Transcript Highlights:

• </c> parents are spending on school supplies parents are spending on school supplies right<00:46:16.319
• And the reason why I’m here is to talk about the importance of basic school supplies.
• It’s not because they forgot the supplies; it’s because they have no supplies.
• The first day of second semester, it’s 70% of kids show up because school supplies are consumables.
• Even if they had supplies at the start of the first semester, they don’t have supplies to start the second

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 126, a couple years ago, we changed the law that would allow a dispensing of a 92-day supply
• . the original bill um was really supply. the original bill um was really cumbersome.<00:10:24.720><c
• </c><00:11:05.920><c> And</c><00:11:06.079><c> in</c><00:11:06.800><c> looking</c> supply of medication
• And in looking supply of medication.
• </c> may be filled for up to a 92day supply. may be filled for up to a 92day supply.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore we must outpace our adversaries and our ability to supply our military with decisive advantage
• But in November 2023, the Defense Logistics Agency released a report revealing that the supply chain
• My understanding of the challenges in the ship building industrial base include workforce and supply
• AI can help with that and look through and down. the supply chain across countries and figure out where
• I think the SBIR programs, I think the the way we get our supply chains unlinked from our adversaries

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we call it used nuclear fuel to support the nuclear fuel supply chain.
• Currently, there are very limited uranium supplies throughout the United States.
• There's essentially no indigenous supply. We get most of it from Russia, of course. Where else?
• So what reprocessing does, it allows this current supply of uranium.
• It would actually feed our supplies for decades if we just use this reprocess fuel.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• John Brito; from KEH Schools, Miss Natalie Brito; from the Board of Water Supply, Miss Amy Tsunayoshi
• [Applause] Miss Natalie Brito; from the Board of Water Supply, Miss Amy Tsunayoshi; from Protect and
• forests act as our nature's water factory, capturing rain, filtering pollutants, and ensuring a steady supply
• 00:21:08.840><c> ensuring</c><00:21:09.200><c> a</c><00:21:09.320><c> steady</c><00:21:09.640><c> supply
• </c> pollutants and ensuring a steady supply pollutants and ensuring a steady supply of<00:21:10.120>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that's kind of how this pal and supplies that's kind of how this pal and state<00:25:01.520><c> grant
• and other costs for books and supplies and other costs class.<00:25:12.320><c> And</c><00:25:12.559>
• , supplies, and other things.
• ,</c><00:31:08.720><c> transportation</c> to cover books, supplies, transportation to cover books, supplies
• , and other expenses, it books, supplies, and other expenses, it would<00:31:25.360><c> drop</c><00:31

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Vice Chair, Board of Water Supply in opposition.
• </c><01:37:04.400><c> and</c> Department of Water Supply and Department of Water Supply and opposition
• ><c> private</c><01:42:09.360><c> developers</c> water supply but private developers water supply but
• The the research supply of housing.
• ends up overall supply and it actually ends up increasing<01:44:00.000><c> prices.

Bills: HB1721 , HB1714 , HB1718 , HB1732 , HB1740 , HB1777 , HB1842 , HB1919 , HB1701 , HB1923 , HB1741 , HB1734 , HB1739

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are looking for ways that we can add to the supply of our locally owned portfolio.
• With this modest state investment, we could unlock a powerful tool in supply and affordability.
• We are looking for ways that we can add to the supply of our locally owned portfolio.
• We are looking for ways that we can add to the supply of our locally owned portfolio.
• The tool in supply and affordability.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On the left-hand side, you can see all of the different types of supply that we leverage.
• out there because of the Rainy Supply out there because of the Rainy growing<00:09:53.200><c> season
• We have a huge impact on the local food supply.
• So we're very proud to be able to supply it.
• So we're very proud to be able to supply it.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for care of tuberculosis persons, and to make possible the ultimate establishment of an adequate supply
• of hospital. persons, and to make possible the ultimate establishment of an adequate supply of hospitals
• the care of tuberculosis persons, and to make possible the ultimate establishment of an adequate supply
• ring of the bill, the president recognizes majority We already floated. establishment of an adequate supply
• More than 30 other states have clear and precise restrictions on price increases of essential supplies

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies. Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:01.440><c> more</c> of agricultural products, supplying more of agricultural products, supplying
• top exports of medical and electronic equipment as well as machinery needed for the semiconductor supply
• machinery needed for<00:12:36.480><c> the</c><00:12:36.639><c> semiconductor</c><00:12:37.600><c> supply
• </c><00:12:38.480><c> And</c> for the semiconductor supply chain.
• And for the semiconductor supply chain.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Should there be some protective issues with water supply?
• That water supply, which is the only thing we are trying to do.
• We're simply trying to protect our supply. Thank you.
• I certainly understand the protection of the water supply.
• Lake Py is Birmingham Water Works' secondary water supply.

Bills: HB471 , HB473

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:32.320><c> They</c> of water supply took a look at it.
• They of water supply took a look at it.
• </c> um board of water supply um board of water supply support. support. support.
• </c><01:22:16.000><c> of</c> to be able to access the supply of to be able to access the supply of water
• Roger Water Supply pointed out that Dr.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• generic, so it's electric generating.
• generic, so it's electric generating.
• generic, so it's electric generating.
• generic, so it's electric generating.
• generic, so it's electric generating.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Services on proposed changes in House Bill 2 and related technical changes in House Bill 1 tied to the governor’s permitting realignment initiative. The proposal would move environmental review staff from Fish and Game and DNCR to DES to create a more centralized “one-stop shop” for applicants needing DES permits, especially for wildlife and natural heritage reviews. DES said the goal is to speed permitting, support a 60-day review clock, and improve coordination among agencies while keeping the substantive review work in place. Members asked about staffing impacts, the scope of the transferred duties, and whether the change would create redundancy or weaken the other agencies. DES said most of the affected staff work primarily on these reviews, though Fish and Game staff also handle other state and federal reviews, which is why the proposal was adjusted to keep one of the four Fish and Game positions there and move three to DES, along with two positions from DNCR. DES also described a new supervisory position in HB 2 to manage the transferred staff within its land resources bureau. Officials said the reviews would still be done by specialists, but under DES supervision, and that the agencies would continue to coordinate recommendations on species impacts and mitigation. The committee also discussed fee increases intended to offset costs, including a 50% increase in wetlands fees and a 100% increase in alteration-of-terrain fees, with the department saying the changes would cover the new positions. Members raised concerns about impacts on private homeowners, possible incentives to work without permits, and whether fines should be used more as a revenue source or for mitigation. DES said wetlands permits are roughly split between homeowner-related and commercial projects, that permit-by-notification already creates a two-tier structure for smaller projects, and that enforcement relies partly on public complaints and online permitting systems. The department also said most fines currently go to the general fund and vary widely year to year, with about $75,000 budgeted, and that the proposal would also create permit-by-notification authority for alteration-of-terrain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet, mirroring language in Senate Bill 110. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the tax law in relation to exempting school supplies from sales tax during a specific
• In discussion on the bill, last year we saw a 7.3% increase in the cost of school supplies on average
• example where index cards increased 42% year over year, so if we can help families pay for school supplies
• of affordability, when we're trying to help the average family deal with costs and rising school supplies
• We're trying to help the average, you know, the average family deal with costs and rising school supplies

Committee: Senate Budget And Revenue

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget and Revenue Committee met for its first meeting of 2026 with a quorum present and considered nine bills, mostly tax-related measures. Bills discussed included S196 on the public safety surcharge, S939 on gifts to the affordable housing for veterans and seniors fund, S985A on sales tax treatment for feminine hygiene products, S1140A on a tax on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities of one million or more, S1145 on increasing contributions to family tuition accounts, S1527 on a sales tax exemption for energy storage, S4601 on a temporary sales tax exemption for school supplies, S7641 on dedicating opioid excise tax revenue to the Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund, and S7875 on ending the sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion held for investment. Most bills were advanced without significant opposition and were reported to the Finance Committee. S985A and S4601 were reported to the calendar/Finance after brief discussion; S4601 drew one negative vote. S1140A also advanced, with two no votes. S7875 received the most discussion, with the sponsor arguing that repealing the bullion exemption would recover an estimated $600 million in foregone revenue and better align with affordability concerns; it was reported to Finance with one member recorded as without recommendation. Members generally framed the bills as affordability or revenue measures, citing rising costs for families, school supplies, housing, and the need to redirect or recover tax revenue. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were moved and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working to expand our housing supply.
• When you restrict rents while costs are rising, you reduce supply, and when supply goes down, rent will
• We cannot solve the affordability crisis with supply alone.
• And I want to stress also that this is a pro-supply measure.
• It is pro-affordability and it is pro-supply.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of landlord-tenant and home rule bills, with most testimony focused on rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), tenant fees, access to counsel, algorithmic rent fixing, and tenant protections in subsidized housing. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty outlined the hearing procedures and noted that written testimony could also be submitted. Several members and invited speakers emphasized that the committee was hearing from both local officials and residents affected by housing instability, especially in Somerville and other communities facing high rents and displacement. Supporters of rent stabilization and local-option rent control argued that Massachusetts needs tools to prevent displacement while new housing is built. Senator Eldridge, Senator Jalen, Somerville officials, tenant organizers, and residents described steep rent increases, no-fault evictions, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable housing. Somerville’s home rule petition was described as allowing annual increases tied to CPI plus 2%, capped at 5%, with exemptions for owner-occupied two- and three-family homes and a 15-year exemption for new construction. TOPA supporters said it would let tenants or their designees buy buildings before speculative buyers, preserving affordable housing stock; opponents, including small landlords and property managers, argued rent control would reduce supply, discourage investment, and that TOPA could delay sales and harm properties. The committee also heard testimony on bills to curb junk fees and regulate tenant charges, including limits on late fees, lease renewal fees, payment portal fees, attorney’s fees, and other add-on charges. Advocates said these fees can add hundreds of dollars a month and disproportionately harm low-income renters and renters of color. Another major topic was algorithmic rent fixing: Senator Moore and Representative Sabadoza said landlords should not use software such as RealPage to coordinate pricing, citing federal antitrust actions and arguing that competition is essential to lowering rents. Additional testimony supported a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, with legal services providers saying representation dramatically improves outcomes and can save the state money, and a bill to create an office of tenant protections to better enforce sanitary code violations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need more supply, a lot more supply.
• Supply chain planning.
• What that does, we all know, supply-demand curves, SD curves, right?
• What happens when you decrease supply? Okay, price goes up.
• about how this would create more supply.

Bills: HB24 , HB2015 , HB2149 , HB2559 , HB2701 , HB2797 , HB3172 , HB24

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan

Transcript Highlights:

• I have testimony in support from the Board of Water Supply in person.
• My name is Kathy Mitchell with the Board of Water Supply, and we stand on our written testimony.
• the Board My name is Kathy Mitchell with the Board of<00:05:04.760><c> Water</c><00:05:04.960><c> Supply
• 06.360><c> we</c><00:05:06.440><c> stand</c><00:05:06.720><c> on</c><00:05:06.840><c> our</c> of Water Supply
• and we stand on our of Water Supply and we stand on our written<00:05:07.160><c> testimony.

Bills: SCR94 , SCR22 , SCR99 , SCR165

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: Waikiki, surfing, cultural heritage, environmental protection, tourism, climate change, Hawaii, community, conservation, Ahuʻena Heiau, Hawaii history, Kamehameha the Great, historic preservation, cultural significance, community stewardship, arts, culture, nonprofit, creative residency, community engagement

Summary: The Culture and the Arts Committee met on April 17 and heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 94 would endorse Waikiki as a world surfing reserve; testimony in support came from the University of Hawaiʻi and the Waikiki Beach Improvement District Association. SCR 22 recognized the fifth anniversary of the restoration of Iolani Palace and its spiritual, political, and cultural importance, with no testimony offered. SCR 99 SD1 proposed convening a working group to establish a state-recognized nonprofit to support arts and culture engagement; DBEDT’s Creative Industries director supported the measure, and additional support was noted from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, several individuals, and the Hawaii Film Festival and Hawaii International Film Festival. SCR 165 SD1 designated March as March for Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters. After a brief recess, the committee voted to pass all four measures as is. SCR 94 passed with the chair, vice chair, and members voting aye, with Representative Garrett excused. SCR 22 SD1, SCR 99 SD1, and SCR 165 SD1 were also adopted without reservations, with Representative Garrett excused on those votes as well. The committee then adjourned, with the chair noting it was likely the final hearing of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• high-quality produce, the United States remains one of Taiwan's largest sources of agricultural products, supplying
• top exports of medical and electronic equipment as well as machinery needed for the semiconductor supply
• high-quality produce, the United States remains one of Taiwan's largest sources of agricultural products, supplying
• top exports of medical and electronic equipment as well as machinery needed for the semiconductor supply
• top exports of medical and electronic equipment as well as machinery needed for the semiconductor supply

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• than 30 other states have clear, defined, and precise restrictions on price increases of essential supplies
• in their industry that they also want to tackle, and go after price gouging of lodging, emergency supplies
• No one should have to pay hundreds of dollars for food, water, first aid supplies, or other essentials
• any chain of distribution for building materials, consumer food items, goods, services, emergency supplies
• any chain of distribution for building materials, consumer food items, goods, services, emergency supplies

Committee: Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection met with a quorum, adopted the June 17 minutes, and took testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 1053, sponsored by Chair Kavanaugh, would raise the acreage cap for neighborhood enterprise zones from 15% to 20% for certain zones. Supporters from Invest Detroit and the City of Detroit said the change would help make housing and redevelopment projects viable, especially in high-tax areas like Detroit, and the bill was reported to the floor on a 6-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 988, sponsored by Senator Santana, which would extend from 30 to 35 days the deadline to appeal a denied poverty exemption to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The sponsor and Detroit’s property assessment director described it as a technical alignment with the Tax Tribunal Act and a correction to conflicting timelines; the bill drew support from the Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Chamber, and the Tax Tribunal, and was reported unanimously. The committee then adopted S-1 substitutes for Senate Bills 1041, 1042, and 1043, the price-gouging package sponsored by Senators Moss, Chang, and Kavanaugh. Sponsors of the price-gouging bills said the package would strengthen Michigan’s emergency price-gouging protections by defining excessive increases during declared emergencies, covering lodging, essential goods and services, and energy products, and giving the Attorney General clearer enforcement tools. Supporters included the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Attorney General’s office, while the Michigan Chamber, Mackinac Center, and NFIB opposed the package. Despite the opposition, all three bills were reported to the floor on 5-3 votes. The meeting adjourned after all reported bills were approved.