Transcript Highlights:

• </c> economic and social and environmental economic and social and environmental reasons<01:08:10.599
• The environmental benefits, which make up the bulk of the benefits that were noted in the Department
• He said the environmental benefits in the Department of Commerce study would still exist if the solar
• He said the environmental benefits noted in the Department of Commerce study would not change if this
• </c> solar on our system the environmental solar on our system the environmental benefits<01:37:31.880

Bills: HF2103 , HF2793

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is under environmental trust fund.
• I represent the Northshore and environmental communities.
• </c><02:00:54.159><c> As</c><02:00:54.400><c> I</c> for Environmental Advocacy.
• As I for Environmental Advocacy.
• </c> talking about the environmental talking about the environmental committee,<02:33:35.520><c> but<

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• for the day, is an act relating to the environment, modifying reporting requirements for certain environmental
• mandatory report to the legislature on evaluation and recommendations for mandatory categories of the environmental
• For environmental review, Representative Niska, thank you, Madam Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• exclude any state- or county-funded infrastructure improvement projects that is exempt from an EA environmental
• /c><00:04:36.240><c> from</c><00:04:36.440><c> an</c><00:04:36.640><c> EA</c><00:04:37.360><c> environmental
• </c> is exempt from an EA environmental is exempt from an EA environmental assessment<00:04:38.360><c

Bills: HB2592

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on several decision-making agendas and first considered HB 1696, which would lower the minimum age for commercial driving in-state from 19 to 18 and adjust qualifying criteria. The committee agreed to accept amendments, including changes suggested by the Operating Engineers Union, and voted unanimously to pass the bill with amendments. HB 2333, which would authorize airport special districts and increase penalties for certain aeronautics violations, was deferred after concerns were raised about treatment of people outside airport security perimeters. On the next agenda, the committee passed HB 1710 with technical amendments only. That bill would allow the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct phase reviews of certain private-property projects and revise concurrence deadlines. HB 1737, clarifying allowable agricultural district uses related to farm dwellings and farm employee housing, also passed with technical amendments only. HB 1823, dealing with coastal zone management and excluding certain state- or county-funded infrastructure projects in Lahaina from the definition of development, passed with amendments from the Attorney General’s office. The committee then took up HB 1897, an alternative dispute resolution measure for condominium-related disputes, including facilitated mediation, evaluative mediation, and binding arbitration. Despite noting broad opposition and a reservation from Senator Buenaventura, the committee adopted the measure and moved it forward as is. Finally, HB 2576, which streamlines background check requirements for health care facilities and workers, passed with amendments reflecting input from OHA, HAH, and DOH. The meeting concluded with notice of a later joint agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• communities, the most rural communities, and our keiki and kupuna who bear the greatest burden of environmental
• 13.360><c> of</c> kupuna who bear the greatest burden of kupuna who bear the greatest burden of environmental
• </c><00:02:14.560><c> So</c><00:02:14.760><c> when</c><00:02:14.920><c> a</c> environmental exposure.
• So when a environmental exposure.

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington's prosperity: agriculture, health, and biomedical sciences, clean energy, advanced materials, environmental
• Agriculture, health, and biomedical sciences, clean energy, advanced materials, environmental resilience
• left up to the whims of those who cannot understand the value of science as public service and environmental
• I'm a postdoctoral scholar in environmental and forest sciences at UW, and a proud member of UAW 4121

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, opening a public hearing on Senate Bill 6321, which would authorize up to $6 billion in state general obligation bonds over six years and create the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement within the Department of Commerce. Staff explained that the institute would oversee grants for scientific research and facilities, with the proposal requiring voter approval for the debt and institute creation. Senator Slatter, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to stabilize research funding in Washington in response to federal cuts and uncertainty, and noted it was modeled in part on similar efforts in California and Texas. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Representatives from Washington State University and the University of Washington described the state’s research enterprise as an economic engine and emphasized the importance of stable funding for jobs, innovation, and competitiveness. University of Washington witnesses said federal funding disruptions had reduced new NIH awards, cut student support, and threatened research programs in medicine, mental health, clean energy, forest resilience, and climate adaptation. Several early-career researchers and union members testified about personal impacts from grant terminations, furloughs, and delayed career transitions, arguing that the bill would help protect scientific work, workforce development, and public health outcomes in Washington. After closing the hearing on SB 6321, the committee moved into executive session. It voted do pass on Substitute House Bill 2525 and sent it to the Rules Committee. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation, and then adjourned after thanking staff and members for their work during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the subcommittee, House Joint Memorial 3 asks the Environment Department and the Environmental
• And as a result, because of that disjointment, we are asking the Environment Department and the Environmental
• Protection Act, to label any and all products it deems necessary, and that's the proposal before the Environmental
• session and working jointly with the American Chemistry Council and many other industry as well as environmental

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• focus is really our health care, education, public safety, and infrastructure, which includes environmental
• uh infrastructure uh which includes and uh infrastructure uh which includes uh<00:08:44.480><c> environmental
• </c><00:08:45.120><c> conservation</c><00:08:46.480><c> because</c> uh environmental conservation because
• uh environmental conservation because we've<00:08:47.279><c> got</c><00:08:47.440><c> a</c><00:08:47.680

Transcript Highlights:

• essential services for our citizens, including cultural resources protection, quality health care, environmental
• back in 2022, what the federal court said was that we could not include in our compacts broad environmental
• ...include in our compacts broad environmental review terms, broad family law terms, broad tort liability
• decision back in 2022 what the federal court said was that we could not include in our compacts broad environmental
• include in our compacts broad environmental review terms, broad family law terms, broad tort liability

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• process and does not affect or impact the ability of local governments to have their own permits and environmental
• permit enforcement becomes a financial and litigation liability, worker safety, public safety, and environmental
• I'm Alex Lumer on behalf of the Environmental Protection Information Center.
• in sensitive areas like a wetland could now be structurally fortified without a permit, without environmental
• The bill also retroactively protects unpermitted structural elements and additions made without environmental

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on alcohol licensing, billboard maintenance, equity planning, and recognition of Eid as a state holiday. AB 2663 by Assembly Member Rogers would extend the sunset on the “Cocktails to Go” program for restaurants; supporters from the California Restaurant Association and the Distilled Spirits Council said it has been successful and should continue, while one member raised concerns about beach communities and open-container enforcement. The bill was amended to add an urgency clause so the sunset would not lapse on New Year’s Eve, and it passed the committee. AB 2099 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays, including replacement or reinforcement of structural components. Supporters said the bill would provide clarity and consistency for the industry and state agencies, while opponents from Humboldt County and environmental groups argued it could weaken local enforcement, make nonconforming billboards effectively permanent, and increase public-safety and environmental concerns. The measure passed to Appropriations. AB 2731 by Assembly Member Addis would authorize 12 additional alcohol licenses in Santa Cruz County, split between Watsonville and southern county communities; local officials said the current cap is inequitable and forces businesses onto an expensive secondary market. The bill was amended to limit issuance to no more than five licenses per year and passed to Appropriations. AB 2017 by Assembly Member Haney would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays and provide excused absences for students observing them. Support came from Muslim community organizations, public employees, and advocates who said the bill would improve inclusion and help students and workers observe their faith without penalty. Several committee members spoke in favor and asked to be added as coauthors, and the bill passed to the Committee on Public Employment and Retirement. AB 1823 by Assembly Member Jackson would require state agencies to incorporate racial equity into strategic plans and conduct racial equity analyses before budgets or regulations are implemented. Supporters said it would make equity efforts more durable and accountable, while some members opposed it; the bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar of multiple bills, and the meeting adjourned at 3:28 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inaction isn't just an environmental risk.
• Don Kepke, on behalf of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance, otherwise known
• Don Kepke, on behalf of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance, otherwise known
• Sharon Gonzalez, on behalf of the City of Thousand Oaks and the City of Roseville's Environmental Utility
• Sharon Gonzalez, on behalf of the City of Thousand Oaks and the City of Roseville's Environmental Utility

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Summary: The committee heard several water- and Salton Sea-related bills. SB 72 would update the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet by 2040, with supporters arguing the state needs a climate-resilient, drought-proof plan and opponents warning the target could drive overbuilding, higher water costs, and harm to stream flows and ecosystems. After extensive testimony from water agencies, business and agricultural groups, and environmental opponents, the bill passed on a do pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369 would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and labor sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to toxic conditions, create good local jobs in Imperial Valley, and help complete restoration projects more quickly. There was no registered opposition, and the committee members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and public health needs. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Labor and Employment Committee. SB 697 would modernize the State Water Board’s stream system adjudication process by allowing use of modern technology and remote methods in investigations while preserving field visits when needed. The author said the bill would improve efficiency and reflect current digital tools, and stakeholder concerns were addressed through amendments. With no opposition and no votes reported in the process, the bill passed as amended to the Judiciary Committee. The committee also approved several consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And but the biggest thing with these bills is that uh in the environmental portions of these bills, we
• </c><00:08:28.639><c> uh</c><00:08:28.879><c> in</c><00:08:29.120><c> the</c><00:08:29.280><c> environmental
• </c> bills is that uh in the environmental bills is that uh in the environmental portions<00:08:30.160
• I think there's a lot of stuff that we could do in policy in the environmental committee, in all committees

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of the Western Occupational Environmental Medical Association.
• I'm here on behalf of the Western Occupational Environmental Medical Association.
• Jared with the Nature Conservancy in support, and I've also been asked to do a support for the Environmental
• Jared with the Nature Conservancy in support, and I've also been asked to do a support for the Environmental
• My name is Elisa Ambris with the Central California Environmental Justice Network and the California

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with most focused on workers’ compensation, insurance access, and climate-related risk. AB 815 by Assembly Member Ortega would prevent social service workers who use personal vehicles to transport or assist clients from being misclassified as commercial or for-hire drivers under personal auto policies; supporters said the current practice leads to unaffordable premiums and denied claims, while no opposition testified. AB 1329, also by Ortega, would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund to reduce litigation and administrative costs; supporters said it would lower employer assessments while preserving protections for hiring previously disabled workers, and opponents said they were working on amendments but raised concerns about fund costs and eligibility language. Both bills were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 1125, AB 1293, and AB 1398, and later approved AB 1048 by Assembly Member Chen. AB 1048 would allow disputed unauthorized or silent-network medical payment reductions in workers’ compensation to be reviewed through the independent bill review process; supporters framed it as a transparency measure to address unexplained underpayments, while opponents argued the bill would improperly use IBR to resolve contract disputes and could conflict with existing arbitration provisions. Despite opposition, the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1236 by Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez was approved with broad support. The bill would create a Climate and Sustainability Insurance and Risk Reduction Grant Program at the Department of Insurance to fund pilot projects aimed at improving insurance availability, affordability, and resilience in communities facing wildfire, flooding, heat, and sea level rise. Supporters, including the Department of Insurance, described it as implementing recommendations from the state’s climate insurance report, and several committee members asked to be listed as coauthors. AB 1336 by Assembly Member Addis, the Farmworker Heat Illness Prevention Act, also passed after extensive debate; it would create a rebuttable presumption that a heat-related injury arose out of employment when an agricultural employer failed to comply with heat illness prevention standards. Supporters said it would incentivize compliance and protect farmworkers, while opponents argued it inappropriately used workers’ compensation to enforce safety rules and raised implementation concerns. All of the approved bills were reported out to the Committee on Appropriations, and the committee adjourned after recording final roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jay Ides, and I'm a senior staff attorney at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
• But this is the day when the environmental groups appear to have given up on prevention and decided that
• ><c> the</c> people but this is the day then when the people but this is the day then when the environmental
• 09.880><c> groups</c><00:10:10.360><c> appear</c><00:10:10.600><c> to</c><00:10:10.760><c> have</c> environmental
• groups appear to have environmental groups appear to have given<00:10:11.680><c> up</c><00:10:12.680

Transcript Highlights:

• old-fashioned slider bingo boards, which have been reused for decades, making them both more environmentally
• I'm a marine biologist working for a Tacoma-based environmental conservation nonprofit.
• thriving for hundreds of millions of years, predating both dinosaurs and trees, sharks face rapid environmental
• small, but it can have a meaningful impact by fostering connections to our waters and promoting environmental
• By the time Puget Sound faces mounting environmental pressures, naming the six-gill as our state shark

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 1364 would raise from $5,000 to $15,000 the gross revenue thresholds for charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games without a gambling license, and would also raise related local tax thresholds; supporters said it is an inflation adjustment that helps volunteer nonprofits, while no opposition was heard before the hearing closed. HB 2632 would replace most uses of “alien” in state law with “non-citizen,” with exceptions for federal-law requirements and non-human uses; the sponsor described it as a dignity and accuracy measure rooted in refugee experience, while supporters and opponents debated whether it is respectful and clearer or instead unnecessary and potentially confusing. HB 2447 would designate the blunt-nosed six-gill shark as Washington’s official state shark; testimony from the sponsor, children, marine advocates, and scientists emphasized education, conservation, Puget Sound ecology, and local pride, and the hearing closed without opposition testimony. HB 2637 would exempt certain personal information from Public Records Act disclosure, including age, address, birthplace, precise location data, government identifiers, and consumer utility data; supporters framed it as privacy and safety protection, while opponents argued it would reduce transparency and could interfere with federal immigration enforcement. In executive session, the committee took action on three bills. HB 2235, concerning Public Records Act exemptions for concealed pistol licenses and permit-to-purchase firearm applications, was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. HB 2401, establishing the Boys and Men’s Commission, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote, with some members supporting the concept but expressing concern about funding. HB 2574, which addresses removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots and related vote-count procedures, was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote after members discussed the need to clarify election procedures in rare cases. The committee deferred action on HB 2520.

Transcript Highlights:

• amended, seeks to remedy this shortfall by requiring the Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental
• Clean Water Action, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, and Central California Environmental
• Environmental Justice Network, in support. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
• found out it was an issue for people literally in every corner of the state, with all sorts of environmental
• While you continue to work with this environmental coalition on limiting the credit to the historically

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on wildfire resilience, recycling, forest management, and organic waste diversion. AB 442 would remove a requirement that a harvest area be limited to a single watershed for working forest management plans; the author and supporters from the California Forestry Association and Pacific Forest Trust said it would reduce barriers to forest resiliency work, and there was no opposition. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the use of CEQA and Coastal Act suspensions for wildfire and fuel-management projects after the governor’s emergency proclamation; the author said the bill would provide data on how well the suspensions are working, and it drew support with no opposition. AB 35 would exempt Proposition 4-funded programs from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed implementation of climate, water, wildfire, and environmental projects; the author and a large coalition of local governments, water agencies, conservation groups, and fire organizations argued the exemption would help get funds out faster, while no opposition was present. The committee also discussed AB 3333, which would create a market-development payment to support end users of non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan used in cement, in order to divert glass from landfills and reduce carbon emissions. Supporters said the bill would create a productive use for hard-to-recover glass, while opponents from the Glass Packaging Institute, Californians Against Waste, and waste management interests argued it would divert beverage container recycling funds away from the bottle-to-bottle system and could undermine existing recycling investments and recycled-content goals. Members raised questions about the fund’s revenue sources, the purpose of the beverage container recycling program, and whether the bill would amount to “downcycling”; despite those concerns, the bill advanced on a due-pass-as-amended recommendation, with members noting fiscal and policy issues for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic material used as a beneficial agricultural amendment, including CDFA-licensed fertilizer products made from biosolids, to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater agencies and Clean Water SoCal said the change would expand options for meeting procurement requirements and help move biosolids out of landfills, while Californians Against Waste and other opponents argued the bill could expand procurement credit beyond SB 1383’s original intent and weaken investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members questioned what kinds of biosolids would qualify, how the procurement credit would work, and whether the bill could be narrowed to historically landfilled materials; the author said she would continue working with opponents and wait for CalRecycle technical assistance. The committee adopted the bills’ amendments and passed AB 35 with urgency, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 to Appropriations, and also approved consent-calendar AB 946. After roll calls, all of the measures were reported out of committee, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They kept me briefed daily, and used their training to minimize the environmental impact. beaches.
• , personally, the Coast Guard is the first federal service I think of when I think about ocean environmental
• 00:37:01.040><c> ocean</c> think of when I think about ocean think of when I think about ocean environmental
• <00:37:02.359><c> protection</c><00:37:03.359><c> and</c><00:37:03.599><c> keeping</c> environmental
• protection and keeping environmental protection and keeping critical<00:37:04.480><c> economic</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• They went through phase one, which was a period of looking at zones, going through all the environmental
• impacts. ...looking at zones, which zone to pick, going through all the environmental impacts, and they've
• That project alone took over 25 years to get the environmental impact statement approved and the permits
• assessments, and environmental impact statements.
• So specifically on the environmental assessments or environmental impact statements, generally, what

Bills: HR170 , HR191 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR68 , HB714 , HB762 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB56 , SB69 , SB115 , SB133 , SB151 , SB170 , SB235 , SB278 , SB330 , SB420 , SB438 , SB449 , SB489

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, and considered a long agenda of mostly transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Among the bills reported favorably were Senate Bill 420, which adds Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Senate Bill 69, which updates appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission after redistricting; Senate Bill 40, which expands Louisiana’s move-over/safety protections for emergency and disabled vehicles; and House resolutions from Rep. Dickerson urging DOTD action on Highway 16 widening, turn lanes on Highway 1024, and a roundabout on Highway 1019. The committee also advanced HCR 53 creating a study committee on oversized vehicle permits, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, SB 449 giving the New Orleans Public Belt more procurement flexibility, SB 115 allowing DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA duties to speed project delivery, and SB 489 authorizing third-party verification of vehicle insurance coverage. Members heard testimony on several safety and enforcement measures. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples under CODIS-related criminal provisions; State Police explained it would help law enforcement collect required samples and aid cold cases. SB 48 would create driver’s license reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland, and SB 235 would clarify payment and liquidated damages rules for public contracts, with contractors and industry representatives saying it would help ensure timely payment to contractors, subs, and suppliers. SB 55 clarified that seat belts must be worn across both the lap and shoulder, and SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement; committee members raised questions about due process, vehicle use, and how the devices would work, but both bills were reported favorably. Several measures drew more extensive debate. HB 762, as amended, would give OMV discretion over referring certain debts to the Office of Debt Recovery or Attorney General, and the amendment passed 14-2 after discussion about relief for drivers who cannot pay. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement received an amendment preserving existing compliant pavement markings, but a separate amendment to exempt Shreveport, Gretna, Livonia, and Westwego from the law failed on a roll call vote. HB 714, as substituted, would have created a railroad commission and required railroads to address blighted or abandoned lines, but after concerns about federal preemption, definition of blight, and whether a new commission was needed, Rep. Phelps moved to defer the bill, and the committee agreed. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief recognition of committee staff and visitors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and in the face of environmental pressures, you know, we must take proactive action to make sure
• Um, and in the face of environmental<00:19:39.120><c> pressures,</c><00:19:39.840><c> you</c><00:19:39.919
• ><c> know,</c><00:19:40.080><c> we</c> environmental pressures, you know, we environmental pressures,
• My name is Lauren Buck, and I'm a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in environmental
• For all of the reasons that the other testifiers talked about—economics, environmental, climate, cultural—I

Bills: HCR31

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Housing first heard HCR 85, which urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer parcels in the East Oahu area. DLNR, OPSD, HHFDC, and HCDA testified, and the chairs noted an intent to keep revenues from the lands with DLNR while agencies collaborate until parcels are ready for substantive transfer. Both committees then voted to pass the measure as is, with the recommendation adopted. The committees also heard HCR 101 and HCR 166. HCR 101 was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted by both the Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committees. HCR 166, which asks DLNR to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, received no opposition in testimony and was also recommended and adopted unamended by both committees. Later, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee took up several resolutions. HCR 36, establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, Japan, drew support from DBED, which highlighted educational, agricultural, and airport-related opportunities, and the committee moved it forward. HCR 19, designating March as March for Water Month, was supported by the Board of Water Supply. HCR 162, creating an arts data mapping task force, received support from DBED and arts advocates, including the Hawaii Youth Symphony. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, and nursery capacity, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple community testifiers emphasizing climate resilience, native forests, and storm recovery. The committee also heard HCR 106 on designating Waikīkī as a world surfing reserve, with support from the University of Hawaii, and HCR 14 on a perpetual non-exclusive easement for existing drainage improvements at Waikīkī, which DLNR said had already been approved by the board and only needed legislative passage to execute. HCR 178, concerning a county set-aside for East Maui public trust water resources, drew testimony from the East Maui Water Authority and others supporting local control and public stewardship, while HCR 179, directing the Aamoku Advisory Committee to follow its rules and comply with Sunshine Law, drew testimony both in support and urging amendments to preserve Aamoku’s independent, semi-autonomous role. Because quorum was not available, decision-making on the later measures was deferred to the end of the 3 p.m. agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when the federal government is dismantling environmental programs and defunding scientific
• Assembly Bill 527 by Assemblymember Pappin and others, an act relating to environmental quality.
• low-impact and temporary, but they're treated as separate projects under CEQA, triggering a full environmental
• We are preserving our environmental standards and at the same time, fully achieving the promise of green
• us to finally end mile-long nets that can capture all kinds of bycatch and cause all kinds of environmental