Transcript Highlights:

• President, I transmit herewith House Bill 704 and House Bill 700, which have passed the House, for the
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 583 by the Business Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 610 by the Revenue and Taxation Committee.
• In 2021, there was House Bill 207, which reduced appropriations by 5%.
• House Bill 250. I got to think about where I was. House Bill 250 from 2010.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on House Bill 2397? on House Bill 2397?
• House Bill 1711 relating to housing.
• revolving funds into and housing revolving funds into and appropriates<00:57:54.799><c> funds</c><00
• It exempts disbursements from the affordable housing revolving fund from appropriation and allotment
• Our next bill is House Bill 2385 relating to housing.

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3010 be voted due pass. Any discussion?
• By your vote of 10 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3010
• I now move that House Bill 2010, due pass. I now move that House Bill 2355 be voted due pass.
• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2355 be voted due pass. Any discussion?
• House Bill 1945.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• For the legislature, this bill appropriates $4.6 million to the Senate, $7.3 million to the House, and
• For the legislature, this bill appropriates $4.6 million to the Senate, $7.3 million to the House, and
• For the legislature, this bill appropriates $4.6 million to the Senate, $7.3 million to the House, and
• appropriated</c><00:30:25.520><c> but</c><00:30:25.760><c> set</c> appropriated or not appropriated
• </c> appropriated in the in the 2023 session. appropriated in the in the 2023 session.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• $6 million to purchase a building in Tulsa that houses state agencies.
• It was appropriated in the past, and we're needing to... $500,000.
• It was appropriated in the past and we're needing to carry that over.
• We don't think that's appropriate.
• In 2024 and 2025, appropriations increased modestly.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee’s Appropriations Subcommittee met to hear budget presentations from OETA, the Commissioners of the Land Office, and the Oklahoma Educational Quality and Accountability Commission (OEQA). The chair asked witnesses to stay focused on budget requests and agency operations rather than policy, unless policy affected the numbers. OETA reported no request for additional funding. Director Sean Black highlighted the agency’s 70th year of continuous broadcasting, completion of transmitter replacements, conversion to fiber, and lower electricity costs from more efficient equipment. He said OETA would offset the loss of federal CPB funding through donations, events, and partnerships, and described its statewide reach, educational programming, and multiple broadcast and streaming channels. Members asked about energy use and were told the new transmitters had reduced power costs. The Commissioners of the Land Office discussed record distributions to schools, a flat budget, and planned spending on invasive woody species, implementation of SB 951, IT modernization, and possible changes to mineral management and staffing. The secretary requested funding for a revenue compliance director, field services manager, internal auditor support, and other adjustments, while explaining the agency’s use of stabilization funds and carryover. Senators questioned orphan and abandoned wells, AI use, and staffing efficiency; the secretary said the agency was trying to work more closely with operators, use AI and in-house software where possible, and manage wells and land in ways that protect school revenue. OEQA presented its priorities for teacher quality, including Teach Forward apprenticeship pilots, dashboard expansion, accreditation review, statutory cleanups, and continued monitoring of cell phone-free zones. The agency described a small, stable budget, five unfilled positions, and a proposed $100,000 reduction for FY 2027 based on efficiencies. Members asked about Teach Forward applications, multilingual testing, and the broader quality of teacher preparation programs; OEQA said it had received three Teach Forward applications and that translating certification tests would raise cost and validity concerns. Senators urged OEQA to play a stronger role in connecting teacher preparation programs with classroom needs, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the July 2nd, 2025 Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing.
• At the appropriate time, I would respectfully request an I vote. Thank you.
• Madam Vice Chair and members, SB 251 as amended would appropriate a little over $1.2 million from the
• or the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
• Bills authored by the chair of either the Senate Appropriations Committee or the Assembly Appropriations

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 2, 2025, to consider 25 bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar of unanimously supported measures, including several Senate bills and committee bills, and then moved to individual items. SB 391, which would authorize the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for data requests from research partners, drew support from the author and the California Teachers Association, which withdrew its opposition after amendments; the bill passed on a roll call. SB 251, an annual appropriations bill to pay three state claims totaling a little over $1.2 million, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Finance and also passed. The committee then deemed the suspense calendar approved, covering SBs 748, 329, 388, 439, 458, 454, and 563, and took public comment on suspense-file bills. Commenters voiced support for SB 88 on biomass and SB 80. The committee next heard SB 477, which would clarify the Fair Employment and Housing Act to help the Civil Rights Department investigate and prosecute discrimination and harassment cases more efficiently; the author described changes to deadlines, complaint definitions, and venue rules, and the bill passed. SB 831, which updates the definition of geological hazards to reflect climate-change-related risks and clarify the California Geological Survey’s duties, received support from industry and passed without recorded opposition. Finally, SB 450, which clarifies California’s jurisdiction over adoption proceedings, including confirmatory adoptions for families who have moved out of state and requires all legal parents to be listed on adoption orders, was presented with support from Equality California and related groups. The bill was described as having no significant state cost and passed on a roll call. Several measures were approved with Republicans not voting, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:26.320><c> the</c> that's been set up for to house the that's been set up for to house the
• ><00:13:53.680><c> fund</c><00:13:54.000><c> appropriations</c> have the restricted fund appropriations
• </c> appropriations but not in total spend. appropriations but not in total spend.
• Regarding House Bill 500 and the dental reimbursement appropriation, the Department for Medicaid Services
• </c> named it for him appropriately. named it for him appropriately.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions. On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year. Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available. Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> House Bill 280 is amended by House House Bill 280 is amended by House Committee<00:18:53.520><c>
• House Bill 2, Representative Fleming, an act relating to Medicaid, making an appropriation therefor and
• To Appropriations and Revenue: House Bills 343, 354, and 356.
• To appropriations<00:39:15.760><c> and</c><00:39:16.000><c> revenue,</c><00:39:16.400><c> House</c><00
• :39:16.720><c> Bills</c> appropriations and revenue, House Bills appropriations and revenue, House Bills

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Representative Joe McGonagle, House Chair of the committee.
• It is my honor to join this session to serve as House Chairman of this committee.
• House 3886 and Senate 2503. Good afternoon. Thank you, sir.
• Number one is 3863 is the House bill, and the Senate bill is 2480. It’s asking...
• We have Allie DeBateau on House Bill 3830 and Senate Bill 2456. Good afternoon, Allie.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its first public hearing of the 2025–2026 session, with House Chair Rep. Joe McGonagle outlining the committee’s focus on veterans’ benefits, military families, and related policy priorities. He noted the committee’s recent record of advancing major veterans legislation, described the hearing as hybrid, and explained that testimony would be limited to three minutes. The committee then heard testimony on several bills, including H. 3886/S. 2503, H. 3863/S. 2480, and H. 3859, among others. Melissa Willett of the Department of Defense and Rep. John Stanley testified in support of H. 3886/S. 2503, which would expand support for military families by improving school open enrollment flexibility, special education continuity, concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile matters on military installations, and coordination around military protective orders. Committee members questioned the juvenile jurisdiction and protective-order provisions, with concerns raised about federal versus state authority and due process; witnesses said the jurisdiction change would be case-by-case and that military protective orders are commander-issued decisions that could be used as evidence in civilian proceedings. The Department of Defense said the proposal aligns with priorities from military stakeholders and other New England states. Jim Keene testified in support of H. 3863/S. 2480, seeking a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans’ benefits and extending certain benefits to Guard and Reserve members killed on active duty. Allie DeBateau of the Massachusetts Municipal Association testified on H. 3859, which would streamline veterans benefits administration by having the state pay benefits directly rather than reimbursing municipalities quarterly; she said this would reduce local administrative burden while leaving local veterans service officers’ roles unchanged. Committee members asked about municipal support and the fiscal impact, and the hearing concluded with no votes taken, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2113. House Bill 2113. House Bill 2113. House Bill 2113, those in favor, vote aye.
• House Bill 2133. House Bill 2133. House Bill 2133.
• House Bill 2499. House Bill 2499 appropriates monies to the Department of Education.
• House Bill 2500. House Bill 2500 appropriates money to the superintendent of public instruction.
• House Bill 2406 and House Bill 2806, House Memorial 2001 and House Memorial 2002, and House Memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• And good to have a packed house here today. We had eight bills on today's agenda.
• The motion is due pass as amended to Appropriations. Please call the roll.
• So this seems like an appropriate level of question.
• Again, to pass as amended to Appropriations. Okay.
• Do pass Appropriations. By Senator P.T. Limon, 1394. Do pass Appropriations.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Transcript Highlights:

• We take up House Bill 121.
• The<00:07:02.240><c> House</c><00:07:02.520><c> Education</c><00:07:03.040><c> Committee</c> The House
• So, I'm going to done appropriately.
• </c> the underlying bill as amended on House the underlying bill as amended on House Bill<00:18:15.880
• </c> Let me take up House Bill 1610, please. Let me take up House Bill 1610, please.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill is House Bill 381.
• Moving to House Bill 97, HD2, as is. House Bill 97, HD2, as is.
• House Bill 381.
• House Bill 1155.
• We'll be revising the appropriation section to include language from House Bill 1077 and House Bill 752

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order. The House will come to order.
• House Bill 2413, printer's number 3088, on page one of the House calendar B. Will the House agree?
• House Bill 2413, printer's number 3088, on page one of the House calendar B. Will the House agree?
• House Bill 151, House Bill 2006, House Bill 216, House Bill 2154, House Bill 227, House Bill 154, House
• Bill 2227, House Bill 2378, House Bill 2490, House Bill 2549, House Bill 2625, House Bill 2649, Senate

Transcript Highlights:

• The LFC recommendation held the amount that you appropriated House Bill 2 last year flat.
• Looking at the appropriation request, Madam Chair, we're happy with both appropriations I mean we're
• than appropriating by category.
• Been tasked with purchasing through appropriations through the legislature.
• So it's a little dated, but you all appropriated money to resolve that finding.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriate information.
• Is the audit an appropriate vehicle, the most appropriate vehicle, the only vehicle to achieve the goal
• So to me, this is an appropriate matter for an audit.
• the intent of the Roberti Act to expand affordable housing.
• If the auditor finds that the money was spent appropriately, so be it.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar. Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue. Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Community Development for housing.
• Housing and Community Development for housing, okay?
• appropriate, they get adopted.
• At the appropriate time, I ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• Do pass as amended to Appropriations. Current vote: 10-0.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2259, authorizing the Cataumet Fire District to raise and appropriate money for the Historical
• House Bill 414?
• House Bill 4158, local approval received. House Bill 5?
• House No. 3912.
• House Bill 4307 is a fiscally responsible proposal that builds upon our strategic appropriations to expand

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures on legal notices, charter changes for Chicopee, Bridgewater, Wellesley, Weston, Somerville, and Watertown, as well as bills on firefighter residency, a checkout bag fee in Sudbury, senior tax exemption eligibility in Williamstown, and liquor licenses in Lexington. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House also considered a Ways and Means report on H. 4257, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. The committee recommended an amendment in the form of a substitute bill, H. 4307, authorizing $1.185 billion in general obligation bonds. After suspension of the rules, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, during floor debate on H. 4307, members spoke in support of the bill as a major transportation funding package, emphasizing Chapter 90 aid, road mileage-based distribution, culvert and small bridge repairs, congestion relief projects, and the bill’s fiscal and credit-rating benefits. A roll call was ordered, and the bill passed to be engrossed 156-0. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. In addition, the House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and agreed to adjourn in memory of former Representative and Senator Matthew C. Patrick of Falmouth. The session included several guest introductions, including Mandela Fellows studying at Bridgewater State University, former legislator Vincent Dimacido, Bellingham Council on Aging guests, and interns in Representative Linsky’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• Symphony Orchestra as the state orchestra and requires an annual report to the Legislature and appropriates
• would go directly to the endowment or whether it is a general fund appropriation that goes directly
• would it go directly to appropriation would it go directly to the<00:18:40.640><c> endowment</c><00:
• that goes directly to you appropriation that goes directly to you folks<00:18:43.880><c> we</c><00:18
• ><c> um</c><00:21:33.840><c> that</c> think for for our house members um that think for for our house

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on March 14, 2025, and heard two measures. On SB 441 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, the committee received strong support from the orchestra, the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, IATSE Local 665, and an in-person testifier, with testimony emphasizing statewide access to music, education and community programming, cultural value, economic impact, and job stability for musicians and staff. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and suggested language related to the State Endowment Fund. Committee members asked about how the funding would be used, the orchestra’s reach, and its history; the orchestra said it preferred direct operating support and described its audience and employment footprint, neighbor-island outreach, and plans to expand season length and education programs. The committee then heard SB 1581 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Japan Pacific Peace Monument. No testifier from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was present, and no one testified on Zoom. With no discussion from witnesses, the measure was briefly taken up and later advanced. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments to SB 441 SD1, including a preamble describing legislative intent and the orchestra’s history, references to the State of Hawaiʻi endowment fund and statewide public benefits, and language ensuring the funds support statewide purposes and neighbor-island access to music and educational opportunities. The committee also added a deferral date of July 1, 3000 and technical amendments, then voted to pass the measure with amendments. SB 1581 SD1 was also passed forward with amendments, including a July 1, 3000 deferral date and technical changes, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing through DHHL.
• It was money that was appropriated out of the rental housing revolving fund.
• It was money that was appropriated out of the rental housing revolving fund.
• </c><02:05:30.239><c> appropriate</c><02:05:30.639><c> rate</c> determine appropriate appropriate rate
• </c> cost of housing help people have housing cost of housing help people have housing those<02:12:57.599

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.