Transcript Highlights:

• That no parent wants to hear. There is no heartbeat.
• Sorry, I didn't hear you. My name is James Min.
• Hearing none, registration is closed.
• After hearing all this, I was kind of hoping we could...
• Hearing none, that is so ordered.

Bills: HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744 , HB18 , HB37 , HB116

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Local Government Committee hearing.
• Protesters have appeared at some of our legislative hearings.
• removed from the hearing.
• I'd like to thank you for hearing the bill today.
• I'd like to thank you for hearing the bill today.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda focused heavily on housing, local government, Brown Act teleconferencing, and public agency administration. Early bills included AB 39, which would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization; AB 76, which clarifies Chula Vista’s university innovation district housing requirements; AB 259, AB 409, and AB 467, which extend or modernize Brown Act teleconferencing provisions for local agencies, community college student bodies, and Los Angeles neighborhood councils; and AB 428, which would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance. Supporters emphasized climate planning, housing access, public participation, safety, and cost savings, while several bills were amended to address stakeholder concerns. Most of these measures advanced on bipartisan votes, generally 6-1 or 7-0, and were left open for additional members to add on later. The committee also heard AB 632, which would strengthen local enforcement tools for serious code violations, fire hazards, illegal cannabis operations, and unsafe housing by allowing unpaid administrative fines to be converted into money judgments and liens. Local government and code enforcement groups supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element reporting and require broader reporting of demolitions and replacement housing compliance; supporters argued preservation is essential because many unsubsidized affordable homes are at risk. AB 761 would allow Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a future sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board, rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction, to preserve transit funding for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These measures also moved forward, with the committee noting amendments and sending them to the next committees of referral. Another major item was AB 810, which would require special districts and joint powers authorities to migrate public-facing websites and email addresses to .gov or CA.gov domains by 2031. The author argued the change would reduce fraud and improve public trust, especially after emergency-related scams, while opponents from special districts and IT organizations said the transition would be costly and difficult for smaller agencies. Several school-related opponents withdrew after amendments, and committee members discussed possible aliases and tribal-government language. The bill passed 7-1 to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Finally, AB 1206 proposed a pre-approved design catalog for single-family homes and small multifamily developments, modeled on a prior ADU bill, to speed rebuilding and reduce design costs; supporters from Habitat for Humanity and housing advocates said it would help both wildfire recovery and broader housing production, and the bill drew at least one opposed-unless-amended position as the committee moved into further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.
• Chair and members, thank you for hearing my testimony today.
• These are important measures that you are hearing today. My name is Chris Gannon.
• Hearing none, the chair moves to adjourn the Committee on Land and Resource Management.
• Hearing none, the committee stands adjourned, subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB602 , HB1322 , HB1930 , HB2225 , HB2304 , HB2494 , HB3275 , HB3810 , HB3919

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everyone, to the Judiciary Committee hearing this Wednesday morning.
• Hearing none, the measure is adopted.
• Hearing none, the measure is adopted.
• Hearing none, the measure is adopted.
• No votes or reservations<00:57:21.920><c> hearing</c><00:57:22.319><c> none.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to note that I hear from families all the time.
• Statement, but I'd be curious to hear your response.
• Um, can y'all hear me? So, uh, my name is Amy Harfeld.
• Can you hear me now?
• Did you hear that question? Yes, I can go through them quickly.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of his last budget hearings. We'll be working from Tab Nine in your binders.
• There are some differences in specials and supplementals, which you'll hear more about later.
• Hear more about later.
• Some members will hear this again.
• Currently, we can see it, but we can't hear it. Thank you. Yeah.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> on</c><00:27:09.039><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; They can't hear you on the &gt;&gt; They can't hear you
• We hear the stories over and over and over again.
• Hearing none, your objections?
• </c> hearing none, recommendation is adopted. hearing none, recommendation is adopted.
• Hearing none, your objections?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2294, which would require condominium associations, boards, and managing agents to comply with declarations, bylaws, county ordinances, and state and federal laws, including mortgage lending requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill as redundant, arguing existing law already requires compliance and provides penalties. Supporters, including condominium owners and board members, said the measure would clarify that associations are not “self-governing” in a way that exempts them from outside laws, and cited examples where local officials or police told residents to take issues back to their boards. Several supporters said the bill would reinforce board responsibility for permits, safety, and legal compliance. The committee noted 27 pieces of testimony, with 10 in support and 17 in opposition, and then moved on without taking a vote on the measure in the transcript provided. The committee also took up SB 2298, which would require common interest community proxy forms to include additional language explaining proxy selection options. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying the proposed language was inaccurate and would not improve consumer clarity unless significantly revised. Supporters argued that proxy forms are confusing and that clearer instructions would help homeowners understand how their votes are being used. Opponents said the added language would make the forms longer and more confusing, and suggested a separate instruction sheet or other educational material instead. Testimony also raised broader concerns about proxy voting being misused in some associations, with one witness urging that proxy voting be eliminated altogether. The committee reported 29 written testimonies, including seven in support, 19 in opposition, and three with comments, and again did not record a final vote in the excerpt. For SB 2300, which would shorten condominium reserve cash-flow projections from 30 years to 25 years, the Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would not make housing more affordable, would reduce transparency, and would increase the annual burden by giving associations less time to save for long-life components. The group suggested that if affordability is the goal, lawmakers should consider allowing future loans or special assessments with guardrails. Supporters of the bill said the shorter projection period would better reflect practical budgeting and help associations plan more realistically, though some supporters also warned against relying too heavily on loans and emphasized accountability and fiduciary responsibility. Other testimony stressed that the impact of changing the projection period would vary by association and that many owners are already struggling with rising fees. The discussion remained focused on testimony and policy concerns, with no final action on SB 2300 shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> will be the issue that you'll hear will be the issue that you'll hear county<00:03:22.480><c> officials
• </c> can you hear me? can you hear me?
• </c> Can you all hear me? Can you all hear me?
• </c><00:54:19.280><c> on</c> members of this committee for hearing on members of this committee for hearing
• Thank you." this committee hearing is about. It's to this committee hearing is about.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 21 minutes, and then heard a KO presentation focused on county jail funding pressures. KO leaders and county judges said jail costs have become a statewide crisis, noting that county general fund contributions to jail budgets have risen sharply since 2019. They said the organization’s sole legislative priority this session is to “reshape the shared responsibility” for county jails through three main proposals: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and changing the model for housing state inmates. On regional jails, KO proposed one-time state construction help for new or expanded regional facilities, allowing former county jails to become 96-hour holdover facilities, changing regional jail authority boards so each participating county jailer can serve, increasing the closed-jail supplement, and offering a one-time payment to counties that close a jail and join a regional plan. On pre-trial felony detainees, Judge Mosley argued counties bear the full cost for people held before trial, sometimes for years, and said counties should be reimbursed for time served credit when those inmates are later sentenced. On state inmates, KO said the current per diem of $35.34 is below the average daily county jail cost of $63.44, and proposed a new contract model requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs while counties provide agreed programming such as substance use treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academic programming. Members asked about the fiscal impact of the package, the feasibility of regional jail population thresholds, and whether the proposal could affect counties’ ability to house federal inmates. KO said regionalization should remain a local decision, that a bill draft and fiscal note were being developed, and that only certain jails are eligible to house federal inmates under existing agreements. Representative Maddox also asked about social media comments by Judge Mosley regarding homeschooling; Mosley said the remarks were unrelated to KO and apologized for any offense. Senator Mills asked what counties would do with savings from jail costs, and judges said the money would likely go to local services such as roads, ambulance service, senior programs, parks, economic development, infrastructure, broadband, and water projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• about you know in our hearing hearing about you know clinics<00:29:58.159><c> that</c><00:29:58.399>
• </c> time to hear it in committee this year. time to hear it in committee this year.
• And the other comment that I want to make about teacher pensions because I hear, you know, I hear from
• ,</c> about teacher pensions because I hear, about teacher pensions because I hear, you<01:16:34.480>
• ><c> people,</c><01:16:35.120><c> they're</c> you know, I hear from people, they're you know, I hear

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear me? Loud and clear, thank you.
• What you won't hear, and it was mentioned at the hearing on the 20th of February, is that in the winter
• What you won't hear, and it was mentioned at the hearing on the 20th of February, is that in the winter
• </c><01:13:05.360><c> me</c> online yes I am can you guys hear me online yes I am can you guys hear me
• Can you hear me? We can hear you. Thank you, sir.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:31.039><c> or</c> to be coming back for the hearing or to be coming back for the hearing or
• Can you see and hear me? Yes, I hear you. Please proceed. Great, great. Thank you.
• Hearing none, recommendation adopted. House Bill 322.
• Hearing none, recommendation adopted. Thank you.
• Hearing none, recommendation adopted. Thank you. House Bill 686.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's important for us to be able to hear from them today.
• I hope everybody can hear me.
• </c><01:12:14.520><c> a</c> realities of of that so you're hearing a realities of of that so you're hearing
• </c><01:13:17.560><c> this</c> grateful and hopefully you hear this grateful and hopefully you hear this
• [Music] That there will not be a hearing tomorrow, but we are adjourned. [Music]

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to this hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
• I'll be chairing this hearing.
• As is customary, this is a hybrid hearing.
• We have individuals physically present in the hearing room and individuals joining us remotely.
• Oh, perhaps here we see someone in the Teams virtual hearing room. Mr. Hodges.

Bills: H5426 , H5434 , S3084 , S3087 , S3088 , S3092

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: North Attleborough, town charter, home rule charter, municipal government, local option, charter amendment, Parks and Recreation Commission, Park Commission, write-in candidate, sticker candidate, ballot access, town election, bylaw, ordinance, board membership, local approval, Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, planning board, associate members

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing and hearing none, I want to bring it to the committee.
• Hearing and seeing none, bring it back to the committee. Any members wishing to? Okay.
• Hearing and seeing no one walk. Primary opposition?
• Hearing and seeing none. Anyone in primary opposition to this measure? Hearing and seeing none.
• Hearing and seeing none. Any primary opposition in the room? Seeing none.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to hear House Bill 1056 first. If Mr. Wilson could read the bill in, we'll go there.
• Chairman and members, for hearing this this afternoon.
• It covers administrative hearings. Mr. McSalle, you have to wrap up.
• We're immune from this because this is not... ...hearing, and they say, we're immune.
• Let Robert hear his bill first. Mr. Wilson, we're going to take up SB 480 next.

Bills: SB480 , HB621 , HB637 , HB804 , HB841 , HB1056

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Do not register until you hear the bell. The House will now proceed to register.
• Hearing none, so ordered. The clerk will read the first bill on the calendar.
• Hearing none, so ordered.
• Do not vote until you hear the bell. The House will now proceed to vote.
• Do not vote until you hear the bell. The House will now proceed to vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move out of executive session and we move into the public hearing portion.
• We'll be hearing House Bill 1845.
• Out of executive session, we move into the public hearing portion.
• We'll be hearing House Bill 3080 by Representative Riggs.
• I'll chat with you after the hearing here. Mr.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee first took up House Bill 1845 in executive session and voted it do pass unanimously. The committee then moved into a public hearing on House Bill 3080, sponsored by Representative Riggs, which was presented as a technical/emergency fix to restore Missouri’s historic preservation tax credit provisions after a court ruling invalidated prior legislation because of unrelated “chicken coop” language. Riggs said the bill was needed to protect more than $300 million in projects already underway and noted companion legislation was moving in the Senate. Committee members expressed support and emphasized the importance of historic redevelopment, especially in St. Louis and other communities. Supporters testified that the bill would stabilize financing for projects already in progress and preserve a key tool for redeveloping vacant historic buildings, schools, theaters, and other properties statewide. Witnesses described specific projects including Delmar Devine in St. Louis, a vacant school in Hermann, the Englewood Theater in Independence, Cooper House, and Elliott School, explaining that tax credits were essential to making the projects financially feasible and to leveraging private investment, grants, and other financing. Several speakers said the credits help address housing shortages, neighborhood blight, and community revitalization, and that uncertainty after the court ruling was threatening construction and financing commitments. One witness, Arnie C., testified in opposition, calling the measure a corporate giveaway and arguing the state could not afford the program. Committee members responded that the bill was a corrective measure, not an expansion of credits, and that it was necessary because projects had already been approved and were in various stages of completion. After hearing testimony from supporters, one opponent, and no additional witnesses, the chair closed the hearing on House Bill 3080 and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to go with the public hearing first, and then we will move into executive session after
• And that concludes the hearing for 6269. And we will move to 6223.
• And that concludes the hearing for 6269. And we will move to 6223.
• And when you hear my voice, just go ahead and unmute. Linda, if you can hear me. I can. Thank you.
• That concludes the hearing for 6223. With this, we will move to the executive session.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee first held a public hearing on SB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act to broaden the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous fuels and electricity and remove the separate alternative fuel definition. Staff and the Department of Agriculture said the change would let WSDA inspect and test hydrogen and other newer fuels; Commerce and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as needed for hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and the hearing closed with the chair noting broad support. The committee then heard SB 6223, which would authorize community-scale weatherization projects under the low-income weatherization program. Supporters from community action, Spark Northwest, Commerce, and Washington Conservation Action said the bill would let the state weatherize multiple homes at once, improve health and safety, reduce energy burdens, and help meet climate and grid goals more quickly. Staff said the bill has a fiscal note for rulemaking and administration. The hearing ended with strong support and no opposition testimony. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and passed SB 5982, SB 6050, SB 5965, SB 6010, SB 5984, SB 6076, and SB 5652 to the Rules Committee or Ways and Means, depending on the bill. Amendments were adopted on SB 5965 to adjust carryout bag provisions, while amendments on SB 6010 were not adopted. SB 5982 would update CETA-related utility definitions and reporting, SB 6050 addresses distributed energy resources and utility rules, SB 5965 revises carryout bag requirements, SB 6010 concerns EFSEC tribal consultation, SB 5984 regulates AI companion chatbots, SB 6076 streamlines procurement for certain clean energy projects, and SB 5652 concerns environmental and health mitigation in large port districts. The committee also noted it would not take action that day on SB 5975 and SB 5466.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to hear everybody in on this one.
• Announcements. to hear I want to hear everybody in on to hear I want to hear everybody in on this<00:
• We will go to the House for a joint session beginning at 10:30 a.m. to hear the State of the Tribes address
• <c> state</c><00:24:50.480><c> of</c><00:24:50.640><c> the</c><00:24:50.799><c> tribes</c> a.m. to hear
• the state of the tribes a.m. to hear the state of the tribes address.<00:24:51.520><c> A</c><00:24:51.760

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it being a little later than the appointed time, we'll get an open committee hearing for the Senate
• And I understand I hear my colleagues.
• And I understand I hear my &gt;&gt; No.
• And I understand I hear my colleagues.<00:08:03.520><c> I</c><00:08:03.680><c> think</c><00:08:03.759
• is around $15,000 in the public hearing is around $15,000 plus<00:09:01.360><c> um</c><00:09:01.519>

Committee: Senate Ways and Means