Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:06:51.120><c> Ic><00:06:51.360><c> canc><00:06:51.520><c> talkc><00:06:51.680><c> ac>
• ><c> overc><00:31:31.279><c> 93c><00:31:31.919><c> typesc> inspections.
• We administer over 93 types of<00:31:32.720><c> approvals,c><00:31:34.080><c> uhc><00:31:34.320><
• :48.639><c> otherc><01:54:48.880><c> typesc><01:54:49.119><c> ofc> delinquencies, and 146 other
• types of delinquencies, and 146 other types of cases,<01:54:49.760><c> includingc><01:54:50.159><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:24:21.280><c> typesc><01:24:21.560><c> ofc><01:24:21.760><c> agreementsc><01:24:22.240>
• <c> inc> voiding those types of agreements in voiding those types of agreements in certain<01:24:22.640
• 42.320><c> itc><01:24:42.440><c> typec><01:24:42.960><c> contractc><01:24:44.000><c> andc> take
• 35:38.120><c> thatc><01:35:38.280><c> typec><01:35:38.400><c> ofc> for someone, that that type
• of for someone, that that type of relationship<01:35:38.880><c> you'rec><01:35:39.040><c> talking

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met with 125 members present and began with the pledge, prayer, and opening formalities. Two House resolutions were presented and adopted by voice vote: one honoring the pioneering women of the Maryland State Police and State Fire Marshal’s Office during Women’s History Month, and another recognizing the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Infant and Childhood Loss on its 50th anniversary. Both resolutions highlighted the honorees’ service and contributions, and the clerk read each resolution into the record. The chamber then received Senate bills introduced in the House, including Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 551, which were read the first time and referred to committee without objection. The House also took up multiple committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading. Measures advanced included bills on residential real estate contract contingencies, Maryland data privacy, local alcoholic beverages licenses and fees in several counties, county salary study commission membership, sheriff and municipal enforcement matters, estates, health occupations background checks, school book fair tax exemptions, school board compensation and voting, and a Calvert County medical center bill. Several bills were amended before advancing. House Bill 443 on Prince George’s County small event center alcohol licensing received a capacity-related amendment; House Bill 348 on Baltimore City alcohol license extension received a technical amendment and a change expanding coverage to transfers of ownership before July 1, 2029; House Bill 682 changed a license classification from Class C to Class GC; House Bill 405 on EV recharging equipment in condo/HOA documents was amended to clarify budget treatment; and House Bill 895 on dynamic pricing and predatory pricing received amendments clarifying definitions, disclosures, and enforcement. After extended discussion of HB 895, including questions about whether it bans dynamic pricing for food, how it treats discounts and loyalty programs, and whether supply-and-demand pricing changes are affected, the House agreed to special order the bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:00:33.360><c> yearc><00:00:34.160><c> uhc><00:00:34.239><c> toc><00:00:34.480><c> work
• c><00:01:23.040><c> wayc><00:01:23.200><c> toc><00:01:23.360><c> keepc><00:01:23.600><c> ourc
• > anyc><00:03:41.519><c> typec><00:03:41.680><c> ofc> years from now and file any type of years
• from now and file any type of legislation<00:03:42.400><c> thatc><00:03:42.640><c> theyc><00:03:
• :46.800><c> capc><01:26:47.120><c> likec><01:26:47.280><c> thec><01:26:47.600><c> rec> type of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 20.320><c> goc><00:09:20.399><c> upc><00:09:20.560><c> becausec><00:09:20.720><c> youc><00:09
• c><00:09:32.160><c> Andc><00:09:32.320><c> wec><00:09:32.560><c> sawc><00:09:32.800><c> wec
• Other<01:35:50.960><c> umc><01:35:51.120><c> likec><01:35:51.440><c> typec><01:35:51.679><c> positions
• c><01:35:52.080><c> havec> Other um like type positions have Other um like type positions have definitely
• of lensure um these uh you know any type of lensure less<02:39:11.840><c> ownorousc><02:39:12.319>

Keywords: 9:00am HB 155 9:30am HB 1102 10:30am HB 1109 11:00am HB 1356 11:30am HB 1469 1:00pm HB 1323 2:00pm HB 1376, 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with unanimous committee approval of amendment 2026-2021S to HB 2. Senator Lang explained the amendment corrected a drafting error so that $2.5 million in state funds, matched with federal money for a total of $5 million, could be spent during the biennium rather than lapse at the end of the fiscal year. The money is intended to stabilize Medicaid per diem rates for county nursing homes, and members agreed without objection to adopt the amendment and continue working from the bill as amended by the Senate. The committee then discussed HB 155 and a proposed amendment, 2026-201H, dealing with the business enterprise tax. The House side described the proposal as a compromise that would raise the filing threshold from $250,000 to $375,000 and create a trigger that would reduce the BET rate by 0.05% for each $100 million in combined business tax surplus, down to a floor of 0.25%. Senate members opposed lowering the rate at this time, arguing that tax relief should focus on the filing threshold, which they said would remove filing burdens for about 3,500 small businesses, and that rate cuts should be considered in a budget cycle rather than an off-year. Concerns were raised that one-time revenues, such as tax amnesty receipts or federal repatriation-related surpluses, could unintentionally trigger reductions. Representative Sweeney later offered a revised approach by moving the effective date of the trigger mechanism to January 1, 2028, and said he was also willing to carve out tax amnesty revenues or adjust the effective date to avoid using one-time funds. The Senate remained unwilling to agree to a rate reduction, though it expressed openness to raising the filing threshold further. The committee ultimately did not resolve the business tax issue and recessed to continue discussions at a later time. The final item discussed was HB 1102, concerning an increase in the research and development tax credit paired with changes to state park fees. House members supported the R&D credit increase but opposed tying it to higher park fees, citing concerns about tourism, especially at border parks, and noting that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources had said it did not need the increase. Senate members defended the park fee changes as a fairness issue, arguing that New Hampshire residents should pay less than out-of-state visitors and that the department had not raised rates in many years. No vote was taken on this item during the discussion captured here.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> okayc><00:02:53.920><c> Susic><00:02:55.200><c> herec><00:02:56.200><c> rardc><00:02:57.120
• <00:21:01.039><c> thec><00:21:01.159><c> onlyc><00:21:01.400><c> typec><00:21:01.559><c> ofc>
• <00:21:01.679><c> Unionc> one that's not the only type of Union one that's not the only type of Union
• for statements and those types<00:36:00.760><c> ofc><00:36:00.880><c> thingsc><00:36:01.359><c>
• thankc><00:36:01.520><c> youc><00:36:01.680><c> veryc> types of things thank you very types of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thec><00:18:39.840><c> typec><00:18:40.000><c> ofc> And that is precisely the type of And that
• ><c> thec><00:45:11.520><c> typec><00:45:11.680><c> ofc><00:45:11.839><c> supportc><00:45:12.160
• ><c> thatc><00:45:12.400><c> Ic> has access to the type of support that I has access to the type
• , they reshape the types<00:57:33.760><c> ofc><00:57:33.920><c> skillsc><00:57:34.319><c> technicians
• ,c><00:57:35.200><c> operators,c> types of skills technicians, operators, types of skills technicians

Bills: HF3553, HF3513, HF3576

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> attractc><01:38:56.400><c> otherc><01:38:57.400><c> typesc><01:38:57.719><c> ofc><01:38:
• 58.159><c> uhc> designed to attract other types of uh designed to attract other types of uh venues<
• 02:14.520><c> certifyingc><04:02:15.159><c> typec><04:02:15.319><c> ofc><04:02:15.479><c> body<
• /c><04:02:15.840><c> butc><04:02:16.000><c> wec><04:02:16.159><c> havec> um certifying type of
• ><c> thatc><04:02:26.720><c> typec><04:02:26.920><c> ofc><04:02:27.319><c> umc> midwives to be

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this new tax<00:52:46.120><c> typec> tax type tax type are<00:52:47.320><c> alignedc><00:52:47.800
• /c><01:29:07.600><c> typesc><01:29:07.920><c> ofc> very similar categories to the types of very similar
• ><c> typesc><02:36:48.480><c> ofc> Subsection B identifies the types of Subsection B identifies the
• c> orc><03:50:49.000><c> anyc><03:50:49.240><c> typec><03:50:49.640><c> ofc> using computers,
• phones, or any type of using computers, phones, or any type of an<03:50:49.800><c> electronicc><03

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Tiffany Lumley focused on lessons from horses and horsemanship, using the imagery to encourage legislators to lead, listen, stay patient, and remain attentive to constituents outside the chamber. The chamber then welcomed newly appointed Representative Kevin Scully of Burlington, who was sworn in and assigned to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Members took up several procedural items and resolutions. Senate Bill 239, relating to a child abuse and neglect reporting working group and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 157, relating to recovery residence certification and affecting state revenue, was referred to Ways and Means after a favorable report with amendment from Human Services. The House also read and adopted concurrent resolutions honoring the federal TRIO programs in Vermont, recognizing tourism economy day and the importance of the visitor economy, and honoring former Representative John Killacky of South Burlington for his artistic and legislative contributions. Multiple members offered personal remarks about John Killacky/Colacci, his arts career, activism, and service in the House, and guests connected to the resolutions were welcomed from the gallery. The House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 237, which would allow certain doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe medications. The committee explained the Senate’s changes, including revised training and rotation requirements, a later effective date, and a future OPR report, and said the bill was intended as one tool to address mental health provider shortages; the House agreed by voice vote. The chamber next began second reading of House Bill 955, a major education reform bill titled “next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system,” with the Education Committee describing mandatory cooperative education service areas, merger study committees, and related changes intended to improve efficiency, support local voice, and strengthen public education. No final action on H.955 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 21:55.799><c> typec> think this is a house buil two type think this is a house buil two type thing<
• :40.040><c> thisc><00:42:40.200><c> typec><00:42:40.359><c> ofc><00:42:40.559><c> activityc><
• 01:23:40.320><c> thec><01:23:40.560><c> typec><01:23:40.800><c> ofc><01:23:41.120><c> properties
• :11.960><c> helpc><01:27:12.719><c> withc><01:27:12.960><c> thosec><01:27:13.199><c> typesc><
• > takec><03:56:52.920><c> mec> this type of a system and please take me this type of a system and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 187, which would allow parents or guardians to seek restraining orders on behalf of a minor child even when the alleged perpetrator is not a family or household member. Tracy Sirles testified that the bill was prompted by her family’s experience after being told by state police to seek a restraining order, only to learn the current law did not allow it because the offender was the child’s best friend’s father. Members agreed the change was straightforward, noted the fiscal note reflected only a small indeterminate cost to the judicial branch, and moved House Bill 187 ought to pass; the motion was approved unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 66, a Right-to-Know bill that removes “citizen” language in favor of “person” in some provisions and allows certain New Hampshire-connected requesters to seek records electronically if the records already exist in that format. Members reviewed concerns about defining “member of the media,” the scope of electronic requests, and a sentence stating appeals would have no filing fee or search charge. After debate, the committee voted to amend the bill by removing that fee-waiver sentence, then recommended House Bill 66 ought to pass as amended. The vote was 6-3. Next, the committee heard from the Environment and Agriculture chair about several solid-waste-related bills being folded into trailer bill language, including House Bill 215 and House Bill 171, with discussion of a possible three-year landfill moratorium and the need to address DEES staffing and funding concerns. DEES later clarified that the revised approach would not require new positions or create a fiscal impact because the new solid waste commission would be self-funded through filing fees. The committee voted unanimously to retain House Bill 215. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 566, which requires landfill permit applications to include a detailed leachate management plan and more information about disposal contracts. The sponsor said the bill was developed with DEES to address leachate problems and improve safety oversight. DEES testified that the bill largely reflects current practice and would have no specific fiscal impact, with existing staff able to absorb any review workload. The committee moved House Bill 566 ought to pass, and the motion was approved unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 624, a grant program for local river management advisory committees, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The three top complaints, The types of complaints we are receiving.
• All due process must be exhausted before an individual is in C-Mark.
• Are there any questions on C-Mark?
• Are there any other types of resources they can obtain?
• That's more like a non-caregiver type of provider.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What types<00:21:42.240><c> ofc><00:21:42.400><c> datac><00:21:42.640><c> arec><00:21:42.799><c
• > theyc><00:21:42.960><c> usingc><00:21:43.120><c> toc><00:21:43.360><c> informc> types of data
• have to bring to us but what<01:42:41.760><c> typec><01:42:41.920><c> ofc><01:42:42.159><c> conversation
• c><01:42:42.800><c> takesc><01:42:43.119><c> placec><01:42:43.280><c> inc> what type of conversation
• takes place in what type of conversation takes place in the<01:42:43.679><c> carc><01:42:43.840><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the August 14 meeting. The first presentation was from the National Retail Federation on artificial intelligence in the retail sector. NRF described AI use cases in three areas: consumer-facing tools such as chatbots, product descriptions, and marketing; employee-facing tools such as company-specific apps trained on employee manuals; and internal uses such as supply chain forecasting, inventory planning, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and coding support. The presenters said retail has been among the top deployers of AI and emphasized that the goal is to improve both customer and employee experience. NRF also outlined its principles for responsible AI use, organized around governance and risk management, customer engagement and trust, workforce applications, and business partner accountability. The group said retailers should maintain strong internal oversight, be transparent with customers, ensure compliance with existing laws, closely review workforce-related uses because they can be high-risk, and clearly define responsibilities between retailers and third-party developers. In policy discussion, NRF urged a tiered approach focused first on high-risk uses such as hiring, health care, financial, mortgage, and rental decisions, warned against fragmented rules that could favor only the largest firms, and encouraged voluntary standards and worker upskilling incentives. In response to a question about dynamic pricing, NRF said its members do not target consumers based on pricing and offered to follow up with more information. The committee then moved to a follow-up discussion on energy policy and data centers, hearing from Bartley Cleland of NetChoice. He explained that AI runs largely in data centers and that cloud computing shifts processing and storage away from individual devices, which he argued improves efficiency and can reduce costs. He said electricity demand has been rising over time and that AI will increase compute-related electricity use, but framed electricity as a normal input to economic growth. No votes or formal actions were taken after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> thosec> closest we're going to get for those closest we're going to get for those type<00:49:39.359
• :40.880><c> Senatorc> type of facilities thank you Senator type of facilities thank you Senator Weber
• So I definitely<01:33:20.320><c> thinkc><01:33:20.639><c> somec><01:33:20.880><c> typec><01:33:
• 21.120><c> ofc><01:33:21.280><c> creditc> definitely think some type of credit definitely think some
• type of credit back<01:33:22.320><c> wouldc><01:33:22.560><c> wouldc><01:33:22.960><c> bec><01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thec><00:00:49.680><c> servicec><00:00:50.239><c> orc><00:00:50.559><c> inc><00:00:50.719><c
• ><c> andc><00:00:52.719><c> soc><00:00:53.440><c> asc><00:00:53.640><c> wec><00:00:53.960><c>
• ><c> umc><00:00:54.960><c> gasc><00:00:55.320><c> pumpsc><00:00:55.840><c> wec><00:00:55.960>
• <c> oughtc><00:00:56.079><c> toc><00:00:56.239><c> havec><00:00:56.359><c> anc> with um gas pumps
• :59.120><c> gettingc><00:00:59.359><c> whatc><00:00:59.559><c> theyc><00:01:00.120><c> payc><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:15:14.839><c> onec><00:15:15.040><c> toc><00:15:15.240><c> 15c><00:15:15.839><c> andc
• regards to safety for ocean goers with regards to uh<02:15:34.679><c> allc><02:15:35.000><c> types
• c> uh all types of vessels in kahalui uh all types of vessels in kahalui Harbor<02:15:38.159><c> we
• 22:19.920><c> typesc><02:22:20.359><c> ofc><02:22:20.640><c> ofc> are so many different types of
• of are so many different types of of activities<02:22:22.319><c> newc><02:22:22.720><c> technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• umc><00:00:51.960><c> Ic><00:00:52.120><c> justc><00:00:52.239><c> wantedc><00:00:52.399><c>
• :14:39.360><c> intoc><01:14:39.760><c> thesec><01:14:40.000><c> typesc><01:14:40.360><c> ofc>
• <01:14:40.639><c> Lobbyc> immediately go into these types of Lobby immediately go into these types
• <01:29:34.000><c> typec><01:29:34.159><c> ofc> I'm just saying that that's the type of I'm just saying
• that that's the type of thing<01:29:34.480><c> thatc><01:29:34.639><c> happensc><01:29:35.040><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> anyc> we never see them again as far as any we never see them again as far as any type<00:28:02.320
• /c> type of voter review.
• So out of eight types<01:11:47.520><c> ofc><01:11:47.679><c> discharge,c><01:11:48.400><c> twoc
• c><01:11:49.440><c> Thisc> types of discharge, two are good.
• :46.560><c> okay,c><01:48:46.880><c> whatc><01:48:47.119><c> typec><01:48:47.280><c> ofc> we

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:00:37.440><c> atc><00:00:37.559><c> 4c><00:00:37.760><c> o'clc><00:00:38.160><c> soc>
• and then we had more of a typical price growth<00:15:50.480><c> uhc><00:15:50.639><c> typec><00:
• /c> growth uh type environment and then we growth uh type environment and then we can<00:15:52.240><c
• <c> typesc><00:53:07.640><c> ofc> wondering are we seeing those types of wondering are we seeing
• those types of Trends<00:53:08.119><c> happeningc><00:53:08.440><c> inc><00:53:08.559><c> Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:03:09.120><c> Uhc><00:03:09.519><c> itc><00:03:09.840><c> justc><00:03:10.480><c> Ic>
• and the sales of these this industry and the sales of these types<00:35:18.160><c> ofc><00:35:18.320
• ><c> continuec> types of vehicles are going to continue types of vehicles are going to continue to<
• /c><00:35:40.480><c> typesc><00:35:40.720><c> ofc><00:35:40.880><c> facilities.
• c><00:35:41.280><c> Butc> to have those types of facilities.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13 Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33 Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• no,c><00:09:21.240><c> umc><00:09:21.520><c> Ic><00:09:21.640><c> amc><00:09:21.839><c> deeply
• 00:35:44.400><c> typec><00:35:44.640><c> ofc><00:35:44.760><c> questions,c><00:35:45.240><c> Mr
• c><00:35:45.520><c> President,c> those type of questions, Mr.
• 28:22.320><c> lifec><01:28:22.640><c> variousc><01:28:23.040><c> typesc><01:28:23.320><c> ofc
• ><01:28:23.440><c> licensesc> the life various types of licenses the life various types of licenses

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :08:51.920><c> ac><00:08:52.000><c> lotc><00:08:52.120><c> ofc><00:08:52.240><c> turnoverc> 2026
• c><00:08:56.560><c> thatc><00:08:56.680><c> Ic><00:08:56.800><c> broughtc><00:08:57.000><c> with
• :00.440><c> Deputyc><00:09:00.760><c> adantc><00:09:01.160><c> Generalc><00:09:02.040><c> uhc
• /c><00:53:41.400><c> twoc><00:53:41.599><c> typesc><00:53:41.839><c> ofc><00:53:42.000><c> new<
• /c> builds so we have two types of new builds so we have two types of new builds<00:53:43.280><c> traditional

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.