Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you mentioned, you talk about the teacher preparation program to, to, to look at those programs.
• of the kinds of bilingual programs that exist in the state, how much do these, uh, programs cost, what
• The discrepancies in access to those kinds of programs both affect the, the programming offered.
• Their programming. Right?
• Um, this first review will be the department's proposed rule for the Purple Stars Public School Program

Transcript Highlights:

• up to 10 units is exempt from the review up to 10 units is exempt from the review process.<00:23
• I would suggest that if it takes review.
• , what we look at or to change the review, what we look at or to change the review, the<00:31:27.840
• <00:42:00.400> condominium attorney general to review condominium attorney general to review
• <01:20:16.239> them and the parillegals that review them and the parillegals that review them

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Market Nutrition Program.
• Currently, right now, my program does work with 47 farmers' markets on the program.
• So the approved supplier program is a farmer capacity and market readiness program.
• So we have archeological review training, which is interesting to add into ag and water technology programs
• So the total program activity proposed. $10.3 million for this program.

Transcript Highlights:

• In contrast, the community facilities program is reviewed and recommended by the Wyoming Business Council
• CFP program.
• credit program.
• ...that particular program, the Partnership Challenge Loan Program?
• Uh, the state trade and export program is Uh, the state trade and export program is a program by the

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• It goes under review with one of our project and program managers to identify any errors in the applications
• It goes under review with one of our project and program managers to identify any errors in the applications
• It goes under review with one of our project and program managers to identify any errors in the applications
• . program. program.

Keywords: Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35 ----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program. The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping. Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes. The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about DHS program integrity.
• with the legislature around program with the legislature around program integrity<00:01:57.600><
• um program integrity increase program um program integrity and<00:08:27.520> make<00:08:27.759
• prevent fraud in those programs. prevent fraud in those programs.
• in the 14 we've seen across programs in the 14 high-risisk<00:21:37.440> programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll note that on a combined basis, the program... ...has a funded ratio of 100%.
• So both of those programs are right around 90% funded in 2024.
• OSA also plays a role in supporting these programs and even risk management.
• We have professional standards that require us to review...
• These programs and even risk management.

Summary: The committee approved the July minutes and then received an informational presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on the financial condition of the state retirement systems. The actuary reported that employer contribution rates are generally declining, helped by strong investment returns and reduced funding for PERS 1 and TERS 1, while funded ratios have continued to improve; on a combined basis the plans were reported at 100% funded in 2024, with open plans above 95% and legacy plans varying by system. The presentation also reviewed projected rates and funded ratios under current assumptions, noted that pension costs are taking a smaller share of the state general fund, and discussed risks from investment volatility, policy changes, and demographic experience. Committee members asked about savings from lower rates, deferred asset smoothing, and how Washington compares with other states. The committee then considered the state actuary’s recommendation on long-term economic assumptions and adopted all four recommendations by roll call votes: inflation at 3.0%, general salary growth at 3.5%, membership growth for Plan 1 funding at 1.0%, and investment rate of return at 7.25%. The actuaries explained that the inflation and salary growth increases were driven largely by higher long-term inflation expectations, while the investment return recommendation matched the current statutory assumption. Members discussed the timing of the Pension Funding Council’s decision, the effect of tariffs and inflation uncertainty, and how assumption changes would affect future contribution rates and budgets, particularly for open plans. Staff then gave an update on the LEOFF 1 study, explaining the difference between being “ahead of schedule” and truly overfunded, and summarizing responses received from DRS, the State Treasurer, and the State Investment Board on the merger and restatement proposals. DRS said both bills could be administered, though the merger bill’s COLA banking provision would be challenging until its new system is ready; the Treasurer urged caution, especially about the restatement bill and the use of one-time funds; and the Investment Board said removing assets from the trust would have some transaction costs but likely small impacts. The committee discussed whether to invite additional agencies and local government groups to testify, and staff said more responses, including from Ice Miller and the State Actuary, were expected for the October meeting. Finally, the committee heard a briefing on PERS 1/TERS 1 COLA policy and related bills from the last session. Staff reviewed the committee’s prior ongoing COLA recommendation, the SCPP-endorsed bills that would have created a one-time 3% COLA followed by an ongoing COLA, the Senate merger bill, and a separate ad hoc COLA bill. Public testimony largely supported Plan 1 COLAs and stable contribution rates, while several speakers urged caution about transferring LEOFF 1 surplus assets or merging legacy plans, and others raised concerns about climate risk and the pension fund’s investments. No further committee action was taken on the COLA item during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.880> the you're interested in reviewing the you're interested in reviewing the written<00:
• That I reviewed them, so I testimony.
• It is intended to objectively review the hospice industry.
• <00:09:06.000> on full-time medical residency program on full-time medical residency program
• And we think rural health transformation dollars will fund this kind of a program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on April 17, 2026, and heard testimony on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 18 would request the Department of Health to convene a hospice working group; the Department testified in opposition, saying its enforcement role created a conflict of interest and that the work exceeded its compliance-focused scope. The measure’s introducer proposed amendments to have a legislator, rather than DOH, chair the group and to remove a date restriction on hospices. The committee later recommended HCR 18 be passed with amendments. HCR 32 sought a plan to increase access to the Hawaii State Hospital for certain mentally ill criminal defendants. The Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration and the governor’s office indicated support or willingness to work on the issue, while the ACLU provided comments and OHA supported the measure. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HCR 35, on an audit of the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, drew broad support from medical, patient advocacy, and professional organizations, and a surgical oncologist testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of biomarker testing for cancer treatment. The committee recommended passage as is. HCR 105 asked the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile recommended safe patient staffing ratios and maintain a repository; the Center said it had already begun the work and was happy to continue, and the committee adopted an amendment changing the focus from “ratios” to “strategies and ratios” before recommending passage. HCR 173 urged Maui Health to work with stakeholders to establish a full-time medical residency program on Maui; testimony supported the idea as a way to formalize and expand an existing informal program and improve local health care access, including maternity care. The committee recommended HCR 173 pass with technical amendments. All recommendations were adopted without objection, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the program.
• to serve the program.
• Utah's school choice program is not the biggest program.
• Utah's school choice program is not the biggest program.
• Indiana has an ESA program, Florida, of course, has a program, Arizona's ESA program started with that

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These efforts include the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, a program primarily focused on home
• the programs for the first level?
• the pilot program, but I... ...program in terms of the funding for the pilot program, but I question
• This program is working.
• And so I go to: to what end do we keep doing this program and expanding this program?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on home hardening and defensible space as wildfire mitigation tools, with members and witnesses emphasizing that California’s wildfire losses, insurance costs, and affordability pressures require a broader strategy than the status quo. The chair framed the issue as a tipping point for the state and asked witnesses to discuss how to scale mitigation, improve coordination, and make programs more effective and sustainable. Early testimony from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety explained how embers, flames, structure density, and combustible materials drive community conflagrations, and described the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standards, including a base “Prepared” level and an enhanced level. IBHS said California is ahead of other states but still needs standardized, verified mitigation, and noted research suggesting home hardening can reduce losses and improve insurability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office highlighted key policy questions for lawmakers, including the state’s role, intergovernmental coordination, cost-effectiveness, program design, long-term sustainability, and barriers to implementation. Members pressed for practical, lower-cost approaches, and witnesses repeatedly stressed that the first five feet around a home is critical, that many mitigation steps are DIY or relatively low-cost, and that financing will be necessary because many homeowners cannot afford full retrofits. Megafire Action argued that home hardening is a market adoption challenge, not something the state can fully pay for, and recommended a blended model of education, low-interest loans, smaller grants, and insurance discounts to drive mass adoption. Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council and Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority described local programs using assessments, neighborhood-based Firewise efforts, grants, and resident participation, while also calling for better marketing, clearer standards, workforce development, and stronger links between mitigation and insurance benefits. In the later panels, Cal Fire and the State Fire Marshal described the state’s layered approach: parcel-level hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation. Cal Fire said its defensible space inspection program needs ongoing funding and staffing to remain permanent, and the LAO said the proposal has merit but could be modified depending on budget conditions and alternative funding sources. Cal Fire also described a forthcoming defensible space financial assistance program focused on Zone Zero and vulnerable communities, estimating about $8,000 per home and roughly 3,125 homes served with the proposed funding. The State Fire Marshal clarified that local Zone Zero ordinances cannot be less restrictive than state minimum standards, though local governments have flexibility above that floor. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses returned to the need for a coordinated statewide marketing campaign, consistent standards, targeted incentives, and sustained funding to move from pilot efforts to mass adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial review.
• by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial review.
• by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial review.
• by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial review.
• <00:22:04.960> to community resilience pilot program to community resilience pilot program

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up several measures, beginning with House Bill 2413 on pre-trial reform, which had been deferred from a prior agenda. The chair said the committee would incorporate judiciary recommendations and other technical, non-substantive amendments to continue discussion, and the measure was adopted with amendments by a 2-1 vote, with one member excused. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2062, which appropriates funds for gun violence prevention efforts, including processing temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders and funding public awareness campaigns. Supporters, including county, advocacy, law enforcement, and student witnesses, said the bill would improve implementation of an existing law, save lives, and reduce suicides and violence. Opponents argued red flag laws can be abused, raise due process concerns, and may create dangerous enforcement situations. Written testimony was reported as 60 in support, 47 in opposition, and one comment. The committee later passed HB 2062 with amendments, including a corrected effective date, by a 3-1 vote with one member excused. The committee also considered House Bill 1957 on safe entryways, which would establish enforcement procedures in larger cities to prevent blocking of private doorways and entrances. Written testimony included support and opposition, but no oral testimony was offered, and the bill was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. House Bill 253 on fireworks, which expands civil asset forfeiture for felony fireworks offenses and clarifies air-delivery provisions, was also passed with an amended effective date. House Bill 2581 on emergency management, which would narrow the definitions of disasters and emergencies, drew testimony both supporting the bill as a check on emergency powers and opposing it as incomplete or too broad in its current form; decision-making on that measure was deferred to the committee’s March 23 meeting. House Bill 2498 on a care home resilience pilot program was also deferred to March 23 after no testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I had a account program.
• Um and then the other part the program.
• So we we the students in the program.
• agency's program. agency's program.
• Comments generally fit into six areas: program knowledge, understanding what the program has done; results

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• members spent individually reviewing members spent individually reviewing those<00:12:57.560>
• <00:13:23.839> to external scientific peer review to external scientific peer review to ensure
• community grant program. community grant program.
• , under the program, under the program, uh<00:30:04.560> requiring<00:30:05.240> in-person
• , to the status of the program, to the status of the program, the<00:32:18.760> DNR<00:32:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's administrative cost, possibly, that could go along with this program.
• Review Act.
• Review Act.
• Review Act.
• Review Act.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Target underserved markets and programs Target underserved markets and programs to<00:10:35.560>
• But we do have a full review of how the loans are being used.
• But we do have a full review of how the loans are being used.
• But we do have a full review of how the loans are being used.
• But we do have a full review of how the loans are being used.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who have come through our program.
• So there is a lack of programming.
• And the review board, this review board that reviews your actions, this board existed before. for the
• And so the review.
• programs. programming.

Bills: HB31, HB3360

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Property and Casualty Product Review and Financial Oversight Division.
• I know my constituents really want, love this program, and want to use this program.
• Just a couple highlights of the program.
• Yes, Senator, that is a big reason for the slowing of the program. on that.
• Just a couple highlights of the program.

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call. The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms. The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trail Stewardship Program Fund.
• medical assistance program funds.
• medical assistance programs. to comply with standards relating to the audit and review of medical assistance
• program funds.
• There are billions of dollars every year in this Medicaid program.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee, chaired for the day by Senator John Liu, took up a long agenda of bills covering labor and benefits, corrections, health, taxation, government transparency, and public services. Early measures included increasing short-term disability benefits, adjusting a poverty-level-related earned income disregard, expanding correctional health staffing review, and authorizing the Inspector General to investigate sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities; each of these advanced to the floor. The committee also advanced bills on ovarian cancer screening access, retirement system membership changes, a trail stewardship program, live agency representative access, FOIL/open meetings fee awards, a Harriman campus development plan, court data reporting, educator conventions, park water testing, an energy storage tax abatement, a Native American Affairs office, adult changing tables in public facilities, Medicaid Inspector General audit standards, remote training certification for agency personnel, newborn Gaucher disease testing, electronic self-exclusion requests for gambling, and child daycare inspections and opioid antagonist requirements. Several bills drew discussion. The prescription drug transparency bill (Print 488A) prompted questions about possible overlap with federal Hatch-Waxman/FTC oversight and whether a New York notice requirement could slow generic-drug settlements; sponsors and staff said it was intended as a supplemental transparency measure for consumers. The court reporting bill (Print 1849A) raised concerns about mandates on local governments, but supporters said it mainly required OCA to compile data in one format. The Medicaid local-share phaseout bill (Print 5519) generated the most debate, with supporters arguing it would provide major property tax relief and should be addressed in the budget, while opponents emphasized the need to curb Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse first. Two major fiscal oversight proposals were defeated. Print 8661, which would have required the Comptroller to hire an independent private auditing firm to review state-funded programs for fraud and abuse, was opposed despite support from some members who argued outside auditing was overdue; it failed by one vote. Print 5519 was also ultimately defeated after a recount confirmed it lacked the required majority of the full 22-member committee. Most other bills were approved and sent either to the floor or, in the case of the drug transparency bill, to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Orana NASA government relations program Orana NASA government relations program specialist<00:13
• We are willing to run the program.
• we are willing to run the the program we are willing to run the program<00:26:33.440> uh<00:26
• dozen units so all of our other programs dozen units so all of our other programs are<00:47:25.400
• of the programs and the circumstances of the programs and the projects<01:10:54.600> that<01:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• which system they enter this program which system they enter this program will<00:07:20.160>
• <00:21:05.440> County mobile crisis programs County mobile crisis programs County Correctional
• <00:21:09.520> existing injectable pilot programs existing injectable pilot programs existing
• the priority admissions review the priority admissions review panel<00:25:45.960> my<00:25
• strengthen our newborn screening program strengthen our newborn screening program through<00:56:

Keywords: 1183, house