Transcript Highlights:

• We will be hearing House File 2431, the omnibus Higher Education Budget Bill, and House File 2438, the
• Uh first up today is House File you.
• It's cuz it you know it appropriation.
• Next up is is House File Thank you.
• </c> that the A4 amendment be placed on House that the A4 amendment be placed on House File<00:41:30.400

Bills: HF2431 , HF2438 , HF2783 , HF1943

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost of housing for our working-class families.
• One of the promises is factory-built housing and modular housing.
• with using their vouchers and actually connecting to housing.
• By chance, is this your last bill from the House of Origin? Last bill from the House of Origin?
• This applies only to 100% affordable housing developments.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing.
• from being built and market-rate housing and affordable housing.
• housing and to help those folks get back into housing.
• If we wanted to appropriate money right now to take care of our veterans, to make affordable housing,
• If we wanted to appropriate money right now to take care of our veterans, to make affordable housing,

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, House Local Government Committee.
• The number is House Bill 2071.
• So I'm the head of the single exit and multiplex housing.
• That's appropriate. What should you be ready for?
• We know we have a housing crisis.

Summary: The committee heard first from Ferndale city officials and a representative of FutureWise on annexation planning. Ferndale described its “annexation blueprint” or phased annexation plan as a way to tie urban growth area planning, capital facilities, and eventual annexation together earlier in the process. Speakers argued that counties often allow incremental development in urban growth areas without city-level standards, impact fees, or coordinated infrastructure planning, which can leave cities and taxpayers with higher future costs and make annexation less likely. Members raised questions about fire districts, county revenue loss, and whether annexation incentives or interlocal revenue-sharing agreements could help. FutureWise supported requiring annexation phasing in countywide planning policies, using pre-annexation agreements, and applying city standards in urban growth areas to make annexation more predictable and less contentious. The committee then received a primer and update from the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Staff explained the council’s composition, standing committees, technical advisory groups, and rulemaking process, including normal, expedited, and emergency rulemaking. They described the ongoing 2024 code cycle and the separate work underway on Senate Bill 5491 and related legislation concerning single-stair residential buildings and multiplex housing. Members discussed how the legislature can better direct the SBCC, the difference between prescriptive and performance-based code approaches, and the importance of involving technical experts early. The SBCC also addressed concerns about the wildfire urban interface code, noting that problems arose when code language and maps were developed on different timelines and applied to urban areas in ways that were not anticipated. Several members asked about regional differences, especially energy code impacts in eastern Washington and the role of natural gas. SBCC representatives said the council can use climate zones and appendices for some regional variation, but statewide statutory targets still constrain the energy code. They emphasized that the council is largely reactive to legislative direction and public proposals, and that clearer legislative intent would help avoid ambiguity in future code development. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Appropriations Committee will come to order for the purpose of a work session and public hearing
• I am a long-term renter of 22 years in single-family housing, or multi-family housing, low-income, and
• So for any newly built housing or any rehabbed housing, I cannot live there due to toxic building materials
• I am a long-term renter of 22 years in single-family housing, or multi-family housing, low-income, and
• So for any newly built housing or any rehabbed housing, I cannot live there due to toxic building materials

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is with regards to workforce housing.
• housing housing thank<00:22:29.480><c> you</c><00:22:29.600><c> for</c><00:22:29.799><c> that</c><00
• </c> seriously and provide the appropriate seriously and provide the appropriate response<00:49:27.200
• It’s not appropriate in this setting. Any other testifiers for HB 1346?
• We need them, but we have to get them housing.

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e e e e Will the House come to order? Mr. Clerk, will the House come to order? Mr.
• </c><00:12:39.480><c> of</c> welcome to your house of welcome to your house of representatives<00:12:
• </c> you very much and welcome to your house you very much and welcome to your house of of of [Applause
• </c><00:14:44.120><c> of</c> Johnson welcome to your House of Johnson welcome to your House of [Applause
• The House stands adjourned until 12:00 noon tomorrow. morwa M speaker I move that this house morwa M

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item on the agenda is House Bill 4364.
• For the committee is House Bill 4364.
• The next item on the agenda is House Bill 4366.
• Pending before you is House Bill 4366.
• Just a heads up administratively, the last two bills on the agenda, House Bill 4695 and House Bill 4198

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got to get to 48 in the House or 94 in the House and 48 in the Senate, so, you know, you need
• And then there's the same question of whether it is appropriate to address the whole continuum of care
• with higher question of whether it is appropriate to address the whole continuum of care with higher
• Some states have even received approval to pay for housing solutions while at the same time having an
• What this is doing in section one is it's providing an appropriation to the Department of Health and

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's entirely appropriate that you, yeah, I think your comments are.
• And I'm happy to move the bill when it's appropriate. Thank you. Senator Menjavar.
• 24 hours a day and that are housed there for non-criminal behavior.
• And that are housed there for non-criminal behavior.
• That is asking the foxes to guard the hen house.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to start out with House Bill 537. House Bill 537.
• House Bill 537, if you’ll recall, back in the 2021 session, this honorable body had House Bill 427, which
• House Joint Resolution 34 authorizes the release of funds that were appropriated in 2024 relative to
• well Gentlemen please proceed uh house well Gentlemen please proceed uh house joint<00:04:25.000><c>
• </c><00:11:01.760><c> house</c><00:11:01.959><c> joint</c> all right next up is house house joint all

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2664. You're welcome.
• Two minutes sounds appropriate. I would like your input. Two minutes sounds appropriate.
• Housing Association.
• House Bill 2664 is a practical common-sense fix.
• 6,000 small housing providers across the state.

Summary: The Housing Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2664, which would remove the certified-mail requirement for serving unlawful detainer and related notices under landlord-tenant law. Committee staff explained that the bill would instead deem service complete when notices are mailed from within the state with proper postage, and would keep other service methods such as personal delivery or posting plus mailing when the recipient is not on the premises. Representative April Connors, the bill sponsor, said the measure is intended to clean up notice provisions affected by prior legislation and reduce the burden on renters who currently must retrieve certified mail from the post office; she also noted a question from Representative Zahn about whether lease renewals are included and said she would follow up on that issue. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Housing providers, property managers, landlord associations, and business groups said certified mail has created high costs, administrative burden, and many undelivered notices, with several witnesses reporting large percentages of notices returned unclaimed. Supporters argued the bill would improve the likelihood that tenants actually receive notices, reduce confusion, and lower costs for housing providers. One witness also said the current process can be inconvenient or inaccessible for tenants, while another raised privacy and safety concerns about posting notices on doors. No one testified in opposition. Committee members asked very few questions, and the chair reminded testifiers that props are not allowed. The hearing concluded without a vote or other action on the bill, and the committee adjourned after a brief congratulatory comment to Vice Chair Hill on chairing her first Housing Committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> million being appropriated in the bill. million being appropriated in the bill.
• </c><00:03:22.760><c> So,</c> could have appropriated 191.106. So, could have appropriated 191.106.
• </c> carried forward in that appropriation. carried forward in that appropriation.
• </c> appropriation from 2023 as well. appropriation from 2023 as well.
• And then uh the uh case of the house.

Bills: HF3879

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a big supporter of funding affordable housing, of creating revenue to support affordable housing
• For their impact on affordable housing, market rate housing, and local revenue.
• This bill is part of the fast track housing bill package, an initiative to address California's housing
• The concerns are appropriate.
• It's housing day for me. I rise to present AB 610, the Fair Housing Practices Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's hard to have stable housing based on that.
• It's hard to hold down a job without stable housing and have the additional income to have stable housing
• So the live component is housing.
• So the live component is housing.
• There wasn't an appropriate placement for her back here at home.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee heard presentations on three Arkansas programs serving students and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. University of Arkansas representatives described the Empower Program, a non-degree, four-year inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program, which provides intensive academic, peer, and career coaching for degree-seeking students with autism. They explained the programs’ person-centered planning, residential and employment supports, fee structure of $5,000 per semester for each program, and scholarship/fundraising efforts to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, mentoring, individualized plans, and how students move in and out of support services, and the presenters emphasized independence, integrated campus life, and transition planning. Pulaski Technical College staff then presented the 3D program, a three-year transition program in culinary, baking, and hospitality for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They outlined integrated classes, internships, job placement outcomes, and data showing strong completion and employment retention rates. Questions focused on how success is measured, tuition and financial aid, and the challenge of securing community partners for practicum and employment sites. The presenters said the program uses rubrics that include technical and professional skills, charges $5,700 per semester, and is pursuing accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The final presentation was from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, and community initiatives. Leaders described their vision for a future mixed-use “live-work-play” development at Cato Springs, current residential and vocational services, and community events such as a 5K and a neurodiversity health care conference. Family members testified about the need for adult services, trained direct support professionals, and better reimbursement and behavioral health supports after age 21. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes, and members also announced upcoming autism-related events and requested future discussion on task force appointments and ABA-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the the smaller amount of appropriation the the smaller amount of appropriation that<00:37:25.599
• the appropriation from Senate Bill 654 FN, lines 24 through 28, which is just a $40,000 appropriation
• </c><01:29:22.480><c> on</c> end of the page for an appropriation on end of the page for an appropriation
• </c><01:29:48.960><c> from</c> language for the appropriation from language for the appropriation from
• </c> And we're adding the appropriations And we're adding the appropriations language<01:32:24.239><c

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• them here as opposed to the house them here as opposed to the mainland?
• It's a bare minimum year in restrictive housing.
• It's a bare minimum year in restrictive housing.
• It's a bare minimum year in restrictive housing.
• And so, you spend 4 months with housing.

Bills: HB389 , HB1166 , HB1510 , HB1541 , HB1605 , HB1661 , HB1663 , HB1678 , HB1769 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1840 , HB1853 , HB1860 , HB1891 , HB1952 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1970 , HB1972 , HB1976 , HB2050 , HB2094 , HB2104 , HB2158 , HB2165 , HB2171 , HB2208 , HB2246 , HB2271 , HB2300 , HB2310 , HB2315 , HB2319 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2343 , HB2443 , HB2498 , HB2551 , HB2599 , HB2606 , SB17 , SB83 , SB99 , SB148 , SB411 , SB709 , SB847 , SB874 , SB888 , SB1032 , SB1166 , SB2001 , SB2014 , SB2031 , SB2041 , SB2050 , SB2057 , SB2061 , SB2074 , SB2075 , SB2089 , SB2095 , SB2101 , SB2102 , SB2108 , SB2109 , SB2110 , SB2125 , SB2135 , SB2138 , SB2140 , SB2146 , SB2151 , SB2152 , SB2175 , SB2203 , SB2239 , SB2246 , SB2247 , SB2253 , SB2261 , SB2268 , SB2271 , SB2272 , SB2320 , SB2340 , SB2347 , SB2353 , SB2363 , SB2367 , SB2372 , SB2376 , SB2386

Transcript Highlights:

• It has an appropriation new positions.
• >> Without an appropriation. I'm so sorry. >> Without an appropriation. I'm so sorry.
• finance with the appropriation.
• finance with the appropriation.
• . asked for the appropriation.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• If we appropriate something, or if I appropriate something, you know, by the law, it can all be spent
• Okay, does anybody else have anything on House Bill 2?
• Page 2 of House Bill 4. Page 2 of House Bill 4 and page 11 in the document, sorry.
• We've got tornado relief moving to House Bill 17 on page 34.
• House Bill 10. We did cut some of the naloxone distribution.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• settlement which is part of this house settlement which is house<00:20:51.120><c> vca</c><00:20:52.400
• I mean a books or tuition or housing.
• </c> certification that meets appropriate certification that meets appropriate standards<00:43:32.880
• </c><00:45:17.040><c> that</c> last year in bill House Bill 750. that last year in bill House Bill 750
• </c><00:45:39.359><c> I</c> removal of composting is appropriate I removal of composting is appropriate

Bills: HB2384

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The joint committees heard HB 2384, relating to student athlete compensation, with testimony largely in support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics, and several other supporters. UH Mānoa said the bill would create a framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies, including education, financial literacy, agent regulation, transparency, and reporting. Supporters argued NIL is now a necessary part of college athletics to recruit and retain athletes, keep Hawaiʻi talent in-state, and remain competitive, while also helping student athletes develop as future leaders. One supporter also emphasized the need for financial guidance so young athletes do not mishandle NIL income. Committee members questioned why the bill would direct public funds to NIL payments rather than broader athletic operations or other student groups, whether other states are funding NIL directly, and whether the approach could create a bidding war. UH representatives said the university already has NIL contracts in place, but the bill would strengthen and formalize policies. They said the requested funding model includes about $5 million for NIL and $10 million for athletics operations, with the NIL amount intended to supplement private fundraising; they also noted UH has raised roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for NIL since July 1 and is targeting $3 million this fiscal year. Members also raised concerns about fairness, public spending priorities, and whether the university’s policies adequately protect student athletes. The committees voted to pass HB 2384 HD1 with amendments. The chair said the bill should be amended to explicitly state that allocated funds may be used by UH for NIL payments to student athletes, and asked the next committee to examine whether a different payment scheme, similar to those used elsewhere, might be more appropriate for public funds. One member announced a no vote, citing concerns about direct public funding of NIL and unequal treatment of student athletes versus other students. The JHA committee adopted the same recommendation, with some members voting with reservations. Afterward, the meeting moved on to HB 644 HD1 on single-use plastics, where the first testimony was in opposition from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, both arguing the bill as drafted would improperly exclude certified compostable products and should better align with composting and certification standards.