Transcript Highlights:

• on thank you thank you improve on thank you thank you representative<00:56:15.240><c> we'd</c><00:56
• For example, at West Oʻahu, we're putting in a road adjacent to the campus.
• That's an important improvement. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Okay, thank you. Any other questions?
• </c> housekeeping um they would improve housekeeping um they would improve efficiency<01:08:49.960><c
• And this is only for something where they would directly benefit because of these improvements.

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a long road, an arduous process to be able to get access.
• That, too, has been a long road, and so we're grateful for that.
• If you have ideas where we can improve, areas we can improve in, maybe there's another piece of the interstate
• Our policy priorities this year include improvements, first off, improvements to better protect the young
• Next, improvements to our state public records laws.

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like many state roads, equipment.
• </c> better, how we can improve on programs. better, how we can improve on programs.
• We've been down this road before.
• We've been down this road before.
• </c><04:30:58.720><c> As</c> We've been down this road before. As We've been down this road before.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also removes all requirements related to developing reporting standards for improving resource forecasting
• and other eastern Washington communities having this innovation and development so that they can improve
• So what this bill is getting at is improving our relationship as a state with the tribes, the 29 tribes
• This will help with affordability in homes, apartments, roads, and sites.
• This will help with affordability in homes, apartments, roads, and sidewalks.

Bills: HB2296 , HB2301 , HB2212 , HB2515 , HB2436 , HB2496 , HB2605

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker

Transcript Highlights:

• So I appreciate you doing that and taking your show on the road.
• They start out differently, but down the road, they tend to lead to the same types of dysregulation of
• Fewer side effects and durable improvements in brain structure and function.
• very best way to administer neurofeedback training if that's something that somebody wants to do to improve
• So the cost is really in line with talk therapy. 36 to 40 sessions can make huge improvements.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• Jen Rex Road with California Alliance of Caregivers, in support.
• I'm here to present AB 562, and it will help improve outcomes for our state's foster youth.
• This legislation will also help improve outcomes and needs to foster youth placement transition for children
• Jen Rex Road, California Alliance of Caregivers, in support.
• We know that providing guaranteed income improves economic security significantly.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard and advanced a series of foster care, benefits, housing, and poverty-related bills. AB 373 would require appointed counsel for nonminor dependents in dependency proceedings to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute counsel’s judgment; supporters said it would respect autonomy for foster youth ages 18 to 21, and the bill passed 4-0, later updated to 6-0 and then 7-0 as absent members were added. AB 42 would exempt merit-based scholarships, grants, loans, and fellowships from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh and align the two programs’ exclusions; student and anti-poverty advocates said it would prevent students from losing benefits when they pursue education, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 534 would encourage transitional housing providers serving foster youth to move from leasing to owning properties by extending contract terms and improving access to financing; witnesses said ownership would improve stability and reduce landlord barriers, and it passed 4-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 562 would require counties below the state average for family placements to use a family-finding checklist and best-practice support; supporters emphasized family-first placements for foster youth, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 661 would direct the Department of Social Services to develop an implementation plan for a permanent statewide guaranteed basic income program; supporters described positive results from pilot programs and the bill passed 5-2, later updated to 7-0. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does several important things to improve the lives of Florida's veterans and strengthen the work of
• There needs to be I road widening some infrastructure improvements to serve the area who bears the impact
• And so there's a road map there for all these other states operate.
• 160, is reported favorably and we're going to go to Tab 5 Cs for SB 50 Nature based methods for improving
• ways that new developments can avoid or mitigate their impacts on mangrove stands assist efforts to improve

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> traffic congestion and also improving traffic congestion and also improving air<00:20:52.440><c>
• </c><00:31:47.080><c> and</c> the future look at because roads and the future look at because roads and
• </c><00:38:48.200><c> safer</c><00:38:48.680><c> the</c> more and try to make our road safer the more
• </c> cost saving goal within the state road cost saving goal within the state road construction<00:57
• </c> 50 million dollar in the state road 50 million dollar in the state road construction<01:05:43.640

Bills: HF2382 , HF639 , SF1075 , HF1243 , HF1087 , SF1360 , HF739 , HF2337 , HF1220 , HF712 , HF1219

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• 49.360><c> efficiency</c><00:21:49.840><c> and</c> um you know improving efficiency and um you know improving
• </c><01:05:18.079><c> map</c> implications, and develop a road map implications, and develop a road map
• . road. road.
• </c> need to know looking down down the road need to know looking down down the road what's<02:04:56.159
• </c><02:55:28.240><c> Any</c> improve any of those outcomes. Any improve any of those outcomes.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically this is your state aid road division codes, and it's helping our state aid road division
• It allows them to slide those monies over to other state aid roads.
• It allows them to slide those monies over to other state aid roads. purchasing powers at MDOT that road
• </c> and other related scams to improve and other related scams to improve investor<01:42:52.480><c>
• </c> Last year we were sending the money to roads and bridges.

Transcript Highlights:

• We anticipate it'll take us maybe 10 years to get through all the roads in Kapolei.
• If you guys can do certain roads and then the city takes it over, and then when you do the next road,
• It's called the major backbone road, so it's a major collector road and some of the other major arterials
• a driver will pay in state mileage-based road usage charge on June 30, 2028.
• And these vehicles are having substantial impact on our roads.

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• built at the same time means that it's disruptive once every 30 or 40 years, not once and then the road
• or 40 years not once and then then the or 40 years not once and then then the the<00:06:22.080><c> road
• <c> broken</c><00:06:23.440><c> up</c><00:06:23.720><c> again</c><00:06:24.280><c> several</c> the road
• is broken up again several the road is broken up again several years<00:06:25.039><c> later</c><00:06
• if that were very clear in any road if that were very clear in any legislation<00:25:06.520><c> that

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> using miles of road. using miles of road.
• Yeah, Class 3 recreational roads.
• </c> roads.
• We're talking about the roads roads.
• So, those wires on those roads.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> amendment somewhat of an improvement, amendment somewhat of an improvement, um,<02:06:02.080><c
• </c><02:49:09.680><c> um</c><02:49:10.000><c> you</c> improvements that go into this. um you improvements
• We made a capital improvement plan.
• Yes, you know, they use the road.
• </c> use yes you know they use the road use yes you know they use the road okay okay okay but<03:01:49.279

Transcript Highlights:

• decades since the Games' debut of rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and women's cycling road
• So that will take big trucks and delivery trucks off the roads.
• And we are asking for the state help in funding some of these key legacy improvements.
• These projects include rail stations, rail transit improvements, mobility and integrated transportation
• Some of these improvements will be completed before; all of them will be in service before the Games.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, with opening remarks from Assembly Members Tina McKinnor and Chris Ward emphasizing the Games’ cultural, economic, and statewide significance. Members highlighted opportunities for arts and culture, tourism, and community participation, while also noting the need for orderly proceedings and public cooperation. LA28 leaders Reynolds Hoover and Janet Evans described the organizing committee’s structure, the scale of the event, and its goals of delivering a fiscally responsible, no-build Games centered on athletes, sustainability, and legacy benefits. LA28 testified that the Games will be the largest in Olympic history, with more than 15,000 athletes, over 800 events, more than 50 venues, and a budget of $7.2 billion. They discussed venue plans, the athlete village at UCLA, the addition of new sports such as cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, and baseball/softball arrangements, and the first Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Members asked about fashion and merchandising, faith-based participation, venue upgrades, housing, small business opportunities, environmental goals, and athlete mental health. LA28 said it is prioritizing local and small business participation, has launched youth sports and volunteer initiatives, and is working with the IOC on mental health support and with venue owners on improvements. City of Los Angeles representative Paul Corcoran outlined the city’s role in maximizing economic benefit and long-term legacy through the Mayor’s “Games for All” vision, including accessibility, human rights, youth sports, arts and culture, and transportation improvements. He said the city is using tools like RAMP, Compete for L.A., business source centers, and procurement and financing programs to help local businesses participate, and that the city is seeking broader support for arts and culture programming tied to the Cultural Olympiad. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins described transit planning for a “transit-first” Games, including the Games-Enhanced Transit Service, borrowing about 1,700 buses from agencies nationwide, and asking the state for $379 million in construction funding for legacy transit projects. She said all projects are environmentally cleared and expected to be ready in time for the Games, while members raised concerns about traffic, multilingual wayfinding, and the need for strong public messaging to reduce congestion. Public comment urged that the Games be experienced beyond venues and across communities, and no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're always looking for improvements, and we're happy to have suggestions down the road to even
• And if we need to do more going down the road or less, we can do that.
• We serve as quality improvement organizations, QINs, for a lot of states.
• By August, his repeat heart test showed dramatic improvement. It was up to 38%.
• His heart test showed dramatic improvement. It was up to 38%.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of the road fund, out of the general fund, directly going into the road fund.
• Madam Chair, Senator, the transportation road fund is for local road projects.
• It's used by local governments for their roads. Whereas the State road fund is for state roads.
• So when you say state roads, are you talking about roads or is it?
• So I guess what I'm asking is: the road fund, does that just mean roads?

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot improve our lives without understanding how policies affect us when you don't directly hear
• But when that tool becomes uninsurable, it does not improve child safety.
• It cannot be ignored or kicked down the road too much further.
• Hart Lowman: improves employment outcomes, and supports family stability.
• Eskamani: Trust me, Chair, I'm hitting the road at 4:00 as well. Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are contracts that do nothing to improve access to care. So let me be clear.
• This does nothing to improve access to care.
• SB 911 will, without a doubt, improve access and care for patients.
• Interaction down the road, but it cannot be the support staff aspect of it.
• SB 911 will, without a doubt, improve access and care for patients.

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• As we improve efficiencies, depending on computers, our security costs go up.
• We have heavily invested in electronics to improve efficiencies.
• The exit I took was Thomas Road, and we went to Glenwood.
• And the exit I took was Thomas Road and went to Glenwood.
• You know, the goal here is to protect and improve.

Bills: HB414 , HB786 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1182 , HB1185 , HB1214 , HB1217 , HB1231 , SR63 , SCR27 , SB5 , SB194 , SB415 , SB433 , SB451 , SB462 , SB516

Committee: House Health and Welfare