Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats, and the Senate were getting stuck and instead of taking the bill away, we added uh our finance
• 04:22.880> our taking the bill away, we added uh our taking the bill away, we added uh our finance
• 24.000> So,<00:04:24.160> Zach<00:04:24.479> Stevenson,<00:04:24.960> Paul finance
• So, Zach Stevenson, Paul finance chairs.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Legislative leaders said budget negotiations were still underway in working groups, with public meetings planned or already held for several committees, including Environment, Education, Transportation, and Jobs. They said the remaining major issues were health and human services and taxes, while bonding was also still unresolved. One speaker said Republicans were not engaging on bonding, though another later said House Republicans were interested and that the target remained $700 million. The governor was expected to review completed bills and then call a special session, likely early to mid next week if the remaining work could be finished in time. A major point of discussion was whether coverage for undocumented immigrants would move separately from the larger health bill. One participant said the undocumented healthcare measure would travel separately, while another said that had not yet been fully decided because the health package was not locked down. The speakers also discussed layoff notices tied to the budget delay, saying nurses and some staff at MState and Minstate would receive notices first, with the rest following on June 9, and that leaders were trying to minimize stress by getting a date for the special session and final bill drafts posted quickly. The speakers emphasized that the negotiations were still active and not broken down, though they acknowledged a few sticking points and said some work had been slowed by the need to bring together House and Senate dynamics in a closely divided legislature. They said the process remained transparent because the same committee chairs and working groups were still involved, and that public meetings were being requested for Senate chairs. One speaker also noted that Senator Mark Johnson had been invited into the talks earlier but was not currently in the meetings because he had not signed the deal being implemented.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are largely financed by HRA levies.
• They are largely financed by HRA levies.
• But I think the work of this policy bill and the finance bill sure is important, and renews my commitment
• But I think the work of this policy bill and the finance bill sure is important, and renews my commitment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this amendment is going to address a new website through finance.
• He's going to clarify the website through finance where they're going to advertise these bids.
• from the law institute, ALD DOT, the road builders, the press association, our folks in LSA, the finance
• But there is also now a website created under the department of finance that allows you to simultaneously

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the Legacy Finance Committee to order. A quorum is present. So welcome everyone.
• Thank you, Chair McDonald, Chair Vang, members of the Legacy Finance Committee. Good morning.
• I want to start by saying thank you for including Wilderness Inquiry in the Legacy Finance Bill.
• is still here, and for the work that we've previously done, and to the members of the Legacy and Finance

Bills: HF2563

Keywords: HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning

Transcript Highlights:

• CCRCs like Fleet Landing are financed by publicly issued debt or loans from banks.
• look at the proposed structure of the debt and see very clearly that they have a first lien on the finances
• they adjust the interest rates appropriately, or they tell us we're not going to have access to the financing
• When my wife and I moved to Fleet Landing, we looked at the finances of Fleet Landing with the benefit

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several insurance, financial regulation, and public safety bills. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1656, a major Office of Insurance Regulation bill covering reciprocal insurers, rate transparency, data calls, cybersecurity notification, and stronger oversight of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). The sponsor and OIR described the bill as aimed at transparency and preventing insolvencies, especially after recent CCRC failures. CCRC residents and industry representatives testified both in support and in opposition, with supporters emphasizing resident protection and opponents warning about liens, reserve requirements, management-company regulation, and higher costs. After debate and assurances that problematic provisions would be refined, the committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1658, which creates a public records framework for the uniform mitigation verification of inspection form database while protecting policyholders’ personal information; a clarifying amendment was adopted before the bill was reported favorably. SB 1612 on financial institutions was approved after a substitute amendment restored current limits on credit union investments and kept only reimbursement, not salary, authority for certain board members and officers. SB 1740, an insurance bill intended to reduce premiums and insurer insolvency risk, was amended to prioritize rate-decrease filings and prohibit claim denials based solely on AI, then reported favorably. Two public-safety bills also moved forward. SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety would update OSHA-related protections, address toxic exposure in gear, encourage safer replacement equipment, and support best practices and mental health resources; an amendment refined terminology and added related provisions, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1184 on residual market insurers was amended to preserve existing consumer protections and disclosure rules for excess and surplus lines and to clarify Citizens-related appointment requirements before being reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly noted ongoing stakeholder negotiations and intent to refine several bills further in later committee stops.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, the motions prevail to be recalled from the Committee on Education Finance and
• be re-referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
• The bill inadvertently got sent to the Education Finance Committee.
• House Bill Number 1274 be recalled from the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Committee on Finance and Taxation, Senate Bill number 163 receives a favorable report with one
• From the Committee on Finance and Taxation, Senate Bill number 173 receives a favorable report by a vote
• From the Committee on Finance and Taxation, Senate Bill number 155 receives a favorable report by a vote
• From the Committee on Finance and Taxation, House Bill number 93 receives a favorable report by a vote

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have the Department of Budget and Finance providing comments only on this measure, not here
• Department of 554 first up we have um Department of budget<00:13:37.320> and<00:13:37.519> finance
• <00:13:38.519> providing<00:13:39.240> comments budget and finance providing comments
• budget and finance providing comments only<00:13:39.920> on<00:13:40.120> this measure

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to cultural recognition and arts policy. HB 531 would authorize special license plates recognizing the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and HB 458 would designate Brother Joseph Dutton Day; both received support testimony, including from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Joseph Dutton Guild, and both were advanced. HB 345 would establish ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to help protect alkaline pool systems, with support from DLNR and multiple community and environmental groups, and it was also advanced. HB 194, relating to Maritime Day, received limited testimony and was moved forward with amendments to align the observance with National Maritime Day on May 22. The committee also heard HB 554, which originally would have established Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Testimony in support emphasized cultural recognition and community benefits, but the chair explained that creating a new state holiday would cost about $9 million, so the bill was amended to make Lunar New Year a day of recognition rather than a state holiday. The committee noted several supporters, including youth testimony, and advanced the measure with amendments. HB 957, relating to Lāʻau Day, similarly drew broad written support; the committee amended it to designate the first Friday of May rather than May 1 and advanced it. In each case, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations without opposition or reservations. The hearing concluded with HB 925, a short-form bill that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on concert ticket sales to support arts access statewide; the committee recommended passing the bill with amendments and recommitting it for future public hearings, and that recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Panel Two will open the Finance Division II work session, and we're going to start.
• I'll be asking the Finance Committee to continue on with this and pass it through, as no general funds
• DOT did a great job when putting in new barriers along Franconia Ridge, so when we go to full Finance
• um uh just when we go to full Finance um uh just when we go to full Finance there<00:09:24.839><
• a frequent flyer in the finance a frequent flyer in the finance committee<00:12:44.000> obviously

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language. The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process. Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will also ask panelists representing the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst's Office
• We will also ask panelists representing the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst's Office
• We are financing it.
• Yeah, Sabrina Adams at the Department of Finance.
• Estimates, budget change proposals, and April finance letter requests.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The San Diego Housing Commission develops, finances, and oversees affordable housing across San Diego
• projects that operate on thin margins and are subject to strict compliance deadlines under their financing
• projects that operate on thin margins and are subject to strict compliance deadlines under their financing
• projects that operate on thin margins and are subject to strict compliance deadlines under their financing
• it's affecting affordable housing projects who are operating on thin margins and we're actually financing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Women Prisoners; Amika Mota, Executive Director, Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition; and Department of Finance
• Department of Finance.
• Ryan Weinberg, Department of Finance; and Alyssa Cervantes, Department of Finance.
• Thank you, Department of Finance. Good afternoon. Alyssa Cervantes, Department of Finance.
• And thank you, LAO and Department of Finance, and testimony here.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So jobs in finance, in information, in trade, in real estate.
• Finance and insurance: we see a rapid shift in how claims are being processed and how risks are being
• <00:20:19.520> uh<00:20:19.760> finance AI excels at very very well. uh finance AI
• excels at very very well. uh finance and<00:20:20.640> insurance<00:20:21.200> we<00:20
• and even for such as legal finance and even for software<00:27:27.840> development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, the iBank, which does different kinds of financing
• have the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, the iBank, which does different kinds of financing
• It stands for zero-emission truck and bus infrastructure financing.
• It's effectively a loan guarantee that allows our customers to finance over 100% of the cost of their
• It stands for zero emission truck and bus infrastructure financing.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to present to you House File 2431, the Higher Education Finance and Policy Bill.
• <00:38:24.240> not<00:38:24.720> just<00:38:25.599> school<00:38:25.920> financing
• , understand not just school financing, understand not just school financing, but<00:38:26.960>
• 26:42.800> our<01:26:43.040> higher<01:26:43.360> education<01:26:44.000> finance
• <01:26:44.400> and on our higher education finance and on our higher education finance and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• heard<00:58:54.480> in unfortunately was never heard in unfortunately was never heard in finance
• 55.760> you<00:58:55.839> for<00:58:56.000> hearing<00:58:56.319> this finance
• Um, thank you for hearing this finance.
• capital audit of the department's capital improvement<01:15:41.280> project<01:15:41.760> finances
• <01:15:42.480> We're improvement project finances. We're improvement project finances.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Committee on Finance.
• And happy New Year, Chair Todd, Vice Chair Hakanoi, and members of the Committee on Finance.
• We are reconvening the Committee on Finance for budget briefing from uh...
• Good morning, Chair Todd, Vice Chair Takenouchi, members of the House Finance Committee.
• training, finance, and communications. training, finance, and communications.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the next part is one of my favorite topics: special education finance.
• finance because all of the policies, all of the requirements, come with costs for districts.
• I know this is not the education Finance I know this is not the finance<00:29:14.240> committee
• Chair, I know that you're on the Ed Finance Committee, and a number of other members.
• It was before we had the personal finance class that we passed last year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are talking through our budget omnibus bill that will be sent forward to finance when we are done
• contained in the A1 delete everything amendment to Senate File 5073, which is the committee's omnibus finance
• Senate File 5073 is on its way to Finance. Thank you very much, members.
• sent to finance. sent to finance.
• finance. Thank you very much, members. finance. Thank you very much, members.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that the Finance Committee amendment to Senate Bill 1554 be adopted.
• Chairman, I move that the Finance Committee amendment to Senate Bill 1554 be adopted.
• President, the Committee on Finance, having under consideration Senate Bill 1633 relating to income tax
• I've always been a fan of the WIFA, the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority.
• The Finance Committee will not be meeting on Monday because Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all