Video & Transcript Research : 'insurance code'
Page 193 of 500
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's the Insurance Law. Moved by Senator Dabbal, seconded by Senator Liu. All in favor?
- And that's the administrative code of the City of New York.
- And that's the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
Summary:
The Committee on Rules convened for its first 2026 meeting and considered a long list of Senate and Assembly bills, mostly moving them from committee to the floor. The transcript reflects routine motions, seconds, and voice votes on measures spanning election law, public authorities, public health, real property, insurance, labor, environmental conservation, general business, local tax, domestic relations, state finance, and New York City administrative code provisions, along with several chapter amendments and bills from 2025. No substantive debate or testimony is recorded in the excerpt; the discussion is largely procedural, with bill numbers and sponsors announced as they were reported out.
Most items were approved without objection and reported to the floor, including Senate Print 324 and numerous bills such as 568, 1035, 1036, 1085, 8604, 8646, 8754, 8761, 8762, 8764, 8768, 8772, 8774, 8778, 8783, 8800, 8822, 8823, 8824, 8825, 8827, 8831, 8832, 8834, and 8835, as well as several Assembly bills. The chair noted that all bills would go to the floor, with seven to be taken up and returned to session shortly. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We need a solution code code that's cut red of tape Stabilize cost and respect the law voter up here
- And we're not even talking about the insurance to cover these houses thereafter.
- Once these units are constructed, Government Code, and then I won't read the code, requires local jurisdictions
- They should not have to go back through re-review over and over while the code has not changed.
- What changes is the needless repetition in the plan approval for identical units under unchanged code
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower California’s annual rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the sunset on existing tenant protections. The author and supporters argued that renters are facing severe affordability pressures, especially in single-family rentals, and that stronger statewide rent stabilization is needed to prevent displacement and homelessness. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property-owner groups, said the bill would discourage housing production, harm small landlords, and override a deal they said was intended to be temporary while the state focused on building more housing.
Public testimony on AB 1157 was extensive, with many renters, tenant advocates, labor groups, and community organizations speaking in support, while many landlords, business groups, and property-owner representatives spoke in opposition. Committee members were split: some praised the bill as a necessary response to the rent crisis, while others warned it could reduce investment and worsen the housing shortage. The committee ultimately voted 7-5 to pass AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
The committee then approved the consent calendar, including AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275, on a 9-0 vote. It also heard ACA 3, which would require the University of California to make available a limited number of down payment loans for eligible long-term support staff who are first-time homebuyers. Supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers afford homeownership and improve retention, while UC and other opponents argued the proposal was duplicative of existing state programs, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to UC finances. The discussion focused on financing mechanics and the relationship to CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 was included in the portion provided.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-15 (4:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- INFORMATION HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES WHEN ACTING AS A RECEIVER FOR AN INSOLVENT INSURANCE
- INFORMATION, CERTAIN PERSONNEL INFORMATION AND INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE
- THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE INCLUDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND INSURERS UNDERWRITING FILES,
- COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR BILL 836 AND ACT RELATING TO THE FLORIDA DRESS CODE >> SHOW THE BILL TEMPORARILY
- COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL 1666 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically, CEAs are eligible for non-industrial disability insurance benefits as of July 1, 2025,
- I am here to strongly oppose efforts to roll back CEQA and freeze building codes statewide in the state
- CEQA is not the reason for the delays in development, and building codes are not the reason for rising
- For these reasons, we strongly oppose a rollback of CEQA and the freeze on statewide building codes in
- 1st and the future Title 24 Part 6 energy code.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And there's one more, Michael Carlson, Personal Insurance Federation, waving in support.
- It does not weaken Florida's building code, fire code, floodplain management, or delegate state environmental
- It would depend on their dress code, I'm sure.
- If they have a particular dress code that addresses that, I think a few years ago we had a bill that
- I would be surprised if any trial bar or any insurance lobbyists are registered on this bill.
Bills:
S0212, S0218, S0442, S0460, S0532, S0554, S0644, S0686, S0692, S1054, S1106, S1128, S1134, S1138, S1338, S1434, S1506, S1620, S1748
Keywords:
sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims
Summary:
The committee first considered SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility criteria, including environmental and adjacency requirements, density and intensity limits, and exclusions for certain lands and military areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill then passed favorably on an 8-0 vote, with testimony both for and against from advocacy groups.
Members then heard several bills related to criminal justice, land use, and local government operations. SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators was amended to add public swimming pools and related restricted-location provisions; the committee heard extensive opposition testimony arguing the bill lacked empirical support and could worsen homelessness and burden families, while supporters said it would reduce temptation and improve safety. The amended bill passed 8-1. SB 686 on agricultural enclaves also received a strike-all amendment clarifying development allowances near interstates and protected-area non-preemption; after opposition from a county Republican committee and support from housing and business groups, it passed 10-0. SB 554 updating nonprofit corporation law, SB 1338 on charitable giving and endowment restrictions, SB 532 on court fee retention by clerks, and SB 218 on land use regulations after hurricanes all passed favorably, each with little or no opposition.
The committee also approved SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption should apply retroactively; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks, while opponents warned it could weaken local standards and create litigation issues. The bill passed 9-2. SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended to preserve local government authority while allowing licensed professionals to conduct limited pre-application reviews, and it passed 11-0. Finally, SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools passed 8-3 after extensive public testimony and debate, with supporters saying it would enshrine existing protections in the Constitution and opponents warning it would favor majority religions and increase bullying and litigation. The committee then took up SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor arguing it reflected historical truth and opponents saying it erased Palestinian identity and inserted the state into an international naming dispute; the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill before any vote is shown.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- The state's sanitary code and fire code are supposed to be uniform, yet they are subject to local interpretation
- The state's sanitary code and fire code is supposed to be uniform, yet it is subject to local interpretation
- will be provided to assist with the remediation of private wells for communities that amend their codes
- on this for several years now on committee: the cost to our health care system, the cost to our insurers
- My treatment alone was $40,000 a month without insurance.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief.
A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities.
Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Code, that's where they'll get connected to. So it's the area code of their cell phone?
- I know folks who are here who have Florida area codes, and what's happening in Florida is not going to
- call takers take the call; they see where our responders are, They follow our responders; they do code
- I do ask, partly because of the insurance situation, and I want to make sure that this is not in any
- way inhibiting you from getting insured because I know it's a pool and everything.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-23 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Code 233-904 by Senator Graal. Delete lines 67 through 78 and insert amendment.
- to obtain best and final offers from bidders and to rebid certain contracts, requires additional insurance
- When a patient pays upfront costs, usually a co-insurance, sometimes they discover that they have been
- And then after all the charges are paid through their insurance companies, sometimes they've overpaid
- The bill before you today is the Florida version of Article 12 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes related to the FSU campus shooting, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and visiting student and community groups. The chamber then moved into special order bills and adopted a resolution honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. A number of measures were taken up and passed, including child care and early learning provider regulation updates, false reporting/swatting penalties, health care billing and collection protections, hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, trust fund interest rules for IOTA accounts, transportation-related changes, public records exemptions for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate court clerks, municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonating law enforcement, trespass at large-scale ticketed events, refund of patient overpayments, stem cell therapy standards, insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, pre-arranged transportation services, and the Uniform Commercial Code update for digital assets.
Several bills were amended before passage, often by substituting House companions and adopting late-filed amendments. The transportation bill was significantly revised to remove speed-limit increases and utility-related provisions while adding beach equipment removal, flood-wake enforcement, expectant mother parking permits, and local regulation of micromobility devices; it passed 37-0. The trust fund interest bill drew the most debate, with supporters arguing it right-sized a volatile funding stream for legal aid and opponents warning it would sharply reduce support for legal aid organizations; it passed 28-10. The municipal water and sewer rate bill also prompted extended debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records exemption bills for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate clerks passed with varying margins, with supporters emphasizing safety and anti-doxing protections. One bill on cardiac emergencies and another on education were temporarily postponed.
Most measures were adopted by wide margins, often unanimously, after brief sponsor explanations and little or no debate. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery. After completing the day’s special order calendar, the Senate recessed for lunch until 1:30 p.m. or on call of the President.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We do use insurance rides when they are available.
- staff we do use Insurance rides when they<00:32:16.880>
are <00:32:17.120>available <00 - payment rates different billing codes payment rates different billing codes and<00:49:15.400>
- so what phase one did was uh codes so what phase one did was uh simplify<00:49:37.240>
and <00 - We have private insurance that's the first payer of medical expenses if we fail.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- "Under the criminal code, but then somebody could come back and file an action under the civil code also
- Does the criminal code but then prosecuted or the criminal code but then prosecuted or then<00:52:35.359
- insurance insurance regarding<01:01:59.599>
services <01:02:00.000>requested <01:02:00.480 - <01:03:38.960>
Actually, in the federal code. Actually, in the federal code. - code.
Keywords:
felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, false claims, civil penalties, state accountability, whistleblower protection, fraud prevention, 916, all
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The game wardens have said, 'Nope, you are in violation of the state's conservation code, Century Code
- And after a while, after three years actually, by century code, it goes back to the county.
- I think it's in the waiver rules, like the Code of Federal Regulations, as well.
- I think it's in the waiver rules, like the Code of Federal Regulations, as well.
- If they experience a health emergency, During that entire time, they have no medical insurance.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Wildlife Code, then we would expect that.
- The game wardens have said, no, you are in violation of the state's conservation code, century code,
- The game wardens have said, no, you are in violation of the state's conservation code, century code,
- IMDs are defined in the Social Security Act and code of— Known as IMDs.
- During that entire time, they have no medical insurance.
Summary:
The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded.
The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Public self-insured employer share has grown from $19 million to $251 million, and the state share is
- The cost to public self-insured employers was $19 million, and it's projected to be $251 million.
- or are self-insured.
- Well, Ed Welsh, on behalf of the Schools Insurance Authority, we were founded in 1974.
- For unemployment insurance, we converted over 250 forms into 14 languages.
Summary:
The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard presentations on the Department of Industrial Relations’ labor-related budget items, with the main focus on proposed trailer bill language to reform the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and a related budget change proposal for staffing. DIR said SIBTF has grown far beyond its original purpose, citing the 2020 Todd decision, expanded eligibility based on chronic or asymptomatic conditions, and a backlog that has grown to more than 30,000 pending cases. The administration argued the reforms would restore guardrails, reduce liabilities and employer assessments, and speed processing for severely injured workers; the LAO said the proposal was largely consistent with its prior recommendations. Members raised concerns about using trailer bill language for major policy changes, the retroactive application to open cases, and the impact on workers already in the queue, while supporters from employer groups and public agencies backed the proposal as necessary to control costs and restore sustainability. Public comment was split, with injured-worker advocates opposing the retroactive changes and business/public employer representatives supporting the reforms.
The committee then heard the SIBTF workload request, which would phase in 177 positions over five years at a cost of $36.5 million, including staff for the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Office of the Director Legal Unit, and administrative support. DIR said the additional staffing is intended to address very high caseloads and reduce processing times, but emphasized that the request assumes the reform package is adopted; LAO agreed the staffing increase made sense if paired with reforms. Members asked about vacancy rates, current staffing, and whether the workload request would become the new normal, and DIR said it would monitor caseload trends and adjust future requests as needed.
Finally, the committee received an update on the California Workplace Outreach Program (CWOP), which DIR described as a partnership with community-based organizations to educate workers and help employers comply with labor laws. DIR reported that CWOP has reached 1.75 million workers and employers and made 8 million touchpoints since 2020, with the current round awarding $50.7 million to 87 partners for a two-year period through June 2027. Members and public commenters highlighted the program’s role in reaching immigrant, farmworker, janitorial, nail salon, and other vulnerable communities, and several speakers urged continued funding at $30 million per year for five years. No votes were taken during the hearing.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-26 (3:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And that law was passed so that we could bring down insurance rates.
- Was passed so that we could bring down insurance rates.
- And lo and behold, insurance rates did not come down.
- Young people growing up in zip codes that are underfunded, over-policed, and underserved are already
- Young people growing up in zip codes that are underfunded, over-policed, and underserved are already
Summary:
The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously.
The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates.
A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The Government Code refers to site improvements as a potential or actual governmental constraint that
- The bill streamlines the permitting process for energy-code-compliant windows for residential window
- Our insurance, we are responsible for that. Our insurance, we are responsible for that.
- We either have insurance or are underinsured, but that's on us, not on the park owner.
- We had insurance. That home burned. That's again on us. We had insurance, luckily.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The costs continue to go up, and our costs in utilities, insurance, and taxes have skyrocketed in the
- and our costs in utilities Insurance and our costs in utilities Insurance taxes<00:08:05.919>
- Fire Marshal to align licensing requirements with the fire code.
- requirements align with uh the fire code requirements align with uh the fire code and<00:39:19.000
- fire code fire code correct<00:45:07.400>
let <00:45:07.599>the <00:45:07.680>record
Keywords:
child care, childcare, day care, daycare, licensing, variance, licensed capacity, capacity limit, staff qualifications, staffing, child care center, family child care, provider flexibility, Minnesota career lattice, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, licensing rules, enrollment, indoor space, professional development
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, February 23, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's multiple codes that can that.
- It's not sort of just uncompensated care for someone that doesn't have any insurance.
- <00:15:51.759>
Uh <00:15:51.920>it that doesn't have any insurance. - Uh it that doesn't have any insurance.
- So, it really does shift some of the burden onto insurers or we just don't have the service.
Bills:
HB0004
MN
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're creating different definitions for male and female in code. Under this bill, yes.
- The, um, the, the insurance, uh, report that I believe you'll have in front of you, 865,000.
- There were 85,865,000 records that they were able to obtain and review from insurance.
- the lack of insurance coverage, they are not seeking prenatal care.
- I noticed you, you, you dwelt a little bit on insurance coverage, lack of insurance coverage, and you
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- and standards and it just runs contrary to adopt a code that allows counties to circumvent minimum codes
- and standards and um it just runs codes and standards and um it just runs contrary<00:37:44.319>
- and standards and then minimum codes and standards and then pass<00:37:52.040>
a <00:37:52.200 - uh minimum codes and standards as<00:38:15.880>
opposed <00:38:16.200>to <00:38:16.319> - Do their insurance costs really go down if, like, their neighbors' roof flies apart and debris falls
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 818 HD1, which would establish the Waiawa Community Development District. The Attorney General’s office said the bill may not comply with requirements for a special fund, and DLNR asked for further amendments so lease revenues would remain with DLNR while it continues managing the lands. DLNR cited ongoing costs, including the Uncle Billy’s demolition debt and management needs at Banyan Drive/Banyan Country Club. HCDA/Waiawa representatives supported the bill, agreed that DLNR should keep lease revenues while it remains the land manager, and said a future transfer of land management would change where revenues should go. Members focused on whether removing lease revenue would undercut the bill and on how existing and future revenues should be allocated.
The committee then took up HB 338 HD1 and HB 339 HD1 on renewable energy-related utility transactions and procurement. Testimony came from the Consumer Advocate, the State Energy Office, the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric, IBEW Local 1260, Ulupono Initiative, and Life of the Land. Supporters generally backed the measures, while some asked for labor-related strengthening language. Discussion centered on how the PUC should handle competing bids or offers in utility merger or acquisition situations, with concerns raised about NDAs, timing, and whether the original version or amended language better allowed public and intervenor participation. A witness from Life of the Land argued that utilities should not negotiate under NDA in a way that blocks later public competition, and a PUC-related witness said the current language was changed from the original to address PUC testimony.
Finally, the committee heard HB 1467 HD1 on housing resiliency. OIP was not present, while B&F raised concerns about placing federal funds into a special fund, saying federal grant money should remain in a separate P fund for transparency, accountability, and single-audit compliance. State agencies and groups including OPSD, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported the measure. Testimony emphasized that many older roofs lack hurricane clips and that strengthening homes could reduce disaster sheltering and temporary housing costs. IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill but argued that building to current standards upfront is preferable to retrofitting later. Members questioned funding structure, eligibility, and whether the program should be needs-based; the bill was described as limited to households under 140% AMI. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.