Video & Transcript Research : 'TSA'

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure

Transportation & Infrastructure

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure heard several bills, beginning with HB 2957, which would require physical driver licenses to be accepted for identification purposes and prohibit cities, towns, counties, and districts from requiring digital mobile IDs for government services. The sponsor framed the bill as a privacy and choice measure tied to concerns about Real ID, biometric data, and federal overreach. Supporters said it preserves a non-Real ID option and protects privacy, while opponents raised concerns about travel requirements and whether the bill could affect proof of legal status. The committee approved HB 2957 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2941, which would make certain motorcycle lane-splitting or passing behavior subject to reckless driving penalties. The sponsor and a motorcycle rights representative explained the difference between lawful lane filtering and unlawful lane splitting, saying the bill would add enforcement teeth for unsafe conduct and improve safety. Members discussed the distinction between filtering and splitting, and several related personal safety concerns. The committee passed HB 2941 unanimously, 7-0. HB 2305, dealing with private towing carriers, would establish statewide rules for private-property towing, including rate standards tied to DPS agreements, documentation and photo requirements, notice to law enforcement, and penalties for unlawful towing. Supporters said the bill would create uniformity and curb predatory towing, while the Arizona Trucking Association raised concerns about the DPS rate structure and the need for further stakeholder work. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the bill applies only to motor vehicles towed from private property and then passed the bill 7-0. HB 2257, a strike-everything amendment changing the distribution of watercraft fee revenues and requiring an annual expenditure report, also passed after Game and Fish warned of a significant fiscal impact and committee members discussed Mohave County’s water patrol needs; the vote was 4-3. Finally, the committee heard HB 2573, which as amended was narrowed to address a 45-day gap before repeat DUI offenders can install ignition interlock devices. Supporters said the change would improve public safety by allowing earlier use of the technology, while members discussed whether it would weaken DUI laws and how the interlock system works. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2573, so no committee action is shown for that bill in the provided text.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/17/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • non-travel driver's licenses do not comply with federal identification requirements and cannot be used at TSA
Summary: The committee approved the March 10, 2026 minutes and then considered several bills. HB 2056, appropriating $100,000 for an Arizona Department of Water Resources feasibility study on brackish groundwater desalination, passed 6-3 despite concerns that it could encourage more groundwater pumping and worsen subsidence or impacts to tribal lands. HB 2057, which lowers the Arizona Centennial Special Plate renewal fee from $25 to $20, also received a do-pass recommendation, 7-2, with some members objecting to the special plate’s focus and the reduced fee. HB 2224, appropriating $1 million annually to DES for the produce incentive program, drew strong support from nonprofit and food-access advocates who said the Double Up Food Bucks program helps families, farmers, and local markets; it passed 9-0. HB 2257, changing the allocation of watercraft registration revenues among the Watercraft Licensing Fund, Lake Improvement Fund, and boating safety/law enforcement funds, passed 6-3 after criticism that the bill was heard without a sponsor present and concern about shifting money away from Game and Fish. HB 2265, barring courts from charging defendants for public defender or court-appointed counsel costs and related criminal-case fees, passed 7-1 amid debate over constitutionality, cost shifting to counties, and whether the bill should be amended to offset lost revenue. The committee then took up HB 2311, which imposes disclosure, content, parental-control, and self-harm response requirements on publicly available conversational AI services for minors. The sponsor and supporters framed it as child protection, while opponents warned about privacy, surveillance, and overbroad definitions; an Epstein amendment expanding the bill to broader conversational technology was rejected, and the bill passed 7-2. HB 2752, moving authority over international trade offices from the Arizona Commerce Authority to legislative appropriations and reporting, passed 6-3 after a proposed data-and-research amendment was also rejected. Finally, HB 2957, requiring ADOT to continue offering non-REAL ID licenses and limiting biometric collection and data sharing, prompted extensive testimony for and against; supporters emphasized privacy and choice, while opponents warned it could conflict with federal CDL and REAL ID requirements. The transcript cuts off during the discussion of HB 2957, before a final vote is shown.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • The final decision about how to organize and staff TSA screening lanes rests solely with the TSA.
  • Everyone goes through TSA checkpoint. OK, so 100% that goes through Clear also goes through TSA.
  • It's also with TSA, so it's also federally overseen by TSA. OK.
  • We are audited by TSA quarterly, with site audits from TSA.
  • So on the TSA checkpoints, all I can speak to, not to the Clear service, um, the TSA agent...
Summary: The committee held an interim study on airport security vendors, prompted by Representative Hayes’s earlier House Bill 1271, which would have restricted Oklahoma airports from contracting with third-party identity verification companies such as Clear. Hayes explained the bill stemmed from concerns raised after a December 2022 TSA letter and broader questions about whether these vendors create security risks or bypass TSA screening. The committee heard first from Clear, then Idemia, and then Tulsa International Airport, with members focusing on how identity verification works, whether it differs from TSA screening, and whether the state should regulate these services. Clear’s representative said the company provides an opt-in biometric identity verification service at airports, not physical screening, and that every passenger still goes through TSA screening. He said Clear operates in about 60 airports in roughly 40 states, has about 40,000 members in Oklahoma, and has paid more than $1.1 million to Oklahoma airports since launching in the state. Members questioned how Clear verifies IDs, whether Real ID is required, whether the company can manually override biometric checks, whether it shares data, and whether it has had security issues. Clear said it uses source corroboration with state DMV systems, does not sell data, has no manual override, and has worked with TSA on security upgrades after earlier concerns. Idemia’s representative described the company’s broader biometrics work for Oklahoma and the federal government, including fingerprint systems for the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, civilian background-check enrollment, TSA checkpoint credential authentication technology, and TSA PreCheck enrollment. She said Idemia’s role stops at identity verification and that TSA retains responsibility for screening and for decisions about who enters trusted traveler programs. Tulsa International’s COO said Clear does not replace TSA, that TSA retains exclusive authority over screening, and that the airport leases space to Clear and receives revenue from the arrangement. No vote was taken, and the meeting ended after questions and testimony.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, March 27, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • decisive leadership in allocating TSA decisive leadership in allocating TSA funds.<00:10:16.320>
  • East, get ICE under control, pay TSA, East, get ICE under control, pay TSA, end<00:36:30.400> the<
  • Pays the TSA agents as they should be.
  • and TSA agents will be paid. Simple. and TSA agents will be paid. Simple.
  • The TSA agent worried about rent.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • us safe because you may recall why TSA us safe because you may recall why TSA uh<00:30:49.720>
  • Senate, on March 27th to fund TSA.
  • our TSA people. our TSA people.
  • anyways, TSA is great, I think. anyways, TSA is great, I think.
  • on bills that would have funded our TSA on bills that would have funded our TSA agents.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: House File 3732, the Department of Employment and Economic Development appropriations bill, was presented as a package of budget and policy changes from the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. The author described it as a set of practical fixes, including changes to reporting requirements, repealing unused programs, recommendations from a Governor’s Workforce Development Board subcommittee on direct appropriations, and creation of an Office of Community Investment within DEED. Members also noted the bill had been revised after earlier floor debate and included a modified version of a previously contentious proposal. The first major floor debate centered on Amendment A12, offered by Representative Zeleznikar, which would create an exemption from meal and break requirements for certain 24-hour care settings such as disability group homes and home care. Supporters argued the current break law does not fit the realities of one-on-one or overnight care and could force providers into unsafe or impractical staffing models. Opponents, including Representatives Johnson and Pinto, said the amendment would weaken or repeal worker break protections and remove clear standards and remedies. After debate, the House took a roll call and the amendment failed on a 67-67 tie. A second amendment, A13 by Representative Tabke, proposed a $150,000 state aviation fund-backed loan fund to help TSA and other airport workers who had gone without pay during a federal shutdown, by backstopping bank loans for affected families. Tabke framed it as worker relief tied to the aviation system, while Representative Niska argued it was not a serious proposal, had not been vetted, and unfairly used state money to address a federal dispute. Debate on the amendment became highly partisan and included a point of order over personalities in debate before the Speaker ruled the point well taken and returned discussion to the amendment.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And this idea, we're wasting time. against funding TSA. They have an eighth against funding TSA.
  • TSA on funding for ICE. They understand TSA on funding for ICE.
  • can fund TSA. We can pay these workers. can fund TSA. We can pay these workers.
  • TSA lines are approaching 4 hours.
  • TSA lines Gas prices $4 a gallon.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • help the families of TSA officers to try to get them by.
  • help the families of TSA officers to try to get them by.
  • But indeed, the government is shut down for TSA agents.
  • down for TSA agents.
  • And as far as paying our TSA agents, Elon Musk has offered to do that.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest and doctor introductions. Members recognized visitors for a range of advocacy and community events, including Children’s Health Advocacy Day, Jewish Advocacy Day, housing affordability advocates, environmental advocates for Lobo Week, and several constituent and youth groups. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring Dr. Leah Hillier as Doctor of the Day and several remarks about community organizations and guests in the gallery. The House then received Senate messages and committee referrals, including multiple Senate bills and a concurrent resolution being assigned or withdrawn from committees. In Committee of the Whole, SB 1415 was recommended do pass, and SB 1430 was recommended do pass as amended after a Ways and Means amendment was adopted to remove a controversial provision so the measure would remain limited to tax code corrections. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the bills were deferred for engrossing; SB 1193 was retained on the calendar. On third reading, the House passed HB 2680, relating to workers’ compensation, by a vote of 55-1 with four not voting, and passed SB 1029, relating to campaign contributions and expenses, by a vote of 57-0 with three not voting. Later, the chamber heard extended personal privilege remarks on federal issues, including the government shutdown, TSA and ICE at airports, immigration enforcement, and state budget negotiations. The House also recognized Lobo Week and received announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a CAP update, then adjourned until Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/31/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2615, a strike-everything amendment creating an Independent Oversight Committee tied to the Department of Child Safety, with authority to review DCS practices, request briefings and audits, visit sites, and receive confidential complaints, along with a $2.2 million appropriation. The sponsor and several parents and advocates testified that stronger independent oversight was needed because of serious DCS failures affecting children and families. Some members supported the goal but objected to housing the committee in the Ombudsman’s office or questioned whether the structure was the right approach. The strike-everything amendment was adopted, but the bill itself then failed on a 5-5 vote. The committee then passed House Bill 2620, which provides $300,000 annually for five years to the Arizona Department of Veterans Services to grant funds to emergency shelters serving veterans without requiring scheduled intake appointments. The sponsor and shelter representatives said the money would support trauma-informed case managers, help veterans connect to VA and shelter resources, and move the state closer to functional zero for veteran homelessness. The bill received unanimous support and a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2321 also passed unanimously. It requires DCS to place a security freeze on the credit reports of children entering foster care, with the freeze remaining until age 16 unless the child later chooses otherwise, and includes a $100,000 appropriation and one ongoing FTE. The sponsor said foster youth are especially vulnerable to identity theft and need automatic protection. House Bill 2601, which directs ADOT to seek federal segmentation for the Interstate 11 project between Casa Grande and Wickenburg, passed 6-4 after testimony from supporters who said it would keep the project moving and opponents who raised environmental, cost, and litigation concerns. House Bill 2992, a pilot program for child sexual abuse and grooming awareness education in six public schools, also passed 6-4 after testimony from a survivor and advocates; supporters framed it as prevention and critics argued it duplicated existing sex education and should be handled through broader curriculum or parent education. Additional bills considered included House Bill 2156, which appropriates $250,000 to the livestock compensation fund and passed 7-3 despite transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns from an opponent; House Bill 2165, which exempts certain veterans and military members from state park admission fees, as amended to narrow the exemption to retired or disabled veterans and similar National Guard members, and passed 6-4 amid concerns about lost park revenue; House Bill 2960, creating a veterans specialty court grant program and requiring better coordination on incarcerated veterans, which passed 8-0; House Bill 2014, directing studies on gasoline blends and emissions modeling, which passed 6-2 despite concerns about cost and limited impact; and House Bill 2957, preserving non-REAL ID driver licenses and restricting biometric collection and data sharing, which passed 5-4 after amendment.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, April 23, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I've not forgotten the TSA workers. you. I've not forgotten the TSA workers.
  • The TSA workers deserve a raise. raise. The TSA workers deserve a raise.
  • about the TSA workers being underpaid. about the TSA workers being underpaid.
  • what the TSA worker receives first year. what the TSA worker receives first year.
  • So second year these TSA officers.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • TSA officers who screen without pay.
  • So why are they holding up funding for TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA?
  • So why are they holding up funding for TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA?
  • <03:01:08.880> workers, funding for TSA workers, funding for TSA workers, on<03:01:10.720>
  • up my bill which will fully fund TSA up my bill which will fully fund TSA workers.<03:02:09.520>
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 3/23/26

Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , through TSA, through TSA, but<01:04:44.160> then<01:04:44.480> they<01:04:44.720>
  • So, what what was it it goes to TSA.
  • , then as a TSA agent, then as a TSA agent, we<01:12:37.080> would<01:12:37.240> just
  • And my question also was for the TSA agent.
  • And my question also was for the TSA agent.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Twelve states already offer an identity document that can be used by TSA, and many more are looking to
  • I lost my would have saved me time when I lost my ID<00:02:56.319> through<00:02:56.519> TSA
  • c> um<00:02:59.239> I<00:02:59.360> think<00:02:59.480> digital ID through TSA
  • Twelve states already offer an identity document that can be used by TSA, and many more are looking to
  • identity document that that can be used identity document that that can be used by<00:04:32.919> TSA
Keywords: 1183, house
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 27, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • TSA workers have now been working with sporadic pay for 10 weeks.
  • lines short at the airport, the president's own budget suggests cutting almost 10,000 TSA agents.
  • TSA workers have now been working with sporadic pay for 10 weeks.
  • lines short at the airport, the president's own budget suggests cutting almost 10,000 TSA agents.
  • TSA workers have now been working with sporadic pay for 10 weeks.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, November 17, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • to reduce the risk of contamination of breast milk, baby formula, juices, or purified water during TSA
  • Require TSA to consult with maternal health associations to help develop guidelines for screening of
  • But for traveling moms, it's humiliating to have to have your breast milk sorted through by TSA agents
  • It ensures TSA officers receive proper training so that every parent can travel with confidence that
  • It ensures TSA officers receive proper training so that every parent can travel with confidence that
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <02:52:00.720> ahead They're blocking funding for TSA ahead They're blocking funding for TSA
  • Last fund FEMA TSA and the Coast Guard.
  • Guard for TSA and for these agencies. Guard for TSA and for these agencies.
  • vote to fund Coast Guard, FEMA, the TSA? vote to fund Coast Guard, FEMA, the TSA?
  • This is about funding the Coast Guard, TSA, and this what's The Coast Guard, TSA, and this is what today's
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I know you have a lot of conversation with TSA about the airports and how they're dealing with those
  • with the um uh TSA uh about you<00:34:45.200> the<00:34:45.440> airports<00:34:45.919>
  • And Senator Hickden, I think I've told you before that TSA and DHS have confirmed to us.
  • Tuesday with TSA DHS in Kentucky and um Tuesday with TSA DHS in Kentucky and um they<00:35:29.040>
  • and DHS have confirmed before that TSA and DHS have confirmed to<00:36:53.440> us.
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum and first received a maintenance update from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials James Ballinger and John Moore. They described how repeated disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and ice storms, have strained routine road maintenance and forced crews to focus on emergency response, snow and ice removal, pothole patching, ditching, signal repairs, mowing, striping, sign work, and other day-to-day upkeep. They said snow and ice costs have averaged about $60 million to $61 million annually in recent years, disaster response has totaled hundreds of millions of dollars over five years, and the cabinet often must carry those costs until FEMA or FHWA reimbursement arrives. They also said maintenance work is increasingly contracted out because of staffing and resource limits, and that competitive pay is needed to retain employees and contractors for around-the-clock emergency work. Members then discussed traffic roundabouts and other intersection designs. Senator Hickden asked about their cost savings and safety benefits compared with traffic signals, and cabinet staff said they would provide life-cycle cost figures later. They emphasized that roundabouts and related designs reduce serious injuries and fatalities, with serious injuries down roughly 70% to 80% and fatalities over 90% in their experience. Chair Douglas and others asked about roundabout sizing for trucks and farm equipment, and staff explained that designers tailor the inscribed diameter to local traffic needs and context. The committee also briefly discussed red-light running and traffic-light cameras, with members stressing the safety risks of drivers ignoring signals. The committee adopted the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and voice vote. It then heard from Sarah Jackson and Matthew Cole on the Real ID and driver licensing transition. They said the cabinet has expanded from almost no regional offices to 35, grown driver licensing staff from 89 to 400, and now issues about 1.3 million credentials annually. They reported improvements in office capacity, queue management, staffing, and compensation, including added workstations, new or expanded offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown, and the use of contract staff. They said statewide average wait times have fallen to just under 30 minutes, and Kentucky’s Real ID adoption rate has risen to 42.9%. Members asked follow-up questions about driver testing and CDL scheduling. The presenters said all permit and CDL testing is coordinated through Kentucky State Police, with written tests available in most regional offices and CDL testing at a smaller number of KSP locations. Senator Douglas asked when the driver testing requirements were last updated, and the presenters said that was set by KSP. The discussion ended with additional questions about which regional offices lack KSP testing presence, but no further action was taken before the transcript ended.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - House Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • But when I do that, I have to transmit a package of information to the TSA.
  • There's this pack of information that TSA requires.
  • TSA requires.
  • project we call verifiable digital credentials, VDCs, where instead of that physical box that's in the TSA
  • And then also, Madam Chair, in regards to that, with like the TSA, they say you need to get your facial
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The House Science and Technology Committee met and heard two informational presentations, with no bills considered and no votes taken. Deloitte Infrastructure Insights presented a transportation AI tool, Infrastructure Insights Pro, focused on vulnerable road user safety and pedestrian crash analysis. The presenter described how the platform ingests agency data such as crash records, GIS layers, and project management systems to generate map-based insights, trust scores for data reliability, and draft concept reports. Members asked about how long similar reports took before AI, whether the tool had been used in other states, and whether it reduced cost or effort; the presenter said a report that once took six to eight months could now be drafted in hours, that the safety use case had been implemented at Caltrans, and that the main savings were in staff effort. The committee then heard from OCTA and Socure on digital identity, fraud prevention, and resident access to government services. The presenters argued that state and local governments should move toward a single, privacy-preserving digital identity experience that reduces multiple logins, improves security, and helps stop fraud by using contextual signals such as device, location, and document validation. They said Arizona already uses OCTA for more than 40,000 employees and some citizen services, and that Socure supports identity verification for public programs, including Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account. A lengthy discussion followed about Real ID, state digital IDs, privacy, Fourth Amendment concerns, federal funding, and whether identity systems could become a national ID or surveillance tool. The presenters responded that states should retain control, that verifiable digital credentials can limit what information is shared, and that Arizona could centralize resident identity with privacy guardrails while preserving choice. The committee adjourned without further business.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's an emergency reg that was a result of a change in the federal fee through the TSA for the hazardous
  • federal fee result of a change in the federal fee through<00:13:14.600> the<00:13:14.720> TSA
  • /c><00:13:15.680> the<00:13:15.839> hazard<00:13:16.360> hazardous through the TSA
  • for the hazard hazardous through the TSA for the hazard hazardous material<00:13:17.279> endorsement
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting’s minutes, and heard two House bills plus several Transportation Cabinet regulations. House Bill 20, sponsored by Rep. Hodson, would restrict the retention and sale of automated license plate reader data, limit storage to 60 days, and prohibit nonconsensual tracking devices such as micro-trackers and subcutaneous trackers. Hodson said the bill was aimed at protecting citizens’ privacy and noted it had passed the House previously; members asked about enforcement and deletion responsibility, and one member suggested criminal penalties might be worth considering in the future. The committee voted to report HB 20 favorably. House Bill 188, sponsored by Rep. Duvall, addressed driveaway plate businesses that transport vehicles for others. Duvall said Kentucky law had created confusion about how many vehicles could be on the road and had driven up insurance costs, hurting a Warren County business; the bill would let such companies purchase the exact number of plates needed, which he said would reduce exposure and premiums. He emphasized the bill would not affect dealer tags or trailer transport and said he was working on a floor amendment to make that clear. The committee reported HB 188 favorably as well. The committee then reviewed five administrative regulations, including Transportation Cabinet rules allowing technology to be used in title examinations, extending an off-road vehicle pilot program to July 2026 and updating the definition of local government, aligning truck weight-mass rules with statute, adopting the MUTCD traffic control manual, and an emergency Kentucky State Police regulation adjusting a TSA-related hazardous materials endorsement fee because the federal change came too quickly for the normal regulatory process. Members asked whether the title rule covered rebuild titles, and staff said it applied to all titles. The committee noted the regulations had been reviewed and then adjourned, with the next meeting tentatively set for the following Tuesday.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • we'd have<00:33:34.760> to<00:33:35.000> put<00:33:35.159> in<00:33:35.320> TSA
  • ><00:33:35.799> requirements<00:33:36.320> now<00:33:36.880> so have to put in TSA
  • requirements now so have to put in TSA requirements now so at<00:33:37.360> that<00:33:37.559
  • /c><00:33:52.919> um<00:33:53.240> partner<00:33:53.559> with<00:33:53.679> TSA
  • <00:33:54.120> to<00:33:54.240> be How we would, um, partner with TSA to be ready to
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.