Transcript Highlights:

• The 2015 spill on Chumash lands and the 2021 spill on Tongva lands...
• It allows the community colleges insofar as the land that is owned by them and also zoned and land use
• It allows the community colleges insofar that the land that is owned by them and also zoned and land
• College happens to have land or acquires land, and it's in their plan, then they can utilize this as
• And as such, CI has helped to protect more than 2.3 million square miles of land, across land and sea

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused on environmental policy, public infrastructure, housing, and energy. AB 1812, dealing with compostable plastics and compost contamination, drew strong support from farmers, composters, counties, cities, and waste companies, while manufacturers and compostable-product companies opposed it unless amended, arguing it would undermine compostable packaging and SB 54 goals. AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area also received broad support and no opposition. AB 2481, which would allow leftover glass quality incentive funds to support recycled glass used in fiberglass insulation and other products, was supported by insulation manufacturers, recyclers, and waste advocates and passed with no opposition. AB 2152, streamlining fire station construction and tying CEQA relief to project labor agreement requirements, was supported by firefighters and construction trades but opposed by contractors and wildlife groups over the PLA mandate and environmental review provisions; the committee discussed amendments and sent it forward. AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, aimed at offshore oil and gas safety and decommissioning, was supported by coastal and environmental groups and opposed by the petroleum industry, with members debating pipeline safety, drilling risks, and carbon intensity before advancing the bill. AB 1849, a study bill on decarbonized gaseous fuels, split supporters from hydrogen, bioenergy, and propane interests against environmental and justice groups who said it favored biomethane and hydrogen without clear definitions; the author said it was only a study measure, and it moved ahead. AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and community college housing projects, was backed by students, UC representatives, housing advocates, and labor, with no opposition heard; members raised concerns about environmental impacts and evacuation planning, but the bill was approved. Several measures were taken on consent and others were held open for absent members or quorum issues, with multiple bills receiving due pass recommendations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, land acquisition, land development. House construction, fees, and gross receipts tax.
• The first one is we reduce the raw land price.
• It's going to change our land acquisition.
• Also, we've looked at state-owned land.
• And then you take in all the raw land.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Gate fees, landing fees. Go ahead. Follow-up. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Because gold maintains its purchasing power.
• That's going to maintain that purchasing power over time.
• So we have a— That's going to maintain that purchasing power over time.
• I believe this is the best way to protect citizens' purchasing power.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> farmers purchasing their first farm. farmers purchasing their first farm.
• </c> million and the local food purchase million and the local food purchase assistance<00:17:25.919>
• That's about half the total land area in Minnesota. We have about 67,000 farms in Minnesota.
• I recognize the member from Ramsey, Representative Mohler. lands.
• And this would already be likely lands.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the law, property owners who are solicited for the purchase of their unlisted real property are
• They go through a completely different purchasing process.
• The timelines are also much more stretched out than they would be in these other purchases.
• Out of the blue, they receive an offer to purchase from a local conservation group or tribe.
• I'm here for Trust for Public Land in support of the legislation.

Bills: HB1269 , HB2624

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• a bus for the depreciation, to purchase another type of vehicle already?
• The property tax that a school district receives at that raw land becomes a higher best use value the
• But that increase from raw land to bringing a new house online with that increased go-forward property
• land or to do something with it.
• Out of curiosity, do you know... ...about to purchase land or to do something with it.

Bills: SB5841 , SB5922 , SB5858 , SB5943

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:

• agent or acting in concert with, any person or entity who is likely to be involved in the sale, purchase
• agent or acting in concert with, any person or entity who is likely to be involved in the sale, purchase
• So they're kind of, as the process goes, and this is work that we've done with the land banking bill,
• ... ...the process goes, and this is work that we've done with the land banking bill, for example, in
• The Community Land Trust owns the land, and the cooperatives lease the land from the land trust.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2445, requested by the Attorney General, would curb “probate for profit” schemes by extending the waiting period before a “suitable person” can be appointed, limiting non-intervention powers and repeat appointments, tightening venue rules, and restricting self-dealing by estate administrators. The sponsor and Attorney General’s Office described cases in which strangers used probate loopholes to control estates, sell property, and profit from heirs; the Northwest Justice Project and other witnesses strongly supported the bill. Members raised questions about whether the bill would complicate probate for laypeople and about the timeline changes, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments. No vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2386, which would replace a statutory garnishment answer form with a form developed by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee or a substantially similar form. The sponsor and a district court judge said the current form causes calculation errors, especially for fluctuating wages, and that the change would make garnishments more accurate and transparent. A collectors’ association supported updating the form but asked for a longer implementation period and flexibility for employers to use their own forms; the judge said a rollout period would not be a problem. The bill was heard but not voted on. House Bill 2585 would create a Washington State False Claims Act modeled on the federal act, allowing the Attorney General and private relators to pursue fraud against state programs, with treble damages, civil penalties, and whistleblower protections. Supporters said it would recover stolen public dollars and deter fraud in areas such as wages, housing, education, and environmental programs. Contractors warned that the bill could sweep in good-faith construction change orders, and a wireless industry group asked for a tax exemption; the Attorney General’s Office said it supported the concept but would provide technical and substantive feedback. The bill was heard without action. Finally, House Bill 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act unless they elect coverage, while keeping the tax exemption framework for those cooperatives. The sponsor and housing advocates said WUCIOA imposes requirements that do not fit cooperative ownership and can hinder permanently affordable housing, while lenders already impose appropriate reserve and governance standards. Witnesses from cooperative development organizations and community land trusts supported the bill, and committee members asked about resale limits, reserve obligations, and who benefits from appreciation. The hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2453, which would allow board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to participate in certain involuntary treatment proceedings and provide concurring medical opinions for involuntary medication under less restrictive alternative orders. Supporters said it would improve workforce capacity and continuity of care; opponents argued it could weaken civil-liberty protections and that pharmacists lack authority for diagnosis and treatment. The hearing ended with no final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then suddenly received an email from the purchaser, which was not the preferred purchaser, saying
• National forests represent 40% of the land mass in my county, Ventura County.
• Neglecting it endangers more than land. As is the very spirit of our communities.
• Assembly Bill 76 by Assemblymember Alvarez, an act relating to land use.
• that land.

Transcript Highlights:

• New farm equipment provides both in a single purchase.
• Last year alone, with my own equipment purchases, I could have reinvested $45,000 into my farm if this
• already operate on very thin margins as they provide essential food, jobs, and stewardship of rural land
• Last year alone, with my own equipment purchases, I could have reinvested $45,000 into my farm if this
• Nonprofits should be able to steward that land responsibly in the interim, and property taxes accrued

Bills: HB2376 , HB2584 , HB2610 , HB2615 , HB2089 , HB2194 , HB2257 , HB2528 , HB2175 , HB2334

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• down he decided to take 200 bucks, his ox team, and his broken wagon, and buy a 239-acre tract of land
• And so, we are so proud of this beautiful land, this beautiful area, this beautiful land, this beautiful
• area, this beautiful land, and Prairie, that we enjoy so much today, that brings so much to the North
• Alvaro Nunez Cabeza de Vaca on a trek across the land that would later become the Lone Star State.
• The agency created- loopholes specifically to allow the use of telephone and internet group purchases

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28 , SB28 , SR131 , SR168 , SR174 , SR175

Transcript Highlights:

• The county said they were going to have federal money to purchase the land, but we're just not aware
• </c><00:51:22.240><c> the</c><00:51:22.480><c> land,</c> had federal money to purchase the land, had
• federal money to purchase the land, but<00:51:22.960><c> we</c><00:51:23.119><c> just</c><00:51:23.359
• Because purchase— >> Not purchase. >> Yeah.
• </c> own the land. own the land.

Transcript Highlights:

• ZEV purchaser, do they sign under penalty of perjury?
• Is it the husband that purchased it before? Now the wife is going to purchase it.
• So now the wife is the new first-time purchaser.
• We don't have enough used ZEVs for them to purchase, and so we're finding ways for them to purchase a
• Somebody who can absolutely afford to purchase a ZEV is now going to get an incentive to purchase a ZEV

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation, support refinery transitions, and keep fuel production and jobs in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited climate benefits, and would reduce diesel excise tax revenue that supports highways, local streets and roads, and other transportation programs. A major point of debate was whether the credit would simply shift limited feedstocks from renewable diesel to SAF rather than create new low-carbon fuel supply. Professor Aaron Smith and the LAO said that because feedstocks such as used cooking oil, tallow, and vegetable oils are limited and already used in other fuel markets, the policy could increase SAF at the expense of renewable diesel, with possible increases in fuel prices and little net emissions benefit. Administration and CARB staff disputed that outcome, saying additional waste-based feedstocks are available and that the policy would not meaningfully raise gasoline or diesel prices. Senators focused on feedstock availability, impacts on road funding, fairness to consumers, and whether the proposal was really aimed at preserving specific refineries such as Phillips 66. Public comment was sharply divided. Labor representatives, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, airports, and some local residents supported the proposal, emphasizing jobs, refinery investment, and aviation’s need for a liquid-fuel decarbonization pathway. Environmental and transportation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, World Resources Institute, Earthjustice, California Environmental Voters, counties, cities, and trucking and asphalt associations, opposed it, citing weak net climate benefits, possible fuel-price impacts, and losses to transportation funding. No vote was taken; the chair announced all items would be held open for a future hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because farm worker housing must be located near agricultural land, often miles from services such as
• Last year, you supported AB 1485, which helped open the process for tribal land return transactions by
• It does not create a new category of land and it does not change the underlying conservation purpose
• self-determination and long-term environmental preservation by enabling tribes to hold and maintain land
• I'll defer to our witness on how they landed that number. Yes.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a series of bills focused on nonprofit tax status, housing, tribal land return, tax relief, economic development, journalism, reparations, manufacturing investment, and pawned property sales tax. The chair explained the committee’s suspense file process and noted that only AB 2270 and AB 2641 were eligible for immediate votes; other measures were referred to suspense after presentation. AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan) would give the Franchise Tax Board discretion to delay or review revocation of state nonprofit tax-exempt status when federal status is revoked, and AB 2167 (Macedo) would clarify that tribally chartered corporations are eligible for existing tribal conservation land return tax exemptions. Both drew support from nonprofit and tribal representatives and were sent to suspense. AB 2270 (Arambula) sought to improve farmworker housing access to low-income housing tax credits by adjusting scoring criteria to reflect rural agricultural realities. Supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages projects near farmland; the bill passed the committee 4-1 and was sent to Housing and Community Development. AB 2336 proposed excluding the first $25,000 of overtime pay and pension income from taxation; supporters framed it as affordability relief, while an opponent warned of major General Fund losses and a member raised the lack of an income cap. AB 2205 would reinstate the New Employment Credit to encourage hiring in high-unemployment areas, and AB 2222 would create refundable tax credits for local news organizations hiring journalists; both received strong support from business, labor, and media advocates and were referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2186, which would exclude future reparations payments from state income tax, with supporters arguing reparations should not be reduced by taxation; it was sent to suspense. AB 2377 would accelerate depreciation deductions for manufacturing equipment, with a larger benefit in high-need areas, and AB 2641 would extend the sales tax exemption for people repurchasing their own property from pawnbrokers, with the author agreeing to a five-year sunset amendment. AB 2641 passed 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. After taking up the remaining roll calls for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Land purchases, farm improvements, equipment, meat and poultry processing, etc., etc.
• Land purchases, farm improvements, equipment, meat and poultry processing, etc., etc.
• Land purchases, farm improvements, equipment, meat and poultry processing, etc., etc.
• Land purchases, farm improvements, equipment, meat and poultry processing, etc., etc.
• Land purchases, farm improvements, equipment, meat and poultry processing, etc., etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the first of a series of bills that came out of the land use and housing task force that met
• And it's really not about what the amenities look like; the drivers are land and size of home.
• David Ferdinand: Helping individuals purchase property, and so the being able to do more with a piece
• You would design a plan that provides you purchasing power protection over time.
• You would design a plan that provides you purchasing power protection over time.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The property tax exemption is the key tool that allows land banks to acquire land and hold that land
• The property tax exemption is the key tool that allows land banks to acquire land and hold that land
• The property tax exemption to make the land bank tool usable. All right.
• This can be in the form of land opportunities, grants, services, loans.
• Some of these land uses are the only way to get to a grocery store for 20, 30, 40, 50 miles.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. Representative Connors testified on two notice-service bills: HB 2452, which would change manufactured/mobile home rent increase notices so they are served like other MHLTA notices rather than by certified mail, and HB 2664, which would remove certified-mail requirements for unlawful detainer and related notices. Connors said the current certified-mail rules are causing notices to go unclaimed and creating unnecessary costs for housing providers, while staff explained the bills would allow service by regular mail in the same manner as other notices. Public testimony on both bills was generally supportive, emphasizing reduced cost and better delivery, though one witness on HB 2452 urged allowing electronic notice options as well. The committee also heard SHB 2269, which clarifies that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development may be served by either a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system in rural counties, while non-rural counties would still require public sewer service. The sponsor and supporters said the bill resolves ambiguity created by prior legislation and gives county planners more flexibility; questions focused on what kinds of systems and uses would qualify. EHB 1687 was heard next and would expand the housing cooperation law to allow cities and counties to assist social housing public development authorities. Representative Reed and supporters said the bill would give Seattle and potentially other jurisdictions a tool to support permanently public, mixed-income housing with land, infrastructure, and other assistance. In executive session, the committee adopted a due-pass recommendation for EHB 1345 after Senator Gaynor withdrew an amendment that would have removed water-withdrawal and metering requirements for detached ADUs outside urban growth areas. The committee also adopted a striking amendment and moved ESHB 1500 and EHB 1501 forward, both with updated timelines and clarifications related to common-interest-community resale certificates and owner inquiries. Amendments to ESHB 1974 on land bank authorities were rejected, including proposals to remove private negotiation and tax preferences, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Finally, SHB 2288 on scissors stairs was advanced without amendment. Later, the committee heard HB 2304, which would expand the 2-10 warranty option to certain four-story stacked-flat condominium projects; testimony from builders, housing advocates, and the Office of Insurance Commissioner supported it as a way to reduce liability costs and increase condo supply. The committee also took testimony on EHB 1687 and HB 2664, and then closed the hearing on SHB 2452 after hearing support from housing providers for easing manufactured-home rent notice service requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• So once it's the land owner, once the last patient... it is how the land owners intend to use their land
• So once it's the land owner, once the last patient... it is how the land owners intend to use their land
• So once it's the land owner, once the last patient... it is how the land owners intend to use their land
• </c> provided we can continue to purchase provided we can continue to purchase through<00:53:34.079><
• c><00:57:06.880><c> purchase</c><00:57:07.200><c> something</c> not just purchase something not just

Transcript Highlights:

• And without stepping on any private property rights and dictating what land can be sold or purchased
• for a legal purpose, we should encourage the seller and the purchaser to identify poor-producing land
• And without stepping on any private property rights and dictating what land can be sold or purchased
• Encourage the seller and the purchaser to identify poor-producing land for these types of projects.
• But at the end of the day, if a purchaser comes to an ag producer, that ag producer knows its land and

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:56.319><c> vacant</c><00:38:56.720><c> land</c> advocate for purchasing vacant land advocate
• for purchasing vacant land and<00:38:58.400><c> as</c><00:38:58.560><c> you</c><00:38:58.720><c> see
• and a lot of the land that he has<00:39:17.960><c> land</c><00:39:18.319><c> banked</c><00:39:19.119
• </c> are now seeing that if we control land are now seeing that if we control land then<00:39:28.560>
• They have land that would be great for us to build housing, and there is land where we could relocate

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:42.920><c> in</c> Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in
• </c><00:03:48.480><c> efforts</c><00:03:49.040><c> that</c> Home Lands efforts that Home Lands efforts
• And uh um they can purchasing units.
• </c><00:25:38.960><c> um</c> option to purchase um option to purchase um numbers.<00:25:41.080><c> And
• </c> for rent-with-option-to-purchase. for rent-with-option-to-purchase.

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.