Transcript Highlights:

• It's been tested.
• members and testifiers on Zoom, like last year, and just pointers that we don't allow any trademark items
• [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] It's<00:12:38.399> been<00:12:38.560> tested.
• Um but um our IT It's been tested.
• The interpreter is just making sure that that person can see the test one.

Bills: SB2211, SB2025, SB2038, SB2050, SB2051, SB2090

Keywords: emergency funding, food assistance, healthcare, federal shutdown, Hawaii, DHS, jury duty, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, exemption, patient care, financial hardship, medication abortion, anonymous prescription, pregnancy rights, healthcare privacy, pharmacy regulations, chiropractic education, clinical training, student supervision

Summary: The House Committee on Health held its first hearing of the session and opened with housekeeping notes, introductions of members, and an explanation that the agenda would be taken out of order to accommodate a sign language interpreter. The committee first heard HB 469, relating to parking for disabled persons. Testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill, explaining that a travel placard would help people with disabilities who must travel interisland or to the mainland for medical care. Members asked about emergency travel, misuse prevention, and how to distinguish the travel placard from existing disabled parking placards; witnesses said the bill would need to be tied to administrative rules, and agreed the placard should clearly show an expiration date and likely be a different color. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 218, relating to hospital surgical smoke. The Department of Health supported the measure, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii supported it with amendments, saying hospitals already follow existing standards but that any new policy should account for different procedures and provider safety. A committee member questioned the proposed amendment language and whether it was too flexible; the witness explained the intent was to allow case-by-case application because some procedures generate only brief exposure. Members also asked what surgical smoke is, and the witness explained it is produced when electrical or cauterizing tools are used on tissue and creates vapor or fumes. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee next took up HB 814, which would fund a public information campaign and related services on cannabis use among youth. The Department of the Attorney General said the bill should be amended to clarify whether the funding would be used for contracts or grants and to include proper grant standards if grants are intended. The Department of Health supported the bill and said the funds would expand prevention, treatment, recovery, and public education efforts, including social media outreach, PSAs, and school-based youth services. Multiple organizations and individuals testified in support, emphasizing the harms of youth cannabis use and the need for prevention and treatment resources. Members asked what the department currently does, whether it is fulfilling existing law on science-based cannabis information, and what kinds of treatment would be provided; the department said services would mainly be intensive outpatient, outpatient, counseling, and related youth-focused supports. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes visual acuity and visual field testing requirements for driver licensing.
• establishes visual Acuity and visual establishes visual Acuity and visual field<00:16:03.399> testing
• requirements for driver field testing requirements for driver licensing<00:16:06.199> the<00:
• "Any questions from members for the occupational safety and health item?"
• It's something we've actually tested that term for Kentucky only, but all the states have to require

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the supply side, he said, they are dealing with unexploded ordinance, which can be chemically tested
• 00:29:24.559> can<00:29:24.679> be<00:29:24.880> chemically<00:29:25.399> tested
• <00:29:26.399> um<00:29:26.640> and<00:29:26.760> in which can be chemically tested
• um and in which can be chemically tested um and in which<00:29:27.399> you<00:29:27.559> can
• <01:42:53.400> in<01:42:53.480> Senate anyone else wishing to test in Senate anyone

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 13, 2025, and took up several firearms and fireworks measures. On SB 227, which would create an illegal fireworks enforcement division in the Department of Law Enforcement and appropriate funds, DLE supported the bill, saying fireworks enforcement has become a full-time job requiring dedicated staff rather than a collateral-duty task force. Members discussed whether the bill and the related task force bill were both needed; DLE said yes, explaining that the new division would provide full-time state employees while the task force funding covers interagency costs such as transportation, storage, overtime, and personnel. Testimony on SB 227 was reported as 12 in support and 6 in opposition. On SB 222, which would fund the illegal fireworks task force and extend its sunset to June 30, 2030, DLE and the Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, emphasizing continued enforcement pressure and interagency coordination. An opponent from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii argued the bill was a waste of time, criticized fireworks prohibition as cultural overreach, and performed a song in opposition. Representative Shimizu asked about results from the extra enforcement effort, and DLE said enforcement has driven up street prices and made investors think twice, which they described as a goal of pricing people out of the market. The chair reported 13 testimonies in support and 6 in opposition. The committee then heard SB 1324, a more comprehensive fireworks bill that would revise definitions and penalties, create first- and second-degree fireworks offenses, add infractions, and increase penalties for serious injury or death. DLE and the Attorney General strongly supported it, saying the bill would improve enforcement, address black-market activity, and help prosecutors when fireworks have already exploded and evidence is destroyed. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing existing laws already punish these offenses and that the real issue is enforcement; the office also raised constitutional concerns about the bill’s concurrent civil infraction and criminal trial process. Honolulu Police supported the bill, while the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said the alternative definitions would help in cases involving exploded versus seized fireworks. The chair noted 17 testimonies in support, 7 in opposition, and 3 comments, and members discussed whether the bill could be amended to address the public defender’s concerns. The committee also began hearing SB 308, which would expand the state’s magazine-capacity restrictions to firearms with detachable magazines over 30 rounds, with a grandfathering provision for certain magazines obtained before January 1, 2026. DLE supported the bill as a fair balance that would grandfather existing magazines while preventing new high-capacity acquisitions. Opposition testimony from Jerry Yuan of the Pool, Oil, Rifle, and Pistol Club argued the proposal was another shifting restriction and opposed magazine bans generally. The hearing continued with additional testimony not fully captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's just four items, and that's a few words.
• So that's just four items and fines.
• But this bill, what it's asking is I think Dylan just said there's four items.
• If any of these are true, it must items.
• Thank you so >> Yeah, it's in their test.

Bills: HB1739, HB1741, HB2606, HB2362, HB2608, HB2294, HB2431, HB2375, HB2582, HB2585, HB2231, HB1601, HB2424, HB1956

Keywords: transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns. The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer. HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to discuss a couple housekeeping items before we begin.
• The item was placed on the March 5 agenda and the court denied our request.
• The item was placed on the March 5 agenda and the court denied our request.
• The item was placed on the March 5th agenda and the court denied our request.
• city limits and they'll pull over on the side of the road and they'll be selling different types of items

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Wednesday, March 12th, and this is the Committee on Water and Land on its agenda items and the
• you're looking at approving of any items you're looking at approving of any items before<00:09:45.160
• <00:19:51.880> that administration's blnr agenda item that administration's blnr agenda item
• <01:05:14.640> that to all the different agenda items that to all the different agenda items
• The Committee on Water and Land is going into decision-making on its agenda items.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard confirmation nominations for several DLNR-related boards and commissions, including GM 530 for Karen Ono to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, GM 582 for Jay Kenan to the Natural Area Reserves System Commission, and GM 584 for Adrien Trulock to the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board. The chair repeatedly noted the volunteer nature of these positions and said the committee would take up decision-making after hearing all nominees. Testimony and comments for each nominee were generally supportive, with agency representatives praising their preparation, experience, and willingness to serve. For Karen Ono, DLNR and several supporters from Kauai testified in favor, describing her as highly prepared and effective on the board. Senators questioned her about DLNR land use, especially state lands near rail stations and whether they should be used for affordable housing rather than commercial development. Ono said she had not taken a board position on those specific proposals because they had not yet come before the board, but she acknowledged the importance of housing and infrastructure. She also responded to questions about DLNR’s management of transferred agricultural lands, saying concerns about the department’s ability to manage such lands had been raised before and remain relevant. One senator expressed strong reservations about the nomination based on the land-use answers. For Jay Kenan, the NARS Commission testimony focused on the commission’s role in advising on land management and conservation policy. Kenan said he hoped to continue helping evaluate properties and policies, and he identified funding and staffing as the main challenge. DLNR staff explained that the position supporting NARS had been abolished and that the department had limited capacity to restore it because other priorities, such as fire-related positions, were taking precedence. The committee also discussed a separate bill affecting Legacy Lands funding through conveyance tax revenues, with members and agency staff expressing concern that the measure could reduce support for land संरक्षण efforts. For Adrien Trulock, SHPD and DLNR staff strongly supported the nomination, citing her preservation background and experience with historic properties. Members discussed the importance of her expertise for reviewing nominations and appeals and for helping with preservation planning. The committee also raised broader concerns about delays in historic-place designations and the difference between state and federal review processes; SHPD explained that board approval places a property on the state register, while federal National Register review can still require revisions and cause delays. No final votes or confirmations were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one item for this 11:00 session. It's a work session on House Bill 519.
• favorability toward supporting this organization, Waypoint, and because it's coming in as a parallel item
• parallel and because it's coming in as a parallel and because it's coming in as a parallel item
• to the budget there's typically item to the budget there's typically processes<00:02:49.239> that
• Management now, we use a number of different items to manage contracts.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Finance Division 3 met for a work session on House Bill 519, which concerns funding for Waypoint. The chair noted general support for the organization but said the bill would likely need to be suspended and folded into the budget process because the committee did not yet know available revenues or what amount, if any, could be committed. Kya Fox, director of the Division for Behavioral Health, testified that the department supports the bill and the program, explaining that it had been funded with other available funds, including $100,000 for 2024 and $400,000 for 2025, under a contract running through June 30 of this year. She said the shelter serves a unique population of young adults and is part of the department’s children’s system of care and Mission Zero efforts to reduce barriers to psychiatric discharge and emergency department use. Members questioned Fox and Waypoint representatives about the budget placement of the request, the difference between the efficiency budget and prioritized needs, and whether state budget documents would show any internal Waypoint revenues. Fox said the request appears as a general fund item and that the state would not see Waypoint’s internal financial operations in the budget. A legislative member explained that prioritized needs are critical services already in place but not necessarily included in the efficiency budget, and another member said the distinction is not strictly applied. The committee also raised a separate question about how DHHS would handle any future state or federal restrictions on DEI practices; Fox said that was a question for department leadership and legal staff, but that the department follows state law and contract requirements. Waypoint CEO Bor Alvare and Director Mandy Lancaster then described the shelter and related services. They said the shelter serves ages 18 to 24, is a 14-bed open-room facility with half walls, and is staffed overnight by two full-time workers. They said admission is first come, first served, with some vulnerability factors considered, and that they do not discriminate by race, gender, or sexual orientation. They reported no known incidents of sexual violence, though some youth are turned away each night because the shelter is full. They also explained that Waypoint provides broader services beyond the shelter, including outreach, drop-in centers, housing support, rental assistance, and family mediation, and said they serve about 400 youth and young adults in Manchester alone. The discussion ended with questions about whether lowering the upper age limit would affect the program; Waypoint said most residents are already in the 18-to-23 range, but that housing shortages make the current age span important for helping young adults avoid chronic homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, this definition of a test for residency that's in this bill is different than the way residency
• <02:52:58.319> program uh we did a uh wellwater test program uh we did a uh wellwater test
• uh and pay to have their water tested uh and pay and<02:53:09.680> the<02:53:09.840> the
• was of the 161 wells people that tested was of the 161 wells people that tested uh<02:53:25.840>
• Um, I guess I'm wondering, given the fact that while HB 2 and VLT revenues are a relatively new item,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen that across the board on a number of different technology-related items that once they're
• different board on a number of different technology<00:19:34.160> related<00:19:34.640> items
• <00:19:35.039> that<00:19:36.400> once technology related items that once technology
• related items that once they're<00:19:37.039> they're<00:19:37.520> created,<00:19:37.919
• And we simply want to make sure that those time-tested principles are protected.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first item up today is Senator Hoffman, Senate File 11:31.
• . >> For which items, Senator Holstrom?
• >> Senator Putnam. >> The next item up is Senate File 4205.
• If you go in to buy a used car, you don't test drive a similar vehicle.
• If you go in to buy a used car, you don't test drive a similar vehicle.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid space, we have specific access issues, being able to get people in for regular recurring tests
• like colonoscopies and other tests.
• That's the highest cost item out of all these things—at least 200 grand, maybe 300 grand, if I had to
• No, I want to take the amendment item, so. Representative Tarver. I think I'll wait. Thank you, Mr.
• No, I want to take the amendment item, so. Representative Tarver. I think I'll wait. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• We can choose to be a team, agree to disagree on certain items, but be a team. and come back together
• With my mother opening the window so that he could hear the lessons enough to be able to be handed a test
• Here’s the gentlelady from Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Representative Chandler, ready on item number two on
• Speaker and gentlelady, the first one would be on Page 2, line 15, item 2, first word, stabilize.
• However, now we have to wait until a negative test to go back to school. That means my.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the park manager provided an itemized list of repairs, and two items were particularly concerning
• Um, the park manager provided an itemized list of repairs, and two items were particularly concerning
• I even asked for an itemized list of which boards they wanted me to remove, and they refused.
• Um, the park manager provided an itemized list of repairs, and two items were particularly concerning
• I even asked for an itemized list of which boards they wanted me to remove, and they refused.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:32.400> leave<00:03:32.640> the<00:03:32.720> the<00:03:33.040> test
• I'll uh leave the the test presentation.
• I'll uh leave the the test fire<00:03:33.599> table<00:03:33.840> here<00:03:34.080>
• That shortfall is caused largely by some of the same items that are impacting the state grant.
• So here we're looking at specifically some of the items that have impacted the state grant this biennium

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a few housekeeping items before we begin. Um, we have a lot of people here today.
• Um, I'm going to pass out some test. >> Not yet, Buzz.
• Um I'm going to pass out uh some test. Um I'm going to pass out uh some test.
• Very short test.
• Representative Sher, >> very briefly, fair to say, but for DNA testing results in the Elizabeth Knap

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the testing in 2023, the number of children tested, is very similar to the numbers tested
• For example, the testing in 2023, the number of children tested, is very similar to the numbers tested
• Alone um for example increase in testing Alone um for example the<03:54:51.800> testing<03:54
• in 2023 the numbers of the testing in 2023 the numbers of children<03:54:54.520> tested<03:54
• is very similar to The children tested is very similar to The Numbers<03:54:56.560> tested<03

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I share this not as an eye test for all of you because I can't read it on my own screen.
• I share this not as an eye test for all of you because I can't read it on my own screen.
• I share this not as an eye test for all of you because I can't read it on my own screen.
• That's related to our criminal case work, but it's an item that we're working through the most appropriate
• That's related to our criminal case work, but it's an item that we're working through the most appropriate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Eversource plan specifies first NPAs are deployed as an action item for 2031 to 2035.
• And in terms of sharing your question about the items or components of the process on the NPAs, I think
• It's not a one-and-done checklist item, if you will.
• What we do is what I'd like to call a no-losers test, right?
• We see a very high-level list of action items that will marginally reduce heating and cooling emissions

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• While Intel leads in Guadalajara, we must leverage the CHIPS Act to expand testing and packaging in Mexico
• Well, here's a breakdown of what each item likely means.
• There were five specific items that were raised as things that we should explore in strengthening or
• And there were five specific items that were raised as things that we should and items that were raised

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• With all of those anonymous requests, it cost the district $40,000 to put those items together.
• dollars were not used because of the abandonment of that request. the district $40,000 to put those items
• the district $40,000 to put those items together<00:28:30.600> of<00:28:30.919> though
• specific<00:42:35.839> as<00:42:36.160> as<00:42:36.280> your<00:42:36.520> test
• to try to be as specific as as your test to try to be as specific as as your test fire<00:42:37.000

Keywords: 1183, house