Transcript Highlights:

• to them, and it's not fair to the students that they not have some training before they are put in those
• You know, the more people in the hallways, the more administrators in those classrooms popping in, talking
• And I don't want To be in this building in 7 or 8 years and then suddenly be in a numeracy crisis.
• that I have in my district that was back in my district.
• And so this is one of the things that we try to mitigate with this particular bill in affording people

Bills: SB1726, SB1236, SB1633, SB1413, SB1317, SB1360, SB1342, SB1477, SB1189, SB1546, SB1524, SB1338, SB1193, SB1812, SB1617

Keywords: higher education, graduate instructors, training program, academic integrity, First Amendment rights, administrative reporting, education, consolidation, board, public schools, resident tuition, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, state scholarships, financial aid, immigration status, undocumented students, noncitizen students, lawfully present, postsecondary education benefits, college tuition

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, would it be fair to say that really the work that's done is descriptive in that it just, well, that's
• Um, would it be fair to say that really the work that's done is descriptive in that it just, well, that's
• It's in it's in practice. It passed. It's in it's in practice.
• Therefore, plug-in month in savings.
• </c> come to reside uh in in the UL uh books. come to reside uh in in the UL uh books.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Any lads when I was in high school in Rhode Island, yeah, I lived in
• </c><00:57:11.720><c> the</c> not just in here but elsewhere in the not just in here but elsewhere in
• six</c> working in this industry in six working in this industry in six companies<01:35:57.960><c> over
• students. state students in in our state what was state students in in our state what was that<01:39
• > ways</c> the state uh in in more efficient ways the state uh in in more efficient ways again<02:09:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning. The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint. Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> those in mind with those conditions in those in mind with those conditions in mind<00:26:54.840>
• <00:42:31.520><c> in</c> in in in in 2024<00:42:33.200><c> of</c><00:42:33.480><c> the</c><00:42:33.839
• </c> state as a whole now uh you have um in state as a whole now uh you have um in in<01:11:35.920><c
• </c> more active role in housing uh in the more active role in housing uh in the last<01:24:31.960><c
• in the government not helpful in in the government situation<01:31:58.960><c> we</c><01:31:59.080><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The buyout program is the hazard mitigation dollars that are typically used in those programs or other
• In February, we brought in three from other states, and in April we brought in two.
• ,</c> larger rivers in the in the state, larger rivers in the in the state, right?
• </c><01:04:19.200><c> in</c> our uh drainage infrastructure in in our uh drainage infrastructure in in
• and see these mitigation techniques put in<01:13:50.320><c> place</c><01:13:50.719><c> but</c><01:13

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The first meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force focused on the task force’s mission and on recent Kentucky flooding disasters. The co-chairs described the need to better prepare for increasingly frequent and costly natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and ice storms, and emphasized coordination among local, state, federal, and interstate partners. The discussion also stressed the importance of budgeting for mitigation, infrastructure resilience, housing, insurance, and recovery planning, with several members sharing personal experiences with disaster impacts in their districts. Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave the main presentation, responding to questions about the February and April flooding events. He said the February event affected the entire state, with 11,825 individuals registering for assistance and 1,194 public-assistance projects written so far; he also reported 134 households still sheltered, 190 households moved to permanent housing, and three disaster recovery centers still open after a regional consolidation. For the April event, he said 37 counties had individual assistance, 83 counties were still pending public assistance, and no hazard mitigation had yet been declared; 5,893 people had registered for individual assistance, and 144 households were sheltered, with 83 families already moved to permanent solutions. He noted that counties without public assistance would have to cover expenses locally unless state or federal aid is approved. Gibson also outlined Kentucky Emergency Management’s tools and resources, including a 24/7 state operations center and warning point, embedded National Weather Service meteorologists, five regional warehouses stocked with water, MREs, blankets, and kits, a statewide web-based damage reporting system, laundry trailers, generators, a disaster needs hotline that has received 6,972 calls, and a mutual aid system used to deploy resources such as water tankers. He highlighted ongoing work on urban search and rescue, qualification systems for emergency operations personnel, and aerial documentation of storm damage. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• run in and funded in programs are being run in and funded in in<00:43:10.000><c> many</c><00:43:10.240
• </c> brought in. brought in.
• </c> ways in 2008 and they reunited in 2024. ways in 2008 and they reunited in 2024.
• </c> from a retail store in in New Hampshire? from a retail store in in New Hampshire?
• </c> be in concern to everyone in this room. be in concern to everyone in this room.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021...
• It is recorded in the public records in the county.
• That has happened in the past in Medicaid.
• Is it fair to say it's in the $90 billion range somewhere in there?
• Um, clients in the SSLC, some of them even placed by courts in, in those.

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• have not decided to participate in a mitigation plan.
• of water rights that had never previously participated in this matter, who we had hoped would have mitigation
• period to get their mitigation plans in place.
• Now, I decided not... ...in period to get their mitigation plans in place.
• We have a grant program in place that pays 50% of the project costs to go in and put in the infrastructure

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee met to consider several RS drafts and receive agency updates. The committee introduced RS 33151, described as a federalism bill intended to clarify state and federal roles in Idaho code; RS 33217, which would clarify distribution of the big game depredation fund so remaining money is paid pro rata to farmers and ranchers; RS 33284, proposing hunting as Idaho’s state sport; and RS 33287 C1, a revised version of a prior bill related to notice language and fish and game issues. RS 313185 was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee also approved pending rule docket 24-3501-2501 for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. The committee then heard an extensive update from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Officials said the division now oversees more than 259,000 licenses across 44 boards and three safety programs, has consolidated offices and systems to improve efficiency, and is moving toward two-year renewals and more function-based organization. They also outlined upcoming executive legislation on controlled substances, board consolidations, and unified disciplinary procedures, and reported on fee reductions, zero-based rulemaking, and board cash-balance corrections under prior legislation. The Department of Water Resources and the Idaho Water Resource Board provided lengthy presentations on budget holdbacks, water administration, groundwater conditions, recharge, cloud seeding, the Bear River Compact, and a proposed merger with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Director Weaver described budget reductions, staffing challenges, delivery-call enforcement on the Eastern Snake Plain, expansion of groundwater administration into tributary basins, and new monitoring and modeling work in the Treasure Valley. Chairman Raybould reviewed state water funding, recharge and canal-efficiency projects, cloud seeding, and the ESPA sustainability program, including grants for groundwater-to-surface-water conversion and telemetry. The committee asked questions about aquifer management, canal lining and recharge, Bear River depletion rights, and conversion projects. The meeting ended with approval of the February 3 minutes and notice that another RS would likely be taken up at the final meeting later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting mitigation requirements under delivery calls. ...supporting groundwater users in meeting mitigation
• to participate in a mitigation plan.
• of water rights that had never previously participated in this matter, who we had hoped would have mitigation
• period to get their mitigation plans in place.
• We have a grant program in place that pays 50% of the project costs to go in and put in the infrastructure

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee met to introduce several RS drafts and hear agency updates. The committee introduced RS 33151, a bill Representative Boyle described as a federalism measure intended to clarify in state code that state and federal governments should stay within their constitutional lanes. It also introduced RS 33217, dealing with the big game depredation fund; Representative Schurz said it would clarify that remaining fund balances above the legislature’s 10% cap should still be paid out pro rata to farmers and ranchers for elk-related crop damage. RS 33284 was introduced as a proposal to designate hunting as Idaho’s state sport, based on a Twin Falls fourth grader’s research. RS 33287 C1, a revised version of a prior bill, was also introduced after Representative Pickett explained an editing correction and said the bill reflected changes requested by Fish and Game and committee members. RS 313185 was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee later approved the February 3 minutes. The committee then approved Rule Docket 24-3501-2501 for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board after John Price said the board completed a full chapter review, held multiple public meetings and a hearing, and incorporated input from agencies and industry groups. Ryan Bernard of DOPL gave a broad update on the division’s consolidation efforts, licensing workload, same-day licensure goals, board mergers, fee reductions, disciplinary procedure standardization, and code cleanup work. He said DOPL oversees more than 259,000 licenses across 44 boards and three safety programs, and highlighted ongoing efforts to align board cash balances with statutory requirements. Director Matt Weaver and Water Resource Board Chairman Jeff Raybould provided extensive water-related updates. Weaver reviewed IDWR’s budget holdbacks, the new water administration bureau, groundwater management in the Eastern Snake Plain and tributary basins, delivery call enforcement, Treasure Valley groundwater conditions, and the ongoing evaluation of merging the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into IDWR. Raybould discussed amendments to the State Water Plan raising the recharge target to 350,000 acre-feet, major funding for water infrastructure, recharge and cloud seeding programs, canal efficiency and groundwater-to-surface-water conversion grants, and the Bear River Compact. Members asked about aquifer management, canal lining and recharge impacts, Bear River depletion estimates, and the costs and timelines of projects such as Anderson Ranch and recharge infrastructure. The meeting also included an invitation for committee members to tour the Veolia water treatment plant on February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> put in. put in.
• In addition, there are opportunities in looking at building sites for flood mitigation that can assist
• Are we mitigating the right risks in the right place for the right reasons?
• Are we mitigating the right risks<01:12:30.080><c> in</c><01:12:30.240><c> the</c><01:12:30.360><c> right
• in in the future infrastructure thrives in in the future weather<01:32:05.480><c> trends.

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• These are definitely common in these areas in urban environments.
• And growing up in the shrub-step all my life and farming in that area, and then being in the Tri-City
• resulted in the largest municipal bond default in U.S. history, $2.25 billion in 1983, according to
• Their fusion is nowhere... ...feasible in any time in the future.
• Their fusion is nowhere feasible in any time in the future.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several local government bills. HB 2006 would extend the deadline for certain rural counties that collect a sales and use tax for economic development to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. Supporters, including the sponsor and Kittitas County representatives, said the bill would help counties identify industrial land for job growth and economic development; Futurewise opposed it, citing concerns about large industrial land banks and impacts to agricultural lands. HB 2244 would let a city that forms a fire protection district after July 1, 2026, keep its levy rate without reducing it by the district’s levy, and would also allow online notice and interlocal contracting for fire services. City and fire officials supported it as a practical tool to fund fire service, while one witness opposed the broader trend of appointed taxing authorities. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2316, which would limit shrub-step vegetation inside urban growth areas from being treated as wildlife habitat, critical area, or conservation area, and would bar related mitigation or replacement requirements. Tri-Cities officials, builders, housing advocates, and the sponsor argued the bill would reduce delays and costs for housing and development on already designated urban land, while conservation groups, tribal representatives, and some individuals opposed it as a broad rollback of habitat protections and a harmful precedent for ecosystems and wildlife. No vote was taken on the bills during the hearing. HB 2103 would expand public utility contracting authority so cities, utilities, and joint operating agencies could enter “capability” contracts for renewable or non-emitting generation projects, including nuclear, renewable hydrogen, and fusion, and repeal certain price-limit restrictions. Supporters said it would align older contracting law with the Clean Energy Transformation Act and help utilities plan for future power needs; opponents warned it would shift risk to ratepayers and revive concerns tied to the WPPSS nuclear debacle. The committee also heard HB 2388, which would classify pivot-corner solar and agrovoltaic facilities on agricultural land as distributed energy resources and accessory uses; the sponsor and supporters said it would help meet energy needs without harming productive farmland, while Futurewise asked for clarification to avoid unintended loss of agricultural land. The hearing then returned to HB 2103 for additional testimony, with the same basic split between utility and clean-energy supporters and ratepayer or anti-nuclear opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fees so that's in the that's in that fees so that's in the that's in that section<00:56:02.440><
• to</c> states uh fall in in in comparison to states uh fall in in in comparison to New<01:57:38.360>
• So there is some evidence that in states where they have one fair wage, those kinds of restaurants are
• So there is some evidence that in states where they have one fair wage, those kinds of restaurants are
• We bring faith communities, we bring people that are interested in economic justice and also fairness

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in Chelmsford, but also in Waltham and in several other communities, this becomes an absolutely key
• This bill will mitigate these harms in two ways, regulating addictive feeds, as they're called in the
• In the past two years, WCCA TV in Worcester has lost $287,000 in cable revenue.
• This week in our community, in light of the tragedy in Texas and that we're in hurricane season, we've
• It could have been in consulate, it could have been in so many, but it ended up in the good one.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in favor say I. in favor say I.
• 01:59:13.520><c> has</c> electricity in in a in a way that has electricity in in a in a way that has
• in.
• </c> in committee. in committee.
• </c><04:40:11.240><c> in</c> at least in in my former state in at least in in my former state in Michigan

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:54.000><c> in</c> technology is gamechanging and in in technology is gamechanging and in in
• c> come in in my house when I thing com in come in in my house when I thing com in in<00:35:49.400><c
• to support the Hawaii Ant Lab and mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the state.
• They live in Puna, they're in Ocean View, they're in Tongon, or they're in Kikia, or I'm in some backwater
• in in Tacoma in they do the same thing in in Tacoma in Seattle<01:43:11.760><c> so</c><01:43:12.159>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing began on SP 547, which would create incentives for graywater recycling systems and atmospheric water generators through an income tax credit, a Department of Health rebate program, and building code standards. The Department of Health and Department of Taxation offered written comments; Taxation said it had seven proposed amendments to improve administration. Testimony was largely supportive, with advocates and local users describing water-supply benefits, emergency use during the Maui fires, and potential help for drought conditions and Red Hill concerns. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii suggested only the rebate program should move forward for clearer cost transparency, and the Department of Health said it needed more time to study the bill. Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether combining a tax credit and rebate was typical, but staff did not have cost estimates. Decision-making on SP 547 was deferred to February 12, 2025. The committee then took up SP 242 on foreign ownership of agricultural lands. The chair recommended passage with amendments, including deleting a reference to the Attorney General in one section and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. Supporters argued the bill was a first step to limit foreign ownership of farmland, citing other states with similar restrictions, while several members said they supported the intent but had reservations about possible unintended harm to farmers and agriculture investment. After discussion, the measure passed with amendments on a 5-0 vote, with some members voting with reservations. The committee also discussed SP 1633, which would create a green building tax credit for structures using at least 30% Hawaii-grown hemp material. The chair said the bill was close but needed more work, and decision-making was deferred to February 12, 2025. Later, the committee heard several environmental measures: SB 683, which would ban intentionally added PFAS in certain products starting in 2028; SB 1109, which would replace the “finding of no significant impact” with a “finding of completion of environmental disclosure process”; SB 391, which would expand recycling requirements to certain lithium-ion batteries; and SB 12, which would classify neonic pesticides as restricted-use pesticides and limit certain seed treatments. Testimony on these bills included support from environmental and advocacy groups, comments from state agencies, and requests for amendments or further study, but no final votes were taken on those measures in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• local agency's safety element in its general plan or hazard mitigation plan are eligible for impact
• When a parkland or recreation facility is identified in a safety element or hazard mitigation plan to
• Some cities charge $40,000, $50,000, or $60,000 per unit for their park mitigation impact fee, and in
• those facilities are clearly identified as emergency infrastructure in a local hazard mitigation plan
• All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed visiting students from De La Salle High School and a guest for Assembly Member Kalra, and then moved through a lengthy concurrence and third-reading agenda. Early actions included concurrence on ACR 21 honoring fallen Galt Police Officer Herminda Grewal, followed by a series of mostly noncontroversial bills on utilities, reclamation districts, housing, wildfire relief, mobile homes, environmental quality, health care coverage, and local government. Several measures were presented as technical, clarifying, or urgency bills, and many passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; notable items included AB 238 (wildfire mortgage forbearance), AB 571 (Southern California Veterans Cemetery permitting/CEQA exemption), AB 574 (health care coverage), AB 696 (lithium-ion battery safety advisory group), AB 1150 (airport car rental facility maintenance), AB 1154 (ADU parking standards), and SB 499 (impact fee deferrals for emergency-related parkland and utility infrastructure). SB 499 drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing disaster resilience and dual-use parkland and an opponent arguing it would worsen housing-related fee burdens; it ultimately passed after a call was lifted. The chamber also adopted SJR 4 urging restoration of NIH funding, and passed SB 230 expanding workers’ compensation presumptions to additional firefighters, SB 92 tightening density bonus law to curb loopholes, SB 782 creating disaster relief financing districts, SB 40 capping insulin copays at $35 and limiting step therapy, SB 362 strengthening small-business financing disclosures, SB 513 requiring workers access to training records, SB 489 requiring public agencies involved in housing approvals to post requirements online, SB 31 promoting recycled water use, SB 551 introducing normalization and dynamic security concepts in corrections, SB 639 extending flood-protection deadlines for Sacramento/Yuba projects, SB 653 defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management, AB 652 on air pollution, and SB 221 updating stalking law to include threats to pets. Several bills received recorded opposition or split votes, including SB 551, SB 439, SB 782, and SB 499, but most measures passed comfortably. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments on AB 516 and AB 1523, and later lifted the call on SB 499 to complete passage. The session included an adjournment in memory of Rick Bryson of Long Beach, with Assembly Member Lowenthal highlighting Bryson’s athletic, business, and civic contributions. The day ended with reminders to secure floor managers for pending bills, a notice of the next day’s 10 a.m. floor session, and adjournment until Thursday, September 4th.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the background. in the background.
• </c> to testify in person? to testify in person?
• Uh, Greg by Aloha Baker in opposition, in person.
• </c> uh in opposition in person. uh in opposition in person.
• ,</c><00:19:27.280><c> my</c> in the building that I live in, my in the building that I live in, my condominium

Bills: SCR120, SCR71, SCR164, SCR41

Keywords: rangelands, pastoralists, pastoralism, ranching, ranchers, paniolo, livestock, grazing, grasslands, land management, conservation, sustainable agriculture, agriculture, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, Hawaii counties, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

Transcript Highlights:

• When hundreds of providers are resorting to the state fair hearing system just to get paid or stay in
• When hundreds of providers are resorting to the state fair hearing system just to get paid or stay in
• The fee-for-service claim disputes were 66 in 2023, 87 in 2024, and 338 in 2025.
• Provider appeals were 332 in 2023, 219 in 2024, and 577 in 2025.
• Provider appeals were 332 in 2023, 219 in 2024, and 577 in 2025.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> carbon in the in the atmosphere carbon in the in the atmosphere everybody<00:14:17.440><c> would
• </c> Koto in support Teresa Thompson in Koto in support Teresa Thompson in support<00:30:21.120><c> Paul
• </c> Management uh in total we have 36 in Management uh in total we have 36 in support<00:41:39.200><
• They've enjoyed the benefit for a while, and in the name of fairness and equity, I'm saying that everyone
• They've enjoyed the benefit for a while, and in the name of fairness and equity, I'm saying that everyone

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's really some different perspectives in how to determine what might be considered fair share
• advancing efforts to barriers, engage in advancing efforts to mitigate<00:21:22.320><c> climate</c><
• </c><01:15:51.600><c> in</c><01:15:51.920><c> taxation</c> discussion about fairness in taxation discussion
• about fairness in taxation kind<01:15:52.960><c> of</c><01:15:53.120><c> and</c><01:15:53.360><c> how
• uh in in of the roadway system works in uh in in of the roadway system works in<01:33:52.800><c> in<

Keywords: 1183, house