Transcript Highlights:

• :20.719> Hoffman<01:45:21.280> Senate<01:45:21.600> file<01:45:22.320> uh
• defining<01:45:24.000> missing<01:45:24.320> and<01:45:24.560> endangered<01:45
• But<01:45:25.760> if<01:45:25.920> you<01:45:26.000> could<01:45:26.159> speak
• <01:45:26.239> to<01:45:26.400> that,<01:45:26.639> Senator But if you could
• 28.719> that's<01:45:29.040> exactly<01:45:29.360> what<01:45:29.520> it

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill contains 14 sections related to Workers' Compensation in chapters 79, 175A, and 176.
• The bill contains 14 sections related to Workers' Compensation in chapters 79, 175A, and 176.
• 59.840> to lengthened from the current 60 days to lengthened from the current 60 days to 90<00:45
• Section<00:45:01.840> 13<00:45:02.359> relates<00:45:02.800> to<00:45:02.960>
• :04.280> issuing<00:45:04.960> decisions I'm actually headed to Rules because it's late

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would or would not be considered law enforcement officers, as defined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter
• I was here again testifying for passage of what became Chapter 27 of the Acts of 2003, relating to a
• Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2012 created an OPEB Trust Fund for Plymouth to address unfunded liabilities
• This bill makes a targeted but important update to Section 3 of Chapter 32B, ensuring that insurance
• I'm the chapter president at Quinsigamond.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement, municipal workforce, and public employee labor bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2749, a Plymouth home rule petition to classify Plymouth harbormaster employees as Group 4 for retirement purposes. Supporters, including local officials and retirement board representatives, argued the employees perform law-enforcement and rescue duties comparable to police and fire personnel, that the change would be fair, and that it would have little or no fiscal impact on the town. A separate harbormaster-related bill, H. 2743, was also introduced later in the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act (H. 56), including a temporary critical-shortage exemption allowing retired state or municipal employees to return to work in hard-to-fill positions, and a renewed OPEB commission to study retiree health care costs. Administration and municipal officials said the measures were needed to address staffing shortages and rising benefit liabilities, while emphasizing the shortage exemption would be time-limited and require proof of recruitment efforts. Related retirement bills drew support and caution: advocates for higher COLA bases and enhanced COLA benefits urged relief for retirees, but some asked the committee to wait for recommendations from the special COLA commission before acting. A major portion of the hearing concerned labor rights at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Union representatives and employees backed bills to extend just-cause protections, promotional rights, and collective bargaining rights to MWRA and CPCS workers, arguing they currently lack protections available to most other public employees. Testimony described unfair discipline, delayed promotions, and high turnover, and committee members indicated prior favorable action on similar MWRA bills and expressed support for addressing CPCS labor rights. The committee also heard from representatives of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and public higher education employees in support of H. 2820, which would require timely funding of ratified state employee contracts, with witnesses describing long delays in receiving negotiated raises and back pay. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and closed each panel after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we have three general chapters: one focused on the school board, one focused on the central office
• In chapter two, we talk about that most LEAs that we found are following the process set up in statute
• In chapter three, we specifically focus on classroom...
• I've heard that in the middle of a lesson, in the middle of a chapter...
• I've heard that in the middle of a lesson, in the middle of a chapter, it's like, shut it down, grab

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1894 updates the Government Code Chapter 662 to designate November as Veterans' Month.
• Yes, I'm Al Henderson of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, and my position is in
• Platt Chapter, I am in support of HCR 92.
• This included the namesake of the Sakelove Chapter, Captain Claude R. Platt.
• That's just within our chapter.

Bills: HCR92, HB 114, HB561, HB 1171, HB1894, HB2026, HB2143, HB2337, HB2564, HB114

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Environmental Advisory Council was established under chapter 341, which is adjacent to chapter
• The Environmental Advisory Council was established under chapter 341, which is adjacent to chapter 343
• She understands Chapter 343 and our Hawaii Administrative Rules, 11.200.1.
• She understands Chapter 343 and our Hawaii Administrative Rules, 11.200.1.
• There are a total of 45 in support and none opposed.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple gubernatorial confirmation nominations, beginning with GM509 for Jay Stone to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and other supporters praised Stone’s more than 30 years of engineering experience and said he would help balance environmental protection with economic development. Stone said he wanted to contribute to environmental health and sustainability, and identified sea level rise and PFAS in drinking water as key concerns. The committee then moved to GM531 and GM532, nominations of Judson Leair and Nicholas Ta to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported both nominees. Leair emphasized his farming background and said pesticide policy should be more comprehensive, selective, and threshold-based rather than relying on broad-spectrum use; Ta said he would focus on integrated pest management, label compliance, education, and using the least amount of pesticide necessary, including non-chemical alternatives such as exclusion and behavior changes. The committee next considered GM533, Janet Ashman’s nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported her, citing her experience, responsiveness, and prior service. Ashman said she wanted to help make pesticide regulations more understandable and stressed targeted pest control, scouting, and more precise products. Members asked about the complexity of pesticide regulations and the shift away from broad-based pesticide use; Ashman explained that regulations are complicated for both farmers and homeowners and that newer, more targeted products are needed as pests develop resistance. The committee then heard GM57 for Don Hegger Nordl to the Environmental Advisory Council. Supporters said she has environmental planning experience and knowledge of Chapter 343 and related rules. Nordl said she could bring state, county, and federal experience to the council and identified the need for more volunteers and broader professional representation as the council’s biggest challenge. Finally, the committee took up GM697, Dean Matsukawa’s nomination as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and several other testifiers strongly supported him, highlighting his 30 years with the department, his family farming background, and his understanding of farmers’ needs, especially access to capital and biosecurity challenges. Testifiers said he is calm, logical, experienced, and already familiar with the department’s work. Matsukawa was described as a reluctant nominee who was sought out for the role. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on the nominations during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :59.200> and<00:45:59.520> never<00:45:59.760> had<00:46:00.000> the<00:46
• We'd like to also add chapter 103D so we have flexibility. >> Okay. Thank you.
• diagnosis services pursuant to chapter diagnosis services pursuant to chapter 103F.<01:05:00.000
• We'd like to also add and chapter 103F.
• Terry Lum, Hawaii State Chapter of Children's Justice Center in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1052, amending Title 36, Chapter 4, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 36-420.06.
• Senate Bill 1170, amending Title 13, Chapter 34, Article 3, A.R.S., relating to drug offenses.
• Amending Title 41, Chapter 23, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 41-5-58, amending Title 41, Chapter
• Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 4, relating to licensure.
• Section 9-500.54, amending Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 4, relating to licensure.

Summary: The House convened, approved the prior journal, received gubernatorial communications, and then moved into an additional Committee of the Whole to consider Senate bills on two calendars. In that committee, members adopted floor and committee amendments and reported SB 1100, SB 1160, and SB 1178 out as amended. On the second calendar, the committee considered SB 1200, SB 1560, SB 1627, and SB 1723, adopting amendments on SB 1200, SB 1627, and SB 1723 and reporting all four measures out, while SB 1725 was retained on the calendar. The House then adopted the committee reports and sent the amended bills to engrossing or third reading as appropriate. The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading votes. Several bills passed with recorded votes and some member explanations focused on public safety, parental rights, school safety, health care, local control, property rights, and wildlife management. Among the measures that passed were SB 1013, SB 1015, SB 1046, SB 1094, SB 1095, SB 1124, SB 1186, SB 1214, SB 1275, SB 1280, SB 1315, SB 1318, SB 1205 on reconsideration, SB 1327, SB 1416, SB 1418, SB 1582, SB 1613, SB 1662, SB 1664, SB 1670, SB 1711, SB 1741, SB 1821, and several concurrent memorials. A number of bills failed, including SB 1052, SB 1170, SB 1457, SB 1074, SB 1540, SB 1649, and SB 1663. Debate on several bills drew pointed partisan and policy disagreements. Members opposing health-related bills argued they targeted LGBTQ people or medical decision-making, while supporters framed them as protecting children or bodily autonomy. On SB 1170, members said the bill contained a drafting error that would create extreme penalties and strain prison capacity. On SB 1280, supporters and opponents split over Mexican gray wolf management and federal conservation efforts. On SB 1199, the Salt River horse herd bill, members discussed herd management, heritage, property impacts, and a required emergency clause; it passed with the needed two-thirds majority. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous House bills and passed several House bills on final reading, including HB 2013, HB 2016, HB 2028, HB 2086, HB 2118, HB 2140, HB 2170, HB 2226, HB 2244, HB 2248, HB 2249, HB 2327, HB 2379, HB 2380, and others, forwarding them to the Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just basically adds Chapter 503 of the Laws of 2025, citing a specific law.
• It just basically adds Chapter 503 of the Laws of 2025, citing a specific law.
• But there are some instances where that 45-day and that 60-day period squeezes in a little bit because
• 51.520> know as you know or you may know as you know or you may know within<00:32:53.320> 45
• an<00:32:54.320> election,<00:32:55.080> you<00:32:55.240> have within 45

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 9 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled a series of introductions and announcements. Members welcomed guests in the gallery, recognized the doctor of the day, and later made several announcements about memorials, committee meeting times, and calendar deadlines. The chamber also agreed to dispense with the reading of the journal and the titles of bills and resolutions. The body then took up multiple measures, mostly on the appropriations, rules, and general bills calendars. Among the bills discussed and passed were House Bill 941 on the Mississippi Healthcare Industry Zone Act, with an amendment changing the repealer date to 2028; House Bill 1633 on the Site Development Grant Program, with a strike-all clarifying eligible utility and site-improvement expenditures; House Bill 1404 on fraudulent utility conversion, with a substitute strike-all adding protections and criminal penalties related to landlords failing to pay tenant-funded utilities; House Bill 907 revising the timing for sample ballots from the Secretary of State; House Bill 867 allowing Ross Barnett Reservoir funds to be used for shoreline maintenance and erosion prevention; House Bill 1558 revising compensation and reimbursement for the Tishomingo County Water District; and House Bill 514 revising the Veterinary Practice Act to protect certified veterinary technicians and update board membership and fees. Several other measures were also addressed, including Senate Bill 2648, which would let the MSU Extension Service assist poultry farmers with comprehensive nutrient management plans and was amended by the House to add Alcorn State University; Senate Bill 2637, on flexibility for the Northeast District livestock show location, on which the Senate voted not to concur and invite conference; House Bill 1069, the Mississippi Agriculture and Farmland Wind Tower Protection Act of 2026, which was amended to shift review of a waterfowl impact assessment to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and impose a one-year moratorium with a study committee; House Bill 1073, a consumer choice bill restricting bans on gas-powered farm equipment and lawn tools; House Bill 942 extending the chiropractic licensure repealer and allowing certain animal chiropractic work under veterinarian supervision; and House Bill 479, which extended temporary licensing timeframes for psychology and marriage and family therapy and added safeguards tied to background checks and qualifications. Most of these measures were adopted and passed by voice vote or by afternoon or morning roll call, with a few items retained on the calendar and several motions to reconsider or hold bills for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• > is<00:45:06.880> okay<00:45:07.119> there<00:45:07.200> we<00:45:07.400
• > what<00:45:19.880> we<00:45:20.000> go<00:45:20.200> by<00:45:20.400>
• :45:33.480> I<00:45:33.559> want<00:45:33.680> to<00:45:33.839> thank<00:
• Cole<00:45:34.880> when<00:45:35.119> this<00:45:35.480> bill<00:45:35.720>
• first<00:45:36.079> came<00:45:36.280> out<00:45:37.000> um<00:45:37.200>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , to lead, and to help move this nation and state forward, and their impact can be found in every chapter
• manipulate history, Today, as some work to manipulate history, challenge diversity, and erase difficult chapters
• Preserving the historic chapters of slavery, segregation, and the struggle for civil rights is crucial
• AVID has demonstrated 45 years of closing achievement and opportunity gaps.
• I commend AVID's 45-year contribution to California education and its impact on student achievement,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President, Chapter 7.
• , business, culinary, hospitality, and tourism, and in the past year, they had four groups do the chapter
• , business, culinary, hospitality, and tourism, and in the past year, they had four groups do the chapter
• The committees will meet on Monday at 10:45 in room 326. We'll meet on Monday at 10:45 in room 326.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1052, amending Title 36, Chapter 4, Article 1, A.R.S., adding Section 36-420.06.
• I'm ending Title 41, Chapter 23, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 41-4558, amending Title 41, Chapter
• Section 9-500.54, amending Title 11, Chapter 2, Article 4, relating to licensure.
• Chapter 2, Article 6.2, relating to electricity generation.
• 2460, amending Title IX, Chapter 4, Article 8, A.R.S., relating to business property.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3892 is a bill that addresses vagueness and closes loopholes that exist in chapters 232 and
• chapter 233 of the Texas Local Government Code.
• Um, as Chairman Bell pointed out, Chapter 232 is clear that counties cannot regulate density.
• allow counties to control density through setback requirements, which is in direct contradiction to chapter
• Clarifying that Chapter 43 Development Agreement, landowners are entitled to exercise their rights to

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:00.640> What<00:45:00.760> hasn't<00:45:01.000> gotten<00:45:01.160><
• <00:45:02.720> 50%<00:45:03.520> of<00:45:03.640> the<00:45:03.720> world's
• > goes<00:45:04.760> through<00:45:05.120> the<00:45:05.240> Strait<00:45:05.440
• Excuse<01:45:29.560> me,<01:45:29.640> just<01:45:29.880> MICSY<01:45:30.200>
• :45:41.360> to<01:45:41.520> a<01:45:41.600> very<01:45:41.960> recent<01

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• So colleagues, please join me in sending Tim well wishes for his new, exciting chapter and thanking him
• So colleagues, please join me in sending Tim well wishes for his new, exciting chapter and thanking him
• Michigan Juneteenth State Holiday Law, I am honored that our state formally recognizes this important chapter
• I'm honored that our state formally recognizes this important chapter in American history, but I did
• We're still going to try to start at 11:45 if people could start lighting up on this side.

Summary: The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees. In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1. Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• rise in support of HR 25, which recognizes the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a tragic chapter
• They demand. we remember our past and stand vigil over our present, lest the darkest chapters of human
• 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. 110 years ago, the world witnessed one of the darkest chapters
• Today, as some in the United States look to ignore, deny. rewrite chapters in American history, it's
• We are going to pass and retain on file items 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > to<02:45:07.279> move<02:45:07.439> to<02:45:07.600> do,<02:45:08.080><
• <02:45:16.960> the<02:45:17.279> company<02:45:17.600> who<02:45:17.840>
• We<02:45:24.880> got<02:45:25.120> married<02:45:25.439> on<02:45:25.680> the
• > uh<02:45:31.120> since<02:45:31.359> I<02:45:31.680> only<02:45:32.000>
• > to<02:45:34.000> talk<02:45:34.160> to<02:45:34.319> you<02:45:34.479><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:17.839> money<00:45:18.079> into<00:45:18.400> it<00:45:18.960> is
• >> Is<00:45:23.200> it<00:45:23.440> self-<00:45:23.839> sustaining<00:45:
• So<00:45:27.839> the<00:45:28.000> the<00:45:28.480> way<00:45:28.720> that
• <00:45:30.800> include<00:45:31.359> a<00:45:31.760> variety<00:45:32.160>
• Um >> so<00:45:58.160> is<00:45:58.319> the<00:45:58.560> uh<00:45:58.880>

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are professionals who are already regulated by the state under Chapter 1151 of the Occupations
• These professionals are assigned to property tax appeals- case upon the expiration of a 45-day settlement
• So the first two, that's 40 in the tax code in chapter 42, it's 4226A1.
• One of the things I want to point out- And we've talked a lot about Chapter 42, but I'll discuss Chapter
• Due to allocations, about 45% into these costs are paid by local school districts.

Bills: HB1952, HB3258, HB3524, HB3851, HB4478, HB4613, HB4703, HB4742, HB4744, HB4809, HB4864

Keywords: county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board