report for House Bill 1941.
• This House Bill 1155 does finish the job.
• was Second Substitute House Bill 2479.
• Substitute House Bill 1066 and we'll have before us House Bill 1069, supplemental retirement bargaining
• We have Substitute House Bill 2472 before us.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 2479 would create a wage recovery program within L&I to advance part of unpaid wages to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship, funded by civil penalties, while also increasing and restructuring wage theft penalties and complaint prioritization. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, labor advocates, and employer representatives from the work group, said it would help workers get paid faster and was a consensus proposal; questions focused on how the current complaint process works and whether general fund money would be needed. Engrossed House Bill 1941, as amended, would allow licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives, with the striking amendment limiting any cooperative to three producer licenses; supporters said cannabis producers should have the same cooperative tools as other agricultural sectors, while some testimony urged future changes for interstate commerce and warned against consolidation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476 would expand the spirits, beer, and wine theater license from 120 to 200 seats per screen and add stronger alcohol-control measures when minors are present; theater operators and LCB supported the change, and committee questions focused on youth access and enforcement. House Bill 1526 would allow snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass in addition to beer; the sponsor said it simply modernizes the license, and LCB noted a likely fee alignment issue and a small revenue impact. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 would void non-compete agreements and expand related notice and non-solicitation rules, with testimony split between labor and worker advocates supporting broader worker mobility and business and health care groups seeking narrower exemptions for executives, physicians, and financial institutions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting or coercing employees to accept microchip implants, with no testimony offered. Substitute House Bill 2405 would create a three-year pilot for earlier PTSD treatment coverage in workers’ compensation for eligible occupational disease claims, with L&I supporting it as a way to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The committee also took public testimony on these bills, with strong pro and con positions noted on the wage recovery, cannabis cooperative, and non-compete measures. In executive action, the committee adopted a striking amendment and passed House Bill 1069, narrowing it to Department of Corrections employees and making supplemental retirement bargaining mandatory, despite concerns from one member about the change. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on House Bill 1347 concerning cannabis testing labs, then passed it to Rules; passed Second Substitute House Bill 1701 on liquor licensees sharing property; passed House Bill 291 on employee information for public employers to Ways and Means; passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229 updating engineer registration provisions; passed House Bill 2264 on unemployment eligibility for workers in employer-initiated layoffs; passed Substitute House Bill 2472 adding enforcement for sprinkler contractors and fitters; and passed Second Substitute House Bill 2345 on paid family and medical leave premium allocation. A striking amendment to Second Substitute House Bill 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board was not adopted, and the bill then passed to Rules. The committee also announced it would hold House Bill 1066 for later action and planned to return the next day for its final executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, voting on House Bill 331, House Draft 1.
• Members, voting on House Bill 139, House Draft 1.
• Members, voting on House Bill 302, House Draft 1.
• Members, voting on House Bill 47, House Draft 1.
• </c><00:58:03.400><c> 1</c><00:58:03.640><c> chair's</c> House Bill 534 house draft 1 chair's House Bill

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 205 HD1 and HB 480 HD1 on workers’ compensation. Testifiers from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Resources Development supported the bills, with DLIR saying HB 205 would codify and regulate nonprescription over-the-counter drugs at a reasonable rate, and DHRD saying HB 480 would encourage timely and accurate assessments of injured workers’ physical abilities. No opposition was raised on those measures, and the committee moved on without votes or amendments noted. On HB 331 HD1 relating to permits, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Facilities Authority supported the bill, while the Board of Water Supply and Greg Mikan opposed it. Supporters did not elaborate much beyond standing on written testimony, but the School Facilities Authority asked that renovations be added to the definition of repeatable projects. Opponents argued the Department of Planning and Permitting is understaffed and that bypassing or speeding the permitting review process could create problems, especially for projects requiring proper engineering review. No action was taken beyond hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 72 HD1 on pharmacy technician regulation, with the Board of Pharmacy offering comments and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Walgreens, and Mōʻiliʻili Drugs supporting the measure. Supporters said pharmacy technicians already perform essential duties such as vaccinations, compounding, inventory, and dispensing, and argued Hawaiʻi is the only state without an active managed list of practicing pharmacy technicians. On HB 139 HD1 regarding insurance, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and the Hawaii Society for Clinical Oncologists supported the bill, arguing fertility preservation coverage should not conflict with federal law or the prepaid health care system. On HB 32 HD1 relating to cannabis, the Attorney General and Department of Health raised concerns about allowing purchase before certification is approved, while the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association supported the bill and suggested lowering the purchase limit from 2 ounces to 1 ounce; the Department of Health said its average turnaround is two to three business days, with about 20% of applications returned for incompleteness and an internal expedited process for certain cases. Later, the committee heard HB 470 HD1 on noise, with the Department of Health supporting the goal of reducing noise pollution but cautioning that regulating intermittent noise like string trimmers is complicated, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill as a hardship for small businesses and questioned the practicality of battery-powered equipment. Ted Bolan supported the measure, saying it would not ban gas leaf blowers but would require quieter models over time. The committee then heard HB 534 HD1 on labeling requirements, where DLNR and the Department of Agriculture offered comments and several fishing and consumer groups supported the bill. Testimony focused on seafood origin labeling, especially raw tuna used in poke and sushi, with DLNR explaining the bill was being narrowed to avoid federal preemption and to avoid unintentionally covering canned tuna or other processed products. Finally, the committee heard H47 HD1 on aquaculture, with the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supporting the measure; no votes were taken on any bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a bill testify on House Bill 1089.
• </c><01:27:59.320><c> Bill</c> and we are in opposition to House Bill and we are in opposition to House
• It's a good way to support House Bill 219.
• House Bill 219. Well, I think a lot of House Bill 219.
• Yeah, so House Bill 219 as amended by the House.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill number three, co-revise certain provisions of ... I make the usual motion.
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:13:55.839><c> House</c><00:13:56.160><c> Bill</c><00:13:56.399><c> number</c><00:13
• The bill that's before you, which has passed the House and is now before the Senate, is the same bill
• That's from and after passage of this bill simply because obviously July 1 has come and gone.
• /c><00:14:54.880><c> has</c> bill simply because obviously July 1 has bill simply because obviously July

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> >> House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 280. >> Now, lady, your adoption motion. >> Um, I
• 1. >> Question before the body is passage of House Bill 280 as amended by House Committee Substitute
• House Bill 280 as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 is passed. Lady...
• House Bill 4 and House Bills committee.
• </c> 347, House Bill 355, and House Bill 362. 347, House Bill 355, and House Bill 362. to<00:39:55.280

Transcript Highlights:

• 14, 11, 14, 11, 1, 15, 1, 14, 1, 14, 1, 14, 1, 14, 1, 1, 15, 1, 15, 1, 15, 12, 12, 14, 14, Thank you
• Assembly Bill 1341.
• Assembly Bill 1,177. 66-0. Assembly Bill 1,478. 66-0. Assembly Bill 1,515. 66-0.
• Assembly Bill 1,516. 66-0. Assembly Bill 1,528. 66-0. Assembly Bill 1,529. 66-0.
• Assembly Bill 1,331. 66-0. Assembly Bill 1,431. 66-0. Assembly Bill 394. 66-0.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long Daily File with several major policy bills and multiple commemorative resolutions. The most debated measure was AB 379 on human trafficking and child exploitation. The bill was presented as a stronger, more comprehensive version that increases penalties for adults soliciting minors, adds a loitering offense tied to purchasing commercial sex, raises fines for businesses that facilitate trafficking, creates a Survivor Support Fund, and establishes grants for victim services and vertical prosecution. Several members spoke in support, while Assemblymember Sharp-Collins raised concerns that the loitering provision could be vague and disproportionately enforced against Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ people. The bill passed after debate, with the clerk reporting 72 noes and the measure still passing. The Assembly also passed AB 1415, which expands the Office of Health Care Affordability’s authority to review more health systems, private equity and hedge fund acquisitions, and managed service organizations in order to better track cost drivers and medical debt. Other policy bills approved included AB 711 on coordinating court reporters for motion hearings, AB 1142 on horse event entry fees, AB 309 on preserving access to sterile syringes for HIV and hepatitis prevention, AB 358 on allowing victims to consent to searches of hidden surveillance devices like AirTags and spy cameras, AB 592 on outdoor dining for restaurants, AB 1341 on clarifying contractor licensing violations, AB 752 on easing child care center siting, AB 1166 on extending debt-settlement rules to commercial financing, AB 806 on mobile home resident cooling rights, AB 972 on explicit sex discrimination protections in higher education, AB 416 on emergency room 5150 authority, AB 632 on expedited collection of penalties for serious local code violations, AB 672 on PERB notification and intervention rights, AB 876 on CRNA scope of practice, and AB 760 on temporary mobile home housing after disasters. Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though AB 672 drew sharp opposition from Assemblymember DeMaio over concerns about PERB and state bureaucracy. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing May observances and public service groups. These included ACR 63 designating May as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month, ACR 69 for California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month, ACR 76 for California Small Business Month, ACR 77 for Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month, HR 36 for Lung Cancer Action Week, HR 39 for National Public Works Week, and HR 41 for National Hospital Week. Members used the resolutions to highlight local institutions, public health, and community services, and each was adopted after co-author rolls and voice votes. The session ended after the Assembly completed the day’s file and moved through a series of routine procedural motions and adjournment-related business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the original House Bill 1, as long as it's been in existence, and all of the state agencies are
• And that debt service payment becomes a House Bill 1 general fund obligation, right?
• You know, the bill grew in the original bill. It grew in the House, and it'll grow in the Senate.
• This is a snapshot of the current House Bill 2, so we're thankful that re-engrossed House Bill 2 shows
• But what happens in House Bill 2, in the preamble of House Bill 2, there's language that gives the commissioner

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the House has passed House Bills 1, 422, 568, and 627, and respectfully requests concurrence
• House Bill 1; to Judiciary, Senate Bills 131 and 193; to State and Local Government, Senate Joint Resolutions
• ><c> and</c><00:34:53.359><c> House</c><00:34:53.679><c> Bill</c><00:34:54.000><c> 1.
• </c><00:34:54.879><c> To</c> Senate Bill 207 and House Bill 1. To Senate Bill 207 and House Bill 1.
• Clerk, please report House Bill 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 40. Good morning, Representative.
• Chair, I move a due pass on House Bill 40. All right, we have a due pass motion on House Bill 40.
• So by a vote of 12 to 1, you have a due pass on House Bill 40. All right. Thank you, folks.
• So we'll go to House Bill 100. All right. Thank you, folks. So we'll go to House Bill 100.
• of House Bill 2.

Bills: HB40 , HB100 , HJR1 , SB64 , SB19 , SB44 , SB83

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> Draft</c><01:26:50.840><c> 1,</c> Senate Bill 3281, Senate Draft 1, Senate Bill 3281, Senate Draft
• So, I would recommend that we pass this bill as a House Draft 1, insert the language from House Bill
• House Draft 2 language as a House Draft 1 of Senate Bill 3294 Senate Draft 2.
• Senate Bill 2983, Senate Draft 1.
• Next measure, Senate Bill 2528, Senate Draft 1. I'd like this to move this out with House Draft 1.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now begin the business agenda, beginning with Senate Bill 1.
• We'll now begin the business agenda, beginning with Senate Bill 1.
• Dismang asked if anyone wished to speak against Senate Bill 1.
• Any other senator wish to speak against, for, or on Senate Bill 1?
• By vote of 29-yea, 6-nay, Senate Bill 1 passes; please transmit to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• , House Bill 1125, House Bill 1367, House Bill 1398, House Bill 1422, and House Bill 1545.
• House Bill 1222 and House Bill 1545. Sincerely, Kelly Armstrong, Governor. Mr.
• changed the way House Bill 1300 was intended to work.
• changed the way House Bill 1300 was intended to work.
• We have before us the do concur on House Bill 1300.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.