Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it's going to start a fishing expedition for people who look... It is an issue.
• I believe it's going to start a fishing expedition for people who look like myself.
• I believe it's going to start a fishing expedition for people who look. It is an issue.
• I believe it's going to start a fishing expedition for people who look like myself.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our ask of the state is to stand with us and partner in securing resources, expediting relief, and ensuring
• 42.480><c> resources,</c> and partner in securing resources, and partner in securing resources, expediting
• 45.120><c> and</c><00:26:45.240><c> ensuring</c><00:26:45.760><c> we</c><00:26:45.880><c> have</c> expediting
• relief, and ensuring we have expediting relief, and ensuring we have the<00:26:46.160><c> tools</c><

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what do we do to expedite this storage capacity situation?
• There's not much you can do to expedite that today because of the logistics involved.
• You know, a true expediting process where if an applicant wants to pay for, say, a third-party environmental
• start now during the interim, it would take us a long way into drafting the type of changes that may expedite

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is responsive to recommendations from the work group for expediting rental assistance and simply
• <00:53:00.559><c> work</c><00:53:00.800><c> group</c><00:53:00.960><c> for</c><00:53:01.119><c> expediting
• </c> from the work group for expediting from the work group for expediting rental<00:53:02.160><c> assistance

Bills: HF4210 , HF4212 , HF4549 , HF4464 , HF4546 , HF4447

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: senior nutrition, older adults, aging services, home-delivered meals, congregate dining, meal delivery, grocery delivery, food insecurity, nutrition support, area agencies on aging, Minnesota Board on Aging, human services, special revenue fund, nonprofit grants, SNAP outreach, medically tailored meals, rural nutrition, food access, transportation services, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• They know that if there are amendments to be drawn, they are to be expedited for tomorrow.
• that they<00:29:39.640><c> are</c><00:29:39.760><c> to</c><00:29:39.880><c> be</c><00:29:40.000><c> expedited
• </c> they are to be expedited for tomorrow. they are to be expedited for tomorrow.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• increases appropriated by the Legislature are considered a financial urgency and provides for an expedited
• If we do, it's an expedited manner, and in the long run, it saves taxpayer dollars by getting things
• I don't understand why unions want to jump for joy that we're going to give an expedited impasse process
• I don't understand why unions want to jump for joy that we're going to give an expedited impasse process

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, many of them amended. Early action included PCS for CS for HB 639, which would expand an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians, tighten specialty plate rules for future applicants, require financial projections and reporting, and create several new specialty plates. After questions about Florida nexus requirements and a successful amendment adding a Florida Film Legacy plate, the bill was reported favorably 26-0. PCS for CS for HB 1169, limiting local governments’ use of excess building-code enforcement funds for construction of the code-enforcement building, also passed unanimously after testimony from the Florida Home Builders Association. The committee then approved HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections for state, local, and contract employees who file ethics complaints, with support from the Florida Commission on Ethics. PCS for HB 273, which would make special districts eligible for certain state and federal grants and direct pay options, passed 24-1 after testimony from both supporters and opponents. Members also approved CS for HB 1087, a public-records exemption for certain stablecoin issuer information, and CS for HB 1085, updating the local government cybersecurity grant program by moving it to Cyber Florida at USF, adding a sunset, and limiting consecutive awards. Several environmental and local-government transparency measures drew extended debate. CS for CS for HB 1417, a broad environmental bill, was amended to remove several provisions, retain others on the Environmental Regulation Commission, springs, solar facilities, Indian River Lagoon septic deadlines, and coastal resiliency partnerships, and then passed 24-0 amid mixed testimony from DEP, water management districts, and environmental advocates. CS for HB 1457, creating a framework for regional stormwater management systems and water quality enhancement areas, passed 24-0 after discussion of port impacts. CS for HB 1329, requiring local budgets to be posted earlier, retained longer, and made searchable, and adding a 10% budget-cutting exercise, passed 17-6 after strong opposition from local-government groups who argued it would be costly and duplicative. The committee also approved CS for HB 4091 creating a special district for stormwater and flood control in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and then took up CS for HB 995, a major overhaul of Public Employees Relations Commission and union-related procedures, including registration, dues disclosure, election rules, leave-time limits, and expedited bargaining over legislatively appropriated salary increases; that bill was still under questioning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• All this can be prevented if we can expedite the process.
• All this can be prevented if we can expedite the process for these physicians, international physicians
• So actually, what it means is we wait until they go through all these processes, maybe expedited process
• So actually, what it means is we wait until they go through all these processes, maybe expedited process

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 2726 would require coverage for diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a tongue-muscle stimulation device. The sponsor and medical witnesses said the device is a less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and reduce long-term complications, while Access said it already covers medically necessary sleep apnea treatment but was neutral and concerned the bill could narrow review and limit cost-effectiveness analysis. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then gave HB 2726 a due-pass recommendation by an 8-4 vote. HB 2435, as amended, would create a provisional licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians who meet specified ECFMG-related criteria, with supervision, fees set by the Medical Board, and automatic conversion to a full license after four years if conditions are met. Supporters argued Arizona faces severe physician shortages, especially in rural and tribal areas, and that the bill would bring in experienced doctors while preserving oversight. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said current law already allows case-by-case licensure review and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and bypass existing scrutiny. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access coverage for comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 general fund appropriation for a pilot program. The sponsor and public health witnesses said dental care during pregnancy is linked to better maternal and infant outcomes and could reduce emergency room use and complications. The committee adopted the bill and sent it out with an 11-1 due-pass recommendation. HB 2176, which sets timelines and standards for health care institution complaint investigations and dispute resolution, also received broad support from hospitals and was approved unanimously on a 12-0 due-pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from reimbursing certified registered nurse anesthetists at a lower rate than anesthesiologists for the same service. Opponents argued the bill would interfere with private contracting, ignore differences in training and liability, and likely raise costs for the state and taxpayers; supporters said anesthesia demand has outpaced reimbursement and that parity is needed to protect access, especially in rural areas. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• those that are either substantially resolved or partially resolved just to speak to them and to expedite
• 05:50.080><c> to</c> resolved just to speak to them and to resolved just to speak to them and to expedite
• </c> expedite the hearing. expedite the hearing.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026. On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026. For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is House Bill 847, the Expedited DNA Test Grant Program.
• This bill establishes the Expedited DNA Testing Grant Program in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Testing specialized techniques or expedited testing is needed.
• This initiative contributes to FDLE's mission by expediting DNA testing and streamlining criminal identification

Bills: SB 2 , HB 2 , HB 2000 , HB 2196 , HB 213 , HB 222 , HB 645 , HB 1458 , HB 1022 , HB 141 , HB 502 , HB 643 , HB 3093 , HB 1700 , HB 117 , SB 503 , SB 2 , HB 120 , HB 20 , HB 150 , HB 6 , HB 100 , HB 210 , HB 215 , HB 1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB 142 , HB 451 , HB 124 , HB 2 , HB 2000 , HB 2196 , HB 213 , HB 222 , HB 645 , HB 1458 , HB 1022 , HB 141 , HB 502 , HB 643 , HB 3093 , HB 1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• whole reason that SFA was put in place was to relieve DOE from these types of projects, but then to expedite
• <00:40:33.119><c> to</c> these types of projects but then to these types of projects but then to expedite
• </c><00:40:35.119><c> So</c><00:40:35.680><c> no</c> expedite the process as well.
• So no expedite the process as well.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:59.599><c> wanted</c><01:05:59.760><c> that</c><01:06:00.000><c> one</c><01:06:00.160><c> expedite
• </c><01:06:00.720><c> They</c> They wanted that one expedite. They They wanted that one expedite.
• They wanted<01:06:01.119><c> that</c><01:06:01.280><c> change</c><01:06:01.520><c> expedited.
• We put it wanted that change expedited.
• </c> expedited process. expedited process. &gt;&gt; Okay.<01:06:06.240><c> Fantastic.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is there any way, and knowing that the HTA is looking for expediting especially those opportunities
• knowing that the the HTA is looking and knowing that the the HTA is looking for<00:04:32.160><c> expediting
• </c><00:04:32.960><c> especially</c><00:04:33.360><c> those</c> for expediting especially those for expediting
• current administration and several members of the council have also indicated their full support and expediting
• Uh, and you know the reason why we want to expedite the readiness proposal is because the longer it goes

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 26.880><c> expos</c> currently includes the lucceivious expos currently includes the lucceivious expos expedit
• <01:12:28.640><c> expedition</c> expedit expedition expedit expedition of<01:12:30.480><c> the</c><01

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > <font color="aaaaaa">like are appropriate. 2, I </font> <font color="aaaaaa">guess, mandate or expedite
• > <font color="aaaaaa">like are appropriate. 2, I </font> <font color="aaaaaa">guess, mandate or expedite
• That is </font> <font color="aaaaaa">guess, mandate or expedite.
• That is </font> <font color="aaaaaa">probably the best to expedite.
• That is </font> <font color="aaaaaa">probably the best to expedite.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill removes the requirement to attempt but not pass a test before renewing a Tier 1 license, expediting
• this bill removes the requirement to attempt but not pass a test before renewing a Tier 1 license, expediting
• this bill removes the requirement to attempt but not pass a test before renewing a Tier 1 license, expediting
• </c><01:17:30.280><c> the</c><01:17:30.360><c> renewal</c> tier one license Expediting the renewal tier
• one license Expediting the renewal process<01:17:31.880><c> Education</c><01:17:32.280><c> Minnesota

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• able to be processed timely so that people that are involved feel like they're getting kind of an expedited

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and folks, I would ask that you please expedite this as much as you can.
• Um, and folks, I would ask that you please expedite this as much as you can.
• Um, and folks, I would ask that you please expedite this as much as you can.
• Um, and folks, I would ask that you please expedite this as much as you can.
• Um and folks, I would ask that you please expedite this as much as you can.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard brief presentations on Kentucky’s 2025 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Department for Public Health staff explained that the preventive health block grant provides about $2.3 million annually and supports programs such as accreditation and performance improvement, local health department grants, community health workers, prescription assistance, asthma and COPD programs, workforce development, and a sexual assault programs set-aside. They said the Title V block grant provides about $11.7 million, with 35% directed to children and youth with special health care needs and 65% to maternal and child health populations, largely through local health departments and a five-year needs assessment process. After no questions, a motion was made and seconded to approve both block grants. The roll call vote passed 19-0, and the two block grants were approved. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The next item was a discussion of the child waiver created in House Bill 6. Committee members raised concerns that the proposed 1915(c) waiver did not match the legislature’s intent, which they said was to move children from the Michelle P. waiver to free slots for adults. Cabinet officials from DCBS, behavioral health, and Medicaid described the proposed “Community Health for Improved Lives and Development” waiver as a targeted home- and community-based program for children under 21 with severe behavioral health or developmental needs, including those stepping down from inpatient or residential care or at risk of out-of-home placement. They said the waiver is designed for about 100 slots, uses a standardized needs-based assessment, and includes case management, community living supports, home modifications, respite, supervised residential care, and clinical therapeutic services. Officials said the public comment period ended July 15, responses are being compiled for August submission to CMS, and the waiver is part of the broader Families First initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is the rate that's coming anyway, which is why it doesn't cost money, so this just expedites
• And so this is the rate that's coming anyway, which is why it doesn't cost money, so this just expedites
• The rate that's coming anyway, which is why it doesn't cost money, so this just expedites the process
• There's expedited rulemaking, exempt rulemaking, and obsolete rule rulemaking, or I guess rule removing
• Ru making exempt rule making expedited Ru making exempt rule making and<01:31:19.920><c> obsolete</c

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to local governments for employee salaries are considered a financial urgency and provides for an expedited
• to local governments for employee salaries are considered a financial urgency and provides for an expedited
• to local governments for employee salaries are considered a financial urgency and provides for an expedited
• impasse resolution process. ...urgency and provides for an expedited impasse resolution process regarding
• We're just saying it has to happen in an expedited manner because it sure is a financial urgency to make

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar. The chamber then took up several Senate bills on special order, with members offering questions and debate before final votes. The first major measure, CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Rayner Act, would reclassify certain offenses against law enforcement officers and add manslaughter of an officer to the life-sentence reclassification statute. Supporters said it honored Officer Rayner and clarified that resistance to officers with violence is unlawful; opponents argued it reduced judicial discretion and could sweep in unintended cases. The bill passed 100-8. The House next passed CS/SB 688 on naturopathic medicine, which creates a regulatory framework and licensure standards for naturopathic physicians, defines scope limits, and establishes a board under the Department of Health. Supporters framed it as a consumer protection and medical freedom bill, while opponents called it an expansion of scope and criticized the low penalty for unlicensed practice. It passed 85-22. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, creating a Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, a Speech and Debate Week, and a statewide debate initiative, by a unanimous 112-0 vote. Members then approved CS/CS/SB 1220, a broad transportation bill covering FDOT authority, airports and seaports, drone and delivery devices, autonomous vehicle crimes, tolls, and other transportation issues; an amendment added provisions on Space Florida, golf carts, automated license plate recognition, and related matters while removing digital driver’s license repeal language. The bill passed 87-23. SB 962 on affordable housing, which clarifies that Live Local Act zoning preemption does not unintentionally capture working farms and farm operations, passed 109-2. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1580 on aiding illegal gaming was introduced and discussed; it would strengthen penalties for illegal slot machines and unregulated gaming arcades, clarify reporting and enforcement, and preempt local regulation, with questions focused on VFWs, sweepstakes, fantasy sports, and online betting. The transcript then shifted into lengthy farewell remarks and recognitions, including tributes from members leaving the House and acknowledgments of guests in the galleries.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides useful information, at least from what I've been able to look at, and it's really expedited
• It provides useful information, at least from what I've been able to look at, and it's really expedited
• <00:41:40.960><c> and</c><00:41:41.079><c> it's</c><00:41:41.560><c> really</c><00:41:41.839><c> expedited
• </c><00:41:42.400><c> my</c> that and and it's really expedited my that and and it's really expedited

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.