Transcript Highlights:

• damage emergency, and they'll have a list to select from to choose qualified vendors within a certain pricing
• damage emergency, and they'll have a list to select from to choose qualified vendors within a certain pricing
• This is for online education programs for youth in the DYS facilities.
• This is for online education programs to youth in the DYS facilities.
• Rowe Price Associates, and Wellington Management Company.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and who was, I think, joining us online? Is Senator Dames there?
• Virtually. >> Oh, she's online. I get it.
• &gt;&gt; Oh,<00:10:42.160><c> she's</c><00:10:42.480><c> online.
• </c> >> Oh, she's online. I get it. Okay. >> Yeah. Is the sound good?
• Anna, to add on to the price gouging statute, um, it only applies to losses that occur during severe

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the energy prices across the country. of the energy prices across the country.
• </c> New England because electricity prices New England because electricity prices are<00:16:57.759><
• Uh and then uh electricity prices.
• </c> stop high diesel price. stop high diesel price.
• </c> people are much smarter about pricing people are much smarter about pricing big<00:55:35.359><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone online? Well, I think harder.
• It's all online, right? Fourteenish hours online, and you get a stamp of accomplishment.
• He can take stuff online through microcredentials, which means it's available 24/7, right?
• So I think the price would be reduced if we could get everyone.
• You guys online? Are you OK on the 2nd of April?

Committee: House Oklahoma Education Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• School meals: removed the co-pay for reduced-priced school meals, $2 million.
• Meals removed the co-pay for reduced-priced school meals, 2 million.
• Grocery prices are up, gas prices are up, basic necessities are up.
• My generation continues to get priced out and is priced out. Health care costs are skyrocketing.
• Representative Garcia: "I'm priced out. Health care costs are skyrocketing.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh when parties prefer to as online uh when parties prefer to register<00:25:44.880><c> through</c><
• 00:25:45.039><c> our</c><00:25:45.279><c> online</c><00:25:45.679><c> portal.
• </c><00:25:46.320><c> Uh</c> register through our online portal.
• Uh register through our online portal.
• </c> willing to to absorb that price willing to to absorb that price differential differential differential

Bills: HB2410 , HB2235 , HB1904 , HB2201 , HB2349 , HB1972 , HB2007 , HB2385 , HB2444 , HB2391 , HB2575

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is called surveillance pricing.
• This is called surveillance pricing.
• I introduced the Stop Pricing Gouging and Grocery Act to ban personalized price gouging.
• I introduced the Stop Pricing Gouging and Grocery Act to ban personalized price gouging.
• Speaker, these guys are continuing to cover up the Epstein files. prices. Nope. prices. Nope.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Seeing none, any online, Pierre? &gt;&gt; Seeing none, any online, Pierre?
• of asphalt is very high or the price of concrete.
• of asphalt's very high or the the price of asphalt's very high or the price<01:24:43.199><c> of</c><
• >> I was hoping nobody was here. >> Is there any public comment online? >> Yes. >> Really?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Is there any public comment online? Yes. &gt;&gt; Is there any public comment online?

Bills: SF0087 , SF0088 , SF0092

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you amendment is available online.
• Sorry, we did not see them online there. Um, looks like we have a remote testifier.
• </c> us online. us online.
• </c><00:47:56.640><c> to</c> field and raising the prices to field and raising the prices to consumers
• The market the ceiling of the price.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• And newspaper publication is a mix of paper and online publication.
• So we do have a full online elementary program, middle school, high school.
• We are fully online.
• We are fully online.
• So we have online manuals.

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have anybody online? All right. Do we have anybody online? &gt;&gt; No,<00:36:13.200><c> Mr.
• Do we have anybody online? No, Mr. Vice Chair. Nobody's online.
• </c> someone online, right? someone online, right? &gt;&gt; Um,<00:59:58.559><c> Mr.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Okay, we have no longer anyone online.
• &gt;&gt; Okay, we have no longer anyone online.

Bills: HB0111 , HB0112 , HB0122

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• We take them through online and cities.
• I will tell you for an one done online.
• So, what price is the right price?
• ><c> the</c><00:41:04.880><c> right</c><00:41:05.040><c> price,</c> what what price is the right price
• , what what price is the right price, right?

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, the cases were not about speech or online content.
• We now have an opportunity to lead again by protecting children online.
• And we're going to allow for online spaces that are safe and non-addictive and non-harmful.
• It is about keeping kids safe online. And if we do not act now, when will we act?
• Fans are being priced out of shows.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining us, including thank you for members joining online, and... ...for joining us, including
• thank you for members joining online and for those in person, along with the legislative auditor, Eric
• Most of the community and cultural awareness training is available online, on demand.
• And also, Commerce does house an online box for those state, those 59 community action plans.
• Maybe our staff can make sure that it's available online, the report and link.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee held a hybrid hearing to receive three State Auditor’s Office performance audits. The first audit examined implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act. Auditors said the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training, but six community/cultural topics were still unfinished, the patrol tactics curriculum was incomplete in one area, and the agency lacked a systematic project management approach. They reported that most officers had not completed the 40 required hours, with low participation in patrol tactics training, weak communication, limited data to track compliance, and ineffective incentives or consequences. Committee members questioned staffing, liability, and enforcement, and the Commission said it generally agreed with the findings and had begun implementing recommendations, including improving training development and communication. The second audit reviewed Washington’s digital equity planning. Auditors concluded the state lacked a comprehensive, unified digital equity strategy, a designated lead, and reliable funding. They said the existing PEAR/Impact Plan, BEAD five-year plan, and NTIA-approved digital equity plan each addressed parts of the issue but none provided a full statewide framework with clear authority across agencies. The Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office and the Office of Equity said they agreed with the findings and were open to working with the legislature and the Digital Equity Forum on a more structured approach. A public witness described local and regional digital equity planning efforts and emphasized the importance of coordination and community-based work. The third audit focused on Commerce’s management of the Digital Navigator Program. Auditors said Commerce did not consistently use a competitive process, did not adequately vet grantees and subgrantees, wrote contracts that lacked clear deliverables and monitoring requirements, failed to enforce reporting, and paid $10.7 million without sufficient documentation to verify reimbursement eligibility. They said agency staff had raised concerns that were ignored and that some payments and contract expansions occurred despite warnings. Commerce officials said new leadership had already begun major contract-management reforms, including centralized oversight, risk assessments, clearer documentation standards, and staff training, and they said they would pursue recapture where appropriate. Committee members expressed strong concern about accountability, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kratum products may not be ordered or purchased by mail or online; delivering, shipping, or transporting
• Beginning January 1, 2027, the LCB must make and maintain a publicly available online directory that
• An excise tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratum products is established.
• The tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratum products is established.
• However, that limit should be adjusted as inflation and salaries and prices go up.

Bills: HB2291 , HB2629 , HB2439 , HB1078 , HB1701 , HB2207 , HB2501 , HB2361 , HB1932

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: kratom, consumer protection, regulation, health safety, substance control, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, pet insurance, insurance regulation, animal welfare, claims processes

Transcript Highlights:

• Kratom products may not be ordered or purchased by mail or online; delivering, shipping, or transporting
• Beginning January 1, 2027, the LCB must make and maintain a publicly available online directory that
• An excise tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratom products is established. It is...
• An excise tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratom products is established.
• However, that limit should be adjusted as inflation and salaries and prices go up.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2291, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and then moved into executive session on several bills. Staff explained that HB 2291 would license kratom retailers and processors, set age 21 purchase limits, require labeling, child-resistant packaging, independent testing, an LCB-approved product directory, and an 11% excise tax, while banning certain synthetic or adulterated kratom products and restricting online/mail sales and public consumption. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to regulate natural kratom while banning the synthetic or chemically altered forms, and several witnesses supported stronger youth protections and product standards. Others opposed the bill’s licensing fee, statewide preemption of local bans, or the regulatory approach, while some testified that natural kratom helps with pain or recovery. The hearing on HB 2291 was then closed without action. In executive session, the committee took action on multiple bills. HB 2439, dealing with cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy, was amended and reported out with a do pass recommendation; the adopted amendments limited Consumer Protection Act enforcement to the Attorney General, adjusted coupon language, and restored state preemption over local retail regulation. HB 1078 on pet insurance, HB 1701 on shared liquor-license premises, HB 2207 on bonded beer warehousing, and HB 2501 on real estate oil-tank disclosure were all reported out with do pass recommendations, with HB 1701’s substitute removing a Public Records Act exemption and HB 2207’s substitute aligning beer warehousing more closely with spirits warehouse rules. HB 2361, which raises the maximum small loan amount, was amended to make inflation adjustments biennial and to change publication requirements, then passed out of committee. The committee also approved HB 1932, which would authorize cannabis consumption events in regulated environments. The substitute bill would create a cannabis consumption event organizer license, allow limited adult-use events subject to local approval, and establish permit and budtender training requirements; members discussed the bill as a way to provide lawful consumption spaces while others objected to expanding cannabis access. In the final votes, HB 2439 passed 12-3, HB 1078 passed unanimously, HB 1701 passed 14-1, HB 2207 passed 14-1, HB 2501 passed unanimously, HB 2361 passed 13-2, and HB 1932 passed 11-4, all with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• These costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers through higher prices with rising tariffs supply
• And so, this year for me, I'm really concerned with passing on prices right now.
• We just got to kind of keep the prices down. Thank you. Other questions or comments from members?
• What about the cannabis prices? That's a good question.
• But I will get you data on the price differential. I don't believe it's substantial. Thank you.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• For more complex requirements or procurements, negotiations allow us to refine scope, terms, and pricing
• For more complex requirements or procurements, negotiations allow us to refine scope, terms, and pricing
• We accomplish our mission in many ways, from providing a suite of online e-procurement tools to assist
• climb, the price goes down.
• climb, the price goes down.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a panel on Florida’s IT procurement process from the Florida Digital Service, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Financial Services. Witnesses walked through the procurement lifecycle, including planning, market research, solicitation, evaluation, award, implementation, and closeout, and emphasized the role of budget timing, contract managers, and subject matter experts. DMS described the state’s enterprise contracting system, noting more than 1,100 active vendor agreements, over 800 involving IT services, and the statutory requirement to request 25 quotes for certain IT purchases. DFS demonstrated the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACS), explaining how agencies upload contract and payment data and how the public can search contracts and related documents online. Members focused on accountability, transparency, and whether the state is getting the best products and vendors. Questions addressed how contracts are vetted, how technical evaluations are performed, how financial consequences are used for missed deliverables, how public records and confidential information are handled, and how the state screens vendors for foreign-concern or bad-actor issues. Witnesses said agencies rely on technical experts for evaluations, that contract terms should include measurable deliverables and meaningful financial consequences, and that agencies—not procurement staff—generally manage performance, though Florida Digital Service oversees large IT projects of $10 million or more. The committee then shifted to broader policy discussion, including Senate Bill 7026 and proposals to reorganize state IT governance. Several members argued for stronger centralization under a state CIO or similar enterprise authority, while others cautioned against abrupt restructuring and stressed the need for a transition plan. Members also raised concerns about workforce retention, consulting services, recurring project overruns, and the need for better planning and periodic monitoring. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Participants in the room must use their microphone when speaking so that folks in Zoom and online can
• We'll head online now to... I don't see any other questions. Thank you, Vice Chair Nance.
• We'll head online now to Dr.
• And then we'll head online next for Tanisha Ross to kick us off online after Mr. Moran.
• We'll head online now to Tanisha Ross, followed by Jeremiah Nelson. Tidisha can't hear you yet.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and heard four bills. HB 2286 would create an alternative route to social worker licensure by removing the exam requirement for advanced social workers and allowing enhanced supervision with supervisor attestation in place of the exam for independent clinical social workers. The sponsor and several social workers testified that the exam is a poor measure of clinical competence and can be a barrier to licensure, while opponents warned that removing the exam could affect public protection and Washington’s participation in the social work compact. Members asked follow-up questions about the compact, the exam format, and accreditation requirements, but no action was taken. HB 2363 would allow music therapy license applicants to practice under supervision for up to six months while waiting for exam verification. The sponsor described it as a technical fix to the new licensure system, and testimony from music therapists, educators, and a patient supported the bill as a way to avoid delays in hiring newly trained therapists while maintaining supervision and patient safety. The bill drew strong support in written testimony and no opposition in the hearing. HB 2324 would change tuition waiver rules for children of eligible veterans and National Guard members by giving eligible children eight years from the date of a parent’s disability determination to use the waiver when that determination occurs after the child turns 18. The sponsor said the bill is meant to align state law with federal dependency education benefits and prevent families from losing access because disability determinations can take years. The committee asked for clarification on how the new timing would work, and the hearing closed without a vote. HB 2098 would eliminate the cap on the advanced computing surcharge, expand Washington College Grant eligibility up to 100% of state median family income, and reduce resident undergraduate tuition by 10% for three years starting in 2027-28. Supporters, including students, labor, and advocacy groups, said the bill would improve affordability and access to higher education by asking large tech companies to pay more. Opponents from business and university groups argued the surcharge would be economically harmful, that the state already has substantial WEA funding, and that the bill would reduce tuition revenue without adequately backfilling institutional budgets. The committee heard extensive testimony and members raised questions about the surcharge cap, WEA spending, and the compacted funding structure, but no final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to keep going up in price, so this is probably where we are."
• I believe that we're going to see fuel prices come down, interest rates come down, and we are going to
• It was hundreds of people who were online, some of them afraid to come into the room.
• It was hundreds of people who were online, some of them afraid to come into the room.
• It was hundreds of people who were online, some of them afraid to come into the room.

Summary: The committee met in a work session on revenue estimates and reviewed updated spreadsheet pages for several tax categories, using prior agreements and new testimony to refine FY 2025-2027 estimates. Early discussion covered insurance tax estimates, where members reviewed a letter from the insurance commissioner saying he was comfortable with the numbers provided; the committee accepted those estimates without opposition. Members also discussed utility property tax, with testimony about recent infrastructure buildout, tariffs, depreciation, and the difficulty of forecasting future growth. After debate over whether to use the average of high and low estimates or lean lower, the committee unanimously adopted the utility property tax numbers. The committee then turned to real estate transfer tax and communications tax. For real estate transfer tax, members cited county input, housing market conditions, interest rates, lumber costs, and uncertainty about future policy; they agreed to use the averages and adopted those estimates unanimously. For communications tax, members noted the decline in landline-based revenue and the shift to data services. After discussion of whether to use the low estimate or the average, the committee settled on the average with a small rounding-down adjustment when the figure ended in .5, and adopted the numbers unanimously. The chair also clarified that these estimates remain subject to change until the final resolution is adopted. The committee next accepted interest and dividends estimates as presented, with members noting the decline in that revenue source and the lack of additional information beyond the department’s analysis. Finally, the committee began discussing tobacco tax revenue, with members noting long-term declines in smoking, offsetting effects from out-of-state sales, and a suggestion to take a slightly conservative approach by reducing the average by 0.5. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, so no final vote on tobacco is shown in the excerpt.