Video & Transcript Research : 'website accessibility'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- For us, facilities remain our single greatest barrier to expanding access.
- Um high barrier to expanding access.
- So uh we can access as long as agency.
- We'd be happy to share the PACE website.
- Thank you. students may need to access a phone or students may need to access a phone or related<01:24
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED.
The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program.
For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But accessibility, accessibility is the key word that we need to... Dealing with accessibility.
- Because in rural areas, just like in urban areas, there is no accessibility.
- For accessibility to healthy foods.
- How will this bill eliminate unhealthy foods without reducing access to food?
- How do we get accessibility?
Bills:
SJR37, SJR57, SB7, SB8, SB16, SB108, SB125, SB207, SB318, SB371, SB379, SB396, SB406, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB578, SB599, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB763, SB854, SB857, SB875, SB878, SB920, SB924, SB961, SB965, SB985, SB988, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1059, SB1185, SB1202, SB1207, SB1252, SB1330, SB1396, SB1484, SB1527, SB1535, SB1596, SB1619, SB1697, SB1737, SB1741, SB1841, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SJR81, SJR50, SCR39, SB1536, SB2016, SB1453, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB27, SB568, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB906, SB860, SB1563, SB993, SB693, SB1610, SB1537, SB836, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB922, SB984, SB1084, SB619, SB1098, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1877, SB464, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB660, SB731, SB921, SB268, SB1822, SB1188, SB1939, SB1589, SB397, SB1388, SB2230, SB1058, SB1036, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB1035, SB2155, SB508, SB29, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719
Keywords:
voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And sometimes parts aren't always accessible, but in my experience, my backhoe gets used in my yard.
- , but in in my experience, my accessible, but in in my experience, my backbone,<00:11:57.440>
my - I mean, my goal—Karen maintains a list, and it's on our website, of all the rented space in the state
- maintains a list and it's on our website maintains a list and it's on our website of<00:49:40.559
- Typically, FAA funding is for our aeronautics and airports—public access airports.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- bills do not help voters have access bills do not help voters have access this<00:06:51.560>
- It's how we access our meal plans.
- issues you know ACC of accessibility issues you know ACC access<01:36:24.320>
to <01:36:24.560 - the voting area um access to the voting area um accessibilities<01:36:27.520>
in <01:36:27.679> - <03:29:37.080>
to Voters those who have already access to Voters those who have already access
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Please be aware this hearing is being recorded and live streamed on the Legislature's website, and an
- It's going to remove financial burdens for those who serve and ensure access to educational advancement
- The program is going to remove financial burdens for those who serve and ensure access to educational
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on bills related to income and estates, with Chairs James Eldridge and Adrian Madaro presiding and members participating in person and virtually. The committee explained hearing procedures, written testimony deadlines, and the new joint rules for acting on bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The first major topic was increasing Massachusetts 529 college savings deductions, through House Bill 3151 and Senate Bill 2066. Brad Freeman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts testified in support, saying the current deduction has encouraged more families to save for college and should be expanded to match other states. He argued the change would help middle-income families and noted the original deduction was designed with a revenue offset and later made permanent.
The committee also heard support for House Bill 3010 and Senate Bill 1963, which would exclude the federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from Massachusetts taxable income. Beth McGuinness and Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance said the tax creates a burden for AmeriCorps members, many of whom have low incomes and use the award directly for tuition or student loans, and that removing the tax would aid recruitment and retention. Another bill, House Bill 3062 on settlements of tax liability, drew testimony from a taxpayer, a tax practitioner, and a legal aid attorney who described the current offer-in-settlement process as too restrictive and underused; they urged changes to make tax debt resolution more equitable and more consistent with federal practice.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/21/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #18 & #19
Transcript Highlights:
- with is not within the Access network, so they are not a contracted provider with the Access insurance
- And I only say that because having more out there, more accessibility for people in Access to go to when
- a provider is willing to reduce their rates to the Access rate and give the Access individuals more
- need accessibility to providers.
- Access is willing to pay.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills that had returned from the Senate with amendments, with members repeatedly noting that sponsors intended to concur on most items. Topics included public health and vaccination rules (HB 2086, HB 2248), state investment in gold and silver (HB 2140), property records and voter-registration privacy (HB 2327), municipal and county regulation of business property and development fees (HB 2460, HB 2946, HB 2999), legislative subpoenas (HB 2745), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), nursing-facility complaint timelines and licensed health aide rules (HB 2195, HB 2189), court-ordered treatment review (HB 2923), Access/Medicaid reimbursement and prior authorization for diagnostic services (HB 2932), inmate mental health study committee language (HB 2673), prenatal development instruction in schools (HB 2830), public records requests by legislators (HB 4056), parents’ rights and social transitioning in schools (HB 2249), school district financial compliance and facilities contracting (HB 2481, HB 2482), Native American language proficiency for graduation (HB 2895), advanced math auto-enrollment (HB 2423), special education and military-family procedures (HB 2621), AI rules for state agencies (HB 2592), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), shade structures in HOAs (HB 2342), homelessness-related community restitution (HB 2028), medical records timelines (HB 2557), PFAS firefighting foam restrictions (HB 2641), family-court expert testimony and prisoner transition services (HB 2662, HB 2440), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), guardianship notice attestation (HB 2661), utilities for high-load customers (HB 2756), and nuclear-ready community planning (HB 2456). The committee also briefly moved to Caucus Calendar 19 for additional bills on mobile food vendors, school board training, out-of-state travel and meeting transparency, and a medical-intervention nondiscrimination bill.
Several bills drew substantive discussion or criticism. Members debated HB 2932 at length, with staff explaining that Access said the bill would have a high fiscal impact because it would require reimbursement for non-contracted lab services and eliminate prior authorization for a broad range of diagnostic services, potentially increasing costs substantially. HB 2249 also prompted concern from members who argued it could force teachers to out students and create civil liability for using preferred pronouns or failing to notify parents about social transitioning. HB 2830 was criticized as requiring prenatal-development instruction while barring discussion of sexual activity or reproduction. HB 2028, which allows community restitution instead of a $20 probation assessment for people who are indigent and experiencing homelessness, was questioned as potentially punitive. HB 2481 was discussed as a way to help, rather than punish, small rural school districts struggling with financial-record compliance. The caucus also noted that several of the measures were sponsored by Democrats, which was highlighted as notable during the meeting.
No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The caucus chair repeatedly asked for questions, and in most cases there were none, after which the sponsor was understood to intend concurrence with the Senate amendments. The meeting ended with adjournment after the caucus moved through the remaining calendar items.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (04/14/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Unless they haven't updated their website, which I notice happens quite frequently on the DOE website
- , the PUC website; things don't get updated for, there's always a lag there.
- Yes, it's on the website. Oh, okay. Good. I can send that around if that's helpful.
- <02:19:31.599>
don't website, the PUC website, things don't website, the PUC website, things - Yes, it's it's on the website. Oh, 1? Yes, it's it's on the website.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It would force cuts thereby to other state priorities and reduce access to care for traditional Medicaid
- It requires tentative budgets and amendments to be posted on a county's website several days before a
- This ensures patient access while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
- This bill strengthens Florida's commitment to ensuring access to dental care for our veterans.
- This bill strengthens Florida's commitment to ensuring access to dental care for our veterans.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading.
The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In Harrington, they're guiding caregivers through pages of red tape just to access basic support.
- In Harrington, they're guiding caregivers through pages of red tape just to access basic support.
- <01:52:12.960>
to the agreement gives the US access to the agreement gives the US access to - <03:45:51.279>
right website right website right now.<03:45:53.439>They <03:45:53.680>< - For a while I actually worked on the access budgets, which is the Arizona Medicaid system.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/07/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, is that chart available on your website or...?
- <06:08:15.280>
to society where they have easy access to society where they have easy access - New Hampshire had 134 suicides in 2022, the last good data year that I'm able to access.
- New Hampshire had 134 suicides in 2022, the last good data year that I'm able to access.
- I'm able to access that's one suicide by I'm able to access that's one suicide by firearm<06:25:07.600
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- if you are in excess of 50 miles an hour and or you're in excess of 35 miles an hour and a limited access
- This legislation addresses a persistent problem in the state managed care system which limits access
- No one's being denied access to the courts.
- Madam management, resiliency, peer support and access. Madam Chair, that is about. >> Thank you.
- It also make sure that we're permitting public access and related amenities. We need bathrooms.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:09:22.640>
to because not only do we have access to because not only do we have access - You just said access. >> Internet access.
- <01:33:15.920>
I don't have access to the internet? I don't have access to the internet? - doesn't have access to the internet. doesn't have access to the internet.
- doesn't have access to the internet. doesn't have access to the internet.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (10-7-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a few folks that access our crisis care, um, but for the most part, they do not access many of
- We've set up website.
- We just have access to a determine that. We just have access to a Medicaid<00:36:06.800>
screen. - <00:42:20.040>
to the day and that delay delays access to the day and that delay delays access - <00:54:51.840>
to <00:54:52.000>my give me better access to my give me better access
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports.
The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year.
Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/03/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #8 and #9
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2403 appropriates $2,500,000 from the State General Fund in fiscal year 2027 to access provider
- enters into a task order contract with a contractor in the state post the contract on the entity's website
- This allows individuals who have children that are deaf or hard of hearing access to a language acquisition
- Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Health and Human Services Committee, House Bill 2726 requires access
- Madam Whiteman, Member, accessible 2868 includes licensure requirements for installers of a manufactured
Summary:
The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules.
Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements.
No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the assembly's website.
- It helps maintain access to anesthesia care in hospitals, rural, and underserved communities.
- This bill gives OCA access to the additional information that it needs to understand cost drivers and
- request your aye vote You can begin good morning madam chair members Katie and dines with health access
- SEIU California is proud to strongly support AB 1415 and proud to have worked with Health Access. consumer
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- FROM AN INCREASING ACCESS TO CRITICAL SERVICES TO ADVANCING PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES THAT BENEFIT COMMUNITY
- $905 MILLION IS DEDICATED TO FULLY FUNDING THE KID CARE PROGRAMS, REINFORCING OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBLE
- DISEASE TO BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOL BOARD AND CHARTER SCHOOLS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
- AWARE OF HEALTHCARE CONCERN AT THE EARLIEST MOMENT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE SOME EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCESS
- MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHEN IS ISSUED FOR A CHILD THE DEPARTMENT CANNOT FIND OR ACCESS LAW ENFORCEMENT IS
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:31:24.880>
If that people continue to have access. - If that people continue to have access.
- We have tickets as low as $63 on our website.
- Well, what these websites alley.
- You get your ticket or your access on your phone and it's not transferable.
Keywords:
common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 21, 2026 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- According to mental Health, America's 2025 access to care rankings.
- You're currently working on solving the problem of access to care and you're succeeding.
- It is patient quality of care with this expanded access.
- What will members of our communities be accession?
- Action is that's not increasing access to psychiatric care.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- local literacy plan on the MDE website local literacy plan on the MDE website to<00:46:43.800>
- This change would allow for equitable access to resources for our most underserved and underperforming
- to resources for our most access to resources for our most underserved<00:48:08.200>
and <00:48- And so, if every district has that available on the MDE website. Follow-up, Senator Gustafson?
- district has that available on on the district has that available on on the MDE<01:07:30.560>
website
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- No access. Okay. Thank you for that. My next question is for the AG, please. The AG is here. Yep.
- has no access to that special fund? has no access to that special fund?
- >> No<01:00:37.920>
access. <01:00:38.799>Okay. - <01:00:39.920>
My >> No access. Okay. Thank you for that. My >> No access. - So, could that be interpreted to say that OHA can access the $55 million? >> Uh, no.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure.
The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure.
The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.