Video & Transcript Research : 'transient'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically it amends and clarifies the definition of transient occupancy and on transit occupancy.
- So now the question is gonna be wasn't a transient occupational dwelling or a non transient op occupational
- And the reason for concern is that this bill seeks to change the way the transient occupancy has been
- This is where the intention of the hotel your was that it be a transient stay.
- We're getting rid of that for a a clear definition of what is a transient or non transient loco watching
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires a $20 transient accommodation tax to be levied per night on each furnishing of transient
- One Key Cash also does not reduce the collection of transient accommodation tax either, because transient
- tax either transient accommodation tax either because<00:40:15.520>
transient <00:40:15.960>- It amends the transient accommodations tax rates beginning January 1, 2027, and requires a $20 transient
- It amends the transient accommodations tax rates beginning January 1, 2027, and requires a $20 transient
Summary:
The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism and Water and Land was held on March 20, 2025, on SB 1396 SD3 HD1, which would raise transient accommodations tax revenues beginning in 2027, impose a $20 per-night tax on stays booked through loyalty or rewards points, and dedicate funds to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. The Office of the Governor, DLNR, DBEDT, the Hawaii State Energy Office, Tax Department, Hawaiian Home Lands, HI-EMA, the Climate Advisory Team, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HCDA, the Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resource Legacy Fund, KUA, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority all testified in support or with comments, generally emphasizing the need for dedicated funding for environmental stewardship, resilience, wildfire and climate preparedness, and community-based projects. Several supporters cited polling showing broad visitor willingness to pay additional fees to protect Hawaiʻi’s resources, and DLNR and the Attorney General noted the bill aligns with broader state land-management and fire-safety priorities.
Opposition came from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill unnecessarily raises the TAT, places more burden on visitors and visitor-dependent businesses, and could harm Maui’s still-recovering economy. The Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaiʻi initially marked opposition but then said it had misunderstood the bill’s relationship to another measure and asked to resend testimony. Expedia Group did not oppose the TAT increase itself but raised operational concerns about the new tax on loyalty-point redemptions, calling it novel and difficult to administer. The American Hotel Lodging Association and Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance were listed as having no comments present.
Testifiers also suggested amendments, including dedicating the revenues to a special fund, ensuring community grants, and clarifying administrative provisions. One testifier urged the bill be used to fund hurricane shelters and stronger building standards, while another emphasized that the measure should support people and disaster resilience as well as environmental protection. During questions, members asked for the polling methodology and for a breakdown of current TAT allocations; staff indicated they could share the survey memo and began identifying existing statutory remittances. No vote or final committee action was taken during the excerpted portion of the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (3-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's transient. It's not going to be transient in Lexington.
- It's not going to be transient in Louisville. It's not going to be Georgia, I can promise you that.
- It's transient. It's not going to be transient in Lexington.
- it's not going to be it's transient it's not going to be transient<00:27:01.559>
in <00:27:01.919 - in Lexington it's not going to transient in Lexington it's not going to be<00:27:03.559>
transient
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Roll Call 00:52
SB 1 Discussion 01:33
SB 1 Vote 32:39
SB 76 Discussion 34:35
SB 76 Vote 36:20
SB 162 Discussion 37:04
SB 162 Vote 46:35, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 1, which would create a Kentucky Film Office and a Kentucky Film Leadership Council to promote film production in the state. Sponsors said the bill is intended to expand Kentucky’s use of film tax incentives, improve marketing and infrastructure, and attract productions that could generate jobs, tourism, and broader economic development. They noted a committee substitute made two changes: adding a salary cap for the film office executive director and correcting a date. Members asked about whether the office should instead be housed in the Economic Development Cabinet, how Kentucky’s refundable credit compares with Georgia’s transferable credits, the bill’s obscenity language, the size of the current incentive cap, and whether there should be reporting on the program’s results. Supporters cited a University of Louisville study estimating about $200 million in industry revenue in 2022 and argued the state is not fully using existing credits; an outside witness, Andrew McNeel, opposed the bill, calling the incentives subsidies, warning that Georgia’s uncapped program could lead to pressure to raise Kentucky’s cap, and arguing the bill could subsidize films with little lasting local benefit. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed Senate Bill 1 as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 with an expression of opinion that it should pass. Several members explained their votes, including concerns about transparency, local hiring, and the need for further review.
The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 76, which would raise the threshold for a retainage/escrow requirement in certain real estate improvement contracts from $500,000 to $2 million. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect construction cost inflation since the statute was enacted in 1990. The transcript indicates a motion and second were made, but the discussion was cut off before any final action on the bill is shown.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 162, a simplified bill on unemployment insurance fraud. The sponsor said it would require suspected fraud to be referred to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement authorities, including the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, county or Commonwealth’s attorneys, and, where applicable, the U.S. Department of Justice, to create a clearer process and accountability. The transcript ends during the presentation, before any vote or committee action on SB 162 is recorded.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/ECD Joint Public Hearing - Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 10:30 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- the state's low-income housing tax credit program to be used to offset taxes imposed by the state Transient
- It specifies that tax credits amount applies to the state transient accommodations taxes be limited to
- the state transient accommodations taxes imposed in the same county in which qualified low-income buildings
- the state's low-income housing tax credit program to be used to offset taxes imposed by the state Transient
- It specifies that tax credits amount applies to the state transient accommodations taxes be limited to
Summary:
The joint hearing of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 11, 2025, to hear House Bill 96 and House Bill 106. HB 96 would allow low-income housing tax credits to offset state transient accommodations taxes, limit the credit to taxes imposed in the same county as the qualified building, and make Act 129 permanent. The Department of Taxation opposed the bill, saying it would be difficult to administer, would complicate the tax system, and could be susceptible to abuse; it also noted the credit would benefit the hotel owner even though the tax is paid by the customer. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised consumer protection concerns. No other testimony was offered, and the chair later recommended deferring HB 96 for further work with the Department of Taxation and the committee.
HB 106 would authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support farming businesses engaged in agricultural tourism and expand the definition of enterprise accordingly. The Agribusiness Development Corporation testified in support, saying farmers requested the change, it would diversify income, and it would provide technical and financial support. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the measure, and the chair noted eight pieces of testimony in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised, and the chair recommended passing the bill as is.
The committee voted on HB 106, with the chair and vice chair voting aye, along with Representatives Holt, Hussey, Ilagan, and Todd; Representative Matsumoto was excused. The chair’s recommendation to pass HB 106 was adopted, and the hearing was adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/19/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:37:09.119>
dwelling quote primarily non-transient dwelling quote primarily non-transient - know somebody had asked about transient know somebody had asked about transient um<01:57:24.840>
- There's also been questions about the transient and non-transient language.
- <02:03:00.159>
and <02:03:00.280>non-transient about the transient and non-transient - about the transient and non-transient language<02:03:01.440>
I <02:03:01.520>want <02:03
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- or it's not transient.
- or it's not transient.
- It amends and clarifies the definition of transient occupancy and non-transient occupancy.
- It amends and clarifies the definition of transient occupancy and non-transient occupancy.
- , that it is a transient occupancy.
Summary:
The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates.
The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding.
A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment.
Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 11
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710
Keywords:
business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Feb 5, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 10
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710
Keywords:
business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jul 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So with respect to individuals who have been ordered out transient, DSH nor Liberty proposes transit,
- and we do not support transient releases.
- However, courts have ordered us to prepare transient release plans.
- And when we are ordered to prepare a transient release plan, then Liberty Healthcare, along with the
- Yeah, we don't support transient releases. That is not— But you'll do the work.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on the state auditor’s October 2024 report on California’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (CONREP) for sexually violent predators. Members and witnesses discussed public safety, the long delays in finding community housing, the role of local housing committees, and the Department of State Hospitals’ oversight of Liberty Healthcare, which operates much of the program. Several legislators from rural and high-desert districts said their communities have been disproportionately affected by placements and questioned why many placements end up in remote areas.
State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found that CONREP participants were convicted of new offenses less often than sexually violent predators who were unconditionally released, but that 18 of 56 participants had been revoked and returned to state hospitals for noncompliance. He said it took an average of 17 months to place current participants in the community, with 20 additional people awaiting placement for an average of 20 months, and that the program incurred significant pre-placement costs. Parks also said local officials were often unclear about their role, DSH had not given clear guidance at the time of the audit, and California lacks a transitional housing option used in some other states. He reported that DSH had implemented four of the five audit recommendations, while declining the recommendation to explore state-owned transitional housing.
DSH Director Stephanie Clendendon and Liberty representative Ken Carabello defended the program as a court-ordered, highly supervised treatment model intended to reduce reoffending and support reintegration. They said DSH is actively involved in placement review, that Liberty searches countywide under statutory restrictions, and that community feedback and court approval are part of the process. DSH said it has now implemented guidance for housing committee designees, formal program reviews, an outcome tracker, and an analysis of whether to separate some Liberty services into different contracts. DSH continued to oppose transitional housing, arguing it would not solve the core siting and statutory problems and would add cost. Several members remained critical, arguing the program is broken, costly, and unfairly concentrated in certain communities, and some called for major statutory changes or suspension of the program.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/19/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The other big thing was adding the primarily non-transient dwelling unit.
- know somebody had asked about transient know somebody had asked about transient um<01:57:24.840>
- There's also been questions about the transient and non-transient language.
- <02:03:00.159>
and <02:03:00.280>non-transient about the transient and non-transient - about the transient and non-transient language<02:03:01.440>
I <02:03:01.520>want <02:03
Summary:
The House Municipal and County Government subcommittee met on February 19, 2025 to gather additional information on House Bill 432, which concerns recovery houses. The first witness, State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi, said his office had worked with stakeholders for more than a year on the bill’s definition changes and supported the revised definition. He explained that the bill removes vague language such as “safe, healthy, family” and instead relies on fire-code requirements and certification standards, including a primarily non-transient dwelling unit and living as a single household. He distinguished recovery houses from boarding or rooming houses and from other congregate settings such as group homes or transitional housing, saying those other uses do not currently have the same exemptions.
Members questioned Tumi about fire safety, inspections, smoke alarms, egress, and whether sprinklers should be required. He said recovery houses are inspected by the fire marshal’s office and local fire departments, with annual inspections under state fire code provisions, and that operators must work with a certifying body. He described the inspection process as checking alarms, extinguishers, heating systems, cooking equipment, street numbers, and no-smoking rules, and said new houses are generally given time to obtain certification. He also said he would prefer sprinklers everywhere but believed mandating them for these existing structures would likely shut down many recovery houses and significantly harm the recovery community.
Bill McKenny of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association then testified in support of HB 432. He said recovery housing is an important step after treatment and that the 2024 code changes and the bill help align state law with federal disability law. He emphasized that certification through a recognized organization gives code officials confidence that standards are being monitored, and warned that if a recovery home loses certification it would lose the waiver from sprinkler requirements and could be treated more like a boarding or rooming house. No vote or final action was taken at this meeting.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- It amends the transient accommodations tax rate and requires a $20 transient accommodations tax rate
- to be levied per night for each furnishing of transient accommodations in exchange for points, miles,
- It amends the transient accommodations tax rate and requires a $20 transient accommodations tax rate
- to be levied per night for each furnishing of transient accommodations in exchange for points, miles,
- It amends the transient accommodations tax rate and requires a $20 transient accommodations tax to be
Summary:
The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants.
Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement.
After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/HSG/ECD Joint Public Hearing - Thu Jan 30, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- It increases the transient accommodations tax rates by 1 percentage point.
- First up is House Bill 973, relating to transient accommodations.
- The bill would require transient accommodations brokers and other persons or entities to offer, list,
- furnishing of the transient accommodation.
- Now we're going to start voting on House Bill 973, relating to transient accommodations.
Summary:
The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee.
The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously.
House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation.
The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (9-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- But when we're talking about how our offices are funded, we are funded through transient tax.
- Of those 36, about 15 are paying their local transient tax.
- <00:57:16.079>
room One relates to the 1% transient room tax. - the local transient room tax in<00:58:50.160>
the <00:58:50.319>same <00:58:50.559> - >> So, they pay the 1% transient tax. >> So, they pay the 1% transient tax.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13
Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50
Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16
State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session.
The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021.
Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDT-WTL, EDT-AEN, EDT Public Hearings 03-18-2025
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- The transient accommodations tax is a way to bring in much-needed funding, but we also need to point
- The transient accommodations tax is a way to bring in much-needed funding, but we also need to point
- We support the idea that the transient accommodations tax should be applied equitably, and in looking
- We support the idea that the transient accommodations tax should be applied equitably, and in looking
- Definition of transient accommodations in sections 237DD-1.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation.
Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues.
The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- condominium associations and planned community associations located in a zoning district that allows transient
- vacation rentals to impose an impact fee on owners who use their units as transient vacation rentals
- condominium associations and planned community associations located in zoning districts that allow transient
- vacation rentals to impose an impact fee on owners who have their units as transient vacation rentals
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- or it's not transient.
- It amends and clarifies the definition of transient occupancy and non-transient occupancy.
- occupancy, that it is a transient occupancy.
- On pages three and four, paragraphs 12 and 15, they define transient occupancy and non-transient occupancy
- On pages three and four, paragraphs 12 and 15, they define transient occupancy and non-transient occupancy
Summary:
The committee considered a long agenda of bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations, amendments, and roll calls. Early bills included SB 658 on lien waivers/releases, SB 736 on Brownfields redevelopment, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, and SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. Each was amended or discussed as needed and then approved by the committee. The committee also advanced SB 768 on foreign control interests in health care licensing, SB 772 on school diabetes management and access to glucagon, SB 1400 on removal of altered sexual depictions posted without consent, SB 1696 on prearranged transportation services, and SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct.
Several bills drew notable public testimony and debate. SB 1132 prompted strong support from the sponsor and agriculture interests, but opposition from equipment dealers, technology groups, and wireless industry representatives who argued the market already provides repair options and that the bill could harm dealer networks and security. SB 1730, the Live Local/affordable housing bill, received extensive discussion about parking reductions, height and density preemption, attorney’s fees, local government authority, and impacts on Monroe County and other areas; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably despite concerns from some members and advocates about parking, due process, and local control. SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments also generated significant debate, with opponents warning it could displace long-term guests and vulnerable families, while the sponsor said it clarifies transient occupancy and removes ambiguity in the removal process; the bill passed after the committee rejected a related amendment.
Other measures advanced with less controversy. SB 576 updated service-of-process rules, and SB 1164 authorized email delivery of landlord-tenant notices if the parties agree in writing, though tenant advocates urged clearer safeguards and the sponsor said he was not yet committed to the House version. SB 940 prohibited the resale of restaurant reservations without consent and was supported by restaurant interests. SB 1690, allowing infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, drew emotional support from several witnesses who said it would provide anonymous, life-saving alternatives for mothers in crisis; the committee continued discussion into the latter part of the meeting. Throughout, the committee adopted several amendments, heard both support and opposition from industry, advocacy, and local-government witnesses, and reported the discussed bills favorably by recorded vote.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Feb 18th, 2026
State Government
Keywords:
independent contractors, portable benefits, employee benefits, tax deductions, employment relationship, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, financial services, discrimination, social credit score, religious freedom, transparency, consumer rights, Alabama, wastewater management, public service commission
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Last, somebody had mentioned a great number of transient students in some of our communities, you know
- Last, somebody had mentioned a great number of transient students in some of our communities, you know
- Last, somebody had mentioned a great number of transient students in some of our communities, you know
- Last, somebody had mentioned a great number of transient students in some of our communities, you know
- Last, somebody had mentioned a great number of transient students in some of our communities, you know
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 662, which would require discussion of abortion procedures and the viewing of certain videos in public school health education. Members argued the bill went too far by naming specific videos and involving the Attorney General in enforcement, and they said curriculum decisions should be left to educators. The committee voted ITL on HB 662 by a unanimous 18-0.
The committee then considered HCR 6, a resolution calling for the removal of the superintendent of District 67. Members said the resolution targeted an individual and that the underlying dispute was already in court, so the matter should be left to the legal process. The motion to ITL passed 18-0. Next, HR 9, urging the Department of Education to emphasize STEM education, received broad support as a nonpartisan statement of priorities, and it also passed 18-0.
HB 440, concerning educator licensing and shortages in Career and Technical Education, was amended to clarify that the bill applies to initial licensure only. After discussion about whether the amendment was necessary, the committee adopted Amendment 0188 unanimously and then voted OTPA on the bill as amended, 18-0. HB 222, which repealed the requirement for an MOU between charter schools and districts on services for students with disabilities, drew testimony that districts already provide substantial oversight through IEP processes and that the MOU requirement was burdensome and largely unenforced; the committee voted OTP 18-0.
The committee then took up HB 719, which would repeal the right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease unused district facilities. Supporters said the existing law had not generated complaints and could impede charter expansion, while opponents said the issue had not proven to be a problem and local control should be preserved. The committee voted ITL 17-1, with one member opposed and no minority report. The chair then postponed HB 184, a study committee bill on school start times, because it was scheduled for the next day, and the committee moved into a work session on bullying-related bills, discussing HB 108, HB 384, and HB 673 without taking final action in the portion provided.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Criminal Judiciary REVISED: HB3996 - Added Feb 17th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Criminal Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill, H.B. 3848, the Transient Sex Offender Elimination Act of 2026, will go a long way to quiet
- are so restrictive that many of them, upon release, have no place to go, causing them to become transient
- Right now, most counties in Oklahoma have transient sex offenders, with Oklahoma County having... ...
- have transient sex offenders, with Oklahoma County having over 488, with many being unable to be tracked
Bills:
HB1322, HB3053, HB3180, HB3244, HB3269, HB3299, HB3301, HB3302, HB3430, HB3497, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3606, HB3742, HB3743, HB3755, HB3764, HB3767, HB3835, HB3848, HB3903, HB3905, HB4108, HB4130, HB4142, HB4227, HB3996
Keywords:
domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, elderly, parole, criminal justice reform, inmate rehabilitation, Oklahoma statutes, firearms, handgun permits, self-defense, training requirements, Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, elderly exploitation, identity theft, crimes and punishments, criminal offenses
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- affordable housing land inventory task force to assess the viability of affordable housing development in transient-oriented
- <00:12:27.040>
in affordable housing development in affordable housing development in transient - <00:12:28.320>
transient <00:12:29.480>oriented Transient-oriented zones.
Summary:
The Committee on Housing heard two resolutions. STR 48 SD 1 called for a comprehensive strategy to adopt updated building codes, with testimony listed from several groups but no one appeared to testify. The committee later deferred the measure, noting it was very similar to House Concurrent Resolution 67 House Draft 1.
The committee then took up STR 6D1, which urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop a plan to produce enough housing to meet state demand. HHFDC testified that the resolution misstated the scope of low-income housing tax credit units and emphasized that the state’s housing need is much larger than previously cited, with a recent study showing about 33,000 units needed for households at or below 60% AMI statewide. HHFDC supported planning but said any plan must be realistic and account for private land constraints. A member raised concerns about rising leasehold costs and affordability for homeowners, and HHFDC responded that rental affordability can be maintained more readily than for-sale housing.
The committee adopted HHFDC’s proposed amendments to STR 6D1, including deleting a clause about overbuilding, revising the shortage figures, and adding language referencing Senate Bill 26 and the affordable housing land inventory task force. The committee also amended the resolution to focus on density and timing of development for projects identified by that task force. The measure passed with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.