Transcript Highlights:

• :32.400><c> that's</c><01:02:32.680><c> the</c><01:02:32.799><c> way</c><01:02:32.960><c> our</c><01:
• 02:41.200><c> did</c><01:02:41.440><c> a</c><01:02:41.920><c> bad</c><01:02:42.279><c> tax</c> so what
• </c><01:02:43.559><c> would</c><01:02:43.839><c> happen</c><01:02:44.319><c> if</c><01:02:44.520><c>
• is</c><01:02:46.640><c> something</c><01:02:47.240><c> that</c><01:02:48.119><c> we</c><01:02:48.279>
• :02:52.799><c> nothing</c><01:02:53.119><c> to</c><01:02:53.319><c> do</c><01:02:53.720><c> with</c>

Summary: The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates. The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted. Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:14.959><c> other</c><00:02:15.280><c> nations</c><00:02:15.840><c> including</c><00:02:16.400
• other um<00:02:23.040><c> e</c><00:02:23.920><c> EU</c><00:02:24.480><c> members,</c><00:02:25.680><
• 00:02:50.000><c> that</c><00:02:50.239><c> is</c><00:02:50.640><c> it</c><00:02:50.879><c> is</c> our
• </c><00:02:51.519><c> country's</c><00:02:52.160><c> best</c><00:02:52.560><c> interest</c><00:02:53.440
• We<00:02:56.800><c> can</c><00:02:57.040><c> all</c><00:02:57.440><c> see</c><00:02:57.680><c> that</

Committee: House Small Business & Information Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• some information<00:02:40.920><c> to</c><00:02:41.080><c> follow</c><00:02:41.319><c> up</c><00:02:41.480
• c><00:02:45.200><c> those</c><00:02:45.319><c> of</c><00:02:45.480><c> you</c><00:02:45.680><c> folks
• that don't<00:02:46.480><c> know</c><00:02:47.319><c> um</c><00:02:47.480><c> is</c><00:02:47.599><c
• 02:52.640><c> offices</c><00:02:53.640><c> all</c><00:02:53.959><c> four</c><00:02:54.319><c> County<
• c> could</c><01:02:02.559><c> use</c><01:02:03.160><c> 100%</c><01:02:04.160><c> of</c><01:02:04.400>

Transcript Highlights:

• So I wonder<00:02:44.560><c> if</c><00:02:44.680><c> you'd</c><00:02:44.880><c> please</c><00:02:45.200
• And<00:02:47.360><c> we</c><00:02:47.480><c> have</c><00:02:47.680><c> Christine</c><00:02:48.240><c>
• and Nathan<00:02:50.120><c> White</c><00:02:50.360><c> here</c><00:02:50.840><c> this</c><00:02:51.040
• </c><00:02:54.440><c> Chris</c><00:02:54.720><c> Santanello,</c> Good afternoon.
• Nathan White, chief<00:02:58.040><c> financial</c><00:02:58.480><c> officer.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• :26.800><c> as</c><00:02:27.040><c> well</c><00:02:27.680><c> and</c><00:02:27.920><c> re</c><00:02:28.239
• and re recommends that the<00:02:29.280><c> effective</c><00:02:29.840><c> date</c><00:02:30.160><c>
• :32.640><c> 1st,</c><00:02:33.120><c> 2026</c><00:02:34.160><c> and</c><00:02:34.640><c> that</c><00:
• </c><00:02:37.120><c> uh</c><00:02:37.280><c> for</c><00:02:37.599><c> changes</c><00:02:38.160><c> necessary
• <c> implement</c><00:02:40.080><c> this</c><00:02:40.400><c> new</c><00:02:40.640><c> funding</c><00:

Bills: HB1688 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1915 , HB1692 , HB1524 , HB1884 , HB1523 , HB2213 , HB2186 , HB2163 , HB1908 , HB1910

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2699, which would create a youth transit program within DOT and a special fund tied to the environmental response/energy/food security tax fund. The chair described support from several agencies but also noted Attorney General concerns about whether the special fund met statutory criteria, DOE comments requesting a July 1, 2026 effective date, and broader funding concerns because the bill would draw from general fund resources. The chair recommended deferral, saying the measure involved significant long-term costs and needed more work on a funding mechanism. The committee deferred the bill. The committee then heard SB 3182, relating to administrative license revocation procedures. HDOT supported the measure, while the Judiciary opposed the bill as written, citing operational, staffing, fiscal, and mailing burdens from requiring ADLRO to mail all case documents to every respondent within five days. Judiciary said it handles about 3,000 to 4,000 DUI cases annually and would need additional staff and certified-mail costs. Prosecutors from the state and county supported a proposed SD1 version, saying it would address backlog concerns and help DUI enforcement by creating a presumption of revocation. The committee ultimately recommended support and passage of SD1. The committee also heard SB 3313 on interisland air service stability and transformation. The Attorney General warned the bill could be preempted by the federal Airline Deregulation Act and raised constitutional concerns about a local-hire provision. DOTAX said the program would be complicated to administer and suggested third-party certification. No action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard SB 3337, which would eliminate state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for motor vehicles; HDOT opposed it, while DOTAX provided comments and the Hawaii Transportation Association supported it. The transcript then moved to SB 2896, lowering the minimum age for commercial driving from 19 to 18. HDOT supported the bill, the Hawaii Transportation Association strongly supported it and suggested added training requirements, and an Operating Engineers representative supported the concept but urged that young drivers be tied to apprenticeship or other structured training programs. No vote was shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard SB 2400, which would exempt wing-in-ground craft from the Hawaii Waters Act and define those craft in law. The PUC supported the bill’s intent, and Regent Craft testified in strong support, describing sea gliders as all-electric vessels that could improve interisland access, resiliency, and decarbonization while using existing harbor infrastructure. HTDC and several other groups also supported the measure. Members asked about infrastructure, ports, weather operations, and Coast Guard jurisdiction, and the witness said operators would decide harbor locations and that the company had identified multiple possible ports. No final committee action was included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and CEO<00:02:02.799><c> of</c><00:02:02.960><c> the</c><00:02:03.119><c> Kentucky</c><00:02:03.520>
• 00:02:07.040><c> organization</c><00:02:07.680><c> that</c><00:02:07.920><c> really</c><00:02:08.239>
• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:25.040><c> can't</c><00:02:25.280><c> help</c><00:02:25.440><c> you</c><00:02:25.599
• So, beyond<00:02:35.120><c> that,</c><00:02:35.440><c> it's</c><00:02:35.599><c> it's</c><00:02:35.920
• Um, what<00:02:37.599><c> we'd</c><00:02:37.840><c> like</c><00:02:38.000><c> to</c><00:02:38.160><c>

Summary: The committee received an update from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, joined by Matt Wingate and Terry Bradshaw of the Kentucky Association of Economic Developers, on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) and the closing fund. The presentation focused on how KPDI helps communities develop shovel-ready industrial sites by funding infrastructure, engineering, geotechnical work, and other site-preparation costs. Noel emphasized that the program is designed to reduce uncertainty for companies, improve speed to market, and support statewide job creation and investment, especially in rural and eastern Kentucky where development costs are often higher. Testimony highlighted the complexity and expense of preparing sites, with examples of road, water, power, and rock-removal costs, and the importance of third-party evaluation in scoring applications. Noel said the program has 116 total projects statewide, with 20 active projects stemming from pilot efforts and 35 projects already resulting in about 6,381 jobs and $4.4 billion in investment. He cited examples including Crown Holdings, Flash Metals, Phoenix Paper, Pratt Paper, AESC, Sound Elements, Kitchen Foods, Latte, Krueger, Biomass, and Anna Munsman. Bradshaw added that even communities that have not yet landed a project have benefited by building spec buildings or improving access to industrial property. The speakers said the last KPDI round drew $81 million in requests but only $35 million in available funding, and they urged lawmakers to consider whether additional funding or program adjustments are needed. Suggested changes included modestly increasing eligibility or funding flexibility for rural and eastern Kentucky, while maintaining third-party performance metrics, and continuing to prioritize finishing existing parks and creating strong regional sites. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:02:00.320><c> over</c><00:02:00.560><c> to</c><00:02:02.000><c> uh</c><00:02:02.479><c> chair</c><
• </c><00:02:06.560><c> Um</c><00:02:07.280><c> okay,</c><00:02:07.680><c> moving</c><00:02:07.920><c>
• Chamber of<00:02:27.760><c> Commerce,</c><00:02:28.440><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:29.440><c> in</c><00:02:
• Anyone else<00:02:36.800><c> wishing</c><00:02:37.200><c> to</c><00:02:37.360><c> testify</c><00:02:37.760
• Seeing<00:02:39.040><c> none,</c><00:02:39.280><c> members,</c><00:02:39.599><c> any</c><00:02:39.840

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism heard three measures. HB 450, which would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, drew support from DBEDT, the State Foundation, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, DAGs, and individuals. Members asked about the bill’s purpose and the relationship between arts administration and international/cultural considerations. The committees voted to pass HB 450 with amendments, including a housekeeping change allowing specific legislative direction in narrow cases; the measure was adopted with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. HB 437, relating to out-of-state offices, received testimony in support from DBEDT and representatives of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and another individual. The discussion focused on whether an overseas office in the Philippines was the best use of funds, given existing offices and trade relationships in places like Beijing and Taiwan. Members questioned the return on investment, fiscal priorities, and whether DBEDT had a broader strategic plan for selecting markets. The committees ultimately passed HB 437 with a Senate Draft 1 and technical amendments, with some members voting with reservations. HB 1391, relating to trade and creating a Hawaii-Ireland trade commission, also advanced after a lengthy discussion. DBEDT said it offered comments rather than a firm recommendation and explained that the bill appeared intended to build economic ties with Europe through Ireland, but members questioned why a commission was needed, how it would be structured, and whether similar efforts should focus on other countries. DBEDT said it would provide reports on sister-state relationships and office performance, and noted that trade initiatives would likely require private-sector participation. The committees passed HB 1391 with amendments and reservations from some members.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then<01:02:15.440><c> when</c><01:02:15.599><c> you</c><01:02:15.760><c> see</c><01:02:16.640><c>
• policy</c><01:02:18.079><c> uh</c><01:02:18.319><c> come</c><01:02:18.480><c> in</c><01:02:18.720><c
• ><c> more</c><01:02:19.599><c> what</c><01:02:19.839><c> I</c><01:02:20.000><c> would</c><01:02:20.079
• down.<01:02:24.880><c> people</c><01:02:25.200><c> lose</c><01:02:25.440><c> their</c><01:02:25.599>
• The<01:02:28.640><c> the</c><01:02:29.119><c> local</c><01:02:29.520><c> store</c><01:02:30.720><c> that

Transcript Highlights:

• :12.319><c> machine</c><01:02:12.720><c> recorded</c><01:02:13.040><c> to</c><01:02:13.119><c> vote</
• c><01:02:13.440><c> 105</c><01:02:13.920><c> I</c><01:02:14.319><c> zero</c> lock machine recorded to
• c> 226</c><01:02:17.119><c> has</c><01:02:17.359><c> passed</c><01:02:17.760><c> as</c><01:02:18.160>
• &gt;&gt; Thank<01:02:19.839><c> you</c><01:02:20.000><c> Mr.</c><01:02:20.319><c> Speaker.
• </c><01:02:20.640><c> Thank</c><01:02:20.799><c> you</c><01:02:20.960><c> body.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also push back that this bill does affect hate crime statutes and discrimination statutes, as
• it is changing the definition of sex, which is already ...found in those statutes.
• as it is changing the definition of sex, which is already found in those statutes.
• currently in the anti-SLAPP statute.
• Is that something that you can adopt without it being in statute? Yes, sir.

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also push back that this bill does affect hate crime statutes and discrimination statutes, as
• currently in the anti-SLAPP statute.
• Just like a police officer in these statutes.
• Is that something that you can adopt without it being in statute? Yes, sir.
• When we go to the other statute that plays into this, it lists a group of items where a— The other statute

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Transcript Highlights:

• The answer, there's a statute of limitations issue.
• And I think the statute actually does that.
• I think there's some other existing statute. That deal with obligations.
• I think we already have some statutes in place that deal with that.
• And those statutes are updated however many years?

Bills: HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042 , HB45

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• :33.840><c> in</c><00:02:34.080><c> a</c><00:02:34.239><c> timely</c><00:02:34.560><c> manner.
• Um, so we spoke<00:02:37.200><c> with</c><00:02:37.360><c> the</c><00:02:37.599><c> Department</c><00
• 02:41.599><c> be</c><00:02:41.840><c> something</c><00:02:42.080><c> or</c><00:02:42.400><c> where</c
• > might</c><00:02:43.040><c> be</c><00:02:43.519><c> uh</c><00:02:43.680><c> potential</c><00:02:44.160
• :45.599><c> and</c><00:02:45.920><c> one</c><00:02:46.080><c> of</c><00:02:46.160><c> the</c><00:02:46.400

Summary: The committee held a work session on SB 145, which would require sexual assault evidence kits to be delivered to the state forensic lab within seven business days and analyzed more promptly. Pamela Kyle of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said the bill was developed after survivor concerns and extensive discussions with the Departments of Safety and Justice. She explained that most agencies already deliver kits quickly, but some kits sit for months, and the bill is intended to add structure without penalties while preserving chain of custody. Members discussed the use of common carriers or courier services for transport, the need for clear rules, and whether carriers would know what they were transporting. Representative Papovich offered amendment 2025-2301H to remove the reimbursement program for police shipping costs, arguing it would add administrative overhead and was unnecessary. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, and the committee then voted OTPA on SB 145 as amended, with members voting yes on the roll call. The committee then opened a work session on SB 295, and the sponsor presented a replace-all amendment intended to simplify and clarify the Education Freedom Account bill without changing its purpose. The amendment would remove income-cap language, define priority enrollment groups, establish an enrollment cap for the EFA program, and create rolling enrollment rules. It would set a 10,000-student cap for the 2025-2026 school year, allow the cap to increase by 25% if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior cap, and ensure current participants can remain enrolled. The amendment also provides that certain sections would later be repealed once the Department of Education certifies that applications have not exceeded the cap for two consecutive school years. The sponsor walked through the amendment section by section, explaining that the bill is structured in two phases: one while caps exist and another after they are no longer needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:50.040><c> Mr</c><00:02:50.319><c> Nolan</c><00:02:51.080><c> and</c><00:02:51.680><c> he</c>
• <00:02:51.959><c> is</c><00:02:52.519><c> big</c><00:02:52.720><c> in</c><00:02:52.840><c> the</c> driver
• industry</c><00:02:53.800><c> and</c><00:02:53.959><c> I</c><00:02:54.120><c> respect</c><00:02:54.480
• ><c> much</c><00:02:55.599><c> so</c><00:02:56.159><c> and</c><00:02:56.360><c> this</c><00:02:56.519
• ><c> is</c><00:02:56.760><c> this</c><00:02:56.879><c> is</c><00:02:57.599><c> coming</c> very much so

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:08.319><c> U</c><00:02:08.640><c> Cher</c><00:02:09.000><c> gabard</c><00:02:09.959><c> uh</c><00
• :02:10.080><c> thank</c><00:02:10.239><c> you</c><00:02:10.360><c> very</c><00:02:10.520><c> much</c>
• that are now<00:02:32.640><c> in</c><00:02:32.879><c> place</c><00:02:33.200><c> for</c><00:02:33.760
• </c><00:02:37.200><c> the</c><00:02:37.360><c> island</c><00:02:38.080><c> will</c><00:02:38.319><c>
• ><c> also</c><00:02:45.400><c> um</c><00:02:46.159><c> uh</c><00:02:46.280><c> if</c><00:02:46.480><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on environmental protection and wastewater management. HB 26 HD 2, relating to environmental protection, drew support from the Department of Health, Reworld, and Energy Justice Network. Supporters said it would preserve existing standards for waste-to-energy facilities, including H-Power, even if federal EPA rules are weakened, while Energy Justice Network urged the state to go further and require stronger pollution controls on older burners at the plant. HB 734 and HB 735, both relating to wastewater systems, received broad support from state agencies, county representatives, realtors, environmental groups, and others. Testimony emphasized reducing the cost of cesspool upgrades, updating rules, and improving coordination between the Department of Health, counties, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Members raised concerns about whether some areas, such as Ewa, should be treated differently if they are not near aquifers or the ocean, but the department said the existing prioritization process already considered statewide conditions and that cesspools generally still affect water resources. On HB 735, the committee discussed the current bedroom-based limits for individual wastewater systems and whether the bill would allow more flexibility for housing configurations, with the department explaining the limits are tied to density and system capacity. HB 879, relating to cesspool conversions, was also supported by the Department of Health, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and several advocacy groups. Testimony said the bill would help low- and moderate-income homeowners in priority areas by increasing grant assistance for cesspool upgrades, but the Department of Health noted it would need three full-time positions to administer the program. Members asked for clarification on the grant amount and staffing costs, and the department indicated the grant cap should remain at $20,000 unless changed. HB 918, relating to labeling of non-flushable wipes, drew support from wastewater and industry groups, including the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, which said similar laws have passed in other states and that the bill reflects cooperation between manufacturers and wastewater officials. The Department of Health and county officials supported the concept but said enforcement and outreach would require additional staff, and senators questioned whether the state could effectively enforce the labeling requirement without a national standard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay,<00:02:00.479><c> thank</c><00:02:00.719><c> you.
• </c><00:02:01.200><c> Okay,</c><00:02:02.159><c> moving</c><00:02:02.399><c> on</c><00:02:02.640><c>
• to</c><00:02:02.799><c> HP</c> Okay, thank you.
• Okay, moving on to HP 214<00:02:03.920><c> HD1</c><00:02:04.479><c> SD1</c><00:02:04.960><c> relating
• </c><00:02:05.280><c> to</c> We are in agreement for the SD2 version.

Transcript Highlights:

• :23.280><c> the</c><01:02:23.440><c> fear</c><01:02:23.760><c> that</c><01:02:23.920><c> that</c><01:
• So we<01:02:28.240><c> have</c><01:02:28.480><c> talked</c><01:02:28.799><c> about</c><01:02:29.359><
• :32.640><c> secondary</c><01:02:33.200><c> act</c><01:02:33.839><c> after</c><01:02:34.160><c> we</c>
• We expect that that<01:02:37.440><c> will</c><01:02:37.760><c> be</c><01:02:37.920><c> completed</c><
• 01:02:38.319><c> by</c><01:02:38.559><c> the</c><01:02:38.720><c> end</c><01:02:38.880><c> of</c> That

Transcript Highlights:

• You have these<00:02:13.600><c> kind</c><00:02:13.840><c> of</c><00:02:13.920><c> snafus.
• ><00:02:19.360><c> the</c><00:02:19.520><c> invite.
• And<00:02:20.760><c> thank</c><00:02:21.040><c> you,</c><00:02:21.120><c> esteemed</c><00:02:21.520><
• ><c> come</c><00:02:23.800><c> before</c><00:02:24.200><c> you</c><00:02:24.280><c> today.
• </c><00:02:58.560><c> is</c><00:02:58.680><c> Johnny</c><00:02:59.120><c> Cole</c><00:02:59.480><c> III

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met and first heard a presentation from Johnny Cole III, president and CEO of the African American Forum in Lexington. Cole described the organization’s 30-plus year history, its signature events and programs, and its mission to promote African American arts, culture, education, and community development. He said the group has reached more than 60,000 people through events and more than 90,000 students through its arts partnership work, and estimated its programs have generated about $4.5 million in local economic impact. He also outlined a proposed legacy project in Lexington’s First Council District that would include a facility, culinary kitchen, food court, mobile truck, and expanded communications and internship opportunities, and said the organization was seeking a $3 million state request to help purchase a building and expand its mission. The committee then discussed a juvenile justice funding proposal presented by Senator Catoria Herring. Herring said the bill would create a juvenile justice fund for prevention, early intervention, alternatives to detention, re-entry, and wraparound services, with money coming from state appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds. She said the proposal was based on her experience in juvenile justice and on concerns that the state has invested heavily in detention facilities but not enough in upstream services. She cited recent facility spending and said the bill would seek $9 million. Members asked how the fund would work, who could apply, and how it would be overseen; Herring said she envisioned a grant program open to local governments, law enforcement, nonprofits, and school districts, with reporting requirements and oversight through the juvenile justice system. No vote was taken, and the discussion ended with general support and a suggestion to adjust the request amount to a round $9 million figure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I did some research<01:02:40.160><c> on</c><01:02:40.400><c> this</c><01:02:40.960><c> um</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:44.000><c> Um,</c><01:02:44.319><c> and</c><01:02:44.559><c> the</c><01:02:44.799><c> little
• Um, and the little minimal research<01:02:46.240><c> I</c><01:02:46.480><c> did</c><01:02:47.040><c>
• uh</c><01:02:47.200><c> did</c><01:02:47.440><c> alert</c><01:02:47.839><c> me</c><01:02:48.000><c> to
• the possibility<01:02:49.200><c> that</c><01:02:49.440><c> could</c><01:02:49.680><c> be</c><01:02:49.839

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><01:02:06.000><c> move</c><01:02:06.200><c> on</c><01:02:06.440><c> to</c><01:02:06.640><c
• :02:09.400><c> to</c><01:02:09.520><c> lead</c><01:02:09.680><c> materials</c><01:02:10.120><c> in</c
• This<01:02:12.080><c> measure</c><01:02:12.320><c> would</c><01:02:12.440><c> amend</c><01:02:12.720>
• </c><01:02:13.520><c> the</c><01:02:13.640><c> use</c><01:02:13.880><c> of</c><01:02:14.000><c> lead<
• and we<01:02:33.840><c> stand</c><01:02:34.160><c> on</c><01:02:34.280><c> our</c><01:02:34.400><c>

Bills: SB3326

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.