Transcript Highlights:

• the residents of this state in an extraordinary way through the individual's work in the private sector
• legacy of premier bootmaking is an undeniable example of this. one that is deeply woven into Texas culture
• and resolutions officially recognizing our boot making. excellence and its role in preserving Texas culture

Bills: SB2053, SCR19, SCR23, SCR29

Keywords: Governor's Medal of Service, Texas award, state honor, public service recognition, Governor's office, Governor's award, Texas Government Code Chapter 3108, ceremonial award, honorary medal, state service award, local government retirees, private sector contributions, Texas Legislature recognition, gift acceptance, donations, grant funding, executive recognition, Texas Life Monument, human life, preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• So the request is essentially to sector.
• <00:26:38.640> raise out into the private sector raise out into the private sector raise additional
• Um, from a philanthropic sector total.
• We really culturally important species.
• culturally significant agriculturally culturally significant agriculturally significant<01:01:23.040

Bills: HB1183, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1663, HB1664, HB1859, HB2116, HB2271, HB2276, HB2335, HB2360, HB2387, HB2472, HB1805, HB2469, HB1815, HB1860, HB2117, HB2118, HB2437, HB2438, HB2604, HB1590, HB2156, HB2268

Keywords: retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes, indebtedness, salary recovery, employee compensation, deductions, financial management, collective bargaining, employee relations, impasse procedures, arbitration, public employment, HB1661, cafeteria plan, Section 125, Internal Revenue Code, flexible spending account

Transcript Highlights:

• We are gaveling in for the Culture and the Arts Committee here in Room 309 at 11:00 a.m. for our agenda
• restoration of Iolani Palace and affirming its unparalleled role in the spiritual, political, and cultural
• working group to establish a non-profit organization recognized by the state to support arts and culture
• We also have testimony and comments from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and support from
• spiritual, political, and cultural spiritual, political, and cultural history<00:03:36.480> of

Bills: SCR94, SCR22, SCR99, SCR165

Keywords: Waikiki, surfing, cultural heritage, environmental protection, tourism, climate change, Hawaii, community, conservation, Ahuʻena Heiau, Hawaii history, Kamehameha the Great, historic preservation, cultural significance, community stewardship, arts, culture, nonprofit, creative residency, community engagement

Summary: The Culture and the Arts Committee met on April 17 and heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 94 would endorse Waikiki as a world surfing reserve; testimony in support came from the University of Hawaiʻi and the Waikiki Beach Improvement District Association. SCR 22 recognized the fifth anniversary of the restoration of Iolani Palace and its spiritual, political, and cultural importance, with no testimony offered. SCR 99 SD1 proposed convening a working group to establish a state-recognized nonprofit to support arts and culture engagement; DBEDT’s Creative Industries director supported the measure, and additional support was noted from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, several individuals, and the Hawaii Film Festival and Hawaii International Film Festival. SCR 165 SD1 designated March as March for Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters. After a brief recess, the committee voted to pass all four measures as is. SCR 94 passed with the chair, vice chair, and members voting aye, with Representative Garrett excused. SCR 22 SD1, SCR 99 SD1, and SCR 165 SD1 were also adopted without reservations, with Representative Garrett excused on those votes as well. The committee then adjourned, with the chair noting it was likely the final hearing of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• pathway that the sector can focus on. pathway that the sector can focus on.
• active sector partnerships in the state. active sector partnerships in the state.
• sectors together and they start talking. sectors together and they start talking.
• I've been to every sector position.
• I like how it lets the private sector I like how it lets the private sector steer<00:56:00.799><

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, Madam Speaker, no sector of our economy must be entirely tax-free in the...
• No sector of our economy must be entirely tax-free in order to locate here.
• Every economic sector we have in this state, not just data centers.
• This is a job killer across the board, across all sectors of our economy.
• This type of policy will reverberate through other sectors.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• it's just a pause, and it still allows for 5%, which is greater than we generally see in the private sector
• . ...and it still allows for 5%, which is greater than we generally see in the private sector.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House first took up Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bond measure. Supporters said it was needed to fund preservation and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system, including road upkeep and emergency repairs, while opponents argued the state had already addressed current needs through a recent unanimous budget and existing bond authority. The bill passed final passage 59-38, meeting the required three-fifths vote. The House then considered Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, an education budget-related bill with many floor amendments focused on transition to kindergarten, alternative learning experience (ALE) funding, local effort assistance (LEA), educational service district reserves, superintendent pay, MSOC funding, and collective bargaining limits. Most proposed amendments were rejected, though Amendment 2654 on TK priorities was adopted. After the committee amendment as amended was adopted, the bill advanced to third reading and then passed 50-47. Supporters described it as a necessary budget reduction and risk-management measure; opponents argued it cut K-12 funding too deeply, especially in rural and property-poor districts, and would worsen inequities and invite litigation. The House also concurred in Senate amendments and passed several other bills. House Bill 1796, about school construction financing and capital levy use, passed 95-2. Second Substitute House Bill 2105, dealing with immigrant worker protections, passed 58-38. Engrossed House Bill 2211, on food sourcing for a health-related program, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating companion chatbots and child safety, passed 74-21. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, related to animal care, passed unanimously. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418, streamlining permitting timelines to support housing affordability, also passed unanimously. The House then moved on to additional Senate-concurred bills, beginning with Second Substitute House Bill 1906.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House began by signing several bills and receiving messages from the Senate that multiple House bills had passed there or that Senate bills had been signed. It then took up third reading and concurrence on a series of bills, often with sponsors explaining that Senate amendments were technical, clarifying, or improved the bills, while opponents argued some amendments broadened exemptions, weakened election protections, or created tax increases and other unintended consequences. Among the most debated measures were bills related to election administration and voting rights, utility and energy programs, local government finance, tourism promotion, and public safety. House Bill 2215 failed to concur in Senate amendments after concerns that an exemption was too broad. House Bill 1710, dealing with voting rights/election procedures, passed 57-39 after a roll call vote despite objections that it could complicate elections and reduce local control. House Bill 1750 and House Bill 1916 also passed after roll calls, with supporters describing them as technical or protective of election integrity and opponents warning about voter dilution, local authority, and access issues. Other bills passed with varying levels of support: House Bill 1903 on utility assistance passed 70-26 after supporters said it would help small counties and make the program voluntary and state-funded; House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide sales passed unanimously as a public health and youth safety measure; House Bill 1974 on housing/conservation-related policy passed 59-37 amid debate over nonprofit advantages and county revenue impacts; House Bill 2296 passed 95-1 after supporters said it would help renters and utilities with energy efficiency; House Bill 2325 passed 91-5 with added transparency for tourism oversight; House Bill 2442 passed 51-45 despite sharp disagreement over property tax and levy implications; and House Bill 2594 passed 95-1 as the state version of McKinney-Vento protections for unhoused students. The House also transmitted or received several bills and ended the session briefly at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the change is that while private sector organizations have to pay a fee to submit the paperwork, now

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then recessed briefly for caucus. The chamber received several Senate messages, including concurrence on amendments and the signing of Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, before moving into third reading and final passage of multiple bills. Most of the floor debate centered on concurrence with Senate amendments and the policy effects of those changes. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170 passed 55-38 and was described as reorganizing and clarifying how Climate Commitment Act auction revenues are distributed among state accounts; supporters said it would create a clearer budget process, while opponents objected to shifting funds away from transportation and capital uses and reducing tax relief. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 passed 54-40 after debate over Climate Commitment Act account structure and operating-account allocations. Engrossed House Bill 2445 passed 66-29 on probate-related changes, with supporters citing clarifications and opponents saying it did not go far enough to limit outside involvement in probate matters. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2334 80-15, with little debate after Senate “perfecting” changes. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 passed 86-9; supporters said it would replace an inconsistent property tax on wind, solar, and battery storage facilities with a stable excise tax to benefit rural communities, counties, and labor, while opponents focused on tax impacts and local burdens. Additional bills passed included Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500 on HOA resale certificates (61-34), Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a Court Unification Task Force (57-38), Engrossed House Bill 2156 expanding Attorney General investigative authority over economic and financial crimes (54-41 on reconsideration), Substitute House Bill 2539 on inmate funds and related deductions (57-38), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care facility mergers and market oversight (55-41), Engrossed House Bill 2588 on local control for the Lummi ferry system (56-40), and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 on gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms (58-38). The House also agreed not to concur in Senate amendments to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 and retransmitted it to the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the change is that while private sector organizations have to pay a fee to submit the paperwork, now

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, heard Senate messages on several bills, and then took up a series of third-reading and concurrence votes. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had concurred in House amendments to several other bills and that the Senate President had signed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068. Members then considered a slate of bills dealing with climate commitment account revenue, court administration, attorney general investigative authority, inmate funds, health care facility transactions, ferry governance, gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms, and renewable energy tax treatment. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, Engrossed House Bill 2445, Substitute House Bill 2334, Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, Second Substitute House Bill 1909, Engrossed House Bill 2156, Substitute House Bill 2539, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, Engrossed House Bill 2588, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 all received final passage after Senate amendments, with several members speaking in support or opposition. Supporters generally described the measures as clarifying revenue accounts, improving court access, protecting consumers, updating inmate account limits, addressing hospital consolidation, enabling local ferry management, and strengthening gun-violence prevention or renewable-energy tax policy. Opponents raised concerns about reduced transparency, expanded bureaucracy, shifting costs, attorney general overreach, limits on local control, and First Amendment or property-rights issues. Recorded votes showed passage on each of those bills, with margins ranging from narrow to broad: 55-38 on HB 1170, 54-40 on HB 2251, 66-29 on HB 2445, 80-15 on SHB 2334, 86-9 on ESHB 1960, 61-34 on ESHB 1500, 57-38 on SSB 1909, 54-41 on EHB 2156 after reconsideration, 57-38 on SHB 2539, 55-41 on ESHB 2548, 56-40 on EHB 2588, and 58-38 on ESHB 2320. The House also agreed to retransmit Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 to the Senate after deciding not to concur in the Senate’s fourth amendment. The meeting ended with both caucuses called and the House at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• change, that would affect our business culture, that would affect our general culture, with a new bureaucratic
• change, that would affect our business culture, that would affect our general culture, with a new bureaucratic
• change, that would affect our business culture, that would affect our general culture, with a new bureaucratic
• Generally, if we're working in the private sector, we're working for a business.
• I came back here to the envy of the world, the best tech sector anywhere.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House took up a series of amendments to a striking amendment creating a new tax on millionaires. Amendment 2551, offered by Representative Ybarra, would have delayed the act until the Seattle SuperSonics returned; supporters framed it as a way to help bring the team back, while opponents argued the legislature should not tie tax policy to an NBA franchise. The amendment failed on an oral roll call, 37 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2553, concerning legislative privilege disclosure, was ruled out of scope by the Speaker and not considered further. Amendment 2563, offered by Representative Dye, required a study of the administrative cost of the new income tax; supporters said the state needed to know the real cost of administering the tax, and the amendment passed overwhelmingly, 93 ayes and 0 nays. Amendment 2567 directed the Department of Revenue to report annually on taxpayer migration for those earning $500,000 or more; supporters argued it would provide data on whether high earners leave the state, while opponents called it burdensome and difficult to measure. That amendment failed, 37 yeas to 57 nays. Amendment 2577 would have capped Department of Revenue staffing at 100 FTEs instead of the larger staffing level in the fiscal note. Supporters argued the tax would affect relatively few people and that the agency should not be allowed to grow into a large bureaucracy before the policy’s legality and effects were known; opponents said the cap was arbitrary and could hamstring implementation. The amendment failed, 38 yeas to 57 nays. Amendment 2594, offered by Representative Walen, would have made the tax contingent on a constitutional amendment and voter approval, with supporters arguing the policy needed constitutional authorization and a direct vote of the people; opponents said the legislature still had a duty to act and that the courts would ultimately decide constitutionality. Debate on that amendment continued with additional members emphasizing constitutional concerns and the need for voter approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• usually see in the Finance Committee, which is an ongoing parade of tax increases on almost every sector
• Speaker, anyone with any private sector business experience knows that the more volatile an economic
• I believe it affects the culture of our state.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House spent a long floor session debating a striking amendment to a proposed statewide income tax and a series of related amendments. Members repeatedly argued over whether the new tax should be paired with reporting requirements, data-sharing limits, sales tax relief, exemptions for diapers and other essentials, health care provider protections, a tax amnesty program, and a restoration of the bullion tax preference. Supporters of various amendments emphasized privacy, affordability, transparency, and concerns about regressivity and business flight; opponents often argued the proposals were unadministrable, premature, too costly, or unnecessary because similar provisions already existed in the bill. Several amendments were rejected on roll call votes, including proposals to require annual impact reporting (Amendment 2579), to broaden diaper and essential-child-care exemptions and accelerate their start date (Amendment 2556), to restore the bullion tax preference (Amendment 2580), and to add a tax amnesty program (Amendment 2582). Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, also failed. Amendment 2572, extending a health care provider tax exemption beyond hospitals to additional provider groups, passed overwhelmingly. The House also withdrew amendments 2605 and 2606 by consent. The most notable adopted amendment was Amendment 2598, which redirected half of the new revenue toward broad-based sales tax relief by lowering the state sales tax rate, though it had been debated as a way to offset regressivity and provide immediate relief to taxpayers. Earlier in the session, the House also rejected a motion to reconsider a failed Working Connections Child Care amendment, with the motion failing on a recorded vote. Overall, the transcript shows a prolonged partisan debate over the structure and consequences of the proposed income tax, with most relief-oriented amendments failing except for the health care provider exemption and the broad sales tax reduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• This policy will fundamentally change the culture, the business culture, the technology culture of the
• But one thing that our state has, that virtually no other state has, is a thriving tech sector.
• Representative Penner: Protect the startup culture in Washington state.
• It's very important for all businesses, but especially for our housing sector in Washington State.
• But we also need to unleash the private sector, too, because the private sector can also help fix this

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House received Senate messages announcing passage of House Bill 2521, Senate concurrence in House amendments to Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, and the Governor’s signing of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 and House Bill 1983. Committee reports were received and referred without objection. The House then took up Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a major tax measure described as relating to investing in Washington families and businesses to fund K-12 education. A motion to postpone ESSB 6346 indefinitely failed on a 38-58 vote. Members supporting postponement argued the bill was a rushed, late-session, 100-plus-page income tax proposal with major constitutional concerns, limited time for review, and potential harm to the economy, workers, retirees, and businesses. Opponents said Washington had long relied on a regressive tax structure and that reform should not be delayed. The House then rejected a Finance Committee amendment and several other amendments were withdrawn. The chamber considered and rejected Amendment 2578, which would have added constitutional and case-law language to the intent section emphasizing that income is property and citing Culleton v. Chase; supporters said it would reinforce constitutional limits, while opponents said intent sections should state policy goals rather than legal arguments. Amendment 2568, adding findings about tax volatility and the stability of Washington’s current tax system, also failed on a 40-56 vote. Amendment 2600, adding language about helping low- and middle-income families, was adopted 59-37 after supporters said the bill should explicitly reflect relief for working families and critics said the language was aspirational and not backed by concrete relief. The House then rejected Amendment 2549, which would have removed sales tax on prepared food, on a 44-52 vote after extensive debate about affordability, restaurant costs, and the fiscal impact. Finally, the House debated Amendment 2591, which would have rolled back the sales tax on services enacted the prior year; supporters cited impacts on schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and small businesses, while opponents warned of major budget losses and service cuts. The transcript ends during that amendment’s debate, before a final vote is shown.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recognized the Muckleshoot Veterans Color Guard and a prayer by Dennis Anderson Sr., and approved the prior day’s minutes. The chamber also welcomed representatives from the Urban Native Education Alliance in connection with House Resolution 4706, then took up a Senate message and moved into third reading of a large slate of bills. Members caucused briefly before floor action resumed. The House concurred in Senate amendments and passed several bills, including HB 1069 on bargaining over supplemental retirement benefits for corrections employees, SHB 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board, ESHB 1155 banning non-compete agreements, ESHB 1187 delaying collection of ambulance debt until after billing notice, SHB 1390 phasing out the Community Protection Program, EHB 1501 on HOA-related issues, HB 291 on bargaining communication, ESHB 2110 on ambulance staffing/training, ESHB 2165 on impersonating peace officers, ESHB 2219 on child care provider regulations and opioid-related safety language, ESHB 2266 on supportive housing siting, SHB 2350 on developmental disabilities compliance notifications, SHB 2360 allowing schools to stock and administer albuterol, SSB 2384 on financial transparency in continuing care retirement communities, SSB 2429 on behavioral health planning and appropriations, and SHB 2496 on protecting tribal sacred sites. Most passed by substantial margins, though several drew notable opposition over worker costs, local control, public safety, or changes made by the Senate. Debate centered on child care workforce standards and wages, non-compete agreements, ambulance billing protections, disability services and the Community Protection Program, local zoning authority for supportive housing, school access to albuterol, and tribal sacred sites. Supporters generally framed the bills as improving worker protections, transparency, safety, or access to services, while opponents warned about higher costs, reduced local control, weaker language, or unintended safety risks. Final votes were recorded on each bill, with some near-unanimous and others split; for example, HB 1069 passed 78-17, SHB 1128 passed 68-27, ESHB 1155 passed 62-33, SHB 1390 passed 51-44, and ESHB 2266 passed 56-39. At the end of the session, the House declined to concur in Senate amendments to HB 2510 and instead requested the Senate recede. The chamber also received Senate nonconcurrence on ESSB 5998 and ESSB 605, granted conference on both, and appointed conferees. The House then announced caucus times and stood at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• prayer this morning, I think you'd agree with me that our respect for tribal religion and tribal culture

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, the flag was escorted by the Muckleshoot Veterans Color Guard, and the day opened with a prayer from Dennis Anderson Sr. The House approved the previous day’s minutes, welcomed representatives from the Urban Native Education Alliance, and then moved through caucuses and Senate messages before taking up a long series of third-reading votes on bills that had returned from the Senate. Several measures drew debate over Senate amendments. House Bill 1069, concerning bargaining over supplemental retirement benefits for certain public employees, passed 78-17 after supporters said it would help correctional workers and critics said the Senate changes weakened the bill. Second Substitute House Bill 1128, creating a child care workforce standards board, passed 68-27 amid arguments over child care shortages, wages, and affordability. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155, banning non-compete agreements, passed 62-33; supporters framed it as pro-worker and pro-entrepreneurship, while opponents said contracts should be voluntary and important in business sales. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1187 on ambulance billing and collections (93-2), Substitute House Bill 1390 phasing out the Community Protection Program (51-44), Engrossed House Bill 1501 on housing-related local requirements (58-37), House Bill 291 on bargaining communication rights (92-3), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110 on ambulance staffing/training (95-0), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on impersonating peace officers (66-29), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2219 on child care regulations and opioid-related safety language (67-28), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266 on housing siting and local flexibility (56-39), Substitute House Bill 2350 on notice and accountability for developmental disability services (95-0), Substitute House Bill 2360 allowing schools to keep and administer albuterol with parental-notification changes (79-16), Second Substitute House Bill 2384 on financial transparency for continuing care retirement communities (78-17), Second Substitute House Bill 2429 on behavioral health planning and appropriations (95-0), Substitute House Bill 2496 protecting tribal sacred sites (71-24), and House Bill 2510, on which the House did not concur in Senate amendments. The chamber also granted conference requests on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bills 5998 and 605 and appointed conferees for each.

Bills: HB0075, HB0128

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see all sorts of ways that this 6 million people hands a lot of money over to the financial sectors
• That this 6 million people hands a lot of money over to the financial sectors because they are captives

Bills: HB0075, HB0128

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, welcome to the Committee on Culture and the Arts.
• Um for this culture in the arts.
• So I want to to the cultural trust.
• tandem both to the qualifying cultural tandem both to the qualifying cultural organization<01:00
• :00:55.359> trust organization and to the cultural trust organization and to the cultural trust

Bills: HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566

Keywords: arts integration, fine arts education, public schools, cultural education, student engagement, school coordinators, Hawaii education, Hawaii Cultural Trust, income tax credit, arts funding, cultural preservation, charitable contributions, HB2532, Hawaiian flag, Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, flag display, condominium, condo association, planned community association, cooperative housing corporation

Summary: The committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures related to arts funding, administration, and access. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For HB 2218 and HB 1815, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the bills, and members discussed transition timing and administrative support, including the need for an additional year in one measure and a temporary administrative position to help with the transfer. HB 1764, the music accessibility pilot program, drew broad support from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Public Library System, Hawaii Youth Symphony, and others, with testimony emphasizing library-based music programming, community access, and economic benefits. HB 2117, which would create an arts data mapping task force, also received extensive support, though witnesses suggested narrowing the initial scope, adding representatives from independent and charter schools and neighbor island arts programs, and ensuring adequate funding and a realistic timeline for the work. The committee also heard HB 2436 on arts integration in public schools, HB 2438 on the Hawaii Cultural Trust, and HB 2532 on the Hawaiian flag. HB 2436 and HB 2438 received support from SFCA, while the Cultural Trust bill prompted a lengthy explanation from the chair about how the proposed tax credit would work and amendments to clarify that donations to the trust and to qualifying cultural nonprofits must be made in tandem, with eligible organizations listed and updated annually by SFCA and OHA. HB 2532 drew testimony from Dr. Adam Jansen in support of protecting the Hawaiian flag as a historical and cultural symbol; he said the flag should continue to be used for solidarity, protest, inclusion, and identity. At the decision-making portion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered. HB 2118, HB 764, HB 1815, and HB 2117 were passed with amendments, including date deferrals and technical changes; HB 764 also had its appropriation blanked out. HB 2436 was passed with amendments, and HB 2438 was advanced with substantial clarifying amendments to the cultural trust structure. The chair indicated that HB 2117 would include an interim report due in 2027 focused on music and dance, with a final report due in 2029 on arts education more broadly.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are delving into our 9:30 agenda for the Committee on Culture and the Arts.
• So this year I culture in the arts.
• This increases the culture and the arts.
• for culture and the arts. arts. arts.
• Increases the culture and the arts.

Bills: HB2437, HB2461, HB2604, HB2605, HB1860, HB2001

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, public art, cultural preservation, community identity, art management, performing arts, ticket surcharge, arts funding, education, community support, therapeutic arts, neurodiverse, autism, attention-deficit disorder, underserved communities, mental health

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures focused on arts funding, public art, performing arts, and libraries. HB 2437 would appropriate funds for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ Artists in the Schools program; the Foundation testified in strong support, explaining that demand has increased and that additional funding would allow more schools to be served. HB 2461 would raise the ceiling for the works of art special fund and provide money for maintenance and a collections manager position; the Foundation supported it and described major conservation needs, including large-scale repairs to public artworks such as the Tadashi Sato work in Hilo and the King Kamehameha statue, as well as ongoing bronze maintenance and new commissions affected by rising materials costs. HB 2604 would create a performing arts ticket surcharge; the Attorney General and Department of Taxation raised drafting and administration concerns, while the State Foundation supported the concept. HB 2605 would create a position to coordinate specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved neurodivergent populations, and the Foundation supported that measure as well. HB 1860 would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra and require annual reports; the Attorney General suggested clarifying the public purpose, and the Symphony, youth symphony, and many community supporters testified in favor, emphasizing educational, cultural, and civic benefits. HB 20001 would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the State Public Library System, Friends of the Library, and individual testifiers strongly supported it, describing libraries as essential community and educational resources. After hearing testimony, the committee took action on several bills. HB 2437 was recommended for passage with amendments in HD1, with the appropriation blanked out and the additional needed funding to be noted for Finance consideration; the vote was unanimous among members present. HB 2604 was also recommended for passage with HD1 and technical amendments, including deleting the term “Hawaii-based,” clarifying that student performances at public charter schools are exempt, aligning recordkeeping provisions with tax law, and setting an effective date of January 1, 2027. HB 2461 was deferred to decision-making on Friday, February 13. The transcript also indicates the committee moved through the remaining measures after testimony, but the excerpt ends before final votes are shown for HB 2605, HB 1860, and HB 20001.