Transcript Highlights:

• to the north, my neighbor's guest house to the west, and many other houses going forward.
• We lost our house.
• I paid $6,000 for that house.
• We found out our house was gone.
• I paid $6,000 for that house.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the wording in the measure relates to planning and permitting and things that fall outside of
• </c> relates to planning and and permitting relates to planning and and permitting and<00:40:17.080><
• Resale should not be permitted above the original price paid.
• </c><01:00:05.880><c> above</c><01:00:06.120><c> the</c> Resale should not be permitted above the Resale
• should not be permitted above the original<01:00:06.680><c> price</c><01:00:07.040><c> paid.

Bills: SB2603, SB3007, SB3019, SB3022, SB2795, SB2256, SB3250, SB2147

Keywords: Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, state funding, public performances, educational programs, cultural arts funding, culture and arts, arts policy, cultural preservation, community development, economic revitalization, place-based planning, public spaces, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, mixed-use development, business improvement district, Honolulu Chinatown, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, state foundation on culture and the arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2603 SD1, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra, require annual reports to the legislature, and appropriate funds. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the orchestra, the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, business and arts groups, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the orchestra’s cultural value, its role in inspiring youth and supporting arts education, and its broader community impact. No opposition or questions were raised, and the chair offered praise for the level of public engagement around the measure. The committee then took up SB 3007 SD2, relating to culture and the arts, which would create an Office of Community Culture and Innovation within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, require annual reporting, appropriate funds, and establish a Community and Cultural Partnerships Program. The Attorney General’s office warned that section four, which separately funds preservation and relocation of artwork from Aloha Stadium, may be non-germane and should be moved to a separate bill; it also suggested the office would be more properly placed under DAGS rather than SFCA. SFCA Director Karen Ewald testified with concerns about added costs, staffing burdens, and the need for earlier communication, while also saying the agency could support the work if properly coordinated. Opposition testimony argued the bill was duplicative or unnecessary, while supporters, including Governor Abercrombie and Dean Sakamoto, said it would help communities, especially Chinatown, and could support planning and cultural revitalization. The chair noted roughly eight opposition testimonies and five in support, and questioned witnesses about coordination and the cost of relocating the Aloha Stadium artwork, which Ewald estimated could cost at least $1.2 million. The AG’s office said removing section four would substantially reduce legal risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 3019 SD2, a consumer protection measure that would cap ticket resale prices at no more than $3 above the original price for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to adopt enforcement rules and fines. The Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill, arguing it would strain limited enforcement resources, push sales to less regulated channels, and likely eliminate the protections offered by established secondary platforms. Chamber of Progress also opposed the bill, saying price caps would encourage black-market sales, scams, and fraud, and that resale markets serve legitimate consumer needs. In support, the National Independent Venue Association backed the measure, though the remainder of its testimony was not fully captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill we're discussing today is House Bill 2998, just to be clear. The House Bill 2998.
• When he was here, we worked with him on bills with housing.
• When he was here, we worked with him on bills with housing.
• Next witness in favor of House Bill 2998. Anyone in opposition?
• Seeing none, that will conclude the hearing on House Bill 2998.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chairman and members for allowing me to layout House Bill 4810.
• Chairman, members for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 2013.
• My house is little bitty, my yard is a little bitty.
• House, the committee substitute the House Bill 4163.
• House Bill 4163 is left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had fire on all three sides of me: two of the three houses to the east, six houses on my fence line
• to the north, my neighbor's guest house to the west, and many other houses going forward.
• We lost our house.
• We found out our house was gone.
• I paid $6,000 for that house.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> house of peace. house of peace.
• </c><00:12:46.800><c> that</c> customs and usage have permitted that customs and usage have permitted
• I have House File 3544.
• </c> have House file 3544. have House file 3544.
• I understand the House has problems with it, the House Republicans, I think.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• let us pray kill thank you speaker house let us pray kill thank you speaker house let us pray father
• is ready to present and the house is ready to present and the house is ready to transact business the
• and cultural exchange between the house and cultural exchange between the house and the uh the people
• resolution number 104 by the house house resolution number 104 by the house house resolution number
• house bill have yes house house bill have yes house house bill 251 well no that you're replacing that

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to open up the public hearing for the House Election Law Committee for House Bill 711, relative
• </c><00:23:45.279><c> House</c><00:23:45.559><c> Bill</c> hearing on House Bill hearing on House Bill
• session on House Bill 423.
• </c> of a house but a lot of people's houses of a house but a lot of people's houses are<01:28:08.320
• I'm introducing House Bill 130.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the next bill on the agenda is House File 3350.
• Chair Pinto, I believe your motion is to recommend that House File 3350 be placed on the general register
• Yes, I'll echo that to our House research team.
• </c> particular thanks to our amazing House particular thanks to our amazing House research<00:12:59.680
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yes, I'll echo that to our uh House &gt;&gt; Yes, I'll echo that to our uh House research

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You're in House Education, and we are about to get underway.
• That's where House Bill 657 comes in.
• I'm testifying in direct support of House Bill 657.
• I am here to ask your support of House Bill 657.
• Shall House Bill 711 be sent to the House floor with the due pass recommendation?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: House Education began by approving minutes from February 18, 19, 20, and 23, 2026. The committee then heard House Bill 657, which would change charter school lottery priorities to give military-connected students and foster children greater access, while also allowing charter schools more discretion to set their own enrollment priorities. The sponsor and several military family and charter school witnesses supported the bill as a fairness and stability measure for families facing frequent PCS moves; opponents, including Mountain Home school officials, argued it could significantly harm the local district and that a simpler amendment to the military enrollment statute would address the problem without creating district-level disruption. The committee held HB 657 in committee and then introduced RS-33489, sending it to the second reading calendar with a due pass recommendation. The committee next took up House Bill 711, an alternate authorization pathway for principals and superintendents. Supporters, including the sponsor and the State Superintendent, said it would help rural districts recruit leaders by creating a “grow your own” and executive pathway with mentoring and board approval, while opponents from school boards, administrators, and educators warned that removing the master’s degree requirement and allowing broader use of training funds could weaken preparation and accountability. After testimony and debate, the committee passed HB 711 to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered RS 32862 C1, which would move the STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council, reduce overhead, require industry matching funds, and add annual performance reporting for general fund spending. The sponsor said the change would improve efficiency and accountability, and the committee asked about charitable contribution deductions and governance details. RS 32862 C1 was introduced and sent to the second reading calendar with a due pass recommendation. The committee also announced that House Bill 712 would be moved to the next morning’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, our next agenda item is House Bill 558.
• Tammy Nichols from District 10, and I'm presenting House Bill 528.
• We're talking about House Bill 528, please. Unfortunately, we're on the subject of House Bill 528.
• House Bill 528 seeks to fix a problem that does not exist.
• Yeah, and just a reminder, again, it's already federally permitted.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee began with introductions of three new Senate pages, who briefly described their backgrounds and interests. The committee then approved the minutes from February 3rd by voice vote. The first bill heard was House Bill 558, which would codify protections for foster youth’s Social Security survivor benefits so those funds remain with the child rather than being used by the state. The sponsor and committee members discussed that the bill would align state law with an existing executive order, clarify that it applies only to foster youth, and help young people transition out of foster care. After questions about fiscal impact and how the benefits work, the committee voted to send HB 558 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 528, dealing with directed and autologous blood donations. Supporters said the bill would clarify Idaho law, protect patient choice, and address reported barriers to obtaining directed donations for planned procedures. Opponents, including Red Cross and blood center representatives, argued the bill was unnecessary because such donations are already allowed, could create confusion, add cost, and imply the general blood supply is unsafe. After extensive testimony from medical professionals, patients, and advocacy groups on both sides, the committee voted to send HB 528 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with one member requesting to be recorded as opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:05.120><c> Bill</c> date that the ADC board in House Bill date that the ADC board in House
• </c> pre House Bill 505. pre House Bill 505.
• So, we have a motion and a second on House Bill 470 as amended by House Committee Substitute.
• </c> amended by House Committee Substitute. amended by House Committee Substitute.
• </c> same on the House floor. same on the House floor. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:37:06.000><c> you.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:27 - Discussion of 26RS HB 470 29:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 470 32:06 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 25 34:49 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 25 37:08 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, House Bill 1479, Abandoned Historic Cemetery by Representative Driskell.
• Unfortunately, I have to rise in opposition to House Bill 439.
• It provides that a commercial wastewater system permit is valid for one year.
• Chair Mooney: Representative Greco, House Bill 1297, Beach Management.
• Next up, House Bill 1285. Representative Boyles, you're recognized to explain your bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Service Council to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
• It is only a motion in the House. In the Senate, we just say PBI.
• I just wanted to add some context to House Bill 371.
• I just wanted to add some context to House Bill 371.
• I noticed that it was House Bill 1434.

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they are not through judicial canons... ...the public, but they are not through judicial canons permitted
• This is the People's House, and we're here to listen to what you have to say.
• And part of it being the People's House is that we have different opinions on legislation that's brought
• The Constitution does not permit a parallel legal system that overrides state or federal law.
• One of the very simple things, in my opinion, is that permitting any religious or cultural laws is in

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved the gubernatorial appointment of Amy Anderson to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles, sending the nomination to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard and advanced three Senate Resource Statements from Senator Todd Lakey: RS 32894, repealing an outdated capital crimes defense fund provision; RS 32896, removing an obsolete mountain standard time reference in juvenile corrections code; and RS 33120, clarifying the Attorney General’s civil enforcement authority. Each was sent to print without opposition. The committee also took up the judicial council appointment of Michael Kennedy. Kennedy described his background, his service as a non-attorney member of the Idaho Judicial Council, and his view that citizen members help ask practical questions and keep the process grounded. Members asked about the role of citizen members and the judiciary’s proper constitutional role; no vote was taken on the appointment during this meeting. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 1232, Senator Tammy Nichols’ proposal to modernize Idaho’s Son of Sam law. Nichols asked to send the bill to the 14th order for technical amendments after consultation with the Attorney General’s office, and the committee agreed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1233, the Constitutional Courts Act, from Senator Dan Foreman. Foreman said the bill would prevent Idaho courts from enforcing judgments based on religious or cultural law that does not conform to constitutional rights. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued it would protect constitutional supremacy and oppose Sharia law, while opponents warned the language was overbroad and could threaten references to common law, natural law, or religious history. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order failed, and the committee instead voted to send SB 1233 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, Senator Melissa Wintrow’s RS 3293, excluding photographs or images of deceased individuals from public disclosure, was sent to print.

Transcript Highlights:

• but they are not through judicial canons ...the public, but they are not through judicial canons permitted
• This is the People's House, and we're here to listen to what you have to say.
• And part of it being the People's House is that we have different opinions on legislation that's brought
• The Constitution does not permit a parallel legal system that overrides state or federal law.
• One of the very simple things, in my opinion, is that permitting any religious or cultural laws is in

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the gubernatorial appointment of Amy Anderson to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles and then heard from Michael Kennedy on his appointment to the Idaho Judicial Council after resolving a remote-connection issue. Kennedy described his background in telecommunications, public service, and community work, and said citizen members on the council help ask practical questions and keep the process grounded. No vote on his appointment was taken at this meeting. The committee then considered three RSs from Senator Todd Lakey. RS 32894 would repeal an obsolete capital crimes defense fund provision now that the state has taken over public defense; RS 32896 would remove an outdated Mountain Standard Time provision; and RS 33120 would clarify the Attorney General’s civil enforcement authority, including declaratory and injunctive relief. All three were sent to print. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 1232, which would modernize Idaho’s son of Sam law. Senator Nichols asked to send it to the 14th order for technical amendments after consulting with the Attorney General’s office, and the committee agreed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1233, the Constitutional Courts Act, from Senator Foreman. Supporters said it would prevent courts from applying religious or cultural law that conflicts with constitutional rights, while opponents argued the language was overbroad and could create constitutional problems or interfere with common-law reasoning. A motion to amend failed, and the bill was then sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, Senator Wintrow presented RS 3993 to exempt photographs or images of deceased individuals from public disclosure; it was sent to print.

Transcript Highlights:

• CONGRESS HERE IN WASHINGTON AND I APPEAR AS AN EXPERT WITNESS BEFORE SIX COMMITTEES OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE
• AND WITHOUT THAT AGAIN IT WILL BUILD A SHED JUST THE HOUSE ITSELF.
• THEY CAN BE UP AND RUNNING IN A YEAR AND THE PERMITTING PROCESS IS EASY YOU CAN GET MANUFACTURING ALL
• SO YOU'RE SAYING WE HAVE TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING?
• THE FIRST DECISION THAT WE HAVE MADE IS WE DID NOT PERMIT THE USE OF STUDENTS TO USE AI.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do the vast majority of this in-house, and we can implement it anywhere in the state.
• He is also responsible for the oversize and overweight permits that travel throughout our state.
• Inspection data is housed in our Ash-to-Wear Bridge Management Program, our BRM database.
• overload program, where the bridge management section performs capacity analysis for all overweight permits
• The overload program, a beam analysis program, is used for these overweight permits.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then HCD and BCH related to how improving housing plan tracking.
• be us let's do this all the way but when we look at the menu where we're zeroing out zeroing out housing
• be through partnerships with other companies, and those companies will need to secure encroachment permits
• where, as we move to construction, those partners will need those. mile, you need the encroachment permit
• having a number of one on one meetings with them to help them understand how to get encroachment permits

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Elimination of 437 units of affordable housing.
• I think they were really trying to maximize affordable housing.
• A preponderance of affordable housing was the preference.
• A preponderance of affordable housing was the preference.
• More than 70% of the network is now permitted.

Summary: The hearing began with a vote-only agenda and then focused first on San Mateo County’s request to restore in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) funding. County officials, city leaders, labor representatives, nonprofits, and public safety advocates argued that the loss of roughly $157 million would force major cuts to homelessness services, housing assistance, mental health programs, libraries, parks, fire and police staffing, and other local services. They described the current formula as outdated and unfair, tied to school funding and basic-aid dynamics that no longer work for San Mateo County, and urged both an immediate budget restoration and a permanent legislative fix. The Department of Finance said the payments are discretionary, not statutorily required, and noted the administration does not view the expenditure as sustainable in the current fiscal climate. Committee members expressed sympathy, questioned the formula, and said they would keep the issue under consideration; the committee later voted to move the two vote-only items on the agenda. The committee then received an update from the Department of General Services on state property redevelopment, including the Hillcrest DMV site in San Diego, the Fell Street DMV site in San Francisco, and other state-owned properties. DGS explained that Hillcrest is not currently an active project, while the Fell Street project shifted from an integrated DMV-housing plan to a more feasible relocation of the DMV into leased commercial space, with a budget change proposal pending. Members pressed DGS on the slow pace of redevelopment, the potential for housing on state sites, and the costs and feasibility of adaptive reuse. DGS said many state buildings are aging and that adaptive reuse depends heavily on building design, floorplate depth, light, and risk from unknown conditions behind walls. The Government Operations portion then turned to the California Education Learning Lab, which supports intersegmental higher education innovation grants. The Lab asked for permanent restoration of $4 million in ongoing funding and a move of its home agency from the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps, along with technical trailer bill changes. Supporters said the program has funded more than 120 projects reaching thousands of faculty and hundreds of thousands of students, including work on generative AI in higher education. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the restoration and continuing the wind-down, citing the state’s projected deficit and suggesting the California Education Interagency Council could pursue non-state-funded grant opportunities instead. The committee held the item open. Finally, GovOps presented the new California Education Interagency Council staffing request, seeking four ongoing positions to support the council, with funding already included in last year’s budget. The department said the governor has appointed Debbie Cochran as executive officer and that the remaining positions are being recruited. Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee began questions about how the council will be staffed and organized.