Transcript Highlights:

• or proposal for submitting a project or proposal for residential<00:04:25.520> development<00
• I know this full buildout is looking to be a projected 1,500 to 2,000 residential units.
• <00:41:30.680> on uh these fuel reduction projects on uh these fuel reduction projects on
• We actually have a desalination project.
• <01:18:59.120> uh actually have a desalination project uh actually have a desalination project

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:47.440> we about how we put together projections we about how we put together projections
• qualifying um would continue to qualify qualifying um would continue to qualify because<01:31:13.360
• community um and to be able to qualify community um and to be able to qualify for<01:42:50.239><
• There are 25 bills that we're projecting to come to House Finance.
• The projected divisions obviously include 71 for Division Three.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Annual project awards adjusted for inflation, annual project awards have increased 27%.
• project.
• or dirty projects.
• For whatever reason, that project is not advancing. The engineer probably is qualified.
• At the Army, we've completed... well over 10 projects, some of the major projects.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would like to turn it over to one of my testifiers, uh, Niniveh Calegari from the Teacher Salary Project
• people, which you know under-qualified people, which you know impacts<00:13:54.720> turnover<
• ,<00:14:59.680> which<00:14:59.839> is are under-qualified, which is are under-qualified
• One of the things that stuck out to me from the teacher salary project was a statistic, I think it was
• One of the things that stuck out to me from the teacher salary project was a statistic, I think it was

Bills: HF3119

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HE SHOULD NOT OF BEEN ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR A JOB. HERE IN JACKSONVILLE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
• IN THE SCENARIO I DON'T THINK AVAILABILITY WOULD BE THERE AND SO YOU WOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR REEMPLOYMENT
• NOW, PEOPLE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE WORKERS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE BENEFITS IS LIKE SITTING AT HOME EATING
• OF THE NINE PERCENT OF WORKERS WHO QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING, ALMOST NONE OF THEM QUALIFY FOR TO A $75 A WEEK
• IF THERE IS FRAUD, HOW MUCH COULD IT BE IF NINE PERCENT QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS.

Transcript Highlights:

• the period the following language: 'The Board of County Commissioners may solicit sealed bids from qualified
• Bid process is for any projects from a vendor and insurance standpoint, almost all bids are submitted
• But whether it comes to certain buildings, certain projects, there's actually language that specifies
• And to qualify for a grant, they have to have an audit, which is about $15,000.

Bills: SB2130, SB2135

Keywords: municipal finance, audit exemption, biennial reporting, local government, transparency, county purchasing, purchase card, government accountability, emergency expenditures, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or you might have a disabled family member; they may qualify.
• Family member, they may qualify.
• For the pork projects. Our citizens are no better off.
• We need fewer pork project gifts to politically favored districts.
• Park development projects and for certain administrative expenses.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects dollars in ARPA. projects dollars in ARPA.
• validations for over 70 grant projects. validations for over 70 grant projects.
• general fund dollars or capital projects general fund dollars or capital projects dollars<00:53:
• That was over 141 projects.
• funded through the capital projects funded through the capital projects dollars.<00:57:13.359>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we haven't gotten more projects that we haven't gotten more projects funded<00:11:41.040>
• Thank you. qualified and are receiving this qualified and are receiving this benefit.<00:18:51.160>
• Is there any money for new projects, or is it just paying off current projects?
• or is it just paying off new projects or is it just paying off current current current projects?
• projects? projects?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, the bill allows an out-of-state mortician to qualify by demonstrating at least 3 years
• <00:03:23.320> by out-of-state mortician to qualify by out-of-state mortician to qualify by
• Thank you, and I’m available for any questions. qualified professionals to come practice qualified professionals
• students per year 35 licensure qualified students per year that<00:06:34.640> graduate.
• The University of Minnesota graduates 35 licensure-qualified students per year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, we're assuming one qualified candidate per office.
• And, you know, we're assuming one qualified candidate per office.
• And, you know, we're assuming one qualified candidate per office.
• uh uh the minimum qualifying uh uh the minimum qualifying contributions<00:16:35.800> right
• unanimously feel the person qualifies unanimously feel the person qualifies and<00:47:55.200>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• This project has been on pause for seven or eight years.
• One example of that is projected rental are available, key barriers remain.
• At Comunidades and Reyesadas, we’re working on our first project now.
• But unless a project like this can qualify for the very limited neighborhood stabilization program funds
• Project-basing will create units.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened a hybrid hearing focused on housing production bills, with Chairs Julian Cyr and Rich Haggerty emphasizing Massachusetts’ housing shortage and the need to produce more than 200,000 units over the next decade. The committee then heard testimony on a wide range of proposals, including social housing, starter homes and the “missing middle,” accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-stair residential buildings, permanent affordability homeownership, and housing for people with disabilities. Several witnesses framed the bills as tools to expand supply, lower costs, and address racial and generational wealth gaps. Representative Connolly testified for H. 1478 on the Massachusetts Social Housing Program, describing publicly owned, mixed-income housing financed through a revolving loan fund. Senator Feeney testified for S. 989 on missing middle starter homes, arguing for zoning changes, incentives, and affordability tools to support smaller starter homes and duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Multiple witnesses, including housing advocates, real estate representatives, and local officials, supported the ADU trust fund bill and the single-stair study bill, saying they would reduce barriers, support homeowners, and enable more family-sized and infill housing. Some witnesses opposed bills they said would weaken ADU reforms or add new restrictions, while others urged broader deregulation to speed production. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1576/S. 1010, the Homes for Lasting Affordability bill, which would create a permanent affordability homeownership program for low- and moderate-income buyers and support small developments with long-term affordability restrictions. Testimony from community land trust leaders, legislators, and housing advocates emphasized that permanent affordability can preserve public investment, stabilize neighborhoods, and help families build wealth over generations. Senator Miranda and Representative Worrell tied the bill to closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to homeownership for Black and Latino residents. The committee also heard testimony on S. 971, which would reform the Housing Development and Incentive Program to require more affordability in Gateway City projects. The committee additionally heard from Senator Kennedy and disability advocates on S. 1004, which would strengthen the Alternative Housing Voucher Program for people with disabilities by codifying project-based vouchers and aligning the program more closely with other voucher systems. Witnesses described long waitlists and the lack of accessible, affordable units as major barriers that can lead to homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization. No votes were taken during the hearing; the session was devoted to testimony and questions from committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts that offer qualifying coverage to their part-time faculty receive 50% reimbursement of the
• Hey, I'm Camico Hossler, member of Hoop Valley Tribe on behalf of the California Native Vote Project
• support. with the California Native Vote Project, and we are in support.
• I am the Senior Project Associate with John Burton Advocates for Youth.
• I am the Senior Project Associate with John Burnt Advocates for Youth.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The average project completion time increased from 2.6 to 4 years.
• And significant delays affected one-third of long-term projects.
• this isn't a 30-year project, as Rob said.
• How do we avoid this now that we're 25 years now into this project?
• It's not a science project where you have to study every molecule.

Keywords: presidential nominations, EPA, environmental policy, Fish and Wildlife, committee meeting

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the presidential nominations of Brigadier General Brian Nesvick as Director of Fish and Wildlife and Jess Kramer and Sean Donahue as assistant administrators at the EPA. Each nominee presented their qualifications and experiences in their respective fields, with an emphasis on their commitment to uphold the laws passed by Congress. The discussion highlighted the nominees' dedication to addressing environmental issues and their proactive stances on regulatory matters. After deliberation, votes were held to report the nominations favorably, despite some members voicing concerns regarding their qualifications and potential conflicts with environmental interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is another project we're very proud to share with you today in Lake Tech's new 25,000-square-foot
• This project was funded through local and state grants and state appropriations.
• And pneumatics, general project management, robotics, controls and instrumentation, basic electricity
• You've heard just about a few of the projects that Lake Technical College has expanded in.
• What's pretty fantastic about the project is that... ...they're still having that ability to work.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard a panel discussion focused on how Florida schools and colleges are exposing students to in-demand careers in manufacturing, semiconductors, transportation, and related fields, and how they are building pathways from middle school through postsecondary training. Panelists from Seminole County Public Schools, Lake Technical College/Lake County Schools, and St. Petersburg College described their career academies, dual enrollment options, industry certifications, and partnerships with employers, local governments, and state colleges. They emphasized early career awareness, counseling, and parent outreach as key to helping students understand technical education as a viable and prestigious path. Seminole County highlighted 51 career and professional education academies and new offerings in agricultural biotechnology, global finance, firefighting, and planned aerospace engineering. Lake County described Lake Technical College’s programs, strong completion and placement outcomes, and three partnerships: a flexible-day high school/workforce model at Lincoln Park Education Center, the Lake Works pathway collaboration with Lake Sumter State College, and a Transportation Innovation Hub with the City of Tavares that trains students on municipal vehicles and serves multiple local governments. St. Petersburg College discussed its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, including semiconductor processing, mechatronics, soldering, and clean-room training, along with new grant-funded expansion at its Midtown campus. Members asked about wages, the semiconductor workforce, how to change perceptions of technical education, how parents are engaged, and how Bright Futures CAPE and Gold Seal scholarships are communicated. Witnesses said school counselors, CTE teachers, parent nights, and district communications are used to promote these options, and that many students can earn strong wages through short-term certifications or two-year degrees. Lake Technical College also raised concerns about workforce funding not keeping pace with teacher pay increases and inflation, noting that funding covers only about 80% of what it earns and tuition has remained unchanged for 18 years. The meeting ended with members praising the programs, and the subcommittee adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond rising and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The developers of this project have invested close to $4 billion, employed thousands of workers, and
• As of August 22, 80% of the project is complete and 100% of the turbine foundations have been placed
• It is no secret that the President doesn't like wind power, but this project has been permitted, paid
• IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T LIKE WIND POWER, BUT THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN PERMITTED, PAID
• GOVERNMENT AND TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO PAY DEARLY FOR THIS UNCALLED-FOR ABOUT-FACE ON A PROJECT THAT THE

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The project.
• , whether the project team is a qualified team, if they've done this before, and how ready they are in
• For a lot of housing projects, that will get the project approved.
• Lastly, the most recent project we approved from Round 2 was a project.
• Work with districts on a standards project or a systems project, project pre-K teacher housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• State projects would go in here. right? State projects would go in here.
• There is a list of the projects.
• There is a budget that's projects.
• projects? projects?
• But I think we can take your projects<05:46:08.320> in. projects in. projects in.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:34.399> financially older adults that qualify financially older adults that qualify
• We also have that project that we're standing up and operationalizing now.
• <01:27:27.400> for provide to people who don't qualify for provide to people who don't qualify
• <01:33:17.000> any recommendations can we project any recommendations can we project any savings
• Are you also projecting in this the attrition rate?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Danielson >> that project project project >> Exum >> Gonzalez, Hendrickson, >> Judah, >> Kipp, Kirkmeyer
• Investors who reinvest capital gains into qualified opportunity funds within 180 days may defer federal
• A qualified opportunity fund is an opportunity fund that holds at least 90% of its assets in Colorado
• And many counties on the western slope are not booming with development projects competing for investor
• Some of these projects are still running. Others were being considered.

Keywords: 981, all