Transcript Highlights:

• </c> leadership in putting a committee leadership in putting a committee together<00:14:53.279><c> that
• </c> the rule. the rule.
• </c><00:27:07.760><c> Uh</c> remove the requirement for rules. Uh remove the requirement for rules.
• Committee and they refer specifically to Committee and they refer specifically to adding<00:35:44.960
• </c><00:40:44.240><c> I</c> Lee, and members of the committee. I Lee, and members of the committee.

Bills: SB3082 , SB3110 , SB3251

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:03:22.560><c> we</c> have in within administrative rules, we have in within administrative rules
• We'll always match the IRS rule behind. We'll always match the IRS rule um<00:08:19.280><c> rates.
• </c> Requires attorney general to adopt rules Requires attorney general to adopt rules and<00:10:58.640
• </c> committee. Again, Kamakana Kamala UPW. committee. Again, Kamakana Kamala UPW.
• </c><00:48:30.240><c> We</c> committee. Moani Ray Benos with HMSA. We committee.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2122, which would tie public service flexible spending account contribution and carryover limits to the annual IRS cafeteria plan caps. DEER supported the bill and said it would help the state keep pace with federal limits, though it suggested deleting the words “inflation/adjusted” and “for that calendar year” as unnecessary. HGA and UPW strongly supported the measure, saying state limits lag the IRS amounts and that higher caps would help employees offset rising health care costs. In response to questions, DEER said the plan has a fund balance of about $1.6 million but noted some risk if employees leave before contributing enough to cover reimbursements. The unions agreed to DEER’s suggested wording change so long as the bill still clearly required future increases to track the IRS limits. The committee then took up SB 2116, which would create a confidential process in the Attorney General’s office for anonymous complaints against public employees, with complaints forwarded to the appropriate agency and annual reporting required. DLIR and the Attorney General opposed the bill. The AG’s office said anonymous complaints cannot truly be guaranteed to remain anonymous, that existing laws already provide confidential complaint processes in specific areas, and that the AG would effectively be only a repository without meaningful authority over how complaints are handled. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would begin a conversation about protecting complainants while discouraging frivolous complaints. In questions, senators raised concerns about how anonymous complaints would be investigated and whether the AG could serve as an appeal body; the AG said the proposal would likely require broader changes to existing complaint laws. The committee also heard SB 218, which would amend the amount a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee’s wages to repay indebtedness to the state. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would create a more lenient repayment process for employees who were overpaid and should not have to repay large amounts in a single pay period. UPW said the bill would eliminate a provision allowing recovery of debts of $1,000 or less in one pay period, which it described as problematic for members. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii was listed in opposition, and additional comments were submitted by the state controller and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. Finally, the committee heard SB 2114, which would repeal the prohibition on certain exempt employees grieving suspensions or discharges and allow bargaining-unit members to grieve disciplinary actions. DHRD and the City and County of Honolulu opposed the bill, arguing exempt employees are at-will employees who serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and already have other legal remedies for discrimination or harassment; they also said the issue is a negotiable matter under collective bargaining agreements. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying exempt positions have increased in number and that just-cause protections would improve recruitment and retention. Senators questioned how unions would represent exempt employees and whether the bill would change the at-will nature of those positions; no vote or final action was taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're here for the LOFT oversight committee meeting.
• Goodwin, Senator Green, Senator Reinhardt, Vice Chairman Haste, Chairman Hall In accordance with Joint Rule
• That prohibits evaluators' ability to measure the application of those rules. Mr.
• So, we went to the rules and found that the number is 150.
• The decision-making is decentralized, and agencies are allowed to disregard rules by LOFT.

Committee: Senate Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT)

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, committee. For the record, Christina King, staff to the committee.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee. Tracy Taylor, staff to the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Berg and members of the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Berg, members of the committee.
• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee.

Summary: House Finance met on February 26 and heard several tax and housing-related bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6343 would extend the deadline to apply for a property tax exemption for improvements to single-family homes damaged by natural disasters, with sponsors citing recent flooding and the need to help displaced homeowners in multiple counties. Local officials from Kent and Algona testified in support, describing flood damage and ongoing recovery needs. The bill was heard but no vote was taken. Senate Bill 6347 would roll back the higher estate tax rates enacted in 2025, while leaving the higher exemption amount in place. Committee staff said the bill would reduce revenue to the Education Legacy Trust account by about $44.8 million starting in fiscal year 2027 and about $389.9 million over the 2027-29 biennium. Supporters argued the higher rates could harm family businesses and encourage wealthy residents to leave; opponents said the bill would mainly benefit very large estates and would worsen budget pressures by reducing funds for education and child care. Public testimony was mixed, and the bill was heard without action. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products stored in Washington for out-of-state sale until 2038. The sponsor and a logistics witness said the exemption helps farmers get products faster, supports regional distribution, and improves competitiveness; staff said the revenue impact would be small. Finally, Senate Bill 6114 would define “fixture” and “affixed” for real estate excise tax purposes to make tax treatment of attached property clearer, and Senate Bill 6027 would broaden allowable uses of several local affordable housing funding sources, including rehabilitation and operations of existing housing, rental assistance in some counties, and expanded uses for Affordable Housing for All grants. Both of those bills drew support from state and local housing officials and advocates, and the committee adjourned after the hearings with no recorded votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement is now in session.
• Welcome to the committee.
• Senator Beck is on the committee and is here. Senator Black is here.
• Any other questions from committee? Thank you. Any other questions from committee?
• And with no further business before the committee, the Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement

Committee: House Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules Committee will come to order. I'll note for the record that there is a quorum present.
• I move the adoption of the calendar for the day pursuant to Rules 1.21 and 3.33.
• The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will designate Friday, May 9th for the adoption
• House File 3228 is now in the possession of the Committee on Rules and Legislative Action after missing
• </c> would support the uh rules waiver. would support the uh rules waiver.

Bills: HF3228 , HF475

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, statue replacement, Hubert H. Humphrey, national commemoration, civil rights, Minnesota history, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, committee.
• Chairman and committee.
• Committee, any questions? Thank you. Thank you. Committee, any questions?
• Well, committee, what's that?
• They made citizen committees.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to clause one of rule one, the Journal stands approved.
• PURSUANT TO CLAUSE ONE OF RULE ONE, THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED.
• All members of the escort committee will exit the chamber through the lobby doors.
• The rule of law, the certainty of stable and accessible rules, an independent judiciary resolving disputes
• THE RULE OF LAW, THE CERTAINTY OF STABLE AND ACCESSIBLE RULES, AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, RESOLVING DISPUTES

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be an amendment that originated in committee.
• So those who are not attorneys may not be aware, but the rules of professional conduct, the model rules
• So those who are not attorneys may not be aware, but the rules of professional conduct, the model rules
• So we were in the insurance committee.
• He's not on the committee. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes.

Bills: HB267 , HB478 , HB617 , HB659 , HB800 , HB922 , HB924 , HB947 , HB1166 , HB1223

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, utility, reimbursement, overcharges, consumer protection, economic relief, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price, service fees

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government will now
• The committee meeting.
• DEP has the rule, and we're supportive of that.
• Chair Brodeur, members of the committee. Welcome, sir. Thank you.
• And so, is there any other business before the committee?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had the committee clerk send out information to all of the committee this week to show you the compromise
• </c> and they operate with their own rules and they operate with their own rules and<00:15:47.120><c>
• </c><00:20:15.360><c> and</c> automated enforcement tools rule and automated enforcement tools rule and
• . committee. committee.
• Chairman, committee members.

Bills: SB222 , HB560 , HB475 , HB484 , HB583 , HB542 , HB566 , SB222 , HB560 , HB475 , HB484 , HB583 , HB542 , HB566

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Executive Committee meeting is called to order as chair of the Senate Executive Committee
• and in accordance with Senate rules.
• This committee is authorized to meet in a hybrid format.
• The answer will be fair if it adheres to the rule of law.
• Are those committees that are established already?

Committee: Senate Executive

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule right now that go to this one.
• </c> and I don't know if a study committee and I don't know if a study committee given<00:44:21.400><
• </c> need and a lot of from our committee need and a lot of from our committee would<00:47:57.720><c>
• </c> that and provide that to the committee that and provide that to the committee um<01:00:53.680><c
• both both are in rules right now and it both both are in rules right now and it needs<02:19:50.000><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting covered two main items. First, the solid waste subcommittee reviewed draft language for HB 707, focusing on landfill siting and permitting standards. Members and the Department of Environmental Services discussed replacing repeated references to “aquifer” with “drinking water well,” clarifying that aquifer is a broad term, and considering whether a statutory definition was needed. They also debated the bill’s setback and time-of-travel provisions, including the 10^-5 standard, a 1,500-foot distance, and whether the bill should rely more on performance-based criteria than prescriptive distances. Another major topic was permit denial language tied to applicants with significant histories of repeated serious violations or landfill-related litigation; the department said it already has related authority in current rules, but noted some wording was still too vague and could be tightened. No vote was taken, and the chair closed the hearing with plans to continue work later. The second item was a work session on HB 424, which would direct the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a study committee on fraudulent or untrained service animals. Several members said the problem raised by the bill was real but expressed concern that the legislature may be limited by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Others argued that a study committee would likely not produce a workable solution and might conflict with leadership’s direction to avoid unnecessary study committees. Members discussed whether the bill should be retained, amended, or instead replaced with a letter or resolution to the federal delegation. The committee appeared to lean toward ITL and possibly pursuing a letter to federal officials, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• . committee meeting of the session.
• Members of the committee, Jacob Ewing, staff to the committee.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, again, Greg Atenasio, committee staff.
• I move that the bill receive a do pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.
• I move that the bill receive a do pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Bills: HB2540 , HB2113

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, radiologic technologists, diagnostic imaging, healthcare regulation, professional supervision, state licensing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go ahead and call the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee to order.
• We had our rules review earlier this year, and as we were going through that, We had our rules review
• Welcome to the committee. I appreciate you being here.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee heard and advanced four measures. House Bill 792, by Rep. Monks, clarified the relationship between yard sales and the small seller exemption, including how sales tax applies once a seller exceeds the $5,000 threshold and when activity goes beyond the small-seller limits. The committee asked no questions and voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 722, by Rep. Ayler, corrected timing issues in the new utility tax system created last year, aligning reporting and payment dates with the existing six-month property tax cycle so local governments have revenue figures for budgeting. The sponsor said counties, utilities, and the Tax Commission were all involved and supportive. The committee approved the bill for the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 707, by Sen. Taves, which would create a streamlined process for subdividing land to finance an accessory dwelling unit or secondary residential structure without going through a full subdivision process, while keeping zoning, access, utility, and agricultural protections in place. No one testified against it, and it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 800, also by Sen. Taves, would reduce zoning barriers for manufactured housing by allowing manufactured duplexes in multifamily zones and lowering square-footage thresholds for single-section and multisection homes; the Idaho Manufactured Housing Association testified in strong support. The committee passed that bill to the floor as well. Finally, members approved the March 4, 2026 minutes and adjourned, announcing a meeting the next day at 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go ahead and call the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee to order.
• We had our rules review earlier this year, and as we were going through that, We had our rules review
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you came in, you saw the rules.
• , Senate Bill 853, Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, Senate Bill 860, Committee on
• Limon 521 Gonzalez. 619 Committee on Education. 673 Ochoabog. 853 Committee on Labor, Public Employment
• and Retirement. 860 Committee on Governmental Organization and 864 Committee on Governmental Organization
• Okay, any comments from the committee? Any second? Okay. Any comments from the committee?

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 2, 2025, to consider 25 bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar of unanimously supported measures, including several Senate bills and committee bills, and then moved to individual items. SB 391, which would authorize the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for data requests from research partners, drew support from the author and the California Teachers Association, which withdrew its opposition after amendments; the bill passed on a roll call. SB 251, an annual appropriations bill to pay three state claims totaling a little over $1.2 million, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and the Department of Finance and also passed. The committee then deemed the suspense calendar approved, covering SBs 748, 329, 388, 439, 458, 454, and 563, and took public comment on suspense-file bills. Commenters voiced support for SB 88 on biomass and SB 80. The committee next heard SB 477, which would clarify the Fair Employment and Housing Act to help the Civil Rights Department investigate and prosecute discrimination and harassment cases more efficiently; the author described changes to deadlines, complaint definitions, and venue rules, and the bill passed. SB 831, which updates the definition of geological hazards to reflect climate-change-related risks and clarify the California Geological Survey’s duties, received support from industry and passed without recorded opposition. Finally, SB 450, which clarifies California’s jurisdiction over adoption proceedings, including confirmatory adoptions for families who have moved out of state and requires all legal parents to be listed on adoption orders, was presented with support from Equality California and related groups. The bill was described as having no significant state cost and passed on a roll call. Several measures were approved with Republicans not voting, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Natural Resources Committee of Reference and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee
• Co-Chair, and members of the committee.
• We prioritized rules and created a rules team to not only get rule review and rulemaking current, but
• The rules team continues to work on policy and procedures to institutionalize the rule review and rulemaking
• So remind us of when the last committee meeting was of the urban land committee. Madam Chair, Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees of Reference heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also identified weaknesses in continuing-education verification and other sunset-factor areas, and the board agreed to implement all 21 recommendations. Board staff said complaint volume has risen sharply since the pandemic, that the board’s process is slower because every case goes through an investigative committee and then the full board, and that it has already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues and is adding tools to improve continuing-education audits. The committee then heard testimony from the board’s executive director and from the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The executive director emphasized the board’s public-protection mission, described the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and said the board is working to improve efficiency through a new e-licensing system and staff training. Members asked about the shortage of large-animal veterinarians, complaint backlogs, and whether the board could do more to recruit rural practitioners; the board said it lacks direct recruiting authority but supports multiple licensure pathways and loan-assistance efforts. The veterinary association supported the board’s oversight and said it is also working on rural and large-animal workforce issues through partnerships and advocacy. The committee then voted to recommend continuing the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next took up the Arizona State Land Department, beginning with the Auditor General’s presentation on the department’s sunset review and prior special audit. The audit found the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan since 2011, had sold more than 48,000 acres without an active plan, had allowed agricultural rental rates to go unchanged since 2006 despite market increases, and had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases or properly managed reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues created risks of lost revenue, reduced transparency, and public-safety hazards, and recommended 18 corrective actions in the main review plus 34 additional recommendations on other issues; the department agreed to most recommendations but declined to adopt a written policy for commissioner-initiated land sales. Commissioner Robin Sahid said the department is working through audit recommendations, has created a rules team, improved its customer portal, and is pursuing new policies on water use, transportation-basin leases, and disposition planning. Members questioned the department about agricultural leases, groundwater valuation, the Fondomonte leases and reimbursement for improvements, the canceled Coyotes land auction, backlog and processing times, and the use of consultants and administrative funds. The commissioner said the department had over 2,000 applications in queue when she arrived, that it has made progress reducing the backlog, and that it is conducting stakeholder outreach on water-efficiency standards and lease addenda. No final vote on the land department continuation was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules of the program uniformly across the caseload.
• Under current rules, individuals qualify for the IHSS residual program Under current rules, individuals
• Hello, good afternoon, Senate committee members.
• We've also proposed mandating a consumer advisory committee.
• But Robert's Rules of Order don't change year to year.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and extensive testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. The administration described IHSS as a large and growing program serving more than 900,000 recipients, and outlined three proposals: shifting the cost of growth in authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The LAO said the overall budget estimates appeared reasonable but raised concerns about the hours-per-case proposal, including the lack of a comprehensive root-cause analysis, the limited control counties have over statewide cost growth, and uncertainty about how the baseline and savings would work. CWDA, SEIU, and consumer advocates strongly opposed the hours cost shift, arguing that counties use state-designed tools, that demographic changes and rising need explain much of the growth, and that the proposal would pressure counties to cut services and destabilize care. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the administration about the proposed baseline, the claimed savings, and whether the measure effectively circumvents the county maintenance-of-effort agreement. On the backup provider system, the administration said the statewide program is underutilized and administratively expensive, and proposed eliminating it to save about $3.5 million. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced while preserving some version of the program. County and consumer advocates opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical safety net when regular providers are unavailable, especially in rural areas and for people with complex needs. They argued that low utilization reflects the difficulty of finding emergency backup care, not lack of need, and that many counties already rely on local backup systems or other models. Committee members also pressed for better data on requests, fulfillment, and administrative costs, and discussed whether the state could support local alternatives instead of eliminating the program. The final topic was the proposal to align IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations by automating the process when recipients fail to complete Medi-Cal redeterminations. The administration said this would reduce General Fund costs by about $86 million by preventing payment of IHSS in the residual program when recipients are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, while also automating reinstatement when Medi-Cal is restored. The LAO noted the proposal has been rejected in prior years and suggested improved notice and communication to recipients as an alternative. CWDA and advocates warned that the change could create gaps in care, especially for people who lose Medi-Cal for procedural reasons, and urged additional safeguards such as better notices, faster reprocessing, and automatic reinstatement. Members questioned how many people would be affected, how the residual program currently works, and whether providers could go unpaid during the gap; the department said the automation is already built and would be activated if the proposal is approved. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the committee moved through public comment and questioning without final action on the proposals in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:08:08.720><c> keep</c><00:08:08.879><c> the</c> committee would like to keep the committee
• </c> uh note that some committees uh note that some committees um<00:27:19.200><c> like</c><00:27:19.520
• </c> the committee. the committee. &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:31:46.399><c> All</c><00:31:46.480><c> right.
• </c> our legislative rules. our legislative rules.
• </c> Committee hearing for decision making. Committee hearing for decision making.

Bills: SB2190 , SB2338 , SB2424 , SB2356 , SB2981 , SB3028 , SB3187 , SB2378 , SB2398 , SB2192 , SB2155 , SB3219 , SB3218

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: affordable housing, employment contracts, salary caps, housing finance, public housing authority, executive compensation, parking minimums, off-street parking, transit-oriented development, TOD, housing supply, smart growth, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, micro units, rail transit, public transit stations, county zoning, land use, urban planning

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure. SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing. SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system. The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.