Video & Transcript Research : 'property fund'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- pots of funding.
- </c> of funding. of funding.
- </c> long-term dedicated funding for transit. long-term dedicated funding for transit.
- </c> the two general fund appropriations. the two general fund appropriations.
- </c> are all out of the general fund. are all out of the general fund.
Keywords:
transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:01:30.560><c> source</c> mechanisms and then the funding source mechanisms and then the funding
- </c> fun assistance funds have have run out. fun assistance funds have have run out.
- </c> PAP funding. It's been cut dramatically. PAP funding. It's been cut dramatically.
- </c> property taxes, and utilities. property taxes, and utilities.
- </c> for these these valued property rights. for these these valued property rights.
Keywords:
HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections May 29th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Legislative Operations and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- looking at a redundant system's conflicting timelines, duplicated cybersecurity mandates, and vague funding
- less than four mailings from either the state or my county clerk, which is a waste of our taxpayer funds
Keywords:
election reform, voter accessibility, conditional ballots, voter registration, mechanical voting systems, election audits, voter access grants, provisional ballot, voting technology, AB562, Nevada, Secretary of State, elections, elections management system, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, automatic voter registration, AVR, election technology, state appropriations
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Initially 700 property owners committed to take water service once construction was complete.
- the non-federal share of this work. over 3.9 billion in federal funding and the GCPD.
- The Gulf Coast Protection Trust Fund would provide. a mechanism to collect and grow the funds needed
- Secondly, extend the financial reach and reduce future funding requirements.
- sand mining and property owners' property is being damaged.
Keywords:
coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- per year from state sales tax revenue and depositing those funds directly into the the Texas water fund
- stream for water and flood funding.
- That is something that is funded by the Texas Water Fund.
- funding is needed.
- So as you know, the new water supply for Texas fund and currently allows funding of certain number of
Keywords:
coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Government Oversight REVISED: SB1771, SB1805 and SB1916 - Added Apr 14th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Government Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill expands that authority to collect three things: funds allocated for the purpose of workforce
- It authorizes sheriffs to be able to use surplus funds from sheriff's commissary accounts.
- At that point, it becomes abandoned property.
- Senate Bill 2154 requires cities to notify not only property owners, but also lien holders, if there
- are any outstanding balances for maintaining the property.
Bills:
SB1265, SB2154, SB1286, SB1365, SB1491, SB1525, SB1581, SB1775, SB1810, SB1884, SB2118, SB2174, SB1771, SB1805, SB1916
Keywords:
municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, municipalities, city government, town government, property maintenance, nuisance abatement
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Government Oversight REVISED: SB1771, SB1805 and SB1916 - Added Apr 14th, 2026
Government Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill expands that authority to collect three things: funds allocated for the purpose of workforce
- It authorizes the sheriffs to be able to use surplus funds from sheriff's commissary accounts.
- And at that point, it becomes abandoned property.
- Senate Bill 2154 requires cities to notify not only property owners, but also lien holders, if there
- are any outstanding balances for maintaining the property.
Bills:
SB1265, SB2154, SB1286, SB1365, SB1491, SB1525, SB1581, SB1775, SB1810, SB1884, SB2118, SB2174, SB1771, SB1805, SB1916
Keywords:
municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, municipalities, city government, town government, property maintenance, nuisance abatement
Summary:
The committee first laid over Senate Bill 1268, then heard a series of bills, many of them request bills from state agencies. Senate Bill 1771, from the Workforce Commission, would expand the agency’s authority to collect data on workforce development funds, expenditures, and performance data; an amendment removed language allowing contract attorneys, and the bill passed 8-6. Senate Bill 1805, from the Office of Juvenile Affairs, would prohibit juvenile detention facilities, group homes, and post-adjudication treatment facilities from using temporary staffing services; members discussed open records concerns, and it passed 13-1. Senate Bill 1916 would move the Office of Receivership under the Oklahoma Insurance Department, and it passed 9-5. Senate Bill 1525, a Tourism and Recreation Department request bill, would allow contracts up to $75,000 for the statewide tourism conference and permit fees to help cover costs; it passed 9-5. Senate Bill 1491 would require a replacement presidential elector to take the same oath as other electors, and it passed 10-4. Senate Bill 1810 would allow expert testimony to help juries understand human trafficking and update victim-service statutes, passing 13-0. Senate Bill 2118 would let sheriffs use abandoned surplus funds from commissary accounts for sheriff expenses, and it passed 13-0. Senate Bill 1884 would give statewide teacher associations equal access to teachers and clarify opt-out language for payroll deductions or bank drafts; members debated whether it limited local control and vendor access, and it passed narrowly 8-7. Later, Senate Bill 1265, extending the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 to 30 days, passed 8-0, and Senate Bill 2154, requiring cities to notify lienholders as well as property owners about outstanding maintenance balances, passed 13-0. Senate Bill 2174, as amended, recreated the Fire Marshal Commission and changed some membership slots to include representatives of firefighters, the restaurant industry, and business owners; it passed 15-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1775, described as a local-control measure related to speed traps and costs in rural areas, passed 16-0. The chair announced more bills remained and that the committee expected to meet again the next day, with the possibility of continuing into Thursday if needed.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- In general, who keeps track of how these funds are spent?
- You know, if these funds are for the office of the sheriff for law enforcement purposes, that's anything
- My bill says for my sheriff to be able to expand the use of funds from simply jail expenditures to...
Keywords:
Montgomery, retirement system, employees, constitutional amendment, city council, retired law enforcement, retirement benefits, employment, firemedics, salary cap, HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Local and County Government Feb 24th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Local and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- municipalities are dealing with the rise of microplastics and other persistent contaminants without the funding
- Yeah, I don't want cities to fund themselves off of selling plastic bags.
- So, in reading the bill, I know that government entities never take advantage of a situation to fund
- This follow-up language simply requires that lien holders will also be notified if a lien on a property
- opportunity during that business week to talk to someone with relation to the issue that may be with their property
Keywords:
zoning, municipal compensation, property rights, financial impact, reversion ordinance, solid waste management, municipal authority, regulatory fees, waste reduction, environmental impact, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants, racially restrictive covenants, housing discrimination, Fair Housing Act, plats, subdivision plats, residential additions, county clerk, municipal ordinance
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Local and County Government Feb 24th, 2026
Local and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- municipalities are dealing with the rise of microplastics and other persistent contaminants without the funding
- Municipalities are dealing with the rise of microplastics and other persistent contaminants without the funding
- Yeah, I don't want cities to fund themselves off of selling plastic bags.
- So in reading the bill, I know that government entities never take advantage of a situation to fund themselves
- This follow-up language simply requires that lien holders will also be notified if a lien on a property
Keywords:
zoning, municipal compensation, property rights, financial impact, reversion ordinance, solid waste management, municipal authority, regulatory fees, waste reduction, environmental impact, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants, racially restrictive covenants, housing discrimination, Fair Housing Act, plats, subdivision plats, residential additions, county clerk, municipal ordinance
Summary:
The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with municipal authority, land use, waste management, and transparency. Senate Bill 2106, by Senator Brooks, would require municipalities that use a reversion ordinance to change zoning back to a prior designation to compensate landowners for any loss in property value; it passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1471, by Senator Boren, as amended, would allow cities and towns to impose narrowly tailored fees related to solid waste and packaging impacts, with revenue limited to waste collection, recycling, cleanup, education, and related contamination-reduction efforts; members discussed microplastics, bag fees, and concerns about scope and oversight, and the bill passed 6-2. Senator Nysha and the chair spoke in support of the measure as a conservation and landfill-reduction tool.
Senate Bill 2139, by Senator Hicks, was presented as a cleanup bill directing county clerks to remove discriminatory language from recorded plats, including digital records, after an ordinance amending a plat is adopted and recorded. The committee adopted a committee substitute, struck title, and advanced the bill 8-0. Senate Bill 2154, by Senator Reinhardt, would require lien holders to be notified before foreclosure proceedings begin when a municipal lien is filed; Senator Nice asked whether the notice period could be defined as 10 business days, and the author agreed to discuss that with stakeholders. That bill also passed 8-0.
Finally, Senate Bill 1619, by Senator Hamilton, was broadened from an original focus on data centers to a general transparency measure for municipal and county governments. It would prohibit officials from using nondisclosure agreements to conceal how public tax dollars are spent, while still protecting proprietary business information. Members discussed constituent concerns about secretive economic development deals, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee then concluded its business and adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 25th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It pertains to groundwater use and the Well Drillers Indemnity Fund.
- The groundwater well drillers and pump installers indemnity fund, which was started in 1990, exists solely
- Current statutes capped that fund at $50,000 on any one well and at $10,000 for anyone well.
- This bill would change those caps to an overall fund cap of $100,000 and a per-well cap of $25,000.
- days, how are we going to ensure that those family members have adequate notice of that possible property
Bills:
HJR1032, SB1314, SB1257, SB1326, SB1365, SB1932, SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346
Keywords:
HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 25th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It pertains to groundwater use and the well drillers indemnity fund.
- The groundwater well drillers and pump installers indemnity fund, which started in 1990, exists solely
- Current statutes cap that fund at $50,000 on any one well.
- Current statutes cap that fund at $50,000 on any one well, and any one well is capped at $10,000.
- This bill would change those caps to an overall fund cap of $100,000 and a per-well cap of $25,000.
Bills:
HJR1032, SB1314, SB1257, SB1326, SB1365, SB1932, SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346
Keywords:
HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day, along with several guests and visiting groups, including a military honoree, a women’s rugby team from Southern Nazarene University, a homeschool co-op, gun-rights advocates, and other constituents. The chamber also heard a citation honoring Chief Master Sergeant Scott R. Irwin for 34 years of military service, and the SNU women’s rugby team was congratulated for winning the 2025 National Collegiate Rugby Division I championship.
On the floor, members considered House Joint Resolution 1032, which would align Service Oklahoma rules with existing law and executive action regarding changes to birth certificate and license sex markers. The measure drew extended questioning and debate about gender identity, intersex individuals, and whether the repeal would change current practice. Minority Leader Kurt opposed it as political and harmful, while the author said it simply removed outdated administrative code. HJR 1032 passed 38-8.
The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1314, increasing caps on the groundwater well drillers and pump installers indemnity fund, 46-0; Senate Bill 1257, classifying THC as a Schedule I drug, 43-3; Senate Bill 1326, modernizing the self-storage facilities lien act and changing notice provisions, 40-4; Senate Bill 1365, raising the threshold for Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department inventory purchases from local vendors and making it an emergency measure, 35-11; and Senate Bill 1932, allowing certain motor carriers to be represented by an officer or partner at administrative hearings, 46-0. The Senate also heard announcements about an Appropriations Committee meeting and an upcoming Bible Reading Marathon before adjourning until February 26, 2026.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And in many cases, it is the current property tax on that property.
- property.
- And in many cases, it is a, the current property tax on that property.
- Senator DiCeglie, what happens to the fund, if this legislative... and response fund.
- Again, this fund is an infant fund. This fund is an infant fund.
Keywords:
property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations.
The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government.
Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- property visible on their platform.
- I'm Mike Twitty, Pinellas County Property Appraiser, and I'm also the legislative chair for the Property
- And so there's more available funds for the legislature. Mr.
- You'll see, so four of the five Year as available funds.
- It's another depreciation deduction for real property.
Keywords:
property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property
Summary:
The committee heard and passed three bills before moving to a staff presentation on the state revenue forecast and the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. SB 856, by Senator DeSantis? [sic], would require online real estate listing platforms to display estimated property taxes for residential properties using prescribed methods and DOR-developed formulas rather than the current owner’s tax bill. Supporters from county, city, and property appraiser groups said the bill would improve transparency and help homebuyers avoid surprise tax and escrow increases. The bill was reported favorably after debate about making sure the estimate appears on realtor and platform sites for first-time buyers.
SB 110, by Senator Arrington, was amended and then reported favorably. The bill clarifies that people holding 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead tax exemption even if the lease ends upon the tenant’s death, aligning those leaseholds with life estates for estate-planning purposes. The amendment, supported by the Florida Bar’s real property, probate and trust law section, clarified that lease provisions terminating at death are valid under current law. SB 434, by Senator Leak, was also reported favorably; it would prevent property tax assessments from reflecting increased just value attributable to wind-hardening improvements such as stronger roof attachments, shutters, and roof-to-wall reinforcements.
The committee then received an update from staff director Azar Khan on the new general revenue forecast. He said collections had been running slightly above estimate overall, but the Revenue Estimating Conference reduced corporate income tax projections because of weaker recent collections and uncertainty around tariffs, while increasing some other revenue sources. Members then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which staff said would significantly reduce Florida corporate income tax revenue, with a large first-year impact driven by retroactive provisions such as bonus depreciation, research expensing, and business interest deductions. Senators and the appropriations chair said the forecast and federal changes would affect budget planning, and the committee adjourned after noting the bills had been favorably reported and the meeting was complete.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- In how it's laid out, there won't be an impact to the general fund.
- Parents are financially liable for damage caused by their children to school property.
- And we are moving; we consolidated two of the funds, so with that, I appreciate your support.
- consisting of legislative appropriations and distributions from the permanent state school fund.
- If the voters approve the increased permanent fund distribution, ADE must allocate teacher pay fund monies
Bills:
SB1004, SB1424, SB1497, SB1507, SB1572, SB1684, SB1711, SB1741, SB1754, SB1763, SB1798, SCR1012, SCR1041, SCR1051
Keywords:
sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Apr 16th, 2025
State Government
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- property values.
- It's particularly crucial for school districts to rely on property taxes to fund debt services for bonds
- values remain aligned with the state property value, so public school funding is not unjust.
- Public school funding in Texas heavily relies on property taxes.
- school funding and property tax than a lot of folks.
Keywords:
appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 14th, 2026 at 10:35 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- If we didn't put them in this, how would they get this funding?
- If we didn't put them in this, how would they get this funding? Madam Chair.
- So The specific centers within their ability to spend funds.
- In valuing property in general under appraisal standards. Mr.
- You know, we were looking at those types of funding.
Keywords:
general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 13th, 2026 at 08:35 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- They're looking at funding right now, going after some grants and private investment. Okay.
- And is it based then on property tax abatement at a value that is pre-development? Yes, Mr.
- And when we look at the property tax, we look at.
- It's similar to an IRB because an IRB also freezes property taxes.
- What we now call a property tax abatement program. Okay, Mr.
Keywords:
general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- It depends on the type of property. It depends on the type of property.
- </c> a basis to actually seize the property. a basis to actually seize the property.
- </c> appropriations for the fund before? appropriations for the fund before?
- </c> passes and there isn't sufficient funds? passes and there isn't sufficient funds?
- </c><00:43:25.280><c> one</c> fund and that's enough to fund one fund and that's enough to fund one election
Bills:
SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529
Keywords:
real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure.
The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing.
SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute.
Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.