Transcript Highlights:

• Energy Information Administration.
• crude oil, according to the US Energy Information<01:22:53.520><c> Administration.
• The amount of tonnage and yardage that waste-to-energy can produce. >> Yeah, pure volume. Mr.
• &gt;&gt; If if I may add, waste-to-energy, as &gt;&gt; If if I may add, waste-to-energy, as Greg<01:41
• </c> waste-to-energy can produce. waste-to-energy can produce.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• right, good morning, everyone, and welcome to our informational briefing of the Joint Committees on Energy
• </c><00:02:15.640><c> and</c><00:02:15.760><c> Environmental</c> chair of the energy and Environmental
• chair of the energy and Environmental Protection<00:02:16.640><c> committee</c><00:02:17.239><c> and
• We have the H-POWER waste-to-energy facility, and we have the Waimanalo landfill for disposal.
• </c> power waste to energy power waste to energy facility<00:06:05.000><c> and</c><00:06:05.240><c> we

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we had a lot of data miners, all from out of state, who wanted mainly our information on public equity
• Because private equity investments are private. And that was a huge amount of work.
• </c><02:13:42.560><c> Um,</c><02:13:42.960><c> I</c> to home equity line of credit.
• Um, I to home equity line of credit.
• > by</c><02:16:18.800><c> doing</c><02:16:19.040><c> a</c><02:16:19.440><c> search</c> has a home equity

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infused into small businesses whether infused into small businesses whether it's<00:59:33.160><c> Equity
• </c><00:59:33.599><c> Capital</c><00:59:34.200><c> owner</c><00:59:34.599><c> investment</c> it's Equity
• Yes, I mean, it's one of the equity issues with funding, right?
• </c><04:10:35.359><c> and</c><04:10:35.640><c> inclusion</c> Dei uh diversity equity and inclusion Dei
• uh diversity equity and inclusion and<04:10:36.880><c> president</c><04:10:37.319><c> Trump</c><04:10

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with which helps regulate energy. with which helps regulate energy.
• Energy. We all have felt energy before.
• Energy. We all have felt energy before.
• Energy. We all have felt energy before.
• How often would be behind with energy.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, we're grateful to be here today, to have breath in our lungs, to have energy in our bodies to do
• ><c> Natural</c> Committee on Energy and Natural Committee on Energy and Natural Resources<00:48:51.680
• But, um, you know, if join the members of the Energy and join the members of the Energy and Natural<00
• </c><01:51:54.400><c> Thank</c><01:51:54.680><c> you,</c> every ounce of energy I have.
• Thank you, every ounce of energy I have. Thank you, Madam<01:51:55.120><c> President.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have that type of energy to do that. I don't know how they do it.
• Senator Osgood: Energy efficient and support economic stability.
• Senator Avila: Right now, 80% of all the energy in the entire world, all the energy consumption, is fossil
• All of these different types of energy are what power our workforce and our economy, right?
• Part of it is through energy efficiency in county buildings.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public safety officials, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up several bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others substituted with House companions before final passage. No committee reports, governor messages, or House messages were on the desk at the start of the regular order of business. The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies, training, pediatric equipment, a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, and participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senators also passed CS/CS/HB 1113 on public records, clarifying confidentiality protections for victims and for law enforcement officers who become victims in the course of duty, though that bill drew questions about access to information in misconduct cases and received four no votes. The Senate then passed CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a Florida Digital Service-administered program to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and grants, with amendments shifting the grant-award deadline and rejecting House differences such as locating the program at USF and adding a sunset date. The chamber also passed CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above Article V projections and revising related fee distributions, despite concerns from some senators and municipalities about revenue shifts. Additional bills passed included CS/CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration, and CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, which addresses long permit delays and clarifies liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. Several other bills were taken up, including elections legislation (SB 1334/HB 991) that generated extensive debate and multiple failed amendments on voter ID, citizenship verification, student and senior IDs, and implementation timing; the transcript ends while that bill is still under consideration, after the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected several others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Caroline has brought energy, professionalism, and a true servant's heart to everything that she's done
• I applaud you on your clever drafting, but. energy resources or heck, maybe even Doge.
• HB 3778 invests in emerging geothermal energy technology by properly classifying geothermal energy as
• , making it eligible for the Texas Energy Fund if a project can produce at least 10 megawatts of energy
• Members, let's invest in reliable Texas energy. Amen. Amen. New passage.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 7 is Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy.
• , and energy efficiencies.
• <00:14:38.839><c> and</c><00:14:39.040><c> energy</c> energy and energy energy and energy efficiencies
• Renewable natural gas is one of the sources of energy I've highlighted in the A+ energy plan for the
• to find a domestically sourced energy that has a negative carbon footprint and actually creates two

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, without much attention, we wrote the 10-year State Energy Strategy.
• The 10-year State Energy Strategy was understood by the previous administration.
• Energy resources—what are you not telling me?
• The energy oversight is really about administration.
• The Energy Department is still looking at it. The Energy Department is still looking at it.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eduardo Martinez here on behalf of Actors Equity with the National Labor Union, Reversight.
• Eduardo Martinez here on behalf of Actors Equity with the National Labor Union, representing professional
• Number two, there are small cities in jurisdictions that we know that try and maybe because of equity
• So through the guidelines process for programs under CHHA, equity concerns can be taken into account

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Eduardo Martinez here on behalf of Actors' Equity with the National Labor Union, representing professional
• Number two, there are small cities in jurisdictions that we know that try and maybe because of equity
• So through the guidelines process for programs under CHHA, equity concerns can be taken into account
• So through the guidelines process for programs under CHHA, equity concerns can be taken into account

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you'd say, opportunities for windows on multiple sides, cross breezes, fresh air, ventilation, and energy
• Cross breezes, fresh air, ventilation, energy efficiency that comes with that in a much more lighter
• you'd say has opportunities for windows on multiple sides, cross breezes, fresh air, ventilation, energy
• efficiency that comes with that. cross breezes, fresh air, ventilation, energy efficiency that comes

Committee: House Business

Summary: The House Business Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 25 minutes, and removed House Bill 881 from the agenda, leaving House Bill 706 as the only item for consideration. The bill, presented by Senator Ali Robbie, would allow local governments to permit single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories with a range of safety requirements, including NFPA 13 sprinklers, fire-rated stair enclosures, smoke detection, egress features, and limits on building size and unit count. Robbie argued the measure could reduce construction costs, help smaller infill projects pencil, and expand housing supply, while noting that pressurization was not included because of added cost and lack of consensus. Public testimony was split. The Professional Firefighters of Idaho and Boise Fire Marshal Mike Bazanio, speaking for the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association, opposed the bill, arguing that a second stairway is a critical life-safety feature and that a single stair creates a single point of failure for occupants and firefighters. They said they were not persuaded by the cited research and emphasized concerns about smoke, evacuation, and firefighter access. Supporters, including a Boise resident, a housing advocate, and an architect, said modern single-stair buildings with strong sprinkler and fire-safety standards have a good safety record, would improve affordability, and would give cities more flexibility to build smaller, more efficient housing types. In closing, Robbie said the bill had been negotiated with fire officials, building code officials, and architects, and that the main unresolved issue was stair pressurization. After debate, Representative Razor moved HB 706 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Representative Crane opposed the bill, while Representative Harris said he would support it because local control would limit adoption to cities able to handle the buildings. The committee approved the motion on a 14-4 roll call vote, and HB 706 was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• organized oil field theft prevention unit within the Department of Public Safety before the Committee on Energy
• fluid asphalt, oil and gas waste and products and the byproducts of the waste refer the Committee on Energy
• motor vehicle, including motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine for the Committee on Energy
• of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations for the Committee on Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Unit within the Department of Public Safety before the Committee on Energy Resources.
• the fluid asphalt oil and gas waste and products and byproducts of the waste for the Committee on Energy
• vehicle, including motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, or for the Committee on Energy
• of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations. of the Committee on Energy

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• use of lufyyrol and polyphyloyrol chemicals in hydraulic fracturing, referred to the Committee on Energy
• of a comprehensive plan to protect oil and gas infrastructure in this state for the Committee on Energy
• Refer to the Committee on Energy Resources.
• of methane gas flaring on land dedicated to the permanent university fund or for the Committee on Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thank you thank you Hawaii state Energy thank you thank you Hawaii state Energy Office<00:08:15.479
• Island Energy Services is in support. Ba Mlto, individual, is in support.
• Island Energy Services is in support. Ba Mlto, individual, is in support.
• Island Energy Services is in support. Ba Mlto, individual, is in support.
• support grow grow energy offering support grow grow energy offering comments<00:35:01.520><c> par</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several bills on March 11, including measures on harbor vessel requirements, transportation funding, clean fuels, water carriers, parking enforcement, and electric mobility. For SB 1402 SD1 on vessels in state commercial harbors, testimony was split: the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Longline Association supported it, while Hol Holo Charters and one individual opposed it, saying the bill should be more specific about tourboat operators. For SB 1473 on central services assessments, SB 321 on privately owned roads, and SB 419 on insurance coverage for child passenger restraint systems, the committee heard brief testimony with no noted objections or actions beyond moving through the agenda. For SB 1009 SD2 on parking, the bill would create fines for misuse of disability and EV parking spaces and direct the revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund. Support came from Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, the Disability Communication Access Board, and others, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported the bill’s intent but questioned using the fines for Safe Routes to School, and Hawaiian Electric suggested directing EV-related fines to the EV charging system subaccount instead. Hawaii Appleseed supported the measure but raised concerns about the size of the fines and possible impacts on low-income residents. The committee asked questions about enforcement when EV chargers are inoperable; DAGS indicated the stalls could be used and would not be enforced in that situation. For SB 1120 on a clean fuel standard, the Department of Transportation supported the measure but asked for the implementation date to be delayed by one year and requested an independent Hawaii-specific economic impact study due before the next session. Support also came from several transportation, airline, and industry groups, while Tim Rhymer and Frank Schultz opposed it. The committee then heard SB 21 on water carriers, which would authorize a PUC inflationary cost index adjustment mechanism and exemptions; DOT, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbors Users Group supported it, while Frank Schultz opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 117 on electric mobility, which would expand and rename the rebate program, set age limits and operating rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles, require insurance for electric motorcycle operators, and make conforming changes. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DOT, the Hawaii Bicycling League, the Queen’s pediatric trauma center, and Ulupono Initiative, though one testifier warned that the bill’s wattage definition could unintentionally capture some pedal-assist e-bikes. No votes were taken on the individual bills in the portions shown, and the transcript ended with the committee continuing its hearing agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're convening the joint Committees on Transportation, Culture and Arts, Energy, and Intergovernmental
• Next is the Hawaii State Energy Office. Thank you. DCCA, excuse me.
• Mark Lick from the State Energy Office. Thank you.
• And we have Caroline Carl from Hawaii Energy. Thank you, Mr. Carson.
• Chris Youngker, State Energy Office: Would it be appropriate for us to put a sunset on this, just so

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to build more clean energy in the state.
• We need to build more clean energy in the state.
• We need to build more clean energy in the state.
• We need to build more clean energy in the state.
• We need to build more clean energy in the state.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Putting energy codes at 2009 puts us, rolls us back 17 years.
• Maryland Heights has upgraded their energy codes. St. Charles has updated their energy codes.
• These energy codes come from compromises between home builders, architects, all the players.
• The bottom line is this establishes a statewide energy code, preempting our local municipalities from
• I think the same goes for the energy efficiency concerns.

Keywords: 959, house, all