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OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 9th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's one of 11 that currently our Department of Health must monitor and staff.
  • of Veterans Affairs Indigent Veteran Burial Program and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
  • How is this different from what the Oklahoma Securities Department does for financial crimes of this
  • I am not familiar with how that department handles those crimes. I do know that.
  • I am not familiar with how that department handles those crimes.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and a series of guest introductions recognizing doctors, nurses, psychologists, interns, students, civic groups, and special honorees, including a tribute to Senator Paul Rosino’s military service and a citation for 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Melissa Yvonne. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 32 recognizing March 9 as Bob Wills Day at the Capitol, with remarks from Carolyn Wills and musical guests from the Texas Playboys. The Senate then took up and passed a long list of bills. SB 1238 made domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor a felony on the first offense and passed 42-3 after questions about sentencing impacts and equity concerns. SB 1277 codified weekly work-search actions and passed 46-0. SB 1304 clarified alcohol sample serving sizes and passed 30-15, with one senator recorded as not voting. SB 1378 created the Olympics and Oklahoma revolving fund and passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. SB 1423 repealed the Hospital Advisory Council and passed 39-7. SB 1484 expanded sudden unexplained infant death investigations and passed 46-0. Later measures included SB 1501, which clarified medical marijuana grow remediation and notice requirements, passing 41-5 amid concerns about pending renewals and law-enforcement notification; SB 1502, repealing the Alzheimer’s Disclosure Act Advisory Council, passing 46-0; SB 1721, extending the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education and passing 40-6 as an emergency; SB 1735, a CareerTech/SDE accreditation cleanup bill, passing 46-0 as an emergency; SB 1832, reauthorizing veterans’ tax checkoffs, passing 46-0 as an emergency; SB 1847, allowing certain Medicaid waiver recipients in assisted living to age in place, passing 34-10 as an emergency; SB 1859, creating an OSBI cybercrime and financial fraud division, passing 37-8 despite concerns about duplication with another agency; SB 1876, modernizing service of process for foreign insurers, passing 45-0; SB 2170, requiring supervised visitation after DHS findings of child sexual abuse, passing 45-0; and SB 2182, creating civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, passing 44-0. The Senate concluded with announcements about the Bible Reading Marathon and an upcoming Ireland-related economic development event, then adjourned until Tuesday, March 10 at 9 a.m.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • the health chairman and Director Delan and I had worked together on addressing an issue that the Department
  • Um, as a point of reference, the Department of Forensic Sciences has tested thousands of fentanyl mixture
  • But I want to just say a general statement because sometimes we head down a path, you know.
  • But I want to just say a general statement because sometimes we head down a path, you know.
  • </c> visually appropriate and the Department visually appropriate and the Department of<00:46:00.800>
Bills: SB309 , HB192 , SB178 , SB179 , SB237 , HB10 , HB107 , HB189 , HB37 , HB226 , SB309 , HB192 , SB178 , SB179 , SB237 , HB10 , HB107 , HB189 , HB37 , HB226
Committee: Senate Judiciary
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Feb 6, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department.
  • Department.
  • of Law Enforcement and Maui Department of Law Enforcement and Maui Police<00:15:07.040><c> Department
  • </c><00:15:09.680><c> We</c> Police Department. Others do not. We Police Department. Others do not.
  • </c> Department of Taxation. Department of Taxation.
Summary: The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments. The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 31st, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Resolution 389 by Representative Weibel to urge and request the Department of Revenue to study
  • And we also made it easier for the department to go in and for the insurance companies, PBMs, to notify
  • This bill directs coroners to report to the department on children’s deaths.
  • HCR 112 by Representative Jackson urges the Department of Transportation and Development to study the
  • They come out recommendations for the insurance department. Rep.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Head coach Scott Robertson became the only person in history to win a national title as a collegiate
  • And whereas this success is a testament to the leadership of head coach Gabe Ellis and his assistant
  • legislature passed Senate Bill 209 to establish the Taiwan Regional Trade Office under the Oklahoma Department
  • We are currently receiving updates from the Commerce department.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 13th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, Head Coach Scott... Did they win this? They won all three categories.
  • Last year, Head Coach Scott Robertson became the only person in history to win a national title as a
  • commitment to excellence beyond high school, and whereas this success is a testament to the leadership of Head
  • Senate Bill 209 to establish the Taiwan Regional Trade Office under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
  • We are currently receiving updates from the Commerce Department, and hopefully the President Pro Tem
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered the invocation and pledges, and recognized the doctor, psychologist, and nurse of the day. The chamber then hosted several honorary introductions and citations, including congratulations to the Murray State College shotgun team for winning back-to-back national championships and to the Coedah High School varsity wrestling team for a record-setting 5A season and state title. Both groups were formally presented citations and received Senate applause. The Senate also considered Senate Resolution 30, which reaffirmed Oklahoma’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supported stronger economic and diplomatic ties, and celebrated the anniversaries of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Oklahoma-Taiwan relationship. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after brief remarks from Senator Peterson and a representative from Taiwan’s office in Houston, who thanked the Senate and spoke about Taiwan’s trade relationship, economic growth, and international challenges. The meeting included introductions from several student pages, who described their schools, sponsoring senators, and future plans. Announcements were made for committee meetings, including Revenue and Taxation, Health and Human Services, and Appropriations and Budget, along with a reminder about Diabetes Awareness Day. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, April 14th at 9:30 a.m.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 28th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chief Thomas Morris, Baton Rouge Police Department. And you're...
  • Jennifer Ansari, Department Association, President's support, but do not wish to speak.
  • I'm just trying to figure out, you know, what's heads or tails here.
  • I'm just trying to figure out, you know, what's heads or tails here.
  • I'm just trying to figure out, you know, what's heads or tails here.
Bills: HR2 , HR37 , HR61 , HCR11 , HCR64 , HB89 , HB183 , HB341 , HB371 , HB451 , HB480 , HB520 , HB541 , HB579 , HB597 , HB816 , HB1004 , HB1064 , HB1165 , SB44
Committee: House Judiciary
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1165, which was converted into a substitute bill to reorganize the Avoyelles Parish court system by creating two city courts, one for Marksville and one for Bunkie, and expanding their jurisdiction parishwide, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. The sponsor and supporting judges said the change would better use existing courts and improve access to justice, while the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket, could create staffing and constitutional issues, and needed more study. After questions about voting districts, appellate procedure, and minority vote dilution, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1064 creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District, with testimony from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and the YWCA describing a specialty court model focused on accountability, victim services, and wraparound support. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 341, clarifying law enforcement officer rights during administrative investigations, was amended to specify administrative matters and reported with amendments. House Concurrent Resolution 64, as amended, expanded a study of behavioral health courts to include additional parishes and a later reporting deadline, and was reported favorably. House Bill 579, the sexual assault survivor bill of rights, was amended to strengthen notice, confidentiality, and funding provisions and then reported favorably. Later, House Bill 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional threshold for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew significant opposition from city court judges who warned of unintended consequences, including different evidentiary standards, possible attorney-representation issues for entities, and added burdens on district courts. Supporters framed it as an inflation adjustment and access-to-justice measure, but after debate the committee voted 5-11 to defer the bill. House Bill 183, limiting courthouse cell phone bans in fee-payment areas, was amended and then failed on a 7-7 tie with the chair voting no. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 451 on ATC hearing notices, House Bill 541 on micro distillers via substitute, Senate Bill 44 on tactical medical professionals’ firearms, House Resolution 37 honoring veterans who served in Honduras, and House Bill 89 requiring a district attorney office to pay certain retirees’ health premiums from its own funds. Several other bills were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 28th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Judge Hines, who's sitting right behind us, who's going to be heading this up at the 19th JDC.
  • Let's see: Chief Thomas Morris, Baton Rouge Police Department. And you're...
  • fire department bill of rights, and they very clearly identify what an interrogation is.
  • Jennifer Ansari, Department Association, President's support, but do not wish to speak.
  • I'm just trying to figure out, you know, what's heads or tails here.
Bills: HR2 , HR37 , HR61 , HCR11 , HCR64 , HB89 , HB183 , HB341 , HB371 , HB451 , HB480 , HB520 , HB541 , HB579 , HB597 , HB816 , HB1004 , HB1064 , HB1165 , SB44
Committee: House Judiciary
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare Apr 1st, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, where are we heading? I think I am going to head down the pre-med track, do neuroscience.
  • I mean, where are we heading? I think I am going to head down the pre-med track, do neuroscience.
  • And I eventually got the Department of Insurance to step in on that, and some things changed.
  • So I plan to have that conversation with the Louisiana Department of Health.
  • So it's for consistency across the departments, it's for transparency and clarity.
Bills: HB288 , HB403 , HB420 , HB783 , HB815 , HB915 , HB927 , HB933 , HB944 , HB962 , HB971 , HR74 , SCR3 , SCR20 , SB5 , SB34 , SB37 , SB190 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB415
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - House Judiciary

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Department of Corrections is in receivership.
  • It's already on point with the Department of Transportation.
  • It's already on point with the Department of Transportation.
  • It's already on point with the Department of Transportation.
  • We've been working closely with them and the Department of Corrections.
Committee: House Judiciary
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Mar 20, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:34:59.760><c> Cuz</c><00:35:00.040><c> ultimately,</c> department and DOTAX.
  • Cuz ultimately, department and DOTAX.
  • I also wanted to ask regarding this bill, is this measure that came from your department, or is this
  • of Transportation uh before Department of Transportation uh before he<00:41:56.720><c> became</c><00
  • Everything has been done by our department and the information collected.
Summary: The committee opened by reviewing hearing procedures and then took up SB 2580, which concerns Hawaii’s film production tax credit and related incentives. Testimony was strongly supportive overall, with witnesses saying the measure would help attract productions, extend the sunset date, include streaming platforms, and strengthen the state’s competitiveness. Several supporters asked for cleanup language on grant administration, tax credit management, local-hire uplifts, and limits on third-party audit requirements for smaller productions. The state film office said the bill was generally strong but suggested clarifying language and noted that DBEDT and DOTAX already provide oversight of the current credit. No vote was taken in the transcript, but the bill drew broad support with a few comments and one opposition noted later in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2578 SD1, a measure to create a film commission and related grant structure. Testifiers said the proposal would formalize industry input, improve accountability, and help the state compete globally, but they also raised concerns about how a new grant program would interact with the existing tax credit system. The film office said the grant program and tax credit should be separated operationally, that the advisory structure should include industry voices and possibly union representation, and that county film commissioner language may need technical adjustment. A testifier also suggested a Hawaii film museum and related tourism opportunities. The measure was described as having 42 supporters, one opposition, and five comments, with no final action shown. The committee next considered SB 2259, a dementia training measure. Supporters, including the bill’s drafter and the Alzheimer’s Association, described personal caregiving experiences and said free dementia training could help workers and families. Suggested amendments focused on clarifying the relationship between EOA and DBED and allowing retraining every two years because of workforce turnover. DBED said the bill is worthwhile but is not really an economic development initiative, and it should align with existing dementia programs and be easy for businesses to use, preferably online. The committee then moved to SB 3084 SD1, which HTDC said would expand its R&D matching program beyond SBIR to other federal research grants because of uncertainty at the federal level; the transcript ends as testimony begins, with no vote or final action recorded.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 28th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I move the Senate be heading to the call of the President for the purpose of caucus.
  • And now the Department of Corrections is giving away free abortion pills like candy.
  • We have a new fire department. We now have a new hospital.
  • The Department of Revenue has indicated that they can implement at that time.
  • , or Department of Health, rather, the caveat's there.
Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, then moved through gubernatorial appointments and a series of floor votes. It confirmed Acacia E. Ingram to the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees, Ashland J. Tibbet and David S. Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Members spoke in support of the appointees’ public service and ties to higher education. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring a Colfax basketball coach who died of pancreatic cancer, followed by a caucus break. The Senate then considered several bills, passing measures on derelict vessels (SHB 2199), radiologic technologist supervision (HB 2113), nitrous oxide retail sales (ESHB 2532), ambulance transport fund alignment (HB 2531), EMT recertification (HB 2540), affordable housing on religious property (2SHB 1859), factory-built housing standards (SHB 2151), social housing public development authorities (EHB 1687), the Washington Voting Rights Act and voter suppression claims (ESSHB 1750), privacy and data protection reporting and AI use (HB 2606), military family school stability (ESHB 2534), coal-fired utility treatment (HB 2367), and school access to albuterol (SHB 2360). Most passed on strong bipartisan roll calls, though the voting-rights bill and coal-utility bill drew the most debate and partisan division. Several bills were amended on the floor. The Senate adopted changes to the nitrous oxide bill, the factory-built housing bill, the social housing bill, the albuterol bill, and the 3D-printer/firearm-manufacturing bill (ESHB 2320), while rejecting some proposed amendments on the voting-rights and 3D-printer bills. Debate centered on whether the voting-rights bill set too low a threshold for lawsuits and whether the coal-utility bill gave improper treatment to coal generation; supporters framed both as needed protections or transition measures, while opponents warned about litigation and policy overreach. The chamber also discussed tribal consultation in energy siting (SHB 2496), ultimately passing it after a close vote, and later returned to the 3D-printer bill, which advanced after amendments narrowed exemptions for gunsmiths and dealers and clarified the bill’s focus on digital files used to manufacture firearms.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Feb 25th, 2026

Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • million head of cows, 1.2 million head of cows, of how 1.9 million head of cows, 1.2 million head of
  • hogs, 72,000 head of sheep.
  • The Wildlife Department was asked to come in and help depopulate that herd by the USDA, by the Ag Department
  • the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture?
  • Yes, the bill moves the permit fee from the Department of Wildlife Conservation to the Oklahoma Department
Summary: The Energy Oversight Committee met for its first meeting of the session and considered a long agenda of House bills, mostly technical updates and agency request measures. Early bills included HB 438, which changes opportunities for Oklahoma’s iodine industry to extract iodine from brine/produced water, and HB 2975, a Department of Agriculture request bill amended to remove hauler licensing provisions. The committee also advanced HB 3056, which revises Oklahoma Milk Products Act language and, after amendment, removed donkey and horse milk, liability language, and restaurant provisions; members questioned raw milk advertising, pasteurization, and the scope of the bill. HB 3720, updating the Homemade Food Freedom Act to raise the sales cap and expand who may produce and sell food, also passed after questions about liability and food safety. Several other measures moved forward with little or no opposition, including HB 4316 on rural water districts, HB 3405 adding poison hemlock and kudzu to the noxious weed list, HB 1907 creating a battery storage framework, HB 3142 on LP gas industry issues after a prior veto, HB 2440 exempting the Water Resources Board from OMES hiring rules, HB 2596 speeding DEQ permitting, HB 3466 eliminating an unused Corporation Commission petty cash fund, and HB 3469 creating a three-year phase-in for a surety bond requirement. The most extensive debate centered on HB 3173 and HB 3270. HB 3173 would allow orphaned and abandoned wells to be repurposed for geothermal or energy storage; supporters said it could reduce taxpayer plugging costs and create new value, while opponents raised concerns about landowner consent, compensation, and possible eminent domain issues. The bill passed 11-3. HB 3270, a major amendment to the Chronic Wasting Disease Act, would shift permitting and a $500 license fee from the Department of Wildlife to the Department of Agriculture and allow the program to proceed under Agriculture’s oversight. The author argued Wildlife had not complied with existing law and that the change was needed to move the pilot forward; opponents objected to the late amendment, the lack of Wildlife testimony, and concerns from hunting organizations about releasing captive-raised deer. After lengthy questioning, the bill passed 6-5. The committee also considered HB 2100, which would protect state investment in Conservation Commission cost-share lands from eminent domain; members discussed whether the protection should apply only during the term of a conservation agreement and only to the specific acres enrolled. It passed 8-5. HB 3977, requiring the state veterinarian to have food-animal practice experience, passed 12-0. HB 3406 updating burn-ban statutes and giving county commissioners flexibility and liability protection passed 13-1. HB 438, HB 4316, HB 3405, HB 1907, HB 3142, HB 2440, HB 2596, HB 3466, and HB 3469 all received due pass recommendations, while HB 3728 was laid over. The meeting adjourned with notice that at least one more committee meeting would be held the following week.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Feb 19th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Business and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • substitute is language that we've worked on, is supported by the mortgage industry, as well as the department
  • This bill really changes our oversight options for the department of insurance.
  • Right now, our department of insurance does not have all the tools in their toolbox for oversight when
  • true and all those changes are justifiable in the rates, then it Would not be a concern for the department
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Feb 19th, 2026

Business and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • substitute is language that we've worked on as supported by the mortgage industry as well as the Department
  • Department of Consumer Credit staff.
  • This bill really changes our oversight options for the Department of Insurance.
  • Right now, our Department of Insurance does not have all the tools in their toolbox for oversight when
  • Department of Insurance to have that information in advance and have the option to reject the rate change
Summary: The Senate Business and Insurance Committee met and first laid over Senate Bills 1969 and 1624 without hearing them. It then considered SB 1953, a health insurance transparency bill requiring third-party administrators to provide employers information on what was spent on employee health benefits; an amendment deleting the word “welfare” was adopted, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1277, which codifies a three-week work-search requirement for unemployment benefits, passed 8-0. SB 1287, amended to change “may” to “shall,” would bar the Oklahoma Abstractors Board from licensing applicants not legally authorized to work in the U.S.; after questions about the need for the bill and the alleged loophole, it passed 7-2. The committee also passed SB 1061, a cleanup measure on mortgage broker licensing and renewal fees, and SB 1916, which would move the Oklahoma Receivership Office under the Insurance Department and streamline receivership operations. SB 1589, as amended to reference Indian Gaming Regulatory Act authorization, would increase penalties for illegal sweepstakes/gambling operations and expand enforcement against entities profiting from illegal gambling; it passed unanimously. SB 2178, a compromise special-event license bill requiring liability insurance coverage, also passed unanimously. Two major insurance reform bills were debated at length and failed. SB 1444 would shift homeowners insurance rate regulation from a use-and-file system to prior filing with authority for the Insurance Commissioner to declare rates excessive; after testimony from a homeowner about a large premium increase and extensive debate over regulation and market effects, it failed 4-5. SB 1438 would require reporting of underwriting gains and profits, cap average profits at 5% over three years, and require rebates or premium credits if profits exceeded that level; supporters argued it would protect consumers, while opponents warned of market disruption and reduced competition. It failed 2-7. The committee then passed SB 1501, clarifying medical marijuana grow reclamation bond requirements, SB 1873, correcting a drafting error in a prior bill and delaying its effective date, and SB 1364, requiring an affidavit of encumbrances before transferring a medical marijuana business license.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - Senate Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's why I would rely on the Department of Education to be looking at that and for the State Board
  • I saw Senator Fernandez take his head in. Can you see if he's out there? Thank you.
  • There are already exceptions to the policy that have been adopted by the Department of...
  • There are already exceptions to the policy that have been adopted by the Department of...
  • Game and Fish Department to develop firearm safety and awareness instructional materials.
Committee: Senate Education
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

TRS DEFER, TRS Public Hearings 02-12-2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's good support from the Department of Education.
  • Uh, the Department of the General.
  • requires the Department of requires the Department of Transportation<00:19:26.640><c> to</c><00:19:26.880
  • City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services, sends communication in support.
  • So, we're working with both the Department of Transportation and DLNR. >> Thank you.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 2699, which would create a youth transit program within DOT and a special fund tied to the environmental response/energy/food security tax fund. The chair described support from several agencies but also noted Attorney General concerns about whether the special fund met statutory criteria, DOE comments requesting a July 1, 2026 effective date, and broader funding concerns because the bill would draw from general fund resources. The chair recommended deferral, saying the measure involved significant long-term costs and needed more work on a funding mechanism. The committee deferred the bill. The committee then heard SB 3182, relating to administrative license revocation procedures. HDOT supported the measure, while the Judiciary opposed the bill as written, citing operational, staffing, fiscal, and mailing burdens from requiring ADLRO to mail all case documents to every respondent within five days. Judiciary said it handles about 3,000 to 4,000 DUI cases annually and would need additional staff and certified-mail costs. Prosecutors from the state and county supported a proposed SD1 version, saying it would address backlog concerns and help DUI enforcement by creating a presumption of revocation. The committee ultimately recommended support and passage of SD1. The committee also heard SB 3313 on interisland air service stability and transformation. The Attorney General warned the bill could be preempted by the federal Airline Deregulation Act and raised constitutional concerns about a local-hire provision. DOTAX said the program would be complicated to administer and suggested third-party certification. No action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard SB 3337, which would eliminate state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for motor vehicles; HDOT opposed it, while DOTAX provided comments and the Hawaii Transportation Association supported it. The transcript then moved to SB 2896, lowering the minimum age for commercial driving from 19 to 18. HDOT supported the bill, the Hawaii Transportation Association strongly supported it and suggested added training requirements, and an Operating Engineers representative supported the concept but urged that young drivers be tied to apprenticeship or other structured training programs. No vote was shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard SB 2400, which would exempt wing-in-ground craft from the Hawaii Waters Act and define those craft in law. The PUC supported the bill’s intent, and Regent Craft testified in strong support, describing sea gliders as all-electric vessels that could improve interisland access, resiliency, and decarbonization while using existing harbor infrastructure. HTDC and several other groups also supported the measure. Members asked about infrastructure, ports, weather operations, and Coast Guard jurisdiction, and the witness said operators would decide harbor locations and that the company had identified multiple possible ports. No final committee action was included in the excerpt.