Transcript Highlights:

• We can't plan construction projects for rail, for bus, et cetera, if we don't have certainty that the
• So combined, that's 12,000 units that are either already constructed and people are living in them or
• are under construction right now.
• And right now, about 70% of our funds for housing have already been either completed or under construction
• We're starting to do the construction.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• from my community, from a dire need from many of those in that, in the industries, uh, where it's construction
• Uh, HCR 19 would direct the Texas Facilities Commission to name the building being constructed at the
• Am I understanding this correctly, it's a building that is yet to be constructed, correct?
• Our state's economic strength depends on industries like agriculture, construction, healthcare, and energy
• Uh, constructive border wall to be named in their memory.

Bills: HB 256, HB 1308, HB 1554, HB 1743, HB 2308, HB 2351, HB 2858, HB 3676, HB 3784, HB 4312, HB 4552, HB 4823, HB 4852, HB 5007, HB 5010, HB 5520, HB 5524, HCR 19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move on to our next items, which is STR 148 and SR 119, strongly supporting the construction of
• Well, I think building the jail will be... it will provide some economic value while the construction
• 00:31:45.840> value<00:31:46.240> while<00:31:46.559> the<00:31:46.799> construction
• <00:31:47.200> is economic value while the construction is economic value while the construction
• “Strongly supporting the construction of a floating dry dock at Port Harbor.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard three resolutions first. STR 32/SR 18 asked the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was generally supportive of the intent, but the Correctional System Oversight Commission raised concerns about using work furlough for maintenance and emphasized that participants should be paid at least minimum wage, be able to meet restitution and support obligations, and not have their release timing affected. The measures were later recommended and adopted by both committees with no amendments in the joint portion. STR 199/SR 179 concerned increased caution regarding foreign infrastructure. There was no public testimony. In decision-making, the committees split the measures: STR 199 was deferred because of a similar measure, while SR 179 was passed with amendments. The amendments were described as clarifying Hawaii’s goals of self-sufficiency, local self-reliance, and self-determination, and encouraging scrutiny by departments and agencies to reduce dependence on imports. STR 231/SR 207, which would direct DOT to install electronic equipment at state airports and harbors to scan for illegal fireworks, drew mixed testimony, including support from the Oahu Filipino Community Council and comments from Matson Navigation. DOT said it supported the intent. The committees adopted amendments to address Matson’s concerns by moving inspections to a place outside the immediate loading and unloading area, and both committees passed the measures as amended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs committee then took up additional resolutions. STR 113/SR 94, designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025, received no testimony and was not discussed further. STR 204/SR 164, asking the Department of Law Enforcement for information on disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosive fireworks and similar hazardous materials, also drew no testimony in the excerpt. STR 107/SR 88, urging military branches in Hawaii to provide hurricane-resistant shelters for active and retired personnel and families, likewise received no testimony. STR 148/SR 119, supporting construction of a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor, drew broad support from industry, military, and state economic development representatives. STR 149/SR 120, creating a vegetation management working group to address wildfire risk, received extensive testimony in support and comments, with speakers from DCCA, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, IBW 1260, Hawaiʻi Telecom, and Kamehameha Schools discussing wildfire hazards, responsibility for vegetation near utility infrastructure, and the need to include workers and landowners in the process. STR 126/SR 105, calling for an incremental reduction in the number of inmates housed in private out-of-state facilities, prompted a lengthy discussion with DCR. The director said Hawaii’s out-of-state incarceration is driven by overcrowding and security needs, not a quota, described the per-person-per-day cost of CoreCivic housing, noted that Hawaii pays about $96 per inmate per day out of state versus about $37 in-state, and said the department is working on a master plan and future facility needs. The committee also discussed the need for a new prison and possibly a new jail. The excerpt ends with the committee still in discussion, without showing a final vote on STR 126/SR 105.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:43.680> equipment<00:47:44.000> and<00:47:44.240> code construction equipment
• and code construction equipment and code modifications<00:47:45.200> to<00:47:45.359> the<
• <00:48:07.359> the<00:48:07.599> municipalities<00:48:08.240> can construction the
• municipalities can construction the municipalities can request<00:48:08.720> the<00:48:08.960
• <00:50:24.400> type or a lot of times it's construction type or a lot of times it's construction

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with brief remarks honoring Harry Bean after his death on February 14, with members describing him as a larger-than-life figure, a valued colleague, and a friend whose conversations and presence will be missed. The committee then moved to vehicle title bills, beginning with HB 1421, which would change title exemptions for older motor vehicles. DMV witnesses explained the fiscal note was based on 2024 new title applications for vehicles in the affected age range and represented a high-end estimate; members discussed whether the bill would actually be revenue-neutral because reduced title revenue would be offset by reduced staffing work. There was also clarification that the bill applies to cars and regular trucks, not heavy trucks or tractor trailers, and that owners could still obtain titles if they met proof-of-ownership requirements. Members noted antique cars would largely be unaffected because they are already exempt. HB 1421 was moved on an OTP motion and passed 9-8. The committee next considered HB 1466, a related title bill narrowed to boat trailers. Members again raised concerns about lost revenue, but the sponsor and DMV witness said the fiscal note was a high-water estimate and that the bill would likely be close to a wash because the department would save on title-processing costs. The witness also explained that VIN verification, when needed, can be done by local police or a dealership, but not for every trailer title. Members discussed the low value and infrequent resale of older boat trailers, and the bill was described as a practical policy change. HB 1466 was moved OTP and passed 8-0. Finally, the committee discussed HB 1483, which would create a special ham radio operator plate with a lightning bolt symbol and call sign. The sponsor explained an amendment was needed because the bill had mistakenly referred to a House and Senate Ways and Means Committee; the fix would treat the plate under existing vanity plate law. DMV witnesses said the plate would be optional, would require legislative approval, and would function like other special decal plates, which are generally limited to nonprofit-related or legislatively authorized uses. Members asked whether the plate would generate revenue, and DMV confirmed vanity plates carry an added fee that does produce revenue. Discussion focused on the plate’s practical purpose for identifying ham operators, especially in emergencies, and on whether it might set a precedent for other special-interest plates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we pray that competitive, constructive, cooperative legislation will result in valuable solutions
• And so we pray that<00:04:27.440> competitive, that competitive, that competitive, constructive
• , constructive, constructive, cooperative<00:04:31.360> legislation cooperative legislation cooperative
• The way it's currently constructed because it has both a criminal and a civil penalty associated with
• because it has both a constructed because it has both a criminal<01:13:54.960> and<01:13:55.199

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing law requires most public works construction contracts to be awarded to the lowest responsible
• This bill would require a contractor submitting a bid for a public works construction project to disclose
• of Ironworkers as well as other co-sponsors, operating engineers, as well as the State Building Construction
• As was stated, under existing law, most public works construction contracts are required to be awarded
• information that could be critical to determining if a contractor securing taxpayer dollars for a public construction

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will help lower housing costs, speed up construction, and expand affordable housing.
• being that you are publicly funded, how are you going to finance the purchase of the land and the construction
• because it says here this bill would allow you or authorize you to purchase or acquire property to construct
• And any property that is no longer utilized for construction staging or transit facilities automatically
• Developers still face regulatory hurdles that slow the construction of new units.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1367 prohibits cities and counties from approving new land use that would allow the construction of
• land use that 1367 prohibits cities and counties from approving new land use that would allow the construction
• When the state spends public dollars on construction, workers should be paid fairly.
• A construction worker can put in long hours on a public works project expecting a fair paycheck only
• And let's be honest about what that means: higher construction costs, longer delays, more legal and political

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even if Minnesota had the resources for a rebate, our second set of concerns is how the rebate is constructed
• Even if Minnesota had the resources for a rebate, our second set of concerns is how the rebate is constructed
• Even if Minnesota had the resources for a rebate, our second set of concerns is how the rebate is constructed
• how<00:09:53.960> the<00:09:54.120> rebate<00:09:54.480> is<00:09:54.600> constructed
• how the rebate is constructed. how the rebate is constructed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4906, adopted the H4906A1 amendment, and heard a staff explanation that the bill would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for residential homesteads and the house/garage/1-acre portion of agricultural homesteads. As amended, the bill would appropriate $4 billion in fiscal year 2027, distribute payments based on 2026 property tax due, include a clawback for delinquent taxpayers, and coordinate with existing property tax refund programs so recipients would not receive more than they paid in taxes. House Research also discussed a disagreement with the Department of Revenue over whether the refund would be taxable federally, with House Research suggesting it would likely be treated as a non-taxable recovery of prior taxes. Public testimony was largely opposed. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the proposal was too large, would create a deficit and force future service cuts, and would disproportionately benefit higher-income homeowners. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project said the bill would create a major budget hole, threaten funding for health care, food support, schools, and other services, and exclude renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Members echoed those concerns, citing impacts on public safety, rural EMS, hospitals, education funding, and equity, while noting that renters and many seniors would receive nothing. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill was a cautious use of state resources, and Representative Norris said it missed the mark for struggling renters. Chair Davids defended the concept as a way to put money back in people’s pockets and said the proposal was scalable and intended to start a discussion. Representative Wiener strongly supported the bill, saying many homeowners and farmers in his district are not wealthy and need relief from property taxes; he said the bill should be even bigger. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on after testimony and member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• planned as part of the voter-approved RTD FasTracks transit expansion program but has not been constructed
• planned as part of the voter-approved RTD FasTracks transit expansion program but has not been constructed
• planned as part of the voter-approved RTD FasTracks transit expansion program but has not been constructed
• Senate Bill 111 be postponed indefinitely. but has not been constructed but has not been constructed
• and Win, concerning clarification of the penalty for claiming an excessive amount in a public construction

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Committees reported favorably on a number of bills and appointments, including local government, health and human services, transportation and energy, business/labor/technology, and judiciary items. The chamber also announced a change on the Senate Finance Committee, with Senator Adrian Benavidez appointed to replace Senator Julie Gonzales for the remainder of the session. A major floor item was House Bill 1136, creating the Pathways to Public Service Program in the Department of Personnel and Administration to identify coursework that could qualify students for entry-level state government jobs. Supporters said it would help attract young people to public service and fill state vacancies using existing resources; opponents argued it promoted government employment over private-sector careers and could expand government unnecessarily. After debate, the Senate adopted the bill on second reading, and the Committee of the Whole report later reflected that HB 1136 passed second reading and was ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 1023 recognizing Latino/Latina Advocacy Day after reading it at length and hearing remarks in support of civic engagement and Latino participation in policymaking. In addition, the chamber concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 74, which clarifies penalties and procedures related to excessive claims in public construction performance bond disputes; the bill then passed again on re-passage. Several other bills, including Senate Bill 63 and remaining calendar items, were laid over to later dates, and the Senate also considered and began processing consent-calendar gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to supply the Navajo reservation with water and also the city of Gallup is currently under construction
• processors, they are unable to sell their products for use in home, residential, or commercial construction
• sawmills that are doing dimension lumber or if they are processing Those products cannot be used in construction
• Madam Chair, committee members, my name is Dennis Romero, Construction Programs Bureau Chief with the
• As it stands right now, the project is still moving forward and being constructed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see rising costs of construction, and I don't see that housing costs will do anything but continue
• We see rising costs of construction, and I don't see that housing costs will do anything but continue
• think we're at a place where we recognize that the role of the state is to facilitate housing construction
• of the state is to facilitate the role of the state is to facilitate housing<00:15:17.920> construction
• , maybe not to pay housing construction, maybe not to pay for<00:15:19.519> it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeing more than 80% of new housing construction taking place within an HOA.
• Construction taking place within an HOA.
• construction taking place within an HOA. construction taking place within an HOA.
• to make sure that um we get that date moved back to January so that this summer um not only the construction
• to make sure that um we get that date moved back to January so that this summer um not only the construction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For public safety officers, bus drivers, construction workers, and all those who tend the streets and
• requested: Senate File 823, a bill for an act relating to transportation; modifying appropriation for construction
• Senate File 823, a bill for an act relating to transportation; modifying appropriation for construction
• transportation modifying<00:12:29.040> appropriation<00:12:29.600> for<00:12:29.839> construction
• modifying appropriation for construction modifying appropriation for construction of<00:12:30.399

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of them are built, and two of them are under construction right now.
• I mean, it causes lots of accidents, particularly in highway construction zones, right?
• I don't see an on-channel flood reservoir being constructed on-channel in my lifetime.
• Do you think they'd be helpful if they were constructed?
• One thing I will say is that UCRA, back in the 50s, sponsored the construction of O.C.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you, Senator Groff, for working on these construction items.
• And thank you, Senator Groff, for working on these construction items.
• And they also further prohibit the construction of certain sporting facilities as we do, again, with
• the construction of sporting facilities and public lodging in state parks, but does not prohibit the
• the construction of sporting facilities and public lodging in state parks, but does not prohibit the

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. After routine business, the Senate took up several special-order bills. The first major bill, transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses. An amendment added penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing and required law enforcement to notify suspects of those penalties. The bill passed 37-0. The Senate then passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours and holiday access to care and setting network standards for Medicaid managed care plans, also by a 37-0 vote. The chamber next considered a major condominium and cooperative associations bill responding to post-Surfside safety and financial concerns. Senators described the measure as balancing building safety with financial relief, extending reserve-study deadlines, allowing temporary reserve relief after inspections, tightening oversight of managers and inspectors, and adjusting voting, resale, and reserve rules. After extensive debate and praise from members for the bill’s sponsors and staff, the bill passed 37-0. The longest discussion centered on a constitutional amendments/petition process bill aimed at curbing fraud in citizen initiative petitions. Sponsors argued that the 2024 petition process was plagued by fraud and identity theft and proposed tighter rules for circulators, faster submission deadlines, voter notification, penalties, and limits on petition handling. Senators offered and adopted multiple amendments, including changes to petition-circulator definitions, invalid-signature thresholds, and voter notification procedures. After a substitute amendment was withdrawn, the Senate continued debating the underlying amended bill, with members split between concerns about election integrity and worries that the bill would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizen initiatives to qualify.

Transcript Highlights:

• You had agreed to include the Plymouth Readiness Center design and construction, of which $1 million
• I'll repeat that for the record: the Plymouth Readiness Center design and construction, we authorized
• You had agreed to include the Plymouth Readiness Center design and construction, of which $1 million
• You had agreed to include the Plymouth Readiness Center design and construction, of which $1 million
• I'll repeat that for the record: the Plymouth Readiness Center design and construction, we authorized

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that helps with the cost of labor, the construction, the building of houses, right?
• So, that helps with the cost of labor, the construction, the building of houses, right?
• We're building them with the same construction materials, the same standards.
• We're building them with the same construction materials, the same standards.
• <04:37:57.680> the Private financing to construct the public infrastructure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• combination with a prior proviso that Representative Simmons had put forward that funded AEG and their construction
• combination with a prior proviso that Representative Simmons had put forward that funded AEG and their construction
• Was it an ethical violation for her prior to that to put a proviso through to fund AEG and their construction

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Tara Simmons, docket 401-645, on a respondent-filed motion for summary judgment. Judge T.J. Martin identified the issues as whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for the benefit of others and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her official duties, under RCW 42.52.070 and RCW 42.52.020, and, if violations were found, what penalties or sanctions would be appropriate. The judge clarified that board staff had not filed its own summary judgment motion, only a response to Simmons’ motion. Attorney Doug McKinney argued that the complaint and board staff’s allegations were legally insufficient because they did not allege a personal benefit to Simmons, only benefits to her employer, EEC, or to others. He contended that the Ethics Act has historically required a benefit to the legislator herself, that employees do not automatically have a disqualifying interest in their employers, and that the board’s position would create a new bright-line rule and unfairly change the law as applied to Simmons. He also addressed allegations involving a contract provision, a campaign surplus donation to AEG, a subcontract dispute involving AEG and EEC, and text messages with Anthony Powers, arguing none showed a special privilege or conflict of interest for Simmons. Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisenhower, for board staff, argued the motion should be denied because the record sufficiently alleged violations of both statutes. She said Simmons’ involvement in securing funding for EEC, her employment duties involving stakeholder and legislator connections, her donation of campaign surplus funds to AEG to help secure a job for someone she knew, her role in the AEG-EEC subcontract dispute, and her text messages referencing her official capacity all supported the allegations. A board member asked whether the allegations were sufficient to show a special benefit, and Eisenhower responded that the facts were enough at the summary judgment stage. After rebuttal by McKinney, the ALJ closed the hearing and the board went into deliberations; no ruling was announced during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• an employee who withdrew from the pension system and forfeited her pension was that effectively constructive
• The Court of Appeals issued its decision saying that the forfeiture was, in fact, constructive payment
• more acquainted and kind of re-familiarized with eligibility in Peacers and how that statute is constructed

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Executive Committee approved the April minutes by roll call vote, with members present voting aye and the minutes adopted. Staff then provided an Attorney General update on pension-related litigation, including the newly filed Dawson class action challenging Gross Second Substitute House Bill 2034, the concluded Dolan case, and the Fowler case, where the trial court orally ruled for plaintiffs on interest calculations and potential disgorgement of state gains, with a written ruling still pending. Committee members emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and regular reporting on the Dawson case because of its potential impact on the committee and retirement systems. An actuarial update followed, noting that June will include the preliminary 2025 valuation results and contribution-rate information, along with commentary on the demographic experience study. Staff said actuarial resources are limited and asked that any additional actuarial agenda items be scheduled for July or later. The committee also discussed the draft interim work plan and agreed to move the OSA annual update to July. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on Plan 1 COLA policy. Retiree representatives urged the committee to keep working on both immediate ad hoc COLA relief and a longer-term ongoing COLA solution. Members discussed a possible budget proviso requiring legislators to consider a COLA each budget cycle, and staff was asked to develop proposals for further discussion. The committee also agreed to add a June briefing on the PERS/PEACERS request involving animal control technicians, and to include an introductory Plan 3 briefing, with possible comparison to Plan 2, on the June agenda. Staff also explained changes to correspondence handling, including removing letters from the public website to better protect privacy while still making records available upon request. The committee approved the revised June agenda and adjourned.