Video & Transcript : 'collaborative practice' :
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DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 30th, 2026
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Justice and the Office of Defense Services worked collaboratively to design this procedure
- the technical corrections that were needed, we were engaged early, and we really appreciate the collaboration
Committee:
House Administration
Summary:
The House Administration Committee met with a quorum present and considered four Senate bills. SB 314 updated Delaware’s rape shield law governing criminal proceedings and evidence; the sponsor said it was developed collaboratively by the Department of Justice and the Office of Defense Services, and there was no public comment. SB 347 made technical corrections to the Medical Debt Protection Act; the Delaware Health Care Association thanked sponsors for early collaboration, and there was no virtual comment. SB 349 named the Millsboro Bypass the Senator Richard S. Cordrey Bypass in honor of Senator Cordrey’s service; Senator Petty Jodget spoke in support, and the bill was released. SB 345 would prevent minors involved in trafficking-related prostitution offenses from being tried for prostitution; there was no public comment, and it was also released.
For each bill, the committee took a motion to release and approved it by roll call vote. SB 314, SB 347, SB 349, and SB 345 all received unanimous support from the members present, with Speaker Minor-Brown absent for the first two votes and present for the latter two. The meeting then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 1 May 5th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures
- Taiwan is capable of and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- We are proud of our collaboration with the legislature last session to get labor standards and the fossil
- Today, according to the research collaborative, if you live in a white community, you have a 1.8% chance
- Today, according to the research collaborative, if you live in a white community, you have a 1.8% chance
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them.
Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 7, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We would like to construct a police facility in Aahu as a staging area because it's not practical to
- 00:11:32.040><c> because</c><00:11:32.279><c> it's</c><00:11:32.440><c> not</c><00:11:33.040><c> practical
- </c> staging area because it's not practical staging area because it's not practical to<00:11:34.279>
- </c><04:53:57.000><c> which</c><04:53:57.120><c> is</c><04:53:57.360><c> an</c> information practices
- which is an information practices which is an attached<04:53:57.958><c> agency</c><04:53:58.320><c>
Summary:
The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment.
A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs.
Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Just want to say we do appreciate the collaboration that took place on this, and it looks like there's
- We... ...appreciate the collaboration that took place on this, and that looks like there's a path forward
Summary:
The Resources and Conservation Committee met at 8:00 a.m. with a quorum present. Representative Petsky presented House Bill 939, which would restrict certain hunting technologies during big game season, including night vision, thermal devices, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding carve-outs for predator control (wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife), agriculture, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring traps. Petsky said the bill was intended to balance conservation and hunting opportunity with practical uses of the technology, though he acknowledged some enforcement questions may need to be revisited later.
Representative Mickelson moved HB 939 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and Dexton Lake of the Idaho Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the organization appreciated the collaboration and supported the bill. Representative Manwaring asked to move the bill to second reading for time reasons, and the committee agreed by unanimous consent. The committee then voted aye to send HB 939 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
The committee also took up Fish and Game rule docket 13-0108-2401. Representative Boyle moved to adopt the docket except for sections 410(04)(G) and (H), citing concerns about conflicts with the Idaho Constitution’s right to hunt, fish, and trap, state law on taking wolves, the Fish and Game Commission’s authority, and administrative procedure requirements. The committee approved the motion and accepted the docket with those two sections rejected. The meeting then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We worked in a very collaborative way in this working group with the department coming up with these
- We worked in a very collaborative way in this working group with the department coming up with these
- I just, when I look at this, you know, it's a lot of fine-sounding language like evidence-based practices
- Senator Grinhagen gave us time to really sit back and we collaboratively... So, yeah.
- Senator McQuade was part collaboratively Senator McQuade was part of<00:25:36.559><c> that,</c><00:25
Committee:
Senate Human Services
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- If you're dealing with MEC on a regular basis, practicing in courts, that's one thing.
- have everybody at the table consulting to make sure that this is a product for people who actually practice
- with some of the other divisions too so that we can, again, maximize our potential by having the collaboration
- The goal would be to maximize collaboration, share resources, and share intelligence, creating a safer
- with some of the other divisions too so that we can, again, maximize our potential by having the collaboration
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 01/27/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, folks, I know this is a bit of a deviation from traditional practice in a context like this, but
- I know this is a bit of a deviation from traditional practice in a context like this, but I'd like to
- </c><00:42:16.920><c> quite</c> mentioned we uh are collaborating quite mentioned we uh are collaborating
- County veteran service officers are super important to us, and we collaborate significantly with them
- County veteran service officers are super important to us, and we collaborate significantly with them
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We appreciate the collaboration that took place on this, and it looks like there's a path forward.
- We appreciate the collaboration that took place on this, and that looks like there's a path forward.
Committee:
House Resources and Conservation
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/03/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is related to the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration.
- This is related to the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration. It's a long name.
- This is related to the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration. It's a long name.
- Uh, quick question on the Rel, where it says, um, Head Start collaboration—what is that?
- Head Start Collaborative is essentially that.
Summary:
The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines.
A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year.
Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposals that we have before us represent practical and necessary steps to preserve federal funding
- taxpayers should continue absorbing health care costs that may be associated with the employment practices
- I appreciate you answering my questions as a senator, but also someone who still practices in the health
- We'd welcome collaboration with the employer community to strengthen employer-sponsored health care coverage
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review subcommittee heard four budget trailer bills: AB 110, AB 122, AB 125, and AB 177. AB 110 was described as a budget bill junior identifying budget-related legislation. AB 122 would extend sales tax to electronically delivered or remotely accessed prewritten software, extend and later limit business tax credits, reduce the annual LLC/LLP/LP tax for first-year businesses for three years, and impose a 100% tax on certain federal anti-weaponization fund settlements. AB 125 would renew the managed care organization (MCO) tax for three years beginning in 2027 to support Medi-Cal and targeted provider rate increases. AB 177 would require the Department of Finance to return by March 1, 2027 with options for assessing large employers for the Medi-Cal costs of employees enrolled in the program, including at least one employer-paid premium option for firms with 250 or more employees, and would appropriate $1,000 General Fund for implementation.
Administration witnesses said AB 122 modernizes the tax system and helps create general fund revenue, while AB 125 is needed to preserve Medi-Cal financing and targeted rate increases under new federal constraints from H.R. 1 and to avoid a budget hole if the MCO tax expires. On AB 177, Finance said the bill is only a study and does not itself impose a tax, but would direct the administration to develop options for future consideration. Supportive members argued the package is part of a balanced approach to address the structural deficit, protect health care and other safety-net programs, and ensure large corporations pay more of their share. They also said AB 177 is a necessary step toward asking large employers to help cover public health care costs for workers who rely on Medi-Cal.
Opponents, led by Vice Chair Niello and several other Republicans, argued the state does not have a revenue shortage but a spending problem, warning that the proposals would raise costs on consumers and businesses, discourage innovation, and expand taxes beyond their intended scope. They criticized AB 122 as potentially taxing labor-like services and limiting research and development credits, and said AB 125 would increase premiums for commercial enrollees and employers. On AB 177, they questioned the lack of definitions and specifics, saying the bill is too vague and could eventually burden employers, including hospitals and part-time workers, without clear standards. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and questions before public comment and later action.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 4th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She practiced medicine for more than three decades and served...
- She practiced medicine for more than three decades and serves as an assistant clinical professor at the
- authority with respect to cases filed before January 1, 2027, and does not alter the Fair Debt Buying Practices
- We're going to miss your energy, your collaboration, and yes, your sassiness.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved a procedural motion by a 41-17 roll call to re-refer AB 2690 and AB 1863 to Appropriations and to allow guests for the Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. House Resolution 92, recognizing Cinco de Mayo Week, was adopted after supportive remarks from members of several caucuses, and the chamber then held the 2026 Latino Spirit Awards ceremony honoring 11 individuals and organizations in higher education, human rights, philanthropy, health and science, advocacy, business, environmental justice, journalism and media, culinary arts, and a legacy award for Los Tigres del Norte. After the ceremony, the Assembly resumed business with guest introductions and moved through the daily file, passing or retaining a number of bills and resolutions.
Among the measures taken up, the Assembly passed AB 1657 on domestic violence restraining order procedures (64-0), AB 2042 on civil procedure and service of process (66-0), AB 1660 on probate and public guardians (45-10), AB 1917 on criminal procedure and reinstatement of dismissed charges (43-15), AB 2148 clarifying that public school employees are human beings in the context of AI (69-0), AB 1647 protecting juvenile statements at transfer hearings (63-0), AB 1555 expanding community college access in Siskiyou County (66-0), AB 1608 on High-Speed Rail Inspector General oversight and reporting (45-18), AB 1803 requiring anti-hate speech training in workplace harassment prevention (50-9), AB 2128 protecting tenants in subsidized housing from certain federal work requirements and time limits (44-16), AB 2576 as a land-use cleanup bill protecting historic resources (61-0), AB 2601 allowing concurrent review for certain housing projects, and AB 2764 on extended foster care eligibility (60-0). Several items were passed and retained on file, and AB 2601 was interrupted by a call of the house before later business continued.
The chamber also adopted ACR 159 on indigent defense after adding 59 coauthors, then heard guest introductions from chief public defenders from multiple counties. ACR 179, designating Wildland Urban Interface Preparedness and Resilience Day, was adopted with 65 coauthors after remarks on wildfire risk and forest management. Later, ACR 183 establishing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week was presented with extensive testimony from members of multiple caucuses emphasizing racial health disparities, maternal mortality, life expectancy gaps, and the need for systemic change; the debate continued beyond the excerpt provided. Throughout the session, members repeatedly used guest introductions to recognize visiting groups and individuals, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members, UAW President Shawn Fain, California Women in Agriculture, and others.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Eight - Wednesday, April 8 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We look forward to strengthening exchanges in Missouri and exploring new opportunities for collaboration
- It basically works on the scope of practice for pharmacists, allows them to... Thank you.
- Basically, it works on the scope of practice for pharmacists, allows them to, with immunizations, works
- It just allows pharmacists to do more within their scope of practice or within their training.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 7th, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Public Works
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 692 is a practical extension of the procurement tools already in use in Louisiana.
- Members, I'm here to present House Bill 685, which is a practical government efficiency measure.
- It has to include skills and tactics practice, critical decision-making exercises, and actual deployment
- And there’s no—would there be any collaboration for assisting the municipalities in what they choose?
Bills:
HB506 , HB590 , HB647 , HB685 , HB692 , HB839 , HB860 , HB873 , HB887 , HB965 , HB972 , HB982 , HB1072 , HB1157
Keywords:
license plates, prestige plates, Fraternal Order of Police, charitable donations, high school representation, waterway projects, application timeline, government funding, semi-annual submissions, Louisiana waterways, public procurement, motor vehicles, rolling stock, FAST Act, Louisiana bid law, hospital service district, construction management, public works, contract limit, bidding process
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 1157, which would create a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank to provide a new funding mechanism for transportation projects, including roads, bridges, rail, ports, and airports. The chairman and DOTD Secretary Glenn LaDoux said the bank would help leverage state, federal, local, and private dollars, modelled in part on programs in Florida and other states, and would be used for gap funding and faster project delivery. Members asked extensive questions about board makeup, oversight, seed funding, application priorities, and how the program would differ from capital outlay and other existing funding tools. Support testimony came from Greater New Orleans, Inc. and other groups, and the bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then approved several mostly technical or local bills, including HB 860 allowing fillable electronic public bid forms; HB 972 naming a portion of Highway 93 in Lafayette Parish the Desert Shield Desert Storm Memorial Highway; HB 965 naming a portion of Highway 163 for Sergeant William Billy Earl Collins Jr.; HB 692 allowing local governments to use group purchasing organizations, as amended; HB 685 allowing cooperative procurement for public motor vehicles and rolling stock under FAST Act procedures, which passed after a roll call vote with one no vote; HB 982 designating portions of highways in Morehouse Parish, as amended; HB 506 creating specialty license plates, as amended; HB 839 lowering the CMAR threshold for hospital service districts from $2 million to $1 million via substitute bill; HB 647 revising the waterway assistance program and application timelines via substitute bill; and HB 887 revising construction management-at-risk procedures, as amended. Most of these measures were reported favorably or favorably as amended, with little or no opposition.
The committee also received an update on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction from Representative Chesson, who said the office will assume control of about 4,000 miles of roadway and 2,000 bridges and has been moving projects quickly using internal procurement procedures. HB 1072, which reforms the office’s powers and emergency authority, was amended to narrow emergency provisions and clarify funding and reporting language, then reported favorably as amended. The final major item was HB 873, which would fund pursuit-intervention technology and training for law enforcement through a $2 fee on driver’s licenses; the bill was presented alongside emotional testimony from the widow and daughter of Sergeant Grant Candies and from a St. John the Baptist Parish captain, who argued the fee would help agencies buy safer equipment and obtain grant support. The transcript ends during questioning on HB 873, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Or, under current practice, even though the IRS audits at the entity level, in Idaho we're still auditing
- It updates a statute and reflects the current practice. The 60/40 split.
- It updates a statute and reflects the current practices.
- In alignment with the themes of last year's House Bill 14, Idaho Code Cleanup Act, the Board collaborated
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Early in the day, members received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, including the transmission of several bills and resolutions. The chamber also advanced a number of measures to later orders of business, and several bills were held on the calendar or referred to committees for further action or possible amendment.
The Senate then considered and passed a series of bills on third reading. Among them were Senate Bill 1227 on generative AI in education, which passed after debate over teacher control, local control, and parent transparency; House Bill 603 on camping at the Capitol Mall, which passed after debate over free speech, public safety, and sanitation; House Bill 688 updating airbag and counterfeit airbag laws; House Bill 645 creating a voluntary portable benefits framework for independent contractors; House Bill 738 allowing LLCs to use a commercial registered agent’s address; House Bill 521 correcting background-check statutory placement; House Bill 615 clarifying disturbing-the-peace protections for houses of worship; House Bill 695 correcting a fee reference from possession to restitution; House Bill 568 repealing obsolete Department of Lands provisions; House Bill 774 repealing outdated fish and game penalty language; House Bill 762 revising charter school admissions preferences for foster and military children; House Bill 661 extending solid-waste competition rules to counties; House Bill 733 adopting a partnership audit procedure aligned with federal law; House Bill 749 revising city annexation rules to address hardship and property-rights concerns; House Bill 662 expanding milk testing provisions and Department of Agriculture dispute resolution; House Bill 664 eliminating differential speed limits for heavy trucks; and House Bill 716 revising transportation-funding distributions and increasing bridge inspection funding.
Most of these measures passed by substantial margins, often using the same roll-call vote by unanimous consent, and titles were approved without correction. One bill, House Bill 684, was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. The Senate also received committee reports on additional bills and gubernatorial appointments, then moved into the Committee of the Whole, where it began reviewing several measures and adopted amendments to Senate Bill 1297 and Senate Bills 1352, 1353, and 1354, with motions to report those bills back as amended without recommendation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child care program integrity discussed 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sorry, I'm out of practice here. [laughter] And the amendment is adopted.
- testimony. >> If we care about preventing fraud, I really hope that we will invest in training, collaboration
- then making sure that they're giving us some recommendations about how we can do design some best practices
- then making sure that they're giving us some recommendations about how we can do design some best practices
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 4/21/26
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Grateful, continually grateful for that collaborative partnership with the Office of Legislative Auditor
- Grateful, continually grateful for that collaborative partnership with the Office of Legislative Auditor
- Grateful, continually grateful for that collaborative partnership with the Office of Legislative Auditor
- and cooperation with law collaboration and cooperation with law enforcement.<01:10:44.000><c> We've<
- And so we do a lot of intra-agency and cross-agency collaboration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 2
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- However, I do agree with you on being collaborative.
- </c> find that energy that that collaborative find that energy that that collaborative manner<00:37:24.000
- um in fact just signed on collaborative um in fact just signed on to<00:37:58.319><c> one</c><00:37:
- So what this might do is we might come to some really beautiful collaborations on something that we can
- So what this might do is we might come to some really beautiful collaborations on something that we can
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ACT 279 WG Info Briefing - Mon Dec 1, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It demonstrates community collaboration and the movement made possible through 27.
- It demonstrates community collaboration and the movement made possible through 27.
- It demonstrates community collaboration and the movement made possible through 27.
- It demonstrates community collaboration and the movement made possible through 27.
- So we look forward to continuing collaboration and generating a report. >> Okay.
Summary:
The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands.
DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance.
The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects.
Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.
DE