Transcript Highlights:

• Force, which was tasked with calling for the establishment of a clear and fair process for verifying
• However, this is based on the recommendation from the task force, and in the task force, as was stated
• The task force was established by Assembly Bill 3121 in 2020.
• I served as one of the members of the California Reparations Task Force.
• So that's the first point. ...involvement in the California Reparations Task Force process.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure by Senator Umberg. The bill would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, expand data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and broaden eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said the bill would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people get treatment; opponents argued it would greatly expand the program without enough housing, staffing, or resources and could sweep in people who can make their own decisions. The committee members raised concerns about scope and resources but ultimately voted to pass SB 27 to the Health Committee, with the bill placed on call. The committee then took up SB 82, which would limit consumer arbitration clauses to disputes arising from the specific product or service the consumer agreed to buy, aimed at stopping “infinite arbitration clauses” that force unrelated claims into arbitration. The author and supporters described cases where consumers were compelled to arbitrate claims involving corporate affiliates or unrelated incidents, while opponents warned the bill was too restrictive and should be clarified on retroactivity and construction. Members generally supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass motion, with several votes recorded and the bill placed on call. Next, the committee heard SB 437 and SB 518, both related to California reparations efforts. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop an evidence-based, reproducible genealogical methodology for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with supporters emphasizing oversight, transparency, and a framework for using the $6 million already allocated in the budget; opponents argued the work was unnecessary, duplicative, and should be done by existing genealogists rather than CSU. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs; supporters called it the infrastructure needed to implement reparations recommendations, while opponents objected to housing the bureau in the Department of Justice, overlap with SB 437, and the inclusion of other communities. Both bills advanced on do-pass motions to Appropriations and were placed on call. Finally, Senator Perez presented SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would make it illegal to use algorithms to collude and artificially inflate rental prices. The author and supporters said landlords and AI companies are using pricing tools to share competitive data and fix rents in the midst of a severe affordability crisis, and that the bill would clarify protections and create enforcement mechanisms. The transcript cuts off during testimony on SB 52, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I, as a member of WTIA, sit on the Attorney General's task force.
• We tried to use as much of the information from the AI task force as we could.
• I welcome that, and especially because I use the AI Task Force definitions and what we have.
• We engaged with the task force. We briefed members of the task force on those developments.
• We engaged with the task force. We briefed members of the task force on those developments.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, the AI Task Force, of which myself and Representative Bray held over the last year,
• I do want to echo what Senator Bledsoe has said about the AI task force.
• I believe we've done a good job in satisfying all of those for the most part, and the task force was
• </c><00:10:38.519><c> force</c> Senator blo and also the AI task force Senator blo and also the AI task
• </c><00:25:55.039><c> force</c><00:25:55.320><c> was</c> things within um the AI task force was things

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas. Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:41.680><c> force,</c> the property tax task force, the property tax task force, Representative
• And joint rules say that if you have a property tax task force or a task force of any kind with legislators
• force or if you have a property tax task force or a<00:35:03.560><c> task</c><00:35:03.960><c> force
• </c><00:37:34.920><c> force</c> making sure that they these task force making sure that they these task
• </c> tax task force, which we Yes. tax task force, which we Yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the bill that came out of the task force.
• </c><00:58:34.559><c> force,</c> task force.
• And in that um task force, task force.
• And as Senator Abler mentioned, um, this was first a task force called the Priority Admissions Task Force
• priority</c> first a task force called the priority first a task force called the priority admissions

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and creating a task force for that. and creating a task force for that.
• </c><00:58:20.280><c> force</c> this task force this task force is<00:58:22.080><c> looking</c><00:58
• task force 2 years the Hawaii psilocybin task force 2 years ago<01:04:11.000><c> and</c><01:04:11.120
• </c> task force. task force.
• </c> this um task force. this um task force.

Bills: HB1626 , HB1643 , HB1668 , HB1550 , HB1974 , HB1858 , HB1871 , HB1966 , HB1972 , HB1973

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• task force put together.
• task force put together.
• task force put together.
• task force put together.
• task force put together.

Summary: The task force met on November 4, 2025, approved the prior minutes without objection, and then heard a presentation from Amazon on its Kentucky aviation and logistics operations. Amazon described its statewide footprint, including its Boone County air hub at KCVG, its investment of more than $60 billion in Kentucky since 2010, about 20,000 jobs in the state, and its use of Amazon Air as a middle-mile network supported by third-party carriers. The company also highlighted small-business support, community relief efforts, and workforce development through Career Choice, including partnerships with Kentucky schools and aviation maintenance training. Members asked about Amazon’s most in-demand workforce needs, future operational challenges, and whether autonomous vehicles are used on the KCVG ramp. Amazon said it would follow up on workforce-demand details, identified customer-driven innovation and culture as ongoing challenges, and said autonomous vehicles are in testing but are not part of regular KCVG operations. Amazon also emphasized sustainability efforts, including alternative aviation fuel, and said it wants to work with the legislature to expand AAF production and supply in Kentucky. The task force then heard from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Matt Wingate on the state’s aviation economic development strategy. They said aviation and aerospace are central to Kentucky’s logistics and economic-development goals, with aerospace identified as the state’s top export and air cargo as a major strength. They discussed outreach to general aviation airports, support for local grant matching, airport funding projects, workforce and education partnerships, and efforts to market Kentucky at aviation trade shows such as Paris Air Show and MRO America. No formal votes or other actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Three, it sets the task force up so that we want to do the essentially in a lot of ways of rulemaking
• Um, yeah, so the biggest piece and partially what the task force is tasked to look at is making sure
• Part of what the task force is going to also bring forward is how much will need to be invested.
• And so that is part of it, but we also want the task force to give us that perspective.
• I think the task force needs more than 6 months figured out. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• to reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force.
• The Office of Public Defense must provide staff support for the task force and must convene the first
• meeting of the task force.
• meeting of the task force.
• OPD is prepared to staff the task force as directed in the bill.

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1336, relating to the greenhouse gas sequestration task force.
• </c> legislature did not assigned this task legislature did not assigned this task force<00:16:09.319
• task force is unnecessary uh uh because establish<00:20:15.840><c> task</c><00:20:16.120><c> force</c
• force that would raise uh establish task force that would raise uh time<00:20:18.200><c> waste</c><00
• </c><00:33:24.519><c> force</c> greenhouse gas sequestration task force greenhouse gas sequestration

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures, with the main discussion centered on energy policy. SB 993 on geothermal exploration drew support from the State Energy Office and others, who described geothermal as a key low-cost, firm renewable resource and said the state should fund community outreach and resource research. However, the chairs deferred further action on SB 993 because a similar bill, SB 1068, had already passed the prior week. SB 202 on renewable energy also received broad support, including testimony that net energy metering benefits households and helps clean energy adoption, while Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s changes to the NEM forfeit feature as unfair to non-solar customers. SB 1588 on nuclear energy drew sharply divided testimony: supporters argued the bill would only study nuclear options and that the state should consider all tools, while opponents from 350 Hawaii and Greenpeace said nuclear is unsafe, costly, and inconsistent with Hawaii’s clean energy goals and constitution. The committee also heard SB 73 on county permits, SB 100 on intoxicating liquor, SB 1234 on government efficiency, and SB 1336 on a greenhouse gas sequestration task force. SB 100 was described as helping a Maui nonprofit recruit board members by addressing liquor commission-related fingerprinting or background-check issues, and the Attorney General’s technical amendments were accepted. SB 1234 was framed as improving coordination among state, federal, and local agencies, though HGEA opposed it as an opening to privatize government services. SB 1336, which would establish a task force to study greenhouse gas sequestration and related mitigation topics, drew some questions about its scope but was supported as a way to study climate mitigation and green infrastructure. In the later portion of the meeting, the committee took votes and adopted recommendations on several bills. SB 73 was passed with an amendment setting a defective date of May 13, 2040. SB 100 was passed with amendments, SB 202 was passed with amendments including technical changes and allowing the PUC to set the customer credit rate, SB 1234 was passed with amendments and a defective date of May 13, 2040, SB 1336 was passed as is, and SB 1588 was passed with amendments and a defective date of May 13, 2040. The committee also took up SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, agreeing to a package of amendments that would soften exemption language, remove some inspection and certificate-of-occupancy provisions, add flood-hazard language, require reporting and a working group, and set a defective date of May 13, 2040; the bill was then passed with those amendments. SB 635 on energy efficiency was passed with amendments assigning the State Energy Office to lead a survey and prioritizing first responder facilities, and SB 700 on renewable energy was introduced with proposed amendments, though the transcript cuts off before its final disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• , HANS... ...security, transparency, consumer protections, and prevent future thefts, the task force
• So we can't join that task force.
• Because the task force certainly is needed.
• It can't be amended into a task force bill, but perhaps it could be amended into a task force bill.
• I think it makes perfect sense to engage, like I said, in a meaningful way with this task force.

Bills: SB766 , SB290 , SB494 , SB1145

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• To the Air Force on what you need to support a nuclear bomber force so that it remains effective and
• When it comes to force projection and sustainment of the force the more fuel efficient an aircraft is
• Are you going to be tasked to do more of this kind of transport?
• Ma'am, if I get the task, I'll absolutely fly it.
• terms of what they can project, but the forces that they may host to operate there. or the forces that

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support

Keywords: Transcom, logistics, military readiness, air refueling, KC-135, KC-46, strategic infrastructure, geopolitical threats, Alaska

Summary: During this meeting, the committee hosted an extensive discussion on the operations and logistical challenges facing the U.S. Transportation Command (Transcom). General Reid provided testimony on key areas including the importance of maintaining robust logistical capabilities in contested environments, particularly in relation to geopolitical threats posed by adversarial nations. Various members emphasized the necessity for modernization of the air refueling fleet, addressing issues such as the readiness of the KC-135 and the procurement of the next-generation KC-46 aircraft, which has experienced delays and technical challenges. The dialogue further extended to the strategic importance of U.S. ports and transportation infrastructure, especially in regions like Alaska which play a crucial role in military logistics and power projection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a lot of new members, to be honest with you, on the task force.
• </c> some recommendations of what the task some recommendations of what the task force<00:04:31.120><
• </c> policy wonk speaking to a Kentucky task policy wonk speaking to a Kentucky task force?
• I appreciate the leadership of the task force on this.
• </c> good start on uh this year's task force. good start on uh this year's task force.

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local re-entry councils would kind of feed up to this statewide task force.
• In other words, the local councils can tell the task force what they need, but also the task force, as
• So just having those local task forces, I think would be imperative throughout the state.
• I think some of those local task forces... think some of those local task forces might be able to connect
• And if these task forces that are going to be done in the counties could kind of serve to mentor some

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm told by Senate the task force.
• </c> you establish a task force, then it has you establish a task force, then it has to<01:14:10.400>
• <01:14:43.840><c> force</c><01:14:44.159><c> is</c> task force is task force is $200,000.<01:14:46.560
• </c> with respect to the task force. with respect to the task force.
• </c><01:16:00.400><c> force</c> least for the year that the task force least for the year that the task

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And from urban areas, there are concerns about the task force.
• So those last comments about using federal agencies and task forces—how does that work with my local
• Okay, so let's think about the situation of a task force. So if the task force is...
• Okay, so let's think about the situation of a task force.
• Now, let's say they say there's a task force. Bill has an AR-15 in his house.

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates the Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force. Welcome, Senator Myers.
• This task force creates a limited, this resolution creates a limited task force to map what currently
• This resolution came out of our NIL task force that we had in the offseason.
• I mean, we went months on this, had a phenomenal task force involving everybody from...
• Students came in the original task force and said, 'What's your number one ask?'

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus. Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> putting</c> create a task force on insurance putting create a task force on insurance putting affordable
• And the amazing work that this HOA task force has done is a critical part of that conversation.
• is a is a this HOA task force has done is a is a critical<00:20:17.039><c> part</c><00:20:17.200><c>
• </c> would create a task force to St study would create a task force to St study the<00:23:58.799><c>
• </c> trying to create a task force to work on trying to create a task force to work on that<00:24:33.720

Summary: Legislators unveiled the Master Common Interest Community and Homeowner Association Policy Reform Bill, describing it as a comprehensive package built from a 14-meeting interim work group and public listening sessions. Speakers said the bill is intended to update Minnesota law with clearer standards for governance, open meetings, governing documents, dispute resolution, fines and fees, foreclosure procedures, conflicts of interest, and the roles of municipalities and civil rights protections. They framed the measure as a bipartisan effort aimed at consumer protections, transparency, fairness, and clearer expectations for both homeowners and volunteer board members. Much of the discussion focused on complaints from constituents about excessive fines, unexplained fees, lack of access to financial documents, weak dispute processes, and conflicts of interest involving property managers and contractors. Examples included a small trash-can violation escalating to foreclosure and a roof-repair contract steered to a subsidiary of the property management company. Senators and representatives said the bill would require associations to adopt written fine policies, provide notice and time to cure violations, and create internal dispute-resolution procedures so homeowners are not forced immediately into costly legal fights. A key policy question was Article 3, which would bar cities and municipalities from conditioning approval of new developments on amenities or features that require an HOA, while still allowing voluntary HOAs. Sponsors said this would reduce the number of homeowners pushed into associations and prevent local governments from shifting costs onto residents. They also said the bill is part of a broader package that includes separate measures on registration requirements, attorney general enforcement, an ombudsman office, and a task force to study insurance costs. No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The speakers said the Senate bill was expected to have a housing committee hearing the following week, with additional committee stops likely in state and local government and judiciary, and that House-side negotiations were ongoing. They also said the bill could still be refined as testimony continues and stakeholders raise concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Foreign Wars, with DAV, with the VSOs. is reflective of the Commander's Task Force bill that this
• You know, it's been mentioned that it's a top priority for the Commander's Task Force.
• Now just a few words about the homeowners and insurance task force.
• Ask Gavel and his task force is included, so I guess maybe they're even.
• forgotten when there were task forces with issues that affected them.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the idea of a statewide task force.
• We support the idea of a statewide task force.
• </c> idea of a statewide task force. idea of a statewide task force.
• um theft task force um for laws um theft task force um for laws specifically<01:03:38.960><c> targeting
• </c> can be more focus on creating the task can be more focus on creating the task force<01:04:36.160

Bills: HB1629 , HB1630 , HB1631

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 1829 on marine affairs. Most testimony was in strong support, with speakers from state agencies, ocean-tech companies, startups, nonprofits, and community groups backing the creation of an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs coordinator under HTDC. Supporters said the measure would better coordinate ocean policy, strengthen the blue economy, and help Hawaii capture jobs, investment, and innovation in marine-related industries. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HTDC-related measures, including HB 1615 and HB 1613, which also drew broad support from business, technology, and economic development interests. Testifiers said the bills would strengthen Hawaii’s technology and innovation ecosystem, support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, and help build a more diversified economy with higher-wage jobs. The committee also heard HB 1607 on public procurement and HB 1772 on small business procurement; state procurement staff and several business groups supported efforts to expand opportunities for local firms, while one speaker from the city’s economic revitalization commission argued that a flat 5% preference could help keep more revenue and jobs in-state. On HB 1636 relating to shopping carts, the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition, saying the bill would penalize businesses for carts that are stolen rather than abandoned and would add costs that could especially burden small and local retailers. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation drew support from Goodwill Hawaii and other nonprofits, who said the bill would improve transparency around donation bins and protect donors from misleading for-profit collection practices; the Attorney General’s office asked for a delayed effective date to allow system changes and staffing. HB 1782 on AI and the protection of minors received broad support from state agencies, educators, and advocacy groups, but some business and retail representatives urged narrowing the definition of covered AI services so ordinary customer-service chatbots would not be swept in. Finally, HB 1759 on theft drew opposition from the Public Defender’s Office, which said the bill could create overly harsh penalties and should include defense representation on any task force; the office also noted existing laws already address conspiracy and related conduct.