Transcript Highlights:

• </c> applies to residential development applies to residential development within<00:53:27.920><c> Tod
• You know, what would it mean if the county is developing affordable housing on these lots?
• </c><01:36:15.960><c> of</c> from Building Trades and developers of from Building Trades and developers
• </c> president Economic Development president Economic Development government<01:38:24.920><c> communiations
• </c> de um their contractor or the developers de um their contractor or the developers like<01:42:13.480

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing held a public hearing on January 31 and heard testimony on a series of housing and building-code bills. The first major item, HB 1 relating to building codes, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters, including BIA Hawaii, Grassroot Institute, Dr. Horton, and several builders and trade groups, argued the current code-adoption process is slow, fragmented, and costly, and that reform would help housing production. Opponents, including Sierra Club Hawaii, AIA Hawaii, ICC, and labor representative Kiko Bosi, said the bill would weaken public safety, reduce statewide consistency, and could leave tenants and first responders at greater risk. No vote was taken during the hearing, and members asked questions about the effect of a governor’s emergency proclamation suspending the Building Code Council and about county authority over code amendments. The committee then heard HB 745 and HB 1321, both also relating to building codes. Grassroot Institute supported both measures, saying the system is broken and needs streamlining, while BIA Hawaii and others emphasized the cost burden of repeated code updates. Opponents, especially Bosi and ICC, argued that the bills would undermine the State Building Code Council’s role, create confusion, and prioritize cost over safety; Bosi also said labor should be included in any code discussions. Members questioned whether counties can remove state code provisions and whether the state code already supersedes county codes, and one member noted the need for clarity and consistent enforcement rather than a wholesale overhaul. Later, the committee heard HB 284 on housing, HB 761 on county permitting and inspection, and HB 738 on historic preservation. HB 284 drew support from several housing and real estate groups, while DLNR opposed it. On HB 761, HHFDC supported the bill, DLNR warned that the proposed changes could jeopardize Hawaii’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, DAGS said it would likely need to duplicate county permitting staff, and the Department of Planning and Permitting opposed it; Grassroot Institute and NAIOP supported it. For HB 738, HHFDC, DLNR, Grassroot Institute, Hawaii YIMBY, NAIOP, and others supported the measure, with Grassroot and NAIOP suggesting clarifications so expedited review would also cover mixed-use projects and better define the scope of work. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It hasn't been easy developing and operating these projects in California.
• We believe that the cost really should be borne by the developer.
• But if the standard is set too high, developers won't use it.
• They are barriers to development.
• We do this by doing upstream planning that incentivizes developers to identify and develop in low-conflict

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:44.040><c> efforts</c><00:21:44.480><c> by</c> economic development efforts by economic development
• </c><00:31:29.440><c> and</c> Um Committee on Economic Development and Um Committee on Economic Development
• </c> include almost any private development include almost any private development project<00:36:39.480
• In fact, 205A does not prohibit development in special management areas.
• </c> relationships that DLNR has developed relationships that DLNR has developed with<01:07:18.160><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our currently Governor Ayotte is working with the agencies right now developing her proposed budget,
• Our currently Governor Ayotte is working with the agencies right now developing her proposed budget,
• This is a trail under development at this point in time.
• This is a trail under development at this point in time.
• This is a trail under development at this point in time.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a developer agreement.
• We have a developer agreement. contract. We have a developer agreement.
• </c><00:04:53.120><c> Water</c> especially with water development.
• Uh the we are working with development.
• </c><00:08:55.920><c> um</c> with the accelerated lot developments um with the accelerated lot developments

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of a resource that would not development of a resource that would not have<00:44:13.839><c> happened
• They make us be developed in the state.
• If one of these projects were developed in the Gulf of Maine.
• </c> proposed development. proposed development.
• </c> offshore import development commission. offshore import development commission. of<01:38:33.920>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Center for Rural Policy and Development.
• </c><00:07:07.599><c> process</c> do product development process do product development process improvements
• <00:09:58.920><c> director</c> development director development director uh<00:10:00.079><c> an</c><00
• </c><01:01:16.520><c> a</c> question because we are developing a question because we are developing a
• </c> consideration um as we were developing consideration um as we were developing these<01:01:40.359

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• They are a substantial developer of low-income housing in the city of Los Angeles.
• I'm the Director of Economic Development and Legislative Affairs.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it spans development and training, building work ethic, technical skills, and career readiness that
• It is a youth development program established in statute.
• And it preserves the training and development mission that produces real career pathways.
• Corps members receive the training and development they were promised.
• Space, watershed improvements, as well as workforce development.

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss several California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Cal Fire budget proposals, with no votes taken and all items held open for a future hearing. The CCC overview highlighted the program’s 50th anniversary, its statewide conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development work, and its funding mix of General Fund and fee-for-service reimbursements. Members praised the program’s impact on young adults and communities, and asked about revenue sources, partnerships, recruitment, and outcomes for Corps members after service. A major CCC item was reopening and staffing the Greenwood Residential Center in El Dorado County. The department said the center is needed to restore local wildfire and fuel-break capacity, especially when winter road closures limit access to other facilities. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested the Legislature consider lower-cost alternatives, such as using fewer new Corps members or delaying opening, given the budget condition. The committee also discussed a proposal to move CCC hand crews to a seven-day wildfire readiness schedule; the department argued this is needed to match Cal Fire’s year-round operations and reduce chronic staffing gaps, while the LAO recommended considering partial funding or other cost-saving options. Cal Fire’s department overview focused on year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Members asked about contract counties, federal partnerships, reforestation capacity, and the use of cap-and-invest and General Fund dollars amid structural deficits. Cal Fire said its nursery capacity is far below reforestation needs and relies on public-private partnerships, and it described reimbursements for work on federal lands. The committee also discussed defensible space inspections, with Cal Fire seeking permanent staffing to replace temporary positions and maintain its goal of 250,000 inspections annually; the LAO suggested alternatives such as different funding mixes, a reinstated SRA fee, or one-time funding. Finally, the committee heard a request to increase Cal Fire’s fixed-wing pilot and mechanic contract. Cal Fire said the larger, more complex aircraft fleet and year-round fire season require more pilots and maintainers, and that contracting provides flexibility and avoids some benefit costs. The LAO said the proposal addresses significant health and safety concerns and merits consideration, while members questioned whether in-house staffing or longer contract terms might be more cost-effective. Throughout the hearing, members emphasized wildfire risk, budget pressures, and the need to balance public safety with fiscal discipline.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am joined today by members and representatives from the California Workforce Development Board, as
• So I believe heavily in our workforce development efforts and the good work of the workforce development
• The Workforce Development Board's High Road Construction Careers Program has a strong track record.
• But with the Workforce Development Board, has the Workforce Development Board been consulted on this
• Has the Workforce Development Board been consulted on this change?

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee heard several Caltrans, CHP, and DMV budget and trailer bill items. On Caltrans fleet replacement, the department requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to replace aging medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. LAO said the request was consistent with state policy, but senators criticized the high cost of electric fleet purchases and Caltrans’ delayed zero-emission fleet report; the chair said the report must be delivered within 30 days before the request could be fully considered. Caltrans also presented trailer bill language to replace an originally intended $50 million federal transfer for the High Road Construction Careers Program with $30 million in state Highway Account funds after federal eligibility problems prevented use of the federal dollars. Members questioned the reduction, the delay in implementation, where the remaining funds would go, and whether the program would keep jobs in California and meet labor standards; Caltrans and the Workforce Development Board said the program had prior success and that the state-funds transfer was intended to preserve the original policy goal. The committee then reviewed CHP’s request for a $60 million augmentation for equipment and operating costs, which CHP said was needed because vacancy savings no longer covered rising fuel, vehicle, and other operating costs. CHP argued that recruitment success had reduced vacancies and that costs had risen sharply since 2006, while LAO recommended rejection, citing that the expenses were ongoing, CHP still had vacancies above pre-pandemic levels, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces structural insolvency by 2028-29. Members discussed whether the account can sustain these costs and whether the Legislature should consider broader funding changes. CHP also sought a permanent $885,000 augmentation for seven analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force; CHP said freeway shootings had fallen sharply since 2021 and that analysts were essential to solving cases, while LAO noted the request was smaller than prior years but would create an ongoing commitment. Senators generally supported the task force but asked for clearer metrics and reporting, especially because the data categories had changed over time. Finally, the DMV presented the State-to-State verification system and related modernization work under DXP. DMV said State-to-State is required for Real ID compliance and that California must join the system by February 2027, with live testing planned for the summer. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data security, especially the inclusion of Social Security number digits in the system, the role of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and whether Californians understood their information would be shared in a nationwide database. DMV said the system only shares federally required data, uses encryption, and is designed to de-duplicate records across states, but members pressed for more information on governance, audit authority, and whether the Legislature had explicitly approved the data-sharing approach. The chair asked DMV to follow up with the Attorney General and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for me, when we talk about doing a moratorium on solar development, when I represent the Black Belt
• , which is having an increasing amount of solar development, when we talk about private landowners who
• </c><00:30:42.480><c> solar</c> important for the US to develop solar important for the US to develop
• </c> majority support solar development majority support solar development roughly<00:30:50.640><c> 51%
• when I represent the black development when I represent the black belt<00:31:04.720><c> which</c><00

Bills: SB341 , SB340 , SB341 , SB354 , SB340

Committee: Senate Transportation and Energy

Keywords: SB341, Alabama, veteran license plate, veteran tag, distinctive license tag, specialty plate, radiation exposure, atomic bomb testing, ionizing radiation, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, Cold War veterans, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Department of Veterans Affairs, probate judge

Transcript Highlights:

• Please include this in your fee structure for any new development.
• Please include this in your fee structure for any new development.
• Gentleman from 31: Just to declare Rule 80, I'm a developer.
• “You pay it in—what’s your development? What’s your development projects?”
• Center and the workforce into the Workforce Development Council.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud of how we've developed a culture of innovation at the Judiciary.
• </c> build healthy relationships and develop build healthy relationships and develop a<00:26:12.320><
• Developing the right tools for this work has taken years and is still evolving.
• Developing the right tools for this work has taken years and is still evolving.
• Developing the right tools for this work has taken years and is still evolving.

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Economic Development will now come to order. Please call the roll.
• And if our own state-side subs don’t accept those contracts, then those developers are just going to
• And so back to your point on the development, you shouldn't be extremely over budget.
• So this would be in a contract between the owner and the developer and the general contractor.
• And the Economic Development Committee is adjourned.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent all stages and aspects of mineral development in Idaho, from exploration to reclamation,
• Centera sees it as a very good area to be doing exploration and developing our business.
• Does the state of Idaho own any of the property that the mine development is on? Ms. Lyons. Mr.
• And as a junior developer, that's a lot of going back to the market, asking for money.
• And as a junior developer, that's a lot of going back to the market, asking for money.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact.
• The Small Business Development Center Network is growing California's economy every day.
• That definitely changes your autonomy in the development of your technology.
• Those loans had developed about 30 months, sorry, of interest before they went into repayment.
• And with that, again, I want to thank the SBDC development today for playing a critical role.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing focused on the California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and its role in helping small businesses access capital, recover from disasters, and scale innovative companies. Chair Salas and Vice Chair Castillo opened by emphasizing the importance of small businesses to California’s economy and noting recent passage of AB 685, described as a small business resiliency and innovation measure. Witnesses from multiple SBDC regions and business owners testified about the network’s statewide reach, confidentiality, multilingual advising, and partnerships with universities and state agencies. Panelists described SBDC’s work in three main areas: disaster recovery, startup and innovation support, and capital access. Testimony highlighted SBDC assistance after major disasters such as the Camp Fire, Dixie Fire, San Diego floods, and the Los Angeles fires, including help with insurance claims, grant applications, debt restructuring, and reopening businesses. Business owners from Altadena and Sacramento shared personal stories of how SBDC guidance, grants, and connections helped restore operations, preserve jobs, and navigate crises. Another panel focused on technology startups and the “valley of death,” explaining how SBDC helps founders with customer discovery, grant strategy, intellectual property, and financing; examples included a mobility-tech company and a biodegradable plastics startup that secured major grants, investment, and jobs with SBDC support. A third panel focused on access to capital, with SBDC staff explaining lending options, state loan programs, and finance centers that package loans and match businesses with lenders. They said many small businesses need less than $100,000 and often turn to high-cost alternatives without guidance; SBDC helps them refinance and secure better terms. A beverage company founder described using SBDC to move from a failed public affairs firm to launching a tequila brand, raising capital, and building distribution. Members asked about barriers facing immigrant-owned businesses, disaster aid gaps, and regulatory burdens; SBDC representatives said their services are confidential, available to eligible businesses regardless of immigration status, and designed to connect clients to whatever public or private resources exist. No formal vote was taken at the hearing, and the meeting ended after public comment with the chair urging continued funding for SBDC and related small business support programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• What do you think the cost for developing this plant, this decarbonization plan, is?
• What do you think the cost for developing this decarbonization plan would be on a facility-by-facility
• So a big part of what my job was was for new development or major operational changes, doing all the
• The bill would provide more tools and stronger direction for Ecology's development of options this year
• Can you talk a little bit about how you're thinking about how those costs for both the development of

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city of Fort Worth has entered into development agreements with those large estates and invested
• The three additional exemptions would be: one, land subject to an active development agreement within
• in a city that could remove, or within an ETJ that could remove themselves from that development and
• Those are statewide, but the active development agreement section is specific to Fort Worth only.
• But the active development agreement section is specific to Fort Worth only.

Bills: HB103

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• This particularly affects the Yum Center districts down in Louisville and some additional development
• Section 25 maintains the commitment to the development of alternative fuels policy, but also talks about
• for entertainment events, but do contemplate a future utilization of some of those revenues for developing
• act and some lodging development act and some lodging facility<00:15:15.160><c> projects</c><00:15:16.160
• those events in rural for developing those events in rural areas<00:16:03.319><c> in</c><00:16:03.480

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:02 HJR 53 Discussion 00:00:35 HJR 53 Vote 00:03:52 HB 622 Discussion 00:06:52 HB 622 Vote 00:12:55 HB 775 Discussion 00:13:50 HB 775 Vote 00:22:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first reconsidered House Joint Resolution 53, which concerns releasing previously appropriated funds for Kentucky State University. Kentucky State University President Kofi Aapo testified in support, describing significant enrollment growth, a balanced budget, and a $5 million fund balance since his arrival, and asking for continued support. Members praised his leadership while noting the institution still has work to do. The motion to reconsider passed, and the resolution then received favorable expression by a 9-2 vote. The committee next took up House Bill 622, a compromise bill involving the Kentucky Nonprofit Network and the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to improve prompt payment practices for grants and contracts, including partial payments on undisputed invoice items within 30 days and a process for disputed items. The bill also included several appropriation-related corrections and adjustments, including a fix to an allocation for Elizabethtown water and sewer projects, a change in an economic development recipient, revisions to school resource officer language, and additional contingency authority for the Capitol renovation. The committee adopted a title amendment and passed the bill with favorable expression by a 10-1 vote. House Bill 775 was then discussed as a broad tax and economic development measure. The bill covers TIF districts, electronic filing for craft brewers, pipeline property tax treatment, bourbon barrel tax cleanup, staged income tax reductions, extension of the Metropolitan College incentive, tourism and lodging incentives, reauthorization of an expired TIF, taxation and licensing of cannabis-infused beverages, alternative fuels and jet fuel tax credit review, entertainment event incentives, the selling farmer tax credit, IRC conformity, data center incentives, the first audit of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, and limits on additional electronic charity gaming locations until regulations are adopted. Members raised questions about the beverage tax structure, TIF impacts, and the income tax reduction provisions; some expressed concern about making future tax cuts easier, while others supported the bill’s TIF and agriculture provisions. The bill passed with favorable expression by a 7-2 vote with two pass votes, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so we check all the boxes and do land... development as well.
• I want to start with the statewide economic development professional association.
• Affordable housing is critical for economic development in our state.
• That will spur that type of development.
• I'm hoping that maybe this will bring some of the major developers back to the area.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue