Video & Transcript Research : 'elementary school'
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty One - Thursday, April 30
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It is the practice of our school districts and our charter schools.
- It protected our high schools.
- It protected our high schools.
- It's not forcing schools to do this, but it is allowing schools to do this.
- I mean, I was on a school board.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by roll call vote, 120-0. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow hats on the chamber floor, approving that motion 87-32. The chamber then recognized several special guests and personal introductions, including the Eugene High School basketball team, family members of members, and other visitors. One member delivered a lengthy personal privilege speech responding to a U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and urging protection of democracy and voting access.
In committee reports, the House received favorable reports on substitute House Bill 2426 and Senate Bills 866 and 863. The chamber then agreed to a conference on the property-tax omnibus package, Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. On third reading, House Bill 3329 passed 142-0, repealing expired tax credits, and House Bill 3405 passed 138-0, cleaning up SALT deduction language and clarifying it as a deduction rather than a credit. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill, was debated at length with opposition focused on its school reporting and financial-ledger provisions, but the motion to pass it failed 70-60.
The House then took up Senate Bill 1233, a licensure bill dealing with CPA licensing and other professional licensing provisions. One amendment removing compacts and related language was adopted, a nursing-home physicals amendment was withdrawn, and the bill passed 129-6. Senate Bill 1408, originally a highway-speed bill, was heavily amended to remove some Department of Revenue and other provisions, while adding or revising items including vehicle inspections, motorcycle lighting, hands-free enforcement, driver education, and specialty plates for women’s professional sports; it passed 82-53. The final bill of the day, Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, creating a five-member interscholastic athletic oversight commission for appeals from statewide activities associations, was introduced and debated, with questions raised about its relationship to MSHSAA.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Jan 17, 2025, 12:00 PM HST - Day 3
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Umi Nagahara works for the Ginoza Village government, and Namiki is an elementary school teacher in Okinawa
- <00:19:40.600>
students Partnerships doe high school students Partnerships doe high school - <00:21:02.039>
school <00:21:02.320>teacher namiki is an elementary school teacher - namiki is an elementary school teacher in<00:21:03.080>
Okinawa <00:21:04.080>they <00:21 - journal theorder Baron High School journal theorder Baron High School Governors<00:23:57.960>
Summary:
The House convened, completed roll call with 48 members present and three excused, deferred reading of the journal, and received Senate communications noting adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. The chamber also recognized several visiting groups and guests, including Congresswoman Jill Tuda, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii participants and students, Okinawan visitors, Farrington High School students, James Campbell High School students, and Waiau High School students, many of whom were introduced in connection with Chamber Week activities and educational presentations.
The main business was unfinished business on House Resolutions 6 and 7, which adopted the House rules for the 33rd Legislature, including rules for the Committee on Standards of Conduct. Members generally supported the rules package as a transparency and modernization update, citing earlier public access to testimony, a public list of Speaker appointees, changes to conference committee eligibility, telework for staff, social media guidance, and a public list of bills introduced by request. Several members raised reservations or opposition, focusing on concerns about staff involvement in approving written remarks, budget information timing, the Vice Speaker’s role, social media/free speech issues, and whether some changes reduced public access or conflicted with constitutional open-meeting requirements.
No vote on the rules package is recorded in the excerpt. The debate ended with multiple members yielding time and the discussion continuing on the merits of the proposed rule changes, especially the balance between transparency, internal House procedure, and public participation.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- They were all around and staging around an elementary school, potentially on school property in a parking
- I believe that ICE illegally staged in your child's elementary school parking lot for 14 days in a row
- I believe that ice illegally staged in your child's elementary school parking lot for 14 days in a row
- They're left out a safety school safe school aid, nonpublic schools.
- School counselors license School, nurse's license school, social, worse workers license school, psychologists
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- He said that by August, when 13,000 school teachers go back to 295 schools and wait for 27,000 school
- School more of the we have Urban schools School more of the we have Urban schools like<00:25:57.520><
- at least one middle school and one elementary school had to offer it.
- of school facilities, the daily school operations and implementation of public school curriculum remain
- However, it's on school property, and principals still have control of their schools. midd high school
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (5-21-25) part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- We are an agency that assists all 171 school districts with their unmet school facility needs across
- We only do core facilities, roofs, elementary schools.
- We are an agency that assists all 171 school districts with their unmet school facility needs across
- We only do core facilities, roofs, elementary schools.
- We only do core facilities, roofs, elementary schools.
Summary:
The committee heard capital plan presentations from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the Personnel Cabinet, and the School Facilities Construction Commission. The Justice Cabinet described its large portfolio of more than 900 facilities across the state and said decades of underfunded maintenance have created a backlog of repairs. Requested projects included a high-acuity mental health treatment facility for juvenile justice youth, two female detention centers to support the regional detention model, major corrections repairs and replacements, a new kitchen at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, a new dormitory at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women, completion of a new Eastern Kentucky prison, DOCJT training facility upgrades in Richmond and Madisonville, State Police radio system replacement and post construction, a combined Frankfort headquarters/Post 12 facility, and expanded crime lab and storage capacity. When asked about the high cost of the EKCC kitchen project, staff said construction inside an operating facility raises costs and that building a new adjacent kitchen would be more economical in the long run. The panel also asked about Fish and Wildlife officers training at DOCJT; staff said they do and that the training is funded through the CLEFT fund. The Justice Cabinet also said the recently enacted Senate Bill 4’s AI inventory and registry requirements would be part of its enterprise application and AI inventory system work.
The Personnel Cabinet requested funding to replace CHRIS, the state’s human resources and payroll system, which supports payroll and benefits for about 48,000 employees and the Kentucky Employee Health Plan for roughly 192,000 members. Staff said the current SAP-based system went live in 2011, is approaching end of support in 2030, and has not received functionality enhancements since 2016. They said the replacement is estimated at $151 million, with most of the cost tied to professional services and software, and that the project would begin in July 2026, go live by July 2030, and require a stabilization period through 2032. In response to questions about outsourcing payroll or reusing existing systems, staff said the complexity of state HR, payroll, tax updates, and integrations with other agencies makes outsourcing or partial reuse impractical.
The School Facilities Construction Commission introduced its role in helping all 171 school districts address unmet facility needs, focusing on core school facilities such as roofs and elementary buildings rather than athletic projects. No votes or formal actions were taken during the excerpted discussion; the meeting consisted of presentations, explanations of requested projects, and member questions.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to introduce folks from Madison Elementary School. If you could all stand up.
- So at Madison Heights Elementary School and Madison Simi's Elementary School, the district's Food Service
- that we are committed to this medical school and the way we are committed to the U of A school.
- We know how many children get their main meals from school when they go to school... ...get their main
- meals from school when they go to school daily.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills.
The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds.
Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines.
At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 14, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- STAR SCHOOLS.
- WE HAVE CURRENTLY 90 SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT THAT ARE PURPLE STAR SCHOOLS.
- SO NOW WE HAVE 90 OF OUR SCHOOLS INCLUDING ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL AS A PURPLE STAR SCHOOL DISTINCTION.
- AND WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT THAT ARE PURPLE STARS ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL
- THE WHOLE SCHOOL.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (10-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we pass out the candy, but we also have Mindy School of Dance, and they do two Thriller presentations
- 33.520>
they <00:25:33.760>do <00:25:34.080>two <00:25:34.480>thriller School - Uh, I got a freshman that's at John Hardin, and then my wife is a teacher at one of the elementary schools
- <00:36:24.320>
schools teacher at one of the elementary schools teacher at one of the elementary - schools on<00:36:25.040>
Fort <00:36:25.280>Knox.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:12
Roll Call: 00:00:21
Visit Jessamine - Making an Impact: 00:03:15
Fort Knox Update & Impact: 00:27:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee approved the September minutes and heard two presentations focused on tourism and economic development. First, Visit Jessamine and local winery representatives described Jessamine County’s tourism branding, visitor center renovation at the old jail in Nicholasville, wayfinding signs, kiosks, murals, and the Jessamine Wine and Spirits Trail. They said Kentucky tourism generates more than $1 billion in taxes and $14.3 billion in economic impact statewide, and that Jessamine County tourism generates about $6.2 million in taxes and $87 million in economic impact. They emphasized that the wine trail and related events, including the Kentucky Wine and Vine Festival, draw repeat visitors, support surrounding counties, and attract visitors from across the country and overseas. Committee members praised the presentation and discussed local events such as Halloween activities in Nicholasville and Wilmore and the Great Jessamine Pumpkin event.
The committee also received prepared comments on Fort Knox from Lance O’Brien of the Knox Regional Development Alliance after a Fort Knox representative could not attend because of the federal government shutdown. The remarks highlighted Fort Knox’s role as a military installation, economic engine, tourism draw, and workforce partner. The presentation cited an estimated $5.6 billion in annual output, about $1.3 billion in payroll, more than 60,000 retirees and veterans in the surrounding area, and roughly 11,000 to 13,000 soldiers stationed there at a time. It also noted major tourism-related activity such as Cadet Summer Training, the National Raider Challenge, and the George Patton Museum, along with more than $484 million in small-business contracts in fiscal year 2025 and Fort Knox’s role in IT and cybersecurity. Members discussed the importance of tourism revenue, out-of-state visitors, and the broader economic impact of both Jessamine County and Fort Knox.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- schools and were able to teach k through 5th.
- And that age also aligns entry into kindergarten elementary school age where most families are looking
- So and then there are many who say dentist go to school for 8 years.
- Dental therapists can be fresh out of high school.
- So if you have a school or a total school off more than 12, that indicates a possible kind of is used
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Every high school event is not covered.
- Every high school event is exceptions. Every high school event is not<00:15:15.600>
covered. - Go ahead. >> Auburn said that it was that high schools were excluded. >> No, the any high school and
- Um, we removed the high school football stadiums at the request of a House member.
- Um, we removed the high school football stadiums at the request of a House member.
Bills:
HB227, HB454, SB323, HB266, SB52, SB53, SB296, HB37, HB429, HB93, HB249, HB328, HB111, HB132, HB26, SB261, HB227, HB454, SB323, HB266, SB52, SB53, SB296, HB37, HB429, HB93, HB249, HB328, HB111, HB132, HB26, SB261
Keywords:
firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, TDHCA Our school A-F ratings for nearby general enrollment public schools serve as a metric
- With school choice, children are no longer solely tied to their neighborhood school, making rigid geographic
- Take for example Burnett Middle School in Austin.
- My wife attended a middle school that now has an F rating.
- schools, and I think it's also a grocery store.
Bills:
HB22, SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525
Keywords:
emergency communication, broadband, funding, natural disasters, technology, HB 22, Texas broadband development office, comptroller, emergency communications, early warning systems, disaster alerts, natural disaster notifications, interoperable communications, interoperable emergency radio, public safety communications, 9-1-1, next generation 9-1-1, NG911, broadband grants, low-interest loans
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Eligible professionals also include school nurses, public school teachers, veterans, and peace officers
Bills:
SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525, HB22
Keywords:
municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, SB 1633, Texas Tax Code
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 8, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- high school and beyond.
- So I have 15 school districts.
- district or in a school district whether or not so the funding went to the school district.
- That school is attending that school.
- and school districts are looking at students that they be are not at grade level very early in the elementary
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- schools.
- Senate Resolution 33 by Senator Petty to recognize the Van Buren High School Pointers wrestling team
- All those in favor of Senate Resolution 33 to recognize the Van Buren High School Pointers wrestling
- Greenwood town and school is in Senator Simon's district, so the honors I'm going to let Senator Simon
- They perform for the students at Helston Elementary or middle school in Springdale.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Education (6-3-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , other local schools, uh, I’m sorry, one of our other elementary schools, or to go to our local businesses
- , uh I'm sorry, one of our other schools, uh I'm sorry, one of our other elementary<00:59:46.079>
- to<00:59:47.119>
our <00:59:47.280>local elementary schools or to go to our local elementary - As we know, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds that came out during COVID, we
- school school transformation and that uh school school transformation and moving<01:31:09.199>
a<
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:12
Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:33
Kentucky’s New Assessment and Accountability Model Update: 00:03:50
Federal Education Policy and Its Impact on States: 01:00:55
Educational Leadership Training Opportunities in Kentucky: 01:26:44
Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 02:10:38
Adjournment: 02:13:57, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities.
Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework.
The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Farm to School Farm to School really offers a diverse market because many of the ways that Farm to School
- the school is in session.
- Farm to School also provides kitchen equipment grants to schools to allow them.
- The kids, mostly elementary school students, got to see that process of how carrots come to the school
- We've received some really sweet thank you notes from elementary school students.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy (06/24/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, another aspect that we want to review is the elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund
- aspect that we want to review<00:54:02.079>
is <00:54:02.319>the <00:54:02.720>elementary - <00:54:03.119>
and <00:54:03.359>secondary review is the elementary and secondary review - is the elementary and secondary school<00:54:04.319>
emergency <00:54:04.960>relief <00 - :54:05.520>
fund <00:54:06.240>funding school emergency relief fund funding school emergency
Summary:
The committee met to review its mission and to discuss recent work on a letter sent to the governor and legislative leaders regarding COVID vaccine safety and related scientific references. Members said the letter, which included 31 cited sources, had been delivered to the governor’s office, the Speaker’s office, and the Senate President’s office, and a press release had been issued. Several members defended the letter’s sourcing and urged the public to read the materials and evaluate the evidence themselves, while also acknowledging questions about the trustworthiness of some cited articles.
A major portion of the meeting focused on a research assistant’s effort to use AI tools to help reconstruct and verify the committee’s 2024 COVID report with citations. She reported mixed results from Copilot and Gemini, noting that the tools often produced broad or incomplete outputs and that she would need to break the report into smaller sections and ask for more specific source types. Members advised using more precise prompts and emphasized that any AI output would still need human verification. The committee said it hoped to produce a revised, fully footnoted 2024 report by early September.
The chair then outlined the committee’s fall agenda, saying it would examine long COVID treatment, the patient bill of rights as it relates to COVID vaccinations and death reporting, standards of care and professional judgment by New Hampshire health care providers, and oversight of federal COVID-related funding such as CARES Act education relief dollars. He also referenced a recent fraud case involving misuse of COVID funds and suggested the committee may ask the DOJ for information. The committee will not meet in July or August and plans to resume in September and October, with a final report targeted for the end of October. The chair also introduced a recent DNI/Tulsi Gabbard press release about U.S.-funded biolabs overseas, which members discussed as a possible transparency issue relevant to future pandemic policy.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I remember when I was in elementary school, someone had to tell my parents that a person obtained information
- when<00:25:52.559>
I <00:25:52.720>was <00:25:52.799>in <00:25:53.039>elementary - I remember when I was in elementary I remember when I was in elementary school,<00:25:53.919>
- :54.400>
to <00:25:54.559>tell <00:25:54.640>my <00:25:54.880>parents school - , someone had to tell my parents school, someone had to tell my parents that<00:25:56.000>
a <00
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, approval of the prior journal, adoption of standing committee reports, second readings of House Files 3131, 3241, and 3436, and first readings of House Files 3814 through 3922. The chamber also referred House Resolution 6, calling for the impeachment of Governor Tim Walz, and House Resolution 7, calling for the impeachment of Attorney General Keith Ellison, to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.
The main floor debate centered on House File 3412, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, including local, state, and federal agents, with stated exceptions. Representative Long moved to suspend the rules so the bill could be recalled from committee and brought to final passage. Supporters, led by Representative Finke, argued that masked, unidentified officers undermine public trust, intimidate communities, and should not be allowed to operate anonymously; they framed the bill as a public safety and transparency measure. Opponents, including Representative Noatne, said the bill was poorly written, unnecessary, and could interfere with legitimate law enforcement needs, urging a no vote.
Other members spoke at length on both sides. Supporters described recent incidents involving masked federal agents, family separations, and fear in communities, arguing that Minnesota should require identification and accountability for anyone enforcing the law. Opponents emphasized the professionalism of peace officers, the need for masks in some situations, and the importance of not stripping humanity from law enforcement. Representative Pinto also supported the motion, saying transparency and accountability are essential and that masked officers resemble “secret police.” The transcript does not include the final roll-call result or final disposition of the motion/bill.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's for local school boards, school districts, and Florida College System institutions.
- Could they go through their local school district, and the funds would come to the school district and
- They go into the middle schools and the elementary schools and have career day and show them what we
- do, because it is hard when you talk to an elementary school student who has only heard of firefighting
- Not just a charter school—we opened up a charter school where the student will receive their high school
Summary:
The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training.
Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development.
Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- property. >> School property.
- property. >> School property.
- property. >> School property.
- property. >> School property.
- >> is this public school transfer? >> is this public school transfer?
Bills:
HB1739, HB1741, HB2606, HB2362, HB2608, HB2294, HB2431, HB2375, HB2582, HB2585, HB2231, HB1601, HB2424, HB1956
Keywords:
transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance
Summary:
The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns.
The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer.
HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.