Transcript Highlights:

• moving, I would ask you that you would adopt this committee of the whole amendment, and if there's advice
• > a</c><00:50:13.200><c> if</c><00:50:13.440><c> I</c><00:50:14.720><c> have</c><00:50:14.880><c> advice
• </c><00:50:15.760><c> um</c><00:50:15.920><c> from</c> if there's a if I have advice um from if there's
• a if I have advice um from the<00:50:16.400><c> executive</c><00:50:16.800><c> branch</c><00:50:17.119

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the LCPR's actuary, we provide independent actuarial advice and another perspective to the LCPR.
• independent</c> actuary, we provide independent actuary, we provide independent actuarial<00:04:56.639><c> advice
• <00:04:57.040><c> and</c><00:04:57.199><c> another</c><00:04:57.600><c> perspective</c> actuarial advice
• and another perspective actuarial advice and another perspective to<00:04:58.240><c> the</c><00:04:58.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, he says just reverse that: he needs collaboration, he needs input, he needs counsel and advice
• 01:21:05.600><c> and</c> he needs input, he needs counsel and he needs input, he needs counsel and advice
• 06.239><c> board</c><01:21:06.400><c> of</c><01:21:06.560><c> education</c><01:21:06.960><c> to</c> advice
• from the board of education to advice from the board of education to make<01:21:07.360><c> it</c><01

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:08 26RS SB 3: 0:02:50 26RS SB 1: 0:21:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing that prohibits them from receiving that advice.
• that prohibits them from<00:28:11.039><c> receiving</c><00:28:11.440><c> that</c><00:28:11.760><c> advice
• </c> from receiving that advice. Thank you. from receiving that advice. Thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or gas emergency by the Railroad Commission of Texas and the liability of a person for assistance, advice
• or gas emergency by the Railroad Commission of Texas and the liability of a person for assistance, advice
• At the suggestion of some very well-informed chair people that listened to my bill, I took their advice
• I took their advice and perfected this bill with this amendment, and it's acceptable to the author.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I decided to follow some advice of going to law school where you want to live.
• And I decided to follow<00:59:24.720><c> some</c><00:59:24.960><c> advice</c><00:59:25.760><c> of</c>
• <00:59:26.400><c> going</c><00:59:26.640><c> to</c><00:59:26.880><c> law</c> follow some advice of going
• to law follow some advice of going to law school<00:59:27.520><c> where</c><00:59:27.760><c> you</c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered three judicial confirmations for the First Circuit family court. The first nominee, Maria F. Penn, was introduced for confirmation to a six-year term as a district family court judge. Testimony from family law attorneys and the Hawaii State Bar Association was strongly supportive, emphasizing her courtroom demeanor, preparation, knowledge of family law, respect for litigants and counsel, and ability to manage emotionally difficult family court matters. Judge Penn also spoke about her background, including her legal career, prior service as a PDM family court judge, and her view that family court requires both legal judgment and empathy. The chair noted that the committee would not vote that day and would take up votes the next morning. The second nomination was Wilson Aunga for a district family court judgeship. Supporters described his character, community involvement, and suitability for family court, including testimony from the Honolulu prosecutor, longtime friends, classmates, community members, and others. Speakers highlighted his work with youth, his leadership in the prosecutor’s office, his calm and impartial temperament, and his commitment to education and public service. The chair reported 105 supporters, no opposition, and one comment from the Hawaii State Bar Association. Additional testimony continued from members of the public, including a speaker discussing mental health and personal support for Aunga. Throughout the hearing, the chair enforced a two-minute limit on oral testimony and explained that the committee was short on time and would recess as needed. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair announced that voting would occur the following day in the same room.

Transcript Highlights:

• member to request this subcommittee to serve in an advisory capacity and issue recommendations and advice
• The purpose of Rule 55.2 is, as it says, to provide advice in a written advisory opinion to Senator Champion
• serve in an advisory capacity under Senate Rule 55.2 and to issue a recommendation and provide its advice
• those opinions are not prospective, but relate to things that have already happened and are seeking advice

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sullivan, said renumbering is always a good time, and said he would take the advice.
• always a good time and I'll<00:32:29.320><c> take</c><00:32:29.480><c> your</c><00:32:29.679><c> advice
• </c><00:32:30.080><c> so</c><00:32:30.720><c> represent</c> I'll take your advice so represent I'll take
• your advice so represent Howard<00:32:31.679><c> your</c><00:32:31.919><c> Amendment</c><00:32:32.399

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got something in front of us, and my best advice is let's pass this and implement this and let's
• :08:16.920><c> best</c> something in front of us and my best something in front of us and my best advice
• <01:08:17.560><c> is</c><01:08:17.759><c> let's</c><01:08:18.120><c> pass</c> advice is let's pass advice

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed three ambulance reimbursement bills and tried to distinguish their approaches. House Bill 185 would require insurers to pay the full amount billed by an ambulance provider when there is no contract rate, with no balance billing to the patient; the Insurance Department clarified that emergency ambulance services are already covered under the benchmark plan, so the bill’s reference to policies without ambulance coverage is effectively meaningless. House Bill 725 would set reimbursement at 325% of the Medicare rate for non-contract ambulance services and prohibit balance billing. House Bill 316 was described as addressing the broader problem that Medicare/Medicaid rates are low and that current balance billing shifts costs to patients or municipalities; its sponsor said the bill would require insurers to pay a rate that gives providers a fighting chance to remain in business, and he viewed 325% of Medicare as the most logical option. Members debated whether insurers should pay the billed amount, a negotiated in-network rate, or a regulated percentage of Medicare. Some argued that out-of-network ambulance providers are underpaid and that in-network rates are often too low to sustain service, especially for emergency providers who cannot steer patients. Others said ambulance companies should not be able to bill whatever they want and questioned the fairness of charging insured patients or insurers more than the service is worth. There was also discussion of whether rate schedules should be reviewed by an oversight body and whether different costs in rural areas justify different reimbursement levels. A recurring issue was balance billing and who ultimately bears the shortfall. Several members said balance billing harms patients and often does not get paid, leaving cities and towns or property taxpayers to cover the difference for municipal ambulance services. Others argued that shifting the cost to insurance premiums would spread the burden more fairly, though it could raise premiums by a few dollars per person per month. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the discussion focused on clarifying the bills and weighing their policy tradeoffs.

Transcript Highlights:

• a confidential report to certain members of the legislature each year describing the claims, the advice
• describing<01:00:28.039><c> the</c><01:00:28.160><c> claims</c><01:00:28.559><c> the</c><01:00:28.680><c> advice
• </c><01:00:29.039><c> given</c> describing the claims the advice given describing the claims the advice

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• engineers and other individuals with legal expertise, for example, to be brought forward to provide advice
• engineers and other individuals with legal expertise, for example, to be brought forward to provide advice
• engineers and other individuals with legal expertise, for example, to be brought forward to provide advice
• Legal expertise, for example, to be brought forward to provide advice to them on how to proceed or whether

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And my advice to them and my recommendation to them is that, you know, A, first and foremost, this is
• What advice would you give to the families watching at home that are concerned about this?
• The advice I would give is that we are doing everything we possibly can to bring resources to bear on
• But most of these customers that we have called us and want advice.
• Well, for a year, I don't have advice. We don't know what to tell them to do.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, my advice to the body would be to have a reasonable common sense exemption, that exemption that has
• So, my advice to the body would be to So, my advice to the body would be to have<00:04:56.560><c> a</
• Advice,<00:26:40.120><c> Mr.</c><00:26:40.400><c> Speaker.</c> Advice, Mr. Speaker.
• State your advice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not quite certain what that was about.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• who accumulate information about autism spectrum disorders and provide educational resources and advice
• and provides educational<00:46:06.160><c> resources</c><00:46:06.720><c> and</c><00:46:07.040><c> advice
• </c><00:46:07.680><c> to</c> educational resources and advice to educational resources and advice to
• I don't believe I may be mistaken on that, but I believe they're just providing advice to the state treasurer
• 00.320><c> providing</c> but I I believe they're just providing but I I believe they're just providing advice

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Roy then said he would not take the advice of someone who does not know geography.
• Representative Roy said he would not take the advice of someone who does not know geography.
• Representative Roy said, “I would not take the advice of someone who does not know geography.”
• would not Roy Mr speaker thank you if I would not take<03:31:09.640><c> the</c><03:31:09.800><c> advice
• of someone who does not take the advice of someone who does not know<03:31:11.600><c> geography</c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• organization which provides<02:20:46.680><c> free</c><02:20:46.880><c> attorney</c><02:20:47.280><c> advice
• </c><02:20:47.920><c> for</c><02:20:48.359><c> Popup</c> provides free attorney advice for Popup provides
• free attorney advice for Popup boots<02:20:49.840><c> um</c><02:20:50.040><c> and</c><02:20:50.160><
• students to practice under supervision for indigent populations and people who can't access attorney advice
• students to practice under supervision for indigent populations and people who can't access attorney advice

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I need a motion to give favorable advice. The motion is second. I have a second. Any discussion?

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin. The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held. Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment. Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:20.360><c> with</c><00:14:20.560><c> you,</c><00:14:21.480><c> picnic,</c> A few pieces of advice

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation and appreciate the work that your consultant and the chair have put in with us and your advice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard two bills. SB 1131, by Senator Jones, would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by requiring the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed, and by allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations from other regulators or approved third parties. Supporters from the debt collection industry said the bill would reduce duplicative costs and fix issues with the advisory committee process; an opposition witness from the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition said concerns remained. After discussion about preserving consumer protections while reducing burdens on licensees, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 1131 and re-refer it to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” by Senator Gonzalez, which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water companies by removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information such as consumer confidence reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including environmental justice advocates and Los Angeles County, described problems with access to water quality information, meeting notices, and board accountability in communities such as Cudahy and Maywood. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposed unfunded mandates and one-size-fits-all requirements on small systems. Members discussed the need for transparency while acknowledging concerns about compliance burdens; the committee then voted 7-0 to pass SB 1291 and re-refer it to Environmental Quality.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation and appreciate the work that your consultant and the chair have put in with us and your advice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard two bills. SB 1131, presented by Senator Jones’s staff, would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by requiring DFPI to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed for consumer protection, and allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations by other regulators or approved third parties to avoid duplicative work. Supporters from the California Association of Collectors and Receivables Management Association International said the bill would reduce examination costs and improve administrative efficiency while preserving consumer protections. A representative of the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition expressed concerns. Committee members noted the need to avoid unintended consequences for the consumer protection goals of the licensing program. The bill was moved on a due pass and re-refer motion to Appropriations and later received enough votes on call to pass out of committee. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” by Senator Gonzalez, which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water company boards by eliminating the 24-hour written notice requirement for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information and consumer confidence reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including community and public health advocates, described problems with water quality, inaccessible meetings, poor notice practices, and lack of information in communities such as Cudahy and Maywood. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposes costly, one-size-fits-all requirements on small systems without dedicated funding and could be difficult for remote or low-capacity mutuals to meet. Committee members generally supported the transparency goals but raised concerns about scale and compliance burdens; the author said he would continue working with opponents. SB 1291 was moved on a due pass and re-refer motion to Environmental Quality and later passed out of committee on call.