Video & Transcript Research : 'testimonials'

Page 33 of 500
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Economic Development May 5th, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Testimony will be limited to 2 minutes.
  • Seeing none, uh, public testimony is concluded.
  • The, uh, there being non public testimony is now closed.
  • OK, the chair now opens public testimony.
  • Um, there being none, public testimony is now closed. Thank you.
NV
Transcript Highlights:
  • There are no callers wishing to provide neutral testimony at this time.
  • Testimony was provided by Senator Taylor, along with testimony by the Division of Health Care Financing
  • There was no opposition or neutral testimony.
  • Neutral testimony was from CAI and the Nevada Justice Association.
  • There was no testimony in support, opposition, or neutral.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/13/2026)

Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee will read that testimony. You can also send your testimony by email.
  • The committee will read that testimony. You can also send your testimony by email.
  • can also send your testimony by email. can also send your testimony by email.
  • and your testimony is also important. and your testimony is also important.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Housing and Human Services 26-06-22

Housing and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Going through a public testimony process that Laura provides, I actually myself went and gave testimony
  • So please continue your testimony. Yep.
  • Matt Grokopf for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you again for your testimony.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services met with a quorum, adopted the June 16, 2026 minutes, and then unanimously adopted S-1 substitutes for House Bills 5570 and 5571. The chair said the committee would take testimony and likely not move to final passage that day, in order to allow more discussion and questions. The bills, as substituted, would allow local governments to permit certain multifamily buildings up to four stories to be built or converted with a single staircase, subject to conditions such as limits on units per floor, floor size, and existing fire safety requirements. A sunset provision was described as ending the statute once LARA adopts corresponding building code rules. Representatives Fairbairn and Wooden testified in support, saying the bills are intended to address Michigan’s housing shortage by making smaller infill and “missing middle” projects more feasible and less costly. They argued the current two-stair requirement drives up costs, makes land assembly harder, and limits development on narrow or irregular lots. Senators asked about stair width, emergency safety, the choice of four stories instead of six, and why the American Institute of Architects opposed the approach; the sponsors said the 48-inch stair width was intended to allow two-way movement, four stories was a compromise aligned with expected code changes, and the architects preferred rulemaking over statutory change. Supportive testimony came from Pew Charitable Trusts, which said research from New York City, Seattle, and other places found fire death rates in modern single-stair buildings to be indistinguishable from other multifamily buildings, and that modern safety features such as sprinklers, alarms, and fire-rated construction make these buildings safe. A developer from Ann Arbor and the Michigan Home Builders Association said the reform would improve floor-plan efficiency, reduce wasted circulation space, lower construction costs, and help smaller projects pencil out. Abundant Housing Michigan also supported the bills, estimating they could reduce apartment construction costs by nearly 13%. The clerk read in numerous written cards in support from business, housing, municipal, and advocacy groups, while the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union were listed as neutral. The committee adjourned without further business.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 20, 2026 - 09:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are now in public testimony. Any public testimony on the bill? Debate? Any debate?
  • Public testimony? No public testimony. Debate? We are now in debate.
  • Seeing none, public testimony. Any public testimony?
  • Seeing no amendments, public testimony? No public testimony. Any debate on the bill?
  • Seeing none, we will now go to public testimony. No public testimony. Debate.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The floor is now open for public testimony.
  • Thanks for your testimony.
  • Thank you very much for your testimony.
  • Ahead and open up public testimony.
  • Thanks for your testimony. Mr. Hale, you would give us your testimony.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 3, 2026 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Public testimony.
  • Public testimony on the bill as amended?
  • I don't see any public testimony. No public testimony, members. We'll move into debate.
  • I do have one public testimony card.
  • Public testimony?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thanks for your testimony. Thanks for being here.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Welcome. Introduce yourself and give us your testimony.
  • I'm here to provide testimony on House Bill 220.
  • Very well, we'll open testimony. We'll open public testimony on House Bill 4202.
  • This concludes the testimony on House Bill 4904. Thanks for your testimony. You're excused.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 17, 2025 - 04:00 PM

Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing no amendments, we're into public testimony. Public testimony on the bill.
  • Do we have any further public testimony? Do we have any further public testimony?
  • Thank you for your testimony. Is there any further public testimony? Any further public testimony?
  • Do we have public testimony on the bill? Up first in public testimony, we have Jared Cross.
  • Any further public testimony?
Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • who will receive 10 minutes of testimony.
  • So we're going to go into our public testimony.
  • So we're going to go into our public testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. And now Katie. Thank you.
  • slow-mo thank know so thank you for your testimony slow-mo pinkus sorry thank you for your testimony
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Emergency Services stand by testimony Emergency Services stand by testimony and<01:01:14.319>
  • Department of chair for testimony.
  • my testimony. This is hard for me to do my testimony.
  • We also received one testimony We also received one testimony um<01:36:33.541> [clears throat
  • Vice chair for testimony. more. Vice chair for testimony.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Thu Apr 17, 2025 @ 10:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:11:52.959> uh questions regarding um our testimony uh questions regarding um our testimony
  • <00:25:30.080> Boyd testimony in support from Boyd testimony in support from Boyd Gaming.<00:25
  • And then we have testimony in Gaming.
  • Oh, and I'm sorry, any testimony.
  • :36.240> from<00:28:36.399> Aaron have testimony in opposition from Aaron have testimony
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Economic Development Technology Committee met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR 121, a resolution to form a working group to explore legalized gaming in Hawaii. Supporters, including DBED, labor representatives, and some industry interests, argued the measure would allow the state to gather more information, consider economic growth, job creation, investment, and tax revenue, and include a range of viewpoints before any final policy decision. Several supporters emphasized that a working group would help ensure informed decision-making and community input. Opponents argued that legalized gambling would disproportionately harm low-income residents and Native Hawaiians, increase addiction and related social harms, and bring crime, corruption, and human trafficking. Some cited examples from other states, illegal game rooms in Hawaii, and concerns that gambling revenue would be limited while social costs would be high. Others said the conversation should be led by local communities rather than industry stakeholders, and one testifier requested community representation on any working group for a potential stadium-area project. The committee also heard from witnesses who framed the measure as a way to address money leaving the state and to create a regulated alternative to illegal gambling. No vote or final action on STR 121 was taken during the hearing, and the chair noted the committee would need to adjourn in time for floor session if the hearing ran long.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Economic Development May 21st, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • public testimony is closed and the States, H.R. 118, seeing no one.
  • The chair now opens public testimony.
  • There being none, public testimony is closed.
  • There being none, public testimony is closed.
  • We will open for public testimony. We have no registered witnesses.
Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • testimony.
  • to submit written testimony.
  • We appreciate your testimony. We appreciate your testimony.
  • I appreciate your testimony, Representative, and thank you. Thank you. I appreciate your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on a wide range of bills and topics, including impaired driving, antique and collector vehicles, roadway maintenance, homelessness-related identification cards, a pedestrian tunnel for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, a bridge naming in Sandwich, historic route designations, and litter prevention. The chairs outlined the hearing process, including three-minute limits for individuals and seven minutes for panels, and noted that elected officials would be taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned. On impaired driving, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and tow lot operator Chris Nolan supported a bill creating a 12-hour tow-yard hold for vehicles involved in drug-impaired incidents, similar to the existing alcohol-related hold. On transportation infrastructure and road safety, Representative Howitt testified for several bills requiring reflective tape on temporary loads, restoring road markings after utility work, requiring roadway restoration after excavation, and improving reporting on roadway damage after crashes. AAA Northeast supported bills expanding the distracted driving law to cover video recording while driving, while noting it preferred the offense remain a primary offense. Several witnesses testified in support of bills affecting vehicle enthusiasts, including restoring year-of-manufacture plates for antique vehicles, creating a single rear collector plate, and changing antique vehicle inspection rules. Another major topic was H. 3750/S. 2399, which would provide no-fee state IDs and flexible residency documentation for youth and adults experiencing homelessness; supporters included the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, social workers, city officials, and people with lived experience, all emphasizing that lack of ID blocks access to housing, jobs, health care, and other services. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2414, authorizing a tunnel connecting the north and south campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, with school leaders and students citing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns. Finally, the committee heard emotional testimony for H. 4374 to name the Quaker Meeting House Road overpass in Sandwich for Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville, and testimony for a resolve creating a roadside litter prevention and cleanup task force.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 10th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • With that, we're going to leave public testimony, we're going to close public testimony and leave Senate
  • Chair opens up public testimony and calls Tom Glass.
  • Public testimony and leave Senate Bill 2145 pending.
  • We'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2268.
  • With that, we're going to open up public testimony.
Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Thu Feb 5, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • testimony and I'm open for questions. testimony and I'm open for questions.
  • Mahalo for your testimony.
  • previous<01:18:32.960> testimony last testimony or previous testimony last testimony or previous
  • attorney general's testimony on this. attorney general's testimony on this.
  • DLNR's testimony. DLNR's testimony.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-CPN, HHS Public Hearings 02-24-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:16:26.120> and<00:16:26.519> very testimony and very testimony and very happy<00:16
  • <00:27:01.640> testimony<00:27:02.279> thank<00:27:02.440> you on your testimony
  • testimony thank you on your testimony testimony thank you very<00:27:02.919> much<00:27:03.919
  • We are in support and stand by our testimony. We are in support and stand by our testimony.
  • <00:36:23.319> okay<00:36:23.560> thank testimony okay thank testimony okay thank you<00
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments. The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees. No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.
NV
Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll move on to testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 132.
  • Last, we will go to neutral testimony.
  • Sir, could you wrap up your testimony? Excuse me.
  • Sir, could you wrap up your testimony? Excuse me.
  • I would like to provide neutral testimony on Senate Bill 435.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HWN-WTL Public Hearing 02-11-2025

Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • that test uh for that testimony that test uh for that testimony so<00:01:46.280> moving<00
  • <00:03:03.560> and have submitted written testimony and have submitted written testimony and
  • It is the same testimony.
  • <00:10:57.040> for 1893 I stand on my written testimony for 1893 I stand on my written testimony
  • testimonies available to the group.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll open testimony on House Bill 3113.
  • Farewell, we'll open public testimony. Public testimony is now open on House Bill 4749.
  • We'll open public testimony. Public testimony is now open on House Bill 2259.
  • Thank you for your testimony and for what you're doing.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for being here.