Video & Transcript : 'curriculum development' :
Page 283 of 500
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Feb 3rd, 2026
Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It also has an industrial development tax credit portion of it.
- The second bucket is the strategic industrial development tax credit.
- Brian Grace, here on behalf of the Missouri Economic Development Council.
- Economic development...
- industrial development.
Summary:
The Agriculture Committee first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 24-22 do pass by a vote of 18 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 present. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bills 2713 and 2716, both sponsored by Representative Deal. HB 2713 was described as the larger agriculture tax credit package, including removal of sunsets from several existing ag-related credits and technical changes to programs such as biodiesel, meat processing, specialty crops, wood energy, and rolling stock. HB 2716 focused on the short-line rail tax credit and related rail infrastructure incentives, including track rehabilitation and industrial development credits.
Representative Deal said the bills were intended to provide long-term certainty for agriculture and rail investment and noted the programs’ positive return on investment. Committee members raised concerns about eliminating sunsets, how future legislatures would review the credits, and whether some credits could be used if Missouri moved toward eliminating income tax. Questions also focused on whether abandoned or minimally used rail lines would qualify, and on the transferability of rolling stock credits to entities with different tax liabilities. Deal and witnesses said the rail provisions were aimed at active short lines and that data on the credits’ performance could be provided.
Testimony in support came from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybeans, the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri, Missouri Dairy, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Bankers Association, Missouri Eastern Railroad, Missouri Economic Development Council, Osage Valley Electric Cooperative, and the Missouri Railroad Association. Supporters said the credits have stimulated ethanol, biodiesel, dairy, specialty crop, meat processing, and rural economic development projects, and that rail credits help preserve and expand short-line service, reduce truck traffic, and attract industrial investment. No opposition testimony was offered on either bill, and the hearings on HB 2713 and HB 2716 were adjourned without any recorded committee vote on those bills in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDT DEFER, EDT-HOU, EDT, EDT Public Hearings 02-10-2026
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Oahu Technology Development Corporation. Oahu Technology Development Corporation.
- Thank you. developed manufacturing economy here. developed manufacturing economy here.
- development.
- </c> Development Corporation. Development Corporation.
- </c><00:48:16.200><c> their</c> support them as they develop their support them as they develop their
Committee:
Senate Economic Development and Tourism
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused.
The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused.
A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (03/03/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:17:27.439><c> of</c> finding if this is a development of finding if this is a development of
- Lebanon where where development is Lebanon where where development is proceeding<01:07:41.599><c> a</
- </c> um again I'm not a builder or developer um again I'm not a builder or developer but<01:10:21.239
- , especially housing developments.
- </c> aggressive for some uh developments aggressive for some uh developments especially<01:12:54.040>
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Nov 13th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And to not see them happening or being developed and so forth.
- and looking into the development.
- But we've developed, when we developed the truck stop, and so the next aspect would be to do the land
- All of that is already developed.
- Those funds came from some of our economic development ventures in Oklahoma, but we are going to develop
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Grant for lender serving underserved entrepreneurs 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If we are serious about workforce development, we must also be serious about entrepreneurship development
- Fortis was development finance.
- Development Center, other Development Center, other [clears throat]<00:08:00.960><c> people</c><00:08
- Grant programs are for developers who we'd lend to. >> Right?
- And so I'm looking economic development.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 4, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Simply, this bill seeks to limit development within our state parks.
- resilient development for 15 years with my company called The Greenhouse.
- Develop and promote plans for markets for recycling materials.
- Formerly mined phosphate lands can help drive rural economic development.
- So, um, ...pre-development, pre-mining, and post-reclamation.
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met for its first meeting of session and heard four bills. HB 209, the State Parks Preservation Act, would limit development in state parks and require stronger public notice and participation for land management plan changes. Members discussed protections for cabins and existing lodging, and an amendment aligned the bill with the Senate and clarified conservation-based recreational uses. Support came from Audubon Florida, Nature Conservancy, and others, and the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute after a unanimous roll call.
HB 143 would create a Florida Resilient Buildings Tax Credit for new construction and retrofits that meet LEED-based resiliency standards, with a new advisory committee under DBPR to help administer the program. An amendment moved the process under DBPR, added UCF and FIU to the advisory council, and made technical conforming changes. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Boca Raton city council member and was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one no vote.
HB 295 would direct DEP to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan based on its 2020 recycling report, including education, market development, and recommendations for statutory changes. Testimony emphasized that the plan would be voluntary and would not impose costs or mandates on homeowners or businesses. The bill passed without amendments and was reported favorably. HB 585 would let owners of former phosphate mining lands record notice and obtain a Department of Health radiation survey to support a narrow defense against strict liability claims; an amendment clarified the notice content and limited the definition to mined lands, not gyp stacks. The bill drew extensive questions about notice, radiation thresholds, disclosure to buyers, and liability scope, but supporters from Mosaic, the Florida Chamber, and a health physicist argued it would improve transparency and help redevelop lands. It was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one soft yes and one no vote.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EIG, WLA-HOU Public Hearings 03-31-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- to facilitate the development of non-housing community development portions of the project.
- Development portions of the project.
- a mixed-use development, so housing and commercial component, which is typical of TOD.
- >> developing. >> developing.
- </c> parcel with the mixed use development. parcel with the mixed use development.
Summary:
The joint committees on Housing, Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, and later Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Housing, heard several resolutions related to affordable housing and the East Kapolei transit-oriented development area. SCR 48 and SR 47 proposed declaring that affordable housing credits are perpetual until redeemed, and testimony from DHHL, OPSD, and NAIOP Hawaii supported clarifying that intent. The committees voted to pass SCR 48 and SR 47 unamended.
The committees then considered SCR 107 and SR 101, which were amended to make clear the resolution applies only to the City and County of Honolulu and will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Land Management and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Those measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted by the committees.
In the later joint hearing, SCR 68 and SR 63 addressed the East Kapolei TOD project, urging DLNR to transfer certain parcels to HHFDC and urging HHFDC to work with HCDA on the non-housing portions of the project. Testimony from DLNR, HHFDC, HCDA, and DHHL focused on the balance between housing and revenue-generating or light industrial uses, the need for an EIS and market study, and the possibility of MOAs to memorialize agreements. After discussion, the committees amended the resolutions to prioritize rental housing as well as for-sale housing and to require MOAs before the board, then passed SCR 68 and SR 63 with amendments by unanimous votes.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Feb 10th, 2026 at 09:05 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a well-developed record?
- And Madam Chair and Senator, from an economic development standpoint...
- And Madam Chair and Senator, from an economic development standpoint.
- I welcome economic development for my community and for my district.
- that purpose, it was brought to New Mexico as a subsidy for big developers of upscale development.
Committee:
Senate Senate Conservation
Keywords:
nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Developing another source is really critically important, and using NIH funding to develop that source
- It takes years to develop in your career and develop the expertise you need to serve as a principal investigator
- So what's that saying is not only are we not developing the talent, of course we're not developing some
- workforce development.
- I also want to juxtapose that with an opportunity in developing the biotech and an opportunity in developing
Summary:
The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology met on August 19, 2025 to examine the effects of federal grant cuts, tariff uncertainty, and related policy changes on California’s biotech, medtech, and academic research ecosystem. The chair and panelists emphasized California’s outsized role in the industry, describing major clusters in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and explaining how research, startup formation, manufacturing, and clinical trials are interconnected across the state. Speakers from Biocom California, California Life Sciences, Farma, UC, Stanford, CSU Biotech, and UCLA all argued that NIH and NSF funding are foundational to discovery, workforce training, and commercialization, and that disruptions are already chilling venture capital, startup formation, and hiring.
Witnesses described several concrete impacts: suspended or terminated grants, reduced doctoral admissions, fewer training opportunities, canceled retreats and internships, and anxiety among graduate students and early-career researchers. UC reported hundreds of millions of dollars in suspended or terminated NIH and NSF funding, while Stanford said more than a thousand training and career-development grants nationwide have been frozen or ended, affecting multiple trainees per grant. CSU Biotech said 133 federal grants had been terminated, scaled back, or canceled, totaling about $140 million, including nearly $30 million from NIH and NSF. Industry representatives also warned that proposed antitrust limits on mergers and acquisitions could undermine the standard biotech exit path and further deter investment.
Committee members asked about the duration of the disruption, the possibility of state action to offset federal losses, and whether California could better support workforce development, manufacturing, and R&D tax credits. Panelists urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state support for STEM education, internships, apprenticeship pathways, manufacturing incentives, and the R&D tax credit, and to consider infrastructure and housing as part of competitiveness. They also noted that tariffs are already raising costs for medtech components and building materials, and that China is increasingly competing for R&D, talent, and licensing deals. No formal votes or bill actions were taken at the hearing; the meeting was informational and focused on testimony and discussion.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- What is developable?
- /c><02:40:42.160><c> of</c><02:40:42.319><c> housing</c> developer to develop the kind of housing developer
- </c> with the developer and the municipality. with the developer and the municipality.
- </c> program for a developer. program for a developer.
- . developments. developments.
Committee:
House Housing
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Fund it's called the de Development Fund it's called the renewable<00:08:02.879><c> Development</c><
- </c> um was to make the renewable development um was to make the renewable development account<00:11:
- now</c> since the renewable Development Fund now since the renewable Development Fund now the<00:18:
- c> which</c> the renewable development account which the renewable development account which was<00:18
- </c> has been a good program uh has developed has been a good program uh has developed a<00:53:57.520
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Higher education committee considers HF2908 4/3/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:44.720><c> savings</c> investment and development savings investment and development savings
- So this is great for community development, this is great for economic development, this is great for
- So this is great for community development, this is great for economic development, this is great for
- So this is great for community development, this is great for economic development, this is great for
- Development. This is great for economic development. This is great for workforce development.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine improving the Federal environmental review and permitting processes. Feb 19th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Environment and Public Works Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- To be clear, the solution is not a development free-for-all.
- Emerging development in certain pre-qualified geographic areas could also accelerate projects.
- The time value of money for developers, home builders, add to the cost of a house.
- You had a project labor agreement with one of the offi- shore developers.
- It aligns the interests of the workers with the interests of the developers.
Keywords:
environmental review, permitting process, infrastructure, bipartisan legislation, economic growth, Nucor, West Virginia
Summary:
The meeting focused on critical discussions surrounding the need for modernizing the federal environmental review and permitting processes. Witnesses from various sectors, including Nucor, provided testimony on the delays and costs associated with current regulations, emphasizing the impact on infrastructure and economic growth. Major projects in West Virginia, such as the Corridor H and Coalfield Expressways, were highlighted as examples of initiatives stalled by excessive permitting hurdles, prompting calls for bipartisan legislation to streamline these processes while maintaining environmental protections. The committee expressed a commitment to address these issues immediately, highlighting the urgency to enhance efficiency in permitting to facilitate economic development.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Regardless, in the proposed development in the city of Palmdale, each developer had to conserve on-site
- developers.
- Second, many regions of the state have developed economic development strategies as part of their California
- Second, many regions of the state have developed economic development strategies as part of their California
- of stakeholders have participated in developing agreement.
Summary:
The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point.
The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established.
Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Missouri compete for these job-creating developments.
- compete for these job-creating developments.
- So this is all new development. It's not existing development.
- The economic development rate can be for 10 years.
- I think they make sense from an economic development perspective.
Committee:
House Utilities
Summary:
The Committee on Utilities first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, a solar-energy measure. The committee substitute combined the bills’ titles and focused on three main areas: a taxation framework for solar projects, setback requirements from occupied dwellings and property lines, and a decommissioning/bonding framework for project cleanup. Supporters said the bill would create baseline rules for a growing industry, protect neighboring landowners, and ensure land is restored after projects end. Members asked about Chapter 100 agreements, the setback distances, county rulemaking authority, and how reclamation and bonding would work. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes.
The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure and close a loophole that could allow data centers under 75 megawatts to receive reduced rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would make incentives more predictable by replacing a variable formula with a fixed discount for qualifying new industrial projects, while still requiring customers to pay full cost to serve and meet load-factor and other requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, the Missouri Chamber, and Ford discussed the value of incentives for manufacturing, the difference between new load and retention of existing large users, and whether the bill should also address retention discounts. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, which would expand critical infrastructure protections. The bill adds wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, increases penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and creates an offense for unauthorized possession of certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials. The sponsor and witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, cable, railroad, electric cooperative, recycling, municipal utility, and chamber groups said the measure responds to rising theft and vandalism, including copper theft and fiber cuts that disrupt 911 and other services. Members asked about scrap dealers, fiber versus copper, trespassing concerns, and whether harsher penalties would deter theft. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after testimony.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- But we put the onus on the developer.
- So if the developer comes in and has to take out trees, especially special trees that are indigenous
- Development is essential, and smart policy can help us balance the pressures of housing development with
- This bill is not just about new development.
- House Bill 2183, requiring counties to develop and implement heat response plans.
Committee:
House Local Government
Keywords:
urban forestry, local government, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, heat response, counties, public health, emergency management, climate action, crash prevention, traffic safety, roadside regulations, emergency zones, public safety, state legislation, infrastructure, county resources, road construction, maintenance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jul 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, and me: workforce development, and how the state implements and delivers on this issue and all
- For decades, Edge has brought together leaders from business, labor, education, workforce development
- College Chancellor's Office, the Department of Education, and local workforce development boards.
- Development Board.
- We worked; we had a whole labor and workforce development division.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee met in a special hearing and took up SB 638 by Senator Padilla, a workforce development bill aimed at creating a coordinating entity called the Middle Class Pipeline Project. The bill would streamline interagency education and workforce programs, improve career technical education and career pathways, and direct resources toward high-unemployment, low-income regions through changes to the CTE incentive grant program. Supporters, including the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California Edge Coalition, National University, Long Beach City College, and United Ways of California, argued that California needs a statewide coordinating body to reduce silos, improve access to high-quality jobs, and better align education with labor market needs.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the proposed entity would duplicate existing bodies such as the California Workforce Development Board and other education/workforce agencies, and whether its broad duties could be carried out with the $1.5 million budget allocation. The author said the bill is intended to move an operational coordinating entity into broader tri-party negotiations with legislative leadership and the Governor, and that the final structure and staffing would depend on those talks. Some members supported the concept but raised concerns about scope, duplication, and whether the bill should be delayed or audited; one member opposed it as too broad and underfunded.
The committee ultimately voted to pass SB 638 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on a courtesy vote. The roll call showed five ayes and three noes, with one member not voting, and the chair later allowed additional members to add on, including an additional aye from Assemblymember Haney. The hearing then adjourned with the chair noting that further conversations would continue on the coordinating entity and its responsibilities.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Those counties and the cities within may modify development regulations to include development of freight
- To adopt development regulations around conservation of natural resource lands.
- Specifically, this bill repeals poorly written past legislation that allowed industrial development on
- Bottom line, this bill is about balancing economic development while protecting working-class families
- The Columbia River Economic Development Council consistently reports the need for rail-served land.
Summary:
The Senate Local Government Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills. SB 6064 would let qualifying regional fire protection districts or authorities take over administration and enforcement of the International Fire Code within their boundaries, with notice to counties and equivalent jobs for displaced workers; supporters said it would improve consistency and local control, while counties, fire marshals, and builders opposed it as unnecessary and likely to add permitting complexity and delay. SB 6101 would require county coroners to be appointed rather than elected, while preserving appointed medical examiners in larger counties; the sponsor cited the Yakima County coroner controversy as the reason for the bill, and opponents argued it would reduce voter accountability and could increase costs, though some supporters said appointment would professionalize death investigations and improve consistency. SB 6077 would extend from 21 to 28 business days the deadline for assessors and taxpayers to exchange valuation evidence before property tax appeal hearings, with supporters saying the change would give taxpayers a fairer chance to respond and opponents saying the bill should also address long delays in scheduling hearings themselves.
The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County-specific Growth Management Act authority allowing freight rail-dependent uses on certain resource lands adjacent to a short-line railroad. The sponsor and supporters said the 2017 law was a poorly written special exemption that threatens agricultural and resource lands and should be repealed; opponents, including the railroad operator, business groups, and local officials, argued the rail overlay supports economic development, jobs, and low-emission freight movement and that the county should retain local control. Testimony on SB 5820 also raised concerns about safety, land-use conflicts, and the meaning of “adjacent,” with some witnesses saying the land is currently underused and others saying it is needed for future industrial and rail-served development.
Finally, the committee heard SB 6013, an agency-request bill updating ski-area terminology and safety provisions to include aerial tramways, toes, and conveyors in the state’s ski lift regulations. State Parks supported the measure as a technical update to align safety inspections, insurance requirements, and rider conduct rules with current equipment terminology. The transcript ended before any vote or executive action was taken on these bills, and the chair noted some previously scheduled executive session items were moved to a later date.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- But my point is it's not just a risk that the developer is taking.
- Is it a city or a developer? I think both need to do the work.
- I'm head of development at Bill Casa.
- For a small developer, certainty is key.
- This is not a developer, as I mentioned.
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call.
The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations.
Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WTL-EIG, WTL-HOU-HWN, WTL-HOU, HOU-WTL, WTL-HWN Public Hearings 02-07-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- development and incentivizes development in county-designated transit-oriented development areas or
- </c><00:41:46.000><c> for</c> Maui Housing Development for Maui Housing Development for exemptions<00
- </c> to Transit oriented development to Transit oriented development establishes<00:42:52.760><c> what
- oriented development and incentivizes development<00:42:55.599><c> in</c><00:42:55.720><c> County</c
- development in County designated Transit oriented<00:42:57.520><c> development</c><00:42:57.880><c>
Summary:
The committees first heard SB 443, which would require agricultural-district lands with solar energy facilities to also be certified as being used for a farming operation. DLNR, the State Energy Office, and the Agri-Business Development Corporation all supported the bill but recommended changes, including shifting the certifying authority from DLNR/BLNR to the Department of Agriculture. The Attorney General also recommended replacing the certification requirement with a condition that the land be used for a farming operation, citing the lack of a clear statutory framework for certification. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the measure but suggested using existing county agricultural dedication processes and raised concerns about conversion of agricultural land. The committees adopted amendments reflecting the Department of Agriculture as the certifying body and the Attorney General’s proposed language, then passed SB 443 with amendments.
The committees then took up SB 79, relating to historic preservation reviews for state affordable housing projects. DLNR State Historic Preservation and DHHL supported the bill with amendments, including striking a redundant section and conforming the language to existing law. The committees agreed to those changes, and after a brief recess and decision-making, Water and Land, Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs each voted to pass SB 79 with amendments. The record notes that some members were excused and that the committees adopted the chair’s recommendations.
Later, the joint Housing and Water and Land hearing considered SB 26, SB 867, and SB 1170. SB 26 would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within HCDA; HHFDC supported it, while HCDA suggested an alternative approach involving county coordination. The committees amended the bill to incorporate OPSD’s proposed language, add legislative and county representatives to the task force, and include an appropriation for the Mayor Wright project, then passed it with amendments. SB 867, which creates a working group to inventory water resources and streamline well permit approvals for affordable housing, drew broad support and was amended to specify the Department of Health director rather than the Clean Water Branch chief; it also passed with amendments. SB 1170, which would exempt certain Maui affordable rental housing projects from chapter 205A, drew support from housing interests but concern from the Attorney General that it could be unconstitutional; the AG suggested narrowing the bill to disaster recovery and limiting its scope. Testifiers also discussed the Weinberg Court Apartments project and other redevelopment concerns, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 1170 is completed.