Transcript Highlights:

• funding for infrastructure investment in the state writing authority for certain agencies that issue bonds
• Submitting to public utility agencies, providing authority to issue bonds, providing authority to impose

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if she would simply help him pay the bond to release his gold and diamonds, then he would be able
• particularly impact one supporting sibling adoptions, helping to keep them together and preserve family bonds

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• environmental regulation HB 206 by Craddock relating to limitations on a county's authority to require cash bonds
• Against through the private activity bond program referred to the committee on intergovernmental affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our the Florida delegation in DC is to include spaceport and tax exempt bond legislation.
• airports, seaports and then say spaceport that allowed him to to like us to actually issue tax-exempt bonds

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Phase 2 will be let this summer, and we'll be using the STB bonds for that.
• We're about to let in the fall the STB bonds projects for $45 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• case processing, our education, training, and technology, and thanks to all of you, the Judiciary IT Bond
• Thanks to the help of the legislature, you granted us a $165 million bond bill to become a digital court
• have started a digital signage program and started a courtroom technology upgrade, all part of this bond
• The state was funded by a county bond issue.
• who actually had a mortgage to pay and that money was used to essentially pay that mortgage, those bonds

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing projects, and issue county bonds housing projects, and issue county bonds for<00:32:14.320
• like in a quick nutshell explain to the committee why this is so important for you folks to secure bond
• <00:34:52.480> nobody's<00:34:52.800> going<00:34:52.879> to<00:34:53.280> bond
• <00:34:53.599> for<00:34:53.760> a as nobody's going to bond for a as nobody's going
• to bond for a temporary<00:34:54.240> authority<00:34:54.560> to<00:34:54.800> a

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and authorizes funds to finance
• :14.400> obligation Finance to issue General obligation Finance to issue General obligation bonds
• authorizes<00:20:16.480> funds<00:20:16.799> to<00:20:17.000> finance bonds
• , and I wanted to liven up this discussion and ask that ADC's water systems be included in the geo bond
• to the Agri bus obligation bonds to the Agri bus Development<00:30:26.559> Corporation<00:30:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The school building bond agricultural credit is a proportional credit on property tax attributable to
• 08.920> building on this credit uh the school building on this credit uh the school building Bond
• agricultural credit is a Bond agricultural credit is a proportional<00:42:12.240> credit<00:42
• So can you tell me more about the school building bond agricultural credit?
• the operating referendum bonding the operating referendum bonding referendum<00:47:39.599> um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hear what those ideas would be, but these are companies with, for one reason or another, very low bond
• financing, which have come up in front of this committee before, including public financing, using public bonds
• , and securitization, with the idea being that we can find cheaper sources... ...public bonds and securitization
• Currently, PG&E's credit rating is at junk bond status, BB minus. Edison is close behind.
• as you know, securities aren't the only investment vehicle out there for Wall Street, if you will—bonds

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• hear what those ideas would be, but these are companies with, for one reason or another, very low bond
• financing, which have come up in front of this committee before, including public financing, using public bonds
• Public bonds and securitization, with the idea being that we can find cheaper sources of capital for
• Currently, PG&E's credit rating is at junk bond status, BB minus. Edison is close behind.
• as you know, securities aren't the only investment vehicle out there for Wall Street, if you will—bonds

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have University of Minnesota presentation on their bonding request with Vice President of
• Next up, we have University of Minnesota presentation on their bonding request with Vice President of
• Next up, we have University of Minnesota presentation on their bonding request with Vice President of
• Next up, we have University of Minnesota presentation on their bonding request with Vice President of
• Next up, we have University of Minnesota presentation on their bonding request with Vice President of

Bills: HF4266

Keywords: higher education, state grants, financial aid, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium, summer 2026, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be a surety bond that would be required, and there are some specific dates where those thresholds
• 32:28.799> shity investment. uh there would be a shity investment. uh there would be a shity bond
• 29.919> be<00:32:30.080> required<00:32:30.480> and<00:32:30.720> there bond
• that would be required and there bond that would be required and there are<00:32:31.200> some
• We do require the bond. Mr.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 11 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 11 Vote 00:05:00 SB 41 Discussion 00:5:43 SB 41 Vote 00:15:03 SB 59 Discussion 00:20:30 SB 59 Vote 00:28:15 SB 57 Discussion 00:29:40 SB 57 Vote 00:40:00 SB 125 Discussion 00:42:43 SB 125 Vote 00:50:53 SB 191 Discussion 00:53:19 SB 191 Vote 00:59:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• announcement too, because Tuesday of next week we're going to take a tour to the history center with the bonding
• announcement too, because Tuesday of next week we're going to take a tour to the history center with the bonding
• tour uh to the history center um with a tour uh to the history center um with the<00:58:50.400> bonding
• <00:58:53.440> So the bonding committee um over there.
• So the bonding committee um over there.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill relating to agriculture geo bonds for Seatar station on Kauai. >> Dean Greenwall providing
• that $12 billion of agriculture funds that can be distributed, and I'm sure $5 million for that geo bonds
• million<00:43:21.040> for<00:43:21.280> that<00:43:21.680> geo<00:43:22.079> bonds
• <00:43:22.319> for<00:43:22.640> uh<00:43:22.880> is million for that geo bonds
• for uh is million for that geo bonds for uh is nothing.<00:43:23.440> You<00:43:23.599> know

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• These bonds have not yet been sold, though the project is underway and on schedule using other project
• 32:08.559> for When we prepare the 2028 plan two years from now, it is possible that Garvey bonds
• possible plan two years from now, it is possible that<00:32:30.880> Garvey<00:32:31.360> bonds
• be<00:32:32.159> used<00:32:32.480> to<00:32:32.720> help that Garvey bonds
• could be used to help that Garvey bonds could be used to help fund<00:32:33.760> the<00:32:34.559

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met to review the Transportation Cabinet’s budget request and the recommended highway plan; no votes were taken. Secretary Jim Gray opened with praise for KYTC snow and ice crews, describing their response to recent winter storms and noting the scale of the effort, including about 2,300 workers, 1,438 pieces of equipment, and more than 948,000 miles driven in the first week. He then outlined the cabinet’s overall highway plan, saying it includes more than 1,300 projects and about $9.5 billion in anticipated state and federal funding over six years, with roughly 40% directed to existing pavements, bridges, and guardrails. He highlighted major priority projects such as the Mountain Parkway four-laning, the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, and the I-69 Ohio River crossing. Budget director Sean McCarron explained that the cabinet adjusted its request after the Consensus Forecast Group lowered road fund revenue estimates, and said the cabinet only included additional requests it viewed as essential. He described requests to support driver licensing regional offices, including funding to maintain temporary and contract staff used to reduce wait times, expand offices from 35 to 41 locations, and support improved customer service; he warned that without the current-year increase, wait times would rise again. He also discussed maintenance funding, saying the proposed increases would help cover rising costs for salt, snow and ice drivers, and mowing, while allowing continued litter pickup, vegetation management, pothole repair, and more in-house snow and ice work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock addressed specific capital questions, especially the Brent Spence Bridge and Cairo Bridge. For Brent Spence, he said the requested $125 million in general funds is needed because construction costs have risen sharply, citing a 61% increase in highway construction costs from 2020 to 2025, and said Kentucky and Ohio are both contributing to keep the project moving. He added that if the legislature does not provide the $125 million, KYTC would have to shift $100 million in federal highway funds and $25 million in state match from other projects. Hancock also reviewed several project reauthorizations for maintenance facilities and aviation projects, and noted a $5 million federally funded truck parking project aimed at addressing statewide truck parking shortages, especially along interstates and in areas such as Louisville, northern Kentucky, Frankfort, Somerset, and western Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• REPRESENTATIVE GOSSETT-SEIDMAN AND OTHERS, CS FOR HOUSE BILL 669, ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO UNRATED BONDS
• BILL ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN CERTAIN INVESTMENT SITUATIONS AND RELATES EXPLICITLY TO ISRAEL HE BONDS
• REMOVES OUTDATED RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM INVESTING IN HIGHLY STABLE UNRATED BONDS
• Representative Gossett-Seidman and others, CS for House Bill 669 entitled An Act Relating to Unrated Bonds
• The Israeli Bonds program has proven to be a sound investment, and with that, I close the one estimate

Bills: SB 2, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117, SB 503, SB 2, HB 120, HB 20, HB 150, HB 6, HB 100, HB 210, HB 215, HB 1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB 142, HB 451, HB 124, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows the judge to impose a bond amount, so if you wanted to continue that same litigation, you have
• to pay that bond amount, a security amount.
• , and I think there will be some notary witnesses perhaps, but my understanding is that there is a bond
• It is a $10,000 bond, but there is a bond that is required for every notary, and that is something that

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• And thanks to the legislature's assistance with the bonding bill last year, we are just now opening an
• And thanks to the legislature's assistance with the bonding bill last year, we are just now opening an
• the legislaturator's assistance<01:06:39.599> with<01:06:39.920> the<01:06:40.079> bonding
• <01:06:40.480> bill<01:06:40.799> last assistance with the bonding bill last assistance
• with the bonding bill last year,<01:06:41.680> we<01:06:41.920> are<01:06:42.079> just

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your consideration Senate File 1339, a bill that would help provide an additional $20 million in GO bond
• your consideration Senate File 1339, a bill that would help provide an additional $20 million in GO bond
• your consideration Senate File 1339, a bill that would help provide an additional $20 million in GO bond
• your consideration Senate File 1339, a bill that would help provide an additional $20 million in GO bond
• changes over the years that I've been involved in housing up here, one adding senior housing to the bonds

Keywords: 1187, senate, all