Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to point out two small I just want to point out two small comments<00:23:58.120>
• <00:40:53.280> so and very small so and very small so I<00:40:54.520> do<00:40:55.360
• We have a staff of investigators and a small staff of attorneys, also a very small staff.
• We have a staff of investigators a small We have a staff of investigators a small staff staff staff
• very small staff. very small staff.

Bills: SB2603, SB3007, SB3019, SB3022, SB2795, SB2256, SB3250, SB2147

Keywords: Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, state funding, public performances, educational programs, cultural arts funding, culture and arts, arts policy, cultural preservation, community development, economic revitalization, place-based planning, public spaces, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, mixed-use development, business improvement district, Honolulu Chinatown, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, state foundation on culture and the arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2603 SD1, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra, require annual reports to the legislature, and appropriate funds. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the orchestra, the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, business and arts groups, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the orchestra’s cultural value, its role in inspiring youth and supporting arts education, and its broader community impact. No opposition or questions were raised, and the chair offered praise for the level of public engagement around the measure. The committee then took up SB 3007 SD2, relating to culture and the arts, which would create an Office of Community Culture and Innovation within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, require annual reporting, appropriate funds, and establish a Community and Cultural Partnerships Program. The Attorney General’s office warned that section four, which separately funds preservation and relocation of artwork from Aloha Stadium, may be non-germane and should be moved to a separate bill; it also suggested the office would be more properly placed under DAGS rather than SFCA. SFCA Director Karen Ewald testified with concerns about added costs, staffing burdens, and the need for earlier communication, while also saying the agency could support the work if properly coordinated. Opposition testimony argued the bill was duplicative or unnecessary, while supporters, including Governor Abercrombie and Dean Sakamoto, said it would help communities, especially Chinatown, and could support planning and cultural revitalization. The chair noted roughly eight opposition testimonies and five in support, and questioned witnesses about coordination and the cost of relocating the Aloha Stadium artwork, which Ewald estimated could cost at least $1.2 million. The AG’s office said removing section four would substantially reduce legal risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 3019 SD2, a consumer protection measure that would cap ticket resale prices at no more than $3 above the original price for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to adopt enforcement rules and fines. The Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill, arguing it would strain limited enforcement resources, push sales to less regulated channels, and likely eliminate the protections offered by established secondary platforms. Chamber of Progress also opposed the bill, saying price caps would encourage black-market sales, scams, and fraud, and that resale markets serve legitimate consumer needs. In support, the National Independent Venue Association backed the measure, though the remainder of its testimony was not fully captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't follow these small don't follow these small funds<00:26:12.960> most<00:26:13.320><
• The other thing is that it's for a small investment.
• The other thing is that it's for a small investment.
• The other thing is that it's for a small investment.
• -produced energy, not less, and Solar Rewards plays a small yet impactful role for our community.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm here again this year, and I'm advocating for the small producers in the state.
• Charles. the small producers in the state and going from 30,000 gross to 50,000 gross.
• HB 930 follows all the small business exemption requirements except for the threshold.
• Furthermore, allowing small businesses and farms to wholesale their cosmetic products will generate small
• I'm a small business owner myself. I know it's a good question. That's why I ask it.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 971, which would equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; supporters said independent clinics are disadvantaged by a large payment disparity, and the bill was reported favorable without objection. The committee also recognized visiting Alpha Phi Alpha members and other guests during personal privilege remarks. Members then considered HB 414, which would bar hiring certain health care workers and direct support professionals with serious disqualifying convictions from other states and address background-check issues for therapeutic group homes. After adopting three amendment sets, the bill was reported as amended. HB 740, creating an independent review process for Medicaid behavioral health claim disputes in the coordinated system of care, was amended to clarify applicability and CSOC definitions and then reported as amended. HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation, drew emotional testimony from affected parents and advocates; the committee reported it favorable. The committee also advanced several more bills: HB 405, updating the name of the national acupuncture certifying body, was reported favorable; HB 786, prohibiting extrapolation in certain managed-care claims recoupments, was reported favorable; HB 1095, allowing alternative backup power sources for nursing homes, was reported favorable; HB 403, raising the cottage food gross-sales cap, was amended from $50,000 to $150,000 and then reported favorable; HB 930, modernizing cosmetic-product regulation and creating a small-producer exemption, was reported favorable; HB 557, defining long-term pharmacies for policy purposes, was reported favorable; HB 779, on expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases, was reported favorable; HB 915, setting utilization-management timelines and standards, was reported favorable; HB 546, expanding criteria for peace officers to take someone into protective custody during a mental health crisis, was reported favorable; HB 796, creating a chiropractic preceptorship program, was reported favorable; and HB 933, authorizing commemorative birth certificates, was reported favorable. The final major item was HB 1041, a “no-mandate” bill barring discrimination based on medical intervention status. The sponsor and Surgeon General said it was aimed at healthy, asymptomatic individuals and not at public health quarantine powers, but Senator Boudreaux objected to exemptions for schools and hospitals and offered an amendment to restore broader coverage. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended, with no final committee disposition shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, LLCs, anybody that's a business—small business, big business, all of them.
• But my concern is those actual small businesses, and so the changes in H.R. 1 that could affect small
• businesses—I think there are some small businesses that are so small that they're not going to be affected
• When my husband was killed, I was merely 33 years old, just yesterday, with two small children.
• When my husband was killed, I was merely 33 years old, just yesterday, with two small children.

Bills: SB1042, SB1043, SB1044, SB1135, SB1136, SB1142, SB1180, SB1221, SB1252, SB1254, SCR1003

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, property tax, tax exemption, Arizona Revised Statutes, digital currency, workers' compensation, death benefits, burial costs, spousal compensation

Summary: The committee began with staff and page introductions, then took up a series of previously heard bills, mostly related to cryptocurrency and tax administration. SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1044, and SCR 1003 dealt with allowing public entities to invest in virtual currency, accept cryptocurrency payments, and exempt virtual currency from property tax. Supporters framed the measures as modernization, while opponents argued crypto is risky, fraudulent, and a poor use of public funds. All four measures were recommended do pass on narrow 4-3 votes, with Democrats generally opposed. The committee also heard SB 1221, which would require the Department of Revenue to notify legislative tax chairs before adopting a new interpretation or application of tax law that could adversely affect taxpayers. The sponsor said the bill was meant to front-load disputes and avoid surprise tax changes; it passed 4-3. SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a new federal scholarship tax credit program and require ADOR to administer it, drew extensive testimony. Supporters said it would expand scholarship opportunities for students in public, charter, private, and home education settings and keep donations in Arizona. Opponents argued it would divert money from public schools, lack accountability, and primarily benefit wealthier families. The bill passed 4-3 after lengthy debate. The committee then questioned Department of Revenue officials about a press release on Arizona tax forms and federal conformity after H.R. 1. Members focused on why the department told taxpayers not to wait to file, how the state conforms to federal changes, and whether amended returns would be needed if the Legislature changes the forms later. DOR said the forms were issued assuming conformity, that most taxpayers would not be affected by pending changes, and that amended returns could be required for some retroactive provisions; members criticized the guidance as confusing and potentially costly. Finally, the committee heard SB 1254, which would require both grantor and grantee signatures on conveyance documents before recording, to reduce deed fraud and clarify acceptance of property transfers. County assessors supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole and improve records; it passed 6-0 with one member not voting. The committee then began SB 1252, the Uniform Assignment for Benefit of Creditors Act, with testimony from the Arizona Uniform Laws Commission explaining that it would create a more uniform framework for asset assignments and creditor claims, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:18:45.280> Um very small difference. Mr. Hopkins. Um very small difference. Mr.
• And of course, the small the House bill.
• We have a small state correct.
• concern about what such a small concern about what such a small appropriation<02:08:31.840> would
• A small oversight in Article 2, Section 63 of the Senate bill.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward. Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included. The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• see: marks around the throat, a key piece missing hair, especially from the back of the neck, and small
• Okay, and then the second question, you mentioned the small. Any more details if you like.
• Okay, and then the second question: you mentioned the small dealerships.
• Do you have a breakdown, with the complaints that you receive, whether they're large or small?
• You know, the small dealers, the big dealers, they don’t want to go to court.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on a wide range of bills involving consumer protection, auto regulation, alcohol licenses, and professional licensure. A major focus was legislation to require a one-hour domestic violence awareness training for salon and cosmetology licensees (H.323/S.200), supported by District Attorney Marion Ryan, law enforcement, and a salon industry witness who described the program’s value in identifying and helping victims. The committee also heard strong support from the Attorney General’s office for auto consumer protection legislation (S.228/H.379) that would expand used-car warranty protections, extend the Lemon Law return period to seven days after receipt of the vehicle, raise the mileage cap to 200,000 miles, and increase dealer surety bonds to $50,000. Independent dealers opposed those changes, arguing they would burden small businesses and that dealer education, not expanded liability, was the better solution. The committee also took testimony on bills related to vehicle financial products and repair information. A trade association supported GAP waiver legislation (H.4188/S.281), saying it would create clear consumer protections and standard disclosures. On right-to-repair and heavy-duty vehicle service information (S.266), engine and truck manufacturers supported an exemption for commercial vehicles, while others argued that releasing service data to the general public could create safety, cybersecurity, and emissions risks. The committee then heard extensive testimony on auto dealer franchise and warranty reimbursement legislation (S.201/H.406), with dealer groups supporting changes to warranty labor reimbursement and manufacturer groups opposing them as costly and unnecessary. Manufacturers from GM, Volvo, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, and others said their current time-study and appeals processes already compensate dealers fairly and that the bill would raise costs for consumers. In addition, the committee heard testimony on H.333, which would move auto damage appraiser licensing from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Occupational Licensure. Collision repair advocates supported the change, saying the current board structure leads to repeated dismissals of complaints and lacks accountability, while emphasizing that the bill is intended to protect consumers and ensure proper repair reimbursement. The hearing also included testimony in support of a local alcohol license petition for Westwood and a separate local alcohol measure for a town grant license. At the end of the hearing, the chairs announced that all docketed bills had been heard, noted that a joint poll would be held on H.4184, and the committee voted to adjourn by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We care deeply about our farmers' markets and our small producers.
• Double Up Bucks creates a new customer base for small family-owned farms in New Mexico.
• My husband and I run a small-scale urban farm in Alamogordo. My name is Courtney McCarray-Squire.
• Farmers markets are a heavy lift for a small community.
• And so this tiered approach of being able to increase your tax, it also does not harm small.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we want our small business community to be prepared for what's to come.
• But we want our small business community to be prepared of what's to come.
• Do you make sure you leave space open for small businesses?
• I'm sure you have a lot of small businesses, but just curious how that's going for you all.
• Well, just a small closing comment on this topic.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are very, very, very small little town, but this is an absolutely priority.
• And I would suggest that even a small town might would suggest that even a small town might consider
• Even knowing that town budgets are small, it's more the principle of the thing.
• Fifty-five fatalities over 12 years sound small, especially compared to Maricopa County.
• Yet for our small, isolated rural population, this number represents devastating impacts.

Bills: SB1063, SB1118, SB1153, SB1154, SB1209, SCM1001

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced six measures. SB 1118, as amended, appropriates $3 million to the Department of Health Services for grants to rural hospitals to install radiation protection systems in cardiac catheterization rooms; testimony focused on protecting health care workers from ionizing radiation, with the amendment narrowing the bill from an unspecified appropriation to a specific amount and room type. The committee also approved SB 1154, a $500,000 General Fund appropriation for an ADOT traffic and safety study on SR 64 between Williams and the Grand Canyon, after testimony from local officials, law enforcement, and fire personnel describing heavy tourism traffic, crashes, and fatalities. SB 1063, which appropriates $10.4 million for safety improvements on U.S. Route 70, also received a do-pass recommendation after testimony from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, sheriffs, and tribal law enforcement describing a high number of fatalities and dangerous roadway conditions. The committee then passed SB 1153, which creates a Grand Canyon National Park specialty license plate and fund; the Grand Canyon Conservancy testified that proceeds would support park conservation, research, education, and preservation work. SCM 1001, as amended, urging the renaming of State Route 260 as the Donald J. Trump Highway, was approved after a contentious debate over the symbolism of the memorial. Finally, SB 1209, which exempts people without a residence address or whose address is a homeless shelter from non-operating ID license fees and extends the validity period for those IDs, received a do-pass recommendation after testimony from homeless services providers that IDs are essential for housing, employment, and access to services. Votes were 10-0 for SB 1118, 6-4 for SB 1154, 6-4 for SB 1063, 10-0 for SB 1153, 6-4 for SCM 1001, and 9-0 with one not voting for SB 1209.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then secondarily, you see we have utility service taxes, which is really small.
• And then communication services and very small local business tax and other general taxes.
• And then secondarily, you see we have utility service taxes, which is really small.
• And then communication services and very small local business tax and other general taxes.
• And they come... ...because they know they're so small. Are they going to get left behind?

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for a listening session focused on a presentation by Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research on local government revenues and expenditures. Baker reviewed statewide financial data for counties, municipalities, and independent special districts, using 2018-19 as a baseline year because it was stable and pre-COVID. She explained that counties rely heavily on taxes, with ad valorem taxes making up about 73% of county tax revenue and about 24% of total county revenues statewide, while municipalities rely more on charges for services and have a lower statewide ad valorem share of about 14.7%. She also noted wide variation across local governments, with some counties and cities highly dependent on property taxes and others using them minimally or not at all. Special districts were shown to be very different from counties and cities, with hospital-related revenues and expenditures dominating many of them, while water management districts were more reliant on ad valorem taxes and focused expenditures on the physical environment. Baker also summarized expenditure patterns: counties spent the largest share on public safety, while municipalities spent the largest share on general government services, followed by physical environment and public safety. She emphasized that local government structures vary widely and that the committee should study what characteristics are associated with greater property tax reliance. She said the next research steps would be to extend the analysis through later years, including the COVID and inflation period, and to examine institutional and legal factors that shape local fiscal structures. Members asked about unfunded mandates, fuel taxes, reserves, school taxes, millage rates, and how property taxes relate to specific services such as police and fire. Baker said the current analysis did not yet account for mandates or school taxes and that further work could examine links between revenues and expenditures, commercial versus residential tax burdens, and other factors. After the presentation, members reported back on local meetings with counties and municipalities. Several described large differences in millage rates, revenue mixes, and the impact of any property tax changes on fiscally constrained counties versus larger, wealthier ones. Concerns were raised about how local governments would replace lost revenue, especially for public safety and emergency response, and members discussed the need to consider both revenue replacement and ways to rein in spending. The co-chairs said the committee would continue gathering information, send members follow-up homework and requests for panel suggestions, and invite additional input from constituents, stakeholders, and local governments. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does the city of Robinsville, a small city, deal with this?
• a small city of Robinsville<00:03:23.519> how<00:03:23.720> do<00:03:23.799> they
• vital to the needs of serving our small vital to the needs of serving our small business business
• It's too small for one to go down, especially with all the new apartment buildings that have been built
• It's too small for one to go down, especially with all the new apartment buildings that have been built

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So then you have a relatively small window to actually take advantage of this tax credit.
• He said the bill is relatively small in terms of impact for a lot of these critical materials, and that
• mining, the grant has to be looked at differently, and that the amount of the grant is relatively small
• The amount of the grant is relatively small, and it will not fund a mine.
• The amount of the grant is relatively small, and you are not going to be able to fund a mine with it.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first called the roll, established a quorum, and then heard Senate Bill 1553 from Senator Curtis Gregory. The bill is aimed at national defense and reshoring critical supply chains to the United States, including pharmaceuticals and critical minerals/materials used in defense and manufacturing. Gregory said the Senate had added clarifying language tying eligible materials to federal critical-material and FDA lists. Supporters testified that the bill could help Missouri compete in sectors now dominated by foreign producers, especially China and India, and could strengthen national security by encouraging domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and critical minerals. Witnesses from Jost Chemical, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the API Innovation Center, Doe Run, and Associated Industries of Missouri emphasized the difficulty of competing with subsidized foreign supply chains, the importance of transferable tax credits, and Missouri’s existing industrial base. Several witnesses noted that grants would be harder to administer and that federal support or price stability may still be needed for large-scale projects like mines. No one testified in opposition or for informational purposes. The committee then moved into executive session and voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1553, with nine ayes and zero nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then you have a relatively small window to actually take advantage of this tax credit.
• So this particular bill is relatively small in terms of impact for a lot of these critical materials
• So this particular bill is relatively small in terms of impact for a lot of these critical materials
• And the amount of grant is relatively small.
• , very small piece.

Summary: The committee first established a quorum and heard Senate Bill 1553, sponsored by Senator Curtis Gregory, which would provide incentives related to reshoring critical supply chains for pharmaceuticals and critical minerals/materials. Gregory said the bill is aimed at national defense and clarified that the relevant materials would be tied to federal critical-material and FDA lists. Witnesses in support argued that Missouri has an opportunity to expand production of pharmaceuticals and critical minerals, but that foreign competition, especially from China and India, makes domestic production difficult without incentives. Several witnesses emphasized national security concerns, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and the need for state support to help existing Missouri companies expand into these markets. Support testimony came from Jost Chemical, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the API Innovation Center, Doe Run Company, and Associated Industries of Missouri. Testimony highlighted the difficulty of competing with subsidized foreign producers, the long lead times and capital needs for mines and production lines, and the importance of transferable tax credits and possible future federal support. One witness noted that the bill’s grant component may be more limited and would likely be useful for startup, testing, or initial development rather than fully funding a mine. Another witness suggested that tariffs or price floors could also help create a market for domestic production. There was no opposition or informational testimony. After closing the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and voted Senate Bill 1553 do pass by a unanimous 9-0 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I REPRESENT A SMALL COUNTY COALITION AND I THINK YOUR WISH CAME TRUE.
• IN THE ‘22 ELECTION CYCLE WE HAD 84 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN OUR SMALL COUNTIES UP FOR ELECTION. 44 WERE
• COUNTIES, YOU KNOW, IS THERE A WAY FOR US TO DO A LOCAL REFERENDUM SO THAT WAY THE SMALL COUNTIES CAN
• BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW DO WE CRAFT A BILL THAT DOES NOT HURT SMALL COUNTIES
• BUT I THINK THERE IS WORK THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP SMALL COUNTIES. THANK YOU. >> Chair: THANK YOU.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:04.720> businesses<00:25:05.200> are modernization that small businesses are
• And really, we're starting to see about $8,000 for some of these small businesses when we have a high
• So, if you're a small fish for lottery.
• It helps small businesses, helps the lottery, and helps our coffers.
• It helps small really good bill.

Bills: SF0052, SF0024

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• particular fumigant and other fumigants for many years, and what they found is that even um kind of small
• particular fumigant and other fumigants for many years, and what they found is that even um kind of small
• what they found is that even um<00:19:56.320> kind<00:19:56.559> of<00:19:56.799> small
• amounts can drift miles um kind of small amounts can drift miles off<00:19:58.559> site<00:19
• We have problems with our small orchard.

Bills: HB1621, HB1880, HB1831

Keywords: pesticides, environmental impact, agriculture, 1,3-dichloropropene, chlorpyrifos, land management, wastewater compliance, state funding, survey issues, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a small community, it's growing, but it's still a pretty small community.
• And as a small community, it's growing, but it's still a pretty small community.
• uh loan forgiveness program got a small uh loan forgiveness program got a small cut<01:11:30.000
• very very very small collectively it's very very very small collectively it's $110,000<01:11:41.760><
• Again, these are this is a small change.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• production the these aren't small production the these aren't small projects<00:44:49.520> that
• and to provide that at a local small and to provide that at a local small level<01:17:17.320>
• <01:17:24.280> local funding this okay we're small local funding this okay we're small local
• businesses, the small homeowners.
• their bill and then they get a small their bill and then they get a small check<01:38:32.840>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• decrease in motor vehicle excise tax, a small increase in individual income tax, and a small decrease
• decrease in motor vehicle excise tax, a small increase in individual income tax, and a small and a decrease
• We probably have a small bit of hybrid in that.
• We probably have a small bit of hybrid in that.
• If you're a majority leader or the speaker, a minority leader, you have extremely small office space,

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our cost settlements are $248 million, and then we have a small category of other payments, which includes
• So it seems like a lot of our small rural hospitals are struggling, and this seems like it would not
• I apologize that that is small.
• So we see a lot of our small hospitals struggling, but somehow Children's is not.
• So we see a lot of our small hospitals struggling, but somehow Children's is not.

Keywords: 1204, all