Transcript Highlights:

• There's discussion on that motion. Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.
• Is there discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.
• Is there discussion on that motion? Representative Haas: For a comment on the motion? Sure.
• Is there discussion on that motion?
• Is there discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Friday, March 6, by voice vote. It then introduced RS 33658, a measure revised to specify four chemicals the Idaho State Police lab can test in connection with Schedule 1 substances; the motion passed, with Representative Scott recorded as voting no. House Bill 831 was then heard and advanced. The bill, sponsored by Representative Raybould, addresses conflicts between school safety policies and the use of school buildings as polling places, and would take effect in 2028 to allow time for coordination. Ada County Clerk Trent Tripple testified in strong support on behalf of all county clerks, saying the bill would provide more predictable, secure, and accessible polling locations while reducing conflicts with school operations. The committee sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 798, which repeals outdated code related to the State Treasurer’s former securities lending authority, and House Bill 799, which repeals several obsolete alcohol-related code sections. Representative Scott described both as code cleanup measures. Finally, the committee introduced RS 33645, which would set rules for ex parte communications with the Public Utilities Commission and limit gifts from lobbyists, similar to existing rules for judges. All of these motions passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any debate or discussion on that motion?
• Any debate or discussion on that motion?
• Committee, any debate or discussion on this motion?
• Any debate or discussion on that motion?
• Any debate or discussion on the motion?

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met to consider a full docket of RS introductions, with members noting the committee was working from digital materials and moving quickly. Representative Hill presented RS 33521, the Foreign Adversary Investment Act, to prohibit state public investment dollars from being placed in adversary countries; it was introduced. Representative Hawkins presented RS 33543, which would make it illegal to knowingly help hide, transport, house, financially support, or otherwise assist people in Idaho whose presence violates federal law; the motion to introduce passed with recorded nays from Representatives Rubel, Birch, and Church. Representative Sauter presented three measures for special districts: RS 33530 on boundary adjustments and tax-base changes for fire and library districts, RS 33531 allowing fire and ambulance service districts to adopt development impact fee ordinances, and RS 33532 allowing certain special districts to use impact fee funds for up to 50% of fire apparatus replacement costs under a capital improvement plan. All three were introduced. Representative Wheeler presented RS 33414 on contractor registration and discipline, RS 33452 creating a dispute-resolution/appraisal process for auto insurance valuation disagreements, and RS 33453 raising the minimum property damage liability limit from $15,000 to $25,000; all were introduced. Representative Shirts presented RS 33480 to create a licensing structure for retail hemp sellers and RS 33481 to clarify hemp grower violations and align state law with federal hemp standards; both were introduced. Representative Ehlers presented RS 32913 and RS 33477 as code-cleanup measures removing outdated or duplicative language, with RS 32913 addressing corporate credit unions and cemetery language and RS 33477 addressing fishing and game fines; both were introduced, and a minor typo in the statement of purpose for RS 33477 was noted but not amended in committee. Representative Pickett then presented RS 33437 to clarify that one motor vehicle remains exempt in bankruptcy regardless of operability, insurability, or registration status, and it was introduced. The committee adjourned after all motions carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open discussion on House Bill 1298. Any comment?
• Any further discussion on Senator Paulson's amendment?
• So I think we need some more discussion here than if we're going to...
• I think we need some more discussion here than if we're going to...
• So I like the discussion.

Bills: HB1053

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: North Dakota highway system, state roads, road mileage cap, transportation code, Department of Transportation, DOT, highway mileage limit, road classification, county roads, township roads, state highway network, Century Code section 24-01-01.2, infrastructure, public roads, transportation policy, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 1298 and first discussed an amendment from Senator Paulson that would add variable electronic speed limit signs to the bill while leaving the 80-mile-an-hour provision unchanged. Members said the signs would be used on interstates I-29 and I-94 in selected problem areas, based on weather or accident conditions, and that the proposal would not require a fiscal note. The discussion then broadened to Senator Rummel’s concerns about related bills, especially 2243, 1250, and 1229. He argued that the House changes were removing municipal authority to double fines, lowering or eliminating points for serious traffic violations, and undoing prior Senate positions. Several members said they were willing to use HB 1298 as the vehicle to restore the earlier fine and point provisions, including the 29 violations previously assigned three points, and to avoid concurring with the House versions. Members did not take final action on the amendments or the bill. Instead, they agreed more work was needed and asked Legislative Council to prepare a combined amendment and options for the next meeting. The committee recessed and scheduled further discussion for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's a larger discussion.
• Can you discuss what the cap currently is on Covered California?
• We are open to discussions, whether it's, you know, at the state level with resources and discussing
• It's just to kind of bridge us until we can have a discussion about longer-term solutions.
• But we are more than happy to continue the discussion on data.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “So we have pressures that the EPA—the pressures they’re discussing that they discuss with Texas.
• What numbers are being discussed with EPA?
• What numbers are being discussed with EPA pressure numbers?
• I mean, we're going to have some discussion now. Well, I'd love to.
• Chairman, I thank the members and yourself for having this discussion, and we'll continue discussion

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't see any other discussion on the motion.
• I cannot begin to discuss public lands, their management...
• McGoldrick just discussed.
• Discussion on the motion.
• I don't see any other discussion.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 20 and February 23, 2026. It then introduced several RS measures, including RS 3313-C-1 on Idaho Housing and Finance Association reporting and transparency, RS 33525 relating to an Idaho Department of Fish and Game gun club-related alternative, and RS 3344-1, a trigger bill concerning machine guns if the federal ban is repealed or overturned. Each of those motions passed without opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1326, a private property/warrant bill sponsored by Senator Harris. The bill would generally require government agents to have a warrant, exigent circumstances, or consent before entering private land not open to the public, while preserving certain exceptions for law enforcement, water rights, drones, weed control, and abatement districts. Supporters, including landowners and the Idaho Farm Bureau, described experiences with government officials entering private property without permission; Fish and Game and the Idaho Association of Counties opposed the bill, arguing it would hinder routine compliance checks and enforcement. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send SB 1326 to the 14th order for possible amendment. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 1286, sponsored by Senator Nichols, which would regulate paid non-accredited assistance for veterans’ federal benefit claims. Supporters said the bill would protect veterans from aggressive marketing, unclear fees, and misuse of personal information while preserving access to free help and allowing contingent-fee arrangements under set rules. Some veterans testified in favor of consumer protections, while one veteran said the bill could limit his ability to choose paid help that had worked for him. The committee approved a motion to send SB 1286 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 103, sponsored by Senator Adams, proposing a constitutional amendment to create a trust for certain lands granted or acquired from the federal government and to bar their sale, with revenues used for land management, county payments, and education-related purposes. Supporters framed it as a way to protect public lands from sale and preserve access, while opponents from Conservation Voters for Idaho and the Wilderness Society warned it could create financial uncertainty, wildfire costs, and management problems without a clear state structure. The transcript ends during continued testimony on the resolution, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know we have lots of discussion coming up on adequacy.
• So this is going to kind of guide my discussion today.
• And that's something you can ask if it was discussed during the adequacy study itself.
• And that's something you can ask if it was discussed during the adequacy study itself.
• And I'm going to discuss each of these categories briefly.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion. The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Um, is there any further uh discussion Um, is there any further uh discussion or<00:10:47.839><c
• Any further discussion? 1500. 1500.
• </c><00:25:19.440><c> of</c> will move on now to the discussion of will move on now to the discussion
• This is discuss this regulation.
• </c> or any any of these discussions. or any any of these discussions.

Committee: Joint Health Services

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:55.920><c> because</c> connected to that discussion because connected to that discussion because
• </c> Discussion on the bill. Second. Discussion on the bill. Second.
• </c><01:15:30.000><c> that</c> if you wanted to have a discussion that if you wanted to have a discussion
• </c> discussion at the national level. discussion at the national level.
• But it would have that discussion, too.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:42.559><c> and</c> dreim thank you for the discussion and dreim thank you for the discussion
• <01:09:05.080><c> on</c><01:09:05.279><c> the</c> discussions on the discussions on the A3<01:09:07.400
• Good discussion.
• members good discussion um just to members good discussion um just to comment<01:28:47.760><c> real</
• I have been in discussion with both DEED.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our discussions, you know, it's a firearm.
• And we've had some discussion about that.
• Just, this is for discussion purposes.
• We are having to discuss this issue that you brought up.
• Is there any further discussion at this time among the commissioners? Okay, seeing...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology met to review its work on intentional microstamping and personalized firearms and to discuss draft recommendations for a final report. The co-chairs summarized testimony received from manufacturers, advocates, law enforcement, and officials from New Jersey, New York, and California. For microstamping, the discussion focused on how the technology could help trace spent casings, its limits in forensic use, and concerns about wear, tampering, implementation costs, and whether it would burden lawful gun owners. For personalized firearms, members reviewed testimony about biometric smart guns, their current commercial availability, higher cost, and potential benefits for preventing accidental shootings and unauthorized use, especially involving children and suicide prevention. Commissioners expressed a range of views. Several supported microstamping as a crime-solving tool and endorsed a recommendation that the legislature direct a feasibility and viability study, set standards and training, fund implementation, and create penalties for tampering. Others opposed microstamping, arguing it has not worked in other states, may not reduce crime, and could impose costs on manufacturers and owners. On personalized firearms, most commissioners supported encouraging the technology, but there was disagreement over whether to create a temporary sales tax exemption; some favored an incentive to promote adoption, while others opposed any tax subsidy for firearms or questioned whether the data justified it. The co-chairs said they would draft a report reflecting the majority consensus and circulate it for review before a final vote at a later meeting, likely in July. The commission also discussed which executive branch agency should conduct the microstamping feasibility study, with the Attorney General’s office and EOPSS mentioned as possibilities. The meeting ended with agreement to reconvene for final votes on the report and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? Representative Berg, then now is your time to... Okay.
• But we have discussed it, how we can maintain it.
• Is there any discussion in those circles about those policy changes? Mr.
• The motion carried forward for discussion.
• If it were, as discussed earlier, actually remanded back...

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Discussion. Not seeing any, those in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Adopted. Discussion.
• Any questions or discussion? Questions or discussion of the chairman. Senator Harris. Mr.
• I don't see any other discussion.
• Discussion on the motion.
• I don't see any other discussion.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee first approved the March 18 and March 20, 2026 minutes. It then considered RS 33851, a proposed reconfiguration of an earlier bill that would avoid possible free-speech issues by changing language from “resident” to “qualified elector”; the committee voted to send it to print, with Senator Shippy recorded as a nay. The committee also heard RS 33853, a kratom-related proposal to classify mitragynine speciosa as a Schedule I drug with a delayed effective date and stepped penalties, but no action was taken on it. The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1441, which would create a statewide framework requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE through 287(g) agreements, while allowing exceptions if resources are not reasonably available or if local governing bodies make written findings. Supporters, including Senator Anthon and representatives from ICRMP and the sheriffs’ association, argued the bill would standardize cooperation and address liability concerns by clarifying coverage under the Idaho Tort Claims Act. Opponents, including sheriffs and county representatives, said the bill blurred constitutional roles between sheriffs and county commissions, created an unfunded mandate, and risked federal oversight of local law enforcement. The committee voted 6-3 to send SB 1441 to the 14th order for possible amendment. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1443, which would allow the Department of Corrections director to conditionally release certain incarcerated noncitizen offenders with final deportation orders into ICE custody before they complete their Idaho sentences, with restitution, victim notification, tolling of the remaining sentence, and an indefinite warrant if they return. Supporters said the bill could reduce costs and align with deterrence and accountability, while critics raised concerns about victim safety, unequal treatment compared with U.S. citizen offenders, and the lack of probation or ongoing supervision after release to ICE. After debate, the motion to send SB 1443 to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed 4-5, and the bill was held in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was part of the discussions with the honey folks and with Mr.
• Jones, I was part of the discussions with the honey folks and with Mr.
• There were a lot of discussions. We had two separate meetings, if I recall.
• Is there any discussion on the motion? Thank you, Representative.
• Is there any discussion on the motion? Are there any other motions?

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agricultural Committee approved the minutes from its March 10 meeting and then took up several bills. House Bill 826 would shift regulatory functions of the Honey Commission to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture while leaving marketing and publicity with the commission; the sponsor and Idaho Honey Industry Association said the change largely codifies an existing memorandum of understanding, and the committee advanced the bill on a do-pass recommendation after questions about the $10,000 penalty, consultation with producers, and whether a misdemeanor penalty remained in the code. The committee also heard and advanced Senate Bill 1242, a DOGE cleanup bill removing obsolete definitions and duplicative public records language, and Senate Bill 1243, which removes outdated Soil and Water Commission/Idaho One Plan language; both were described as code cleanup and passed without opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1283 on direct-to-consumer sales for small producers. Representative Boyle said the bill is intended to help small Idaho producers sell directly to consumers, with labeling, recordkeeping, and food-safety requirements, while exempting them from rules aimed at large commercial operations. Testimony was largely supportive from producers, Fair Idaho, Farm Bureau, and livestock groups, who said the bill would expand local markets and help smaller operations, though Food Northwest opposed it over concerns about labeling, training, and foodborne-illness protections. Committee members raised questions about dairy, catfish, raw milk, animal shares, safety, and the bill’s revenue cap; supporters said the bill keeps existing protections for milk and dairy and includes recordkeeping and temperature standards. The committee then voted to send Senate Bill 1283 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with members noting potential conflicts and support from their districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll—I was going to ask if there's any discussion.
• It prompts further discussion. Yeah, we'll go to this.
• Are there any questions for the bill sponsor or any discussion on the SCR?
• It's been an interesting discussion, especially between their odds and deeds today.
• Is there any discussion? Seeing none, members, you've heard the question.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first heard SCR 1028, a voter-referral constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for state fee and assessment increases set by agencies, closing what supporters described as a loophole that has allowed fee hikes without direct legislative approval. The sponsor argued the measure would restore accountability and prevent agencies from using fees as a workaround for tax increases, while opponents from business and economic groups warned it would make agencies less responsive, delay needed adjustments for inflation and program costs, and shift costs to taxpayers or reduce funding for services. After debate, the committee returned SCR 1028 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent. The committee then took up SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations and set eligibility requirements for those organizations. Supporters said the program would bring in private dollars at no state cost, expand school choice, and help students with tutoring, special needs, transportation, and other educational expenses; they also argued that if Arizona does not opt in, donations could flow to other states. Opponents, including the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, said the federal program was not yet fully written, lacked guardrails, and could further strain public schools by diverting resources away from the majority of students who remain in district schools. The committee returned SB 1142 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Castile: Aye.
• Any discussion? Seeing none, I have a House Committee substitute to offer ending in .02C.
• Any additional discussion?
• Any discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Castile: Aye.
• Any discussion?

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Discussion on that motion. Senator Anthony. I'll speak to the motion.
• I don't see any other discussion.
• We were not discussed openly.
• I don't see any other discussion.
• I don't see any other discussion.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion?
• Any discussion?
• Any discussion?
• Any discussion?
• </c> discussion? If not, Senator Chang. discussion? If not, Senator Chang.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and then voted on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 71, asking the Coalina Golf Club to work with the Department of Transportation to prevent golf balls from reaching Fington Highway, drew no opposition in testimony; a member thanked the golf club for cooperating after a constituent’s windshield was struck, and the measure was passed unamended. HCR 19 HD1, supporting Taiwan’s international participation and a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, received only DBED testimony in support and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 163, urging the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to establish an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, was supported by DBEDT and the foundation itself, which said it would welcome such a festival subject to funding and staff resources; it was passed unamended. In the later joint session, HCR 70 on accelerating sustainable aviation fuels received support from the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, while DOT said it is already working on clean fuels through its greenhouse-gas reduction efforts and that the resolution would mainly require a more targeted progress report; the measure passed, with one no vote in the joint committee vote. HCR 123, on a restricted parking zone pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods, had no oral testimony and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 57, on a traffic mitigation and calming study in Waipahu, also had no testimony and was passed unamended. HCR 112, urging Honolulu to adopt a pedestrian-first policy, drew broad support from public health, planning, bicycling, and student witnesses, though one testifier urged coordination with existing county plans; it passed unamended. HCR 177, encouraging a summer streets pilot program, also passed unamended. For HCR 203, urging Maui County to prioritize planning for the Kihei North-South Collector Road, the chairs proposed technical amendments to correct the responsible agency from the Planning Department to the Public Works Department, and the measure passed with those amendments. Across the meetings, the committee repeatedly noted when there were no further questions or testimony, and each resolution was adopted by the committee after the stated recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the whole concept discussion?
• At that point, do we have a motion for a discussion on the amendments?
• So, if we could have a motion, do we have a second for discussion? All right.
• Our discussion is pretty much reflected in the discussion that we were having today, but.
• Thank you, presenters, and thank you everyone for this discussion.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> discussing this. discussing this.
• Any discussion? Um, just discussion on this.
• Any<01:21:01.560><c> discussion?</c> Any discussion? Any discussion?
• Um so, discussion. Um Chair. Um so, discussion.
• Any discussion? Chair, um measure. Any discussion?

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.