Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is, I suspect people like Patricia Jimenez went to lots of ASBA conferences, and look what
• array of trainings, and so I’ll summarize by saying, you know, three times a year we have different conferences
• I know there were some boot camps, there’s a law conference, you get credit hours for those that are
• I know there were some boot camps, there’s a law conference, you get credit hours for those that are
• mr. chair just to add on you you mentioned a few I know there were some boot camps there's a law conference

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that since we are on a video conference, we are unable to hear in-person testimony today,
• Video Conference Testimony.
• When you're finished with your testimony, you will be released from the video conference and can watch
• I would like to also comment on this video conference format that you spoke of.
• Chairman, would the hearings be just like we're doing the video... conferences for regional, or are we

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Conference Committee on Senate Bill 17.
• at this point, I move not to concur with the House amendments to Senate Bill 509 and appoint a conference
• You could be on that conference committee pretty quickly.
• the Senate non-concur in House amendments to Senate Bill 509 and requests the appointment of a conference
• Conference committee on Senate Bill 509, Chair, Senator Bettencourt, members, Senators Birdwell, Hughes

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, understand that this may be the Senate position and we can take it into conference committee
• However, understand that this may be the Senate position and we can take it into conference committee
• Um, although, knowing that we are now going into conference committee, I don't know that that's something
• <00:33:44.240> now<00:33:44.399> going<00:33:44.559> into<00:33:44.799> conference
• <00:33:45.120> committee, are now going into conference committee, are now going into conference

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do stand on our written testimony with two amendments for your consideration that we had conferred
• We do stand on our written testimony with two amendments for your consideration that we had conferred
• We do stand on our written testimony with two amendments for your consideration that we had conferred
• Ian Ross, public affairs director with the West Coast Conference of Health Center.
• of Health Center we submitted Conference of Health Center we submitted a<00:53:08.480> written

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION CHAIRS WILL COME TO ORDER, REPRESENTATIVE McCLURE I AM PLEASED
• WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE McCLURE MOVES WE ADJOURNE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill bore the further endorsement that the Senate had reported a committee of conference and that
• The Chair will now appoint members of the conference committee: Mr. Michael Moran of Boston, Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of several resolutions. These included congratulations to Mark Boisian on earning Eagle Scout, recognition of the National Autism Center at May Institute for the first annual Profound Autism Day in Massachusetts, recognition of Sidney Zachary Moss on his 100th birthday, and a resolution commemorating Ramadan. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. The chamber then considered a Senate paper on proposed joint rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session. After suspending the rules, the House voted not to concur with the Senate’s position on the joint rules proposal. The Speaker appointed a conference committee consisting of Representatives Michael Moran of Boston, Galvin of Canton, and Meridian of Grafton to resolve the disagreement. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and then adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• On Committee of Conference on SB 108, we have folders if you like them, but I think we're all in agreement
• So welcome to Energy and Committee of Conference with the House.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference on SB 108 reported that the House and Senate had reached full agreement on the bill. Members noted they were “very flexible,” thanked each other for working together, and formally closed the hearing with unanimous concurrence. The meeting then moved to the Energy Committee of Conference on SB 232. The Senate stated it would agree with the House version of the bill, with no opposition voiced. The exchange was brief and cordial, with members thanking one another and indicating the matter was settled. No substantive policy debate or testimony was presented in either segment, and no recorded votes were taken beyond the stated concurrence and agreement on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1 will come to order. The clerk will please call the roll.
• Welcome to the first meeting of the Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1.

Summary: The Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1 convened for its first meeting and established a quorum. The chair explained that the committee’s purpose is to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of Senate Bill 1, the General Appropriations Bill, and emphasized the importance of producing a final budget that remains within constitutional and statutory spending limits while meeting state needs. The chairs then announced the conferees assigned to each article. On the Senate side, Senator Schwertner will handle Articles 1, 4, and 5; Senator Kolkhorst Article 2; Senator Creighton Article 3; and Senator Nichols Articles 6, 7, and 8. On the House side, Vice Chair Gonzalez will handle Articles 1, 4, and 5; Representative Orr Article 2; Representative Kitzman Article 3; and Representative Walle Articles 6, 7, and 8. No testimony or substantive debate occurred at this meeting. After introductions and assignment of responsibilities, the committee stated it would begin working on the differences between the two budget versions and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• serving on one related to artificial intelligence is an even bigger ask, because, as I discussed at a conference
• the federal level to preempt state regulation of AI. a bigger ask because, as I discussed at a conference
• William Clark, a fellow at the National Conference of State Legislatures, first, and then we've got Ms
• You cannot get them, and this is from vendors at the Energy Generation Conference.
• He and I met at a conference about a year ago. He is one of the most kind, helpful, patient people.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room 329.
• So, in that case, why couldn't we hire a local person to just video conference in, too, if they don't
• So, in that case, why couldn't we hire a local person to just video conference in, too, if they don't
• So, in that case, why couldn't we hire a local person to just video conference in, too, if they don't
• , if this bill were to go to conference, if this bill were to go to conference, hopefully<01:07:24.280

Bills: HB2614, HB1660, HB1704, HB1563, HB1573, HB1777, HB1749

Keywords: cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• This concludes the final higher education budget conference committee.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee met to review and compare House and Senate counteroffers on the higher education budget, implementing bill, conforming bill, and related provisos. Members noted that several items were now in agreement and marked closed, including specific lines in the implementing bill, multiple lines in the conforming bill, and a number of budget and proviso items that had moved closer between the chambers. Remaining unresolved items were set aside to be bumped to leadership for further negotiation. Senator Harold thanked the committee and staff, expressing confidence that the final budget would support a strong higher education system and that the outstanding issues would be resolved soon. The chair also thanked House and Senate staff for their work and announced that future meeting notices would be posted, with the committee operating on one-hour notice. No public testimony was taken, no questions were raised, and no formal vote on the budget items was recorded. The meeting concluded with a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• This concludes the final higher education budget conference committee.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• This concludes the final higher education budget conference committee.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee met to review the House and Senate counter-offers on the higher education budget, related projects, the implementing bill, the conforming bill, and proviso language. Members noted that several items were now in agreement and marked closed, including implementing bill lines 1-4 and 6, conforming bill lines 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13, and a number of proviso items that moved closer between the chambers. Remaining disagreements on the budget and bills were set aside to be bumped to leadership for resolution. Senator Harold thanked the committee and staff, expressing confidence that the remaining issues would be resolved soon and that the final budget would support a strong higher education system. The chair also thanked House and Senate staff for their work and said the committee had reached the end of this conference meeting. No public testimony or member questions were raised. The committee announced that future meeting notices would be posted, that the committee would be on one-hour notice, and Senator Calatayud moved that the committee rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So recently we just came up with a new conference.
• that you might not find at our summer conferences, which focus on that leadership aspect.
• that Lauren mentioned is the FFA agriculture policy experience conference and FFA day at the Capitol
• In 2024, I traveled to Washington, DC, for the Washington Leadership Conference.
• I was joined by a Leadership Conference.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do hope more work can be done on this bill and conference committee, but it is a good bill now and
• committee, but it is bill and conference committee, but it is a<00:04:36.080> good<00:04:36.160
• So, that person who's legally present, who came here to go to Disney World or go to a conference, they
• floor and it um will go to a conference floor and it um will go to a conference committee.<01:53
• . um process and conference committee. um process and that<01:58:04.719> we're<01:58:04.880>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Dresser about a press conference he attended with Pam Bondi in Florida, he once again told me that he
• Dresser about a press conference<00:19:36.640> he<00:19:36.880> attended<00:19:37.200><
• c> with<00:19:37.440> Pam<00:19:37.840> Bondi<00:19:38.240> in conference he
• attended with Pam Bondi in conference he attended with Pam Bondi in Florida,<00:19:39.360> he
• fact that he lacked the courage or willingness to potentially lose his job by not going to a press conference

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We typically have a biennial conference, which we've had to suspend.
• This includes task and side chairs, small round conference tables, conference chairs, as well as storage
• We did host the first annual Oklahoma charter school conference.
• Horizon is hosting their first statewide conference, and that conference will be held as a direct result

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Convening our Public Safety Conference Committee.
• Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 1:50 p.m., in Conference Room 016.

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Harrell: WELCOME TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE EVERYONE
• CHAIR, REPRESENTATIVE BLANCO NAMES SENATOR HARRELL CHAIR OF THE CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, WITHOUT

Keywords: 999, senate, all