Transcript Highlights:

• And the legislation is simple, chairs.
• Oh, Wisconsin and Massachusetts? Yeah, we're up there.
• Oh, Wisconsin and Massachusetts? Yeah, we're up there.
• official state vegetable of Massachusetts.
• soils of Massachusetts and our beloved Hadley grass.

Bills: H5088, H5315, H5335, S3061, S3073

Keywords: asparagus, official vegetable, state symbol, Massachusetts, Veterans Memorial Rink, Waltham, municipal lease, capital management, city right of first refusal, American lobster, cultural significance, marine life, property, Lowell, state administration, legislation, local government, official state vegetable, state designation, Commonwealth

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is vitally important.
• advance this legislation.
• , or I oppose this legislation.
• , or I oppose this legislation.
• So I think, I support this legislation or I oppose this legislation.

Bills: H3599, H5047, S2922

Keywords: Native American, easements, land access, property rights, public utility, vehicular access, eminent domain, health care access, land acquisition, Norwood hospital, public health, electric infrastructure, NSTAR, Eversource Energy, land conservation, Massachusetts legislation, 1212, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain so it can be restored as a regional hospital. Sponsors Rep. Rogers, Sen. Rush, and Rep. Lynch argued that the flood-damaged site has remained stalled under Medical Properties Trust, while the region has suffered major losses in emergency access, inpatient capacity, and ambulance availability. They said the hospital served a broad catchment area, was profitable before closure, and that the state should use eminent domain to force a transfer to a qualified operator, preferably a not-for-profit one, without requiring state appropriations. Committee members generally expressed support, with questions focused on the cost, timing, and whether the site is salvageable; witnesses said the shell is largely complete and ready for interior buildout, but negotiations with the owner are ongoing. Local officials, task force members, business leaders, nurses, and firefighters described the closure’s effects on public safety and the economy. They said transport times to Boston, Brockton, Needham, and Newton have increased, EMS units are tied up longer, firefighters and paramedics are under greater strain, and neighboring hospitals are experiencing more boarding and overcrowding. Testimony from Norwood, Walpole, and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts emphasized that the loss of Norwood Hospital has created a regional medical gap affecting 10 to 12 surrounding towns, with added costs for ambulances, staffing, and overtime. Several witnesses also said the hospital’s return would support local jobs and relieve pressure on the broader health care system. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3599, a separate bill concerning landlocked Indian lands and easements by necessity. Mark Harding and James DeCoulos, speaking in support, said the bill would help descendants of historic Indian allotments access family lands and correct what they described as unfair treatment in a 2016 Supreme Judicial Court decision. They said the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe supports the bill and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe has offered conditional support pending language changes. The chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments and written support. The committee briefly took up S. 2922, supported by Eversource, authorizing an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, with fair market compensation and replacement land provided to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections or votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the committee would continue hearing the remaining panels on H. 5047.

Transcript Highlights:

• possesses the quote means of inquiry as founding father James Wilson put it to help inform our legislative
• To that end, we will be making a motion to authorize a subpoena. to Massachusetts Port Authority today
• Massachusetts has violent child molesters.
• This subpoena motion is a fishing expedition into the Massachusetts government.
• I want to thank the President of Massachusetts for raising this amendment.

Keywords: oversight, subpoena, illegal immigrants, Massachusetts Port Authority, O'Hare Airport, legislative practices

Summary: The meeting was convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where robust discussions were held regarding the need for improved oversight within the Senate. The chairman emphasized the historical decline in oversight activities and proposed motions to authorize subpoenas related to an ongoing investigation involving the Massachusetts Port Authority and allegations of illegal immigrant sheltering at airports. This prompted a detailed examination of the current practices and measures needed to address such issues effectively, particularly in light of recent reports from O'Hare Airport. The committee engaged in deliberations that highlighted the importance of maintaining legislative oversight to safeguard national interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have some legislators that are testifying.
• And we do take legislators out of turn because they have a busy schedule with other hearings today.
• Legislators out of turn because they have a busy schedule with other hearings today.
• I reached out to an attorney through the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and through all of our efforts
• Next is House Bill 5159, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Retirement System to grant credible service

Bills: H5159, H5110, H3900, H5054, H5034, H4977, S2939, H4747, S2942, H4742, H4698

Keywords: retirement, teachers, service credit, superannuation, Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System, Petersham, police employment, age requirement, public service, retirement benefits, retirement age, special police officers, Kingston, public safety, law enforcement, pre-employment examinations, disability retirement, record maintenance, Peabody, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• In June of 2022, Massachusetts officials identified a central Massachusetts quarry as a source of aggregate
• Boston Concrete, we are in Lowell, Massachusetts.
• We cannot drop one cubic yard of concrete anywhere in the state of Massachusetts on a Massachusetts project
• We have an affordability crisis in Massachusetts.
• Robin, Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

Bills: S3091, H5477

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on two late-file matters, centered on S. 3091, a bill to create relief for homeowners affected by the crumbling concrete/pyrrhotite crisis. Senator Peter Durant presented the bill as a way to establish a crumbling concrete assistance fund, administered by CEDAC, to help replace failing foundations and reimburse homeowners who already paid out of pocket. He said the proposal follows recommendations from a state commission and would be funded by a $6 fee on homeowner/condo insurance policies and a $6-per-cubic-yard surcharge on concrete, with the goal of spreading costs broadly rather than placing them on homeowners alone. Several affected homeowners testified about severe financial and emotional harm, including expensive foundation replacements, lost equity, inability to sell or refinance, and long delays in getting help. Homeowners Karen Riani, Michelle Iglesi, Karen Bellotti, and Russell Dupierre described living with homes that became unsellable or unaffordable to repair, and urged the committee to move the bill forward. Committee members asked about inspection practices, whether pyrrhotite can be detected during home sales, whether the bill would ban pyrrhotite, and how much funding the program would need. Witnesses said the problem is broader than originally understood, affecting at least 52 municipalities, and that the only fix is full foundation replacement. They also said the bill includes training and education for inspectors, but does not ban pyrrhotite outright because the issue is now being addressed through quarry testing and material controls. Representatives of the concrete industry, including Craig Dauphinay, Karen Marshall, and Guy Glottis, said they support homeowner relief and the creation of a fund, but strongly opposed the concrete surcharge. They argued the industry has already taken significant steps, including supporting state testing and regulation of aggregate sources, and said the surcharge would unfairly assign blame, raise costs for residential, municipal, and infrastructure projects, and create cross-border competitiveness issues with neighboring states. They favored a Connecticut-style model funded primarily through insurance assessments, noting that Connecticut’s program has been successful and that Massachusetts could adopt a similar approach. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I moved to Massachusetts in 2006, became employed with Massachusetts Probation Service, whereas one of
• And I've had a very excellent career in Massachusetts.
• I didn't know anybody in Massachusetts.
• I don't know if you've dealt with that in your legislation.
• Of course, this is what we do for them to try to tweak legislation.

Bills: S3044, S3031, S3017, H5189, H5246, H5297, H5248, H5359

Keywords: retirement benefits, teachers' retirement system, creditable service, public education, emergency law, sick leave bank, leave donation, personal days, vacation days, extended illness leave bank, public employee, county sheriff, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, personnel bill, employee leave, disability leave, illness leave, compassionate leave, Massachusetts public service, police recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• In June of 2022, Massachusetts officials identified a central Massachusetts quarry as a source of aggregate
• Massachusetts geologists created the map showing where pyrrhotite can be found in Massachusetts.
• Boston Concrete, we are in Lowell, Massachusetts.
• We cannot drop one cubic yard of concrete anywhere in the state of Massachusetts on a Massachusetts project
• Robin, Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

Bills: S3091, H5477

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts is at a crossroads.
• All those things that make Massachusetts, Massachusetts, we do this.
• All those things that make Massachusetts, Massachusetts, we do this.
• In 2022, because of your help, Massachusetts did something transformative that we, the legislators who
• So in 2022, because of your help, Massachusetts did something transformative that we, the legislators

Bills: H5006, H5007

Keywords: tax revenue, state surplus, taxpayer refunds, budget growth, Massachusetts General Laws, income tax, tax reduction, state law, personal income tax, tax rates

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state tax collection cap law (62F) so the cap would be based on the prior year’s actual collections plus wage-and-salary growth and would include surtax revenue. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that the measures would need additional signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot if not enacted by the legislature. The committee’s expert witness, Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, said the income tax proposal would lower the base rate in stages beginning in 2027 and would ultimately reduce state income tax collections by about $5.4 billion annually when fully implemented. He estimated savings would vary by income level, from a few hundred dollars for lower- and middle-income households to about $10,700 for taxpayers at the surtax threshold. He argued the proposal would improve tax competitiveness but would also require major budget adjustments, likely including reserve use, spending cuts, and possibly new revenue measures; he cited prior downturns and said the state’s rainy day fund is stronger than in past recessions, though spending growth and health care costs remain concerns. On the 62F proposal, he said rebasing the cap to prior-year collections would make refunds more likely, with modeled refunds totaling about $7.9 billion without the surtax and $10.1 billion with it over the last decade, and warned it could reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Proponents of both petitions, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, NFIB, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that Massachusetts faces an affordability and competitiveness crisis and that lower taxes would help families, small businesses, job creation, and outmigration. They said the income tax cut would put about $1,300 a year back into the hands of average families, help pass-through businesses reinvest, and improve the state’s ability to compete with lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, presented a model projecting average annual revenue losses of about $680 million during the phase-in and a total net income tax revenue impact of $2 billion to $2.2 billion, while saying long-term revenue growth would be stronger after implementation. The hearing ended with committee questions and a brief dispute over a planned voter testimonial video, which the chairs said was not appropriate for the hearing at that point.

Transcript Highlights:

• H. 5141, in particular, is an act promoting recreation on Massachusetts beaches.
• H. 5140 is an act creating parity among Massachusetts beaches.
• , you will all be allowed to do it on all beaches in Massachusetts.
• So thank you for taking me out of order to testify on this legislation.
• The forest is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Bills: H5113, H5076, H4972, H4917, H4700, S2896, S2961, S2933, H5141, H5140, H5139, S2877, H3920

Keywords: Marion Stoddart, riverwalk, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Nashua River, Nashua River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, Department of Conservation and Recreation, DCR, trail designation, state forest, conservation, environmental recognition, commemorative naming, signage, public lands, toxic pesticides, Eastham, environmental regulation, local control

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts is at a crossroads.
• All those things that make Massachusetts, Massachusetts, we do this.
• So then why are your businesses staying in Massachusetts? Why do you all stay in Massachusetts?
• So in 2022, because of your help, Massachusetts did something transformative that we, the legislators
• So in 2022, because of your help, Massachusetts did something transformative that we, the legislators

Bills: H5006, H5007

Keywords: tax revenue, state surplus, taxpayer refunds, budget growth, Massachusetts General Laws, income tax, tax reduction, state law, personal income tax, tax rates, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were a bipartisan firm based in Malden, Massachusetts.
• We were with Molly, who is her legislative director.
• I have a location in western Massachusetts and in Connecticut.
• Massachusetts has the opportunity to begin that same journey.
• However, with better alignment with current legislation and industry-led input, Massachusetts can be

Bills: H5013, H5087, H5115, S2928

Keywords: celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autoimmune disorder, pediatric screening, child health, public health, screening pilot, early detection, 12-year-olds, cholesterol screening, lipid screening, health care providers, Department of Public Health, patient advocacy, family support, Massachusetts, preventive care, diagnostic screening, nutrition, gastroenterology

Transcript Highlights:

• of legislative privilege.
• of legislative privilege.
• applies to all legislative acts.
• legislative record protection.
• This is a legislative body.

Bills: H5004

Keywords: public records, public records law, transparency, open government, government accountability, legislature, general court, governor's office, executive records, legislative records, constituent communications, policy drafts, deliberative process, freedom of information, FOIA, records access, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Chapter 4, veterans services records, initiative petition

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-14, H 5-004, “an act to improve access to public records.” Chairs Cindy Friedman and Alice Peisch outlined the Article 48 process and explained that the committee was hearing expert testimony, then proponents, then opponents, before any public testimony. The first expert, Will Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures, gave a general overview of public records laws across the states, emphasizing that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions, timelines, fees, and coverage of legislatures vary widely. He discussed legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on the exact language of state constitutions, statutes, and chamber rules. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, testified about Massachusetts public records administration, saying requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with state agency requests increasing from 22,572 in 2017 to 47,776 in 2025 and appeals reaching a record 4,051 cases in 2025. She said the initiative would extend the law to the General Court and the Governor’s office and add exemptions for those branches, while warning that the volume and complexity of requests could require more resources. The proponents, led by Jesse Littlewood of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, Scotia Hila of Act on Mass, and Auditor Diana DiZoglio, argued that Massachusetts is an outlier for exempting the legislature and governor from public records law and that the proposal would create needed accountability without exposing personal constituent communications or internal deliberations. They said the measure would make records such as committee votes, final bill drafts, amendments, expenditures, attendance records, minutes, and public testimony available, while preserving exemptions for constituent services, draft legislation, internal staff communications, and policy development discussions. DiZoglio emphasized that the initiative is aimed at basic administrative and financial records, citing her own difficulty obtaining receipts, contracts, and procurement documents, and said the public should be able to see how taxpayer dollars are spent. Committee members questioned the witnesses extensively about the scope of exemptions, constituent privacy, legislative privilege, and whether the measure could reach communications with nonprofits or lobbying-type interactions; proponents responded that privacy and constituent-service exemptions were intended to remain in place, though some members pressed for clearer statutory language. The hearing also included a contentious exchange over whether the initiative could affect legislative communications and whether the Senate had already taken a position against the measure. Some members raised concerns about separation of powers, legislative privilege, and the possibility of exposing constituent communications or internal deliberations, while proponents argued that the initiative was narrowly tailored and that any legal disputes could be resolved in court. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing. The committee concluded the testimony portion after hearing from the proponents and their questions, with the matter left pending for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• of legislative privilege.
• to all legislative acts, so any kind of act that a legislator conducts in lawmaking.
• regarding legislative privilege.
• This is a legislative body.
• I'm also a Massachusetts native.

Bills: H5004

Keywords: public records, public records law, transparency, open government, government accountability, legislature, general court, governor's office, executive records, legislative records, constituent communications, policy drafts, deliberative process, freedom of information, FOIA, records access, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Chapter 4, veterans services records, initiative petition

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation is about equity.
• I'm 12 years old, and I live in Massachusetts.
• I'm 12 years old, and I live in Massachusetts.
• And in Massachusetts— In Massachusetts, what's really cool is that most Massachusetts school districts
• I am nine years old and I live in Needham, Massachusetts.

Bills: H5012, S2927

Keywords: student nutrition, food allergies, celiac disease, gluten-free meals, allergen-free meals, medically restricted diets, school meals, college dining, K-12 education, higher education, disability access, accessibility services, food service, nutrition information, website disclosure, school website, meal accommodations, special diets, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a veterinarian practicing here in Massachusetts.
• H. 355 in support of veterinary telemedicine in Massachusetts.
• As it exists right now in Massachusetts, I would be out of luck.
• This is not a problem that Massachusetts is immune to.
• Is that acceptable under the legislation for a manufacturer to do that?”

Bills: S3082, S3090, H5425, H5130, H5114

Keywords: animal telehealth, veterinary telemedicine, veterinary telehealth, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, pet care, companion animal, livestock, remote veterinary care, synchronous audio-video, telemedicine, prescription drugs, antimicrobial drugs, controlled substances, xylazine, compounding pharmacy, veterinary practice, Massachusetts Controlled Substances Act, animal owner

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills, with testimony heard both in person and remotely. The committee reviewed several measures, including H. 355 and S. 3082 on veterinary telemedicine/telehealth, H. 5445 on additional liquor licenses for East Hampton, and S. 3090/H. 5114 on consumer-connected devices and software support disclosure. The chair outlined hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and written testimony submission, and noted that Lawrence High School students were present to observe. On the veterinary bills, supporters of H. 355 argued that allowing veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship remotely would improve access to care for pets whose owners face transportation, mobility, or anxiety-related barriers, and could help veterinarians continue practicing through telemedicine. Opponents of S. 3082, including the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians, said the initial in-person exam is essential to detect conditions that cannot be seen on video, avoid misdiagnosis, and preserve the standard of care; they emphasized that teletriage and follow-up telemedicine are already used after an in-person relationship is established. Committee members pressed both sides on the distinction between teletriage and establishing the relationship, the timing of annual exams, and whether limited exceptions for sedatives or other pre-visit needs might be workable. Senator Lovely testified in support, citing a recent Lyme case where follow-up telemedicine would have been useful. On H. 5445, Representative Gomez and East Hampton Mayor Salem Derby urged approval of the bill to authorize eight additional liquor licenses, saying the city has reached its current cap, needs economic development, and wants to support downtown revitalization and new restaurant growth. Members asked about public safety and the number of licenses sought; the mayor said local public safety officials support the request and that the licenses would be for restaurants, not bars. On S. 3090 and H. 5114, consumer advocates and cybersecurity experts supported requiring manufacturers of connected devices to disclose software support timelines, arguing it would improve consumer transparency, cybersecurity, and reduce e-waste. Industry groups opposed the bills, saying fixed disclosure requirements could be impractical, create confusion, burden small businesses, conflict with federal efforts, and be difficult to apply to appliances, lighting, and other products with long lifecycles. The committee did not take a substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; at the end, staff announced a forthcoming poll for House members, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a veterinarian practicing here in Massachusetts.
• H-355 in support of veterinary telemedicine in Massachusetts.
• All of that can happen currently within existing regulations in Massachusetts.
• As it exists right now in Massachusetts, I would be out of luck.
• This is not a problem that Massachusetts is immune to.

Bills: S3082, S3090, H5425, H5130, H5114

Keywords: animal telehealth, veterinary telemedicine, veterinary telehealth, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, pet care, companion animal, livestock, remote veterinary care, synchronous audio-video, telemedicine, prescription drugs, antimicrobial drugs, controlled substances, xylazine, compounding pharmacy, veterinary practice, Massachusetts Controlled Substances Act, animal owner

Transcript Highlights:

• There are eight legislative proposals.
• They brought legislation to us, which I filed.
• This legislation strengthens the Massachusetts Antitrust Act to allow our office to vigilantly and independently
• and effect in Massachusetts.
• Worrell for filing this legislation.

Bills: H4783, H4826, H4876, H5111, H5116, H5244, S2975, S2976

Keywords: homelessness, homeless, unsheltered, unhoused, shelter rights, anti-camping, anti-loitering, public space, public land, encampment, sleeping in public, life-sustaining activities, right to rest, right to sleep, vehicle dwelling, RV living, tiny home, civil rights, municipal liability, affirmative defense

Transcript Highlights:

• Not so much a question, just a comment on this legislation.
• I'm Marty Martinez with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.
• While Massachusetts will not be the first state to enact this type of legislation, we certainly don't
• It works in Massachusetts as well as in six other states and in two countries, and currently in Massachusetts
• The good news is that in Massachusetts there are a range of resources that can News is that in Massachusetts

Bills: S3022, H5187

Keywords: ENOUGH Act, ENOUGH fund, anti-poverty, poverty reduction, community development, place-based grants, distressed neighborhoods, economic mobility, housing and livable communities, community schools, cradle-to-career, child poverty, intergenerational poverty, social services, workforce development, education equity, public health, behavioral health, mental health, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• to really understand how certain legislation may affect the local police. understand how certain legislation
• For the record, my name is Paul Jakes, legislative agent for the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts
• agent, Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts.
• You must be proactive in this legislation.
• Massachusetts Fire Academy, you should be covered by Massachusetts General Laws that protect firefighters

Bills: S3051, H5380, H5384, H5389, H5420, H5428, H5427, H5429, H5435

Keywords: retirement benefits, police officer, surviving spouse, pension, public service, police chief, deputy police chief, civil service exemption, local governance, Medford, H5384, Craig Riley, Haverhill, firefighter, fire department, civil service, civil service examination, maximum age requirement, age waiver, age exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe the legislation is aimed at.
• </c> Association, um this legislation Association, um this legislation session,<00:48:49.680><c> um</
• </c> data and then customize the legislation data and then customize the legislation to<01:05:02.720>
• And so, you know, build the legislation.
• </c><01:05:39.440><c> to</c> it's crucial for advising legislation to it's crucial for advising legislation

Bills: HB1629, HB1630, HB1631

Keywords: economic development, business, state statutes, Hawaii Revised Statutes, legislation, development strategy, state funding, infrastructure, employment opportunities, legislative intent, state legislation, development initiatives, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 1829 on marine affairs. Most testimony was in strong support, with speakers from state agencies, ocean-tech companies, startups, nonprofits, and community groups backing the creation of an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs coordinator under HTDC. Supporters said the measure would better coordinate ocean policy, strengthen the blue economy, and help Hawaii capture jobs, investment, and innovation in marine-related industries. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HTDC-related measures, including HB 1615 and HB 1613, which also drew broad support from business, technology, and economic development interests. Testifiers said the bills would strengthen Hawaii’s technology and innovation ecosystem, support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, and help build a more diversified economy with higher-wage jobs. The committee also heard HB 1607 on public procurement and HB 1772 on small business procurement; state procurement staff and several business groups supported efforts to expand opportunities for local firms, while one speaker from the city’s economic revitalization commission argued that a flat 5% preference could help keep more revenue and jobs in-state. On HB 1636 relating to shopping carts, the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition, saying the bill would penalize businesses for carts that are stolen rather than abandoned and would add costs that could especially burden small and local retailers. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation drew support from Goodwill Hawaii and other nonprofits, who said the bill would improve transparency around donation bins and protect donors from misleading for-profit collection practices; the Attorney General’s office asked for a delayed effective date to allow system changes and staffing. HB 1782 on AI and the protection of minors received broad support from state agencies, educators, and advocacy groups, but some business and retail representatives urged narrowing the definition of covered AI services so ordinary customer-service chatbots would not be swept in. Finally, HB 1759 on theft drew opposition from the Public Defender’s Office, which said the bill could create overly harsh penalties and should include defense representation on any task force; the office also noted existing laws already address conspiracy and related conduct.