Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:24:38.040><c> ofc><01:24:38.560><c> orc><01:24:38.880><c> typec><01:24:39.080><c> ofc
• ><01:42:25.360><c> differentc><01:42:25.599><c> typec><01:42:25.760><c> ofc> look look El s um
• c><04:18:07.439><c> garagec><04:18:07.920><c> typec><04:18:08.119><c> buildingc><04:18:08.520
• c><04:27:15.880><c> typesc><04:27:16.119><c> ofc> to to run to to do different types of to to run
• thosec><05:58:20.040><c> typec><05:58:20.200><c> ofc><05:58:20.320><c> thingsc><05:58:20.520>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> orc><00:42:50.319><c> putsc><00:42:50.880><c> thosec><00:42:51.359><c> typec><00:42:51.760
• umc><00:52:24.640><c> digitalc><00:52:25.440><c> typec> books dealing with um digital type books
• :13:55.760><c> typec><01:13:55.920><c> ofc> opportunity to put together some type of opportunity
• the type of you're doing, especially the type of case<01:55:06.480><c> wherec><01:55:06.800><c> we
• c><01:56:01.280><c> arec><01:56:01.440><c> variousc><01:56:01.920><c> typesc><01:56:02.159><c

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill. Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• um scheme that punishes<00:26:16.279><c> thesec><00:26:16.520><c> typec><00:26:16.720><c> ofc>
• <00:26:17.039><c> offensesc><00:26:18.039><c> ourc><00:26:18.440><c> Ourc> punishes these type
• bans uh<00:30:50.760><c> thec><00:30:50.960><c> typec><00:30:51.120><c> ofc><00:30:51.519><c>
• consumerc><00:30:51.960><c> fireworksc><00:30:52.440><c> suchc> uh the type of consumer fireworks
• they do not explicitly<02:14:12.520><c> protectc><02:14:12.960><c> allc><02:14:13.199><c> types<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 13, 2025, and took up several firearms and fireworks measures. On SB 227, which would create an illegal fireworks enforcement division in the Department of Law Enforcement and appropriate funds, DLE supported the bill, saying fireworks enforcement has become a full-time job requiring dedicated staff rather than a collateral-duty task force. Members discussed whether the bill and the related task force bill were both needed; DLE said yes, explaining that the new division would provide full-time state employees while the task force funding covers interagency costs such as transportation, storage, overtime, and personnel. Testimony on SB 227 was reported as 12 in support and 6 in opposition. On SB 222, which would fund the illegal fireworks task force and extend its sunset to June 30, 2030, DLE and the Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, emphasizing continued enforcement pressure and interagency coordination. An opponent from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii argued the bill was a waste of time, criticized fireworks prohibition as cultural overreach, and performed a song in opposition. Representative Shimizu asked about results from the extra enforcement effort, and DLE said enforcement has driven up street prices and made investors think twice, which they described as a goal of pricing people out of the market. The chair reported 13 testimonies in support and 6 in opposition. The committee then heard SB 1324, a more comprehensive fireworks bill that would revise definitions and penalties, create first- and second-degree fireworks offenses, add infractions, and increase penalties for serious injury or death. DLE and the Attorney General strongly supported it, saying the bill would improve enforcement, address black-market activity, and help prosecutors when fireworks have already exploded and evidence is destroyed. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing existing laws already punish these offenses and that the real issue is enforcement; the office also raised constitutional concerns about the bill’s concurrent civil infraction and criminal trial process. Honolulu Police supported the bill, while the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said the alternative definitions would help in cases involving exploded versus seized fireworks. The chair noted 17 testimonies in support, 7 in opposition, and 3 comments, and members discussed whether the bill could be amended to address the public defender’s concerns. The committee also began hearing SB 308, which would expand the state’s magazine-capacity restrictions to firearms with detachable magazines over 30 rounds, with a grandfathering provision for certain magazines obtained before January 1, 2026. DLE supported the bill as a fair balance that would grandfather existing magazines while preventing new high-capacity acquisitions. Opposition testimony from Jerry Yuan of the Pool, Oil, Rifle, and Pistol Club argued the proposal was another shifting restriction and opposed magazine bans generally. The hearing continued with additional testimony not fully captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:01:51.920><c> itc><00:01:52.159><c> stillc><00:01:52.240><c> hasc><00:01:52.399><c> ac
• c><00:01:54.799><c> Andc><00:01:55.280><c> uhc><00:01:55.439><c> asc><00:01:55.680><c> ofc>
• <c> Ic><00:03:56.560><c> havec><00:03:56.720><c> madec><00:03:56.959><c> anc><00:03:57.360><c
• 10:34.800><c> non-disclosurec><00:10:35.440><c> ofc><00:10:35.600><c> thatc><00:10:35.839><c> type
• c> principle of non-disclosure of that type principle of non-disclosure of that type of<00:10:36.160

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of economic development, tax, retirement, alcohol, and property tax bills, with several members explaining that some measures were being extended through repealers or prepared as omnibus vehicles for later floor amendments. Early in the meeting, members discussed a bill extending the Healthcare Industry Zone Act repealer to 2028, noting MDA had requested additional language for a floor amendment and citing roughly $715 million in expected new investment and more than 3,000 jobs since 2012. The committee also passed SB 2832, extending the Mississippi Shoreline Tax Credit program to 2029 with an $8 million annual cap, and SB 2849, extending the SMART business research program repealer to 2028. SB 2843, changing eligible expenses for MDA site development and utility infrastructure readiness, SB 2847, rounding state and local cash charges to the nearest nickel, and SB 2865, a gaming-related tax credit for non-gaming capital projects at casino properties, were also explained and passed without opposition. The committee then considered SB 2882, which prohibits counties from requiring homestead exemption applicants to provide closing statements or disclosures, citing privacy concerns; it was passed. SB 2912, a PERS-requested bill allowing Roth contributions in the state deferred compensation plan and removing an earlier qualified domestic order provision, also passed. The committee next took up SB 2834 and SB 2838 as omnibus vehicles: SB 2834 was described as the Senate omnibus tag bill, and SB 2838 as the qualified resort status bill, which included an addition for a community college campus and golf course in western Mississippi. Both bills received reverse repealers and were reported out. A lengthy discussion centered on SB 2915, which makes technical changes to Mississippi’s native wine laws, removes a repealer, expands tasting room options, and addresses ABC pickup and delivery timing. Senator McMahon offered an amendment to strike the pickup language after consulting with the Commissioner of Revenue, saying the current warehouse setup did not support the option yet; the amendment passed. Senator Sparks raised concerns about ABC delivery delays, the impact on small retailers, and whether the bill could raise commerce clause issues by favoring in-state wineries, but the author said the language conforms to existing distillery provisions. After no further questions, the committee passed the committee substitute and then rose and reported, with the chair noting another meeting would likely be held the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:00:52.079><c> Thisc><00:00:52.320><c> isc><00:00:52.480><c> ac> to you guys Senate File
• .<00:01:30.159><c> Andc><00:01:30.400><c> soc><00:01:31.200><c> whatc><00:01:31.360><c> thatc
• c><00:05:29.120><c> Ic><00:05:29.360><c> wasc><00:05:29.520><c> alsoc><00:05:29.680><c> ac>
• So, it it it'll keep that poaching away. uh<00:19:36.240><c> thatc><00:19:36.480><c> typec><00:19
• :38.640><c> uhc> uh that type of thing and and uh uh that type of thing and and uh receiving<00:19:

Bills: SF0014, SF0053

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> anyc><00:02:16.239><c> otherc><00:02:16.519><c> concernsc><00:02:17.000><c> youc><00:02:
• c> letc><00:02:54.519><c> youc><00:02:54.680><c> knowc><00:02:55.599><c> Ic><00:02:55.800><c>
• :13:23.079><c> avoidc><00:13:23.560><c> thisc><00:13:23.800><c> typec><00:13:24.440><c> ofc><
• 00:13:25.440><c> yeahc> other ones to avoid this type of yeah other ones to avoid this type of yeah
• ><c> typesc><00:19:58.320><c> ofc> we're<00:20:00.840><c> goingc><00:20:00.919><c> toc><00:20

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Economic Development and Tourism committees heard S.B. 890, which would have prohibited the sale, display, or marketing of products labeled as poi unless wholly derived from Hawaii-grown taro. The Attorney General’s Office raised Commerce Clause and free speech concerns, and the Department of Agriculture offered support with comments. Testimony was mixed: several individuals and organizations supported the bill as a way to protect the cultural integrity and purity of poi and support local taro farmers, while an industry representative opposed the bill as written, arguing that poi is a process, that the language was too restrictive, and that the industry already faces taro shortages and supply variability. Committee members also discussed the limited supply of local kalo, the use of imported taro for tabletop products, and the need to expand production. After testimony, the committees recommended passing S.B. 890 with amendments. The amendment package would convert the measure from a prohibition to a labeling requirement so poi made with ingredients from outside Hawaii must be labeled with the origins of those ingredients, remove references specifically to taro to accommodate other ingredients, add a severability clause, and set a defective date of July 1, 2050. The measure was adopted, with one senator voting with reservations and the rest voting aye. The committees then took up previously heard measures. S.B. 281, relating to telehealth, was recommended for passage with amendments to reinstate an opt-out from video conferencing in the definition of interactive telecommunications software; it was adopted. S.B. 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, was recommended for passage unamended and was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Financec><00:05:00.639><c> hasc> Bill 2 that the chair of Finance has said are RNA-type things
• yeah that's uh I mean I I'm not sure<00:27:11.200><c> whatc><00:27:11.440><c> typec><00:27:11.600
• type of argument they would sure what type of argument they would make<00:27:12.559><c> withc><00:
• ><c> wouldc><01:12:56.120><c> justc><01:12:56.239><c> wantc><01:12:56.320><c> toc> types so I
• ><c> typesc><01:34:46.800><c> ofc><01:34:47.400><c> ofc> for sorry $100,000 for these types of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed selected House Bill 2 provisions, focusing first on the group two pension reform language and whether it matched prior legislation and the fiscal note. Members discussed two main issues: the treatment of extra and special duty pay in the pension calculation for employees hired before 2011, and the annuity multiplier after 15 years of creditable service. Several members said the HB 2 language was intended to restore prior law and protect against pension “spiking,” while others worried the draft and fiscal note may not have fully reflected current law, potentially affecting the cost estimate. The discussion repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid underfunding or double counting and to make sure Finance had the correct actuarial assumptions. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to flag the issues for Finance and to clarify the fiscal note. Members also discussed the vested-rights language, which was described as an explicit definition of vesting and a restriction on future legislative changes to compensation calculations after three years of service. Some viewed it as a policy protection with no immediate fiscal impact, while others noted it had been included in prior legislation and should be clearly understood before the bill moved forward. The committee also briefly referenced prior pension legislation, including House Bill 436 and House Bill 727, and noted that HB 2 was being used to carry forward related pension repair provisions. The committee then turned to an OPLC-related section transferring building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel gas inspector positions from OPLC to the Department of Safety’s Fire Marshal’s office. Testimony explained that the nine inspector positions are funded from the licensing fund, and that the move was justified as a public-safety function better aligned with the Fire Marshal’s mission because the inspections are statewide code-enforcement work rather than facility-specific licensing work. The discussion ended with a note that the remaining HB 2 changes run through 2034 and a brief announcement about memorial arrangements for C.J. Gerard.

Transcript Highlights:

• asc><00:21:26.400><c> somec><00:21:26.559><c> typec><00:21:26.799><c> ofc><00:21:27.120><c> vehicle
• ><c> onec><00:23:15.360><c> ofc><00:23:15.520><c> thosec><00:23:15.840><c> typesc><00:23:16.080
• ><c> ofc> >> Was that is this one of those types of >> Was that is this one of those types
• that gets the committees that gets the >> standing<00:23:19.440><c> typec><00:23:19.840><c>
• ><c> ofc> >> standing type members that allow all of >> standing type members that allow

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then moved into a work session on its remaining bills. The main discussion centered on House Bill 477, which would establish a commission to study safety and security procedures at the New Hampshire State House. Members debated whether a new commission was needed, with several speakers arguing that security is already being reviewed through the bipartisan Joint Facilities Committee and existing security staff, including an outside consultant’s review. Others raised concerns that members do not always know how to report safety or behavioral issues and suggested better communication to the full membership about who to contact and what information can be shared. The House clerk then explained the structure and authority of the Joint Facilities Committee under RSA 17-E, noting that it is a bipartisan legislative committee made up only of elected officials, with publicly listed members, defined duties, and the ability to meet in nonpublic session on sensitive matters such as security. The clerk said members can bring concerns to the committee, its chair, or their caucus leadership, and that some safety briefings are already given to all members when appropriate. Several members said they preferred keeping security matters limited to a need-to-know basis and opposed creating a new commission that could force public discussion of sensitive procedures. The committee then voted on HB 477. Representative Sheen moved ITL, Representative Turkot seconded, and the motion passed 12-0, with Representative Wall voting no. The bill was sent to consent. After that, the committee began discussion of House Bill 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• :13:25.639><c> thec><00:13:25.760><c> typec> improved or not um this is not the type improved or
• not um this is not the type of<00:13:26.040><c> terrainc><00:13:26.639><c> thatc><00:13:26.839><c
• <c> typec> of terrain that Gully it's not the type of terrain that Gully it's not the type of<00:13
• :37.160><c> arec><00:13:37.320><c> thec><00:13:37.440><c> typesc><00:13:37.639><c> ofc><00:13
• ><c> typec><01:44:19.280><c> ofc> Islands would benefit from any type of Islands would benefit from

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> typesc><00:18:36.880><c> ofc> work on these critical types of work on these critical types of
• c><01:02:38.559><c> citiesc><01:02:38.880><c> ofc> type setting.
• is no other uh uh Madina where there is no other uh uh type<01:02:44.559><c> ofc><01:02:44.799><c>
• waterc><01:02:45.200><c> infrastructurec><01:02:45.680><c> inc><01:02:45.920><c> ourc> type
• of water infrastructure in our type of water infrastructure in our area.<01:02:46.319><c> So,c><01:

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:03:44.560><c> Andc><00:03:44.760><c> Ic><00:03:44.800><c> wantc><00:03:44.960><c> toc
• ><c> youc><00:24:51.000><c> mightc> type of shooting you're doing, you might type of shooting you're
• apportion accountability for the types apportion accountability for the types of<00:56:00.800><c> long-running
• in time where that we live at a point in time where these<01:16:38.320><c> typesc><01:16:38.560><c
• > ofc><01:16:38.640><c> politicalc><01:16:39.040><c> tricksc><01:16:39.480><c> arec> these types

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• 26:36.200><c> thosec><00:26:36.480><c> typec><00:26:36.640><c> ofc><00:26:36.840><c> thingsc>
• <00:26:37.440><c> soc> a nurse doctor those type of things so a nurse doctor those type of things so
• do now this is my job and I need to do these<00:58:24.200><c> typec><00:58:24.359><c> ofc><00:58
• :58:25.960><c> Uc> these type of things now know that U these type of things now know that U many<00
• :01:15.039><c> andc><01:01:15.240><c> whatc><01:01:15.400><c> typec><01:01:15.559><c> ofc><01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have been linked to a number of different<00:31:00.919><c> typesc><00:31:01.120><c> ofc><00:31:01.320
• ><c> cancerc><00:31:01.639><c> andc><00:31:01.799><c> reducedc> different types of cancer and reduced
• different types of cancer and reduced fertility fertility fertility yes<00:31:05.440><c> canc><00:
• can we treat it<01:13:06.920><c> whatc><01:13:07.159><c> typec><01:13:07.360><c> ofc><01:13:07.639
• type of Technology we'd have to it what type of Technology we'd have to use<01:13:09.239><c> toc><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Department of Environmental Services officials outlined the solid waste system, including curbside collection, convenience centers, transfer stations, H-POWER, and the existing landfill, and explained that H-POWER reduces the volume of waste going to the landfill by about 90%. They reviewed the siting history, including the 2019 Land Use Commission deadline, the 2020 enactment of Act 73 with landfill setback and conservation-district restrictions, and the 2021-2022 landfill advisory committee that evaluated six sites but recommended none because they were within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. The city said it ultimately selected a site in central Oahu, on agricultural land near Wahiawa and the Dole Plantation, as the best legally permissible option and described it as requiring about 150 acres, with 90 acres for the landfill itself. City officials also described the proposed landfill design and safeguards, emphasizing a modern sanitary landfill with double liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring. They said the ash from H-POWER is dry and that leachate would be pumped to a wastewater treatment plant. They stated the site is away from residences and groundwater wells, accessible by highway, and can be permitted under state and federal rules, though they acknowledged that a full environmental review, public hearings, and multiple permits would still be required. When asked whether the new landfill could be operating before the 2028 closure date, the city said it did not yet know and that an extension of Waimanalo Gulch might be needed if the new site is not ready in time. The Board of Water Supply strongly opposed the city’s decision to site a landfill above Oahu’s freshwater resources. Its representative said the agency’s mission is to protect safe, dependable water for the future and that it had disapproved all six previously proposed sites because they were located over freshwater aquifers. In response to questions from legislators, the Board said it could not guarantee the liner system would remain impermeable forever and warned that leachate can contain hazardous chemicals, including so-called forever chemicals. The Board characterized the proposal as a long-term risk to the island’s drinking water supply and compared the decision to past infrastructure choices that later proved problematic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• applies to rule drafts it gets<00:24:48.520><c> thec><00:24:48.600><c> samec><00:24:48.799><c> type
• c><00:24:48.960><c> ofc><00:24:49.080><c> legalc><00:24:49.480><c> reviewc> gets the same type
• of legal review gets the same type of legal review they'll<00:24:51.039><c> receivec><00:24:51.440
• ><c> thec><00:24:51.520><c> samec><00:24:51.760><c> typesc><00:24:52.000><c> ofc> they'll receive
• the same types of they'll receive the same types of comments<00:24:52.640><c> andc><00:24:52.880><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director. Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff. Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• 18.360><c> thisc><00:01:18.560><c> programc><00:01:18.840><c> servesc><00:01:19.360><c> overc
• the experience to to be um to manage the types<00:08:54.800><c> ofc><00:08:55.399><c> ofc><00:08
• c><00:08:57.320><c> isc> types of of um housing support there is types of of um housing support there
• c><00:09:31.640><c> typec><00:09:32.000><c> ofc><00:09:32.480><c> housingc> vacancies and a certain
• type of housing vacancies and a certain type of housing support<00:09:33.200><c> wec><00:09:33.279

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> forc><00:29:58.440><c> thatc><00:29:58.679><c> typec><00:29:58.880><c> ofc><00:29:59.120
• ><c> activityc> not set up up for that type of activity not set up up for that type of activity we<
• ><c> thatc><00:30:05.279><c> typec><00:30:06.159><c> ofc><00:30:07.159><c> uhc> we don't have
• um that type of uh we don't have um that type of uh infrastructure<00:30:09.080><c> okayc><00:30:09.320
• /c><01:23:11.199><c> nowc><01:23:11.360><c> wec><01:23:11.480><c> don'tc> types of events and right

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:50.600><c> willc><00:01:50.840><c> askc><00:01:51.080><c> youc><00:01:51.160><c> toc
• :35.520><c> thosec><00:42:35.720><c> typec> corporate structures and and those type corporate structures
• and and those type of<00:42:36.160><c> ofc><00:42:36.320><c> things,c><00:42:36.680><c> butc><
• 01:04:08.640><c> morec><01:04:08.840><c> partisan-typec><01:04:09.720><c> reform.
• c> uh in this more partisan-type reform. uh in this more partisan-type reform.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• inadvertentlyc><01:03:10.240><c> exemptc><01:03:11.280><c> thesec><01:03:11.680><c> typesc><
• 01:03:11.920><c> ofc> in inadvertently exempt these types of in inadvertently exempt these types of
• c> typec><01:27:30.159><c> ofc><01:27:30.320><c> valuec> They're experts in this type of value
• to be able to predict<02:02:16.239><c> thatc><02:02:16.400><c> typec><02:02:16.560><c> ofc><02
• c><02:02:16.800><c> Soc><02:02:17.040><c> justc> predict that type of thing.

Bills: HB1719, HB1742, HB1737, HB2049, HB1725, HB1726, HB1738, HB1799, HB1700

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• C. The any investigation or inquiry. C. The any investigation or inquiry. C.
• type type material.
• C. Runs a mobile to the internet. C. Runs a mobile to the internet. C.
• C. advertisements. C. advertisements.
• C. The appointing authorities shall C.

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:37.919><c> Allc><00:05:38.160><c> thosec><00:05:38.320><c> inc><00:05:38.479><c> favor
• c> ablec><00:12:34.160><c> toc><00:12:34.320><c> doc><00:12:34.399><c> thisc><00:12:34.639><c
• ><c> typesc><00:27:35.360><c> ofc> like u food stamps, these types of like u food stamps, these types
• holdc><00:56:54.240><c> inc><00:56:54.559><c> ac><00:56:55.040><c> typec><00:56:55.280><c> of
• c> interest that you hold in a type of interest that you hold in a type of cryptocurrency.<00:56:56.799

Bills: HB2117, HB2155, HB1832, HB1601, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2004, HB1810, HB2323, HB1691, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB2214, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB1964, HB2218, HB1535, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1724, HB1733, HB2416, HB2001, HB1603, HB1753, HB2140, HB1962, HB1963, HB2096, HB1959, HB1960, HB2293, HB2288, HB1752, HB1573, HB469, HB2091, HB1851, HB1688, HB1696, HB2417, HB2375, HB2333, HB2152, HB1881, HB2395, HB1721, HB1921, HB1730, HB1697, HB1824, HB2282, HB2078, HB2321, HB2279, HB1522, HB2097, HB2433, HB2106, HB2274, HB2452, HB1764, HB2438, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2216, HB1934, HB2454, HB2427, HB2207, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB2386

Keywords: arts education, data mapping, task force, creative economy, cultural preservation, workforce development, geographic information systems, agriculture, data collection, statistical program, sustainable practices, Hawaii, aquaculture, biosecurity, food security, sustainable seafood, regulatory framework, interagency coordination, environmental stewardship, invasive species