Transcript Highlights:

• directors of HHFDC.
• HHFDC, which adds the executive director HHFDC, which adds the executive director of<00:01:48.240>
• <00:01:49.840> of of HPHA to the board of directors of of HPHA to the board of directors of
• awarding these loans, and 90% of state HFA directors have less discretion than HHFDC.
• That 75% of state HFAs have less discretion than HHFDC in awarding these loans, and 90% of state HFA

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notably, the H.G.s purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of-state mega-resort developer sought
• Notably, the H.G.s purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of-state mega-resort developer sought
• Notably, the H.G.s purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of-state mega-resort developer sought
• Notably, the H.G.s purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of-state mega-resort developer sought
• Notably, the H.G.s purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of-state mega-resort developer sought

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:01.000> in expended and the cost of the state in expended and the cost of the state
• The remainder would be state dollars.
• What equipment are you purchasing, and what company are you purchasing it from?
• <01:32:39.560> Hospital as it relates to Eastern State Hospital as it relates to Eastern State
• <01:45:13.320> being out there and half the state being out there and half the state being

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• 17 states that have a control State 17 states that have a control State model<00:10:14.160> uh
• The state lottery under chapter 349A is overseen by its own state agency, the Minnesota State Lottery
• The state lottery under chapter 349A is overseen by its own state agency, the Minnesota State Lottery
• The state lottery under chapter 349A is overseen by its own state agency, the Minnesota State Lottery
• The state lottery under chapter 349A is overseen by its own state agency, the Minnesota State Lottery

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• found out about it in this other state. found out about it in this other state.
• As I know you're aware um state.
• extend to state correctional facilities. extend to state correctional facilities.
• director skipper said it all. Sorry. director skipper said it all. Sorry.
• Director Skipper, for taking my call. Director Skipper, for taking my call.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of single-state licensure.
• compact state.
• passing<01:06:08.720> this state which state requires passing this state which state requires
• states do lag country um those State states do lag behind<05:10:54.920> as<05:10:55.040> far
• We have states that we will model after the state of Kentucky.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, both related to professional licensing for dietitians and dental hygienists. HB 144 was described as a technical fix to align statute with existing Board of Dental Examiners rules allowing dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthesia, with supporters saying the bill would add needed training and examination requirements to statute. A dentist and dental society representative testified that the practice is already being done safely within scope, and committee members discussed whether nitrous oxide is still used and whether the bill was mainly to keep the paperwork and law consistent. The committee moved HB 144 forward on a 12-0 vote and placed it on consent. HB 145 would join New Hampshire to a dietitian licensure compact and add a criminal history check for initial licensure to match compact language. The sponsor and board witnesses said the compact would improve portability, support telehealth, help military families and spouses, and maintain public safety by ensuring qualified practitioners and information-sharing among member states. Committee members asked about withdrawal from the compact, the difference between single-state and compact licensure, and why a background check was included; the witness said the compact is not yet active, with four states enacted and seven needed, and that the background check is required by the compact language. Additional testimony from a private-practice dietitian supported the bill, citing continuity of care, rural access, and workforce mobility, while some members raised concerns about telehealth across state lines and the practical effect of the background check.

Transcript Highlights:

• where the needs arise across the state where the needs arise across the state the<00:10:31.959><
• <00:26:59.720> and first conversations in the state and first conversations in the state and
• <00:51:40.440> Building behalf of the Minnesota State Building behalf of the Minnesota State
• <01:04:21.400> is about government I I'll just state is about government I I'll just state
• non-code area a private or the state so non-code area a private or the state so one<01:11:26.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge to the United States of America and to the Republic To apply of the United States of America
• They're huge stakeholders in our state.
• state revenue from the creation of LLCs.
• This is a policy the majority of the country already does, red states and blue states.
• And I will tell you, as I stated earlier, every single profession has an executive director.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you start at San Diego State and you move to Sacramento State or wherever it goes, it's not falling
• So if you start at San Diego State and you move to Sacramento State or wherever it goes, it's not falling
• to put their state in front of other states purely from a recruitment standpoint.
• What can the state do?
• I'm the assistant athletic director for NIL and student athlete development at San Diego State.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state, so encourage.
• Between the district and the state, there are about $720,000 remaining.
• We, we all know how many schools in the state need to be addressed.
• , food director.
• You'll then notice uh a few other items stated with 2025 HP 450.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:05.839> at for and puts the capuna of our state at for and puts the capuna of our state
• Oh, state chair. Yep. Go ahead, Greg.
• I also serve as a director organization.
• state.
• state.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date. SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii. The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're paying it as a state to save funding.
• So the state is picking up a large share of that. So the state is picking up a large share of that.
• the state dollars and 31.
• I have had, Senator Bekkedahl, I have had the opportunity to work in other states, and by far the state
• I have had, Senator Becadol, I have had the opportunity to work in other states, and by far the state

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Game and Fish State Police Subcommittee met on Wednesday, January 21st.
• Glenn Howie, State Broadband Director. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr.
• Jimmy Harris, Insurance Commissioner, State Insurance Department.
• The state and AID and myself, we disagree with that position.
• The examination itself is conducted under a state law. Right.

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are about, we think, 131 manufactured home parks that have been purchased by out-of-state private
• What happens when we have some of these out-of-state companies purchase our manufactured home parks is
• > uh out of-state companies purchase our uh out of-state companies purchase our uh manufactured
• In 2024 alone, 90% of the purchased properties for manufactured homes were sold to out-of-state real
• In 2024 alone, 90% of the purchased properties for manufactured homes were sold to out-of-state real

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are serving rural, tribal, and urban communities across the state. The state.
• The Secretary of State will be in the House Lounge on the 31st.
• , both the state and local communities.
• or with federal authorities to purchase habitat.
• parks, providing to veterans residing in the state one day use pass for unlimited entry into state parks

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a This is the Board of Directors.
• State Capitol, where is Somerset?
• State Capitol on Floresville Day. Thank you.
• and political subdivisions of the state, referred the committee on state affairs, HB 902...
• affairs HB 913 by Frank relating to certain state hospital names and management of state hospitals refer

Bills: HCR21, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR31, HCR41, HCR42, HCR43, HCR44, HCR45, HCR52, HCR53, HCR66, HCR67, HCR73, HR8, HR10, HR13, HR20, HR21, HR50, HR59, HR61, HR71, HR74, HR79, HR84, HR86, HR90, HR91, HR102, HR103, HR107, HR113, HR125, HR126, HR132, HR142, HR145, HR149, HR150, HR152, HR167, HR179, HR181, HR183, HR186, HR192, HR196, HR199, HR207, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR216, HR249, HR256, HR259, HR261, HR263, HR272, HR281, HR285, HR294, HR295, HR300, HR305, HR311, HR313, HR315, HR316, HR323, HR331, HR339, HR340, HR346, HR349, HR352, HR357, HR358, HR360, HR363, HR374, HR377, HCR20, HCR28, HCR30, HCR32, HCR49, HR14, HR15, HR19, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR29, HR47, HR48, HR55, HR56, HR66, HR85, HR92, HR93, HR95, HR96, HR140, HR155, HR164, HR204, HR241, HR242, HR250, HR253, HR260, HR262, HR265, HR279, HR310, HR312, HR328, HR332, HR359, HR362, HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• Valverde Regional Medical District Director, Cepeda.
• You may have heard Chairman Hunter state earlier that we have a balanced budget. this state, if we have
• We can afford this amendment as a state, can't we, Mr. Verdell? Yes, sir.
• the state legislature?
• . directors, or for the Committee on Natural Resources.

Bills: HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• , and it has not had an impact on consumers in those states.
• Most states, there's a few states that have passed-through laws; almost all the states are pretty much
• there's a few states have passed through laws there's almost all the states are pretty much aligned
• I'm the executive director of the Mass Insurance Federation.
• Like, and I'm a state rep—been a state rep for three years—and I have, you know, a firm grasp of community

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of auto insurance and vehicle-related bills. Testimony focused heavily on autonomous vehicle regulation, auto insurance rating by ZIP code, rental car liability coverage, and surcharge thresholds for minor accidents. Representative Polito supported a bill to regulate autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, arguing for school-zone restrictions, slower speeds, a remote kill switch, and minimum insurance requirements to protect the public. Representative Mendez and Senator Payano testified for legislation to reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in auto insurance pricing by limiting the weight insurers may place on territorial loss costs, while the Mass Insurance Federation and Consumer Federation of America offered opposing and supporting views, respectively, on the fairness and actuarial impact of geographic rating. The committee also heard support for a bill to remove inspection-sticker violations from license-point calculations, and for a bill to raise the damage threshold for insurance surcharges and minor/major accident classifications. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed House Bill 1301 on rental car liability. Enterprise Mobility, the American Car Rental Association, and a small Massachusetts rental company supported the bill, saying personal auto insurers should be primary when their insureds drive rental cars, that Massachusetts is an outlier compared with most other states, and that the change would reduce costs and simplify claims handling. The Mass Insurance Federation opposed the bill, arguing that current Massachusetts law already clearly makes the vehicle owner’s policy primary and that shifting liability would raise costs for private-passenger policyholders. Committee members asked detailed questions about how rental coverage works, whether premiums or rental rates would change, and how other states handle the issue. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to adjust surcharge rules for at-fault accidents, with sponsors arguing that repair costs and vehicle values have risen sharply and that the current thresholds are outdated. Members discussed how the point system affects drivers, whether the proposal should apply cumulatively or per incident, and how Carfax and out-of-pocket repairs factor into consumer costs. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted written testimony could still be submitted and, during a brief personal privilege, recorded support for two underinsurance bills, H. 1109 and S. 748. The committee then moved and seconded a motion to adjourn, and the hearing ended without any votes on the bills themselves.

Transcript Highlights:

• We as a state really do prioritize.
• Every state now has contract law enforcement.
• The city, the big cities, max it out by what the state allows to raise your property tax, yeah. state
• In Harris County and of course around the state as well.
• You know, the state, you know, the state constitution creates the counties, but they have almost no..

Bills: HB336, HB554, HB849, HB 1033, HB1338, HB 1246

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Several states have moved to a state-based marketplace.
• At least six states already have added state dollars to enhance the federal premium subsidy, and states
• Several states have moved to a state-based marketplace.
• At least six states already have added state dollars to enhance the federal premium subsidy, and states
• I have the honor of serving as the associate state director of advocacy with AARP Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all