Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:11.399><c> chair</c><00:32:11.720><c> thank</c><00:32:11.880><c> you</c><00:32:12.000><c>
• ><c> a</c><00:32:14.080><c> lot</c><00:32:14.279><c> of</c><00:32:14.799><c> people</c><00:32:15.799>
• :32.279><c> as</c><00:32:32.440><c> well</c><00:32:33.159><c> you</c><00:32:33.320><c> see</c><00:32:
• ><c> on</c><00:32:37.919><c> both</c><00:32:38.159><c> sides</c><00:32:38.360><c> of</c><00:32:38.519
• :32:55.880><c> you</c><01:32:55.960><c> know</c><01:32:56.119><c> in</c><01:32:56.199><c> a</c><01:32

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Summary: The House opened with a series of ceremonial recognitions, including Bernalillo County Day, Pecos Elementary, Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University, the New Mexico International School, and the Sun Country golf organizations. Members and guests offered brief remarks praising county staff, educators, university programs, and local public service, and several caucus and committee announcements were made. The House also received a gubernatorial message authorizing consideration of House Bill 303, which was then removed from Rules, ordered printed, and referred to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. The chamber then adopted a long slate of committee reports, moving multiple bills and memorials forward, including House Bills 294, 298, 38, 127, 151, 165, 47, 63, 64, 184, 200, 309, 311, 329, 310, and memorials 20 and 51. Most reports were adopted without objection, and several measures were advanced with committee substitutes or amended versions. The House then proceeded to third reading on selected bills. On final passage, House Bill 128 passed 61-1. The bill updates presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for full-time firefighters with occupational cancers and other illnesses, and debate focused on the exclusion of volunteer firefighters, the evidentiary burden for exposure claims, and whether the bill should be expanded later. House Bill 109, dealing with the Water Project Fund and allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to award funds without legislative authorization through December 2029, passed 61-0. House Bill 158, requiring accountability and evaluation plans for agencies receiving growth funds, passed 63-0. House Bill 49, increasing the penalty for serious violent felons who possess firearms or destructive devices to a second-degree felony, was debated extensively over sentencing discretion and the distinction between serious violent and nonviolent felons; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The initial language that we had proposed pretty much just kept it in Chapter 407, which is the chapter
• I don't know. kept it in Chapter 407, which is the chapter of NRS that pertains specifically to State
• When the language came back, it actually came back in Chapter 322, which is a state lands chapter of
• The language itself wasn't necessarily bad, but it brought to light a problem with Chapter 32, which

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:25.440><c> to</c><01:32:25.600><c> put</c><01:32:25.679><c> it</c><01:32:25.920><c> or</c>
• </c><01:32:36.960><c> That's</c><01:32:37.199><c> why</c><01:32:37.280><c> I</c><01:32:37.520><c> just
• </c><01:32:39.840><c> that</c><01:32:40.080><c> may</c><01:32:40.320><c> need</c><01:32:40.400><c> to
• > rabies</c><03:32:12.880><c> or</c><03:32:13.120><c> is</c><03:32:13.279><c> it</c><03:32:14.479><c>
• ><c> this</c><03:32:15.120><c> rabies</c><03:32:15.680><c> specific</c><03:32:16.080><c> as</c><03:32

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> end</c><00:32:09.120><c> and</c><00:32:09.519><c> is</c><00:32:09.840><c> do</c><00:32:10.240><c
• Um they<00:32:19.200><c> may</c><00:32:19.440><c> still</c><00:32:19.600><c> have</c><00:32:19.840><c
• 00:32:27.200><c> you</c><00:32:27.360><c> know</c><00:32:27.519><c> child</c><00:32:28.240><c> um</c>
• <00:32:29.440><c> later</c><00:32:29.600><c> on</c><00:32:29.760><c> in</c><00:32:30.000><c> family</
• So we want<00:32:30.880><c> to</c><00:32:30.960><c> make</c><00:32:31.120><c> sure</c><00:32:31.200><

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:07.519><c> want</c><00:32:07.639><c> to</c><00:32:07.760><c> make</c><00:32:07.840><c> sure</c
• <00:32:22.960><c> useful</c><00:32:23.960><c> um</c><00:32:24.639><c> and</c><00:32:24.799><c> start<
• c> with</c><00:32:25.639><c> that</c><00:32:25.919><c> but</c><00:32:26.080><c> I</c><00:32:26.200><c
• :32:28.240><c> another</c><00:32:28.679><c> plan</c><00:32:28.919><c> in</c><00:32:29.120><c> place</
• </c><00:32:30.000><c> long</c><00:32:30.240><c> term</c><00:32:30.679><c> as</c><00:32:30.840><c> to<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session. The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends. The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill. The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2749, an act amending Title 13, Chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13-
• House Bill 282: an act amending Section 36-121, Arizona Revised Statutes, amending Title 36, Chapter
• House Bill 2308: An act amending Section 32-13, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the State Board
• House Bill 4011: An act amending Title 33, Chapter 16, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• House Bill 2049: An act amending Title 30, Chapter 4, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding

Summary: The Senate convened, took attendance, approved the journal, and received gubernatorial communications and nominations. Several nominations were referred to committee, and messages from the House were entered, including transmission of Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 to the Governor. The chamber recessed for caucus, then reconvened and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2082, HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296 (the transcript also contains some misstatements of bill numbers/titles). Amendments were adopted on HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296, including a Rogers floor amendment to HB 2749 establishing a sunset and a Shope floor amendment to HB 296 making technical and coordination changes related to water infrastructure and the Clean Water Act. The Committee of the Whole reported all of those measures do pass as amended, and the Senate later adopted the report. The Senate then took up additional business, including confirmation votes on gubernatorial nominees. John A. Conley, Ruby Dylan Williams, Thomas J. Connolly, Charles Essex, and Dr. Lynette Levesay were all confirmed. The chamber then passed several House bills on third reading, including HB 2308, HB 4011, HB 2049 as an emergency measure, HB 2253, and HB 2663, with recorded votes largely showing 24 ayes and 0 nays. Committee announcements were made for upcoming Natural Resources and Education meetings. Near adjournment, Senator Epstein gave a personal privilege statement criticizing ICE conduct in a Minnesota case and calling for accountability, and Senator Gonzales thanked her and offered birthday wishes to a family member. The Senate then adopted a motion to notify the Governor of the day’s confirmations and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, subject to earlier recall by the President if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:38.640><c> was</c><00:02:38.800><c> passed</c> since, uh, this, uh, chapter was passed since
• , uh, this, uh, chapter was passed in<00:02:39.280><c> the</c><00:02:39.519><c> in</c><00:02:39.760><
• :47.919><c> this</c><00:05:48.160><c> or</c><00:05:48.320><c> that</c> blaming chapter 343 on this or
• :57.360><c> going</c><00:32:57.440><c> to</c><00:32:57.519><c> see</c><00:32:57.760><c> any</c> not going
• to see any not going to see any &gt;&gt; so<00:32:59.440><c> income</c><00:32:59.760><c> from</c><00

Bills: HB1979

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.760><c> So,</c><00:32:02.159><c> uh</c><00:32:02.320><c> we</c><00:32:02.559><c> still<
• for</c><00:32:30.799><c> the</c><00:32:30.960><c> record</c><00:32:31.200><c> and</c><00:32:31.600><
• I have<00:32:37.440><c> with</c><00:32:37.600><c> me</c><00:32:37.760><c> today</c><00:32:38.080><c>
• :32:41.760><c> Hon</c><00:32:42.320><c> in</c><00:32:42.480><c> the</c><00:32:42.640><c> audience</c>
• .<00:32:45.600><c> The</c><00:32:45.840><c> two</c><00:32:46.000><c> of</c><00:32:46.159><c> them</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2015, enactment in Section 36-722-22-22-28-4-3-22-28-4-3-2018-12-2018-2018-19, 32-19, 32-19
• , 32-19 to 32-19 to radiologic technologies.
• House Bill 2006, amending Title 16, Chapter 4, Article 7, and related sections of the Arizona Revised
• House Bill 2226, amending Title 13, Chapter 38, Article 7, and related provisions of the Arizona Revised

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized several guests and community groups, including Central Arizona Aging and visitors connected to the Santa Rosa Barrio/Washington Park community. Senator Bravo read a proclamation honoring the legacy of the Santa Rosa Barrio and celebrating the Washington Park community in Phoenix, recognizing its cultural history, labor heritage, military service, and the unveiling of a commemorative mural. The chamber also received introductions of other guests, including Ken Berger and John Elvis Taska. The body then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first calendar, the Senate considered and advanced House Bills 2050, 2176, 2189, 2195, and 2584, all receiving do-pass recommendations, with amendments adopted on HB 2050, HB 2176, HB 2189, and HB 2195. The discussion on these bills centered on health care and licensing issues, including radiologic technologies, health care institutions, licensed health aide rules, nursing facility records/timelines, and public money-related provisions. Several amendments were described as stakeholder-requested or clarifying supervision, timelines, or related requirements. On the second and third calendars, the Senate advanced additional measures including HB 2003, HB 2006, HB 2226, HB 2378, HB 2693, and HCM 2007, along with HB 2013, HB 2031, HB 2102, HB 213, HB 2117, HB 2262, and HB 2278. Topics included driver license destruction permits, elections and sample ballots/mail-in dates, arrest/processing and veteran status, school facilities oversight, accountable health plans, air pollution control and wildfire-related waivers, water rights and water improvement districts, natural resource conservation, geological survey matters, and a memorial urging a geographic name change for State Route 16. HB 2029 was retained on the calendar. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills, then adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The roll call shows 32 senators present, with three absent and formally excused.
• and treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities, that’s Title 66, Chapter 4.
• The vote count shows 32 in favor, with three absent excused.
• The vote count shows 32 in favor, with three absent and excused.
• The vote count shows 32 in favor, with three absent and excused.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, approved the February 12 journal, and received committee reports and House messages. Committees reported several bills out for second reading, including Senate Bills 1261, 1262, 1265, and 1266, and House Bill 504. The Senate also received House bills 520, 579, 580, 581, and 583 for introduction, and enrolled measures SB 1222, SJM 108, and HJM 10 were processed for signatures and transmittal. During introductions, the Senate read a large slate of new bills covering topics such as kratom regulation, agricultural commerce, dietitian licensure compacts, occupational licensing for homeschool graduates, veterans’ benefits consumer protections, highway/right-of-way rules, education funding and scholarship limits, foster parent training, public benefits verification, hearing loss screening, criminal trespass at churches, and conversational AI safety. Several of these were referred to Judiciary and Rules for printing, while House Bill 583 was sent to Commerce and Human Resources. On third reading, Senate Bill 1240, a comprehensive overhaul of Idaho’s guardianship and conservatorship laws, drew supportive debate from Senators Rutke, Groh, and Lakey, who emphasized extensive stakeholder input, added protections, alternative arrangements short of full guardianship, and a delayed implementation date of January 1, 2027. The bill passed 32-0. Senate Bills 1248, 1249, and 1251 also passed, addressing the state public defense system’s capital crimes defense fund, outdated juvenile corrections language and time-zone references, and clarifying the Attorney General’s civil enforcement authority, respectively. The Senate then moved to miscellaneous business, made announcements, and adjourned until Monday, February 16, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and I'm looking at um<00:32:00.679><c> I</c><00:32:00.760><c> think</c><00:32:00.920><c> so.
• </c><00:32:01.120><c> See,</c><00:32:01.360><c> I</c><00:32:01.440><c> think</c><00:32:01.600><c> that's
• See, I think that's also in<00:32:02.120><c> section</c><00:32:02.600><c> four.
• </c><00:32:03.640><c> Um</c><00:32:04.400><c> says</c><00:32:04.800><c> that</c><00:32:05.679><c> let's
• </c><00:32:05.880><c> see.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :46.679><c> a</c><00:32:46.960><c> process</c><00:32:47.880><c> they</c><00:32:48.000><c> were</c><00
• :32:48.279><c> told</c><00:32:48.639><c> no</c><00:32:48.840><c> you</c><00:32:49.519><c> can't</c> in
• </c><00:32:51.320><c> that's</c><00:32:52.159><c> that's</c><00:32:52.679><c> why</c><00:32:53.039><c
• so that's that's why this bill is there<00:32:54.480><c> to</c><00:32:55.480><c> make</c><00:32:55.720
• ><c> sure</c><00:32:56.320><c> that</c><00:32:56.600><c> we</c><00:32:56.840><c> have</c> there to make

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• office<00:32:07.679><c> or</c><00:32:07.919><c> separate</c><00:32:08.320><c> from</c><00:32:08.480><
• </c><00:32:11.000><c> it</c><00:32:11.120><c> would</c><00:32:11.320><c> not</c><00:32:11.559><c> be<
• been speaking to and<00:32:20.000><c> it</c><00:32:20.120><c> goes</c><00:32:20.360><c> so</c><00:32:
• ><c> very</c><00:32:26.000><c> inside</c><00:32:26.519><c> Madam</c><00:32:26.760><c> chair</c><00:32
• 32:36.440><c> about</c><00:32:36.639><c> those</c><00:32:36.799><c> that</c><00:32:36.960><c> are</c>

Bills: HF25, HF1, HF428

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:14.039><c> data</c><00:32:14.360><c> under</c><00:32:14.559><c> the</c><00:32:14.720><c> data</
• 00:32:25.159><c> our</c><00:32:25.399><c> stakeholders</c><00:32:26.159><c> include</c><00:32:27.039>
• <00:32:30.919><c> corners</c><00:32:31.279><c> of</c><00:32:31.480><c> the</c><00:32:31.679><c> state
• :32:52.960><c> of</c><00:32:53.080><c> the</c><00:32:53.240><c> agency</c><00:32:53.720><c> budget</c
• </c><00:32:54.639><c> the</c><00:32:54.799><c> general</c><00:32:55.159><c> fund</c><00:32:55.600><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:04.480><c> And</c><00:32:04.640><c> so</c><00:32:04.799><c> we</c><00:32:04.960><c> are</c
• Lisa Wilner,<00:32:15.519><c> who</c><00:32:15.679><c> is</c><00:32:15.840><c> also</c><00:32:16.080>
• </c><00:32:23.279><c> They</c><00:32:23.519><c> are</c><00:32:24.000><c> on</c><00:32:24.240><c> the<
• I am not.<00:32:28.320><c> Should</c><00:32:28.559><c> I</c><00:32:28.720><c> tell</c><00:32:28.799><
• c> you</c><00:32:28.960><c> all</c><00:32:29.200><c> I'm</c><00:32:29.360><c> a</c><00:32:29.440><c>

Keywords: 00:00:06 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:23 - Review of Referred Administrative Regulations 00:02:00 - Discussion of 26RS HB 485 01:00:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 485 01:03:25 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• revenue from various state sources<00:32:04.000><c> uh</c><00:32:04.159><c> only</c><00:32:04.399><c
• ><c> 12</c><00:32:26.080><c> is</c><00:32:26.559><c> a</c><00:32:26.880><c> modification</c><00:32:27.519
• Section<00:32:39.440><c> 13</c><00:32:40.080><c> extends</c><00:32:40.720><c> the</c><00:32:41.120><c
• </c><00:32:53.679><c> a</c><00:32:54.799><c> um</c><00:32:55.760><c> conforming</c> state.
• 32:59.039><c> found</c><00:32:59.200><c> in</c><00:32:59.440><c> section</c><00:32:59.840><c> 15.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• one, we take a chapter one assessment to see if you mastered the content.
• Uh, number two is I'm going to give everyone a preassessment about the content in chapter 1.
• one, we take a chapter one assessment to see if you mastered the content.
• I'm going to give you another test. about the content in chapter 1.
• So then about the content in chapter 1.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:42.159><c> drivers</c><00:32:42.519><c> for</c><00:32:42.639><c> our</c><00:32:42.799><c> state</c
• between</c><00:32:44.360><c> the</c><00:32:44.440><c> two</c><00:32:44.559><c> funds</c><00:32:45.000
• ><c> so</c><00:32:47.960><c> HTA</c><00:32:48.360><c> is</c><00:32:48.399><c> going</c><00:32:48.480>
• <c> to</c><00:32:48.559><c> get</c><00:32:48.679><c> its</c><00:32:48.799><c> T</c><00:32:49.240><c>
• T back so it's<00:32:49.960><c> not</c><00:32:50.159><c> HTA</c><00:32:50.799><c> so</c><00:32:51.000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.