Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry. >> Tariffs.
• I'm sorry. tariffs. tariffs. tariffs.
• &gt;&gt; Tariffs, &gt;&gt; Tariffs, &gt;&gt; Tariffs, &gt;&gt; federal<01:02:25.760><c> tariffs,</c>
• &gt;&gt; federal tariffs, &gt;&gt; federal tariffs, &gt;&gt; and<01:02:28.480><c> I</c><01:02:28.640>
• </c> tariff as much as we are. tariff as much as we are.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• um Outside factors, and just wondered if anybody can comment, any testifiers, about the impact of tariffs
• But I I would think with the tariffs<00:22:54.640><c> you</c><00:22:54.960><c> I</c><00:22:55.200><c>
• would</c><00:22:55.360><c> have</c><00:22:55.520><c> thought</c><00:22:55.760><c> that</c> tariffs you
• I would have thought that tariffs you I would have thought that the<00:22:56.159><c> price</c><00:22
• I just kind of tariffs in particular.

Bills: HF3393

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: unemployment insurance, iron ore mining, additional benefits, labor force, economic support

Transcript Highlights:

• The single biggest issue we're seeing today is trade and tariff issues.
• ,</c> is trade, tariff, is trade, tariff, markets,<01:16:08.360><c> workforce,</c><01:16:09.360><c> and
• </c> demand, tariffs, and labor issues. demand, tariffs, and labor issues. exactly<01:40:25.119><c> what
• Um, in our eyes, um, the tariffs are not—we live it.
• Um, some things people talk about, tariffs and and and whatnot.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates a requirement that the PSC develop minimum large load tariff requirements for public
• The tariff requirements must reasonably ensure that large load customers, such as large data centers,
• Specifically, the bill makes the prohibition part of the large load customer tariff requirements to be
• and pending tariffs, and so those are a few of the things that we'd like...
• and pending tariffs, and so those are a few of the things that we'd like.

Bills: S0484 , S0698 , S0706 , S0968 , S1118 , S1122 , S1134 , S1320 , S1342 , S1548 , S1614

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, utility, and transparency bills. SB 1342 on transportation infrastructure and land development regulations, by Sen. Rouson, was presented as a housing-affordability measure modeled on the Live Local Act for transit corridors. After adopting an amendment that removed the bill’s compelling-governmental-interest language in enforcement provisions, the committee heard testimony from local-government and housing interests both supporting and opposing the bill’s zoning preemption approach. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 1614, by Sen. Leek, which was amended to remove stormwater and code-enforcement spending provisions and to tighten restrictions on local governments seeking state appropriations after audits or without required affirmations. SB 1548, the next Live Local Act iteration by Sen. Claddie Ude, was also reported favorably; it expands where Live Local projects may be located and adds fair-housing protections. SB 968 on home backup power systems, by Sen. McLean, was reported favorably after testimony from builders and energy-related stakeholders, with the sponsor noting he was still working on amendments to refine permit provisions. The committee then approved CS/SB 698, by Sen. Martin, which allows building permits for single-family homes to be issued before septic permits are finalized if application has been made, while still requiring septic approval before occupancy. Builders testified that septic permit delays were causing lengthy project delays and contract cancellations. The committee also reported favorably SB 1320, by Sen. Martin, requiring county tax-increase referenda to include a Department of Financial Services spending analysis if available; the sponsor said the goal was to give voters more standardized fiscal information, while opponents argued existing law already provides similar transparency. SB 484, by Sen. Avila, on data centers, was reported favorably after an amendment adding a knowledge requirement to the foreign-country-of-concern service prohibition; the bill addresses local planning authority, nondisclosure agreements, utility tariff requirements, and water-use limits for large data centers. The committee also reported favorably SB 1118, by Sen. Avila, creating a one-year public-records exemption for data-center location and proprietary information, with testimony split between economic-development supporters and transparency concerns. Finally, the committee took up SB 706, by Sen. Mayfield, preempting naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designating Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to federal and trademark conditions; it was reported favorably after questions about local input and airport naming. The committee then heard extensive public testimony on SB 1134, by Sen. Yarbrough, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from funding, promoting, or taking official actions related to DEI and would create penalties and a private right of action for residents. The sponsor argued the bill was aimed at preventing taxpayer-funded DEI programs and cited examples from Jacksonville and other jurisdictions; opponents said the bill was vague, overbroad, and would chill local programs, public education, and civil-rights-related activities. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on SB 1134, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2028, the commission shall require each electrical corporation to offer optional dynamic pricing tariffs
• Also, our transmission planning is conducted under the provisions of a federally regulated tariff with
• each project sponsor's proposal meets the criteria and selection factors that are set out in our tariff
• We do not anticipate at this time any changes being necessary to the tariff to complement the efforts
• able to continue to rely on the key selection factors and the selection factors described in our tariff

Summary: The committee first heard AB 710, which would expand dynamic pricing and time-of-use electricity rates and require utilities to develop plans for advanced metering infrastructure so more customers can participate. The author and supporters said the bill would encourage load shifting to times when electricity is cheaper and cleaner, reduce curtailment of renewable energy, and help address affordability. PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, arguing the deadlines were premature, could disrupt ongoing CPUC rate proceedings and pilot programs, and might force costly changes before results are known; Golden State Power Cooperative was neutral and flagged a technical issue. After questions and discussion about timing and scope, the committee passed AB 710 on an 11-0 vote and also approved the consent calendar 15-0. The committee then held its first 2026 oversight hearing on implementation of the California Transmission Accelerator created by SB 254. GoBiz, IBank, CAISO, and the Department of Finance outlined the new program’s structure: GoBiz’s energy unit will coordinate the accelerator, IBank will evaluate and finance eligible projects, CAISO’s transmission planning and competitive solicitation process will identify projects, and the tax credit will provide an additional incentive for developers. Administration witnesses said trailer bill language and about 10 limited-term positions are being proposed to clarify roles, protect confidential information, and support the revolving fund, with roughly $26 million in administrative costs over five years. Committee members focused on coordination among agencies, supply-chain risks, regional market planning, and whether the accelerator has enough authority to move projects quickly. CAISO said its planning and competitive procurement processes already align closely with the accelerator and that no tariff changes are expected, while GoBiz and IBank said they are still developing financing strategies and learning from other states. Public commenters supported faster transmission but urged the committee to preserve the role of competitive developers, clarify ownership and risk allocation, and ensure wildfire safety and accountability. The hearing ended with no formal action beyond receiving testimony and committing to continued oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Miller said that, as a matter of macroeconomic fact, tariffs can create a price floor
• The witness responded that Trump had tried to put various tariffs in place and then they were repealed
• Representative Miller said that tariffs can create a price floor and achieve the same outcome without
• The witness responded that Trump had tried to put various tariffs in place and then they were repealed

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 539 would require the franchise-protected electric utilities to assign the correct tariff schedule
• HB 539 would require the franchise-protected electric utilities to assign the correct tariff schedule
• assigned by the Pu tariff it's either a<00:39:57.359><c> SCH</c><00:39:57.680><c> G</c><00:39:58.079
• Um, we're already seeing the impacts of these maybe tariffs from Canada.
• Um, we're already seeing the impacts of these maybe tariffs from Canada.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• with an emerging large energy use facility, or ELOF, in its service territory to make available a tariff
• The striker modifies some definitions pertaining to tariff policy and contracts, directs rulemaking to
• Amendment No. 52, offered by Senator Dhingra, adds that an emerging ELOF contract, tariff, or policy
• It specifies that, except for large energy use facilities with an existing contract, tariff, or policy
• in effect prior to January 1, 2026, an ELOF contract, tariff, or policy applies only to ELOFs and not

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026, and worked through two large groups of bills, hearing staff briefings, caucusing, and then voting each measure out to the Rules Committee. In the first group, the committee advanced bills on state accounts (HB 2675, with an amendment creating an adult day service facilities account), immigrant worker protections (2SHB 2105, after adopting a striker and Amendment 8 while rejecting amendments that would have changed enforcement and private rights of action), voting rights compliance (E3SHB 1710, with all proposed amendments rejected), AI content provenance and notices (E2SHB 1170, with Amendment 19 adopted to exempt state/local/tribal governments and certain video-game and technical uses), public official protections (2SHB 233, with a technical amendment adopted), WOTEC civil service coverage (HB 2249), JLARC work plan changes (HB 2120), LEOFF Plan 1 termination/restatement (E2SHB 2034, with several amendments adopted including creation of a pension surplus holding account and study directives, while proposals to redirect funds to the Climate Commitment Act or provide a lump-sum payment were rejected or withdrawn), supplemental retirement bargaining (HB 1069, with a striker adopted), port employee retirement exclusions (EHB 2179, with a striker adopted), local government revenue flexibility (ESHB 2442, with Amendment 72 adopted to remove a county public utility tax and other amendments rejected), wildfire mitigation funding (SHB 2089), and timberland REET changes (HB 1983). The committee also noted that it would not take action on some items in the packet, including SHB 1833. In the second group, the committee advanced bills on local housing tax remittance programs (ESHB 1717), renewable energy tax incentives and grants (E3SHB 1960, with a striking amendment adopted that adjusted rates, timing, and related provisions), nonprofit fundraising hall property tax relief (HB 2431), food bank sales tax relief (SB 6006), local tax increment financing (E2SHB 2451), temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health entities (SB 6297), school and child care-related sales tax exemptions (SSB 6351, with a substitute adopted and the competing amendment made out of order), behavioral health work group extension and leadership council creation (2SHB 2429), Working Connections Child Care changes (SB 6353, with Amendment 43 adopted), language access guidelines for state agencies (SHB 2475), unpaid wage recovery (2SHB 2479), firearms background check fee authority (HB 2521, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), public employee information sharing (HB 2091, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), and Office of Independent Investigations jurisdiction changes (ESHB 2508, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided). Throughout the meeting, members and staff discussed fiscal notes, implementation costs, and whether amendments would increase or reduce state impacts, with several amendments aimed at narrowing scope, delaying implementation, or shifting enforcement and funding responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tariffs, who procures all our produce and our meat and our dry groceries.
• Tariffs, The warehouse in Amarillo, who procures all our produce and our meat and our dry groceries,
• Tariffs, Tariffs Tariffs The warehouse in Amarillo, who procures all our produce and our meat and our
• Tariffs, The warehouse in Amarillo, who procures all our produce and our meat and our dry groceries,
• Tariffs, Banana prices are going to go down as tariffs are coming off of nabacada.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• to assess how recent federal policy changes, including the proposed cuts to nutrition assistance, tariffs
• We know that with the tariffs and what, you know, some of the federal actions, it's going to continue
• So the tariff trade wars, I think Secretary Rollins noted where they're expecting like $49 billion in
• If these tariffs are going to be creating ramifications for food products abroad, maybe that's a good
• Local food does not have to sit on a cargo ship and get impacted by tariffs.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing of the Assembly Human Services and Agriculture Committees focused on food insecurity in California, with members and witnesses discussing the state’s nutrition safety net, food access barriers, and the connection between agriculture and hunger. Opening remarks emphasized that California’s high agricultural output contrasts with widespread food insecurity, especially among families with children, communities of color, farmworkers, and other low-wage workers. Members also raised concern about federal policy changes, including possible cuts to nutrition programs, immigration enforcement impacts on farm labor, tariffs, and the need to protect state and federal food assistance resources. Testimony from the Department of Food and Agriculture highlighted several state programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local producers, including the California Nutrition Incentive Program, senior farmers’ market nutrition, healthy refrigeration grants, community food hubs, farm-to-school, urban agriculture, and a new tribal food sovereignty effort. Officials said these programs help stretch CalFresh and WIC dollars, expand healthy options in corner stores and farmers’ markets, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. The Department of Social Services described CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, TEFAP, CalFood, emergency food boxes, and tribal nutrition grants, noting that CalFresh participation has risen to about 81% of eligible Californians and that the state has taken steps such as simplified applications for older adults and outreach in multiple languages. Witnesses and members discussed the need to reduce administrative barriers, improve call center service, and keep benefits aligned with inflation. Research testimony from PPIC said 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households of color. The researcher said CalFresh, school meals, and WIC reduce both food insecurity and poverty, but federal rules, immigration-related eligibility limits, and California’s high cost of living constrain their reach. In the second panel, farmers, food hub operators, and food system advocates described how local procurement, food banks, and institutional markets can support both hungry households and small farms. Speakers pointed to pandemic-era programs such as USDA’s food box and local food purchasing efforts as models, while warning that short-term funding and market consolidation threaten long-term resilience. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; members used the session for oversight, questions, and discussion of possible budget and policy follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• current rules of the TCEQ and the PUC to make clear that DCPs must be included as part of the IOU's tariff
• authority with oversight over an IOU may enforce the IOU to comply with provisions in their approved tariff
• service, with some grammatical clarification suggested by the legislation. provisions in their approved tariff
• The one thing they clearly have the authority to do under current law is to enforce their tariffs, which
• They already have to include them in their PUC tariff.

Bills: HB4530 , HB4931 , HB5559 , HB5560 , HB143

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable. The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending. House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So some factors that we keep in mind in that area are trade agreements, tariff and trade barriers, export
• Tariffs, even the smallest of tariffs, can greatly impact a buyer's decision to buy Idaho products.
• And then there's other non-tariff barriers like quality, not generally an issue for Idaho growers but
• It maintains tariff-free access to top markets and secures competitive advantages for wheat and barley

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• FPL had jumped out there, which was a good thing, with its data center tariff—the first in the state
• don't have the statutory authority to take those issues on, and that what's in front of them is a tariff
• , a tariff for... ...is a tariff, a tariff for large-load companies, and that all of the other things

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met with a quorum present and heard an update from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of the Office of Public Counsel. Trierweiler described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate cases and related proceedings, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service hearings to challenge unsupported utility costs while seeking outcomes that are “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable.” A major focus of the presentation was the office’s work on large utility dockets, especially the Florida Power & Light rate case, as well as other recent cases involving Duke, TECO, Sunshine, and St. Joe. Trierweiler said the office had settled some cases but not others, had two appeals pending, and had filed motions for reconsideration where required. He also discussed storm cost recovery, affordability concerns, and the new challenge of data center tariffs and related energy and water demands. He said the office brought in new experts on affordability and data centers and was trying to get ahead of those issues through workshops and settlement efforts. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how the office evaluates a fair profit for utilities, the role of settlements and counterproposals, and the impact of data centers on energy and water use. Trierweiler said customer voices come in through hearings and correspondence, that utilities are entitled to a fair return but not imprudent costs, and that the office is concerned about data center growth and its resource demands. No votes were taken, and the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It assumes slower pass-through of tariffs to consumers.
• Basically, that inflation from tariffs will take a little bit longer to take effect.
• price increases that are now kind of baked in the cake if the tariffs stay in place.
• Downside risks to the GRT forecast include flow-through of tariffs to consumers and declining customer
• Softening or an uncertain global demand due to tariffs and trade wars. Is that accurate? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Canada will have an extra 10% tariff.
• on China, a 30-day 25% additional tariff on Canada and Mexico, as well as an extra 10% tariff on the
• on China, a 30-day 25% additional tariff on Canada and Mexico, as well as an extra 10% tariff on the
• As far as the tariffs, we don’t have obviously a lot of control over that.
• </c> wouldn't be so much affected to tariffs wouldn't be so much affected to tariffs or<00:46:29.000>

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Moore: tariff pricing transparency on goods transported into the United States.
• This amendment, if adopted, would require any tariff or import costs to be itemized, separate from the
• It ultimately started a tariff war.
• These tariffs mean that we are already paying high costs of living, which will grow for our everyday
• These tariffs are essentially a national sales tax.

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it was brought up related to tariffs and how this is impacting not only California, but the rest
• Tariffs are a tax on people who purchase goods in California and every place else in the country.
• We are hard hit by tariffs for a lot of reasons, particularly because between Oakland and L.A. and Long
• Tariffs are a tax on people who purchase goods in California and every place else in the country.
• We are hard hit by tariffs for a lot of reasons, particularly because between Oakland and L.A. and Long

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a lot of dialogue back and forth, but it was talked about, well, the entire point of tariffs
• to these remarks that we are actually really bringing back manufacturing in the sense related to tariffs
• Tariffs are a tax on people who purchase goods in California and every place else in the country.
• We are hard hit by tariffs for a lot of reasons, particularly we have, between Oakland and L.A. and Long
• We are hard hit by tariffs for a lot of reasons, particularly we have between Oakland and L.A. and Long

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's why the federal government is trying to use tariffs to protect, to limit the imports.
• I think one is the protection of, or restrictions on, imports, like using the tariff.
• to protect to uh trying to use tariffs to protect to uh limit<00:28:58.000><c> the</c><00:28:58.360>
• </c><00:30:00.880><c> the</c><00:30:01.279><c> tools</c><00:30:01.679><c> of</c><00:30:01.919><c> tariff
• </c> and we cannot use the tools of tariff and we cannot use the tools of tariff but<00:30:03.200><c>

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on economic development, tourism, technology, and related policy issues. Testimony generally came from state agencies and industry groups, with DBED, HTDC, and others mostly supporting measures that would create working groups, promote advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, encourage a Michelin Guide for Hawaii restaurants, support Taiwan’s international participation, and explore import substitution. One measure on a tourism and gaming working group drew strong opposition from the prosecutor’s office, which argued it would signal support for gambling and could worsen social harms, while other witnesses supported it as a way to gather data before any policy decisions. The committee also heard support for relocating the Pearl City Post Office to improve traffic and safety, and for a resolution to focus HTDC on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. Several items were amended before action. The committee agreed to amend the tourism and gaming working group resolution to narrow and clarify its purpose, and to amend the Taiwan resolution to add the president of the Republic of China as a recipient. The import-substitution resolution was also amended to add a definition, include language about avoiding new import dependencies such as LNG, and direct state and utility purchasing power toward substituting imports. A resolution on HCR 211/HR 203 was rewritten to address lowering fire insurance rates and mitigating fire risk in Puna lava zones, but decision-making on that item was deferred to a later hearing so the new language could be posted publicly. The committee voted to adopt several measures, including HCR 57/HCR 152, HCR 156/HR 151, HCR 19/HR 115, and HCR 33/HR 32, with some passed as amended and others passed as is. HCR 192 was adopted with amendments despite reservations from some members, and HCR 209/HR 2011 was adopted with amendments. The committee also recessed for decision-making during the hearing and later adjourned after completing action on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as was announced today, tariffs with Canada...
• She said that as was announced today, tariffs with Canada are also part of the picture.
• </c><00:59:34.440><c> with</c> and as was announced today tariffs with and as was announced today tariffs
• </c><01:15:54.239><c> for</c> to calling it a removal of a tariff for to calling it a removal of a tariff
• No, but I like how you are promoting tariffs now, getting rid of this tariff.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy