Video & Transcript Research : 'study'
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LA
Transcript Highlights:
- , but in this case they would support and be actively involved in studying the issue.
- He said the issues are varied and important enough that they need to be studied.
- He added that study resolutions are not well received, but in this case they would support studying the
- He said the issues are varied and important enough to study.
- I really think you probably need to study it, but frankly, I don't even know why we'd be studying it
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Commission on Civic Education May 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Cade Brumley, State Superintendent, and the Louisiana Department of Education, and former social studies
- We redid our social studies content standards, and a big component of that was civics.
- Over 70% of social studies teachers in the United States use this platform and it's totally free.
- But anyway, it's a fantastic and free resource for civic teachers and social studies teachers.
- But anyway, but it's a fantastic and free resource for civic teachers and social studies teachers.
Summary:
The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with quorum, approved the minutes from its previous meeting, and took several action items related to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LIAC). The commission unanimously approved the 2026-27 LIAC membership slate after reviewing recommendations from the selection committee, and it also approved the council’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, noting the only change was an updated IRS mileage rate. Members thanked the legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years when it relied on outside donations.
The meeting featured presentations on civic education resources and America 250 programming. Brandon Burris, representing the Lieutenant Governor’s office, highlighted Louisiana state parks, the Checkout Louisiana library backpack programs for parks and museums, Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s anti-litter campaign, and Homework Louisiana. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national civics education trends, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and LPB’s “Louisiana’s Hidden History” videos and teacher resources on Bernardo de Galvez and Spanish Louisiana.
LIAC members then reported on their work, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment concerns, and local civic engagement projects. Peggy Cotonia of the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported 87 Law Day presentations and 287 total Law Day and Constitution Day presentations reaching about 9,400 students, along with updates on awards and a shortened but still free summer institute for teachers. Barry Irwin reported that legislation to clean up outdated commission membership and quorum language had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education, moving toward final passage. The commission adjourned after no further business.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, she spent the weekend studying for the bar.
- So I again thank the author for bringing this bill as we look at these studies. Thank you.
- instead of asking CARB itself to do it because I think that would help provide efficacy when the study
- So I again thank the author for bringing this bill as we look at these studies. Thank you.
- He pursued his studies with dedication and perseverance, graduating cum laude and earning degrees in
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and proceeded through a lengthy floor file with many ceremonial guest introductions before taking up legislation. Members welcomed student groups, interns, sorority and civic organization members, and other visitors, including groups focused on coastal protection, youth tobacco prevention, and disability advocacy. The chamber also observed a birthday acknowledgment and later held an adjournment in memory for Dado Banatao, honoring his life, engineering achievements, philanthropy, and support for Filipino American students.
On the floor file, the Assembly considered several measures. AB 2323 by McKinnor, on modernizing public notice, passed 57-0. ACR 149 by Hart, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy, drew extensive debate over coastal protection, housing, access, and the role of the Coastal Commission; it was adopted by voice vote after 46 co-authors were added. AB 2011 by Hart, codifying federal mental health parity standards in state law, passed 46-5. AB 2691 by Addis, expanding disqualifying felony convictions for elected office to include sexual assault and human trafficking, passed 53-0.
The Assembly also adopted HR 31 on Denim Day and sexual assault awareness after emotional testimony from multiple members about personal experiences, survivor support, victim-blaming, and the need for accountability and prevention; 68 co-authors were added before the resolution passed by voice vote. Additional bills passed included AB 1621 by Wilson on housing approval timelines (64-0), AB 1704 by Mark Gonzalez on studying low-embodied-carbon building material costs (58-0), AB 1916 by Lee on including ASL interpreters in the certified interpreter definition (59-2), AB 2559 by Ward on refundable construction and demolition deposits (61-0), AB 2663 by Rogers as an urgency alcoholic beverage sunset extension (64-0), and AB 2731 by Addis expanding on-sale alcohol licenses in Santa Cruz County (63-0). The consent calendar was also adopted 64-0, and the House adjourned until April 30 at 9 a.m.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So, and I'm a nuclear engineer, I study this stuff. So I'm not as optimistic as many...
- Study over that if they were in a country, they would be number 55 out of the two 12 countries in the
- But studying that interfacing of the MAGNET facility with power conversion unit to the Microgrid in a
- But studying that interfacing of the MAGNET facility with power conversion unit to the Microgrid in a
- materials both in pre-radiation and post-radiation, and study that deformation in those.
Summary:
The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce.
A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base.
The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tax Expenditure Review Commission annual report 2/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As we all know from the tax incidence study, the sales tax is inherently the most regressive tax that
- tax know from the um from the uh tax know from the um from the uh tax incident<00:21:41.520>
study - >
sales <00:21:42.400>tax <00:21:42.720>is <00:21:43.280>just incident study - , the sales tax is just incident study, the sales tax is just inherently<00:21:44.240>
the <00: - coming months and years is to look at some of the techniques and approaches that they use and the studies
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/17/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #6
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and members, HB 2388, Appropriation: Commerce Authority Nuclear Study, appropriates, after
- passing appropriations, $100,000 to the Arizona Commerce Authority to conduct a study on the economic
- People do the studies and they just go away and never return, and another new group will come in and
- People do the studies and they just go away and never return, and another new group will come in and
- People do the studies and they just go away and never return, and another new group will come in and
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills.
Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests.
A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/29/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- That position is inconsistent with ARS 36-3403(E), which requires an independent annual study of the
- No impact study for key rate setting. Access did not conduct an impact study.
- Access acknowledged that it changed behavioral health rates without an impact study.
- For context, the priority five-year study reviewed both schedules.
- Access responded that the rate study focused on the fee-for-service rates.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a fourth hearing in its ongoing review of alleged fraud, waste, and abuse involving AHCCCS/Access and DHS, with a major focus on Medicaid eligibility verification for the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) population, behavioral health and sober living oversight, and payment delays to providers. Senator Shamp presented findings she said showed major gaps in ABD asset verification, including claims that only a fraction of enrollees were checked and that many ineligible members may remain on the rolls. She urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification requirements, better PARIS data sharing, and legislative changes to close what she described as a compliance and taxpayer-risk gap. Reva Stewart also testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people, including Native Americans, continues through social media and other channels, and she called for stronger enforcement and transparency.
Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, argued that the state’s response to fraud has become overly punitive toward legitimate providers. She said ADHS often sends technical paperwork deficiencies straight to enforcement instead of allowing plans of correction, that zoning approvals are being questioned despite not being within ADHS authority, and that long Access approval timelines are creating licensing and billing delays. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has seen a large volume of unlicensed complaints, that it is trying to improve staffing and data systems, and that some enforcement tools have been expanded for sober living homes. She also said many sober living operators are in recovery themselves and provide low-cost housing and support rather than direct billing to Access.
Access Director Virginia Roundtree said the agency is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers. She reported steps such as daily internal huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an outside review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management, and a new external claims vendor to help reduce backlogs. Senators pressed her on a specific provider’s long-delayed payments and prepayment review, and she said the agency would provide answers early the following week. Access staff also described provider resolution roundtables and said unadjudicated claims had been reduced to zero, though members questioned whether that was due to denials rather than resolution. The hearing ended with the chair announcing legislation to preserve the American Indian Health Plan as a fee-for-service option while requiring Access to contract administrative and care management functions to another entity, citing structural failures in Access’s ability to operate the plan safely and effectively.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, of course, projects severe nursing workforce shortages by 2036
- not the best use of state resources if out of state students are are available and interested in studying
- Um, our understanding of biological systems have come a long way since I studied biology in Stanford
- , but to fund studies at universities that don't have a conflict of interest, because one of the great
- This bill creates a research initiative to study how agricultural practices, particularly pesticide use
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- For background studies reporting on shelter and supportive housing.
- Line 622 is for a grant to the Wilder Foundation for a Homelessness Study.
- Section 10 sets fees for child foster care and adoption background studies.
- Section 11 establishes background study requirements for EIDBI providers.
- And background study documentation. Sections 5 and 6 are new.
Bills:
HF2434
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Martin Makary, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services. Mar 6th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I am very familiar with Mifepristone and I did review those studies including two surveys of patients
- I shared with you that study, study from the National Academies, where scientists looked at, just so
- We have no idea what's in these products and public health is not even going to be able to study them
- In fact, the FDA acknowledged that the studies that they looked at did not take into account the new
- studied any safety outcomes related to a child who might still be born.
Keywords:
nominations, labor, health, veterans, Social Security, Elon Musk, transparency, government accountability
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on various executive nominations and their implications on labor and health affairs. Significant discussions surrounded the nomination of Mr. Sonderling as the Deputy Secretary of Labor, with members expressing concerns about workforce cuts affecting veterans and Social Security employees. There was also a debate led by a member regarding the authority and influence of private individuals, specifically citing Elon Musk's involvement in government decisions. Such discussions raised questions about transparency and accountability within governmental agencies, leading to a proposal for Mr. Musk to provide testimony before the committee.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026
Legislative Oversight & Sunset
Transcript Highlights:
- First, multiple studies confirm that veterinarians do, in fact, encounter animal abuse.
- Perhaps the most commonly cited study is a 2017 study by the Veterinary Information Network, which found
- But there are other studies, many others, all pointing to the same sad story.
- Our own in-house veterinarian echoes what these studies report, that as a veterinarian, she sees far
Summary:
The Senate Legislative Oversight Committee met in hybrid format and took up HB 415/HS1, which would require veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. The chair described the bill as addressing a gap in Delaware law and noted that veterinarians are often the first professionals able to identify signs of cruelty. Supporters emphasized the connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence, and said the measure would help detect and address abuse earlier.
Public testimony was uniformly supportive. A representative from the Delaware Veterinary Medical Association thanked the sponsor and said the bill had been amended with input from the association. A representative of the state council said the council did not take a formal position but was significantly interested because of the bill’s link to agriculture and animal welfare. Online witnesses from Animals for Animals Action Fund and Faithful Friends Animal Society also supported the bill, citing the need for mandatory reporting, existing immunity protections for good-faith reports, and studies showing veterinarians frequently encounter abuse.
No committee vote was taken during the meeting. After public comment concluded, the chair adjourned the meeting, noting that HB 415 was the only item on the agenda.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/12/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Would it not be best to have this bill create the study and then, based on the results of the study,
- So, um, the study committee would be great, and that's why we put it in.
- and then based on the results of study and then based on the results of the the the study study study
- So, I mean, I definitely support going forward with the study.
- support um going forward with the study support um going forward with the study I<03:53:38.399><
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 04/09/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- of doing uh a study. They have a docket. of doing uh a study. They have a docket.
- I respect the idea of a study. We've tried some studies in other cases.
- um but then would uh allow for a study um but then would uh allow for a study using<01:19:30.800
- Um I but the land of 10,000 studies.
- <01:21:29.440>
is forward and uh switching to a study is forward and uh switching to a study
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/25/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The COLA study required by the needs.
- Um, probation officers are part of that study.
- That um study is currently determined.
- I will highlight that that um study at.
- <01:25:39.040>
back plan and they created a new study back plan and they created a new study
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I can't give you the final data because the study is in progress, but I can tell you with certainty..
- AB 2015 requires Caltrans to conduct a study on the impact of third-party navigation apps on the state
- So we thought a study would be the best way to look at this to really understand if there's something
- So we thought a study would be the best way to look at this to really understand if there's something
- In the study, hopefully what comes back from the study will create the opportunity to actually implement
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- We will provide more detailed information about utilization studies in our written testimony.
- Additionally, study after study showed the clinical benefits to patients when this occurred.
- Additionally, study after study showed the clinical benefits to patients when this occurred.
- I studied homeopathy over an 11-year period and am now nationally certified as a classical homeopath,
- I studied homeopathy over 11-year period and now nationally certified classical homeopaths, which is
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives.
A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing.
There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (12/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- committee this conclusion of that study committee this was<00:18:37.200>
about <00:18:37.760>< - I don’t believe that study committee per se came up with future legislation, but it was more a matter
- of different members of that study committee might do that.
- <00:22:22.080>
But <00:22:22.240>it study committee uh might do that. - But it study committee uh might do that.
Summary:
The committee met on December 19, 2025, approved the draft minutes from the November 21 regular meeting, and received a DHS commissioners update. Patricia Tilly reported on the state’s rural health transformation application, saying CMS had provided only one question and positive feedback, that the final federal award amount was still pending, and that DHS was preparing an accept-and-expend item for fiscal review using an up-to amount. She also said the new Hampstead YDC facility remains on track, with substantive construction expected by late summer 2026 and move-in likely in early January 2027. In response to questions, she confirmed the playground/outdoor activity area had been in the original design and was added when funding became available.
Henry Litman, Medicaid director, discussed the Senate Bill 248 study committee report on palliative and hospice care. He explained the distinction between palliative care, which can be provided while a patient still seeks curative treatment, and hospice care, which involves electing not to pursue curative services. He said the committee’s work pointed to a need for better education for providers and the public, and described ongoing conversations with the Foundation for Healthy Communities and Home Health and Hospice about developing materials and possibly addressing how palliative services are bundled. He also said the study committee itself did not generate future legislation, though members could pursue it separately.
Litman then answered questions about Medicaid eligibility and long-term services and supports, including delays in processing, the backlog from pandemic-era redeterminations, and efforts to speed reviews. He said the department is using temporary staffing funded in part by last session’s legislation, working with the New Hampshire Healthcare Association, counties, and UNH Law to streamline policy and training, and relying more on electronic asset verification while still guarding against improper asset transfers. He emphasized the goal of balancing faster access to benefits with compliance and fraud prevention.
Robert Rodler followed with the annual tuition waiver update for children in foster care or guardianship. He reported 82 applicants and 65 waivers granted, including 35 for USNH schools and 30 for the community college system, and noted a correction would be issued for inaccurate continuing/new student figures in the report. Senator Gray said he intends to pursue a separate budget appropriation for these tuition waiver costs in the future so the funding would be clearly identified and easier to track. No additional votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I read the study and was very disappointed.
- So, I appreciate the study.
- was<00:26:27.919>
very read the study and was very read the study and was very disappointed - That study was written by disappointed.
- I was the that I appreciate the study.
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They are studying comparative politics.
- So were you in Bible study this morning? No, wasn't it?
- Bible study.
- I didn't go to Bible study either, so I didn't see that thou shalt not steal.
- Of course, she did have 30 minutes to study it while you were being tortured.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with.
The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers.
One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 01-31-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- He has expertise used to have a program in studying the new technologies.
- fairly small appropriation, I hear $750,000 or so, to restart that program and, with that program, study
- the new technologies it it um studying the new technologies it it closed<00:04:58.320>
a <00:04 - <00:05:11.840>
the <00:05:11.960>new program with uh studying the new program with - uh studying the new technologies<00:05:13.199>
and <00:05:13.360>providing <00:05:13.720
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.