Transcript Highlights:

• She called last week and shared her water bill with me and shared the water bill of her neighbor across
• totally different water plant than the water plant where she's receiving water.
• House Bill 11, a bill to be entitled an act relating to municipal water and sewer utility rates.
• House Bill 11, a bill to be entitled an act relating to municipal water and sewer utility rates.
• their water.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Waters. Aye. No. No. Waters: Aye. Ybarra. Zahn. Madam Speaker. No. No. Abbarno. Abbarno: Yes.
• Waters. Waters. Walsh. Waters. Wiley. Ybarra. Zahn. Madam Speaker, Defoe.
• Thomas, Timmons, Valdez, aye, Bowles, Wallin, Wals, Walsh, Walsh, Waters, Waters, Wylie, Ybarra, Zahn
• Remarks, Representative Waters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Waters. Thank you, Mr.
• Waters. Wiley. Wiley. Waters. Wiley. Ybarra. Ybarra. Zahn. Madam Speaker. Corey. Springer.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, a bill modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, volunteers, youth cadets, and related law enforcement roles. Members first considered a striking amendment and then a series of floor amendments, with debate repeatedly focusing on sheriffs as elected constitutional officers, the scope of state authority over local law enforcement, and whether the bill would create unfunded mandates or practical problems for counties. Supporters of the bill and many amendments argued for clarifying language, local flexibility, and state payment for new requirements; opponents generally warned the bill would weaken elected sheriffs, impose costs on counties, or overreach into local control. Amendment 2343, which would have added intent language emphasizing that sheriffs are directly accountable to the electorate, was debated at length and defeated on a roll call vote, 41 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2373, shifting background-check costs to the state through the Washington State Patrol, was also defeated, 44 yeas to 53 nays. Amendment 2374, narrowing provisions affecting private security and specially commissioned officers, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2369, clarifying rules for volunteers and youth cadets, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2371, limiting surveillance-related provisions to situations requiring a warrant, failed 42 to 55. Amendment 2372, clarifying that only non-public information would be restricted from disclosure, also failed 41 to 56. Later, Amendment 2370, which would have aligned the bill’s definition of volunteer law enforcement officers with existing statute, was defeated 42 to 55. Finally, Amendment 2352, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s new decertification rules, was debated as a protection against changing the rules midstream but was opposed on the grounds that the bill already grandfathered in the one sheriff who did not meet the new experience requirement; the amendment’s vote was not completed in the excerpt provided. The transcript also begins with the Speaker signing several bills, including Substitute House Bill 1570 and Substitute Senate Bill 6248.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 116, sponsored by Water: Destruction of Water Is Not a Beneficial Use, an act relating to
• water.
• </c> state, and public lands and water state, and public lands and water resources<00:08:05.039><c> to
• </c> house bill 116 sponsored by water house bill 116 sponsored by water destruction<00:08:55.760><c>
• </c> use an act relating to water Mr. use an act relating to water Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Think about the water bond.
• year to provide consistency for water conservation districts.
• Assembly Bill 1373 by Assembly Member Soria, an act relating to water.
• By requiring the state water resources control board, upon request, to hold a public ordering on water
• Clean Water Act when requested by the applicant.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• part of our lake is in the Boundary Waters.
• Um, when we take a group fishing, it's anywhere from 20 to 40 guys that we put on the water.
• Waters Canoe Area.
• </c> capacity but also help protect the water capacity but also help protect the water of<00:21:00.960
• </c> of fall Lake and The Boundary Waters of fall Lake and The Boundary Waters canoe<00:21:03.159><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Julia Hall with the Association of California Water Agencies.
• This is providing essential funding for supporting habitat and water supply projects that are already
• helping with drought Providing essential funding for supporting habitat and water supply projects that
• for the recommendation to reject the special fund position cuts, especially at CDFW and the State Water
• This is a project in state waters, and we have the unique opportunity to take forward California energy

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy met for a vote-only hearing on the Senate budget plan, with the chair noting a difficult budget year and the need for continued negotiations with the Assembly and administration. Public comment focused on several budget items, including support for $25 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, rejection of special fund position cuts at CDFW and the State Water Board, redistribution of Proposition 1 funds, support for local conservation corps and job projects, funding for offshore wind, and opposition to the Governor’s proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit/incentive on the grounds that it would be costly and could raise fuel prices or benefit out-of-state refineries. There was also support for the safer consumer products program and for preserving vacant staff positions at CDFW. The committee then took multiple roll-call votes on grouped budget issues. It approved staff recommendations for a first large set of items by a 4-0 vote, a second set by 3-1, and a third set by 3-0. The committee also approved Part B items in three grouped motions, including a 4-0 vote on one group, and additional groups approved by 3-0 votes. During discussion of Part B, the chair expressed concern about proposed changes to the cap-and-invest program and said the budget plan withholds Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund appropriations, including continuous appropriations, until specified conditions are met, citing the need to protect legislative priorities such as transit, affordable housing, air quality, and safe drinking water. The hearing concluded with thanks to public witnesses, the LAO, and the Department of Finance, and the chair invited additional written comments for the record before adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• much water, how much food we exactly how much water, how much food for<01:47:02.719><c> every</c><01
• Your dog didn’t have food or water.
• >> Oh, of course I agree. >> Water, you can buy water on this. >> But see, water does not kill your appetite
• </c> home and add water. They're fine. home and add water. They're fine.
• </c><06:06:50.958><c> So</c> water, sewage, those type things. So water, sewage, those type things.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:49.600><c> water</c><00:10:49.840><c> land</c> still left on our 1:05 p.m. water land still
• ,</c><00:32:07.120><c> Land</c> Uh same recommendation for Water, Land Uh same recommendation for Water
• and</c><00:32:10.120><c> the</c><00:32:10.320><c> Arts,</c> Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts, Water
• Water, Land Committee, same recommendation.
• Water, Land Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• TPWD does essentially two things, steward and protect. protect the state's lands, waters, wildlife, and
• Fish are stocked in both coastal and inland waters each year, and in fact, last summer we released the
• I want to thank all 250 game wardens serving all 254 Texas counties in our state waters. and 150 state
• public benefit. no water.
• So where's our water going to come from? Where's our food? in fiber and so forth.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In hurricane-prone South Florida, even modest structural alterations can affect wind resistance, water
• Cooper mentioned before, there are There are flow issues, water issues, and plumbing issues.
• HVAC contractors understand how to move air; they do not understand how to move water.
• We do work on water systems; we have water sources. We're familiar with these systems.
• Because when they get out of a valve, they need to turn off the water.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so each appointee is Ted Everett for Northwest Florida Water Management District, Jerome Pate also
• from the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano from Big Cypress Basin Board of
• South Florida Water Management District, Paul Bissfam from the Governing Board of Southwest Florida,
• The budget also includes $408 million in targeted water quality improvements.
• The budget also includes $408 million in targeted water quality improvements.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , that divert water into Bolts Lake.
• </c> Ditch among a list of existing water Ditch among a list of existing water facilities<04:39:17.600
• </c> the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority as<04:41:10.400
• </c> and promote efficient regional water and promote efficient regional water supply<04:41:34.000><c
• ><c> rose</c><07:35:10.160><c> to</c> Within minutes, water levels rose to Within minutes, water levels

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Think about the water bond.
• Assembly Bill 1373 by Assembly Member Soria and an act relating to water.
• on water quality certifications for hydroelectric facilities under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act
• Water Act when requested by the applicant.
• What's been happening is we have unhappy pumpers of water.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• But water is the issue, and even with livestock, you’re going to need water access.
• I mean, it’s impractical to bring 500 or 2,000 gallons of water a day to supply enough water even for
• </c> candidate water candidate water do<01:45:53.719><c> you</c><01:45:54.360><c> you</c><01:45:54.480
• Yeah, that’s a lot of water.
• </c> thought that we had was was um water thought that we had was was um water rates<01:55:31.520><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In other situations, that water has to be treated by water treatment plants.
• In other situations, that water has to be treated by water treatment plants.
• they consume so much water.
• they consume so much water.
• they consume so much water.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Health to utilize a more transparent and accurate reporting system for cases of lead in school water
• To do that, this bill would make it so that we not only test lead water levels in schools and school
• Get the lead out of the water, move the bill. Keep the lead out of the water, indeed.
• , that is impacting our children to do that, this bill would make it so that we not only test lead water
• Get the lead out of the water, move to bill. Keep the out of water, indeed.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of health and social services bills, many of them recurring proposals that had passed the Senate before or been vetoed in prior years. Topics included primary care investment, penalties for adult care facility safety violations, emergency insulin access, limited nursing services in adult care facilities, a State Medical Indemnity Fund ombudsman, hospital ownership and private equity oversight, controlled substances for people with substance use disorder, rescue inhaler information in the immunization system, nursing home closure procedures, Medicaid coverage for complex care assistance, increased personal needs allowances, parental education for minors with disabling conditions, physician and dentist loan repayment/support, higher public health penalties, direct Medicaid billing for licensed creative arts therapists, adoption registry information release, fetal and infant mortality review boards, reusable food and beverage containers, DNR and hospice decision rules, a special needs assisted living demonstration program, temporary licensure for out-of-state health professionals at a triathlon event, and lead reporting and mitigation in school water. Sponsors described most bills as straightforward efforts to improve access, transparency, or care quality, while several members noted technical fixes or fiscal concerns on a few measures, including outdated program references and the need for funding to support expanded loan repayment eligibility. Some bills were framed as responses to prior vetoes or as renewed attempts to advance previously passed Senate measures. The chair also noted the committee still lacked a budget and expected additional meetings. For each bill, members generally moved and seconded the measures, and the committee voted favorably, usually with some members recorded as without recommendation. Most bills were advanced either to first reading, finance, or higher education, depending on referral. No bill was defeated in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• million dollars that we're asking from the state will help fund construction of the roads, public water
• 20.880><c> public</c> fund construction of the roads, public fund construction of the roads, public water
• c> sanitary</c><00:04:22.560><c> sewer</c><00:04:22.800><c> extensions</c><00:04:23.400><c> to</c> water
• and sanitary sewer extensions to water and sanitary sewer extensions to service<00:04:23.800><c> the
• c><00:04:26.240><c> issues</c><00:04:26.600><c> and</c><00:04:26.720><c> grading</c> address storm water

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Clardy introduced House File 4238, seeking a $5 million state general obligation investment for roads and infrastructure in Inver Grove Heights tied to the planned Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame project, along with a separate requested $20 million cash appropriation for the facility itself. He described the bill as having statewide value and asked to focus first on the $5 million GO request. Mayor Brenda Dietrich and Community Development Director Jason Ziemer testified in support, calling the Hall of Fame a once-in-a-lifetime, transformative project for the city, the Twin Cities region, and the state. They said Inver Grove Heights expects to invest $14 million to $17 million locally for land acquisition and site improvements, and that the state funds would help pay for roads, utilities, stormwater work, grading, and right-of-way needs. They also emphasized that the public investment would support broader economic development in the area and accommodate a future I-494 interchange. Members asked about long-term ownership and maintenance, and were told the facility would be privately owned, with a developer owning about half and the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame nonprofit owning the ice arena portion. Another question raised whether the project would compete with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame; testifiers said it would instead work in tandem, with collaboration on exhibits and a potential benefit to the Eveleth institution. No vote or formal action was taken in the portion of the meeting shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item before the agenda is a transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General Fund.
• The Water Pollution Control Fund money may be used to pay general obligation bonds as required by Section
• , there is a recommendation to the committee that you transfer $15 million of the balance from the Water
• I move the appropriation and transfer of $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General
• I move the appropriation and transfer of $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then begin work on maintenance budget language for FY 2027. Keith Bybee of Budget and Policy Analysis and Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management explained that the transfers were tied to balances in funds with obligations below available cash, and that some projects had been canceled or delayed for reasons including budget constraints, site issues, or other program changes. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some of the projects, such as corrections, reentry, juvenile services, and the Carnegie Library, had been important when originally funded and should not be viewed as unimportant now. The committee approved a $33.745 million transfer from the Permanent Building Fund to the General Fund, a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General Fund, and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund for FY 2026. It also approved a separate FY 2027 transfer of $10 million from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund, with language specifying the transfer would occur after awards were obligated and reconciled, on or after December 31, 2026. Each motion passed on roll call with due-pass recommendations, with a small number of dissenting votes. After the cash transfer actions, the committee shifted to reviewing the draft clear language for FY 2027 maintenance budgets. Bybee explained that the packet contained standard language for the ten maintenance budgets and that the analysts would work with members in agency-by-agency workgroups because the reporting structure had been disrupted by budget adjustments. Members discussed how maintenance-bill language is selected and confirmed that the language reflects existing law or previously adopted budget provisions. The committee then adjourned until the next morning, with workgroups to continue reviewing the maintenance budget language.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item before the committee is a transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General
• Money in the Water Pollution Control Fund may be used to pay general obligation bonds as required by
• Section 39-3633, Idaho Code; water quality contracts pursuant to Section 39, Chapter 36, Idaho Code;
• , there is a recommendation to the committee that you transfer $15 million of the balance from the Water
• I move the appropriation and transfer of $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then began reviewing maintenance budget language for FY 2027. The first transfer moved $33.745 million from the permanent building fund to the general fund. Keith Bybee and Lori Wolf explained the money was tied to canceled or stalled capital projects, including the Carnegie Library purchase/renovation, juvenile corrections facility additions, an Idaho State Police district facility, IDOC reentry-related projects, and an ISU pedestrian crossing. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some projects remained important, but the committee approved the transfer 18-2 and sent it with a due pass recommendation. The committee then approved a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the general fund and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the general fund, both with due pass recommendations. Members asked whether there were eligible students waiting for In-Demand Careers grants and whether the transfer would reduce aid availability; staff said the fund had a large cash balance relative to current obligations and that some money had been returned or remained unclaimed. The committee also approved a FY 2027 In-Demand Careers transfer of $10 million, but only after awards are obligated and reconciled on December 31, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practicable, reflecting concerns about preserving student aid while allowing unused balances to revert. After the cash-transfer votes, the committee shifted to maintenance budget work for FY 2027. Bybee explained that the packet contained the standard clear language for the maintenance bills, but the reporting structure in the budget database had been disrupted by the many adjustments, so staff would do additional testing before final numbers were circulated. He walked members through the table of contents and examples of the language, noting that maintenance budgets have only existed for three years and generally contain less controversial statutory language, though workgroups could still consider adding intent language. The committee was told that workgroups for General Government and Natural Resources would begin, with additional lunch meetings possible, and the meeting adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Procurement Office, Special Education Advisory Council, Board of Education, Board of Water Supply
• Action Network Speaks, Wānanalo Care Center, Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Department of Water
• </c> Education, Board of Water Education, Board of Water Supply,<00:28:12.000><c> Parents</c><00:28:12.399
• Tourism</c> Association,<00:29:25.440><c> Department</c><00:29:25.840><c> of</c><00:29:26.080><c> Water
• </c><00:29:26.320><c> Supply</c> Association, Department of Water Supply Association, Department of Water

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee convened at 10:00 a.m. and opened with instructions about live streaming, one-minute testimony limits, and the possibility of reconvening on March 31 if technical problems interrupted the hearing. The committee then took up HB 300, which drew extensive testimony from state agencies, commissions, nonprofits, and advocacy groups. Many agencies, including Budget and Finance, Education, Health, Housing, and others, said they stood on their written testimony and supported the measure. One witness from the Kohala Island Reserve Commission supported the bill and asked for funding for a CIP project at its Kihei site to consolidate offices and generate revenue for Maui. Several groups, including the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition and the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, supported funding for mandated oral health services and higher ABA provider rates for children with autism. In contrast, the Re-imagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition and Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice opposed $30 million for jail planning and additional incarceration-related spending, urging more investment in housing, mental health, youth programs, education, and restorative justice. The chair noted the testimony totals for HB 300: 186 in support, 91 opposed, and 52 comments. The committee then heard brief testimony on HB 794 and HB 795. The Department of Budget and Finance supported HB 794, and the Tax Foundation was listed for HB 795 but was not present. No additional testimony was offered on either bill. After the testimony phase, the committee deferred all three measures—HB 300, HB 794, and HB 795—for decision making to March 31 at 10:00 a.m. in the same room.