Video & Transcript Research : 'FORTIFIED'
Page 2 of 15
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I will tell you that we build every single home to Fortified standards. How?
- We build every single home to Fortified standards.
- Fortified certification.
- So there is one way to very quickly, We build every single home to fortified standards.
- fortified certification.
Summary:
The committee met to hear a panel on workforce and attainable housing, with presentations from Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Wendover Housing Partners, the City of Tallahassee, and Escambia County. Speakers described how state and local tools such as SHIP, the Live Local Act, land trusts, accessory dwelling units, infill development, and public-private partnerships are being used to expand housing supply and preserve long-term affordability. Several panelists emphasized that housing demand is rising across income levels, that workforce households often need subsidy to buy or rent, and that housing location, transportation access, and proximity to jobs and services are critical. They also highlighted challenges including rising construction costs, limited land, insurance, NIMBY opposition, and the need for more flexible financing tools and employer participation.
Members asked about area median income thresholds, whether current programs are reaching the households most in need, and what additional tools might help. Florida Housing said its traditional rental programs generally serve households at or below 60% AMI, while need is increasingly reaching up to 80% AMI statewide and higher in some regions; staff also provided examples of AMI levels by county. Other discussion focused on the impact of local government opt-outs, tax abatements, corporate ownership of single-family homes, insurance costs, Fortified construction standards, and whether bonuses or other income calculations can unintentionally disqualify applicants. Panelists urged more political will, more local flexibility, and additional incentives for employers and landowners to support housing near jobs.
The committee also used an anonymous interactive polling exercise, and members identified partnerships, SHIP funding, local government action, cost, and insurance as key issues. In closing, the chair said the committee would continue a member-driven process and likely hold a workshop on housing-related topics. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the meeting, and the session adjourned after the discussion.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- But for some reason, a fortified roof is not...
- A fortified roof is not covered to upgrade your roof, which really helps homeowners in mitigating future
- With that as kind of the explanation of it, it's just allowing homeowners to fortify that roof.
- Allowing homeowners to fortify that roof goes that extra mile, and with that, I'd move to carry the bill
Keywords:
food trucks, mobile vendors, health inspection, fire safety, state law, regulation, food service, business license, subdivision, transfer of land, immediate family, exemption period, county regulations, Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act, tourism rebate, tax rebate, sales tax rebate, lodging tax rebate, transactional taxes, tourism development
AL
Bills:
HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328, HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328
Keywords:
bail reform, illegal aliens, violent offenses, pretrial detention, flight risk, court hearings, doxing, personal identifying information, harassment, online safety, law enforcement, public servants, penalties, consumer protection, illicit material, private rights, digital privacy, nonconsensual distribution, incarceration, pregnancy
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, you can only use that for deductibles, and this, uh, you can use it for fortified roofs in
- Right now, you can only use that for deductibles, and this, uh, you can use it for fortified roofs in
- Right now, you can only use that for deductibles, and this, uh, you can use it for fortified roofs in
- Right now, you can only use that for deductibles, and this, uh, you can use it for fortified roofs in
Keywords:
contraceptive rights, healthcare access, civil action, Attorney General, contraception enforcement, prostate cancer, health insurance, screening, high risk, cost-sharing, African American men, savings accounts, catastrophe, emergency funds, financial security, state laws, criminal justice, parole, Board of Pardons and Paroles, risk assessment
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Of the Fortified Roof Program, participants have saved an average of $1,250 a year or $2,000 a year,
- Louisiana's a state that has had the fortified certificate for a while, but they've only really started
- This fortified program, which is a strong program, will help us protect our homes.
- All right, so first I would like to lead with that Farmers does already offer a discount on fortified
- Hurricane Sally went through Alabama, which basically hit 16,000 of these fortified homes.
Bills:
HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689
Keywords:
credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- standards um for homes, I I fortified standards um for homes, I I think<00:32:59.039>
could <00 - We need this bill to also get funds for fortifying current hurricane shelters.
- So, you know, for those who can, Alabama found that once they started their fortify program, I can't
- once they can so Alabama found that once they started<00:38:16.640>
their <00:38:16.880>fortify - program um they I started their fortify program um they I can't<00:38:19.680>
I <00:38:19.920>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 449 relating to economic development, HB 1006 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and then began HB 1467 relating to housing resiliency. On HB 449, Director Wayne Enoy of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and several business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and Hawaii Food Industry Association, testified in strong support. They said the measure would help local manufacturers and tech-focused businesses adapt to uncertainty around tariffs and federal funding pauses, diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy, and expand workforce training and apprenticeship efforts tied to innovation and manufacturing.
The bulk of the discussion focused on HB 1006 and proposed agritourism authority for ADC. ADC, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other supporters said agritourism can be a value-added tool that helps farmers diversify income while keeping agriculture as the primary use of the land. One testifier opposed the bill’s direction without stronger guardrails, urging that a high percentage of revenue or land use remain tied to actual agricultural production. Committee members questioned ADC and Farm Bureau witnesses about how much land should remain in production, whether agritourism could expand on public lands, how enforcement would work, and whether responsibilities should be shifted from the Department of Agriculture’s marketing functions to ADC. Witnesses said ADC currently has no tenants engaged in agritourism, but would support standards, annual reporting, site visits, and the ability to reclaim land if production requirements are not met.
No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided. After concluding HB 1006 testimony and questions, the committee moved on to HB 1467 and called the first witness, Luke Meyers, before the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Task Force on Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance 10/22/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um and having a fortified method itself.
- And then also the last speaker was talking about the fortified homes.
- Uh I think that's a fortified homes.
- grants to fortify homes along the coast. grants to fortify homes along the coast.
- But I think the fortified been good.
Summary:
The task force met on October 22, 2025, with a quorum present and several members participating remotely. Members approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission then gave an administrative update on proxy voting and the task force’s operating procedures. She said the enabling statute only authorizes the officially appointed member to act and vote, so proxy voting is not allowed, and votes must be cast in person at the meeting where the item is considered. She also said members may submit written positions, but not vote before or after a meeting. In response to concerns about attendance for future votes, the chair said the January meetings would be rescheduled if possible using a Doodle poll so more members could be present in person. The group also agreed to treat the revised document as operating procedures rather than a formal charter, with no separate adoption action needed at that time.
The task force then moved into testimony on homeowners and commercial property insurance. Paul Edgar of Minnesota Realtors said rising insurance costs are adding to housing affordability pressures, citing an increase in the monthly principal, interest, taxes, and insurance payment on a median-priced Minnesota home from $1,622 in 2021 to $2,642 in September 2025. He said higher insurance costs and limited coverage can affect buyers’ financing, especially for condominiums and townhomes, and urged continued work on liability and insurance-related laws that may discourage condo development. He also referenced prior bipartisan reforms to Minnesota’s condominium construction defects law and said his organization supports further improvements to encourage more condo production.
Keenan Ravery of the Minnesota Mortgage Association focused on how insurance requirements affect mortgage lending. He explained that lenders require insurance both at origination and throughout the life of the loan, with standards aimed at protecting collateral rather than providing full homeowners coverage. He said replacement-cost coverage has long been the norm, but recent issues with roofs, deductibles, HO-6 policies, and force-placed insurance have become pain points for consumers and lenders. He said his association is working with national trade groups on reforms that could allow more flexibility in coverage types and deductibles, and he expressed hope that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency may announce policy changes in the coming months or by early 2026. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and agreeing to pursue scheduling adjustments for January.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- The only difference down there is the fortified.
- There is the fortified gold requirement to go to gold. This doesn't impact that at all.
- You know, we've had great success with the Fortifi program.
- A fortified roof is less. You don't have to have an engineer to do that.
Keywords:
internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, real estate, licensing, brokerage agreements, team structure, penalties, consumer protection, residential construction, architect approval, building regulations, engineering, single family homes, invisible disability, distinctive license plate, specialty plate, motor vehicle registration
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- But in the case of a hurricane, I'm no expert, but, you know, fortifying your home, while, yes, debris
- In Alabama, where this program is modeled, 95% of the fortified homes survived with little or no damage
- >
your <00:45:22.480>home <00:45:23.480>um <00:45:23.720>while know fortifying - your your home um while know fortifying your your home um while yes<00:45:24.319>
debris <00:45 - homes survived with little or Fortified homes survived with little or no<00:45:37.280>
damage
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 818 HD1, which would establish the Waiawa Community Development District. The Attorney General’s office said the bill may not comply with requirements for a special fund, and DLNR asked for further amendments so lease revenues would remain with DLNR while it continues managing the lands. DLNR cited ongoing costs, including the Uncle Billy’s demolition debt and management needs at Banyan Drive/Banyan Country Club. HCDA/Waiawa representatives supported the bill, agreed that DLNR should keep lease revenues while it remains the land manager, and said a future transfer of land management would change where revenues should go. Members focused on whether removing lease revenue would undercut the bill and on how existing and future revenues should be allocated.
The committee then took up HB 338 HD1 and HB 339 HD1 on renewable energy-related utility transactions and procurement. Testimony came from the Consumer Advocate, the State Energy Office, the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric, IBEW Local 1260, Ulupono Initiative, and Life of the Land. Supporters generally backed the measures, while some asked for labor-related strengthening language. Discussion centered on how the PUC should handle competing bids or offers in utility merger or acquisition situations, with concerns raised about NDAs, timing, and whether the original version or amended language better allowed public and intervenor participation. A witness from Life of the Land argued that utilities should not negotiate under NDA in a way that blocks later public competition, and a PUC-related witness said the current language was changed from the original to address PUC testimony.
Finally, the committee heard HB 1467 HD1 on housing resiliency. OIP was not present, while B&F raised concerns about placing federal funds into a special fund, saying federal grant money should remain in a separate P fund for transparency, accountability, and single-audit compliance. State agencies and groups including OPSD, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported the measure. Testimony emphasized that many older roofs lack hurricane clips and that strengthening homes could reduce disaster sheltering and temporary housing costs. IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill but argued that building to current standards upfront is preferable to retrofitting later. Members questioned funding structure, eligibility, and whether the program should be needs-based; the bill was described as limited to households under 140% AMI. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Over 60,000 homes were fortified since they began the program.
- Over 60,000<00:26:13.200>
homes <00:26:13.600>were <00:26:13.919>fortified <00:26 - fortified since they began<00:26:15.360>
the <00:26:15.600>program. - <00:31:52.240>
program already have a fortified program already have a fortified program discount - you're making your home uh or fortifying you're making your home uh or fortifying your<00:31:59.919
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine insurance markets and the role of mitigation policies. May 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- federal adoption of funding for IBHS safety standards, including wildfire prepared standards and fortified
- IBHS programs like Fortified and...
- The Strengthen Alabama Homes Program provides homeowners with $10,000 grants to put fortified roofs on
- Wildfire prepared standards, fortified building standards.
- mitigation actions that collectively reduce risk of insurance in the wind and hail side. of our fortified
Keywords:
homeowners insurance, natural disasters, insurance costs, climate change, disaster preparedness, federal policies, bipartisan solutions
Summary:
The meeting reviewed critical issues surrounding the rising costs and accessibility of homeowners insurance across the United States, particularly in light of increasing natural disasters linked to climate change. Members engaged in extensive discussions regarding the implications for families and the economy, citing significant increases in premiums and decreasing availability of policies in high-risk areas. Supervisor Peysko highlighted the direct impact of federal policies on local communities, emphasizing the growing burden on homeowners as they face skyrocketing insurance costs amidst a backdrop of environmental challenges and regulatory constraints. The committee expressed a unified call to action for bipartisan solutions, focusing on improving building codes and enhancing disaster preparedness measures.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/22/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Home Resilience, you don't the Fortified Home Resilience, you don't need<04:06:27.840>
anybody - What is a Fortified...
- I sell real estate for a long time and I've never had anybody say, 'I have a Fortified Home.'
- As I said, if as being a Fortified Home.
- That is very fortified. [ Laughter ] Yeah. If you put the moat around it, then it's very fortified.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/29/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 565 requiring the Commissioner of Insurance to prepare and publish a report regarding the fortified
- prepare and publish a report regarding prepare and publish a report regarding the<00:29:02.560>
fortified - <00:29:03.120>
home <00:29:03.360>and <00:29:03.480>commercial the fortified - home and commercial the fortified home and commercial standards<00:29:04.320>
and <00:29:04.440 - Senate Bill 565 requires the Commissioner of Insurance to prepare and publish a report regarding the fortified
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (03/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And your structures to the IBHS standard, which is a fortified home standard.
- The industry supports fortified homes, and the test here—thank you.
- The industry supports fortified homes, and the test here—thank you.
- roof did it do better and you Fortified roof did it do better and you explain<01:49:46.000>
what< - <01:50:12.040>
their rich people who want to fortify their rich people who want to fortify
Summary:
The subcommittee first reviewed its schedule, noting that 13 bills were being executed the next day and that additional subcommittee work would be scheduled around Town Meeting Day and the following session days. The chair explained that the committee would not meet on Town Meeting Day, would handle the remaining bills on the next available subcommittee day, and would continue any unfinished items later in the month.
The committee then took up House Bill 774, which concerned Medicare-related coverage issues. Members discussed the bill’s purpose and the differences between Medicare standard and Medicare Advantage, with one member saying the proposal was informative but did not offer a workable solution. The committee also moved to inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 185, and the motion passed on a 6-0 vote.
House Bill 241, relating to alternatives to opioids, was retained for further work. Members said the bill raised concerns about insurers effectively practicing medicine and about the lack of evidence on the efficacy of some alternative treatments, while also noting that chiropractic coverage mandates already exist in statute. The committee voted to retain the bill, with the motion passing 6-0.
The most extended discussion was on House Bill 648, which would expand insurance coverage for glucose monitoring. Testimony and committee comments focused on whether coverage should be tied to insulin use or instead to a physician’s medical judgment, the role of continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, and the potential cost impact. An insurance department fiscal analyst said the original $22-per-member estimate was based on the unamended bill and that the amended version would require updated analysis; members agreed to retain the bill to narrow the eligible population and revisit the language later.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Public Health REVISION 2- HB1912 - Added - Part 2 Feb 18th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- So I would like to make an amendment that both forms of the product, fortified and unfortified, would
- still be available on store shelves so the consumer can make the choice whether to buy the fortified
- Fortified or not? Madam Chair, can I have a point of clarification? Yes.
Bills:
HB4336, HB1818, HB3194, HB3538, HB3682, HB3762, HB3793, HB3930, HB3931, HB3934, HB4124, HB4200, HB4410, HB4457, HB4473, HB3884, HB1912
Keywords:
interventional pain management, pain management clinic, chronic pain, acute pain, spinal injections, epidural steroid injection, peripheral nerve block, nerve ablation, spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal infusion pump, endoscopic diskectomy, fluoroscopy, physician supervision, allopathic physician, osteopathic physician, CRNA, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse anesthetist, freestanding pain management facility, medical licensure
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Thu Mar 13, 2025 @ 9:45 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to fortify new hurricane shelters so that our people have someplace to go.
- Department of Defense for the fortifying Department of Defense for the fortifying of<00:57:22.680
- you mind summarizing please we<00:58:32.480>
need <00:58:32.760>to <00:58:32.920>fortify - ><00:58:33.640>
new <00:58:33.839>hurricane <00:58:34.319>shelter we need to fortify - Department of Defense for the fortifying Department of Defense for the fortifying of<00:58:44.520
Summary:
The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing.
The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Steering and Policy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on Steering and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Steering and Policy is holding this hearing to elicit testimony on the development of legislation to fortify
- The hearing concerns legislation to fortify protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health
- We need policy to fortify patient privacy within the electronic medical record system through a thoughtful
- The Commonwealth has an opportunity to fortify patient privacy by developing a detailed framework to
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Steering and Policy held a public hearing on potential updates to Massachusetts’ 2022 Shield Law to strengthen protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care. Chair Cindy Friedman said the hearing was prompted by escalating federal and out-of-state threats, and testimony was sought on loopholes and clarifications involving emergency abortion care, limits on cooperation with outside investigations, protection of patient data, and safeguarding licenses of providers and attorneys involved in this care.
The Attorney General’s Office, ACLU of Massachusetts, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, Reproductive Equity Now, the Massachusetts Medical Society, TransHealth, and Health Imperatives all supported strengthening the law. Witnesses urged broader bans on sharing health data with hostile states, explicit AG enforcement authority, exclusion of reproductive and gender-affirming prescriptions from the prescription monitoring program, protections for electronic medical records, and allowing clinicians to use practice names on prescription labels. Several speakers also called for protections for parents of transgender youth, attorneys, and nonprofit organizations, and some raised related concerns about insurance discrimination and the burden of post-24-week abortion restrictions.
Committee members asked questions about enforcement mechanisms, data privacy, patient consent, and how to balance interoperability with privacy protections in electronic records. Witnesses said the goal was to prevent immediate harm while preserving patient control and access to care. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed by inviting written testimony and then moved to adjourn the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- It's based on the fortified standard developed by the IBHS for roofing.
- standard started with some insurance discounts for those that retrofitted their home to the so-called fortified
- , they have delivered 7,700 grants, but over 50,000 roofs have been repaired and replaced to the fortified
- On the last named storm that went through Alabama, not a single fortified home faced catastrophic damage
- They meet the fortified standard, and those roofs are much more resilient to storms.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on affordable housing insurance, homeowners insurance practices, climate resilience, and consumer protections after property losses. Senators and representatives testified in support of a resolve to create a commission on affordable housing insurance (S. 768/H. 1279), arguing that rising premiums and deductibles are threatening the viability of affordable housing properties and new development. Supporters also backed bills to establish private flood insurance standards (S. 719), create climate-resilient home retrofit grants (S. 720), expand the MVP climate resilience program (H. 1310/S. 686), and protect urban trees and limit insurer-driven tree removals (H. 1316). Several lawmakers and advocates said these measures would help reduce risk, preserve insurability, and address the effects of increasingly severe storms and flooding.
The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing insurer use of aerial imagery (H. 1242/H. 2142) and notice periods for nonrenewals or repairs (H. 4042 and related measures). Supporters said insurers should be allowed to use drones and satellite images but with stronger guardrails, including current photos, disclosure of risk factors, an appeals process, and time to cure defects. They argued that homeowners are sometimes blindsided by nonrenewals based on inaccurate aerial photos or given too little time to make repairs. Opponents from the insurance industry said aerial imagery is already regulated by the Division of Insurance, that additional statutory requirements could create confusion and litigation, and that existing notice rules already provide 45 days for nonrenewals and 60-day limits on cancellations. Industry witnesses also warned that some proposed timelines conflict with current law and could restrict useful underwriting tools.
Another major topic was H. 1077, which would restrict solicitation by restoration companies and public adjusters at fire scenes. A homeowner described being approached immediately after a house fire by restoration and public-adjuster representatives and said the experience was intrusive and overwhelming; supporters said homeowners need time and space to make informed decisions after a disaster. Public adjusters and restoration contractors opposed the bill, saying they provide needed guidance, emergency mitigation, and claims assistance when homeowners are under stress, and that some existing protections already allow consumers to cancel contracts. The hearing ended after all listed witnesses testified, and the committee voted to close the hearing; no bill dispositions were taken during the session.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- There's no place to go, so we've got to start really working on shelters and fortifying the ones that
- There's no place to go, so we've got to start really working on shelters and fortifying the ones that
- condominium owners to fortify condominium owners to fortify residential<00:54:49.880>
real - These people don't make enough money to fortify their homes or their apartments.
- These people don't make enough money to fortify their homes or their apartments.
Summary:
The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session.
The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends.
The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill.
The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.
MN