Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2023 — Division disclosure recording. Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
• HB 2029 — Education disclosure. Resources and Energy and Water.

Summary: The House convened for opening-day proceedings with prayers in English and Spanish, the Pledge of Allegiance, and musical performances, then recorded attendance and welcomed the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jason Jameson. The Speaker introduced numerous guests and dignitaries, including statewide officials, university presidents, former lawmakers, and family members, and delivered remarks about Arizona’s history, the importance of civility, and the role of state government in protecting residents from federal overreach. Coaches Kenny Dillingham and Tommy Lloyd also addressed the chamber, speaking about leadership, talent development, and the ways sports can unite and inspire Arizona communities. The House then took up organizational business. Members adopted proposed changes to Rule 9 and then adopted the amended rules for the 57th Legislature, Second Regular Session. The chamber also agreed to read bills by number and short title only, declared an emergency for that purpose, and announced the creation of two new standing committees: Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, chaired by Representative Justin Wilmeth, and Rural Economic Development, chaired by Representative Teresa Martinez. A House Organizational Committee was appointed to notify the Senate that the House was organized and ready for business and to inform the Governor that the Legislature was ready to receive her message. The remainder of the session was largely devoted to points of personal privilege, with members introducing family, constituents, local officials, educators, veterans, business leaders, and advocacy groups. Several members highlighted issues they intend to work on this session, including affordability, water security, deed fraud, education, health care, rural development, and veterans’ issues. The House later recessed to accommodate the joint organizational proceedings with the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Less funding from NIH and NSF... ...will lead to less innovation and a reduction in invention disclosures
• Less funding from NIH and NSF will lead to less innovation and a reduction in invention disclosures and

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology met on August 19, 2025 to examine the effects of federal grant cuts, tariff uncertainty, and related policy changes on California’s biotech, medtech, and academic research ecosystem. The chair and panelists emphasized California’s outsized role in the industry, describing major clusters in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and explaining how research, startup formation, manufacturing, and clinical trials are interconnected across the state. Speakers from Biocom California, California Life Sciences, Farma, UC, Stanford, CSU Biotech, and UCLA all argued that NIH and NSF funding are foundational to discovery, workforce training, and commercialization, and that disruptions are already chilling venture capital, startup formation, and hiring. Witnesses described several concrete impacts: suspended or terminated grants, reduced doctoral admissions, fewer training opportunities, canceled retreats and internships, and anxiety among graduate students and early-career researchers. UC reported hundreds of millions of dollars in suspended or terminated NIH and NSF funding, while Stanford said more than a thousand training and career-development grants nationwide have been frozen or ended, affecting multiple trainees per grant. CSU Biotech said 133 federal grants had been terminated, scaled back, or canceled, totaling about $140 million, including nearly $30 million from NIH and NSF. Industry representatives also warned that proposed antitrust limits on mergers and acquisitions could undermine the standard biotech exit path and further deter investment. Committee members asked about the duration of the disruption, the possibility of state action to offset federal losses, and whether California could better support workforce development, manufacturing, and R&D tax credits. Panelists urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state support for STEM education, internships, apprenticeship pathways, manufacturing incentives, and the R&D tax credit, and to consider infrastructure and housing as part of competitiveness. They also noted that tariffs are already raising costs for medtech components and building materials, and that China is increasingly competing for R&D, talent, and licensing deals. No formal votes or bill actions were taken at the hearing; the meeting was informational and focused on testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if anyone would like to know more, we did bring non-disclosure agreements with us.
• With those non-disclosure agreements, are you able to tell us at least what it won't be used for?

Bills: HB 1039, HB2289, HB2370, HB2404, HB3066, HB3076, HB3117, HB3118, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3182, HB3196, HB3241, HB3377, HB3500, HB3567, HB3715, HB3954, HB4098, HB4109, HB4222, HB4226, HB4412, HB4659, HB4682, HB4683, HB4755, HB4926, HB5165, HB5562, HB5596

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax authority, border counties, tax legislation, municipalities, hotel tax revenue, convention centers, economic development, local government authority, HB 2370, HOT tax, venue projects, convention center, municipal finance, local government code, Section 334.0082, tourism tax, debt financing, bond repayment

Transcript Highlights:

• So, yeah, for disclosure, Doctor Dinges came on his role in October of '23 and I came back last February
• So, yeah, so for, for disclosure, Doctor Dinges uh 552 OK.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you want to make a statement on why you like Transportation, that'd be more than fine too.
• with Representative Pitaro. wanted it so if you want to make a wanted it so if you want to make a statement
• > why</c><00:08:25.120><c> you</c><00:08:25.240><c> like</c><00:08:25.479><c> Transportation</c> statement
• on why you like Transportation statement on why you like Transportation that'd<00:08:26.319><c> be</
• </c> filled out your financial disclosure filled out your financial disclosure forms<02:37:04.279><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do I think that there is an inherent problem in terms of conflicts of interest or some disclosure of
• </c> conflicts of interest or some disclosure conflicts of interest or some disclosure of<01:28:38.239
• I think that in that case we need to take out the statement 'eliminate conflicts of interest' because
• I think that in that case we need to take out the statement 'eliminate conflicts of interest' because
• I thought I was making a statement. >> Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A little full disclosure: I am on the lawsuit for 96, and I did that to protect my employees and give
• A little full disclosure: I am on the lawsuit for 96, and I did that to protect my employees and give
• However, testimony and industry statements indicate that rental operators may rely heavily on accelerated
• However, testimony<03:25:23.840><c> and</c><03:25:24.080><c> industry</c><03:25:24.399><c> statements
• </c> testimony and industry statements testimony and industry statements indicate<03:25:25.600><c> that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires full disclosure, and it's extra protection for the public. Perfect. Thank you.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires full disclosure, and it's extra protection for the public. Perfect. Thank you.

Summary: The House met in regular session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized several guests and personal privileges, including introductions of students and family members. The chamber also took up a motion to request the Senate return SB 1160 for reconsideration, and then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered SB 1118, SB 1178, and SB 1419. SB 1118 received an appropriations committee amendment and a floor amendment related to balancing housing affordability with historic preservation, and was recommended do pass as amended. SB 1178, dealing with naturopathic medicine accreditation and scope issues, drew debate: supporters said it would protect patient access and provider supply by updating accreditation-related definitions, while opponents argued it expanded scope too far and sidestepped federal accreditation concerns; the bill was ultimately recommended do pass as amended. SB 1419, concerning solar energy devices and disclosure protections for residential, multifamily, commercial, and industrial units, was also amended and recommended do pass as amended. SB 1497 was retained on the calendar. The House then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1242 and SB 1270. SB 1242, which allows audio and audio-visual technology for mental health evaluations or treatment hearings, was amended to modify the definition of a mental health treatment agency and recommended do pass as amended. SB 1270 also received a floor amendment and was recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole and additional Committee of the Whole reports, properly engrossing SB 1118, SB 1178, SB 1419, SB 1242, and SB 1270, while retaining SB 1497. On third reading, the House passed SB 1162, SB 1274, SB 1426, SB 1552, and SB 1814. SB 1814, which establishes a substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight study committee, drew remarks in support of a study committee to address fraud, waste, abuse, and treatment reform. The House also announced upcoming committee and caucus meetings and adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• employer to question It is an unfair labor practice for a public employer to question or to compel the disclosure

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor and retirement bills. AB 1582 by Assembly Member Ortega would make it an unfair labor practice for a higher education employer to disregard or delay arbitration decisions involving contracting out, with make-whole relief including attorney fees and costs. Supporters from AFSCME and other labor groups said UC has repeatedly ignored arbitration outcomes on outsourcing disputes, while UC opposed the bill as an overbroad change that could create systemwide operational and financial risk. The committee passed the bill on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. AB 1818 by Assembly Member Ortega would repeal an outdated HEERA provision that CSU has used to reopen bargaining when it claims state funding is insufficient. Teamsters and other labor supporters argued CSU has used the provision to avoid honoring negotiated raises, while CSU said the bill would limit its ability to manage compensation responsibly when state funding is uncertain. The committee also passed AB 1818 to Appropriations. AB 1564 by Assembly Member Arreguín would make communications between an employee and union representative confidential in public employment matters. Labor supporters said the measure would protect trust in the representational relationship and codify existing PERB case law, while school, local government, county, city, and business groups warned it could hinder workplace investigations, including those involving student safety and harassment. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 1844 by Assembly Member Pacheco, placed on the consent calendar, would update Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor benefits and to extend access to survivor options for vested judges; it was approved unanimously, 7-0. After all items were taken up, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• precedent, making it an unfair labor practice for a public employer to question or to compel the disclosure

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of provisions in here dealing with disclosure of voting and transparency that are really

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you have a really cool bill: House Bill 827, disclosure of estimated ad valorem taxes.

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee heard five bills and reported all of them favorably. House Bill 827, by Rep. Anderson, would require online real estate listings to disclose estimated ad valorem taxes based on the listing price rather than the seller’s current taxes, to reduce surprise tax increases for homebuyers. The bill drew support from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties, and passed unanimously after a technical amendment. House Bill 483, by Rep. Cobb, aimed to support Florida’s manufacturing sector by formally recognizing the chief manufacturing officer, creating a workforce development grant program, launching a voluntary promotional campaign for Florida-made products and manufacturing careers, and requiring biennial reporting. The bill received broad support from manufacturing, economic development, and business groups, was amended with technical cleanup language, and passed unanimously. House Bill 675, by Leader Driscoll, sought to expand affordable housing efforts by limiting Live Local Act incentives to affordable housing, extending affordability periods from 30 to 50 years, lowering the income cap for eligible units, and eliminating documentary stamp taxes for certain first-time homebuyers. After two amendments and supportive testimony from United Way Suncoast, the bill passed on a party-line style roll call with all members voting yes or excused. House Bill 495, by Rep. Albert, transferred golf course best management practices certification from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services without changing the underlying BMP requirements. After an amendment clarified that all BMPs remain in place, the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association testified in support, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 1497, by Rep. Hunschofsky, revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by narrowing eligibility to lower-income associations, removing a coastal-only requirement, and tying grants to completion of opening protection for all common elements; two amendments further refined eligibility and grandfathered pending applications. The Community Associations Institute supported the measure, and it also passed unanimously. The committee ended with remarks about the prior night’s softball game and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that the disclosure language, it is good.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a bill that we had last year, but it streamlines the vendor disclosure in the competitive

Bills: SJR 2, SB 4, SJR 36, SJR 2, SB 4, SR 42, SR 74, SR 76, HCR 5, SB 710, SB 710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Rosapepe, Senate Bill 757, Senator Rosapepe, Consumer<00:09:30.280><c> Protection</c><00:09:30.720><c> Disclosure
• </c><00:09:31.160><c> of</c> Consumer Protection Disclosure of Consumer Protection Disclosure of Tariffs
• Amendment two strikes certain<00:10:01.160><c> tariff</c><00:10:01.400><c> disclosure</c><00:10:01.840
• ><c> requirements</c> certain tariff disclosure requirements certain tariff disclosure requirements for

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, it addresses the issue of nonconformity with existing labeling and disclosure requirements
• 13.960><c> existing</c><01:48:14.560><c> labeling</c><01:48:15.040><c> and</c><01:48:15.160><c> disclosure
• </c> with existing labeling and disclosure with existing labeling and disclosure requirements<01:48:16.719
• You know, the first section on this is a legislative purpose statement.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofits that might be trying to do this, the entire board needs to be going through a financial disclosure
• 24.480><c> financial</c> needs to be going through a financial needs to be going through a financial disclosure
• 26.240><c> just</c><00:23:26.480><c> to</c><00:23:27.039><c> build</c><00:23:27.360><c> any</c> disclosure
• process just to build any disclosure process just to build any type<00:23:27.840><c> of</c><00:23:28.000
• He said the office had been contacted out of concern and had submitted a fiscal impact statement, but

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a declaration of principle, a commitment to self-government, and a powerful statement of faith
• commitment to self-government, and a commitment to self-government, and a powerful<00:21:44.320><c> statement
• ><c> of</c><00:21:44.960><c> faith</c><00:21:45.200><c> in</c><00:21:45.440><c> the</c> powerful statement
• of faith in the powerful statement of faith in the people.<00:21:46.799><c> By</c><00:21:47.039><c>
• of lobbying fees for an open disclosure of lobbying fees and<05:08:46.480><c> dues</c><05:08:47.360>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impact statement. environmental impact statement<01:30:40.719><c> from</c><01:30:40.960><c> a</c><01
• :30:41.360><c> timing</c><01:30:41.840><c> standpoint</c><01:30:42.800><c> takes</c> statement from a
• timing standpoint takes statement from a timing standpoint takes maybe<01:30:43.600><c> three</c><01
• impact statement at this point<01:30:55.840><c> to</c><01:30:56.080><c> at</c><01:30:56.080><c> least
• Full disclosure. >> Okay. [laughter] Oh, okay. Conflict of interest.

Bills: HB1527, HB1823, HB2490, HB2223, HB2325, HB2104, HB2593, HB2592, HB1927, HB1553, HB1964, HB1918, HB1990

Keywords: gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.