Video & Transcript Research : 'Department of Environmental Protection'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:18:59.559>
of uh kudos to the Department of uh kudos to the Department of Agriculture< - <00:25:27.120>
of budget items today the uh Department of budget items today the uh Department - <00:25:51.679>
joined Department of Agriculture and I'm joined Department of Agriculture and - Departments of Agriculture um State Departments of Agriculture um talking<00:26:05.159>
about - <00:27:30.559>
of with the Department of with the Department of Health<00:27:32.960>next
Bills:
HF1063
Keywords:
grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Fri Apr 17, 2026 @ 10:05 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Convening the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.
- First to testify is the Department of Health with comments.
- I'm Mike Madsen from the Department of Health Clean Air Branch.
- of Health in we have the Department of Health in support<00:03:28.400>
in <00:03:28.519>person - <00:03:36.360>
Solid Ichinose, Department of Health Solid Ichinose, Department of Health Solid
Keywords:
dust monitoring, public health, environmental quality, Waimanalo Gulch, air quality, particulate matter, community engagement, health risks, pollution mitigation, mattress stewardship, environmental protection, recycling, producer responsibility, solid waste management, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems
Summary:
The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection held its final hearing of the session on April 17, 2026, and took up a series of Senate concurrent resolutions focused on environmental protection, waste reduction, and energy policy. Measures discussed included SCR 142 on dust monitoring near Waimanalo Gulch, SCR 39 on a mattress stewardship program, SCR 40 on banning disposable bodyboards, SCR 83 on a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 168 on a demolition waste reduction working group, SCR 96 on reporting on the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, SCR 166 on PUC considerations for a generational energy commitment, and SCR 172 on a comprehensive analysis to reduce costs and financial risk while meeting state goals.
Testimony was generally supportive of the environmental and waste-management measures. The Department of Health supported SCR 39 and provided comments on SCR 142; Climate Protectors Hawaii supported SCR 39, SCR 83, SCR 168, and SCR 172; the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Hawaii Reef and Ocean's Coalition submitted comments or support on SCR 168; and the Public Utilities Commission provided comments on SCR 96 and SCR 166. On SCR 166, Greenpeace Hawaii testified in opposition to LNG, arguing it would worsen pollution and climate impacts, while Earthjustice supported the intent but suggested amendments. Earthjustice also supported SCR 172 and offered friendly amendments to improve the study language.
In decision-making, the chair recommended deferral of SCR 142 because an existing regulatory framework already addresses the issue. The committee then voted to pass SCR 39, SCR 40, SCR 83, SCR 96, and SCR 166 unamended. SCR 168 was passed with amendments to reflect OPSD's requested changes and to make the working group temporary, with a two-year term and annual reports due before session. SCR 172 was passed with amendments accepted from Earthjustice. Rep. Quinlan was noted as excused for the votes, and the committee adjourned after adopting the final recommendation.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/17/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairs, members, Senate Bill 1200 requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources...
- Members, Senate Bill 1200 requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources, when requested by an applicant
- Trent Blomberg, Chief Legislative Liaison, Department of Water Resources...
- Trent Blomberg, Chief Legislative Liaison, Department of Water Resources, is neutral on the bill but
- In December of 2023... ...the Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, inspected the Tortosa irrigation
Keywords:
underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park
Summary:
The committee heard several water and energy-related measures. SB 1200, as amended, addressed Arizona Department of Water Resources treatment of certain “conduit lakes” in active management areas, allowing some existing lake systems to continue using groundwater mixed with effluent for irrigation or landscaping purposes. ADWR testified in opposition to the amendment’s policy implications and enforcement concerns, while HOA, homebuilder, and resident witnesses argued the bill would grandfather existing communities, avoid costly system redesigns, and reflect prior agency practice. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then passed SB 1200 on a 6-3 vote.
SB 1419, dealing with residential rooftop solar installations, was amended to add consumer-protection and disclosure requirements, including roof inspection and installation standards, clearer contract disclosures, and contractor responsibilities. County and industry witnesses said the bill was the product of a lengthy stakeholder process aimed at addressing misleading sales practices and installation problems, though some technical issues were still to be resolved on the floor. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1419 on a 6-1 vote with two members present and one absent. SB 1447, which extends Pinal AMA groundwater withdrawal fee provisions and related fund deadlines, was supported by irrigation and agricultural interests as a way to finance local infrastructure and conservation during Colorado River uncertainty; it passed 7-1 with one present and one absent.
SB 1560 raised the maximum single loan amount from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund from $3 million to $20 million. WIFA said the current cap was too low for larger rural water projects and that the change would better match demand without harming the fund’s revolving nature; the bill passed 8-1 with one absent. The committee also approved SCM 1004, urging Congress to clearly define EPA powers and duties, despite some members saying it was unnecessary or backward-looking; it passed 6-2 with one absent. The meeting then adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Mar 2nd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- That wheat contaminated other wheat that was in the bin, and the Department of DEcu and the Department
- This bill's clarifying that it will be a problem of the Department of Ag.
- So, in this legislation, we just clarified that the Department of Ag will be the responsible er son to
- What they can do from either DEcu or Department of Ag. So, we've put this in Department of Ag.
- I'm checking with the Department of Ag right now, but that might be something we look at putting in
Keywords:
landowner, energy negotiation, agricultural preservation, orphaned wells, renewable energy, raw milk, unpasteurized milk, milk products, dairy, pasteurization, food safety, consumer warning label, health warning, farm sales, direct-to-consumer sales, ungraded milk, goat milk, raw milk cheese, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, agricultural regulation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill addresses EMS billing and allows the Department of Health Services to oversee EMS providers
- Matter of a couple of words.
- Protection for Medicare-eligible patients under 65 has resulted in an uneven and patchwork of state laws
- So think about it—20% of this is out of pocket. The price of a wheelchair is $25,000.
- This situation highlights the importance of legislative action to protect the rights of policyholders
Keywords:
prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- of oil a day.
- I'm the Deputy Director of the Permits Division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
- all involved. ...of Texas and the best interests of the industry.
- That's why we put some of the liability protection ends for the KILNs and the APOs so that they have
- , and the Texas Department of Transportation.
Keywords:
rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm also AGC's environmental chair and I'm here today speaking on behalf of Associated General Contractors
- to go beyond the regulation of a piece of equipment, in this case, the rock crusher, to the operations
- of a quarry.
- of TCEQ to consider things that are outside the bounds of what the federal requirements cause them to
- Also, the reclamation of the quarry.
Keywords:
rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources took public testimony on Senate Bill 1757 and its committee substitute, a measure dealing with aggregate production operations and a new permitting option for rock crushers/aggregate facilities. Testimony centered on whether the bill should remain focused on air permitting or also include broader quarry operations such as stormwater, reclamation, monitoring, and public participation requirements. Supporters of the substitute, including representatives of the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association and Associated General Contractors, said the bill would provide a voluntary third permitting option, preserve existing authorizations, and create a more practical regulatory path for Texas growth.
Opponents and critics, including representatives of Texas for Responsible Aggregate Mining, Job Materials, and Public Citizen, argued the bill as written was too weak or too broad in the wrong ways. They said best management practices should be set in statute or through negotiated rulemaking rather than left to TCEQ rulemaking, and they raised concerns about limited monitoring periods, vague air-monitoring standards, public notice procedures, and the inclusion of non-air requirements in an air permit. Several witnesses said the bill should better balance industry needs with neighborhood impacts and public health protections.
Chair Birdwell questioned witnesses about ongoing negotiations between industry groups and said the bill was intended to be a practical compromise. After testimony and questions, public testimony was closed. The committee left SB 1757 and its committee substitute pending, with no vote taken.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also a ...EGC's Environmental Chair, and I'm here today speaking on behalf of the Associated General
- to go beyond the regulation of a piece of equipment, in this case, the rock crusher, to the operations
- of a quarry.
- for, because they fundamentally make a request of TCEQ to consider things that are outside of their
- These issues of conflicts have generally been resolved toward equity when the growth of the industry
Keywords:
rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- As most of you know, I'm a lifelong resident of the state of Delaware.
- I've also served eight years at the United States Department of Agriculture as an undersecretary and
- The Department of Agriculture is in favor of this bill, to my knowledge, and it was voted on in the House
- new chief of planning at the Department of Agriculture.
- So at the end of the day... Employee report the failure to respond to the Department of Labor.
Bills:
HB371
Keywords:
HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning, growth zone, open space, land use, farmland protection, rural land preservation, agribusiness, active farmers
Summary:
The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from its June 17 and June 18 meetings, and considered several nominations and bills. The committee heard testimony from Michael T. Skeuse for the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Jay Eric Fearwald for the University of Delaware Board of Trustees; both nominees described their backgrounds and qualifications, and no objections were raised. The committee then moved to legislation focused largely on property tax reassessment and related school-tax issues, along with a technical constitutional corrections bill, an agricultural lands preservation cleanup bill, and a child-safety/service-letter bill.
A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 350, which would create a third multifamily residential tax classification at 1.2 times the residential rate. Supporters argued apartments are housing and should not be taxed as commercial property, emphasizing relief for renters and fairness after reassessment. Opponents, including county and school officials, warned the bill would reduce local revenues, complicate tax administration, and create unintended consequences for counties, municipalities, school districts, and agriculture. Similar themes carried into House Bill 462, which would make the split-rate school tax structure permanent and lower the nonresidential cap to 1.85, and House Bill 463, which would align New Castle County senior school-tax exemptions with county exemption rules; both bills drew discussion about shifting burdens, fiscal impacts, and timing.
The committee also heard House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320, a technical corrections bill to the Delaware Constitution, with one public commenter objecting to charter-related changes being included in a correction bill. House Bill 371, which removes the requirement for county farmland preservation advisory boards under the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, was presented as a streamlining measure and had support from the Department of Agriculture and public comment in favor. House Bill 438, expanding service-letter requirements to a broader set of child-serving facilities and requiring reporting when employers fail to respond, was described as a cleanup bill closing a safety loophole. After public comment and committee discussion, the meeting ended with a motion and unanimous adjournment; no recorded votes on the bills were taken in the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm joined here today by Kelly Billings-Ray, who is the Chief of our Environmental Protection Division
- Protection Division, which serves as the chief enforcer of the state's environmental laws and regulations
- of state agencies with environmental regulatory authority... the ultimate goal of keeping Texas clean
- was at the forefront of meeting the challenge of federal environmental regulations enacted at the expense
- He's the captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Keywords:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water regulation, environmental protection, pesticide management, natural resources, LP-gas, property owner notice, gas installations, safety notification, petroleum theft, task force, oil and gas, law enforcement, economic impact, environmental regulation, water permits, water quality, land application, 1185, senate
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> I'll take care of it.
- You got... >> You still have... a bunch of you. Okay, we have a quorum.
- We're seeing a tremendous amount of roll up in franchisors, that's owners of franchises being procured
- 05:42.320>
owners <00:05:42.639>of up in franchiseors that's owners of up in franchiseors - week in hours of operation. Burger King. week in hours of operation. Burger King.
Keywords:
financial services, banking, insurance, debanking, social credit score, ESG, environmental, social, and governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, religious freedom, free speech, viewpoint discrimination, political discrimination, firearms, gun industry, ammunition, fossil fuels, oil and gas, mining, timber
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- Speak through us for us and for the people of this meeting. the people of this nation.
- Bless You, forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us of our iniquities. Wash us. Hi everyone.
- I have some video of what a Jubilee is; I think I've shown some of it to you before, but I want you to
- by the officer from the Department of Conservation.
- CBA does a lot of that work. Or treatment, CBA does a lot of that work up there.
Keywords:
fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Public Health REVISED: Links added Feb 4th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- We know that the Department of Defense did this several years ago.
- What it would be is I've discussed this with Director Reid over at the Department of Health.
- Is there a way that the Department of Mental Health could do these psychological autopsies instead of
- the Department of Health since they could probably more easily access mental health records.
- The Department of Health knows how to do child death reviews. We, they have that understanding.
Keywords:
public health, domestic violence, human trafficking, healthcare facilities, hospital protocols, behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, micropigmentation, medical procedure, physician oversight, nursing certification, state regulations, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department, investigation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Oriana Lelay from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
- >
and <00:58:54.079>water for protection of culture and water for protection of culture - <01:48:10.480>
of because I've been in also department of because I've been in also department - Garrison Kurt, Department of Taxation.
- Department of Taxation. Uh, department Department of Taxation.
Bills:
HB1527, HB1823, HB2490, HB2223, HB2325, HB2104, HB2593, HB2592, HB1927, HB1553, HB1964, HB1918, HB1990
Keywords:
gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill.
The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript.
Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- To the Department of Agriculture.
- Department of Agriculture. Department of Agriculture.
- It was a Department of Natural Resources bill that affects Department of Agriculture statutes.
- Department of Agricultures policy bill. Department of Agricultures policy bill.
- is<01:40:00.400>
also department of natural resources is also department of natural resources
Keywords:
agriculture, livestock, retailers, ownership interest, exclusive contracts, meat packing companies, dominant retailers, state law, Department of Agriculture, appropriation, funding, agriculture policy, state budget, animal welfare, cat declawing, animal cruelty, therapeutic procedures, civil penalties, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, aquatic life
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (8-13-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfGbyu195O8, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 0:12 – Meeting start/roll call
0:36 – Approval of minutes
0:48 – Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, Division of Student Financial Aid
2:22 – Education and Labor Cabinet, Education Professional Standards Board
5:21 – State Board of Elections
8:26 – Office of the Attorney General
10:25 – Personnel Board
12:17 – Finance and Administration Cabinet
14:18 – Board of Pharmacy
15:42 – Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy
16:38 – Education and Labor Cabinet – Department for Workers’ Claims
17:35 – Public Protection Cabinet – Department for Housing, Buildings & Construction
22:04 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services – Office of the Secretary: Medicinal Cannabis Program
32:18 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services – Department for Community Based Services, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP-WAL Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 8:45 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We are in Conference Room 411 for the joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and the
- And first up we have the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
- Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party in support. Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition.
- It's a lot of money in taking native species, so we want to protect.
- impacts of a Hawaiian marine protected impacts of a Hawaiian marine protected area<01:18:42.560>
Bills:
HB2101
Keywords:
aquatic life, commercial aquarium purposes, Hawaii, environmental protection, sustainability, Native Hawaiian values, marine resources, 910, house, all
Summary:
The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Water and Land heard testimony on House Bill 21101, which would ban or otherwise end commercial aquarium collection. Chairs opened the hearing with a short time limit for testimony and noted they would move to decision-making before the next committee meeting. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it appreciated the bill’s intent and stood on written testimony, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the measure as part of its legislative package, citing community calls to ban the practice. Many other organizations and individuals also testified in support, including environmental, Native Hawaiian, and community groups, with arguments focused on reef protection, public trust, cultural concerns, and the view that the trade is extractive and not sustainable.
Supporters repeatedly cited declines in yellow tang and other reef fish, especially on West Hawaii and Oahu, and argued that reef recovery has not occurred where collection pressure existed. Several testified that legal aquarium collection has not occurred in West Hawaii since 2017 or on Oahu since 2021, and that the state should not reopen an industry that has been effectively shut down for years. Others said the program is fiscally inefficient because permits generate little revenue compared with the cost of administering and enforcing the program, and that aquaculture or other alternatives could provide jobs without removing wild fish. Native Hawaiian speakers and civic club representatives emphasized traditional and customary practices, community stewardship, and the need to protect resources for future generations.
Opposition testimony came from aquarium fishers and related advocates who argued the fishery has been shown sustainable, that the EIS process was completed, and that the bill would unfairly target one user group over another. They said the trade provides livelihoods for local families, that management is solid, and that the legislature should not ban a fishery after requiring compliance with environmental review. Some opponents also argued that fish populations have increased in recent years and that the issue reflects broader user conflict rather than science. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair continued taking testimony, including on Zoom, as time allowed.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee Jan 21st, 2026
State Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 107 has to do with the Department of Insurance as well as the Association of Funeral Homes
- But for many years, the Department of Insurance regulated the sale of pre-need funeral services.
- the Department of Insurance to the Board of Funeral Services.
- the<00:11:51.519>
board the department of insurance to the board the department of insurance - This is a bill from the Department of Revenue.
Bills:
SB7, SB22, SB39, SB40, SB45, SB46, SB86, SB95, SB107, SB7, SB22, SB39, SB40, SB45, SB46, SB86, SB95, SB107
Keywords:
voting rights, absentee ballot, protected classes, Alabama Voting Rights Act, felony conviction, election integrity, preclearance, Alabama Jobs Act, incentives, job creation, economic development, recapture provisions, capital investment, employment, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Rules REVISED: Links Added Apr 28th, 2026
Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- There were a couple of adjustments to that that we will address in some of these other resolutions, but
- H.J.R. 1092 is one of the items that we pulled out of the business and commerce.
- If you read the report, I'm just going to kind of hit some of the highlights here.
- The amendment essentially pulls out one of the rules of one of our committee members, and I don't know
- It had no provision for what the standard of best interests of the state, and then they would then be
Keywords:
administrative rules, rule approval, joint resolution, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Corporation Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, Liquified Petroleum Gas Board, water resources, wildlife conservation, tourism, zoning commission, energy regulation, agricultural regulation, agency rules, permanent rules, state agencies, Oklahoma Legislature, business and commerce, professional licensing
Summary:
The committee took up several joint resolutions dealing with agency rules. H.J.R. 1090, approving energy- and agriculture-related agency rules, was adopted and passed 10-0. H.J.R. 1091, covering business and commerce rules, was also adopted and passed 10-0. H.J.R. 1092, which had been split out from the business and commerce packet because of a reported $10 million cost impact on one business, was adopted after discussions with regulators about delaying remodeling requirements and addressing safety concerns; it passed unanimously. H.J.R. 1093, approving health-related agency rules, passed 11-0, with some Oklahoma Health Care Authority major rules noted as being handled separately in the Senate.
The committee then discussed H.C.R. 1094, a major rule from the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission. Members raised concerns that the agency’s rule impact statement contained errors, incorrect notice and hearing information, and an incomplete economic analysis. After debate over whether the resolution could be amended or had to be accepted or rejected as a whole, the committee voted 11-0 that it did not pass. The committee then considered H.J.R. 1095 with an amendment to specifically disapprove a proposed permanent rule change by the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission that would have allowed the commission to ignore its own rules in the “best interest of the state.” The amendment was adopted 11-1, and the resolution as amended passed.
At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members and staff for their work and said the committee would try to move the resolutions to the floor on Thursday, with another meeting likely needed to address additional major rules coming from the Senate. A committee member also suggested a brief educational review of a prior procedural issue at a future meeting, and the chair agreed to discuss broader concerns about the administrative rules process in a later wrap-up.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 26, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- c> Industrial Department of Labor and Industrial Department of Labor and Industrial Relations<00:
- > the concerns of the department of the concerns of the department of the attorney<00:52:20.880><
- Department of Education.
- Hawaii Department of Education. Hawaii Department of Education.
- department of education. department of education. >> Okay.<02:17:56.319>
Sure.
Bills:
HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840
Keywords:
time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers
Summary:
The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions.
The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition.
HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.