Transcript Highlights:

• Current vote is 4-0. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Senator Ashby, aye. 5-0. The vote is 5-0.
• Current vote is 4-0. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Senator Ashby, aye. 5-0. The vote is 5-0.
• Current vote is 4-0. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Senator Ashby, aye. 5-0. The vote is 5-0.
• Current vote is 4-0. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Senator Ashby, aye. 5-0. The vote is 5-0.
• Current vote is 4-0. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Senator Ashby, aye. 5-0.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll ask staff to please open the queue for a vote. Staff. Kane votes.
• I'll ask staff to please open the queue for a vote. Miller votes.
• Fitgatter votes aye to clear the vote. Representative Smith with a vote of 24 aye and zero nay.
• Clear the vote. Representative with a vote of 24 aye and 0 nay.
• Kendrick, which representative would like to vote? Declare the vote.

Bills: SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB1360 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1427 , SB1428 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB2143

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, ad valorem tax, manufacturing facilities, exemption, battery energy storage, employment, payroll, state tax regulation, tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any no votes? calendar. Are there any no votes?
• Are there any<00:38:59.040><c> no</c><00:38:59.280><c> votes?</c> any no votes? any no votes?
• Are there any no votes? With a vote of, I'm just joking. Mr.
• Are there any no votes? With a 1155. Are there any no votes?
• Are there any no votes? Oh, there is a no vote on 1166.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lackey, not voting. Stephanie, aye.
• But before we overturn a statute protecting California’s voting system and California’s 54 votes in the
• Ignacio Hernandez on behalf of Verified Voting.
• The current vote is 4 to 1 with the chair voting aye. Secretary, please call the absent members.
• The current vote is 4 to 1 with the chair voting aye. Secretary, please call the absent members.

Summary: The committee met on June 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and initially proceeding as a subcommittee. Members heard several Senate bills, with testimony focused mainly on redistricting, Bay Area transit funding, and military/overseas voting access. The chair also announced committee membership changes and that SB 1369 had been pulled by the author. Written testimony was accepted through the committee portal, and public testimony was limited by the chair’s rules. SB 1414 by Senator Reyes would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters, including Inland Empire United, Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters, argued the bill would improve transparency and reduce political influence in map drawing. Opponents, including San Bernardino County and several local government/election groups, said the county’s existing advisory commission already provided substantial public input and raised concerns about cost. The bill was moved do pass as amended and re-referred to Local Government, with one no vote from Assembly Member Lackey; it was later taken off call and passed 6-1. SB 830 by Senator Wiener made technical changes to the administration of the Bay Area regional transit sales tax measure authorized by SB 63, including uniform ballot naming and county-specific ballot arguments. Support came from labor, transit, business, and advocacy groups, who said the bill would help voters understand the measure and protect transit funding. Members emphasized the Bay Area’s transit funding crisis and the need for local action. The bill passed do pass as amended, 5-1, and was later recorded as out 6-0 on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing six bills. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes addressed military and overseas voting after the federal discontinuation of the Department of Defense fax service used for ballot return. Supporters, including county election officials and local government organizations, said California needed a secure replacement to avoid disenfranchising service members and overseas voters. The Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised security concerns and suggested a task force or more detailed standards, but the author and supporters argued the bill was urgent and should direct the Secretary of State to develop secure regulations. The bill passed do pass and was re-referred to Military and Veteran Affairs, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members will cast their votes. I only could do a voice vote on that. I wasn't thinking.
• Has everyone voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?
• Clerk will lock the machine, and members will cast their votes. Has every member voted?
• Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?
• Has every member voted? Healy, Monks. Does anyone wish to change their vote?

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. It received a Senate message returning House Bill 559, reported several newly printed bills, and advanced multiple measures through the calendar. Among the introduced bills were proposals on restroom and changing-room access and privacy, school facilities cooperative funding, tax exemptions, homestead tax exemption, and prior authorization reform in health insurance. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 512 on land surveyors, reinstating an Idaho-law jurisprudence exam; House Bill 502, moving forest products commission rules into statute; Senate Joint Memorial 107, supporting the Delamar Mine Project and urging faster federal permitting; House Bill 494, moving background-check rules into statute; House Bill 531, updating school epinephrine administration rules to cover newer delivery methods; House Bill 542, regulating social media access for minors through age verification and parental consent; House Bill 500, extending traffic protections and duties to electric-assisted bicycles; House Bill 533, eliminating the vehicle registration sticker requirement; and House Bill 555, rewriting the solid waste code to place primary regulatory authority with DEQ while allowing contracts with health districts. House Bill 552 was returned to committee, and remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day. Debate centered on the social media bill’s private right of action, the background-check bill’s statutory references, and the solid waste rewrite’s regulatory structure and federal-water-law implications. Most measures passed by wide margins, though House Bill 494 drew a closer 36-33 vote and House Bill 542 passed 62-7. The House also approved title corrections where none were offered, transmitted passed bills to the Senate, received the enrolled House Bill 559 back from the Senate, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Goodman votes aye. Simmons. Representative Simmons votes aye.
• Representative Griffey votes nay, do not pass. Burnett votes nay, do not pass.
• Thank you for your votes. Does any member wish to change or adjust their vote?
• Representative Goodman votes aye. Representative Goodman votes aye. Aye.
• Representative Obras votes aye. Thank you for your votes.

Bills: HB1239 , HB2310 , HB2490 , HB2508 , HB2510 , HB2532 , HB2539

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: reentry, reentry readiness, recidivism, earned release time, good time credits, graduated reentry, community custody, partial confinement, home detention, work release, electronic monitoring, substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, corrections, Department of Corrections, DOC, prison reform, sentencing, release date recalculation, transition services

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans not voting, with Mr. Taun voting no. Thank you. Mr. Brian, when you're ready?
• Madam Vice Chair, can I do a vote change? Yes. AB 379, not voting to aye. Thank you.
• AB 379, Schultz, Arambula, vote change from not voting to aye. Thank you. Thank you.
• We have a vote change. AB 876, Flora, and Mr. Tongapaw not voting, now voting aye.
• Going from not voting to voting aye. Great. Okay, that's the vote change. And I believe that is it.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 7, 2025, considering a large number of bills, with several measures heard in detail before the committee moved through consent and suspense items. Early in the hearing, AB 876 by Assemblymember Flora was heard on CRNA scope of practice and anesthesia access. Supporters said it would clarify that certified registered nurse anesthetists may provide anesthesia services independently, while opponents from physician and medical groups argued that anesthesiologists and CRNAs are not interchangeable and that physician-led care is needed for patient safety. The bill was ultimately voted out, with a later vote change recorded for Mr. Tangipa from not voting to aye. The committee also heard AB 379, a major human trafficking and child exploitation bill, which would expand penalties for solicitation of a minor, create a misdemeanor for loitering with intent to purchase commercial sex, increase fines on businesses that fail to post trafficking notices or knowingly allow trafficking, create a survivor support grant program, and establish a vertical prosecution grant program. The bill drew strong support from the author and some members who emphasized tougher enforcement and victim services, but also significant opposition from sex worker and civil liberties advocates who argued the bill would worsen criminalization, disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, and fail to address housing and other root causes. After extensive discussion, the committee voted the bill out, with one member later changing from not voting to aye. Other bills heard included AB 435 on child passenger safety, which would adopt a five-step test and update booster-seat and front-seat rules; AB 1415, which would give the Office of Health Care Affordability more access to information from health systems and private equity-related entities; AB 539, the Timely Care Act, which would extend the duration of approved prior authorizations for treatment; AB 1466, relating to groundwater adjudication and sustainability disputes; AB 127, which would tie the cap-and-trade price ceiling to the social cost of carbon; and AB 672, which would require public employers to notify PERB of certain court actions and allow intervention to protect labor rights. The committee also approved a large consent calendar and then deemed the suspense calendar approved, sending many bills onward. The hearing concluded with several bills reported out, some on call, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does anyone wish to change their vote? Staff, please announce the vote.
• Does anyone wish to change their vote? Staff, please announce the vote.
• Doer votes aye. Representative Doer votes aye. Zahn votes aye. Representative Zahn votes aye.
• Hall votes aye. Partially votes aye. Staff will announce the vote.
• Does anyone wish to change their vote? Staff, please announce the vote.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee heard public testimony on HB 2588, which would let county ferry districts exercise broader authority over ferries rather than being limited to passenger-only ferries. The sponsor and county officials from Whatcom, Pierce, and Skagit described rising operating and capital costs for county-run vehicle ferries and said the bill would give local governments a needed funding tool. Opponents argued it would create another tax burden and that county councils do not directly represent voters on such decisions. The hearing on HB 2588 was later reopened for additional testimony, but no vote was taken in the hearing portion. The committee also heard HB 2094, which would require non-charter counties to appoint coroners rather than elect them, unless they use appointed medical examiners. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address accountability and staffing problems, citing Yakima County as an example and arguing that coroner positions are technical and should be filled through hiring rather than partisan elections. Supporters said appointment would reduce ballot complexity and allow for professional management, while opponents, including elected coroners and the Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, argued that elected coroners provide independence, public accountability, and the ability to order inquests without political pressure. The public hearing on HB 2094 was closed without committee action during the hearing. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing passed with three adopted amendments and a 7-0 vote. HB 2298 on county title protection programs also passed with one adopted amendment and a 7-0 vote. HB 2566 on local government procurement passed 7-0 without amendment. HB 2267 on urban forest management ordinances passed 4-3 after a substitute was adopted, with some members expressing concern about state guidance becoming too regulatory. HB 2530 on public facilities districts for regional aquatics and sports facilities passed 7-0 after removing the deadline for forming such districts, and HB 2388 on siting distributed energy generation on agricultural lands passed 7-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill’s scope. The committee then returned to public testimony on HB 2094 and HB 2588 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, may I explain my vote? Sure. Senator Brava? No. Madam Chair, I'm explaining my vote.
• By your vote, four ayes, three nays, zero not voting, you've given HB 2020 a due pass recommendation.
• I vote aye. Madam Chair, I'd like to explain my vote.
• I vote aye. Madam Chair, I'd like to explain my vote.
• Madam Chair, explain my vote.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Education approved the minutes from February 18 and March 4, 2026, then took up several bills. HCR 2003, the “Protect Girls in Sports in Arizona Act,” drew extensive testimony. Supporters, including Superintendent Tom Horne, argued it would protect fairness, safety, and privacy in girls’ sports and locker rooms by requiring teams to be designated male, female, or co-ed and by limiting access to sex-designated private spaces. Opponents, including ACLU and transgender advocates, said the measure was discriminatory, would function as a bathroom ban, and could force schools to police students’ bodies and identities. The committee voted 4-3 to give HCR 2003 a due pass recommendation. The committee then advanced HB 2020, which lowers certain student threats or disruptions at educational institutions from a Class 6 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor, and HB 2032, which changes the statewide testing window so assessments begin later in the spring and scores are returned later, with supporters saying it would better reflect a full year of instruction. HB 2033, allowing school districts or charter schools to choose paper-and-pencil administration of statewide assessments by governing board vote, also received support from educators who said it would reduce technology barriers for younger students. HB 2318, as amended, would impose term limits on school district governing board members after eight consecutive years; school board groups opposed it as harmful to rural districts, but the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also approved HB 2378, which changes eligibility rules for School Facilities Oversight Board members who are architects or engineers so their businesses may not include school construction. HB 2313, which prohibits teacher strikes or organized work stoppages and ties funding penalties to districts or charters that violate the ban, advanced despite testimony that it duplicates existing law and could chill educators’ speech and worsen staffing shortages. Finally, HB 2249, a major expansion of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, passed after heated testimony. Supporters said it would prevent schools from socially transitioning minors without written parental consent and stop staff from encouraging children to hide information from parents; opponents warned it was vague, punitive, and would expose teachers and schools to massive liability and litigation. The committee adopted amendments on HB 2318 and HB 2249 and reported all of the listed bills out with due pass recommendations, with recorded split votes on several measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:27.839><c> 604</c><00:17:29.039><c> the</c> vote voting on House Bill 604 the vote voting
• Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on House Bill 448.
• Vice Chair, please take the vote. Okay, for ECD, anyone voting no? Any votes with reservations?
• </c><00:42:41.200><c> voting</c><00:42:41.599><c> on</c> um Vice chair for the vote voting on um Vice
• okay for ecd any please take the vote okay for ecd any anyone<00:43:06.400><c> voting</c> anyone voting

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I vote no.
• Madam President, to explain my vote, I'll be voting yes on this.
• So I will be voting no.
• I vote aye. YES, WE ARE.
• And I will be voting no.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, approving the prior journal and taking up several messages and motions. A Rules Committee report was accepted on Senate Print 915, a Cannabis Law bill, and the chamber then moved to debate that measure on the controversial calendar. The bill was described by supporters as clarifying how distances are measured for adult-use cannabis dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, with the sponsor saying it would create statewide consistency and provide clearer direction to the Office of Cannabis Management. Opponents argued it would weaken protections for children and churches, reward agency mistakes, and allow dispensaries to be sited closer to school property than intended. After extended debate, the Senate passed the bill 36-23. The cannabis debate centered on whether the bill merely clarifies legislative intent or substantively changes the law. Supporters said the current language left measurement methods undefined and that the bill would help legal dispensaries, reduce confusion, and push back illicit stores. Opponents said the original law already protected school grounds and houses of worship, and that the new language would allow dispensaries to abut school playgrounds, fields, or church-related property in some cases. Several senators also raised concerns about youth exposure, public consumption, local zoning, and the performance of the Office of Cannabis Management. After the vote, the Senate returned to the calendar and passed additional measures, including Calendar 121 (Public Authorities Law), Calendar 170 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 190 (Labor Law), each by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted a resolution package honoring Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School’s boys cross country team and girls field hockey team for state championships, with Senator Tedisco introducing the guests. Later, the Senate passed Senate Print 6990A, the Civil Voice Law, which requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews for employees who resign or retire. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, morale, and retention by standardizing a way to hear from departing workers. The bill received affirmative explanations of vote from Senator Jackson and others, and the Senate continued through the calendar after its passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aye. 17 votes. Okay, 17 votes. Let's go to AB 1577, Bauer-Kahan.
• Current vote 9-2. Sorry. Allen, aye. Arreguín? Aye. Caballero? Aye. Grove, not voting.
• Current vote 9-2. Sorry. Allen, aye. Arreguín? Aye. Caballero? Aye. Grove, not voting.
• Not voting. Caballero. Aye. Grove. Aye. Wahab. Not voting. Thank you. 15-0.
• Wahab voted aye, yes? Yeah, she already voted aye. Okay, great. All right. She did already vote?

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills. AB 710 would require investor-owned utilities to share critical circuit and grid information with local and tribal governments and community choice aggregators to help plan microgrids for resilience during PSPS events and wildfires. Supporters from counties and cities said better data sharing is needed to develop microgrids for critical facilities; PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, citing privacy and grid-security concerns, though SDG&E said amendments may address some issues. Members generally supported the bill’s goal, and the author accepted committee amendments. AB 2182 would restructure the CPUC’s industrial energy efficiency program so industrial customers’ funds are used for industrial projects, with less review and more focus on projects that reduce transmission and distribution needs. Support came from large energy users, with members praising the bill’s ratepayer protections and asking about caps, agriculture, and carbon capture; the author said agriculture could participate and carbon capture was removed from the bill. AB 2589 would require utility federal tax savings to be returned to ratepayers, building on prior legislation; it drew little debate and no opposition on the record. The committee also heard AB 2163, which would create strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, especially to support geothermal and lithium development in places like Imperial County and the Salton Sea. Supporters emphasized jobs, domestic supply chains, and state competitiveness, while some members raised questions about whether other zero-carbon resources should be included; the author said the bill could be receptive to those ideas. AB 2505 would allow hydrogen refueling stations to use dedicated utility meters and service lines, with supporters from the hydrogen industry and labor. AB 1577 would require data centers to report energy and water-use information to the Energy Commission and local planners; supporters said it would protect ratepayers and communities, while industry groups opposed the bill as too broad and duplicative, though they welcomed amendments narrowing the scope and adding trade-secret protections. AB 2065 would impose penalties on utilities that seek to recover prohibited or double-counted costs from ratepayers, and AB 2516 would create a California Grid Manufacturing Initiative to reduce equipment costs and expand in-state manufacturing; both drew strong support and some concerns about overreach and implementation. Finally, AB 2647 would direct the Energy Commission to study advanced nuclear’s role in meeting California’s electricity needs, with testimony in support from nuclear advocates and academics; the hearing ended before any final votes were taken, with several motions pending quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote green.
• Wolgamott votes aye.
• Vote green. answer. Vote green.
• We need to take up this vote, uh, take up this bill today. Please vote green."
• Wolgamott votes no.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Fate votes aye. >> And Senator Dibble votes aye. >> And Senator Dibble votes aye.
• Fate votes aye. >> Senator Dibble votes aye. >> Senator Dibble votes aye. >> Senator McEwen votes aye
• Senator Pratt votes<00:59:39.359><c> I.</c> votes I. votes I.
• Senator Weber votes<00:59:45.520><c> I.</c> votes I. votes I.
• Members, Members, vote<03:32:56.000><c> red.</c> vote red. vote red.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in favor vote aye; opposed vote no. The ayes have it; so ordered.
• Hearing none, those in favor vote aye; opposed vote no.
• Those in favor vote aye; opposed vote no. The ayes have it. So ordered. Mr.
• Those in favor vote aye; those opposed vote no. The ayes have it. So ordered.
• Those in favor vote aye; those opposed vote no.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> expression with unanimous vote. expression with unanimous vote.
• Again, the vote is unanimous. &gt;&gt; I. Again, the vote is unanimous.
• All in favor consent vote on. &gt;&gt; Second. All in favor consent vote on.
• </c> no sympathy votes for, please. no sympathy votes for, please.
• The vote is unanimous.

Keywords: Due to a technical issue, the first part of the meeting did not stream live. This reupload restores that portion, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard four House bills, adjusting the order to accommodate members’ schedules. House Bill 510, on organ donation procedures, would require health care providers involved in organ procurement to pause the process if any signs of life are observed and restart the process if needed. The bill was presented as a consensus measure, received no opposition, and passed with favorable expression by unanimous vote and consent. House Bill 176 would create a framework for insurers to implement a waiver program reducing prior authorization requirements before care is provided. The sponsor said the language had been worked out with insurers to cut red tape and improve transparency. The committee approved the bill unanimously with favorable expression and then consent. House Bill 266 would add audiology and speech-language pathology to the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund eligibility list. Testimony emphasized that these professions are essential to patient care across the lifespan and meet the fund’s training and licensure standards. The bill passed unanimously with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 393 concerned Alzheimer’s-related statutory cleanup, adding a caregiver council seat and requiring the council to develop and distribute an early detection and diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. The bill was supported as a way to improve Alzheimer’s awareness and care, with one senator explaining a yes vote in memory of a parent who had Alzheimer’s. It also passed unanimously with favorable expression and consent. The chair announced the next committee meeting would be Wednesday, March 25 at 8:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Elefante votes aye.
• If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes. Chair votes yes. Vice Chair votes aye.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Chair votes yes. Vice chair votes I. &gt;&gt; Chair votes yes. Vice chair votes I.
• /c><00:26:31.600><c> with</c> voting no with all others voting I with voting no with all others voting
• Any vote? Any members voting with reservations? Any members voting? No.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hill votes yes. Senator Woods votes yes. Senator Schendo votes yes.
• Senator Trujillo votes yes. Senator Woods? Yes. Senator Woods votes yes. Senator Shendo? Yes.
• Senator Campos votes yes. Senator Gonzales? Yes. Senator Gonzales votes yes.
• Senator Trujillo votes yes. Senator Woods? Yes. Senator Woods votes yes. Senator Shendo? Yes.
• Senator Shendo votes yes. Senator Padilla? Yes. Senator Padilla votes yes.

Bills: SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• is to vote no, so I vote no on this<00:09:27.240><c> contract.
• </c> explain my vote please. explain my vote please.
• I vote yes. I'd like to explain my vote a little bit.
• </c> vote aye, all those opposed vote no. vote aye, all those opposed vote no.
• Yes, motion carries. favor vote aye. All those opposed vote favor vote aye.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 10 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contract reviews, including a deferred Kentucky Transportation Cabinet item tied to Louisville bridge tolling and RiverLink. Transportation officials explained that the contract was part of a bi-state arrangement with Indiana: Indiana Finance Authority held the main contract with HNTB, while Kentucky needed a mirror contract to pay its 50% share under the bi-state management agreement. Members questioned why the work was treated as effectively no-bid, how much input Kentucky had in vendor selection, RiverLink’s collection performance, and when tolls might end. Transportation said Kentucky had equal representation in selection, HNTB served as a toll services advisor, collections and customer service had improved, and tolls are expected to remain until debt obligations are paid off in 2058. Several members criticized the company’s past performance and voted no as a statement of concern, but the contract still moved forward. The committee then deferred a Kentucky State University item because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State. It also approved the overall agenda and contract review lists. A Board of Optometric Examiners contract drew significant discussion: board representatives said they had previously relied on the Public Protection Cabinet for legal services, but that office lacked staff and advised them to seek outside counsel. Some members argued the committee could not approve a contract that appeared to conflict with statute, while others said the board should not be left without legal counsel and that the Attorney General should be brought in to resolve the issue. The committee ultimately voted to defer the optometric contract for one month and requested the Attorney General appear at the next meeting. Finally, the committee reviewed an Administrative Office of the Courts amendment for the Court of Appeals building project. Staff explained that the General Assembly had authorized the project, the design contract had already gone through multiple approved phases, and the current item was only an administrative correction to a prior modification amount. Members approved the amendment, with one member noting appreciation that the project costs had been reduced when an error was found.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current vote is 2 to 1, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting no.
• The current vote is 3 to 0, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting aye.
• Current vote is 3 to 0, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting aye.
• The current vote is 2 to 1, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting no.
• The current vote is 4 to 0, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting aye.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all