Transcript Highlights:

• For example, this is a trial court policy that was promulgated not too long ago to court officials and
• So you have someone from the Department of Homeland Security that calls the trial court and says, we've
• The excuse, another barrier, put up by the trial court, is we don't honor civil detainers.

Summary: The Senate met briefly, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by remarks from a senator from Worcester and Hampshire criticizing state immigration and court policies. He argued that Massachusetts has not done enough to prevent dangerous individuals from being released or entering the Commonwealth, cited several criminal cases involving immigrants, and urged changes to state law and court practices regarding federal immigration detainers and information-sharing. The chamber then took up an order from the senator from Middlesex and Norfolk establishing a temporary Senate Committee on Rules until a permanent committee is appointed. The order created a nine-member committee, with two minority appointments, and a subcommittee to handle matters referred to it, including issues related to Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024. The Senate suspended the rules, adopted the order, and printed related communications from the Senate President and minority leader announcing committee appointments. Finally, the senator from Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth offered an adjournment order setting the Senate’s next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The order was adopted, and the Senate adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a trial in Los Angeles, a trial under heavy security. This was all pre-9/11, Mr. President.
• We had a trial in Los Angeles, a trial under heavy security. This was all pre-9-11, Mr. President.
• A trial under heavy security. This was all pre-9/11, Mr.
• Pattern jury instructions, which are all based on case law and are used consistently in trials where
• I've been a lawyer, a public defender, where I defended a good number, probably dozens of DUI trials.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5067 , SJM8002 , SB5855 , SB5865 , SB5272 , SCR8406 , SB5000 , SB5500 , SJM8006 , SB5325 , SB5286 , SB5937

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial honors for the Washington National Guard, including the presentation of colors, a prayer, and recognition of Major General Welsh and other Guard members in the chamber. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 8668, which praised the Guard’s service in emergencies, disaster response, elections support, counterdrug training, and youth programs. Several members spoke in support, citing recent flood response efforts and the Guard’s work during COVID, and the resolution was adopted unanimously with all members’ names added as co-sponsors. The chamber then confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Elisa Munoz Estes to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College. Each confirmation passed by wide margins or unanimously after brief supporting remarks about the appointees’ education, military service, and community involvement. The Senate also considered and passed several bills. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865, concerning garnishment forms, was amended to delay implementation and then passed 46-3 after supporters called it a technical fix and opponents focused on timing. Substitute Senate Bill 5855, dealing with face coverings by law enforcement officers, drew extensive debate and multiple failed amendments; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure aimed at masked federal immigration enforcement, while opponents argued it was overbroad, ineffective against federal officers, and harmful to state and local law enforcement. The bill passed 38-19. The Senate also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 on explicit depictions of minors, after an amendment clarifying liability and defenses, and Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268 on community custody for unlawful firearm possession, after a date update amendment. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5081 on unattended motor vehicles and Senate Joint Memorial 8002 urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud were both adopted unanimously or by large margins. Later, the Senate took up Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05; the bill drew strong support from the sponsor and law enforcement-focused supporters, but also criticism that the lower threshold would not address the most dangerous impaired drivers and might have limited practical effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we want people to have a fair trial. A fair trial also means a speedy trial. Yes, ma'am.
• there for six years, but that was because he had had some convictions overturned and then got a new trial
• The judges' supplemental compensation fund expenditure authority is staying the same, the trial court
• funds I think you were hitting on that you helped put in a number of years ago were focused on the trial
• courts; that has... ...number of years ago that was focused on the trial courts; that has, as of just

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first reviewed the Department of Justice FY 2027 budget, which was presented at $117.8 million, with most funding coming from statutory dedications and the largest program areas being criminal law/Medicaid fraud and civil law. The Attorney General described major work in Troop NOLA, Medicaid fraud, opioid and PBM litigation, and especially child exploitation and online predator investigations. She said ICAC tips are rising sharply, local law enforcement partnerships have expanded, and her office needs more analysts, more permanent positions, and more expenditure authority for the legal support fund and related programs. Members asked about case backlogs, staffing, settlement funds, and whether more resources could be directed toward outreach, mental health, and technology; the Attorney General said she wants to expand cyber capacity, training, and prevention efforts, and that some settlement recoveries are being used to support existing programs and fraud enforcement. Committee members also focused heavily on child safety, truancy, and mental health. Several representatives described local concerns about online exploitation, trafficking, self-harm, and the need for school-based training and community outreach. The Attorney General said she wants a broader prevention strategy involving parents, schools, and behavioral health resources, and she discussed using outreach models such as anti-vaping campaigns and town halls. On opioid settlement oversight, members raised concerns about the size of the funds and the need for stronger state oversight; the Attorney General agreed more structure and compliance monitoring would be useful and said drug courts and treatment programs are effective investments. The committee then moved to the judicial branch budget presentation. The judiciary requested $229.6 million in FY 2027, plus $5.6 million in one-time funding, with most of the budget coming from state general fund. The presentation highlighted increases for judge salaries, staff pay adjustments, health insurance, operating costs, and 17 unfunded positions, along with one-time requests for security and technology upgrades. Chief Justice John Weimer and other justices said the budget would help core court functions and statewide programs such as CASA, drug courts, and FINS, and they emphasized the need for better staffing and technology in the courts. A major discussion centered on truancy and the FINS program. Justice Griffin said statewide collaboration with education officials had reduced truancy and that FINS officers are trained to identify children who may be runaways or trafficking victims. The justices and members supported expanding FINS so every judicial district has coverage, and they said the program helps keep children out of deeper system involvement. Members also asked about security funding, technology improvements, and the 17 unfunded positions, which were described as mostly clerical, IT, and support roles in appellate and district courts. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• capital murder now, they will know whether or not the state is pursuing the death penalty before the trial
• c><00:11:32.480><c> is</c><00:11:32.640><c> had,</c><00:11:32.880><c> the</c> certainly before the trial
• is had, the certainly before the trial is had, the prosecutor<00:11:33.440><c> will</c><00:11:33.600
• 00:11:56.720><c> penalty</c><00:11:57.600><c> before</c><00:11:58.000><c> the</c><00:11:58.240><c> trial
• </c><00:11:58.560><c> begins</c> death penalty before the trial begins death penalty before the trial

Bills: HB41 , HB149 , SB230 , SB87 , SB169 , SB238 , SB233 , HB72 , HB41 , HB149 , SB230 , SB87 , SB169 , SB238 , SB233 , HB72

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: sexual offenses, penalties, rape, sodomy, criminal justice, Judicial Branch, Alabama State Bar, legal profession, commissioners, government agency, campaign finance, security measures, candidates, elected officials, legislative protection, civil procedure, statute of limitations, real estate appraisers, legal complaints, appraisal board

Transcript Highlights:

• of a subpoena... property's fair market value is relevant to both the taxpayers challenge and the trial
• A trial court and an appraisal review to decide what's relevant and what's not, what's discoverable and
• , of which one of the plaintiff's counsels. is adamant about going to actual trial, it's their way or
• The other thing is should you proceed to trial... and should the appraisal district prevail.
• Often sign up these clients, part of their contract is if this goes to trial, we'll pay your attorney's

Bills: HB1952 , HB3258 , HB3524 , HB3851 , HB4478 , HB4613 , HB4703 , HB4742 , HB4744 , HB4809 , HB4864

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board

Transcript Highlights:

• The other problem with those reports is I get this report and your trial is a year and a half later.
• And even if it's stale, I mean, those facts are still relevant to trial.
• is a year and a half and your trial is a year and a half later. later. later.
• </c><00:09:04.000><c> It's</c> facts are still relevant to trial.
• It's facts are still relevant to trial.

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're hurting people in two different ways here: not getting a speedy trial and not getting justice
• If that test ends up needing to be retested by the lab, if you're going to go to trial, I think there'd
• The defendant has a right to a trial, and they are still required to fly the analyst in or the analysts
• So it is not, I don't think it is accurate that most of the trials are crash-related.
• I don't think it is accurate that most of the trials are crash-related.

Summary: The committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills, with members repeatedly noting limited time and that some measures were already familiar from prior hearings. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 would allow cities and counties to use ISO/IEC-accredited private toxicology labs for blood or breath testing, accept private donations for that purpose, and reimburse the State Patrol for evidence transport costs. Senator Wagoner said the bill is a temporary fix for a major toxicology backlog that delays justice; prosecutors, police chiefs, and the Seattle City Attorney supported it as a way to relieve the backlog, while defense representatives said it would not solve the problem and raised due process concerns about out-of-state labs and access to witnesses. Members discussed possible amendments on in-state/out-of-state labs and litigation logistics, and the bill was set for executive action the following Tuesday. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5436 would create a gross misdemeanor for willfully or recklessly interfering with access to or from a place of worship or disrupting religious services through obstruction, trespass, repeated calls or electronic communications, or threats. Senator Solomon said the bill responds to rising intolerance and is modeled on protections for health care facilities; supporters from the Anti-Defamation League, Faith Action Network, Jewish and Sikh community organizations described harassment, threats, and security costs at houses of worship. Defense and law enforcement groups raised concerns about overbreadth, possible impacts on peaceful protest, and unintended effects on law enforcement or immigration enforcement, and asked for clarifying amendments. The sponsor said he was open to changes, and the committee indicated it would continue working on the bill before executive action next Tuesday. Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 would expand child sexual abuse material offenses to cover digitally created or altered obscene depictions, even when the minor is not identifiable, extend the statute of limitations for those felony offenses from three to ten years, and broaden sexual exploitation of a minor to include knowingly causing a minor who is unconscious or unaware to be photographed or part of a live performance. Supporters including the Attorney General’s Office, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ chiefs said the bill is needed to address AI and other technology that can evade current law and to keep pace with rapidly changing digital abuse material. Opponents from the defense bar and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission argued the bill may still be overbroad and raise First Amendment problems under Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, especially where no actual minor is identified. The committee also heard and then quickly acted on other bills: Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, requiring one year of community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm, was amended and reported out due pass as amended; Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, addressing penalties for violence against referees and school volunteers, was reported out due pass; and Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, concerning reimbursement for costs in cities with state psychiatric hospitals, was also reported out due pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and trial and trial and<02:18:52.639><c> removal</c><02:18:53.040><c> from</c><02:18:53.359><c>
• those trials were sham trials.<05:57:55.040><c> Let</c><05:57:55.280><c> me</c><05:57:55.440><c> also
• were sham trials.
• were sham trials.
• </c> say the past trials were sham trials. say the past trials were sham trials.

Bills: HR519 , HR538 , HR530 , HR537

Keywords: Minnesota lawmakers, political violence, domestic terrorism, assassination attempt, state legislators, Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, Mark Hortman, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, public safety, law enforcement response, civil discourse, democracy, gun violence, elected officials, House resolution, condemnation, bipartisan unity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:42:14.000><c> or</c> form of detention until your trial or form of detention until your trial
• </c><01:42:20.400><c> detention</c> while you're waiting pre-trial detention while you're waiting pre-trial
• stand trial and face a jury here in Maryland.
• That's what the trial is for.
• That's what the trial is for.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, if it's clear, the only loser by passing this amendment would once again be trial attorneys
• President, I can't speak for trial attorneys.
• Ultimately, we found out later in a 2015 randomized trial, because we wanted a lot of data, Mr.
• The trial randomized high-risk infants to early exposure to peanuts versus delaying the exposure.
• The trial found that the early exposure was far better for kids.

Transcript Highlights:

• that relate to a life-threatening or rare disease, the clinical committee must evaluate all clinical trials
• in peer-reviewed literature and also consider any information that indicates that scientific trials
• A randomized control trial means splitting patients into groups and sometimes asking one group to wait
• Progress happened not because of a large trial, but because families refuse to give up and researchers
• support Senate Bill 5915 to provide guidance and allow flexibility to consider all valid clinical trials

Bills: SB5915 , SB5988 , SB6025 , SJM8002

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines, patient advocacy, public comment, medical necessity, rare disease, life-threatening disease

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds trial scheduling requirements, including a mandatory trial within 90 days. of service, unless
• I'm sorry, never mind an appeal, a trial. They're deprived of revenue?
• benefit of the committee that there is a fact... ...track provision in the legislation that requires a trial
• It takes over two years to ever get to a trial when you're suing a government entity.
• Two years, if you're in appellate court for 18 months, or you can't get a hearing with a trial judge

Bills: SB324 , SB1978 , SB2139 , SB2401 , SB2587 , SB2610 , SB2858 , SB3016

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions from the bench? The Senator: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• 00:33:01.520><c> questions</c><00:33:01.920><c> from</c><00:33:02.080><c> the</c><00:33:02.160><c> bench
• </c> Any questions from the bench? Any questions from the bench?

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So we slide them in in kind of a metered approach with the intention of building depth and bench and
• 01:00:02.400><c> building</c><01:00:02.799><c> depth</c><01:00:03.119><c> and</c><01:00:03.280><c> bench
• </c> intention of building depth and bench intention of building depth and bench and<01:00:03.920><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature spoke last year, and what really upsets me is the judge legislating from the bench on
• :10:12.000><c> legislating</c><02:10:13.040><c> from</c><02:10:13.360><c> the</c><02:10:13.520><c> bench
• </c><02:10:14.880><c> on</c><02:10:15.119><c> this</c> judge legislating from the bench on this judge
• legislating from the bench on this issue. issue. issue.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• These benches actually—the tables do have these little convenience shelves underneath.
• ><02:24:46.279><c> the</c><02:24:46.479><c> table</c><02:24:47.399><c> these</c><02:24:47.600><c> benches
• </c> down below the table these benches down below the table these benches actually<02:24:48.600><c>

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third thing, as written, is the loss of judicial economy in regard to this bill. ...more jury trials
• Even if there is an agreement between the parties as to how to proceed, this bill will require a jury trial
• A case in August of 2022 that you guys know about, the golf course golf cart case, is going to trial
• We're in trial for that case that killed four people, two children and two adults.
• I have put people in prison in jury trials on a DWI where they got life, and with less than 10 years,

Bills: HB1482 , HB2017 , HB2103 , HB2341 , HB2756

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• Pre-trial specialists earn 12% less than probation and parole officers.
• In contrast, our trial judges and clerks in Kentucky process over 800,000 cases.
• Dufek, manager of pre-trial services at the AOC.
• </c> Jason Dufek, manager of pre-trial Jason Dufek, manager of pre-trial services<01:29:03.440><c> at
• Maybe they come in on a warrant and somebody posted the bond before pre-trial got to them.

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs. Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them. A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C. During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Izweck, an employee of the trial clerk of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Izweck, an employee of the trial clerk of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Izweck, an employee of the trial clerk of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pacific has been saying we're doing trials. The numbers are out. It's 63 gallons per acre.
• I mean there's crop trials for camelina, and we've got their numbers.
• </c> Um and you know those camelina trials Um and you know those camelina trials are<01:06:13.120><c>
• Um, but without data from crop trials, etc., it's really hard to say.
• We just don't have enough of the trials going on right now, right?

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.