Video & Transcript Research : 'Austin'
Page 20 of 104
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Electricity as Vehicle Fuel Working Group 01/05/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Austin, thank you, Chair and members.
- Thank you, Austin.
- Uh, Adam with Austin and DeMarco.
- >> Yeah.<01:24:23.920>
Austin. >> Yeah. Austin. >> Yeah. Austin. - >> Austin and I don't know what that is. >> Austin and I don't know what that is.
Summary:
The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies.
Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment.
Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- Strong was born here in Austin 27 years ago.
- Austin is my home. It's where my favorite brother is buried. I have to leave that.
- Austin, I looked up, Austin has like, their cost of living is like. up to 30% higher than the national
- So living in Austin, for those of us who can't.
- It's incredibly difficult to be a- able to live in Austin.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And I I have a little girl whose mom is crying today because tomorrow we're going to put her in UT Austin
- I know one of you had a little girl that was going to start at UT Austin tomorrow or next week as well
- My name is Calum, Austin.
- Mary Barrett Stevens, Austin. She loved playing Rummikub and cards with her family.
- Abby Pohl, Austin, a lovely friend with a kind heart, possessing a deep empathy beyond her years.
Keywords:
school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically in Austin, we've seen that the amount of land that you asked about rose from about 10% to
- We show you registered as Kimberly Levinson on behalf of yourself and the Downtown Austin Neighborhood
- serve as president and CEO of Frontier Enterprises, which owns and operates Jim's Restaurants in Austin
- The City of Austin just adopted the 2024 code. The City of Dallas is already at the 2021 codes.
- This has been done in Austin, as mentioned, and it's done in Houston in certain areas. ...circumstances
Bills:
HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673
Keywords:
solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 31st, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- I grew up in Austin, but spent summers here in Kerrville.
- ESDs and Austin Fire from across the county out to Sandy Creek.
- And Austin. Yeah, he's going here. The big guy.
- I've been in Austin for 26 years at hearings like this.
- Authority of the City of Austin.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Austin, Perry, Schwartner, Sparks. West Zaffirini a coral. Mr.
- Jones, the second of New Hope Baptist Church in Austin. Welcome, Pastor Jones. Thank you, sir.
- Rob McClelland, Austin. James M. Moseley-Borger. Noe E. Perez, Laguna Vista. Michael L. Sloan.
Bills:
SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB14, SB19, SB263, SB412, SB441, SB523, SB569, SB687, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB914, SB971, SB1006, SB1066, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SCR25, SB565, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB441, SB569, SB914, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB263, SB523, SB569, SB688, SB766, SB914, SB971, SB1066, SR215, SR245, SR247, SR258, SCR9, SJR56, SJR63, SJR64, SJR69, SJR70, SJR71, SCR30, SCR31, SCR32, SCR33, SB1701, SB1702, SB1703, SB1704, SB1705, SB1706, SB1707, SB1708, SB1709, SB1710, SB1711, SB1712, SB1713, SB1714, SB1715, SB1716, SB1717, SB1718, SB1719, SB1720, SB1721, SB1722, SB1723, SB1724, SB1725, SB1726, SB1727, SB1728, SB1729, SB1730, SB1731, SB1732, SB1733, SB1734, SB1735, SB1736, SB1737, SB1738, SB1739, SB1740, SB1741, SB1742, SB1743, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1747, SB1748, SB1749, SB1750, SB1751, SB1752, SB1753, SB1754, SB1755, SB1756, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, SB1760, SB1761, SB1762, SB1763, SB1764, SB1765, SB1766, SB1767, SB1768, SB1769, SB1770, SB1771, SB1772, SB1773, SB1774, SB1775, SB1776, SB1777, SB1778, SB1779, SB1781, SB1782, SB1783, SB1784, SB1785, SB1786, SB1787, SB1788, SB1789, SB1790, SB1791, SB1792, SB1793, SB1794, SB1795, SB1796, SB1797, SB1798, SB1799, SB1800, SB1801, SB1802, SB1803, SB1804, SB1805, SB1806, SB1807, SB1808, SB1809, SB1810, SB1811, SB1812, SB1813, SB1814, SB1815, SB1816, SB1817, SB1818, SB1819, SB1820, SB1821, SB1822, SB1823, SB1824, SB1825, SB1826, SB1827, SB1828, SB1829, SB1830, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB2188, SB2230, SB2312, SB2345, SJR56, SJR63, SJR64, SJR69, SJR70, SJR71, SCR30, SCR31, SCR32, SCR33, SB1701, SB1702, SB1703, SB1704, SB1705, SB1706, SB1707, SB1708, SB1709, SB1710, SB1711, SB1712, SB1713, SB1714, SB1715, SB1716, SB1717, SB1718, SB1719, SB1720, SB1721, SB1722, SB1723, SB1724, SB1725, SB1726, SB1727, SB1728, SB1729, SB1730, SB1731, SB1732, SB1733, SB1734, SB1735, SB1736, SB1737, SB1738, SB1739, SB1740, SB1741, SB1742, SB1743, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1747, SB1748, SB1749, SB1750, SB1751, SB1752, SB1753, SB1754, SB1755, SB1756, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, SB1760, SB1761, SB1762, SB1763, SB1764, SB1765, SB1766, SB1767, SB1768, SB1769, SB1770, SB1771, SB1772, SB1773, SB1774, SB1775, SB1776, SB1777, SB1778, SB1779, SB1781, SB1782, SB1783, SB1784, SB1785, SB1786, SB1787, SB1788, SB1789, SB1790, SB1791, SB1792, SB1793, SB1794, SB1795, SB1796, SB1797, SB1798, SB1799, SB1800, SB1801, SB1802, SB1803, SB1804, SB1805, SB1806, SB1807, SB1808, SB1809, SB1810, SB1811, SB1812, SB1813, SB1814, SB1815, SB1816, SB1817, SB1818, SB1819, SB1820, SB1821, SB1822, SB1823, SB1824, SB1825, SB1826, SB1827, SB1828, SB1829, SB1830, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB2188, SB2230, SB2312, SB2345
Keywords:
capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 16th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- while, and I don't want to be too redundant, but I'm also a working journalist. with KVU here in Austin
- Firefly Airspace is a Texas-born, Texas-based company that was established in 2017 in North Austin.
- More than a third of our Firefly's workforce have. hired from the greater Austin area.
- The board will be meeting in an open meeting. 2 o'clock here in Austin, and also the TARSEC Executive
- Do I want to go drive into Austin every day as we're about to start construction on 35?
Bills:
HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487
Keywords:
State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They needed something different than Austin. Austin needs something different than St. Angelo.
- Is that county level, region, a board in Austin with grant program? Yes, yes, sure, yes ma'am.
- I served on the Austin Arts Commission, and we had grant programs and of course it's very flexible.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And those include Janine Koy, Austin Johnson, Matisa Robinson, Christian Deer, and Sasha Allen.
- we cover and those include<00:02:44.120>
Janine <00:02:44.560>Koy <00:02:45.560>Austin - <00:02:46.159>
Johnson <00:02:47.159>matisa include Janine Koy Austin Johnson matisa - include Janine Koy Austin Johnson matisa Robinson<00:02:49.080>
Christian <00:02:49.519>deer
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members and Vice Chair Susan Tyler Whitten, reviewed committee procedures, and introduced staff. Members also introduced several guests, including family members, interns, and visitors from Kenton County. The chair noted there were no minutes to approve because it was the first meeting.
The committee then heard House Bill 552 from Judge Executive John Sims of Falmouth County, who said the bill is a joint effort supported by KLC and the County Judge/Executive Association. He explained that the measure makes minor wording changes, replacing references to “jurisdiction” with “county or city” and changing “chairman” to “chair,” with the goal of ensuring smaller communities retain representation on local tourist commissions. Chair King added that the bill would allow a mayor or judge executive to appoint a county resident to a tourism board even when the tax district or business ownership crosses city-county lines.
After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the bill. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with members present voting yes and Representative Whitaker explaining his support by saying tourism is a team effort in the counties. House Bill 552 passed out of committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 9th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, in 2024, the University of Texas at Austin reported that more than half of the counties
- We've done a lot of good work here in Austin, but I have continued to be an advocate.
- As well as I recently served on the Austin Street Strategic Planning Working Group on Animal Services
- This bill is a good bill, and I will say that in Austin we have PetSmart that has a business that sells
- That are here in Austin, they're thriving, they're doing great.
Bills:
HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175
Keywords:
Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part II) Mar 26th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I also sit on the Interdisciplinary Advisory Council under HHSC here in Austin.
- I am a board-certified neonatologist in Austin. I've been practicing for more than 13 years.
- I'm the CEO of the John Paul II Life Center and Vitae Clinic in Austin, and also a resident of Austin
- Since 2010, our center and clinic has been on the front lines of serving Austin families and women facing
- West Texas, but across the state, even here in Austin.
Bills:
SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034
Keywords:
SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Austin, how do you vote? Representative Blattman, how do you vote?
- Representative Austin. How do you vote? The clerk will record the vote.
- Representative Aguilar, Austin, Cabero, Lydia Hernandez, how do you vote?
- Representative Austin and Blattman, how do you vote?
- Representative Austin, you shared a little bit about your amendment.
Summary:
The House met with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Members also recognized Doctor of the Day Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum and welcomed visitors for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, along with Judge Kaluli from Veterans Treatment Court. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first readings before taking up a long third-reading calendar.
The floor debate centered on a wide range of bills, especially water, education, elections, public utilities, labor, and criminal justice measures. Members discussed tax administration, groundwater and water-rights issues, superintendent contract transparency, mining reclamation, school employee disclosure, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, probation, veterans and military employment protections, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, real estate licensing, and several education-related appropriations for ESA administration. There were also resolutions and memorials on voting centers and precincts, student athletics, Route 66, and recognizing Judea and Samaria. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing transparency, consumer protection, public safety, and administrative cleanup, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, cost, overreach, lack of accountability, and impacts on schools, elections, and local control.
Most measures passed, often along party-line or near party-line votes, and several emergency measures were adopted with the required two-thirds vote. Notable votes included HB 2016, HB 2026, HB 2028, HB 2049, HB 2075, HB 2090, HB 2092, HB 2094, HB 2098, HB 2111, HB 2113, HB 2114, HB 2133, HB 2135, HB 2179, HB 2192, HB 2228, HB 2256, HB 2260, HB 2262, HB 2265, HB 2278, HB 2328, HB 2351, HB 2381, HB 2409, HB 2410, HB 2411, HB 2425, HB 2451, HB 2476, HB 2499, HB 2500, HB 2584, HB 2662, HB 2663, HB 2666, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2804, HB 2812, HB 2827, HB 2877, HB 2908, HB 2932, HB 2933, HB 2943, HB 2953, HB 2966, and HB 2985, along with HCM 2007 and HCRs 2003, 2016, and 2047 and HR 2002 and 2003. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of HB 2174 and related amendments.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a beautiful main library branch here in Austin.
- I'm a seminary student living in Austin. I'm also a.
- I'm an Austin resident and a PhD student in computational biology at UT Austin. I'm opposing...
- My name is Adrian Brown, resident of Austin, Texas, representing myself.
- I am a seminary student and intern minister living in Austin.
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Only UT Austin and UT systems administration are allowed to use the Puff to fund operations.
- Austin State University last year.
- Isn't Austin a very expensive place to live, and, and, and doesn't this also include the cost of living
- It seems often that a lot of those PU funds stay right here in Austin.
- I know that, uh, actually I had a couple of sons go through, uh, UT Austin and, uh, recently graduate
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Walter Fisher Memorial Jun 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The people chose Austin, Texas.
- And he assured me that, yes, the Easter Bunny can come to Austin, too.
- In my childhood embrace of free enterprise, I had started a cuss jar at our house in Austin, and it had
- Fast forward 15 years to the summer of 1977 here in Austin, on August 12 of that year, 23-year-old Walter
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I wish to announce that Representative Austin has temporarily replaced...
- Representative Austin temporarily replaced Representative Yegas on the Committee on Government for Wednesday
- I wish to announce that Representative Austin has temporarily replaced...
- Representative Austin temporarily replaced Representative Yegas on the Committee on Government for Wednesday
Summary:
The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized Dr. Kai Sun as Doctor of the Day. Members also welcomed newly sworn Representative Cody Reim, congratulated Sergeant-at-Arms Chuck Fitzgerald on his wedding, and introduced numerous guests and visiting groups, including pharmacists at Pharmacy Day, the Arizona Education Association, the Well-Being Collaborative of Arizona, and local officials from San Luis.
The chamber then took up several measures. House Resolution 2001, recognizing March 18, 2026 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day in Arizona, was adopted unanimously after brief remarks about burnout and workforce shortages in health care. On House Bill 2375, relating to housing and historic neighborhoods, members debated at length the balance between middle-housing reforms, local control, historic preservation, and concerns about exclusion and displacement; the bill passed 31-24, but the emergency clause failed because it did not receive the required two-thirds vote. House Bill 2931, creating the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board, passed 36-19, and House Bill 2992, establishing a child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention pilot program with appropriations, passed 35-20.
The House also passed Senate Bill 1010, substituted for House Bill 4027, relating to historic names, by a vote of 33-22. Several other Senate bills were read for the first time or second reading, and committee assignments were adjusted, including withdrawals and re-referrals of multiple bills. The session concluded with announcements of upcoming committee meetings, a statement from the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus condemning alleged misconduct and affirming support for survivors, and adjournment until 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the time of Moderna's founding in 2010 and used its investment dollars to attract the company to Austin
- As a military veteran, an Austin resident, and a proud Texan, I am in support of House Bill 104 and the
- My name is Rajiv Bala, representing Clutch VC and Opportunity Austin.
- Dallas, grew up in Houston, and I've spent the last 17 years investing in Texas-based startups from Austin
- City in particular has suffered a somewhat brain drain of talent from New York City to places like Austin
Keywords:
Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- additional toll roads that could be coming into our area, especially the ones that you hit coming into Austin
- urban adjacent rural areas to our more highly populated counties and cities such as Houston and the Austin
- I'm here representing the Austin EMS Association, where I currently serve as president, and for myself
- The Austin EMS Association has over 600 EMS providers, and we live all throughout the region. ...route
- Almost 70% of our members actually don't live in Austin, with a good chunk of those also living in more
Bills:
HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906
Keywords:
HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 2nd, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Dana Pate, and on behalf of Samsung Austin Semiconductor, I'm here today to support HB112.
- has been an integral part of Central Texas for nearly 30 years, with 4,500 employees serving our Austin
- Austin facility is still going strong, and we'll continue even after we build Taylor. That's right.
- doesn't... count projects that are looking with our community partners or working with Opportunity Austin
- Austin-Round Rock Metro was 3.5%. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington was 3.9%. Houston et al. was 4.4%.
Keywords:
science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EIG DEFER, EIG-PSM, EIG Public Hearings 02-10-2026
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Austin Martin, Libertarian Party of Hawaii. Um, I also sit on the LNC region one member.
- <00:05:08.880>
Austin <00:05:09.280>Martin, <00:05:09.680>Libertarian >> - Austin Martin, Libertarian >> Yes, sir.
- Austin Martin, Libertarian Party<00:05:10.560>
of <00:05:10.720>Hawaii. - Austin Martin testifying for Libertarian Party. Aloha to members of the committee.
Keywords:
public lands, county authority, public health, safety regulations, cultural preservation, public safety, Hawaii National Guard, military deployment, governor authority, federal assistance, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2033 on renewable energy, focused on rooftop solar and grid-ready homes. Members discussed amendments intended to clarify retrofit provisions for new homes, cost-sharing requirements for interconnecting customers, compliance with relevant safety standards or certifications, and a date change. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously.
The joint committees then heard Senate Bill 2363 on county authority over access to encumbered properties such as streams. The City and County of Honolulu, along with the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, testified in support, saying the bill would help protect public safety, reduce flood risk, and prevent illicit activity. A Libertarian Party representative opposed the measure, arguing the problem stemmed from mismanagement and that the bill granted overly broad new powers. No action was taken during the hearing.
The committees also heard Senate Bill 2054 and Senate Bill 2057, both relating to public safety and immigration-related state authority. Testimony on SB 2054 largely supported limiting state resources for federal or out-of-state deployments when the governor objects, with the Hawaii National Guard raising concerns about unclear obligations for service members and the distinction between Title 10 and Title 32 authority. On SB 2057, supporters including ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Legal Clinic said the bill would curb cooperation with ICE, protect constitutional rights, and preserve trust in immigrant communities; one witness also noted the rapid growth of 287(g) agreements nationwide. The committee then moved on to SB 2377 on property damage to critical infrastructure, where Charter Communications and Hawaiian Telecom supported the bill and asked for clarification to include broadband and telecommunications, while the Public Defender questioned whether the higher penalty was justified. Finally, the committee began SB 3322 on law enforcement, with testimony emphasizing clearer separation between local police and federal agents, limits on immigration enforcement cooperation, and protections for community trust; the hearing continued with additional testimony and questions.