Transcript Highlights:

• Lis Saliva, Director of Finance for the State of Hawaii. You have our testimony in front of you.
• Lis Saliva, Director of Finance for the State of Hawaii, stated that the testimony asks for an increase
• level, to illustrate how this type of public financing has been utilized in other states and how we
• level, to illustrate how this type of public financing has been utilized in other states and how we
• level, to illustrate how this type of public financing has been utilized in other states and how we

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide a state-approved program so that those teachers can receive training and instructional programming
• around the state, a lot of As noted earlier, our school finance: if you took a look at our small and
• How about finance services?
• How about finance services?
• We have to stop and look at programs first. Is that program economically feasible?

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee met to discuss the needs of rural school districts and the role of Florida’s three regional education consortia: the Panhandle Area Education Consortium, Northeast Florida Educational Consortium, and Heartland Educational Consortium. Executive directors and several rural superintendents described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide shared services, professional learning, leadership development, grant support, cooperative purchasing, risk management, IT/cybersecurity help, and back-office assistance that small districts could not afford to provide on their own. They emphasized that rural districts are often very small, have limited staff, and must still meet the same state reporting and compliance requirements as large urban systems. Testimony focused heavily on teacher recruitment and retention, alternative certification, and the difficulty of staffing specialized roles such as CFOs, MIS directors, IT staff, and content-area teachers. Superintendents said many new hires are career changers or alternatively certified teachers who need consortium-supported training, and several argued for more flexibility in funding so districts can raise salaries and compete with neighboring districts and nearby states. Members also asked about the impact of declining enrollment, homeschooling, and voucher-related school choice; superintendents said those trends are reducing FTE and creating budget instability, while also requiring districts to right-size staff and programs. Several speakers described the financial strain on rural districts, including rising insurance costs, transportation costs, and the challenge of forecasting budgets when enrollment changes after the school year begins. One superintendent recounted major hurricane damage and said consortium risk-management support was essential to recovery. Others said the consortia help districts pool resources for property and health insurance, payroll, student data systems, and procurement, and that this shared approach saves money and improves services. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:59.639> on Wahoo fatalities occurring on State on Wahoo fatalities occurring on State
• our state.
• the Four County boards create a program the Four County boards create a program in<00:37:03.200>
• in this and then have this program in this and then have this program report<00:37:06.319> up
• partner with um whether it's the state partner with um whether it's the state you<00:43:25.160><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and arts-related measures. HB 307 on special member plates drew written support from Protect Ohana, and HB 531 on a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center specialty plate received strong support from the Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society, both emphasizing cancer research, patient care, outreach, and public awareness. HB 706 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, and HB 1231 would expand red light photo enforcement; both drew support from transportation and safety advocates, while the Judiciary raised concerns about citation volume, staffing, manual processing, and the need for consultation and a phased rollout. The committee also discussed HB 54, which increases penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses; the Attorney General’s office supported the enforcement rationale and fingerprinting language, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it adds harsh penalties and jail time despite broader efforts to reduce excessive punishment. For the camera-enforcement bills, the Department of Transportation said the red-light and speed-camera programs would be expanded gradually, with existing intersections converted first and additional locations added over time, and noted that the system would require about $2 million and significant automation for the Judiciary. The Judiciary repeatedly asked for more time, public input on camera locations, and effective dates that would allow staffing and system changes. On HB 1166, which funds the automated speed enforcement program, DOT proposed technical amendments to make the citations non-moving violations and to align the statute with the red-light program; the Judiciary again said it had no position on the policy but needed time and consultation to absorb the workload. HB 235, a North Shore red-light imaging bill, drew similar Judiciary concerns and support from a testifier who said enforcement would improve compliance and reduce crashes. The committee also heard HB 1159 on commercial harbor evacuations, with Hawaii Emergency Management Agency supporting the bill as a way to give harbor masters enforceable authority to order vessels out during emergencies. The discussion focused on whether the measure would affect all commercial harbor users, including smaller fishing vessels, and whether it would conflict with Coast Guard authority; the bill’s proponents said it would let the state enforce orders already issued by the captain of the port and protect cargo lanes during crises. Finally, HB 17 on the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority was described by HCDA as a housekeeping and structural bill that would update its purposes, allow it to assist other agencies, and replace multiple county boards with a single program reporting to the 17-member board. DHHL supported the bill because of potential transit and infrastructure benefits for Kapolei and nearby homestead developments, and committee members discussed future financing tools such as improvement districts, TIF, and other mechanisms to fund infrastructure early in the development process.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll explain later, but that's what this program is. But that's what this program is.
• do it without state aid.
• aid program.
• Of course, the state... State aid program.
• , the hunger programs.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we do trails and maintenance, it's State Parks. Cal Fire represents about 30% of our program.
• Considering the general fund, as for Cal Fire or Department of Finance, considering the state of the
• Considering the general fund, as for Cal Fire or Department of Finance, considering the state of the
• Department of Finance, I'd like to just state for the record: the BCP submitted at Governor's Budget
• Our RFFC program staff also work closely with our colleagues at other state departments to make sure

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the California Conservation Corps on its 50-year history, current operations, and budget proposals. Director J.P. Patton described the CCC’s work in conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development, noting 26 facilities, about 3,000 Corps members annually, and a funding mix of roughly 55% General Fund and 45% reimbursements. Members praised the program and asked about revenue sources, recruitment, retention, and post-service tracking. The CCC said it has a 5,000-person waitlist, uses first-come, first-served admissions with minimal eligibility requirements, and is working to improve data on outcomes. The committee also discussed the Greenwood Residential Center, where the CCC seeks staffing and operating funds to reopen a rebuilt facility in El Dorado County; the LAO suggested considering fewer new members or a delayed opening to reduce General Fund pressure, but no vote was taken and the item was held open. The committee then considered a CCC wildfire readiness proposal to move hand crews to a seven-day operational schedule. CCC and Cal Fire representatives said the change is needed because wildfire is now year-round and because the current model leaves crews unavailable in many months due to staffing gaps. They said the proposal would improve reliability for Cal Fire, preserve training opportunities for Corps members, and better align the CCC with Cal Fire’s 66-hour workweek. The LAO supported the concept but recommended considering lower-cost alternatives, such as relief staffing or partial reimbursement. Members also discussed the decline in incarcerated fire crews, with Cal Fire explaining that reforms and eligibility changes have reduced the pool of incarcerated people who qualify for camp and fire work. One member raised the use of goats and grazing for fuel reduction, and staff responded that such methods can help with prevention but cannot replace hand crews for suppression. The item was held open. Cal Fire then presented its department overview, emphasizing its expanded workforce, year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and partnerships with federal, local, tribal, and private entities. Members asked about contract counties such as Orange County, reforestation and seedling capacity, federal reimbursement, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Cal Fire said it is still below the seedling capacity needed for post-fire reforestation and relies heavily on public-private partnerships. The committee also reviewed a proposal for permanent funding for defensible space inspections. Cal Fire said it needs 31 positions and ongoing General Fund support to replace temporary funding that expires in 2027 and to maintain a goal of 250,000 inspections per year. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested alternatives such as a different General Fund/GGRF mix, reinstating an SRA fee, or approving the positions on a one-time basis. Members generally supported the work but raised budget concerns, and the proposal was held open. Finally, Cal Fire began presenting a fixed-wing pilot and mechanics contract increase, explaining that its aviation fleet has grown and become more complex, requiring more pilots and maintainers for year-round operations. The department said labor market pressures have increased contractor costs and that the contract is needed to support continuous aerial firefighting readiness. The transcript cuts off before further discussion or any action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill was finances of the state.
• states this program is substantially states this program is substantially [clears throat] [clears
• :37:15.760> of been a program like this in the state of been a program like this in the state
• So, this voluntary program is a great first step. Many other states are doing it.
• > is in New York State, uh their program is in New York State, uh their program is terrific<00:45

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant program.
• Welcome to the State and Local Government Committee. Um, please state your name for the record.
• corners of the state. corners of the state.
• solar for public building grant program. solar for public building grant program.
• like the state budget did. like the state budget did.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pre-state.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. Of the United States.
• Campaign Finance. Agriculture. State, sanity, district directors' payment. Government.
• Finance. House Bill 35, State Department of Corrections appropriation.
• Finance. Finance. Finance. Appropriations, Transportation and Technology. S.C.M. 10-02, at L.F.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to represent the state of New Mexico, our districts
• That will be your last day to file. with the Secretary of State.
• And then the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
• Committee. to the House Rural Development, Land Grants, Operations, and Finance Committee.
• chartering authority for state-chartered charter schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• That program provides essentially an insurance policy for the state.
• state, and the Zero-Emission Assurance Program, the ZAP program.
• I think that we have a significant portion of the state that has not had access to this program for a
• I think that we have a significant portion of the state that has not had access to this program for a
• The California State Pipe Trades Council supports full funding of this program to ensure development

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the state and counties make significant efforts to connect people to all the programs they may
• About 900,000 individuals across the state participate in all three of these programs.
• The Department of Health Care Services is the single state agency responsible for financing and administering
• LIHEAP is the only state program that provides financial assistance to low-income households to help
• While CSBG funding is relatively limited compared to other state and federal programs, Agencies leverage

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If reported, it would go to Finance.
• program for the State of New York.
• Again, it would establish a pilot program for maternal infant care centers around the state. Any?
• Again, it would establish a pilot program for maternal infant care centers around the state. Any?
• That bill goes to Finance.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:48:20.480> contracted<00:48:21.040> programs funds in our state contracted programs
• state that has yet to be formulated, but it would be a science-based program that would rely heavily
• So this will directly impact state finances as we make decisions, particularly in Waikīkī and how we
• So this will directly impact state finances as we make decisions, particularly in Waikīkī and how we
• Uh, we have the University of Hawaiʻi system in support. state finances as we make decisions state finances

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, then we'll go to the Department of Finance. Jesse Romine, Department of Finance.
• How about require state?
• There's also mass transit and vanpool commute programs where state employees can receive subsidies. up
• deliver through the state.
• states.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ensuring states have the capability to continue on the programming even with changes to the funding streams
• of Minnesota, saw a state-by-state breakdown?
• Chair, on the Climate Innovation Finance Authority, could you refresh my mind: if there was state money
• As you just heard from PFM, tax-exempt bonds are a tool for both state and local governments to finance
• state will be similarly impacted, and every level of government will find it more costly to finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or out-of-state, spend money to influence our state ballot questions, the public can clearly and quickly
• So that one, that gets me to what the states have had: two sets of all your state officials, federal
• Several other states and cities have programs such as this.
• Places like Connecticut, Maine, New York City, and Seattle have all had successful public financing programs
• Seattle have all had successful public financing programs, and I see my colleague Joan Meschino.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House and Senate Election Laws committees held a hearing focused on campaign finance and several local election-related bills. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell testified in support of H. 848 and S. 515, saying the campaign finance law needs modernization and highlighting proposals for stronger Super PAC disclosure, more timely reporting, improved security for campaign participants, and other reforms. He said the bills would help update a 50-year-old system to reflect legal, economic, and cultural changes. A major portion of the hearing concerned H. 868/S. 507, which would require earlier and more frequent reporting by ballot question committees. Witnesses from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and others argued that ballot campaigns now involve tens of millions of dollars, much of it raised during periods with no real-time disclosure, and that moving these committees into the depository system would improve transparency without burdening grassroots signature-gathering. The committee also heard support for H. 811 and H. 812, which would allow municipalities to create citizen-funded election programs and require identifying information on political text messages, as well as S. 525/H. 875, which would bar political spending by foreign-influenced corporations. The committee also heard testimony on S. 2605, a Canton home rule petition to move town elections from April to November. Canton residents, a select board member, and a poll worker said the change would increase turnout, better align local elections with the November voting cycle, and give newly elected officials more time to prepare for town meeting. Senator Rausch also testified in support of S. 530, requiring presidential primary candidates to disclose recent tax returns. The hearing ended with no votes taken and the committee adjourning, with a note that the next hearing was tentatively scheduled for January 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• Richardy and members of the finance Richardy and members of the finance committee.<00:03:32.159>
• here in our state. here in our state.
• We have other roads in the state that do have mile markers, but they're not a consistent program, and
• , the resurfacing programs and bridge maintenance programs.
• finance make that decision.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consists only of the union of one man and one woman to state affairs.
• citizen to state affairs.
• to state affairs.
• Physicians and healthcare providers involving gender transitioning to state affairs.
• to reimburse certain supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will move to the finance committee.
• This bill moves to the finance committee.
• This bill will advance to the Finance Committee.
• This bill will move to the Finance Committee as well.
• The bill advances to the Finance Committee.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered a lengthy agenda of energy- and utility-related bills. The committee discussed measures on utility outage penalties for combination utilities, a NYSERDA-backed electric landscaping rebate program, stronger utility storm response compliance, a study on utility reporting of late payments to credit agencies, a used zero-emission vehicle rebate program, alternative fuels along the New York State Thruway, a property tax exemption for energy-related utility real property, a NYSERDA pilot microgrid at Glenwood Houses, a prohibition on PSC approval of certain utility rate increases, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, a usage monitoring program, and a bill on denial of increased utility rates and charges. Several bills prompted questions about who would pay for the programs or penalties, with sponsors and staff repeatedly stating that fines would be paid by utilities and that many programs would be funded through NYSERDA or existing appropriations, though members raised concerns about whether ratepayer funds or system benefits charges could be used. The electric landscaping rebate bill drew extended debate over whether its equipment definitions could allow companies to use battery equipment charged by generators, while the microgrid pilot and used EV rebate bills were defended as investments to improve reliability, lower peak costs, and build a secondary EV market. Senator May spoke in support of the Glenwood Houses microgrid and the related investment rationale. Most bills were advanced after motions and votes, often with some no votes or without-recommendation votes. The committee reported several measures to third reading, including the utility outage penalties bill, the utility storm response bill, the utility rate increase restriction bill, the usage monitoring program, and the denial of increased utility rates and charges bill. Other bills were advanced to the Finance Committee, Budget and Revenue Committee, or Local Government Committee, including the electric landscaping rebate program, the used EV rebate program, the alternative fuels bill, the tax exemption bill, the Glenwood Houses microgrid pilot, and the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• contribution refund program. contribution refund program.
• Article four was the state aids article.
• and the local government cannabis aid program.
• of the cannabis aid program of the cannabis aid program uh<00:16:17.759> the<00:16:17.920
• forested lands. that has a that program forested lands. that has a that program is<00:27:16.240>

Bills: HF9

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption