Transcript Highlights:

• And then the supplemental budget vehicle bill, House File 2433, will be taken up, and an amendment will
• be offered to add the labor budget provisions to that vehicle bill, and then there will be an opportunity
• for other amendments and discussion and debate, and then the vehicle bill will be laid over.
• And then the supplemental budget vehicle bill, House File 2433, will be taken up, and an amendment will
• for other amendments and discussion and debate, and then the vehicle bill will be laid over.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Kellogg area, you drive in the left lane intentionally because the right lane will ruin your vehicle
• . ...the right lane will ruin your vehicle.
• To answer one gentleman's question, upon all multi-lane highways, no vehicle traveling in the left-hand
• lane shall be driven at a speed slower than any vehicle traveling to its right.
• know, cars will sit behind a car in the left lane and you can almost feel the frustration from that vehicle

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and committee reports. Several new Ways and Means bills were introduced, including measures on managed recreation on endowment land, large electrical loads, Medicaid eligibility and work requirements, DOPL rulemaking and fees, daily recess in schools, rural health transformation, AI regulatory review, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy changes. The House also advanced a number of bills and memorials to the third-reading calendar and suspended rules to take up House Bill 893, a codifier cleanup bill, which passed unanimously on a voice-style roll call. The House then considered a series of Senate bills and House bills. Senate Bill 1255, dealing with involuntary commitment procedures on tribal reservations and recognizing tribal health facilities and tribal police officers, passed. Senate Bill 1257, which clarifies child protection and foster-care visitation rules in cases involving serious abuse, also passed. House Bill 803, expanding confidentiality protections for personnel involved in firing-squad executions, passed after debate over transparency and due process. Senate Bill 1293, correcting an unintended effect of prior public-benefits legislation on crime victims’ compensation, passed; Senate Bill 1308, a technical mediation cleanup bill, passed; House Bill 508, concerning roadway enhancement funds and consultant coverage, passed; Senate Bill 1272, a transportation code cleanup bill, passed; and Senate Bill 1309, clarifying restitution priority in juvenile cases, passed. Several bills drew more substantial debate and were defeated. Senate Bill 1271, which would have directed the Department of Agriculture to coordinate data collection and an abatement plan for invasive rats in southwest Idaho, failed after members split over whether it was a statewide issue or a local problem and whether it would expand government or create future costs. Senate Bill 1340, a left-lane driving bill that would have required slower traffic to move right and funded signage, also failed amid concerns about road conditions, enforcement, and confusion on multi-lane highways. Senate Concurrent Resolution 120, urging changes to Idaho’s nuclear waste agreement to support used nuclear fuel reprocessing and broader nuclear development, passed after a sharp debate over whether it would help Idaho’s energy future or weaken protections against long-term waste storage. The House also passed Senate Bill 1296, updating criminal trespass law to address disruptions at houses of worship, and Senate Bill 1325, creating a white specialty license plate to support Project Choice. Later, the House approved Senate Bill 1269 on cloud seeding transparency and liability, despite objections about consent, data, and liability protections. After the day’s business, the House announced upcoming committee meetings, returned House Bill 880 to the Transportation Committee, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Kellogg area, you drive in the left lane intentionally because the right lane will ruin your vehicle
• The right lane will ruin your vehicle.
• To answer one gentleman's question, upon all multi-lane highways, no vehicle traveling in the left-hand
• lane shall be driven at a speed slower than any vehicle traveling to its right.
• know, cars will sit behind a car in the left lane and you can almost feel the frustration from that vehicle

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides $7.1 million for the replacement
• of pursuit vehicles for the Highway Patrol.
• million for additional expenses for troopers, including $4 million to replace the AEDs in patrol vehicles
• I know that he was asking for a lot of different requests, lots of vehicles at DOC.
• A lot of different requests, lots of vehicles at DOC that operate are not in compliance with DMS standards

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides $7.1 million for the replacement
• of pursuit vehicles for the highway patrol.
• million for additional expenses for troopers, including $4 million to replace the AEDs in patrol vehicles
• I know that he was asking for a lot of different requests, lots of vehicles at DOC...
• So basically they're old vehicles that break down a lot with incarcerated people in them, and that creates

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides $7.1 million for the replacement
• of pursuit vehicles for the highway patrol.
• million for additional expenses for troopers, including $4 million to replace the AEDs in patrol vehicles
• I know that he was asking for a lot of different requests, lots of vehicles at DOC.
• A lot of different requests, lots of vehicles at DOC that are not in compliance with DMS standards.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• title because they were there, but the rumor we heard is that the entire census of that area, those vehicles
• that are registered in the state of Arizona, are going to be... ...of that area, those vehicles that
• As far as what's going to be required by motor vehicle, I'm actually working with ADOT, working with
• We had two deaths, two vehicles driving downtown Globe... ...in the news, we had two deaths, two vehicles
• We removed 66 vehicles from the waterways.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, the plan must require any vehicle that is loading or unloading at the facility to have the
• engine turned off except for certain refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
• Martinez mentioning this in Section 3, subsection 2(b), where it requires any vehicle that is loading
• or unloading at the facility to have the engine of the vehicle turned off, because, as you said, that
• That it was a vaccine site, and we also had that same issue of people idling their vehicles.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can it be a vehicle for anything, or what can they do to this thing as it moves around?
• Can it be a vehicle for anything, or what can they do to this thing as it moves around? Um, Mr.
• I don't know whether another memorial resolution could be added to it, I guess, but it can't be a vehicle
• I don't know whether another memorial resolution could be added to it, I guess, but it can't be a vehicle
• Can it be a vehicle for anything, or what can they do to this thing as it moves around? Um, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to keep entertaining bills about how to liquefy every bit of waste in every crop and tree to feed vehicles
• to keep entertaining bills about how to liquefy every bit of waste in every crop and tree to feed vehicles
• and<00:20:00.880><c> tree</c><00:20:01.600><c> to</c><00:20:01.799><c> feed</c><00:20:02.159><c> vehicles
• </c><00:20:02.919><c> for</c><00:20:03.120><c> example</c> and tree to feed vehicles for example and
• tree to feed vehicles for example when<00:20:03.840><c> that</c><00:20:04.000><c> isn't</c><00:20:04.320

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Land met on March 21, 2025, and considered several resolutions related to water resources, coastal management, and energy planning. On SCR 42/SR 27, which urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine ponds, DLNR supported the measure and suggested a technical correction changing a reference from the Division of Agriculture to the Division of Aquatic Resources. Testimony from Hā‘ena Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and individuals was in support. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. The committee also heard SCR 54/SR 36, which would create a desalination planning task force to study whether large-scale desalination for potable water is feasible. DLNR and CWRM said the proposal was a large undertaking and raised capacity concerns, noting the Board of Water Supply was already moving forward with its own desalination planning. BWS testified in support, saying its project was still in planning and design, with construction not expected until late 2027 or 2028, and that the project would produce about 1.7 million gallons per day to supplement Ewa’s water supply. Members discussed whether the task force might duplicate existing work and noted the measure focused on consumption rather than other desalination uses. The committee ultimately recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. For SCR 59/SR 43, which asked DLNR, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to work together on maintaining the Kihei ramp, DLNR reported ongoing collaboration and listed prior improvements including paving, washdown work, dredging, and a retaining wall. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. On SCR 106/SR 87, which requested a study of which energy sector could be most quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through public investment in combustion-free alternatives, OPSD said the State Energy Office had already completed a decarbonization study under Act 238 (2022) and a follow-up alternative fuels analysis, and suggested the resolution duplicated existing work. Energy Justice Network testified in support, arguing the proposal would build on prior studies by focusing on non-combustion options such as wind, solar, and storage. Despite support from several organizations and individuals, the committee deferred the measure indefinitely. The committee also passed SR 18 as is, passed SC 51/SR 33 as is, deferred SC 47, and passed SC 76/SR 59 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some other drivers are going to be the growth of electric vehicles.
• Just to recharge your own electric vehicle is going to increase our energy usage by quite a bit. data
• 03:38.760><c> electric</c> going to be the growth of electric going to be the growth of electric vehicles
• is definitely going to vehicles is definitely going to contribute<00:03:41.560><c> to</c><00:03:41.799
• 46.840><c> electric</c> just to to recharge your own electric just to to recharge your own electric vehicle

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> above fair market value. above fair market value.
• The values are reported in stock option.
• for value just like a US dollar can.
• value.
• </c> equivalent to that because it has value equivalent to that because it has value to<01:10:44.239>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and believe me, I go along the fields at the farm all the time and pick up stuff that blows out of vehicles
• We're allowing vehicles and equipment engaged in road construction, maintenance, repairs, traffic control
• This is a particular update that reflects how these vehicles are already used in the field by updating
• take them off of our equipment once winter is over, but many contractors, once you have them on your vehicle
• person or electronically, an affidavit acknowledging that they are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle

Summary: The committee met in hybrid format on June 18, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so minutes were not approved until later in the meeting after additional members joined. The committee heard a series of bills, with most receiving supportive testimony from sponsors, agency officials, advocacy groups, and frequent public commenter Robert Overmiller. Several measures focused on transportation and public safety, including HB 363 on residential speed limits, HB 384 extending DelDOT open-end contracts from three to five years, HB 413 allowing green flashing lights on road work and emergency vehicles, HB 456 streamlining subaqueous lands permitting, and HB 388 letting drivers with temporary medical suspensions keep their license for ID purposes while being flagged in the system as not allowed to drive. Members asked questions mainly about implementation, enforcement, and scope, and sponsors or agency witnesses explained that the bills were intended to improve safety, efficiency, and administrative clarity. The committee also took up HB 111, which would require single-use food service items such as utensils, straws, napkins, and condiments to be provided only upon request, with exemptions for schools, nonprofits, health care facilities, correctional facilities, and similar settings. Supporters, including Plastic Free Delaware and the Sierra Club, said the bill would reduce waste and save businesses money, while opponents from the restaurant industry argued it could confuse customers, hurt tourism, and be difficult to enforce. Sponsors emphasized that restaurants could still ask customers if they wanted items and that the bill included a phase-in period and capped penalties. The committee also heard HB 393, a consumer protection bill for third-party electric suppliers that tightens oversight, training, reporting, renewal notices, and rate limits after concerns about misleading sales and unexpectedly high bills; it drew support from environmental advocates and members who had seen constituent complaints. Finally, the committee heard HB 412 on hunting and trapping education and wildlife drug administration, which was described as a safety and modernization measure and supported by the Division of Fish and Wildlife and sportsmen’s groups, and SB 346, which would speed up Environmental Appeals Board hearings and decisions. SB 346 drew broad support from DNREC, the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and business groups, though one witness asked to clarify that Superior Court appeal rights would remain intact; DNREC confirmed they would. The committee also approved the June 10, 2026 minutes after quorum was established, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 4050, sponsored by Assemblyman Spearman and Peterson, concerns facilities used by new motor vehicle
• dealers and the status of provisional new motor vehicle dealer licenses.
• Concerns facilities used by new motor vehicle dealers licenses, the status of provisional new motor vehicle
• Spearman. provisional new motor vehicle dealer licenses. Assembly of Ms. Spearman. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the funds from the appropriation to have the Veterans Crisis Line sticker that's on all of our vehicles
• at the department, uh, offered to all state fleet vehicles.
• So, you could see it on a snowplow, you could see it on anything, you know, any kind of our vehicles,
• The sticker is being offered to all state fleet vehicles.
• So, you could see it on a snowplow, you could see it on anything, you know, any kind of our vehicles.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps them, for safety, know where other flying vehicles are.
• We don't know the type of vehicle. We're not talking to them, but we see a target.
• We don't know the type of vehicle. We're not talking to them, but we see a target.
• incident rather than try to figure out what he said, the ADS-B technology that was on one of those vehicles
• Look and see ahead of time, hey, there's a vehicle in this range. And D.C. is an airport, Mr.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2003, which would lower the instruction-permit eligibility age for Class D, G, and M licenses from 15½ to 15, while increasing supervised driving requirements for minors and extending the permit-holding period before licensure. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill builds on Arizona’s graduated driver licensing system and would improve teen safety based on data from other states; one senator raised concerns about parents certifying driving hours and another cited a study suggesting higher crash risk from lowering the permit age. After discussion, the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 9-1 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2063, appropriating $1.5 million from the General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund, and heard emotional testimony from a mother describing her son’s mental illness, incarceration, and death in prison, along with support from advocates who said the oversight office is needed, especially in light of federal receivership over prison health care. The sponsor emphasized prison transparency, public safety, and accountability. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0. The committee also heard House Bill 2210, which would prohibit state, local, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect landing fees. Pilots argued the technology is meant for safety and that using it for billing could discourage compliance, while airport representatives and city officials opposed the bill as an unnecessary statewide restriction on local fee-setting. After extensive debate over safety, federal law, and local control, the bill received a narrow 4-4 do pass recommendation. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2116, which appropriates $1 million to the Colorado River litigation fund. The sponsor said the money is needed to prepare for possible litigation over Colorado River cuts and to signal Arizona’s seriousness in negotiations; members discussed whether the funding should come from the General Fund or WIFA resources. The bill passed 8-0. Finally, HCM 2007, a memorial urging renaming sections of State Route 69 to honor veterans of multiple wars, was approved 5-4 after some members objected to emphasizing war memorialization. The committee also briefly noted that House Bill 2111 was held, and after the votes, a pilot and flight instructor offered additional testimony on HB 2210, reiterating safety concerns about turning off ADS-B and saying the bill addresses a real risk even though Arizona airports are not currently using the technology for fee collection.

Transcript Highlights:

• reminder: this is the bill that amends the Motor Fuel Quality Act to address the definitions of motor vehicle
• fuel and alternative fuel, folding alternative fuels into the definition of motor vehicle fuel.
• reminder, this is the bill that amends the Motor Fuel Quality Act to address the definitions of motor vehicle
• fuel and alternative fuel folding in alternative fuels into the definition of motor vehicle fuel.
• the definition of motor fuel in the MFQA by including any gaseous products used to propel motor vehicles

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reminder: this is the bill that amends the Motor Fuel Quality Act to address the definitions of motor vehicle
• fuel and alternative fuel, folding alternative fuels into the definition of motor vehicle fuel.
• reminder, this is the bill that amends the Motor Fuel Quality Act to address the definitions of motor vehicle
• fuel and alternative fuel folding in alternative fuels into the definition of motor vehicle fuel.
• the definition of motor fuel in the MFQA by including any gaseous products used to propel motor vehicles

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says, 'Official final warning, New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles.
• will result in the following action: recording the violation in the state database, suspension of vehicle
• Suspension of vehicle registration, 30-day driver's license through the restriction, 35% surcharge, reporting
• link down—Senator, do not click on that link—because I got the same thing, and I called the Motor Vehicle
• And, you know, I called Motor Vehicle to report it, and they apparently have been getting bunches of

Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began with announcements about likely upcoming meetings and a reminder that public testimony could be limited if bills drew large crowds. Members also introduced student shadows and briefly recognized them. The committee then took up House Bill 30, which would revise the Teacher Residency Act to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention by tying resident stipends more closely to minimum level-one teacher salaries, increasing support for residents who already hold bachelor’s degrees, and giving residents more flexibility to complete their service in any public school rather than only the sponsoring district. The sponsor and supporters from educator preparation programs, unions, and advocacy groups said the bill would make residency programs more sustainable, help rural districts, and improve teacher preparation. The bill received support from the Public Education Department and several education organizations, and the committee voted due pass. The committee next heard House Bill 120, as amended, which would clarify and limit the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor explained that the bill came from a task force and is intended to clarify existing law rather than create a new mandate, with clearer definitions, stronger documentation, family notification, and limits on dangerous practices such as prone, mechanical, or chemical restraint. Supporters included PED, the special education ombuds office, disability rights advocates, teachers’ unions, parents, and civil rights groups, who emphasized student safety, trauma prevention, and better training for staff. One opposition witness from the school superintendents’ association argued the bill could add burdens and that more time was needed to implement current law. Committee members raised concerns about protecting teachers and aides during violent incidents; sponsors responded that the bill is meant to give staff clearer guidance and emergency-response tools, not replace disciplinary procedures. The committee voted due pass. House Joint Resolution 1, a constitutional amendment to create nominating commissions for university regents, was then presented. The sponsor said the goal is to reduce purely political appointments by having nonpartisan commissions recommend regent candidates, while also changing how student regents are selected so students have a direct voice rather than the university president choosing the student regent. AFT New Mexico supported the measure, citing concerns about donor or insider appointments and backing student representation. Committee members questioned how many commissions would be created, who would appoint their members, and how many names would be sent to the governor; the sponsor said those details would be set later in enabling legislation. The committee approved the resolution on a due pass vote, sending it onward in the process. The committee also quickly passed Senate Bill 306, which would align state higher education accreditation language with federal terminology by removing the distinction between regionally and non-regionally accredited institutions and changing reporting and fee requirements for smaller private institutions. Finally, Senate Bill 210, an appropriation for athletic and related facilities at New Mexico Highlands University, drew the most debate. Supporters said the university’s athletic facilities are outdated and inadequate, especially for women’s soccer and track, and that the project would help student-athletes and Title IX compliance. Committee members questioned the $80 million request, noting that only $3 million was currently in the budget for the three Division II schools and expressing concern about priorities amid other education funding needs. The sponsor and university president said the project could be phased and that private fundraising is also being pursued. Despite reservations and some no votes, the committee ultimately voted due pass. The chair closed by reminding members to plan on meeting Monday at 9 a.m. and said the committee was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• chair wants to note that um even though chair had previously announced that SB 2062 would be the vehicle
• RHRF, we're going to defer this measure because, um, we are going to use Senate Bill 2060 as the vehicle
• 00:21:43.200><c> the</c> going to use Senate Bill 2060 as the going to use Senate Bill 2060 as the vehicle
• 44.320><c> changes</c><00:21:44.559><c> to</c><00:21:44.720><c> the</c><00:21:44.880><c> mixed</c> vehicle
• for making changes to the mixed vehicle for making changes to the mixed income<00:21:45.360><c> sub<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.