Transcript Highlights:

• So that being said, we into community.
• >> Well, I think the intent of the bill is good, but I think we simply shouldn't be certifying someone's
• in the community that first responders, law enforcement, will be the first ones on the scene and having
• in the community that first responders, law enforcement, will be the first ones on the scene and having
• Uh, because the evacuation will be executed at the community level.

Bills: HB1769

Keywords: criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, private prisons, racial equity, Native Hawaiians, community well-being, mass incarceration, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And appreciate Senator Cooper bringing the bill as well. So, be happy to answer any questions.
• create new problems for the many communities that are doing this work well.
• Well, that was going to be my question: what were your thoughts on this amendment?
• Well, that was going to be my question: what were your thoughts on this amendment?
• , that was going to be my question >> Well, that was going to be my question is<01:34:36.080>

Bills: SF0099, SF0116, SJ0006

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we'll move on to our next measure, which is HB 2006 relating to child well-being, which
• is HB20006 is HB20006 relating<00:13:14.399> to<00:13:14.639> child<00:13:14.959> well-being
• ,<00:13:16.079> which relating to child well-being, which relating to child well-being, which
• being here today. being here today.
• The first year of life is a uniquely challenging window for brain development and long-term well-being

Bills: HB1877, HB2006, HB2167, HB2224, HB1626, HB1690, HB2012

Keywords: LGBTQ+ rights, commission membership, representation, youth involvement, Hawaii legislation, child well-being, financial support, expectant mothers, Hawaii Rx kids program, economic stability, youth homelessness, financial assistance, housing instability, emergency services, transitioning youth, Medicaid, pharmaceutical benefits, human services, healthcare access, public funds

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1877, which would expand the membership of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and add a youth seat. The commission’s vice chair supported the bill, saying the commission started with eight members, has growing interest, and would benefit from an odd-numbered board and youth representation. Members asked about quorum, and the commission said it has generally met monthly with only one quorum issue in the past 18–19 months and would work with legislative leaders to have appointments ready if the bill passes. Written testimony included support from Kokopac and one individual in opposition. The committee then took up HB 2006, which would create a cash assistance program for pregnant women and mothers of babies. The Department of Human Services explained current TANF rules, including eligibility requirements, child support cooperation, and work-program participation, and said the state has recently raised benefit levels to the maximum allowed, with a family of three or four receiving a little over $900 per month. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others argued the bill could reduce child poverty and improve maternal and child health, citing evidence from Michigan’s Rx Kids program and the temporary federal child tax credit expansion. A mother and Oahu Youth Action Board member testified from personal experience about the need for direct support during pregnancy. The committee also noted support from several organizations and about 26 individuals. The committee next heard HB 2167, which would direct the Office of Youth Services to run a pilot program providing financial assistance to homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and several organizations supported the measure, saying even small amounts of help can prevent homelessness and help youth transition safely to adulthood. The Office of Youth Services said it supports the intent of the bill but requested clarification, and committee members discussed whether the program should be run directly or through contracted community agencies, how to set performance metrics, and how to structure the RFP and contract process. The chair indicated the committee wanted to work with the vice chair and OYS offline to refine the bill before moving forward. The committee then began discussion of HB 2224, relating to Medicaid pharmacy benefit management, with testimony generally supporting giving DHS flexibility to negotiate with PBMs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will there be questions? Will there be questions? And a do pass. Do pass. Second. And a second.
• Will there be debate? Seeing no debate, the vote will now occur. Staff, please open the queue.

Bills: SB1369, SB1570

Keywords: mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, revolving fund, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, 914, all

Bills: SF0122, SJ0006, SF0121, SF0106

Keywords: medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that people should be well informed and should know what they are putting in their body when
• I think that people should be well informed and should know what they are putting in their body when
• I think that people should be well informed and should know what they are putting in their body when
• It seems to be working incredibly well based on these numbers.
• <01:32:25.440> based<01:32:25.760> on be working incredibly well based on be working incredibly

Bills: SF0122, SJ0006, SF0121, SF0106

Keywords: medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification

Transcript Highlights:

• And with our community partners as well.
• For example, example, example, well<00:59:41.120> well-being<00:59:41.760> and<00:59:41.920
• > burnout<00:59:42.480> and<00:59:42.920> and well well-being and burnout and and
• <01:09:49.720> while really be a part of the community while really be a part of the community
• design that are being made for these communities.

Bills: HF4213, HF4198, HF3930, HF3585, HF3451

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• contributing members of the to be contributing members of the community.<00:19:13.600> And<00
• Thank you for allowing me to be here remotely today as well.
• Thank you for the safety and well-being.
• of a child are to ensure the well-being of a child a<01:47:43.280> guard<01:47:43.520> and
• There wouldn't need to be oversight if things were going well. They aren't.

Bills: HF2362, HF2136, HF1316, HF2009, HF1918, HF1614

Keywords: youth intervention, funding, mental health, education, community programs, HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this bill nearly as well as a question? Madam Chair.
• There is a lot of work that needs to be done.
• And so what this would do really is codify something that should be in a rule or should be in a statute
• And so what this would do really just is codify something that should be in a rule or should be in a
• Thank you for being here. Thank you. Any other comments or questions?

Bills: SB1202, SB1287, SB1418, SB1785, SCM1007

Keywords: groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, irrigation, active management area, domestic use, stock watering, water rights, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use, industrial users, water storage, recovery well, Arizona Revised Statutes, water management

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be using a panel format for testimony, and each witness will be given 2 minutes.
• and active wells.
• It either has to be removed or de-electrified. Well, de-electrified, I think that's a...
• -year mark, if you're going to continue to have the well be inactive, now you've got to de-electrify
• and be printed.

Bills: HB1237, HB2663, HB3071, HB4384

Keywords: occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard several House bills dealing with environmental regulation, oil and gas safety, landfill permits, and utility cost recovery. HB 1237, by Rep. Geren and sponsored by Sen. Zaffirini, would extend TCEQ occupational license renewal deadlines from 30 days to 90 days, allow renewal up to one year with higher fees, and require a new application after longer expiration; the committee substitute clarified that applicants may continue working only until renewal is approved or denied and set a 180-day cutoff for renewal. HB 3071, sponsored by Sen. Hancock, would require TCEQ to cancel certain long-dormant municipal solid waste permits; members discussed concerns about precedent, ownership changes, and whether the bill should be narrowed, and the bill was left pending with a committee substitute expected. The committee also heard HB 2663, sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, which would require operators of inactive oil and gas wells to remove or de-energize electrical equipment after 10 years and authorize Railroad Commission penalties for false compliance. Testimony from landowners, cattle raisers, and the Sierra Club supported the bill as a wildfire-prevention measure, and the bill was left pending. HB 4384, also by Rep. Darby and sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, would let natural gas utilities defer certain infrastructure costs for later recovery through the GRIP process; utility representatives supported it as credit-positive and consistent with existing accounting, while consumer advocates opposed it as increasing rates without enough oversight. The committee discussed possible amendments to add more cost controls, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee voted HB 2563, the companion to SB 2510, favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote and ordered it certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 143, which would codify interagency procedures for addressing electrical power line safety at well sites and related facilities after wildfire concerns; members said a committee substitute had been negotiated with agencies and stakeholders to clarify responsibilities, timelines, and inspection authority while reducing fiscal impact. No final vote was taken on HB 143, and the committee recessed with several bills still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• substitute be adopted, and all amendments thereof do pass and be printed.
• There will be nine ayes and no nays. The bill will be reported favorably to the full Senate.
• Senator Birdwell moves that House Bill 2663 be passed and printed. Clerk, call the roll.
• Senator Birdwell moves that House Bill 4384 be passed and printed. Call the roll. Senator Birdwell?
• Senator Birdwell will now move that House Bill 4384 be recommended for a low-income contested calendar

Bills: HB1237, HB2663, HB3071, HB4384

Keywords: occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will be using a panel format for testimony, and each witness will be given two minutes.
• going to use that well.
• Well, de-electrified...
• But at the 10-year mark, if you're going to continue to have the well being inactive, now you've got
• found on older wells that are inactive, that are being extended.

Bills: HB1237, HB2663, HB3071, HB4384

Keywords: occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, most of all, we want this great state of Texas to be all that it can be.
• Well, I used to be conservative.
• I never saw him be. be too big for anybody, whether he was in, as someone said, in the faux faux, as
• We appreciate you. being here today. Thank you, Mr.
• We have a diverse group of 15 community leaders.

Bills: HR34, HR36, HR38, HR39, HR41, HR42, HR43, HR67, HR68, HR73, HR77, HR81, HR104, HR166, HR201, HR202, HR223, HR226, HR233, HR234, HR246, HR264, HR266, HR268, HR271, HR280, HR282, HR286, HR291, HR292, HR296, HR298, HR319, HR326, HR329, HR348, HR354, HR373, HR376, HR381, HR385, HR386, HR387, HR391, HR394, HR395, HR396, HR399, HR400, HR402, HR403, HR404, HR408, HR409, HR410, HR413, HR414, HR417, HR418, HR419, HR422, HR424, HR429, HR435, HR439, HR440, HR22, HR88, HR94, HR136, HR194, HR231, HR302, HR397, HR416, HR420, HR421, HR423, HR430, HR431

Keywords: Ramadan, Islam, Muslim community, spiritual observance, cultural recognition, Eid al-Fitr, celebration, Texas legislation, Mother's Day, family, women, honor, Father's Day, gratefulness, recognition, Diwali, festival of lights, Hinduism, unity, Veterans Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Doing well. I presume these are not private dollars y'all be using, not public dollars.
• in the community at first, but after a period of time it would be a Mississippi bank.
• Well, I do have one question, but it's certainly, I guess it would be directed toward Ms.
• Seeing none, Senate Bill 326 would be reported favorably. Well, thank you. Thank you, members.
• And so that's why I wonder if it shouldn't be 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds as well, if we use 18 as the

Bills: HB387, HB673, HB947, HB975, HB1102, HB1228, HB1229, HCR66, SB102, SB165, SB280, SB291, SB326, SB521

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Will there be questions? Seeing none. Will there be debate? Seeing none.
• Will there be questions to the author? Seeing none. Will there be debate?
• Will there be questions of the author? None. Will there be debate? None.
• And so these are the kind of things that that's the well-being piece Of this.
• Will there be questions on the bill? Seeing none, will there be debate?

Bills: SB1806, SB1430, SB206, SB1547, SB1849, SB1428, SB1653, SB1984, SB1644, SB1561, SB1813, SB1570, SB1796

Keywords: foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, mental health, substance abuse, commissioner appointment, governor's authority, legislative consent, SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my only concern would be is of some of these wells that are dry that are abandoned in the Gulf
• I guess my only concern would be is of some of these wells that are dry that are abandoned in the Gulf
• [clears throat] Well, we'll talk privately about it. >> We'll we'll talk but but I will say this a well
• going to be capped.
• Thank you for being here. >> Mr. Chairman, can you just share that with everyone as well?

Bills: SB174, SB174

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment

Transcript Highlights:

• I might be able to shed a little bit of light on this question as well.
• Beauty Well is the only community-based organization in Minnesota, and probably the nation, focused on
• And in our richly diverse communities' health and well-being.
• We do a number of activities in communities as well, including training public health providers.
• a bill for $160, and you're going to be like, 'Well, why am I getting this?'

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• I might be able to shed a little bit of light on this question as well.
• I might be able to shed a little bit of light on this question as well.
• ’ health and well-being.
• ’ health and well-being.
• a bill for $160 and you're going to be like, "Well, why am I getting this?"

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Kolkhorst, if you. would not mind being recognized as well to explain the difference.
• It's not like the counselor has to call and say, hey, I'm going to check in with the well-being.
• Well, most will hopefully be resolved under Senate Bill 12 at the local level.
• Well, while there is a stipulation that this might be revoked.
• involved in their mental and emotional well-being.

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1697 be reported favorably to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass and be
• be printed.
• that it do pass and be printed.
• There being ten ayes.
• We think it's in line with other... similar mechanisms where the costs are well-known and can be quantified

Bills: SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness