Transcript Highlights:

• I apologize for missing last week and deferring your efficiency and speed of agenda, passing through
• I apologize for missing last week and deferring your efficiency and speed of agenda, passing through

Bills: HR118, HB1039, SB436, SB442

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights

Summary: Yes. This appears to be a meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee, based on the chairman’s roll call, the committee’s tax-related agenda, and the motions to report bills favorably. The committee first announced that SB 436 by Senator Cloud was deferred. It then heard SB 442 by Senator Stein, which would extend and clarify a local sales and use tax exemption in Calcasieu Parish for repairs, upgrades, and overhauls of certain aircraft at qualifying facilities like Chennault. Testimony from Citadel Completions emphasized the bill’s economic-development purpose, competitiveness with other states, and job retention/expansion in Southwest Louisiana. Representative Orgeron moved favorable passage, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee next considered HR 118 by Representative Wright, which would create a legislative subcommittee to study a possible state income tax credit for certain water utility customers affected by high rates tied to private water system upgrades and brown-water/manganese issues in parts of the Florida parishes and elsewhere. Members questioned the fiscal impact, eligibility, and whether the proposal would merely be a Band-Aid or a fair way to offset costs; Wright said it was only a study and not an automatic trigger for a tax credit. Representative Jackson moved to report the resolution favorably, and it was adopted without objection. Finally, HB 1039 by Representative Desotel was not presented and was held in committee. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I apologize for missing last week and deferring your efficiency and speed of agenda; passing through
• I apologize for missing last week and deferring your efficiency and speed of agenda, passing through

Summary: Yes. This appears to be a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee, based on the roll call, the committee chair’s remarks, and the committee’s consideration of bills and resolutions with tax and fiscal implications. The committee first announced that SB 436 by Senator Cloud was deferred. It then heard SB 442 by Senator Stein, which would provide a local sales and use tax exemption in Calcasieu Parish for repairs, upgrades, and overhauls on certain aircraft at qualifying facilities such as Chennault. The bill was presented as an economic development measure to keep aviation maintenance work and jobs in Southwest Louisiana. After testimony from Citadel Completions representatives describing the company’s operations, local partnerships, and job creation, the committee voted to report SB 442 favorably without objection. The committee next took up HR 118 by Representative Wright, which would create a legislative subcommittee to study a possible state income tax credit for certain water utility customers facing high rates tied to water system upgrades and brown-water issues in parts of the Florida parishes and elsewhere. Members questioned the fiscal impact, eligibility, duration, and whether the proposal would simply subsidize private utility rates or address a broader regulatory problem. Wright emphasized that the resolution was only for study and would gather testimony and numbers before any credit was considered. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1039 by Representative Deshotel was called but no presenter was present, so the committee held the bill in committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's dramatic lines where you have to speed up the video so you can see the It's dramatic lines where
• you have to speed up the video so you can see the whole line, that kind of line, which was very surprising

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 contains various provisions to speed up up Section 4 contains various provisions to speed up

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Health Care Task Force reconvened to hear reports from its divisions. The Appropriations Division reviewed a draft bill appropriating $198 million in federal grant funds for the current year and another $198 million for the next grant year, authorizing DHS to transfer funds within its budget, allowing OMB to adjust federal fund authority for related grants, speeding procurement and bulk purchasing, requiring grant recipients to acknowledge the temporary nature of the funding, and mandating periodic reporting. After questions were answered to the division’s satisfaction, the committee voted to forward the appropriations bill draft to Legislative Management. The Policy Division then reviewed four bills. One would require the presidential physical fitness test to be included in high school physical education; another would require physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle; a third would add physician assistants to the interstate licensure compact framework; and a fourth would authorize limited pharmacist prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Members generally supported the first three measures and noted that the pharmacist bill had been amended in discussion but was left in its current form so stakeholders could comment before the special session. The division also discussed that all four policy bills were tied to the federal grant funding and that failure to pass them, or changing them in a way that reduced CMS scoring, could reduce or eliminate funding. Department officials confirmed that if any of the bills failed or were altered in a way that lowered the score, the state could lose money and could not make up the points elsewhere. Members raised concerns about the physical fitness bill, including possible exemptions for students with severe illnesses or physical limitations, and noted the need for DPI input. Leadership indicated the special session hearings would likely begin Wednesday morning. The committee then approved a motion for Legislative Council to prepare a committee report for Legislative Management and adjourned, noting the task force may need to remain available during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just super quickly, the bill will allow diversions from the declining Delta, even if diverters violate
• The Delta, even if diverters violate existing Endangered Species Act and water quality protections.
• inspection and testing, and incident response in an investigation, which included nearly 381 notices of violation
• requirement that CalGEM must give a comprehensive reason why an NOI was denied, this sends the message that speed

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting, codify existing CEQA exemptions for recharge diversions, and help California capture flood flows for storage in aquifers. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it or sought amendments, warning about CEQA, streambed, Delta, and tribal-resource concerns. The bill was held open pending a quorum. Members then heard AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy use and related information to the Energy Commission and local agencies. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and support grid planning. Data center industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while several environmental and local-government groups supported or supported if amended. The bill was left with a due-pass recommendation once a quorum was present. The committee also took up AB 2245 on producer responsibility for vehicle lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental protections in overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation/VMT analysis, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects, and AB 2433 on density bonus housing incentives. Each bill drew a mix of support from sponsors, local agencies, labor, housing, or environmental justice groups and opposition or concerns from business, local government, or conservation organizations. Several measures were amended in committee, and multiple bills were reported out on due-pass or due-pass-as-amended votes, with some roll calls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will follow up on the bill, and as a member of the speed task force, I can mention that this bill
• instrument for what we have been discussing at the building permit group, as well as in the 6E... speed
• <01:35:50.480> task uh P uh of the of the of the speed task uh P uh of the of the of the speed
• I just wanted to share with the committee that it was a speed task force priority, right?
• Like we worked on it during the speed task force, and that language you're right, Chair, it is from the

Bills: HB2611, HB2102, HB1710, HB1868, HB1920, HB1812, HB1733, HB1715, HB1723, HB1724, HB1727, HB1711

Keywords: HB2611, Hawaii antitrust, rental housing, rent price-fixing, algorithmic pricing, algorithmic rent-setting, property management software, pricing algorithms, rent coordination, price-fixing, collusion, cartel, multifamily housing, landlord software, occupancy levels, lease terms, Attorney General, public education program, consumer protection, housing affordability

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent. The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They cover you with a shroud and turn up the temperature to 131 degrees, which speeds up the natural
• It just speeds up that process.
• I I don't know how long because with the technology they've developed and with the heat, it speeds up

Bills: HB4322, HB4202, HB4203, HB4457, HB3983, HB3660, HB3802, HB2933, HB2955, HB2956, HB3781, HB3521, HB3794, HB3796, HB3800

Keywords: funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• Speed and excessive speed is certainly a contributor to the severity rate of our fatalities.
• over time, that's pretty close to what we would be looking at needing to be able to bring those up to speed

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, there are wind loads and wind speeds that are now taking wind loads at 75-plus
• You talked, you guys did a great job in the other committee and you talked about, like, the wind speed
• team of about eight that do those technical reviews, and we make recommendations to FEMA to try to speed

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard two hurricane-recovery presentations focused on Florida’s response and long-term recovery efforts. Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, reviewed response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including meals, water, sheltering, search and rescue deployments, power restoration, debris removal, flood-control efforts, and generator distribution. He also described ongoing public assistance and mitigation funding, the state’s FROC system for standardizing and speeding reimbursement documentation, and the Elevate Florida residential mitigation program, which will use about $400 million to elevate or reconstruct eligible flood-insurance properties and may expand to county-run programs. Senators asked about manufactured homes, school shelter hardening, mobile home tie-downs, reimbursement for USAR teams, debris hauling, regional sheltering, and FEMA review delays; Guthrie said the state is trying to move recovery faster and more proactively, while acknowledging some limits and federal bottlenecks. The committee then heard from Justin Domer, Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce, on HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery programs. He explained that Commerce administers long-term recovery funds through its Office of Long-Term Resiliency for housing, infrastructure, and economic development, with funds used as a last resort after FEMA and insurance. Domer outlined the process for the most recent $925 million allocation covering multiple disasters, including Idalia, Debby, Helene, Milton, Broward flooding, and North Florida tornadoes, and said the state currently manages about $3.4 billion in DR funds, rising to over $4 billion with the new allocation. He highlighted completed and ongoing housing programs for Hurricane Irma, Michael, and Ian, plus workforce recovery programs and subrecipient infrastructure grants. Senators asked about Broward and Fort Lauderdale funding, homeowner turnaround times, and mobile home eligibility; Domer said Broward and Fort Lauderdale will have separate HUD-directed programs, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal will help Commerce, making our speed-to-market times faster when we conduct data calls
• <00:40:38.079> tomarket<00:40:38.480> times commerce making our speed tomarket times
• commerce making our speed tomarket times faster<00:40:39.119> when<00:40:39.359> we<00
• Automating data transfer improves speed and accuracy, helping first responders react first.
• Automating data transfer improves speed and accuracy, helping first responders react first.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disclosing personal identification and that this is not used for any purpose other than to, um, capture speeding
• than to, not used for any purpose other than to, um,<00:38:05.320> capture<00:38:05.640> speeding
• /c><00:38:06.600> and<00:38:06.920> other<00:38:07.200> traffic um, capture speeding
• and other traffic um, capture speeding and other traffic infractions. infractions. infractions.
• these cameras to go up where there's a shoulder lane that makes it difficult to otherwise address speeding

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I've seen how government works, you know, the speed of government and all the red tape.
• Science, speed, and the right tools made that possible.
• growing anxious, and if another outbreak occurs, the sterile fly supply alone cannot keep pace, and the speed
• But, again, just echoing his comments as well, I think one of our greatest concerns is the speed of construction
• That's concerning when it comes to the speed of construction.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion of any<00:18:40.400> speeding<00:18:40.799> to<00:18:40.960> legislate
• ><00:18:41.360> on<00:18:41.600> House<00:18:41.840> Bill any speeding to legislate
• on House Bill any speeding to legislate on House Bill 618<00:18:43.360> carries<00:18:43.679>
• the<01:24:51.440> motion<01:24:51.600> of<01:24:51.760> any<01:24:52.000> speed
• <01:24:59.679> to<01:24:59.840> legislate on the motion of any speed to legislate on

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 26, but they may come on sooner to do the same thing we’re doing with the board: bring them up to speed
• 26, but they may come on sooner to do the same thing we’re doing with the board: bring them up to speed
• 26, but they may come on sooner to do the same thing we’re doing with the board: bring them up to speed
• 26, but they may come on sooner to do the same thing we’re doing with the board: bring them up to speed
• 26, but they may come on sooner to do the same thing we’re doing with the board: bring them up to speed

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She was physically removed from the set and tried for a violation of Sharia law.
• She was physically removed from the set and tried for a violation of Sharia law.
• Courts have already struck down similar laws, finding they violate the Constitution by targeting a specific
• It appears we don't have the votes right now, and to speed up the voting so you can go to the next bill
• of America by trying to make them do it in a manner where we ourselves are using a mechanism that violates

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was physically removed from the set and tried for a violation of Sharia law.
• She was physically removed from the set and tried for a violation of Sharia law.
• Courts have already struck down similar laws, finding they violate the Constitution by targeting a specific
• It appears we don't have the votes right now, and to speed up the voting so you can go to the next bill
• of America by trying to make them do it in a manner where we ourselves are using a mechanism that violates

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading. The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory. Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a support bill focused on speeding up our electric vehicle charging infrastructure buildout and
• AB 2434 helps end these violations of women as they are trying to visit their primary their loved ones
• giving me the... law by doing things like requiring plaintiffs to provide specific evidence of violations
• there will not need to be damages to a property for a health and safety issue to be considered a violation
• natural environments, we must bolster our protective measures relating to these kinds of repeat violations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there anything else that you've done as far as to keep you up to speed as to what's going on with
• keep<00:03:57.920> you<00:03:58.000> up<00:03:58.120> to<00:03:58.240> speed
• <00:03:58.560> as<00:03:58.680> to as far as to keep you up to speed as to as far as
• to keep you up to speed as to what's<00:03:59.000> going<00:03:59.280> on<00:03:59.440
• as I get on the just coming up to speed as I get on the board,<00:30:10.560> but<00:30:10.960

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple governor’s messages for confirmation to the Agribusiness Development Corporation board and one appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. For GM 606, David Ige Hinazumi was supported by ADC and DBEDT, with testimony highlighting his private-sector experience, technology background, and ability to help with risk management and finances. He told senators he had attended board meetings since 2018, saw ADC as a state business arm for agriculture, and supported expanding land, facilities, and even aquaculture if resources allowed. Senators asked about ADC’s role relative to the Department of Agriculture, and he said the department’s strength is research/regulatory work while ADC should focus on business development, support, and facilities for farmers and aquaculture businesses. For GM 607, Jason Watts was strongly supported by ADC leadership, DBEDT, and many agricultural and community groups, with one opposing testimony from Hawaii Farm Bureau. Supporters praised his governance, accountability, transparency, and frequent communication with the agency. In questioning, Watts said ADC’s top priority should be increasing land holdings, and he discussed ADC’s role in water systems, including preserving agricultural water sources and inventorying systems statewide. He also said ADC could potentially help small farmers comply with environmental permitting through a broader, regional approach if authorized by the Legislature. The committee also heard from Joshua Uyehara for GM 682, who was supported by ADC, county officials, and farm groups. He said his priorities would be accelerating ADC projects, expanding capacity, and possibly using ADC as a center of expertise for water systems and for helping farmers with environmental requirements; he also said biofuel crops and food production can be complementary, though food should be prioritized when water is constrained. The committee then considered GM 513, Tracy Lester Smith’s appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. The stadium authority and DBEDT supported her, citing her experience in NASCAR, boxing, and Bellator MMA as useful for marketing, attracting events, and commercializing the stadium. Smith said she was eager to serve and would bring experience from both the landlord and tenant perspectives, helping the board think about venue operations, sponsorships, and event attraction. Senators asked about improving public perception and execution, and she emphasized accountability, timelines, and building a venue that can draw major sports and entertainment events. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill helps to speed that up and put it into statute, which is great. Okay.
• Uh this this bill<00:09:57.839> helps<00:09:58.160> to<00:09:58.480> speed<00:09
• It speeds up the process for the plan review.
• Uh it speeds up the process for ways.
• Uh it speeds up the process for the<00:31:09.279> plan<00:31:09.600> review.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• July 2021, SB 156 established the ambitious project designed to bring equitable, affordable, high-speed
• This appointment marks a significant milestone in bringing high-speed broadband services to unserved
• Let's make sure the speeds are what they're supposed to be.
• placed it into the Transportation Committee, I would have thought that she was talking about the high-speed

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on several GovOps-related budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding for the California Education Learning Lab. The Learning Lab described its intersegmental grants to UC, CSU, and community college faculty, including AI-related work and a math alignment project, and said the Governor’s proposal would move the program’s home agency to GovOps and restore $4 million annually. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to improve coordination, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the projects are hard to scale, similar professional development already exists in the segments, and the state should consider saving General Fund dollars. Senators split on the value of the program, with some emphasizing innovation and intersegmental collaboration and others questioning its measurable long-term impact; the item was held open. The committee then reviewed the Office of Civil Rights proposal to implement AB 715 and SB 48 with $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. GovOps said the office had been set up administratively, positions were being recruited, and it would provide training, technical assistance, and complaint review related to anti-Semitism and other discrimination in TK-12 schools. The LAO had no concerns, but senators raised substantial questions about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance while the laws are being implemented, the use of gubernatorial appointees, and whether the staffing structure matches the likely workload across different discrimination categories. GovOps said it would develop guidance, coordinate with CDE, and shift resources as needed once staff are hired, but several members said they were not prepared to support the item as presented; it was also held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee approved vote-only items 11 through 17 and 6 through 10. It then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation on a request for five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand digital service delivery work. ODI described projects such as reducing unauthorized EBT theft and forecasting community water system outages, and said it uses guardrails and contracts to protect sensitive data when working with vendor AI services. The LAO had no concerns, and members generally praised ODI’s small, high-impact role; the item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, reporting that 423 miles are complete, more than 70% of the network has been permitted, and about 5,300 miles are expected to be completed by December 2026, with some work potentially slipping into 2027. CDT said Skyline Technology Solutions had been selected to operate the network and that the third-party administrator, Golden State Net, would continue to support development and later help oversee operations and sales. The LAO noted the project’s progress but raised concerns about the novel three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Senators questioned the legal basis for the operator arrangement, the revenue outlook, reporting to the Legislature, and whether the network will be self-sustaining; CDT said it expects revenues to cover operations over time and will continue annual and quarterly reporting. The item was left open.