Transcript Highlights:

• </c> County Workforce Solutions. Um, Mr. County Workforce Solutions. Um, Mr.
• </c> uh that goes to the metropolitan uh that goes to the metropolitan council.<01:21:11.840><c> Uh</
• </c> of the Metropolitan of the Metropolitan Council.<01:46:12.960><c> That</c><01:46:13.199><c> is</
• </c> transitway project in the metropolitan transitway project in the metropolitan area.<01:47:55.119
• </c> state aid design standards for county state aid design standards for county state<01:53:30.239><

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a significant problem that every single city in the 7th County and most of the cities outside
• So is there a reason you chose the Metropolitan Council, and then ultimately, what was just prepared?
• County-scale geologic assessments are necessary for accurate siting.
• Some from cities and counties.
• This applies to every city and county employee, and it does not have a measure of what to report.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:45.840><c> planning</c> support waho Metropolitan planning support waho Metropolitan planning
• </c> it we're working across the counties it we're working across the counties um<00:37:47.200><c> so
• </c> program that shall apply to counties program that shall apply to counties with<00:52:13.880><c>
• </c> contrary in the pilot program counties contrary in the pilot program counties The<00:52:24.520><
• /c><01:01:41.440><c> your</c> from Maui County so I appreciate your from Maui County so I appreciate

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 18, 2025, to hear several measures and later take up amendments and votes. Early items included a budget measure to increase the mass transit special fund expenditure ceiling, a bill extending lapse dates for drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory funds, and a measure creating buffer zones for parking near crosswalks and intersections. Testimony on the crosswalk-parking bill was broadly supportive from transportation, law enforcement, planning, bicycling, public health, and advocacy groups, with the Department of Health emphasizing visibility and roadway safety. The committee also heard a bill establishing the Mokai air carrier subsidy program for Molokaʻi, which drew support from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and comments from the Department of Transportation. The committee then heard SB 106 on pedestrian rules, which generated mixed testimony: the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Workers Center, and the Department of Health supported it, while the Honolulu Police Department and Kīpuka Injury Prevention Coalition opposed it. Supporters argued the bill would reduce inequitable jaywalking enforcement and reflect a broader safety culture; opponents warned it could create confusion and risk. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect other traffic-code provisions and asked about crash data in other jurisdictions; the Department of Health said crashes had not increased in other places and cited California data showing decreased crashes and fatalities. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 934 SD2 with amendments, with Representative Miyake reserving and Representative Cochran excused. It then passed SB 1526 SD2 with amendments. SB 1195 SD1 was also passed with amendments after the chair proposed adding language tying fines for illegal parking near crosswalks and intersections to the Safe Routes to School special fund and establishing a fine range of $100 to $500 per violation, with collected fines dedicated to pedestrian safety improvements. Members voiced support for the dedicated revenue source and community safety rationale. The committee next passed SB 1638 SD2 with amendments to strengthen the constitutional/public-purpose findings for subsidizing air carriers serving Molokaʻi and to add annual audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. The amended findings emphasized that affordable air service is essential for health care, employment, education, and overall well-being in remote island communities, and that the subsidy program is intended to improve access and competition while lowering costs for residents. The chair then recessed the meeting after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Senator Fate is involved with that, and Dakota County, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
• </c><00:00:54.320><c> Center</c> when you look at the Metropolitan Center when you look at the Metropolitan
• ><c> County</c><00:01:29.600><c> the</c><00:01:29.920><c> Metropolitan</c><00:01:30.479><c> centers</
• c> Dakota County the Metropolitan centers Dakota County the Metropolitan centers for<00:01:30.960><c>
• So as we look at it in Dakota County, where did he run to in Dakota County?

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• We had the Butte Fire that whipped through our county.
• We had the Butte Fire that whipped through our county.
• Small rural counties and cities, we want to...
• larger cities and counties in this state.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 253, by Assembly Member Ward and presented by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to review certain post-entitlement permits if a local building department would take more than 30 days. Supporters, including California YIMBY, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Housing Action Coalition, the Bay Area Council, SPUR, and Abundant Housing LA, said the bill would reduce permitting delays and help housing production. League of Cities and the California State Association of Counties expressed concerns but were not formally opposed. Members voiced strong support, and the bill passed the committee 10-0 to Appropriations. The committee then held an informational hearing on California’s general plan. The first panel, led by UC Davis professor Catherine Brinkley, gave an overview of the general plan structure, required elements, update cycles, and the new PlanSearch database that makes adopted plans searchable statewide. She emphasized that general plans are long-term, locally tailored documents that integrate housing, transportation, safety, environmental justice, and other policy areas, and noted that many plans and elements are outdated. Members asked about update timelines, public participation, and whether AI tools could help with drafting and analysis. A second panel of local government representatives described the practical challenges of preparing and updating general plans, especially in rural and small jurisdictions. Speakers from Calaveras County, Sacramento, San Joaquin County, and Fountain Valley cited staffing shortages, consultant availability, funding constraints, CEQA and outreach costs, changing state mandates, and the difficulty of keeping plans aligned with local conditions and board turnover. They asked for more funding, more time, clearer prioritization, and more flexibility. A third panel from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation explained its role in issuing general plan guidelines, technical advisories, and annual planning surveys, and said it is updating its guidance through 2027 to reflect recent housing, climate, safety, environmental justice, and open space laws. No public comment was offered, and the informational hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the members, um, to share an explanation of the bill that restructures our bus service in the metropolitan
• This is a data-driven initiative to transition the metropolitan area transit from, uh, four suburban
• They allowed communities to opt out of the Metropolitan Transit System.
• </c><00:26:07.280><c> Council,</c> shift to the Metropolitan Council, shift to the Metropolitan Council
• </c> Executive Director for Metropolitan Executive Director for Metropolitan Transportation<00:44:45.720

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a map that I borrowed from the Metropolitan Council, and you can see it shows our seven-county
• Uh, some counties have taken on some groundwater management, like Dakota County, uh, Washington County
• Uh, some counties have taken on some groundwater management, like Dakota County, uh, Washington County
• </c><01:01:31.920><c> apply</c> counties don't have the county apply counties don't have the county apply
• </c> the Metropolitan Council. the Metropolitan Council.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• , Baltimore County Department of Public Works, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Cecil Transit, Charles
• County Department of Public Works,<00:08:24.800><c> Baltimore</c><00:08:25.280><c> Metropolitan</c><
• County. County.
• County. County.
• County. County.

Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state's short-lived climate pollutant law, SB 1383, requires that cities and counties divert 75%
• We've seen this happen before, and my district experienced it firsthand in Fresno County.
• John Kennedy with the RCRC, representing the state's 40 rural counties.
• Would they get involved in suburban communities of Los Angeles County like mine?
• Jordan Wells, on behalf of the California State Association of Counties, in support.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on climate, water, wildfire safety, and coastal policy. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to produce pipeline biomethane; AB 30 would authorize E15 gasoline sales in California; AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high-fire-risk areas; AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider carbon sequestration and blue carbon demonstration projects; AB 491 would codify state nature-based climate targets; AB 436 would streamline siting and permitting for composting facilities; AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers; and AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct. The committee also took up AB 439, which would streamline certain Coastal Commission de minimis plan changes and reporting requirements, and AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request. Testimony was generally supportive on the organic waste, composting, wildfire egress, blue carbon, nature-based solutions, wild and scenic rivers, and water infrastructure bills, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, landfill diversion, climate resilience, and local government flexibility. AB 30 drew the most debate: supporters said E15 would lower fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups warned about engine damage, misfueling, and the need for clearer labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 also drew concerns from environmental groups and some members about the breadth of the CEQA exemption and lack of guardrails, though supporters argued it was narrowly targeted to high-risk communities with safeguards. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and advanced on recorded votes, often with broad support. AB 70, AB 30, AB 66, AB 399, AB 436, AB 43, AB 439, and AB 580 all passed out of committee, with AB 491 also moving forward after some opposition from the Farm Bureau and questions about codifying targets in statute. The consent calendar items were approved as well, and the committee adopted its rules before concluding the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent a lot of taxpayers in Hennepin County, and they are incredibly frustrated that the county
• Sham from the Metropolitan Council.
• Our county partners at Hennepin County are the local funding partner for us.
• Our county partners at Hennepin County are the local funding partner for us.
• This is a Hennepin County project, and Hennepin County is making the decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Dakota County, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, and willing postsecondary institutions
• </c> support for professionals Metropolitan support for professionals Metropolitan Center<00:35:51.839
• ><c> County</c><00:36:15.240><c> the</c><00:36:15.440><c> Metropolitan</c><00:36:16.119><c> Center</c
• > Dakota County the Metropolitan Center Dakota County the Metropolitan Center for<00:36:16.520><c> Independent
• </c> certificate program the Metropolitan certificate program the Metropolitan Center<00:37:04.760><c

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• in Isanti County.
• in Isanti County.
• entities like the Metropolitan Council or the metropolitan area governmental units.
• entities like the Metropolitan Council or the metropolitan area governmental units.
• entities like the Metropolitan Council or the metropolitan area governmental units.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that I do chair the Wahu Metropolitan that I do chair the Wahu Metropolitan planning<00:26:43.240
• </c><00:27:25.279><c> planning</c> support waho Metropolitan planning support waho Metropolitan planning
• County of Kauai in support.
• City and County of Honolulu DTS in support.
• </c><01:18:56.600><c> of</c> County of Oahu is sorry the County of County of Oahu is sorry the County

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one county, you know, you can really get an idea of where the person happened, where the incident
• </c><00:53:48.720><c> transportation</c> then Metropolitan transportation then Metropolitan transportation
• Environmental Services, Metropolitan Transportation Services.
• </c> Wastewater utility uh uh at Metropolitan Wastewater utility uh uh at Metropolitan Environmental<
• 01:00:41.079><c> Services</c><01:00:41.760><c> Metropolitan</c> Environmental Services Metropolitan Environmental

Bills: HF1379 , HF1596 , HF2260 , HF1429

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• But when y'all grow up being the largest county and the largest metropolitan area of 1.5 million people
• But when y'all grow up being the largest county and the largest metropolitan area of 1.5 million people
• in our metropolitan area, thank you. >> All right.
• and the largest being the largest county and the largest metropolitan<00:22:31.760><c> area</c><00:22
• </c> in our metropolitan area, thank you. in our metropolitan area, thank you.

Bills: SB342 , HB379 , HB326 , HB233 , HB388 , SB342 , HB379 , HB326 , HB233 , HB388

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill metropolitan and rural areas.
• </c><00:04:31.840><c> this</c><00:04:32.479><c> uh</c> metropolitan and rural areas. this uh metropolitan
• Uh now, if you ask Cherokee County.
• And then the county commission in Elmore County makes a contribution to the fire association to cover
• So I realize every county is that.

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not an enforcement agency; that is the county police primarily.
• </c><00:42:02.960><c> planning</c> support Wahoo Metropolitan planning support Wahoo Metropolitan planning
• </c> different rules in different counties different rules in different counties it's<00:53:33.440><c
• </c> Zoom okay not present aaho Metropolitan Zoom okay not present aaho Metropolitan planning<01:00:25.319
• </c><01:00:52.480><c> owned</c> on state with State and County owned on state with State and County owned

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several bills on March 11, including measures on harbor vessel requirements, transportation funding, clean fuels, water carriers, parking enforcement, and electric mobility. For SB 1402 SD1 on vessels in state commercial harbors, testimony was split: the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Longline Association supported it, while Hol Holo Charters and one individual opposed it, saying the bill should be more specific about tourboat operators. For SB 1473 on central services assessments, SB 321 on privately owned roads, and SB 419 on insurance coverage for child passenger restraint systems, the committee heard brief testimony with no noted objections or actions beyond moving through the agenda. For SB 1009 SD2 on parking, the bill would create fines for misuse of disability and EV parking spaces and direct the revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund. Support came from Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, the Disability Communication Access Board, and others, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported the bill’s intent but questioned using the fines for Safe Routes to School, and Hawaiian Electric suggested directing EV-related fines to the EV charging system subaccount instead. Hawaii Appleseed supported the measure but raised concerns about the size of the fines and possible impacts on low-income residents. The committee asked questions about enforcement when EV chargers are inoperable; DAGS indicated the stalls could be used and would not be enforced in that situation. For SB 1120 on a clean fuel standard, the Department of Transportation supported the measure but asked for the implementation date to be delayed by one year and requested an independent Hawaii-specific economic impact study due before the next session. Support also came from several transportation, airline, and industry groups, while Tim Rhymer and Frank Schultz opposed it. The committee then heard SB 21 on water carriers, which would authorize a PUC inflationary cost index adjustment mechanism and exemptions; DOT, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbors Users Group supported it, while Frank Schultz opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 117 on electric mobility, which would expand and rename the rebate program, set age limits and operating rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles, require insurance for electric motorcycle operators, and make conforming changes. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DOT, the Hawaii Bicycling League, the Queen’s pediatric trauma center, and Ulupono Initiative, though one testifier warned that the bill’s wattage definition could unintentionally capture some pedal-assist e-bikes. No votes were taken on the individual bills in the portions shown, and the transcript ended with the committee continuing its hearing agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of our counties have ambulance deserts. of our counties have ambulance deserts. 110<00:29:28.559
• ><c> have</c><00:29:31.360><c> ambulance</c> 110 counties out of 120 have ambulance 110 counties out
• Rural counties accounted for 32% of those jobs, while urban counties provided the majority, 68%.
• </c> considered anti- metropolitan considered anti- metropolitan Louisville.<00:35:25.760><c> And</c>
• </c> County senator. I am a state senator. County senator. I am a state senator.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> had in Chicago County that would expire. had in Chicago County that would expire.
• </c> assistance program blue earth county assistance program blue earth county 3.45<00:44:09.920><c>
• In my own district in Homestead County, the Mstead County HRA is a model of locally owned housing.
• </c><00:58:09.599><c> and</c> is a growing trend among counties and is a growing trend among counties
• </c> site housing owned by the county itself. site housing owned by the county itself.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• two counties.
• Chair Fischer: Yeah, if you could, for the counties that are covered as the definition of the metropolitan
• county.
• :54:11.200><c> Metropolitan</c><00:54:11.920><c> County</c><00:54:12.920><c> oh</c><00:54:13.160><c>
• it's</c><00:54:13.359><c> the</c> of the Metropolitan County oh it's the of the Metropolitan County oh

Bills: HF647 , HF2824 , HF1249 , HF623 , HF820

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy