Transcript Highlights:

• Comerford, has been to resolutions with the clerk will read. By Ms. Comerford, res... Ms.
• Comerford has been to resolutions with the clerk will read. By Ms.
• Comerford, resolutions recognizing Russell Russ Carrier's 44 years of service to the Forbes Library.
• The question comes on the adoption of the resolutions. I'm going to say aye. Opposed?
• The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one resolution up on the agenda this afternoon: HCR 205, urging the County of Maui and the United
• States Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of
• The recommendation is to pass this resolution with amendments, making a technical fix adding that we
• pass</c><00:01:47.360><c> this</c> recommendation is to pass this recommendation is to pass this resolution
• with amendments uh making a resolution with amendments uh making a technical<00:01:50.560><c> fix</c

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation, Culture and the Arts, Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Intergovernmental Affairs met on HCR 205, a resolution urging Maui County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kulani Hakoy Bridge. Written testimony in support was submitted by Holly Crawford, Maddox Suchia, and Joe Ritter, and no one appeared to testify orally. After a brief recess to wait for quorum, the committees reconvened and discussed a technical amendment. The amendment would add language directing that a certified copy of the measure be sent to the director of the Maui County Department of Public Works, to align with the county’s jurisdiction over roads and transportation infrastructure. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee voted to pass HCR 205 with amendments, with members voting aye and the measure adopted. The Energy and Environmental Affairs / Intergovernmental Affairs committee then took up the same recommendation and also voted to pass the resolution with amendments, with the recommendation adopted. The committees then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we have resolution funds for traditional state chartered banks.
• And so we have resolution funds for traditional state chartered banks.
• And so we bank resolution fund account.
• And so we have<00:42:06.319><c> resolution</c><00:42:06.880><c> funds</c><00:42:07.599><c> for</c><00
• :42:07.920><c> traditional</c> have resolution funds for traditional have resolution funds for traditional

Bills: SF0021 , SF0022 , SF0054 , SF0055

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for is you know requesting that um funds for is you know requesting that um funds be<00:17:46.000
• </c><01:04:52.200><c> SP</c> interest in con continued resolution SP interest in con continued resolution
• We do provide grants and funds for those, so if it's not authorized, we're not able to fund it.
• </c> be paid into the harbor special fund be paid into the harbor special fund first<02:56:21.960><c>
• If not, Vice Chair, for the vote, please. ...resolution language for a resolution to be introduced for

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:33.280><c> have</c> determines the sufficient funds have determines the sufficient funds have
• Um, however, if the tax would otherwise expire and then uh uh resolution and so forth um for uh resolution
• c><00:44:38.000><c> for</c><00:44:39.080><c> the</c> funds have been collected for the funds have been
• ,</c><00:57:00.880><c> and</c> Senator Nelson, city resolution, and Senator Nelson, city resolution,
• </c><01:06:43.280><c> Um,</c> resolution or the county. Um, resolution or the county.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds currently, whenever a future damage award is awarded...
• This simply ensures that the funds are being used for their intent.
• Is it all funded at one time? Yes. Yes. Okay. Is the account interest-bearing?
• it would be the contact point, and then the funds would revert back to the person that funded it, that
• Where it says that the funds will revert to the judgment debtor.

Bills: HB79 , HB437 , HB646 , HB1089 , HB1099 , SB173 , SB180 , SB260 , SB424 , SB476

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award, treating physician, medical expert, forensic expert, civil court, criminal court exception

Transcript Highlights:

• House Joint Resolution Five is a non-binding resolution by the legislature, a type of thing we issue
• </c> consideration is House Joint Resolution consideration is House Joint Resolution Number<00:40:02.640
• c> resolution</c><00:40:26.079><c> by</c><00:40:26.320><c> the</c> is a non-binding resolution by the
• Is there any discussion on this resolution? This is a roll call vote on House Resolution 66.
• This bill brings funded libraries.

Bills: HB0066 , HJ0005 , HB0010

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> resolution honoring Mary Murphy. resolution honoring Mary Murphy.
• We have named a landfill fund for you." She goes, "A landfill fund?" And, uh, she chuckled.
• </c> over that landfill fund. over that landfill fund.
• </c> funds. Sometimes it all gets spent. funds. Sometimes it all gets spent.
• Motions and resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't have the funding for it, counties don't have the funding for it, the services will get cut
• It also is important to note that BUPS funding was already reduced by $3 million General Fund in 2024
• We should be talking about getting more funding for IHSS and not cutting funds and resources.
• So if we lose federal funds for any of these services, we'll have to absorb it with General Fund.
• Some of the committees were passionate about the projects they had funded with their funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems that are in place in terms of amounts of funds and lack of disclosure and sources.
• systems that are in place in terms of amounts of funds and lack of disclosure and sources.
• The nature of the funding systems that are in place in terms of amounts of funds and lack of disclosure
• It's, as I said, a resolution to Congress.
• As said, it is a resolution to Congress.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• And this would severely impact our state highway fund as well as our highway user revenue fund.
• Vice Chair, move Senate Concurrent Resolution 1001?” “I move SCR 1001.”
• And one is we could fund election security and cybersecurity for election integrity.
• And one is we could fund election security and cybersecurity for election integrity.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 1002. Senate Concurrent Resolution 1002.

Bills: SB1015 , SB1049 , SB1066 , SB1081 , SB1092 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1139 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1168 , SB1189 , SCR1001 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1010

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: gender transition, detransition, healthcare liability, medical malpractice, youth protection, legal action, Arizona law, spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, child safety, dependency cases, attorney regulation, foster care, legal representation, probation, dangerous crimes, children

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unlawfully impounded funds. unlawfully impounded funds.
• This is funding, Mr.
• This is funding, Mr.
• This is funding, Mr.
• This is funding, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:54:52.240><c> for</c> to fundraise and expend funds for to fundraise and expend funds for funeral
• transportation budget last year, and that's where we intend to fund it again this year.
• </c><01:00:59.559><c> out</c><01:00:59.680><c> of</c><01:00:59.839><c> the</c> that was funded out of
• Number 1, a House concurrent resolution relating to the Regent nomination joint committee.
• number one a house concurrent resolution number one a house concurrent resolution<01:02:18.599><c> relating

Transcript Highlights:

• We will take up file number one, House Resolution 14, Aguiar-Curry. The clerk will read.
• House Resolution 14 by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry relative to Women's History Month.
• It's one of those no-brainer resolutions.
• The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted. Thank you. Adopted.
• She has expanded services through successful funding initiatives and established demand.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then dispensed with the reading of the prior journal and handled routine motions, including re-referring AB 432 and AB 564 to committees. The main item of business was House Resolution 14, proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from the LGBTQ, Native American, Asian American Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, Jewish, and other caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing women’s historical contributions, ongoing inequities, and the importance of representation and parity in public life. Assemblymember DeMaio also supported the resolution while urging attention to girls’ sports. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 78 coauthors were added. The chamber then held its annual California Women of the Year ceremony, with Aguiar-Curry and other members recognizing honorees from across Assembly districts for leadership in education, health care, public service, advocacy, business, and community work. The lengthy roll call highlighted a broad range of women’s accomplishments and community impact. Guest introductions followed, including Sacramento District Attorney Tien Ho, VSP Vision Care executives celebrating the company’s 70th anniversary, and EMTs and ambulance support staff being honored by the California Ambulance Association. The Assembly also took up the second-day consent calendar, which was adopted 71-0. Assemblymember Schultz then delivered an adjournment in memory of Barbara Beckley, founding member and artistic director emerita of the Colony Theatre Company, praising her contributions to Los Angeles theater and the arts. The House then adjourned until Thursday, March 13 at 9 a.m., with a Revenue and Taxation Committee hearing scheduled upon adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• or county board of commissioners to adopt by resolution how the tourism tax money is spent?
• by resolution how the tourism tax money is spent.
• the counties to designate these funds by city, or is this county-wide?
• state and federal funds, or state or federal funds that are deemed by the Legislature to be in the public
• needs that, you know, our governments can't always afford to fund on themselves.

Summary: The State Affairs Committee met with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first considered HJR 1215, an ad valorem tax exemption for farmers and agricultural lands. The committee adopted an amendment making technical changes and removing a requirement that implementing language be set by general law. Several agricultural and business groups supported the measure, and it was reported favorably by a vote of 22-4. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1169, a bill revising water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and business practices, including restrictions on lobbyist expenditures and additional budget disclosures. An amendment removing the statutory section on management review teams was adopted after debate over whether those teams were still useful. The bill was reported favorably 19-8-7. Members then debated PCS for CS for HB 1221, which would redirect local option tourist development tax revenues toward property tax relief and give counties more control over certain local taxes. County, tourism, beach preservation, and hospitality groups opposed the bill, warning it would weaken tourism marketing, beach renourishment, and local services, while supporters argued it would provide property tax relief and accountability. The bill passed 14-12. Finally, the committee considered HB 4079, which would dissolve the town of White Springs. The sponsor and supporters described years of mismanagement, intimidation, and illegal conduct, while opponents argued dissolution was an extreme step and pointed to the ongoing election and other remedies. After extensive public testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 19-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the General Fund structural deficit and the constraints of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, it
• Fund.
• funding source.”
• If we want to continue to fund it, we have a funding source. It’s called GGRF.
• Why are we funding this again?

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds for fiscal year 2024-25 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the motor carrier law.
• funds for fiscal year 2024-25 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the motor carrier law.
• It's a great resolution that we think would be good for everyone. Thank you.
• It's a great resolution that we think would be good for everyone. Thank you.
• </c><00:34:36.520><c> for</c> bill would be a great resolution for bill would be a great resolution for

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have fought for funding. You have fought for policy.
• You have fought for funding. You have fought for policy.
• , for resolutions.
• Both for promotion, for public funding, for resolutions, that's come up for any of those activities that
• What happens to grant funding, grant-funded positions, if the grant requires diversity reporting or inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• ending fund balance, which is also shown here, are $1.3 billion.
• It shows the two-year near-general fund and total budgeted impact and the four-year near-general fund
• In this case, the four-year near general fund impact is minus $237 million.
• fees account and your general fund in the higher-ed institutions.
• Total budgeted funds over the two-year period include... Rounded figures.

Summary: The conference committee on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998 received a detailed briefing from House and Senate budget coordinators on the operating budget conference report. They walked through comparison documents showing the Senate-passed budget, House-passed budget, and the conference proposal, including statewide totals, agency-level changes, revenue assumptions, transfers, and outlook impacts. The proposal uses the February 2026 ERFC forecast, includes an $880 million transfer from the Budget Stabilization Account to the general fund, and reflects various revenue-related bills and prior-period adjustment assumptions. The coordinators highlighted major spending and policy changes across several areas, including Working Families Tax Credit expansion, local government fiscal health funding, child care attendance policy changes, behavioral health facility and staffing adjustments, long-term care support for certain non-citizens affected by federal changes, health care and public health responses to H.R. 1, K-12 changes such as free school meals contingent on legislation, Running Start and transportation depreciation adjustments, higher education administrative reductions, corrections staffing and bed changes, and natural resources funding including wildfire response and low-income energy assistance. They said the conference report results in $80.2 billion in near general fund spending for 2025-27, with projected ending fund balances of $231 million in 2025-27 and $563 million in 2027-29, though fiscal year 2028 shows a negative near general fund ending balance. After the briefing, Senator Robinson moved to adopt the conference report and pass the bill, and the motion was seconded. Supporters said the budget reflected a compromise between House and Senate proposals and protected core services, while opponents criticized it as overly reliant on optimistic revenue assumptions, the rainy day fund transfer, and reductions in K-12 and other areas. The committee then voted 4-2 to recommend the conference report to the legislature, with Representatives Gregerson and Ormsby and Senators Robinson and Stanford in support, and Representative Couture and Senator Gildon opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate joint resolution 1 and 4 and 10. Senate joint resolution 1 and six. six. six.
• The motion is to proceed out of order for consideration of resolutions. A resolution.
• . resolutions. resolutions.
• </c> consideration of resolution. consideration of resolution.
• Consideration of resolutions. Mr. Consideration of resolutions. Mr.