Video & Transcript : 'Hawaii PUC' :
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Feb 19, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 22
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a group of engaged students from Hawaii Pacific University.
- introduce a group of engaged<00:14:32.440><c> students</c><00:14:32.959><c> from</c><00:14:33.199><c> Hawaii
- </c><00:14:33.880><c> Pacific</c> engaged students from Hawaii Pacific engaged students from Hawaii Pacific
Summary:
The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, then deferred reading of the journal. The chamber received Governor’s Message No. 4, which transmitted proposed changes to the fiscal biennium 2025-2027 executive budget, and the message was received and filed. The House also received a Senate communication transmitting a Senate bill that had passed third reading in the Senate; on motion by Representative Morikawa, seconded by Representative Garcia, the bill was given first reading by title on a voice vote.
During introductions, Representative Morikawa recognized staff members Judy Hernandez and Robbie Allen, Representative Lamosao welcomed Kab Bukowski of IBEW 1260, and Representative Iwamoto introduced a Hawaii Pacific University student group visiting to learn about the legislative process and environmental policy. The House then considered Standing Committee Report No. 797; Representative Todd moved to adopt the report and advance the accompanying House bill as amended to second reading and third reading calendar, the motion was seconded by Representative Morikawa, and it passed by voice vote.
No resolutions were up for action, and none were referred to print. Announcements highlighted an upcoming Capitol agriculture event featuring more than 70 vendors and a separate notice about House member jacket samples and ordering for 2025. The House adjourned on motion by Representative Moryker, seconded by Representative Garcia, until 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 27th.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jul 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- expansion, decarbonization, all of the legislative mandates, the things that the Legislature is telling the PUC
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources heard Senator Becker present a broad energy and affordability bill focused on shifting certain utility-related costs out of rates and into a new public power fund structure. The bill’s major elements included using cap-and-trade climate credit revenues to provide larger and better-timed customer credits, especially for low-income customers; creating a fund to help cover wildfire mitigation, care and fairness, and other public-purpose costs; adjusting rate-setting and wildfire spending oversight; and streamlining permitting and CEQA review through programmatic environmental documents for similar projects. Becker said the goal was to reduce regressive costs in rates while still supporting climate and infrastructure goals.
Support came from municipal utilities, community choice advocates, environmental justice and clean energy groups, and the Climate Center, many of whom said they supported the bill and wanted to continue working on amendments. Opposition came from the California Chamber of Commerce, utility companies, business groups, and labor representatives, who argued the bill would shift rather than solve cost pressures, create rate instability, and introduce reliability and investor risks. Several opponents also criticized the proposed funding structure and the inflation-capped rate-setting approach.
Committee members asked Becker about the rationale for the power fund, the change from 85% to 100% of cap-and-trade revenues going to customer credits, the reduced frequency of wildfire mitigation reporting, and the adequacy of streamlined environmental review. Becker said the bill was intended to move wildfire and other public-purpose costs out of rates over time and to speed up review without eliminating project-specific environmental analysis. The committee ultimately voted to pass the bill on a due-pass recommendation, with members noting ongoing discussions on permitting and other amendments.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They're operating under a CCN by the PUC who requires them to provide continuous supply to their customer
- And so I already think there's nothing at PUC that says, "Oh, you have a CCN, you get to over-pump the
- And PUC didn't tell you you could break whatever.
- And there's litigation right now at PUC about this particular utility because they are violating rules
- part of it's just evolution of everything, everybody understanding there's no permission granted by PUC
Committee:
House Natural Resources
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Signed up next on Zoom is the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation. Good afternoon. [Cough.]
- Signed up next on Zoom is the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation.
- 00:01:42.760><c> the</c> Signed up next on Zoom is the Signed up next on Zoom is the Canada-France-Hawaii
- <00:01:43.960><c> Telescope</c> Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation
- ,</c><00:10:43.280><c> increase</c> University of Hawaii, increase University of Hawaii, increase communication
Committee:
Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Summary:
The Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts held a confirmation hearing on GM 742 for John Komeiji, the gubernatorial nominee to serve as chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority through 6/30/2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. The executive director of the authority, representatives of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation and the Mauna Kea observatories, and authority member Noenoe Wong-Wilson all praised Komeiji’s leadership, describing him as fair, transparent, steady, and effective at building trust and relationships among stakeholders. Chris Matsuda also supported the nomination, citing Komeiji’s presence at community workshops, his neutral facilitation of public discussion, and his careful handling of the authority’s work on observatory leases and the comprehensive EIS.
In his remarks, Komeiji described the authority’s work as implementing Act 255 by building a new state agency, developing a master plan, drafting rules and regulations, and beginning the process for a comprehensive environmental impact statement related to observatory leases. He said the authority is trying to balance community voice, cultural and spiritual concerns, and the state’s policy supporting astronomy. He also discussed staffing and recruitment challenges, saying the authority is repurposing positions, using special project positions, and looking for creative ways to recruit qualified staff despite the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea. He noted that the authority is working through asset transfers from UH, managing operational needs, and addressing a projected $4 million federal funding gap affecting CMS.
Members asked about timelines, contingency planning, staffing capacity, and financial sustainability. Komeiji said the authority is on track for the master plan and EIS, but would return to the legislature if delays require more time. He acknowledged that no detailed contingency plans have been developed yet for possible IT or other implementation problems, but said the board is continuing to monitor progress. He also said the authority is accelerating contracts to encumber funds while available and expects to cover planned EIS and master plan consultant costs if funding remains at current levels. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent; the chair and acting vice chair voted aye, with excused absences noted for Senators Inouye, Chang, and Lamosao. The measure was adopted and the committee adjourned.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Hawaii is the most recent addition to this list of states with RUC programs.
- They have an annual vehicle inspection process that is required legislatively, statutorily, in Hawaii
- And the goal in Hawaii is to eventually transition all vehicle owners to this system eventually.
- Hawaii is the most recent addition to this list of states with RUC programs.
- They have an annual vehicle inspection process that is required legislatively, statutorily, in Hawaii
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
vehicle loads, public highways, transportation, road safety, infrastructure, HB2139, snowmobile registration, snowmobile fee, vehicle license fee, registration fee, Department of Licensing, RCW, vehicle registration, winter recreation, off-road vehicle, moped, motorcycle, trailer, recreational vehicle, vintage snowmobile
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Tom Yamamaica, Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Good afternoon, chairs, vice chairs, committee members.
- Tom Yamamaica from Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
- </c> Yamamaica, Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Yamamaica, Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
- Tom Yamamaica from Tax<00:21:54.720><c> Foundation</c><00:21:55.120><c> of</c><00:21:55.280><c> Hawaii
- </c> Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Tax Foundation of Hawaii.
Committee:
Senate Education
Summary:
The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association.
The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates.
After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Six - Wednesday, April 22
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Those are Arizona and Hawaii.
- That is Hawaii and Arizona. Not all of Arizona, actually.
- Or we can go full-time standard time, like Arizona and Hawaii have done.
- That's why you can go full-time standard time, like Arizona or Hawaii.
- That's why you can go full-time standard time, like Arizona or Hawaii.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of introductions recognizing student groups, interns, FCCLA and FBLA participants, a Missouri Rural Water Association delegation, medical students, family guests, and legislative assistants. Members also highlighted the Tipton Lady Cardinals girls basketball state championship team and several job-shadowing students from across the state. Announcements included committee meetings and a Missouri Department of Conservation Earth Day tree-seedling giveaway in the rotunda.
On legislation, the House received committee reports recommending passage of several measures, then took up House substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bills 3068 and 3049. Members discussed the bill as a vehicle for multiple bipartisan provisions, including public safety, AI, trafficking training, and other topics; opponents raised concerns about anti-trans language and the bill’s breadth, while others defended it as a package of widely supported items. The House passed the measure 117-10 with 17 present. The chamber also truly agreed to and finally passed Senate Bill 914, dealing with soil analysis/perk test issues, by 108-34 with one present, and Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, a Secretary of State business filing measure for series LLC certificates of good standing, by 142-0 with one present.
The most extended debate was on House Bill 1758, a daylight savings time trigger bill. The sponsor argued Missouri should lock in daylight savings time if the federal government authorizes a nationwide change, to avoid neighboring states forcing Missouri into standard time and to support tourism, safety, and economic activity. Supporters cited health, mental health, family, and business benefits, while opponents argued for standard time, raised concerns about children, circadian rhythms, and prior failed experiments, and questioned the federal-state authority issues. After extensive discussion and a point of order, the House ordered House Bill 1758 perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements and adjournment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- students to the Canyon County Fair for that entire time and the Western Idaho Fair, and I served on the Hawaii
- And really I think part of the discussion too is, and I was actually on the Hawaii County Fair Board,
- Part of the discussion too is, and I was actually on the Hawaii County Fair Board, when there was some
- major changes that happened in Canyon County that caused us a lot of issue in Hawaii County because
- Vast numbers of people were trying to leave Canyon County to come show in Hawaii County, and we just
Committee:
Senate Local Government and Taxation
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 23rd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to begin on behalf of everyone at the PUC by extending our deepest condolences to all of our
- The PUC is honored to provide support for the many boots-on-the-ground responders that you're hearing
- The PUC is a member of the Texas Emergency Management Council.
- Corona, if I can ask you a question about the PUC. So tell us how the PUC...
- It’s the same for PUC as TxDOT. We interface with the military through the state office.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAM-PSM, WAM-AEN Informational Briefings 01-07-2025
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Hawaii pring Authority we have the Hawaii pring Authority we have the administrator<00:00:58.160><c>
- </c><00:01:59.320><c> Community</c> plan to relocate the Hawaii Community plan to relocate the Hawaii
- You'll see the commission report on the state of re-entry in Hawaii.
- </c><01:32:26.199><c> Emergency</c> with the uh um Hawaii Emergency with the uh um Hawaii Emergency Management
- We included the county of Maui, and Hawaii island is more outreach.
Summary:
The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism.
The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed.
Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:04:26.960><c> the</c><00:04:27.080><c> going</c><00:04:27.280><c> home</c><00:04:27.520><c> Hawaii
- </c> tours we went to the going home Hawaii tours we went to the going home Hawaii re-entry<00:04:28.440
- </c><00:05:13.360><c> Island</c> resilience Summit and the Hawaii Island resilience Summit and the Hawaii
- </c><00:14:58.480><c> Community</c> yeah HC is the Hawaii Community yeah HC is the Hawaii Community Correctional
- it's really that that constant Hawaii it's really that that constant Battle<00:32:03.240><c> of</c><
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/05/2026 - House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- A couple of examples: In 2024, the Hawaii legislature appropriated funds to the University of Hawaii
- District Courts of Southern California and Hawaii, respectively, and they were both recently decided.
- In the case of Hawaii, they had no exception for parody or satire at all.
Committee:
House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Arts, establishing a Performing Arts grant program to support performing arts here in the state of Hawaii
- Havi<00:09:09.800><c> Island</c><00:09:10.800><c> and</c><00:09:11.120><c> the</c><00:09:11.279><c> Hawaii
- </c><00:09:11.720><c> theater</c> Havi Island and the Hawaii theater Havi Island and the Hawaii theater
Committee:
House Culture & Arts
Summary:
The House Committee on Culture and Arts met on February 7 and heard testimony on two measures. HB 1025, relating to the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, received support from the East-West Center, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Friends of Civil Rights, with the Department of the Attorney General submitting comments. No opposition was noted, and the committee later voted to pass HB 1025 with amendments. The chair said the amendments would incorporate the Attorney General’s comments, add a preamble clarifying legislative intent, and change the effective date to July 1, 3000; the vote was unanimous among members present, with two members excused.
The committee also heard HB 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts grant program under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The SFCA supported the bill but asked that section 5 be deleted, saying the Works of Art Special Fund is not the right vehicle for performing arts and that the agency’s positions are currently federally funded and should be shifted to general funds. The Attorney General likewise recommended deleting section 5, warning that expanding the Works of Art Special Fund could jeopardize the state’s tax-exempt GO bond status, and suggested creating a separate special fund in chapter 9 instead. DBEDT stood on its written testimony, and several arts organizations and individuals testified in support, with the chair noting about 23 supporters overall.
During questioning on HB 1378, members asked about possible federal funding losses. The SFCA director said the agency is in discussions with other state arts agencies about potential reductions from the National Endowment for the Arts and related White House requests, and that the immediate goal is to protect federally funded positions by moving them into the general fund. The committee did not take final action on HB 1378 and deferred decision-making until Wednesday, February 12.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 1 - 05/09/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- members, one of the things to understand, and we had testimony, I can't remember if it was from the PUC
- it</c><00:29:21.039><c> was</c><00:29:21.120><c> from</c><00:29:21.279><c> the</c><00:29:21.880><c> PUC
- </c><00:29:22.880><c> or</c><00:29:23.520><c> uh</c><00:29:24.159><c> which</c> if it was from the PUC
- or uh which if it was from the PUC or uh which agency<00:29:24.960><c> it</c><00:29:25.200><c> was</
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So, next up, SB 479 SD1 HD1, relating to the Hawaii Able Savings Program.
- So, next up SB479 SD1 HD1<02:10:14.719><c> relating</c><02:10:15.119><c> to</c><02:10:15.360><c> Hawaii
- to Hawaii Able Savings Program.<02:10:18.000><c> I</c><02:10:18.239><c> have</c><02:10:18.480><c> myself
- fact that there has never really been a study of the needs of the developmentally disabled here in Hawaii
- in fact it goes towards an informational briefing we had last year, going towards a hepatitis-free Hawaii
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Daniel Driscoll, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of the Army, Department of Defense. Jan 30th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Driscoll, several of the critical training areas that the Army has provided, Uses in Hawaii are leased
- Issue, not just in Hawaii, but in all the places we engage with the community and sign leases.
- And sadly, for example, in Hawaii, 50% of Army facilities are... classified as failing or failed, and
- This is just involving Hawaii.
- Senator, I've had many friends stationed in Hawaii, and though the experience has been good, I think
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 21, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 48
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- with decision-making to follow on Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, Senate Draft 1, requesting the Hawaii
- So, on behalf of the YWCA, thank you, everyone, for your generous donations. 1, requesting the Hawaii
- Correctional 1, requesting the Hawaii Correctional System<00:16:29.920><c> Oversight</c><00:16:30.400
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- state in a manner that increases their economic value and that meet the criteria established for the Hawaii
- Aloha Chair, Vice Chair Robert Harris on behalf of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, members of the
- Ethics Commission. - Aloha Chair, Vice Chair Robert Harris on behalf of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committees considered several Senate bills and one House bill across multiple decision-making segments, with testimony focused mainly on SB 903, SB 439, SB 938, and HB 1440. For SB 903, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the measure and emphasized that the Public Lands Trust Working Group should complete its scope of work before baseline settlement discussions. The committees then adopted chair-recommended technical amendments to SB 903, including blanking the appropriation and changing the effective date to June 30, 2059, and the measure was adopted with members voting aye or excused.
A later agenda included many bills that were mostly advanced with technical amendments, effective-date changes, or recommittals to Ways and Means. Among them, SB 934 and SB 935 were recommitted; SB 65, SB 328, SB 465, SB 576, and several others were passed with amendments that often blanked appropriations or changed dates; SB 329, SB 448, SB 744, SB 1023, SB 1269, SB 1361, SB 1381, SB 1491, SB 1530, and SB 1547 were passed unamended; SB 828, SB 1220, and SB 1487 were deferred. The committee also adopted amendments on bills such as SB 125, SB 558, SB 789, SB 997, SB 1234, SB 1388, and SB 1543, generally to clarify definitions, narrow scope, or add effective-date or governance language.
For SB 439, the Division of State Parks testified that it already performs the fee studies and park-designation work contemplated by the bill, but supported the measure overall; OHA, the Care for ʻĀina Now Coalition, and other supporters testified in favor, while two individuals opposed it. The committees adopted SB 439 with LRB technical amendments. SB 938 received only departmental comments from the Department of Taxation and was passed unamended. HB 1440, which drew support from the State Ombudsman, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the State Auditor, and the Ethics Commission, was also passed unamended. In each decision-making segment, the committees voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations and then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- California, they began labor organizing, because so many of them had come from the sugar plantations in Hawaii
- celebrate Korean American Day as the first group immigration day in 1903, 20,102 farm workers landed in Hawaii
- And the day you Hawaii as sugar plantation farm workers, and they were treated so badly and underpaid
- When I landed in Hawaii during my peaceful time, I heard and encountered those first-generation people
- That's the example of the Korean farmers, how they came to California from Hawaii and they made also
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of guest introductions, including Canadian diplomatic visitors and youth soccer champions from Senator Niello’s district. The body also recognized guests connected to arts education and later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Caitlin “Katie” Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The President announced the Senate would enter a one-week spring recess and return on April 6, 2026.
On the floor, the Senate adopted SR 89 by Senator Alvarado-Gil, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day in California. Supporters emphasized the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and services for people with profound autism and their families. The resolution passed by a 35-0 vote. The Senate also adopted SCR 147 by Senator Allen, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with remarks stressing the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success; it passed 37-0.
The chamber then adopted SCR 141 by Senator Wahab, recognizing March 26, 2026 as Women’s Equal Pay Day. Senators discussed the gender pay gap, its impact on families, and the need for transparency and enforcement; the resolution passed 37-0. The Senate also approved AB 2156, an urgency measure to proclaim March 31 as Farm Worker Day, with extensive debate about farm workers’ historical contributions, labor conditions, and the decision to rename the day in light of recent allegations involving the prior honoree. The bill passed unanimously, 37-0, including the urgency clause.
Finally, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 968, SJR 11, SB 1005, and SB 1080, by unanimous vote. A committee announcement noted Budget Subcommittee 3 would meet upon adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- California, they began labor organizing, because so many of them had come from the sugar plantations in Hawaii
- celebrate Korean American Day as the first group immigration day in 1903, 20,102 farm workers landed in Hawaii
- And the day you Hawaii as sugar plantation farm workers, and they were treated so badly and underpaid
- When I landed in Hawaii during my peaceful time, I heard, I encountered those first-generation people
- That's the example of the Korean farmers, how they came to California from Hawaii, and they made also
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several guest introductions, including a Canadian diplomatic delegation visiting for Canada Day at the Capitol and the undefeated Under-11 San Juan Spirits soccer team. The chamber also recognized guests connected to later resolutions, including families and advocates tied to profound autism and farm worker issues, as well as arts education leaders.
The Senate adopted SR 89, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day, after remarks emphasizing the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and lifelong services for people with profound autism and their caregivers. Members also adopted SCR 147, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with support focused on the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success. Both resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes.
The chamber then took up AB 2156, an urgency measure renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day and proclaiming March 31 as Farm Worker Day. Supporters from multiple caucuses and regions spoke about the history of farm labor, the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers, and the need to honor the broader movement and its diverse participants; some speakers also referenced recent allegations and the desire to center survivors and workers rather than one individual. The bill passed with 37 ayes and 0 noes, including the urgency clause.
The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of several items without objection, then adjourned in memory of Caitlin Mardell Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The session concluded with announcements of a committee meeting and a one-week spring recess, with the next floor session scheduled for April 6, 2026.