Video & Transcript Research : 'Class 2A'
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/16/2026 - House Conference Committee HB2133
Transcript Highlights:
- And how would that work in terms of basically having now two classes of media that need to be policed
- And how would that work in terms of basically having now two classes of media that need to be policed
Summary:
The House and Senate conference committees met on April 16, 2026, at 9:51 a.m. to consider House Bill 2133. Members present were Representatives Cooper, Wynn, and Garcia, and Senators Rogers, Ortiz, and Fincham. The main action was a motion to adopt a five-page amendment dated 4/15/2026 at 12:30 p.m. to the Senate version of HB 2133 and to authorize staff to make any necessary technical and conforming changes recommended by the rules attorney.
During discussion, Senator Ortiz raised a question about the amendment’s effect on motion pictures and TV shows produced after the law’s effective date, asking whether future PG-13 or R-rated productions with sexual material would need explicit informed consent and whether the measure would create two different categories of media subject to different online enforcement. The response given was that the answer was yes, but no further explanation was provided before the committee moved on.
The motion to adopt the amendment was put to a vote and passed, with ayes recorded and no opposition noted. After the action was approved, both the House and Senate conference committees adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I taught adults who were taking technical classes.
- I taught adults who were taking technical classes.
- I taught adults who were taking technical classes.
- I taught adults who were taking technical classes.
- Further discussion. that's class number 50 is typically for that's class number 50 is typically for part-time
Summary:
The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law.
Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The student receives a class wallet that is managed by this steward of the money.
- The student receives a class wallet that is managed by this steward of the money.
- The student receives a class wallet that is managed by this steward of the money.
- The student receives a class wallet that is managed by this steward of the money.
- <01:41:31.880>
wallet program itself through the class wallet program itself through the class
Summary:
The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability.
Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption.
Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
9-1-1 Management Authority Apr 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- There are GIS classes available. Please visit our website under the programs tab. Ok.g go/91.
- I wanted to let everyone know that the classes are very good, and I recommend that everyone attend them
- opportunity to talk to some of the vendors that are there and attend some of their various different classes
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill relates to public high schools and would require schools to excuse students from class to participate
- Thank you, members. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. class to participate in national signing class to participate
Keywords:
SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, discrimination, immunization, facial coverings, healthcare rights, religious convictions, civil rights, Attorney General
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Oklahoma only has three limited exceptions for gambling: the lottery, horse racing, and class 3 tribal
- gaming. lottery, horse racing, and class 3 tribal gaming.
- actual bingo games and things that are under Oklahoma law or either under horse racing, lottery, or the class
Bills:
SB2065, SB1641, SB1642, SB1589, SB1597, SB1216, SB2173, SB2028, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB2014, SB1805, SB2044, SB1836, SB1380, SB2179, SB1436, SB1558, SB933, SB1651, SB1328, SB1572, SB1966, SB175, SB1475, SB1950, SB2049, SB2052
Keywords:
pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, business entities, limited liability company, LLC, foreign LLC, domestic LLC, limited partnership, foreign limited partnership, registered agent, Secretary of State, annual certificate, good standing, certificate of authority, designated office, email address, electronic mail
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- passage rates, reimburse students who failed the NCLEX the cost of tuition and also allow remedial classes
- They can limit the amount of classes. They can do so many things.
- I didn't prepare to take these classes and pass the exams.
Summary:
The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered one bill, HB 121 by Representative Overdorf, relating to nursing education programs. The sponsor said Florida’s nursing shortage is projected to worsen and argued that low NCLEX passage rates show some programs are not adequately preparing students. The bill would tighten probation for underperforming programs, require program directors to be accountable, authorize Department of Health on-site inspections, require admission criteria and public posting of NCLEX passage rates, and require tuition reimbursement and free remediation for students at programs with passage rates below 30 percent.
Members asked about how the bill would interact with the Board of Nursing, the Commission for Independent Education, and other agencies, and whether it would address fraudulent or low-quality schools. An opponent from the Florida Association of Independent Nursing Schools said current law already requires Board of Nursing and commission review, institutional accreditation, and provisional status for programs on probation, and argued the bill could reduce the supply of nurses. He also said Florida’s NCLEX results had recently improved. A representative of the Florida Nurses Association supported the bill, saying weak programs waste students’ time and money and do not produce licensed nurses.
During debate, several members described concerns about diploma mills, fraudulent programs, student debt, and the need for stronger screening and accountability. Others emphasized that raising standards would improve patient safety and help ensure better-prepared nurses. The chair noted the importance of private nursing colleges in the state’s nursing pipeline. The committee then voted 19-0 to report HB 121 favorably and adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 14th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Special Warfare Operator First Class Ingram was a member of SEAL Team 3.
- So he was able to roll, so until he healed back up again, he went from class 3-4, or two, and then ended
- up graduating, finally, to get to your answer, class 3, 4, 6, on December 17. 2021.
Keywords:
commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Elizabeth McGreevy, born in Houston, a sixth-generation Texan and a Texas A&M graduate of A&M, 9, class
- Uh, when you hold up a book and say you're class of '93, that does make me feel old as class of 80, but
Bills:
SB 434, SB 844, SB 898, SB 1177, SB 1214, SB 1454, SB 1920, SB 1927, SB 1935, SB 1965, SB 2010, SB 2046, SB 2068, SB 2073, SB 2183, SB 2260, SB 3034, SB 907
Keywords:
SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Investments in education are crucial, but if students are not in class, those investments go to waste—wasted
- after the reforms were put into place in 2013 and 2015, falls upon the backs of primarily working-class
- are laid out, you know, we see this increase is outlined by HB 2947, but even $100 for these working-class
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- bathroom stalls or on the doors to the bathrooms so that we can't use them during passing periods or class
- They open them at lunch to keep kids from going in there and vaping and congregating in there during classes
- I did a presentation for my 6th through the 6th grade class last year, and over half of them came up
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The Shelby County School System would have classes from 8 until like 12, then they would put those kids
- So, a cyber range is a world-class cyber training and education... ...world-class cyber training and
Keywords:
aircraft, tax exemption, sales tax, lease tax, maintenance, Alabama, health insurance, Medicare, retirees, public education, contracts, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, parental leave, state employees, local education agencies
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 19th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- To the National Board and then you did $26,000 for the training classes, and so your fund balance is
- So that's why we have that contract with the Arkansas Health Care Association to provide training classes
Summary:
The Occupational License Review Committee met and, without objection, moved consideration of the Fire Protection of Lasting Board and the Licensing Protection Board to the March meeting. The committee then heard a report from the Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance, which oversees three occupational licenses: certified nurse aide, nursing home administrator, and psychiatric residential treatment facility licenses. DHS said these licenses are intended to protect the health and safety of people living in residential facilities.
Members asked about the nursing home administrator license fund balance, noting it was around $800,000 compared with relatively small annual expenses. The chair questioned whether fees could be reduced or the money used more effectively rather than remaining unused. DHS responded that the statute limits use of those fees to training, and that the division contracts with the Arkansas Health Care Association to provide training classes.
No further questions or other business were raised. The committee thanked the witness and adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 19th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Board, and then you did $26,000 for to the National Board and then you did $26,000 for the training classes
- So that's why we have that contract with the Arkansas Health Care Association to provide training classes
Summary:
The Occupational License Review Committee met and first approved, without objection, moving the Licensing Protection Board item to the March meeting. The committee then heard a report from the Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance, which oversees three occupational licenses: certified nurse aide, nursing home administrator, and psychiatric residential treatment facility licenses. The division said these licenses are needed to protect the health and safety of people in residential facilities.
Members asked about the nursing home administrator license fund balance, noting it was around $800,000 compared with relatively small annual expenses. The division responded that the statute limits use of those fees to training, and that it contracts with the Arkansas Health Care Association to provide training classes. A member suggested considering ways to reduce fees or otherwise use the accumulated funds more effectively.
No further questions or business were raised, and the committee adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/14/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You pass a group of boys on your way to chemistry class.
- <02:27:10.479>
of because if you create a felony class of because if you create a felony class - . classes. classes.
- We sat next to one another in class quite often.
- I felt it and lived it every day. survive math class?" We do not have to survive math class?"
Summary:
The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3426, a natural resources bill. Representative Jordan said the report largely reflected the House position, with changes including removal of the word “random” regarding DNR checks, clarification of minimum grant amount limits for trail maintenance and other projects, a two-year sunset on those caps, and repeal of obsolete language requiring DNR approval of ENRTF-funded acquisitions. Representative Heintzeman said the changes were technical and supported the bill. The motion prevailed, and the bill was given third reading.
The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4239, the campaign finance bill, and House File 4240, the elections bill. Representative Fryberg said HF 4239 addressed campaign disclaimers and privacy of addresses on campaign documents, with a compromise $10,000 security spending limit, authority for the Campaign Finance Board to dismiss frivolous complaints, and limits on sharing addresses with caucus leaders. HF 4240, the Secretary of State’s administrative bill, added an immediate effective date for a Three Rivers Park Commissioner disclosure requirement, removed an appropriation and related policy language, included amendments on special school district elections and betting on elections, and corrected a discrepancy with public safety language. Both bills were passed as amended by the Senate, with 118-15 and 127-6 votes respectively.
The House also passed Senate File 3720, the workers’ compensation advisory council recommendations. Representatives Baker and Berg described bipartisan, unanimous council recommendations updating the workers’ compensation reinsurance process, allowing appellate judges to be assigned when needed, adding psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners as PTSD diagnosticians, updating attorney fee notice rules, increasing compensation for permanent partial disability, clarifying witness rules at employer medical exams, extending the time for employers to deny liability from 60 to 90 days, and correcting a prior error affecting DLI commissioner authority. The bill passed 132-1.
Finally, Representative Long moved to suspend the rules to recall House File 5140, the comprehensive gun violence prevention package, from committee and bring it directly to passage. Long and Representative Greenman argued the Senate had already passed the bill and urged immediate action, citing the Annunciation shooting and other gun violence incidents. Representative Heintzeman raised concerns about the bill’s language, arguing a provision on protruding grips could make all handguns illegal and questioning other penalty provisions. Debate on the motion and bill continued, but no final vote on HF 5140 is shown in the transcript excerpt.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a class of 2025 graduate. I'm an 18-year-old and I live in the city of Chelsea.
- I'm a class of 2025 graduate and a youth worker at the Collaborative.
- Narrowing the class of children who can be indicted is not leniency.
- He was a commuter student and was only on campus attending class for roughly 12 hours a week.
- And the school was requiring a booster to go back for the spring semester, to register for classes and
Summary:
The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records.
Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth.
The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms.
Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 609, HB 1279, HB 194 (05/28/26)
Transcript Highlights:
- that don't come under this protective one where we're protecting people's rights, and there'd be one class
- and another class.
- counterintuitive >> it's counterintuitive >> it's counterintuitive >> one<01:05:45.520>
class - <01:05:45.760>
and <01:05:45.920>another <01:05:46.160>class >> one class - and another class >> one class and another class >> keep<01:05:46.640>
these <01:05
Summary:
The continued conference on House Bill 609 focused on reconciling House and Senate drafts dealing with firearms and other personal defense tools, local government preemption, and agency rulemaking. Representative Leyon walked through amendment 21107H, explaining that it narrows undefined terms, clarifies that the General Court has supremacy over local regulation, allows damages actions for violations of preemption law, and adds language limiting agency rules unless specifically authorized by statute. She also described a three-year sunset and a delayed effective date for new rules so existing rules could continue temporarily while the legislature considers any needed statutory carveouts.
Members then debated the practical effect of the language, especially whether it would bar agencies from adopting internal employment rules or instead require those rules to come through JCAR and be tied to express statutory authority. Several examples were discussed, including state plow drivers, corrections employees, and other workers who may need to carry personal defense tools in the field. The committee also discussed a provision making a plaintiff a prevailing party if a municipality changes a challenged policy after suit is filed, and a clause stating that good faith or advice of counsel is not a defense, though it may be considered in mitigation.
The discussion narrowed to the difference between the House approach, which some members read as an absolute prohibition on agency rules in these areas, and the Senate approach, which some members said would allow rules only when an agency can point to express enabling authority and JCAR can review them. Members agreed that the goal was to prevent agencies from adopting rules that conflict with the statute while still allowing legitimate safety-related regulations where the legislature has authorized them. The conference took a recess and later resumed with the chair stating the parties had reached an agreement in principle based on the latest Senate language, and Representative Leyon was asked to continue reviewing the draft line by line for remaining concerns.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we're not adding a protected class or anything like that. >> Correct.
- This is just the interplay of the already protected classes. >> Yes, that is absolutely correct. >> Okay
- > a not adding a we're not adding a not adding a we're not adding a protected<00:25:43.440>
class - protected class or anything like that. protected class or anything like that.
- the already protected classes. the already protected classes.
Keywords:
freedom of speech, elections, campaign finance, non-natural persons, regulated participation, constitutional amendment, financial disclosures, government transparency, public confidence, Senate confirmation, conflicts of interest, state ethics commission, campaign contributions, state contracts, transparency, conflict of interest, government ethics, pretrial release, bail reform, financial ability
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment.
SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members.
SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies.
SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU, HOU-HHS, HOU DEFER Public Hearings 02-10-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- acquisition, and preservation of rental units while providing crucial financial support to middle-class
- <00:04:05.440>
families <00:04:06.360>within support to middle-class families within - support to middle-class families within the<00:04:06.720>
60 <00:04:08.000>um <00:04:08.959 - The committee report will also note the dubious effect of creating two classes of tenants, those who
- of tenants, those creating two classes of tenants, those who<00:20:55.200>
are <00:20:55.280><
Summary:
The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors.
During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources.
In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.