Transcript Highlights:

• Ja is saying on their testimony, first page, second paragraph, section one, Senate Bill 125 amend section
• Ja is saying on their testimony, first page, second paragraph, section one, Senate Bill 125 amend section
• Ja is saying on their testimony, first page, second paragraph, section one, Senate Bill 125 amend section
• Ja is saying on their testimony, first page, second paragraph, section one, Senate Bill 125 amend section
• And how many loans do we have? I know we currently have 17 active loans.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved. The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law. On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement. The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page R4, Senate sections 5 and 6 and House sections 7 and 8, these are similar provisions that increase
• On page R6, Senate section 7, House section 12, these are the same provisions.
• On page R six, Senate section 7,<00:39:22.880><c> House</c><00:39:23.119><c> Section</c><00:39:23.599
• House Section 12, these are the same 7, House Section 12, these are the same provisions.<00:39:26.240
• On R78, House-only language sections 4 to 7 define terms and protections for state workers who report

Transcript Highlights:

• on the last one in this section.
• on the last one in this section.
• on the last one in this section.
• on the last one in this section.
• So, the largest loan repayment program that we administer is the shortage loan repayment program.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Then in section 92, this is a new section.
• </c> just a matter of the terms of the loan. just a matter of the terms of the loan.
• And in the repayment of the loan.
• It is House section 45, Senate section 63.
• It is House section 45, Senate R 109. It is House section 45, Senate section<01:35:58.320><c> 63.

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, try to put the cost and saying it's, oh, it's a low-interest loan. It's still a loan.
• </c> for a loan. for a loan.
• But again, try to put the cost and saying it's, oh, it's a low-interest loan. It's still a loan.
• But again, try to put the cost and saying it's, oh, it's a low-interest loan. It's still a loan.
• Chair votes I, I vote I. ...it's, oh, it's a low-interest loan. It's still a loan.

Bills: HB1618

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committees held a joint hearing on HB 1618 HD1, which would create and fund a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to help homeowners upgrade, convert, or connect cesspools. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies and advocacy groups, with witnesses emphasizing that cost is the main barrier to cesspool conversion and that recent Kona flooding underscored the public health and pollution risks of cesspools. One testifier suggested the fund should actively pursue outside funding sources, and another urged an effective date that would allow counties to contribute sooner. A member raised concerns about whether loans would be affordable and whether other financing tools, such as tax credits, should also be considered; another member opposed the bill as not adequately addressing district-level sewer and septic issues. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the motion was adopted. The joint Judiciary and Ways and Means committees then considered HB 2592 on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The chair outlined amendments to clarify that the authority would assume property and liability associated with transferred assets, preserve existing liability rules, transfer conditional use permits if not already transferred, allow lease extensions before transfer, and set reversion triggers if the authority fails to adopt a management plan by June 30, 2028, or administrative rules by December 31, 2029. Members asked about preserving the public trust and whether the amendments would keep the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ role intact; the chair confirmed the fee and board role would remain unchanged. The committees voted to pass the bill with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also took up HB 2033, making further amendments to clarify the definition of state, delay certain effective dates, allow rental and U-Drive lessors to avoid liability by identifying renters, delete one section, and add administrative hearing language and bus-camera clarifications. HB 1888 was amended to expand protections for educational workers to include sports officials, define sports official, make intentional bodily harm a felony with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, and authorize the attorney general to assist with restraining orders. Both measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted. Later, several bills were moved with little or no discussion: HB 1515, HB 1713, HB 1718, HB 2022, and HB 2385 were recommended for passage unamended; HB 2375 was deferred; and HB 1741 was amended to reflect Honolulu’s concerns, narrow study requirements, add exemptions and a delayed implementation date, and was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees adopted the recommendations on these measures, with some members noting reservations or prior opposition on certain bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was called the Loans to Lender Program.
• The dotted red line is loans with bonds.
• Mexico loans.
• There are currently about 40 Section 811 vouchers in various properties. 8 and Section 811 project-based
• This is not including Section 8. This is within community development.

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So we actually have loans that are um basically encumbered or we have named beneficiaries for loans and
• which are 0% to offer more nahazda loans which are 0% interest<00:09:06.880><c> loans</c><00:09:07.440
• /c> though in 2021 and it's just been at 7 though in 2021 and it's just been at 7 million<00:09:25.839
• </c> 7 to 23. 7 to 23.
• /c> It's justification for from going from 7 It's justification for from going from 7 to<00:10:43.040

Transcript Highlights:

• 13, October 16th 1204 1B 2, section October 16th 1213, section 7 in Colorado Revised Statutes, add October
• section 25-7-1019.
• Assess the annual report submitted pursuant to section Submitted pursuant to section 25-7-1019 to determine
• Section 6 in Colorado Revised Statutes, add 25-7-1019 and 25-7-1020 as follows: 25-17-1019, Propulsion
• Section 7...

Transcript Highlights:

• to administer these loans.
• 29-7-5D.
• House Joint Resolution 7.
• Senate Joint Resolution 7.
• So 1 through 7, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• One's a general fund loan, one moved from a general fund loan to an iBank loan consistent with statute
• Loans aren't free.
• We should not be funding or paying for a loan, but we also should not be making any money off of a loan
• I left and We added to the loan to get another smaller loan.
• Because we only have six years left in this loan to pay this loan.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 7, 8, and 9 are technical adjustments to existing statute.
• Sections<01:12:13.400><c> 7,</c><01:12:14.160><c> 8,</c><01:12:14.760><c> and</c><01:12:14.960><c> 9<
• /c><01:12:15.640><c> are</c><01:12:16.240><c> technical</c> Sections 7, 8, and 9 are technical Sections
• Section 7 of the bill is designed to assist towns in addressing their respective housing targets.
• hours of sale to the underlying license within section 62 of Title 7.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 6 on page 7 is there again just explaining the foundation aid stabilization money.
• Section 7 is Section 7 is a continuing appropriation of money for DPI for special education.
• Section 16.
• So Sections 7 and 8, on enforcement and policy, establish an enforcement pathway and allow the Board
• in a different section.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge, a quorum call, and approval of journal corrections. It then handled several House messages, appointing conference committees on Senate Bills 2004 and 2006 and House Bills 1018, 1019, and 1363, and re-referring House Bill 1216 to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bill 1601, which would have expanded special assistant attorney general authority for certain offices, but the bill failed on final passage after strong opposition centered on preserving the Attorney General’s control and avoiding a solution in search of a problem. A major portion of the day focused on education funding. House Bill 1369 was amended to raise per-pupil aid from 2% and 2% to 3% and 3% and to increase the school construction loan transfer from $75 million to $100 million; supporters said this would help local schools and military base projects, while opponents raised questions about special education placement language and state coordination. The bill passed 44-3. House Bill 1013, the DPI budget, was also amended extensively to adjust staffing, funding sources, grants, meal assistance, teacher training, and other education programs; it passed 45-2. House Bill 2234, dealing with Choice Ready grants, was amended to shift funding away from general funds and toward federal or other sources, but then failed on final passage after the sponsor urged a red vote. The Senate also approved House Bill 1482, restricting bond and indebtedness elections for counties, cities, school districts, and park districts to primary or general election days, and House Bill 1332, creating a value-added agriculture facility incentive program with an emergency clause. House Bill 1010, the Insurance Department budget, passed unanimously after amendments reflecting the merger of the Securities Department into Insurance and adding staff and fee changes, while House Bill 1011, the separate Securities Department budget, failed because its funding was already included in HB 1010. House Bill 1584, a major pharmacy benefit manager reform bill, passed with an enforcement fund and new licensing/enforcement structure despite debate over ERISA and market transparency. In other action, the Senate concurred in House amendments and passed Senate Bills 2226, 2230, 2069, 2082, 2387, 2385, and 2186, with SB 2186 on parenting time interference and a child custody task force passing 27-20 after debate over whether the issue should be left to the courts. Senate Bill 2234, on Choice Ready grants, and Senate Bill 2243, on driver’s license points and traffic penalties, both failed after concurrence motions were adopted but final passage votes were overwhelmingly negative. The chamber also advanced Senate Bill 2291 to conference committee consideration near the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> you likely know run 24 hours a day 7 you likely know run 24 hours a day 7 days<00:02:02.840><c> a
• </c> programming um for the revolving loan programming um for the revolving loan funds<00:46:45.599><
• It covers 80% of eligible project costs, up to $7 million each.
• /c> of eligible project costs up to 7 of eligible project costs up to 7 million<00:50:26.200><c> each
• <00:58:09.359><c> 446</c> section 446 section 446 a072<00:58:12.640><c> that</c><00:58:12.799><c> sets

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4, 23-2505, Section 2, original Section 68-1202, Revised Statutes Cumulative 2012, is repealed
• Section 75-7, 507.01, relates to recalculation based on employees, and repeals the relevant sections.
• Section 5 amends section 37-441.
• The section says microloan funds should not exceed $150,000 and should be used to capitalize loss loans
• says section 8, section 81-12,162, and section 21-12-160 are repealed.

Bills: LB737 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB1216 , LB1256 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787 , LB365A , LB823 , LB900 , LB903 , LB940 , LB954 , LB1127 , LB1127A , LB1205 , LB1240 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR505 , LR507

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> delay things anywhere from 7 to 21 days. delay things anywhere from 7 to 21 days.
• Uh, it goes right from section one to section three, so we'll be putting in the section two.
• In section two, subsection B testimony.
• Uh we are going to in section three.
• Uh, it goes right from section one to section three, so we'll be putting in the section two.

Bills: HB1849 , HB2000 , HB1753 , HB1511 , HB276 , HB1513 , HB2188 , HB1876

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Request additional General Fund cash-flow loan in 2026-27 so they may repay the loans taken in 2025-26
• would then have to be cut, because while we're getting a loan to repay the original loan, the funds
• Oh, the 3% loan, yes.
• the loan forward for us, but then we wouldn't necessarily have the cash to, to, we would have a loan
• It's on page 7 of our agenda.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, chaired by Assemblymember Alvarez, held a hearing focused on University of California budget issues. The committee reviewed UC core operations funding, enrollment trends, federal funding threats, Title IX implementation, and basic needs support. Major themes included the end of the Governor’s multi-year UC compact, the state’s fiscal outlook, UC’s enrollment growth, and the potential impacts of federal policy changes on research, health care, and student aid. On core funding, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to continue compact-related support, defer some payments, and authorize a cash-flow loan. The LAO recommended a smaller or no base increase, earmarking some funds for capital renewal, retiring deferrals when possible, avoiding new compact commitments, and funding UC annually rather than through compacts. UC argued that the compact has supported enrollment growth, student services, and operating costs, but said campuses face rising expenses, structural deficits, and limited reserves. Members questioned the effects of deferrals on students and discussed the need to prioritize less harmful reductions if cuts become necessary. The enrollment panel focused on UC’s growth in California resident enrollment and the nonresident replacement plan at Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. The LAO recommended maintaining the current enrollment target, funding enrollment separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident replacement plan, and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. UC said it has already met compact enrollment goals, grown California undergraduate enrollment by about 18,800 students, and that further growth depends on ongoing state support. The committee also discussed the cost of enrollment growth, possible differential nonresident tuition, and a reporting request for UC to analyze the nonresident replacement approach; the motion to adopt supplemental reporting language passed. The hearing also covered federal funding risks, with the LAO and UC warning that federal changes could affect research grants, medical center reimbursement, and student financial aid. UC said research cancellations and suspensions are disrupting labs and graduate student support, while federal health policy changes could increase uncompensated care at UC hospitals. In the Title IX update, UC described its systemwide civil rights structure, annual student training, and campus support offices, and members praised the work while asking about ongoing concerns and intersegmental collaboration. The final basic-needs item began with Finance stating the Governor’s budget does not change ongoing support, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative financing mechanisms such as these publicly financed loans are grants.
• The PG&E receiving a $15 billion DOE loan, for example.
• The PG&E receiving a $15 billion DOE loan, for example.
• We appreciate the amendments in Section 8 of the analysis.
• As you just described it, if that's Section 8, that's how we're reading Section 8 of the analysis, and

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and proceeded as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and took up three bills. AB 1715, by Assembly Member Schiavo, would require the CPUC to create a searchable online database of utility advice letters, responses, and resolutions dating back to 2020, and add quarterly reporting on taxpayer-funded loans and grants to investor-owned utilities. Supporters, including TURN, said the bill would improve transparency and accountability around utility financing and ratepayer savings; no formal opposition testified, though SDG&E and SoCalGas said committee amendments addressed their main concerns. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and ultimately passed 16-0. AB 1761, by Assembly Member Rogers, would improve transparency around the PCIA charge paid by community choice aggregators and other departing load customers by allowing advance access to data used in the calculation through an existing CPUC nondisclosure process. CalCCA, several CCAs, local governments, and clean energy groups supported the bill, arguing that current PCIA-setting practices are opaque and can cause rate shock; IOUs opposed, citing concerns about market-sensitive data and noting an existing CPUC process they said had not been fully used. After discussion of confidentiality protections and the committee amendments, the bill passed 15-0 to Appropriations. AB 1787, by Assembly Member Schultz, would require the CPUC to direct the large investor-owned utilities to offer optional dynamic rate tariffs once smart meter and related system upgrades approved on or after January 1, 2027 are in place. Supporters said dynamic pricing can help customers shift usage to lower-cost, cleaner periods and reduce peak demand costs, while opponents from PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE argued the bill was too prescriptive, could conflict with ongoing CPUC proceedings, and might create cost or implementation issues. The author said he would continue working with opponents and accepted committee amendments; the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. All three measures were reported out, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Section 312, energy matching fund loan. Section 312, energy matching fund loan.
• 312 seeing none, section 312 is closed. to enter into a loan up to 16 million to enter into a loan up
• The JAC added section 324, which amends the 2025 Wyoming session laws, chapter 161, section 7, which
• JAC added section 399, which repeals the University of Wyoming's loan budget request.
• Next section for consideration, section 400. repeals the University of Wyoming's loan repeals the University

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be the construction loan loss guarantee.
• That would be the construction loan loss guarantee.
• And with respect to the construction loan loss guarantee, that loan loss guarantee would be in place
• goal to have that Round 7 money out by September 2026.
• goal to have that Round 7 money out by September 2026.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• AYES A 5, NAYs 7.
• Read the last section. Section 5, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.
• READ THE LAST SECTION. &gt;&gt; SECTION 4, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
• Read the last section. >> Section 3, this act shall take effect immediately.
• Read the last section. >> Section 5.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed. The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.