Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of different businesses, huh, for the same person, but, um, and then, uh, fishing game did
• It's kind of different businesses, huh, for the same person, but, um, and then, uh, fishing game did
• It's kind of different businesses, huh, for the same person, but, um, and then, uh, fishing game did
• It's kind of different businesses, huh, for the same person, but, um, and then, uh, fishing game did
• It's kind of different businesses, huh, for the same person, but, um, and then, uh, fishing game did

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:01.920> species<01:03:02.720> or<01:03:02.960> cause to juvenile fish
• I do a lot of fishing on the Ammonoosuc River up where you're from.
• up where fishing on the Ammonus River up where you're<01:06:03.599> from.
• , the critters that eat those fish, and those insects.
• 20:25.440> fish<01:20:25.840> and<01:20:26.080> those critters that eat those fish

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• that if salt increases in our waters, it impacts obviously all of the things living in our water: fish
• as salt increases in our waters, it impacts um obviously all of the things living in our water. um fish
• <00:41:24.160> um<00:41:24.400> fish<00:41:25.359> um<00:41:25.760> uh
• c> the<00:41:26.079> the<00:41:27.040> um<00:41:27.440> the our water. um fish
• um uh the the um the our water. um fish um uh the the um the the<00:41:28.000> green<00:41:28.319

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources 301 KAR 1:017, 2031, 2221, 301, 3010, 4120, and 606 regulations
• days. 301 KAR 4:120 establishes a comprehensive list of reportable wildlife, livestock, poultry, and fish
• reportable wildlife, livestock, poultry, reportable wildlife, livestock, poultry, and<00:12:47.680> fish
• diseases<00:12:48.720> and<00:12:48.959> the<00:12:49.120> conditions and fish
• diseases and the conditions and fish diseases and the conditions under<00:12:49.760> which<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wildlife Officers, who are concerned about the position reductions for the California Department of Fish
• The hardest hit are the Fish and Game wardens, with 40 warden positions eliminated.
• The hardest hit are the Fish and Game wardens, with 40 warden positions eliminated, which seems to be
• Half of their funding is special funds, mostly fish and game preservation funds, which are paid for by
• There's been little thought given to what these reductions mean to the Department of Fish and Wildlife's

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• and that's where it goes into that Spring Creek and Lake LBJ that goes right through the National Fish
• And that's why we're calling it the LPJ right for the National Fish Hatchery.
• We also have the Inks Lake fish hatchery which is one of fish national fish hatcheries in Texas. that

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll make a note on that lowest piece, the game and fish.
• We ask for authorization for DNR to provide reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans
• I'll make a note on that lowest piece, the game and fish.
• We ask for authorization for DNR to provide reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans
• We ask for authorization for DNR to provide reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunting and fishing is our bread and butter; however, we do everything from snowmobiling, kayaking, canoeing
• that's outdoors stems from anything that's outdoors hunting<00:28:58.159> and<00:28:58.279> fishing
• > is<00:28:58.640> our<00:28:58.760> bread<00:28:58.919> and hunting and fishing
• is our bread and hunting and fishing is our bread and butter<00:28:59.600> however<00:28:59.840
• For example, every year we have five different fishing launches on Lake Malax where they're able to bring

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was always my dream to buy a piece of property where family could come and enjoy it, hunt, fish, that
• 24:50.280> hunt, family could come and enjoy it, hunt, family could come and enjoy it, hunt, fish
• fish, that type of thing." fish, that type of thing."
• c> hunting, handicapped accessible camping, hunting, handicapped accessible camping, hunting, fishing
• outdoor<00:25:02.520> activities<00:25:03.160> for<00:25:03.440> for fishing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting. Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses. Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.

Bills: SB330, SB2069, SB2095, SB1721, SB1433, SB1316, SB1280, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1459, SB1461, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, HJR1088, SB1684, SB378, SB1447, SB1920, SB1443, HR1047, SB1877, SB1884, SB1365, SB2174, SB1525, SB1810, SB1771, SB1805, SB1916, SB1530, SB1847, SB1990, SB2060, SB1992, SB1579, SB1778, SB2132, SB1623, SB2067, SB1589, SB1441, SB1224, SB372, SB1232, SB1264, SB1450, SB2011, SB2030, SB1980, SB1936, SB1477, SB1593, SB1725, SB1670, SB1480, SB1726, SB1633, SB1735, SB1632, SB1277, SB1217, SB1826, SB1824, SB1813, SB1326, SB1937, SB1641

Keywords: elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, waterfowl hunting, crane hunting, hunting guide, hunting outfitter, wildlife conservation, commercial hunting, outfitter license, guide license, hunting services, licensed guide, licensed outfitter, game and fish, hunting for compensation, waterfowl guide

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not large, and we are one of the bigger fish in the sea in Minnesota.
• We are not large, and we are one of the bigger fish in the sea in Minnesota.
• We are not large, and we are one of the bigger fish in the sea in Minnesota.
• We are not large, and we are one of the bigger fish in the sea in Minnesota.
• We are not large, and we are one of the bigger fish in the sea in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have a long history in this country, and particularly
• Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have a long history in this country, and particularly
• California is home to 7.3 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, more than
• California is home to 7.3 Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders more than any other
• Today I rise on behalf of the Native American Legislative Caucus to support a resolution recognizing

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rates are highest among Native youth, nearly. 30% followed by African American youth at about 23%.
• We should note, though, that standard measures probably don't accurately capture Native youth. engagement
• We do. note in the report that statistics around Native American disconnection may not. accurately capture
• You indicated that approximately 30 percent of Native Americans were among those disconnected students
• of minutes to think about what you're going to see happen because this, you know, looking at the Native

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being here and thank you for the work that you do for Native Hawaiian.
• and thank you for the work that you do and thank you for the work that you do for<00:50:16.160> Native
• Native Hawaiian culture and rights are preserved, and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands waitlist is
• Native<01:36:27.520> Hawaiian<01:36:28.080> culture<01:36:29.120> and<01:36:29.440
• > rights<01:36:29.840> are Native Hawaiian culture and rights are Native Hawaiian culture

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney and the executive director of the Native American Disability Law Center.
• We focus, um, at the Law Center on representing Native American kids in, um, custody to ensure that their
• frustration, um, and the, and the inability to access appropriate services for these children, both Native
• So if a child, if a native child is domiciled within a tribal Pueblo community, then that, for instance
• Um, but the, the systemic challenges that are facing native children in CYFD custody are similar to the

Transcript Highlights:

• The intent of the program was to entice Native American populations who reside on the reservation to
• American populations who reside Native American populations who reside on<01:19:59.560> the<01
• American populations however the Native American populations who<01:20:37.400> relocated<01:20
• In the mid-60s, a group of Native American grassroots organizers established... of um students growing
• levels in the mid-60s a group of Native levels in the mid-60s a group of Native American<01:22:26.480

Bills: HF1867, HF1240

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• questions relevant to the content of this complaint, but will not be participating in any contrived fishing
• not be participating in<00:13:36.240> any<00:13:36.440> contrived<00:13:37.040> fishing
• <00:13:37.400> expedition<00:13:38.080> to in any contrived fishing expedition to in
• any contrived fishing expedition to uncover<00:13:38.640> evidence<00:13:39.000> that<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In Debt Service, we add language to cap the amount paid by Fish and Wildlife on their debt service for
• In<00:44:39.200> Fish<00:44:39.400> and<00:44:39.480> Wildlife,<00:44:40.080>
• we<00:44:40.240> authorized<00:44:40.800> $139 In Fish and Wildlife, we authorized
• $139 In Fish and Wildlife, we authorized $139 million million million in<00:44:43.520> projects.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 1280, an act amending Section 17-2503, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the Arizona Game and Fish
• 1280, an act amending Section 17-253, Arizona Revised Statutes, submitting to the Arizona Game and Fish
• 1280, an act amending Section 17-253, Arizona Revised Statutes, submitting to the Arizona Game and Fish
• This simply tells the state because the Arizona Game and Fish has used their state-owned plane to fly

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several guest introductions, including visitors connected to a documentary on missing and murdered Indigenous women and representatives from charter schools. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a wide range of bills on drug offenses, firearms, child safety, health care, water, housing, tax, and government transparency. Most measures were advanced by voice vote out of committee, often after brief explanations of committee or floor amendments. On the first calendar, the Senate advanced SB 1061 on fentanyl sale thresholds, SB 1069 on prohibited weapons/muffling devices, SB 1081 on DCS case attorney appearance, SB 1127 on duty to report abuse/neglect, SB 1128 on a scrap metal theft study committee, and SB 1170 on narcotic drug sales to a minor. Several members argued against the drug bills as overly punitive mandatory-minimum measures that would reduce judicial discretion and fail to address addiction as a public health issue; supporters emphasized tougher penalties. SB 1127 and SB 1128 were amended before advancing. On later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1021 on chiropractic board compliance training, SB 1120 and SB 1121 on radiation protection systems and health care institutions, SB 1171 on AHCCCS-related health care cost containment, SB 1174 on DCS intake hotline case history, SB 1188 on pharmacy scheduling/prescription authority, SB 1243 and SB 1244 on court-ordered treatment, SB 1166 on county school superintendent/GED preparation, SB 1241 on local planning and permitting, SB 1370 on patriotic youth group school access, SB 1024 on portable aircraft registration plates, SB 1075 on foreign entities and land conveyances, SB 1202 on groundwater, SB 1280 on the Game and Fish Commission, SB 1287 on groundwater/stock watering, SB 1167 on publication of notices, SB 1435 on explicit materials in schools and libraries, SB 1437 on public records fees, SB 1567 on sexually explicit materials, SCR 1031 on legislative boundaries, SB 1180 on income tax return conformity, SB 1221 on taxpayer protection, SB 1293 on GPLET abatement limitation, SB 1294 on property tax assessment, and SB 1429 on the Arizona Commerce Authority. Some bills drew substantive debate, including SB 1075, where an attempted floor amendment to address corporate homeownership was rejected, and SB 1202, where opponents criticized the bill as relying on outdated water data. The chamber then took up third readings on several bills. SB 1061, SB 1069, SB 1127, SB 1128, SB 1171, SB 1174, and SB 1188 all passed the Senate. SB 1021 failed on third reading, as did SB 1170, after members raised concerns about federal preemption, public safety, and mandatory minimum sentencing. SB 1243 also passed, despite objections that it expanded court-ordered treatment authority and raised due process concerns. The transcript ends with the Senate continuing through additional third-reading votes and procedural motions after the committee reports were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> No, we only got one and fish in the boat today.
• only<00:36:44.400> got<00:36:44.560> one<00:36:44.800> and<00:36:45.200> fish
• 45.440> in<00:36:45.599> the<00:36:45.760> boat >> No, we only got one and fish
• in the boat >> No, we only got one and fish in the boat today.<00:36:46.400> So, today.

Bills: SB2543, SB2435, SB2352

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.