Video & Transcript : 'environmental bond' :
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/19/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- As you know, we had a bond. They went out to the bond.
- They had a bond approved this year, and some of that was appropriated for paying the debt.
- Well, how long is the term of that bond that passed? I think it's five years. Okay, five-year bond.
- The biggest cause has been the fact that the $480 million bond that was approved by voters two years
- ago enabled the district to shift capital expenditures from unrestricted capital to bond.
Committee:
Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Summary:
The committee first heard a follow-up on the Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners special audit. The Auditor General’s contractor reported that the board has made progress on most of the 28 recommendations from the 2024 audit, with 25 in process and three not yet implemented. Remaining concerns included complaint investigations not being resolved within 180 days, continued open meeting law compliance problems, and failure to consult the Attorney General’s open meeting law experts. The follow-up also identified new issues with posting disciplinary/non-disciplinary actions and maintaining a complete public records request log. Board staff said they had adopted new complaint timelines, subpoena limits, conflict-of-interest procedures, public meeting guidance, training, and a new licensing platform, and they described efforts to professionalize investigations and improve transparency. Members pressed the board on open meeting violations, complaint backlogs, lobbying activity, and the resignation of the board chair, while the executive director said the audit findings were being treated as a roadmap for reform.
The committee then received the January 2026 Arizona school district financial risk analysis. The Auditor General’s office said the number of highest-risk districts rose from two to nine, and districts approaching highest risk increased from seven to nine. The report highlighted common risk factors such as declining student counts, budget reserve problems, use of capital funds for operations, and weakening general fund positions. Tucson Unified was used as an example of a highest-risk district, with declining enrollment, reserve declines, and capital funds redirected to operations; Scottsdale Unified was cited as approaching highest risk. The office explained its web-based dashboard, district action plans, and ongoing outreach to affected districts.
Sierra Vista Unified School District superintendent Terry Romo then presented the district’s response to its financial risk designation. She said she inherited the problems, quickly developed an action plan, and is working to stabilize enrollment, reduce staffing through attrition, close an elementary school, freeze nonessential spending, tighten purchase controls, and renegotiate or cancel high-cost contracts. She also said the district is redirecting DAA funds, considering sale or lease of property, and improving communication with families through letters, videos, and enrollment outreach. Committee members questioned the district about declining enrollment, school safety, academic performance, and the pace of corrective action, while Romo emphasized that the district is trying to protect both students and finances and avoid returning to the high-risk list.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- bond through MDFB.
- Goal 3, maintain the public trust, is led by Deputy Director Andrew Bond.
- Andrew Bond, Deputy Director of Business and Operations, and I have Goal 3.
- Andrew Bond, Deputy Director of Business and Operations, and I have Goal 3.
- Deputy Director Bond, if you could witness form, is that correct?
Committee:
House Budget
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This provision allows the natural gas utilities to issue bonds if they have a catastrophic event.
- And again, that cost will only bonds.
- </c> to issue those bonds. to issue those bonds.
- I think we're going to have a bonding<00:42:06.400><c> bill.
- </c><00:42:08.000><c> And</c><00:42:08.240><c> so,</c> Bonding bill. I'm hopeful.
Bills:
HF2438
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- SD1HD1 relating to a special purpose SD1HD1 relating to a special purpose revenue<00:55:45.200><c> bond
- for Koi farming and egg revenue bond for Koi farming and egg enterprises<00:55:49.280><c> for</c><00
- It increases the total principal amount of special facility revenue bonds that may be issued without
- . on behalf of the house myself bonds. on behalf of the house myself coach<01:50:55.679><c> Kitagawa<
- It increases the total principal amount of special facility revenue bonds that may be issued without
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- amendments to include the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, environmental
- amendments to include the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, environmental
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The committee met for decision-making only on HCR 33, which concerns the Pūpūkea sewage project. The resolution recognizes ongoing collaboration among Hawaiʻi County, the Pūpūkea community, the Department of Health, and other stakeholders to complete the project. The A&S recommendation, which the Health and Human Services committee supported, was to amend the resolution to add the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, environmental monitoring, and technical assistance in planning and implementation.
There was no discussion or opposition raised before the vote. The committee voted to pass the resolution with amendments, with the chair, acting vice chair, and Senator Fevella voting aye; the vice chair and Senator Keohokalole were excused. The chair’s recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- These were unspent bond proceeds reported as restricted investments.
- All bond proceeds were invested in CDs when the bond was issued at BND, and this was for the construction
- And there is also a detailed list of outstanding bonds and... ...through 47.
- I see they have $2.46 billion in bonds outstanding.
- to in regards to the bonds, when we talk about the receivables for bonds, all that gets used for debt
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 229, Chair, Appropriations Committee, Maryland Transportation Authority Revenue Bond Limit
- </c><00:13:05.800><c> Limit</c><00:13:06.360><c> Increase,</c> Authority Revenue Bond Limit Increase,
- Authority Revenue Bond Limit Increase, Favorable.
- </c><00:13:29.880><c> This</c> existing bond issuance requirement.
- This existing bond issuance requirement.
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation by Father Mark Bilek of Westminster, introduced by the Senator from the 42nd District and praised by members for his community service and Lenten message of reconciliation. The prayer was journalized. The chamber then recognized several guests, including interns, family members, a shadowing student, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Ann Benfield, before moving to floor business. A scheduling note indicated a light floor agenda, with committee work later in the day and a longer floor session expected the next day.
The Senate considered several second-reading committee reports and moved multiple bills to third reading, generally without objection. These included House Bill 229, increasing Maryland Transportation Authority bond capacity from $4 billion to $5 billion; House Bill 266, allowing resource-sharing revenues to support state communications infrastructure, with an amendment conforming it to Senate Bill 85; House Bill 472, extending and adjusting the theatrical production tax credit; House Bill 607, setting constitutional officers’ salaries; House Bill 810, creating a study on blockchain-based lease recordation verification with an amendment adding the Maryland Blockchain Association; House Bill 1095, granting a Calvert County property tax credit for former tobacco barns; House Bill 1142, creating a task force on county and municipal revenue structures; and House Bill 1165, addressing apprenticeship program accountability and completion. The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 956, authorizing the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties on delinquent accounts, with a sponsor amendment.
Members briefly joked about April Fools’ Day during the proceedings, but the chamber continued to adopt reports and amendments without recorded opposition. At the end of the session, leaders announced committee schedules for the afternoon and the next day, including Finance, Triple E, Budget and Taxation, and Judicial Proceedings meetings. The Senate then held a quorum call, confirmed 45 members present, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Even BlackRock now holds over $2 billion in tokenized treasury bonds and tokenized treasury securities
- You have real-world assets on the blockchain, real estate, treasury bonds, all transparent, all verifiable
- They're held in Treasuries and oftentimes low-risk bonds.
- They're held in Treasuries and oftentimes low-risk bonds, but even those instruments are not keeping
- that a 100% Treasury strategy, which means not holding it in cash but holding it in Treasuries or bonds
Committee:
House Banking and Finance
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 18 (2-2-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> House Bill 143, an act relating to fiduciary bonds. >> Representative Elliott. >> Gentleman from
- </c><00:06:36.560><c> Representative</c><00:06:37.120><c> Elliott,</c> fiduciary bonds.
- Representative Elliott, fiduciary bonds.
- ><c> fiduciary</c> remove the requirement that a fiduciary remove the requirement that a fiduciary bond
- be signed by the fiduciary in the bond be signed by the fiduciary in the presence<00:07:01.120><c> of
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 05:04
Orders of the Day 06:01
HB 143 06:11
HB 164 08:07
HB 314 11:07
HB 398 21:17
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 29:02
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 34:01
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 35:40
ConC/Rules Report 40:15
Floor Amendments 41:15
Adjournment 41:26, 958, all
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Jan 20th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- So starting off, it prohibits advertising tax proposals, tax bond issues as no tax increases.
- So starting off, it prohibits advertising tax proposals, tax bond issues as no tax increases.
- We heard a lot of Proposals, tax bond issues as no tax increases.
- And then on the bond indebtedness for the senior tax freeze, how do you suppose that's handled by some
- Would seniors be able to get a credit if their county excluded bond indebtedness?
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Sep 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's got a dedicated percentage of the severance tax bonds, similar to the Water Trust Board and the
- Again, it's that. of severance tax bonds. So, you know, it won't be that high forever.
- if we tell the State Board of Finance that we're going to be changing the use of the severance tax bonds
- Behavioral health care received $2.5 million of bond proceeds in 2004-2005, around that time period.
- This amounts to up to $357.8 million, which comes from a high amount of severance tax bond proceeds.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They chose, rather than going out and having bond issues all the time, to dedicate a big chunk of that
- sales tax to paying off all those bonds and not borrowing anymore.
- Other than the bonds that we did for road.
- You get additional money for debt service, so if you have a voters-approved bond, state law allows you
- to collect taxes to pay off those bonds.
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce Mar 25th, 2025 at 08:00 am
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- This debt can be issued in forms of bonds or loans and is often held by foreign and U.S. investors.
- These bonds or loans are often held by foreign and U.S. investors, banks, and private creditors.
- This debt can be issued in forms of bonds or loans and is often held by foreign and U.S. investors. forms
- Both investors in and issuers of sovereign debt want a stable legal regime for these bonds.
- Otherwise, bonds are more volatile and issuers have difficulty borrowing cheaply.
Bills:
SB483 , SB522 , SB783 , SB1239 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1259 , SB1341 , SB1664 , SB1762 , SB1856 , SB1877 , SB1977
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness
Summary:
The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays.
The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process.
Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And our other member has to be experienced in finance because of the bond aspect and the loans.
- Well, I mentioned that we have bonds, so what we do... is we we issue bonds and these are not general
- revenue bonds, these are backed by... the mortgages.
- So the veterans get loans that qualify for our program, and we use the bonds to purchase those loans.
- It's just like being back in the service again, everybody's, you know, there's just that instant bond
Committee:
House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- What we're trying to do in this specific instance is allow those bonds to be paid off by that school
- State and federal funds have nothing to do with your capacity to bond.
- when you take a district the size of Geronimo and shrink that out of their budget, if they're at bonding
- And most of them bond, and they come to us and say that they need help.
- And should be available to the districts at a like a AAA rating for the bonds, yes.
Committee:
Senate Revenue and Taxation
Keywords:
veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding
Summary:
The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee considered several House bills dealing with tax credits, fee changes, school funding, and investment authority. House Bill 4426 extended the sunset on the SIDE tax credit to December 31, 2032, and passed 7-2. House Bill 3704 elected Oklahoma into the federal income tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and passed 9-2. House Bill 4311 raised the unclaimed property division’s administrative fee from 4% to 6% to cover increased duties and costs; it passed 8-3 after debate over whether the increase was justified. House Bill 3044 reauthorized the veterans income tax checkoff and the associated capital improvement fund, and passed 10-0. House Bill 4191 revised the Smaller Employer Quality Jobs Act by lowering job thresholds, expanding qualifying locations and industries, and changing other eligibility rules; it passed 6-4. House Bill 3465 extended the emission tax credit sunset from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029 and passed 6-4, with opponents arguing it subsidized compliance with federal mandates. House Bill 3972, a title-off bill addressing ad valorem reimbursement issues tied to the state purchase of a prison, drew extensive debate over precedent and scope; an amendment to add a sunset failed 5-5, and the bill then passed 8-2 as amended.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- When we went to market on the $785 million, we were able to sell $500 million worth of bonds.
- Originally, we had agreed that there would be $785 million in available bond funding to pay for the two
- That bonding availability was available to be able to go on the market, yes?
- we overestimated the ability for us to get funds at that time, or did the process in putting those bonds
- I would suggest that those questions probably need to be directed to the folks that took the bonds to
Committee:
House Ways and Means General Fund
Keywords:
elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It does allow infrastructure capacity, environmental considerations, site-specific considerations, all
- than this, rather than saying what is our infrastructure going to support, what kind of lots and environmental
- than this, rather than saying what is our infrastructure going to support, what kind of lots and environmental
- than this rather than saying what is our infrastructure going to support what kind of lots and environmental
- constraints are there so it's being too rigid You're going to support what kind of lots and environmental
Summary:
The Senate Commerce Committee approved the February 10, 2026 minutes and then took up several housing bills from Senator Taves. SB 1277 would have required statewide allowance of accessory dwelling units and limited local restrictions; testimony was split between supporters who said ADUs can expand attainable housing and help families, and opponents who raised concerns about infrastructure, parking, height limits, short-term rentals, HOA/covenant issues, and local control. Senator Taves said he was willing to amend the bill to address height limits, HOA language, and a private cause of action, but the committee ultimately voted 5-4 to hold SB 1277 in committee.
The committee then heard SB 1279, which would have promoted smaller starter-home subdivisions and allowed incentives for smaller lots and setbacks. Supporters argued it would help first-time buyers and give builders more flexibility, while opponents said the bill was too broad, too fast, and could create density and infrastructure problems. After testimony and discussion, the committee voted 5-4 to hold SB 1279 in committee as well.
Next, SB 1280 proposed allowing duplexes and twin homes in single-family residential areas. Testimony again centered on housing supply versus local infrastructure, with county and city officials warning about septic, water, and retroactive covenant issues, while real estate testimony supported more lower-cost housing options. Senator Taves said he was open to amendments, but the committee voted 5-4 to hold SB 1280 in committee. Finally, SB 1276, which would remove the sunset on a PERSI provision allowing retired teachers and other retirees to return to work, received supportive testimony from the sponsor and PERSI’s director, who said there would be no negative impact on the retirement system; the committee voted to send SB 1276 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The meeting ended with an informational presentation on PERSI COLA concerns from retired public employees, followed by adjournment.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- from harm's way, reduce future disaster response costs, and create long-term public safety and environmental
- Those rules will go through a robust hearing through the Environmental Improvement Board.
- Thank you very much. ...through the Environmental Improvement Board, contrasting what's happening in
- Instead, it authorizes the Environmental Improvement Board at its discretion to consider rulemaking only
- Instead, it authorizes the Environmental Improvement Board at its discretion to consider rulemaking only
Summary:
The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 5 and heard three measures. House Bill 246 would provide state matching funds for local governments already approved for federal flood mitigation assistance to buy out and rehabilitate floodplain properties, especially in Lincoln County, to reduce repetitive flood damage and restore land to a more natural floodplain. Supporters included county officials, emergency management, and a racetrack lobbyist, all emphasizing public safety, reduced disaster costs, and community recovery. Some members raised concerns about pre-flood property valuation and anti-donation issues, but the bill passed on a do-pass motion.
House Bill 271 would appropriate funds through the Office of Natural Resources Trustee for natural resource recovery and public land access, including disaster recovery projects and expansion of recreational opportunities. Supporters argued it would help restore watersheds, improve access to public lands, and support hunting, fishing, and local outdoor economies. Several members questioned whether the bill was too open-ended, whether it could affect grazing or other existing rights, and why the trustee’s office was the right vehicle; the sponsor and trustee said the office has a transparent public process and that the bill would not create new eminent domain authority or adverse changes to existing rights. The committee approved the bill 9-1, with one member explaining support but noting lingering concerns.
House Bill 254 would allow investor-owned electric utilities to count avoided greenhouse gas emissions when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs under the utility cost test. The sponsor and utility witnesses said this would help expand programs such as heat pumps, HVAC upgrades, and all-electric development, while opponents worried it could function as a rate increase or “double dipping” because customers already pay fees supporting efficiency programs. The committee passed the bill 7-3. Finally, House Joint Memorial 3 would ask the Environment Department to study PFAS exemptions and report back during the interim as rulemaking on the PFAS Protection Act proceeds. The memorial drew both support and opposition, with critics saying it conflicted with existing statute and was unnecessary, while supporters said it would ensure a thorough review of federal changes and consumer-product exemptions. The memorial passed 8-2, and the committee then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 2
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Erin Clems from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Chair, the reason I asked Mr.
- This was an environmental review case that was conducted by the city of Cohasset.
- really about pering at all this was not really about pering at all this was an<00:21:37.720><c> environmental
- <c> review</c><00:21:38.640><c> case</c><00:21:39.320><c> that</c><00:21:39.480><c> was</c> an environmental
- review case that was an environmental review case that was conducted<00:21:40.039><c> by</c><00:21:40.159
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- about liability and the state's increase in liability will affect the amount of general obligation bonds
- The situation is kind of an environmental tragedy in the sense that Poi Bay is continuing to be polluted
- area uh the uh situation is kind<01:10:32.159><c> of</c><01:10:32.280><c> an</c><01:10:32.520><c> environmental
- </c><01:10:33.520><c> tragedy</c><01:10:34.000><c> in</c><01:10:34.120><c> the</c> kind of an environmental
- tragedy in the kind of an environmental tragedy in the sense<01:10:34.520><c> that</c><01:10:34.719>
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.