Transcript Highlights:

• And in the state Okay. And in the state thank<00:05:05.000> you.
• It's not just our state. Every state, um, it's a complicated area.
• <00:21:29.679> Every<00:21:29.919> state just our state.
• Every state just our state.
• to serve our community and our state. to serve our community and our state.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple gubernatorial confirmation nominations, beginning with GM509 for Jay Stone to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and other supporters praised Stone’s more than 30 years of engineering experience and said he would help balance environmental protection with economic development. Stone said he wanted to contribute to environmental health and sustainability, and identified sea level rise and PFAS in drinking water as key concerns. The committee then moved to GM531 and GM532, nominations of Judson Leair and Nicholas Ta to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported both nominees. Leair emphasized his farming background and said pesticide policy should be more comprehensive, selective, and threshold-based rather than relying on broad-spectrum use; Ta said he would focus on integrated pest management, label compliance, education, and using the least amount of pesticide necessary, including non-chemical alternatives such as exclusion and behavior changes. The committee next considered GM533, Janet Ashman’s nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported her, citing her experience, responsiveness, and prior service. Ashman said she wanted to help make pesticide regulations more understandable and stressed targeted pest control, scouting, and more precise products. Members asked about the complexity of pesticide regulations and the shift away from broad-based pesticide use; Ashman explained that regulations are complicated for both farmers and homeowners and that newer, more targeted products are needed as pests develop resistance. The committee then heard GM57 for Don Hegger Nordl to the Environmental Advisory Council. Supporters said she has environmental planning experience and knowledge of Chapter 343 and related rules. Nordl said she could bring state, county, and federal experience to the council and identified the need for more volunteers and broader professional representation as the council’s biggest challenge. Finally, the committee took up GM697, Dean Matsukawa’s nomination as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and several other testifiers strongly supported him, highlighting his 30 years with the department, his family farming background, and his understanding of farmers’ needs, especially access to capital and biosecurity challenges. Testifiers said he is calm, logical, experienced, and already familiar with the department’s work. Matsukawa was described as a reluctant nominee who was sought out for the role. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on the nominations during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• lands, could be purchased by a developer.
• Please approach, state your name and your organization.
• I served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps, and I am the only veteran in the State Assembly.
• Veterans offer so much to our state, contributing to our state with knowledge and assets, including taxes
• Please state your name and your organization.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several tax-related bills. SB 1096 would create a senior personal income tax credit for tax years 2026 through 2030, with a $1,500 credit that phases out above specified income levels, excludes dependents for whom foster care payments were made, allows a seven-year carryforward, and includes technical changes. AB 672 would extend a property tax welfare exemption for community land trust projects that create or rehabilitate low-income housing, and AB 1668 would extend by five years the welfare property tax exemption for open-space lands held by land trusts. AB 2022 would expand the property tax exemption for disabled veteran homeowners, increasing relief for low-income veterans and others with service-connected disabilities. AB 2641 was placed on the consent calendar, though the transcript does not describe its substance. Testimony on SB 1096 emphasized support for seniors, especially grandparents and other caregivers on fixed incomes, and noted the bill’s amendments and foster-care-related exclusion. AB 672 drew strong support from community land trust representatives and advocates, who said the exemption helps make permanently affordable housing possible and supports projects in Oakland, San Francisco, and South Lake Tahoe. AB 1668 was supported by land trust and conservation groups, who said the exemption helps preserve open space and habitat, though the California Teachers Association testified in respectful opposition. AB 2022 was backed by veterans’ organizations and county veterans service officers, who argued the bill would help disabled veterans remain in their homes and keep veterans in California. All of the bills discussed were advanced on due pass motions. SB 1096, AB 672, AB 1668, and AB 2022 each received committee votes and were later confirmed out of committee on final roll calls, with the transcript reflecting unanimous or near-unanimous support. The consent calendar, including AB 2641, was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen in Washington State.
• Right now, the state budget includes some of those costs, and that's in the state budget.
• I'm the Senior Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP New Jersey, and I thank you for...
• I'm the State Director of Advocacy for AARP New Jersey, and I thank you for the opportunity to testify
• I'm the New Jersey State Director for Clean Water Action.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in 1,750 in-state firms.
• of out-of-state surveyors.
• in-state opportunities.
• I am the program director for Native American education for the state of Oklahoma.
• I'm the new executive director of the State Board of Examiners and Optometry.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or other states.
• or other states.
• For the record, I'm Henry Litman, State Medicaid Director. Good morning. My name is Melissa Hardy.
• , Henry Litman, the state Medicaid director.
• , Henry Litman, the state Medicaid director.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on the state board that regulates them.
• We're a pro-worker state.
• In the short-term stabilization, the state could lend the fund money. The state could put money in.
• The state could put Horizon money in.
• pricing happening in the state of New Jersey?

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the state economic blueprint, this document...
• You can invest yourselves, which we've seen the state do.
• the state.
• The state also supports this through two different programs.
• That council is co-chaired by the director of GoBiz, Director D.D.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We think this law, the last call which most states have, has served our state and our communities well
• State your name and position.
• State your name and position, please.
• Additionally, public state-owned land owned by the state does not generate any tax revenue and requires
• Additionally, public state-owned land owned by the state does not generate any tax revenue and requires

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System.
• Uh, now if you've looked at the executive director Led... Blaha, your state auditor.
• Members, I am Julie Blaha, your state auditor, and I'm joined by OSA Pension Director Rose Hennessy Allen
• Chair, Rose Hennessy Allen, pension director at the Office of the State Auditor.
• Chair, uh, Rose Hennessy Allen, pension director at the Office of the State Auditor.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• States economic issues are important States economic issues are important issues<00:08:13.919> for
• <00:15:15.519> of certificates issued in the state of certificates issued in the state of
• in other states we recognize that state in other states we recognize that state of<00:16:09.759>
• own Hydro wind and solar is purchased own Hydro wind and solar is purchased power<01:02:46.119><
• > thirdparty purchased from other thirdparty purchased from other thirdparty developers<01:03:

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Chapmancy? Thank you. Director Chapmancy? Excused as well. Senator Conway? Aye.
• the State Treasurer.
• Now, kind of looking at the State Investment Board and State Treasurer, they have some duties related
• So the State Investment Board The State Investment Board is responsible for investing the funds in the
• The other thing is we've stated—you stated this before—a seven-year smoothing period.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy approved its minutes by roll call vote, then postponed an OSA annual update due to a family emergency. The committee received an Open Public Meetings Act refresher from Assistant Attorney General Kate Adams, who reviewed key compliance points including quorum and serial meetings, notice and agenda rules, executive session limits, public comment requirements, and the consequences of violations. She also noted a litigation hold notice sent to members and provided resources for further guidance. Staff then briefed the committee on E2 Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which restates and terminates LEOFF 1 on June 30, 2029, creates a restated LEOFF 1 funded by transferred assets, and places excess assets into a pension surplus holding account that could later be used by the state. The bill requires DRS to seek IRS guidance, directs OSA to calculate the transfer amount and assess any future unfunded liability, assigns implementation duties to DRS, OSA, the Pension Funding Council, the State Investment Board, and the Treasurer, and requires two SCPP studies on LEOFF 1 medical benefits and policy oversight. OSA’s actuary estimated the transfer to the surplus holding account at about $3.9 billion under current assumptions and said the bill increases the modeled chance of future state contributions if the restated plan falls below 100% funded; members asked about IRS timing, the 2029 transfer date, and whether the 110% buffer is sufficient. The committee also received an update on the LEOFF 1 medical benefits study required by the bill. Staff said the study will examine the administration of pension boards and medical liabilities, likely focusing on medical benefits, and will gather anonymized data from local boards, cities, counties, and related agencies over the next three years. Members and public commenters discussed the number and structure of local boards, whether spouses receive medical benefits, and the possibility of regionalizing or consolidating administration. No action was taken, but staff said they would return with milestones and further updates. Finally, staff outlined a possible Plan 3 study, prompted by DRS, to evaluate whether the original goals of Plan 3 have been met after 30 years. The proposed study would review historical context, member choice outcomes, policy questions, and possible recommendations over a two-year period. The committee also heard an update on new correspondence procedures, including a new online web form, a correspondence log in meeting packets, and removal of correspondence from the public website. During public comment, retiree groups urged the committee to pursue an ongoing COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1, with interim ad hoc COLAs until then, while LEOFF 1 retirees urged caution about changing the current board structure and emphasized the complexity of medical benefit administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• of State. Thank you. of State. Thank you.
• against the state or owes the state against the state or owes the state money,<02:12:39.320>
• the state.
• <02:32:53.760> Um state law. Um state law.
• > or<02:59:34.800> something our state state dollars or something our state state dollars

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state does have strong gun laws, but we have a major loophole: we still allow civilians to purchase
• Our state does have strong gun laws, but we have a major loophole: we still allow civilians to purchase
• Our state does have strong gun laws, but we have a major loophole: we still allow civilians to purchase
• Our state does have strong gun laws, but we have a major loophole: we still allow civilians to purchase
• Our state does have strong gun laws, but we have a major loophole: we still allow civilians to purchase

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered House Bill 279 and House Bill 392, both relating to firearms. HB 279 would restrict carrying or possessing firearm parts except at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container, define firearm parts and prohibited persons, and increase penalties for violations. The Department of Law Enforcement strongly supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole involving disassembled or “ghost gun” parts and help law enforcement charge people who carry weapons in pieces. Most public testimony opposed the measure, with speakers arguing it was unconstitutional, vague, hard to enforce, and would burden lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and firearm dealers; several also said existing laws already cover the conduct. One supporter, Dennis Dunn, said additional firearm security could reduce theft and suicides. The chair noted the committee had received 270 testimonies on HB 279, with 39 in support, 234 in opposition, and one comment. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for using a ghost gun in a felony. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported the bill, saying unserialized firearms are difficult to trace and that prosecutors need clear laws to address them. Supporters argued the measure would help prevent untraceable weapons from circulating and align penalties with other firearm offenses. Opponents, including several gun owners and association representatives, said the bill was unnecessary because existing state and federal laws already prohibit unserialized firearms, and warned it could create confusion, criminalize lawful owners of antique or self-built firearms, and be difficult to administer. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does state it was proposed that...
• And even in the future, if they don't want state aid, they can do They don't want state aid, they can
• do it without state aid.
• It's only if they want state aid and want to apply for state aid that they need to first notify the secretary
• Of course, the state... State aid program.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the state or is that the federal government? >> Director Tall. >> Yeah.
• And I think Director Dah stated it correctly. There's a little bit of both.
• >> Director<01:39:32.719> Tall. >> Director Tall. >> Director Tall.
• And I think Director Dah stated it correctly. There's a little bit of both.
• states, our neighboring states our peer states, our neighboring states who<03:08:58.080> have<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Michelle Medina, our legislative director.
• So, our division directors here today.
• We've got a lot of our sister states that are very jealous that we were able to get this on a state level
• remaining 45 awards pending purchase remaining 45 awards pending purchase agreements.<00:14:28.880
• There are plenty of workers in other states.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture presented an overview of its budget, staffing, and major program areas, including protection services, marketing, and administration. Commissioners also highlighted concerns about federal funding uncertainty after a January letter suspending active and future USDA awards to the department. They said the issue affected about 13% of the agency’s budget, created confusion for farmers, and briefly disrupted poultry lab testing and HPAI-related work, though they later received assurances from USDA leadership that existing programs would continue processing. The department also described its anti-fraud efforts, including internal controls, a compliance coordinator, a grants administrator, review committees, site visits, and participation in the state’s Inspector General Coordinating Council. The committee then discussed several agriculture support programs. For dairy margin coverage, the department said Minnesota’s sign-up is open and supported a bill to extend assistance to farmers who began operations in 2023-2025 and were not covered under the earlier production-based formula. The renamed Farm to Food Security program, formerly LFPA, was described as a state-created local food purchasing effort funded at $700,000 per year. The down payment assistance grant for first-time farm buyers was also reviewed; the department said it has supported 112 farmers so far, with additional awards pending, but noted timing problems when purchase agreements fall through. Members asked whether priority should be given to applicants with signed purchase agreements, and the department said that was under consideration. The grain indemnity account update focused on the Hansen-Mueller facility failure and related claims. The department said the account holds about $10.7 million, has received 19 claims totaling $1.1 million, and that $842,000 of those claims were tied specifically to Minnesota transactions. It explained the difference by noting that some claims involved Minnesota farmers selling in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and that the indemnity account covers grains sold in Minnesota. The committee also heard updates on elk and wolf depredation payments, with the department projecting shortfalls in both funds and noting that payments are being delayed into later months. The agriculture response fund balance was said to be about $2.5 million. Finally, the Rural Finance Authority and the East Grand Forks potato facility were discussed. The RFA reported strong demand for low-interest loans, about $26 million remaining from the prior $50 million authorization, and a new $50 million bonding request in the governor’s proposal to avoid a funding gap. The department said the program has issued 3,951 loans totaling about $390.3 million with very low defaults. It also requested $1.38 million in bonding for building improvements at the East Grand Forks potato facility, which it said is the department’s only owned building and supports a significant potato industry. In response to a question from Rep. Bang, the commissioner said recent ICE activity had affected farms, processing plants, immigrant workers, and some rural food businesses, and that the department had relayed those concerns to the governor’s office and congressional delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:59.919> of member cities across the state of member cities across the state of Minnesota
• association and the board of directors association and the board of directors to<00:35:12.960>
• interest um HOA dues are like state interest um HOA dues are like state taxes<00:47:22.839> uh
• um folks who serve uh across the state um folks who serve uh across the state from<01:11:44.280>
• States ironically the conservative<01:13:48.520> states<01:13:48.760> have<01:13:48.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:39.079> of the committee Dino chea director of the committee Dino chea director of
• Okay, thank you so much, Director.
• schools okay thank you so much director schools okay thank you so much director a<00:19:27.960><
• My name is Laura Reiker, and I am the director of the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing.
• Thank you, Director.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Director.
• It's the average purchase and they just consider it a basket because that's what they're purchasing.
• But the grant staff were state or the northeast corner of the state.
• And it's very rare that we see out-of-state interest purchasing any residential property for that.
• Madam Chair, we can And it's very rare that we see out-of-state interest purchasing any residential property

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional costs for the state.
• And it was stated that it would have just gone out of state or out of the nation even during that time
• But I mean, can the state—Charles wants to answer this—can the state set some of these qualifications
• State.
• Thank you, Director Salih.

Keywords: 996, all