Transcript Highlights:

• here's where we know about high-quality teaching and learning: we have to have great high-quality Tier
• Now, if a student is identified, then once we provide that high-quality Tier 1, on-grade-level instruction
• Now, if a student is identified, then once we provide that high-quality Tier 1, on-grade-level instruction

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• My father, who would have been 100 this month, was a World War II vet.
• I was raised was a World War II vet.
• My father was also a prisoner of war in Bath, Germany for 18 months during World War II.
• My father was also a prisoner of war in Bath, Germany for 18 months during World War II.
• Um, as I've been listening to War II.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Treasury interest is no longer in the top tier because we are eating into the reserve that we built from
• Treasury interest is no longer in the top tier because we are eating into the reserve that we built from
• Treasury interest is no longer in the top tier because we are eating into the reserve that we built from
• > Treasury interest is no longer in the Treasury interest is no longer in the top<01:58:35.760> tier
• because we are eating into the top tier because we are eating into the reserve<01:58:39.119> that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So where the drug appears in a tier of a consumer's benefit. They set the drug formulary.
• So where the drug appears in a tier of a consumer's benefit.
• Is it because the PBM has negotiated a very good rebate on, like, the top-tier drug?
• Good rebate on like the top-tier drug, or is that drug proven clinically to be the most appropriate?
• So does that mean that, like, the Tier 1 drugs are based?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Topics meeting as well, but just wanted to remind the committee that the commission's process is a two-tier
• So that's why the commission has implemented this two-tier approval process.
• So that's why the commission has implemented this two-tier approval process.
• And next tier down, 276 are under 500 population. So that's a tiered to your list.
• Next tier down, 276 are under 500 population. So add that to your list, Senator.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Topics meeting as well, but just wanted to remind the committee that the commission's process is a two-tier
• So that's why the commission has implemented this two-tier approval process.
• So that's why the commission has implemented this two-tier approval process.
• And next tier down, 276 are under 500 populations. So that's a tiered to your list.
• Next tier down, 276 are under 500 populations. So add that to your list, Senator.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Look at what happened when they opened in the southern tier.
• Look at what happened when they opened in the southern tier.
• Do we want to put out a two-tiered system where certain protections are given to some people and other
• Do we want to put<02:13:47.840> out<02:13:48.079> a<02:13:48.400> two-tiered<02:
• 13:49.119> system<02:13:49.599> where put out a two-tiered system where put out a two-tiered

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 24:30.240> implemented<00:24:30.799> our<00:24:31.039> first<00:24:31.440> tiered
• <00:24:32.000> tax we implemented our first tiered tax we implemented our first tiered tax
• our<00:24:37.679> tax<00:24:38.120> code<00:24:39.120> we<00:24:39.320> tiered
• progressivity to our tax code we tiered progressivity to our tax code we tiered our<00:24:39.880
• non-owner-occupied residential tax class generated $9.6 million in additional revenue, and we also tiered

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and approval of federally sanctioned drug trials and clinical research administering Schedule I and II
• California is also one of the few states that must review and approve all research studies on Schedule I and II
• Advisory Panel is a long-standing state panel tasked with evaluating research using Schedule I and II

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, well, Chair already mentioned that, but we’re also going to add a Part II for this bill.
• Um, well, Chair already mentioned that, but we’re also going to add a Part II for this bill.
• Um, well, Chair already mentioned that, but we’re also going to add a Part II for this bill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.

Transcript Highlights:

• used a Summary process eviction cases since 2020, we have used a standing order to implement a two-tier
• At the first tier, parties meet with housing specialists for negotiations and assessment of the case
• If an agreement cannot be reached, the case is scheduled for Tier 2 trial by judge or jury.
• I know you mentioned the tier system that you have. Do you have any sort of recommendations there?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• But even with the tier 2 and the pension reform, you see we've pretty much flatlined down here around
• But even<00:39:25.040> with<00:39:25.280> the<00:39:25.760> tier<00:39:26.160>
• 2<00:39:26.560> and<00:39:26.800> the<00:39:26.960> pension even with the tier
• 2 and the pension even with the tier 2 and the pension reform, reform, reform, you<00:39:29.200>

Bills: SB344, SB344

Keywords: Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity

Transcript Highlights:

• For the agency's FY27 budget request, 99% will go to programs at these highest tiers of evidence.
• evidence-based programs, including how many participants are served by programs at different evidence tiers
• reminder of the things Simon went over earlier in this presentation regarding our different evidence tiers
• funding, accompanied by a graph showing the distribution of programmatic spending across each evidence tier

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have over 120 trains a day coming through the BNSF Tier 1 rail line, the largest, most coming through
• the BNSF Tier 1 rail line, the largest, most populated line west to east in the United States.
• They're doing a tier two floodplain study to see what can be put there and what can't be put And the
• They're doing a tier two floodplain study to see what can be put there and what can't be put There.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just to be clear, this is exempting them from being classified as excessively absent, Tier 4.
• Right, Tier 4? So this doesn't mean we just ignore that they're not at school.
• But we just wanted to remove That last Tier 4, where we know where they're at, their IEP clearly says
• Here are the practices that I already used to address Tier 1 instruction.

Transcript Highlights:

• donating, or transferring ownership of decommissioned diesel locomotives or railroad equipment with a tier
• So this bill permits the sale or transfer of tier two and newer engines if the trains...
• This bill permits the sale or transfer of tier two and newer engines if the transferring agency approves
• The impact on agencies to sell their tier zero and one equipment has been characterized as foregone revenue

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on August 20, 2025, and considered a large number of bills, with most of the discussion centered on election redistricting and several health, labor, environmental, and government-operations measures. The first major item was ACA 8, a constitutional amendment tied to a proposed November special election and temporary mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to partisan redistricting efforts in other states. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a 2020 redistricting commissioner, labor groups, and allies of the measure, argued it was necessary to defend democracy, protect representation, and respond to federal actions affecting California. Opponents, including Assemblymember Tom Lackey reading a statement for Assemblymember Gallagher and Assemblymember Dixon, argued the measure would undermine the independent redistricting commission, amount to a partisan power grab, and cost taxpayers roughly $230 million. Committee members also focused heavily on fiscal questions, including litigation costs and county election funding, and Department of Finance staff said counties would be made whole and funding would be advanced. The committee ultimately voted the measure out on a B roll call. The committee then heard SB 280, the implementing bill for the special election and related redistricting process. Supporters repeated the argument that California needed to respond to Texas and other states, while opponents again emphasized the cost, the strain on county budgets, and the state’s broader fiscal pressures. Department of Finance witnesses said the election funding would be provided in advance and that the state would work with counties and the Secretary of State. The bill was moved out on a roll call after extended debate. The committee also advanced several other bills, including SB 283 on battery storage safety standards, SB 470 extending remote participation and open-meeting flexibility for state boards and commissions, SB 697 modernizing stream adjudication procedures, SB 513 requiring more accessible employee training records, SB 30 restricting transfer of older diesel locomotives, SB 841 and SB 81 creating protections for vulnerable facilities and health care spaces from immigration enforcement, SB 358 revising traffic impact fee standards, and SB 630 streamlining state parks land acquisitions. Other measures discussed included SB 62 expanding health coverage benefits, SB 68 requiring restaurant allergen disclosures, and the committee heard both support and opposition on SB 68 from the California Restaurant Association and consumer advocates. Supporters of the health and immigrant-protection bills emphasized patient safety, reproductive health, immigrant rights, and access to care, while opponents on the restaurant bill warned of added mandates and litigation risk for small businesses. Across the hearing, committee members frequently returned to fiscal impacts, county implementation burdens, and whether the bills would save money, cost money, or shift costs to local governments. Several bills were reported out of committee, often on A or B roll calls, with some members not voting on particular measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We really don't want, like, Tier 0 equipment is just like 100 times dirtier than modern equipment.
• We really don't want, like, Tier 0 equipment is just like 100 times dirtier than modern equipment.
• We really don't want, like, Tier 0 equipment is just like 100 times dirtier than modern equipment.
• And out of all the California climate investment programs, it's in the top tier as far as the amount

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have tier 2 enrichment, which is also completely flexible money, but it is dependent upon additional
• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . adopted increases in your CTE funding over the years including a tiered
• But we do know that the existence. of a public rating system that as a tiered performance rating system
• improvement effort, but the the investments the legislature have made have resulted in a very strong tiered

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bob Gear stroller and car seat, this was a higher-end model but mid-tier higher end, and that was priced
• <00:09:59.960> end<00:10:00.120> model<00:10:00.480> but<00:10:00.920> mid-tier
• <00:10:01.440> higher a higher end model but mid-tier higher a higher end model but mid-tier

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 18 was taken up in committee, with the chair noting a preference to hear testimony from people who had traveled farther before hearing from lobbyists or other local witnesses. Representative Engan presented the bill as a family-support measure that would exempt certain infant care items from sales tax, arguing that the cost of raising children has risen sharply and that the bill would provide immediate relief to parents. He cited examples of potential savings on cribs, mattresses, strollers, and baby bottles, and said he was open to expanding the list of covered items. Chair Gomez offered a DE1 amendment that would replace the blanket sales tax exemption with an expansion of Minnesota’s child tax credit, arguing that the child-rearing cost burden is better addressed through targeted assistance rather than a broad exemption that could also benefit higher-income purchasers. After discussing the policy differences and the fiscal impact, Gomez withdrew the amendment. Members then asked questions about the bill’s scope, whether luxury items should be excluded, and why the exemption was limited to baby items rather than older children’s needs. Engan said he would be open to excluding luxury items and to discussing broader expansions, including school supplies. The committee then heard testimony in support from Sarah Gangelhoff of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, who said the bill would help families facing high housing, food, and child care costs and would especially benefit women and single-mother households. Maggie Hanggi of the Minnesota Catholic Conference also supported the bill, saying the tax relief could help families afford essential infant items and reduce fear for prospective parents. Members raised concerns about whether tax exemptions effectively reach the families most in need, with one member noting that low-income families may not even be in a position to shop for these items; Engan responded that the savings would still be real for those who do purchase them. No final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the sense that we would have to definitely look at scale, but when you're talking about the top-tier
• talking<00:29:59.679> about<00:30:00.120> the<00:30:00.720> top<00:30:00.960> tier
• <00:30:01.320> Distributors talking about the top tier Distributors talking about the top
• tier Distributors yes<00:30:02.320> they're<00:30:02.480> making<00:30:02.720> millions

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on three fireworks-related bills. On SB 1226, which would create a shipping container inspection program and require Department of Law Enforcement reporting, the Department of Law Enforcement supported the measure, while the Attorney General recommended deleting references to explosives to avoid a single-subject constitutional issue and noted possible federal limits on military involvement. Harbor users raised concerns about logistics, delays, and cost, and HPD supported the bill; members also discussed how inspections would work and whether DLE would coordinate with county and federal partners. No vote was taken during the testimony portion. On SB 32, which would sharply restrict consumer fireworks by requiring permits for cultural use, repealing the general holiday exceptions, and imposing a $25 permit fee, the State Fire Council supported the bill as a public safety measure but said it was willing to work on problematic language. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill’s use of “culture” could create constitutional and discrimination problems because permit decisions would effectively define culture. Fireworks retailers and other opponents said the bill would push consumers toward illegal fireworks and hurt lawful sales, while supporters said it would reduce injuries, fires, and respiratory harm. Members questioned whether the permit fee was new, whether the bill would affect commercial display companies, and whether permit caps should be added. On SB 1324, which expands fireworks offenses, increases penalties for injuries or death, creates new criminal offenses and an infraction adjudication system, and appropriates funds, the Attorney General strongly supported the bill and said it would give law enforcement and prosecutors better tools, while DLE said the current weight-based definitions make prosecutions difficult and labor-intensive. DLE also said disposal of seized fireworks is expensive and hazardous, and suggested violators should bear more of that cost. HPD and the Maui County prosecutor supported the bill, but some opponents argued it would overcriminalize conduct and create constitutional issues; a commercial pyrotechnics company asked for amendments to preserve lawful display work. Members asked about the appropriation, enforcement challenges, and whether existing exceptions would still allow commercial shows. The hearing ended with no final decision reported in the transcript.