Transcript Highlights:

• thank you for the opportunity to be here to share our perspectives on the bill and its impact on planning
• of these new large loads that are looking to locate in the state, which will help ERCOT. with its planning
• Commission staff had already planned. on looking at 4CP in this calendar year? Yes, sir.
• Is that affecting the people that you represent and their planning?
• Therefore, we must consider this carefully and ensure safety in our planning.

Bills: SB6 , SB11 , SB33

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 757 empowers students, supports better institutional planning. safeguards and safeguards
• A, to develop a template to return to class plan that schools may use.
• that had XYZ accommodations or I had an IEP plan that had XYZ accommodations, and then you see which
• Our current plan costs just under $3,500 a year or $287 a month, which is less than most plans you can
• It reduces plans expenses.

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• They say, hey, there's Medigap plans. I got one. Go talk to a broker, figure something out.
• It's another way that insurance companies can keep people who are expensive out of their plans.
• They say, hey, there's Medigap plans. I got one. Go talk to a broker, figure something out.
• They say, hey, there's Medigap plans. I got one. Go talk to a broker, figure something out.
• They say, hey, there's Medigap plans. I got one. Go talk to a broker, figure something out.

Bills: HF1224 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one: the planning board issues a decision on a site plan brought by applicant A, which is then
• </c> had previously voted on as a planning had previously voted on as a planning board<00:20:19.440><
• </c> member cannot then sit on the planning member cannot then sit on the planning board<00:20:39.600
• sitting on the planning board. HB 1246 sitting on the planning board.
• We have department heads sitting on the planning board.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:27.039><c> for</c><00:05:27.600><c> and</c> resources on planning for and resources on planning
• and employer-based plans.
• the cost plans or the ACA plans and the cost shifts<00:15:28.959><c> to</c><00:15:29.120><c> the</c>
• </c> do that through a state plan amendment. do that through a state plan amendment.
• It makes it difficult to plan for plan.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of the things we want to see in the plan because in the end, you know, if you recognize you.
• And we've seen folks build these plans in one of the longest-running efforts. It's in Minneapolis.
• To create sustainability, you have to have a true plan to be able to do that.
• Was that during urban planning in the 1960s? Yeah, early 1970s, I believe.
• And so these are been planned. Absolutely.

Bills: S3022 , H5187

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Keywords: ENOUGH Act, ENOUGH fund, anti-poverty, poverty reduction, community development, place-based grants, distressed neighborhoods, economic mobility, housing and livable communities, community schools, cradle-to-career, child poverty, intergenerational poverty, social services, workforce development, education equity, public health, behavioral health, mental health, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• items contingent on... ...for Martinez-Jazi action plan items contingent on a final court order.
• We should have come up with a plan, and it should be workable by now.
• I mean, we have to plan for what we need.
• Correct. $2 million for the planning, and then the total project cost would be $14 million.
• Do we know how much they need for the planning part of it? Is it $1.5? Is it $2? Is it $3?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $25 million will be spread across five years, so it’s something that we plan on revisiting for the
• Plans to get more of that achievement that we're hoping to see.
• Engaging in professional development, developing plans, and selecting instruments for their board so
• But the question from sitting through hearings around preschool and the master plan for education is
• So schools would have to come forward with a proposal of how they plan to spend the funds.

Summary: The committee heard a series of budget proposals focused on education finance, with repeated questions about whether the state’s investments are coordinated, targeted to the highest-need students, and likely to produce measurable results. On the first item, the administration proposed $1 million for a study of California’s curriculum framework, standards, and instructional materials process, plus $250,000 for supplemental ELA/ELD guidance. CDE and Finance said the study would examine how other states organize standards, frameworks, and adoptions, while the chair and members questioned why California has gone so long without updating some standards, what the study would actually accomplish, and whether the proposal was too vague to justify the cost. The issue was held open. The committee then took up a proposed $25 million statewide literacy network within the system of support. CCEE and CDE said the network would coordinate multiple existing literacy leads, create a clearinghouse of evidence-based resources, and improve coherence across the state’s many literacy initiatives. Members pressed on how a one-time, five-year allocation could support a long-term system, how the work would reach distressed and rural districts, and whether the proposal would translate into classroom change rather than just another layer of coordination. The issue was also held open. Next, the committee reviewed a $500 million proposal to expand literacy coaches and reading specialists and to create a math coaches program. CDE described the existing literacy coach cohorts as producing positive reports from participating LEAs, while the LAO recommended modifications, especially for the math coach portion, including limiting eligibility to elementary schools, setting minimum grant amounts, directing funds to eligible school sites, and making eligibility automatic rather than application-based. Members focused on whether coaches were actually being placed at the schools with the greatest need and whether the state has a coherent long-term strategy for literacy and math investments. The committee also heard a $40 million proposal for training and implementation of K-2 reading difficulty screeners, which the LAO said was reasonable but could be reduced because $25 million had already been provided for training; CDE said the new funds were needed for full implementation, procurement, and sustainability. Finally, the committee heard a $10 million proposal for a developmentally appropriate TK multilingual learner screener, with CDE explaining why the preschool language-identification process is different from K-12 EL assessment and the chair asking staff to explore whether a single, more consistent approach could be developed. The meeting concluded with a presentation on universal school meals and kitchen infrastructure, including a $31.5 million backfill, an $84.1 million increase for projected meal growth, a COLA adjustment, and $150 million for kitchen upgrades and training to support freshly prepared meals.

Transcript Highlights:

• For similar reasons, we ask that you retain planning grants.
• We, for similar reasons, ask that you retain planning grants.
• I'm Nicole Kern with Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.
• I'm Nicole Kern with Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.
• In terms of school retirees and Plan 1 employees, it's a constant struggle.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• is our director of the division of program management and has a lot of involvement with our highway plan
• I guess I'm trying to figure out why we're dealing with 22 budget, 20 budget still in a road plan.
• And then by budget still in a road plan.
• It's in the highway plan already.
• It's in the highway plan already.

Keywords: 00:32 Call to Order and Roll Call 02:30 Road Fund Report 17:22 Approval of Minutes 18:07 High Growth Counties Projects 56:00 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> alterations based on initial planning alterations based on initial planning board<00:32:40.559><
• They'd presentation to a planning board.
• </c> planning board member immediately planning board member immediately following<00:33:09.840><c> the
• but planning board members as well.
• If we experience with planning board.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on SB 170 opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on a housing-related provision that would prohibit municipalities from requiring occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The chair proposed adding “school enrollment status” as a protected class to prevent towns from limiting where students may live, especially in Durham. Members debated whether that phrase was too vague and whether “educational status,” “enrollment status,” or “school enrollment status” was the best wording. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications under the state’s anti-discrimination law and could also affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the bill was aimed at preventing local rules that restrict student housing and group living arrangements. The subcommittee did not take a final vote on that language during the discussion. The committee then turned to land-use and subdivision provisions. The Department of Environmental Services testified that its test-pit and related land-development rules are already protective of groundwater and surface water, and that municipalities sometimes impose stricter setbacks or other requirements locally. Builders and housing advocates argued that more stringent local requirements for test pits, well siting, and related approvals add time and cost and can impede housing development, while some municipal concerns were raised about aquifer and wellhead protection overlay districts and local groundwater safeguards. Public testimony also supported making state standards uniform across municipalities, though one speaker noted that local and state review processes can differ and that the bill could simplify approvals. The subcommittee also discussed a road-length provision, with one member supporting limits on municipal caps that could impede development and another suggesting a possible water-and-sewer-capacity qualifier. Additional sections were explained as allowing utilities and infrastructure to be placed in subdivision open spaces or perimeter buffers, and requiring municipalities to act quickly on plan changes after initial review. The chair indicated support for several of the sections as drafted, and the discussion ended with the committee moving through the remaining provisions without recorded final votes in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 16 on page 15 requires county auditors to develop a county chain-of-custody plan, and there are
• a number of details about what must be in the plan in this section.
• as well, so long as they're at least meeting the requirements of the county chain-of-custody plan that
• We also really appreciate the attention towards establishing a chain of custody plan and having that
• We also really appreciate the attention towards establishing a chain of custody plan and having that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The town's recently updated housing production plan highlights that using the town housing trust fund
• The town's recently updated housing production plan highlights that using the town housing trust fund
• The town's recently updated housing production plan highlights that using the town housing trust fund
• to serve... ...housing production plan highlights that using the town housing trust fund to serve a
• housing trust and that pooled year-round housing trust fund, which is what the island towns are planning

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on two bills: H. 5447, a home rule petition concerning the Town of West Tisbury’s affordable housing trust fund, and H. 5317/H. 5314, relating to condominium conversion or partition of co-owned two-unit buildings. Chair Richard Haggerty and Senate co-chair Julian Cyr opened the hearing and explained the format, including three-minute testimony limits and a July 31 deadline for written testimony. Peter Harrington testified in support of updating the partition law so courts could use condominium conversion when dividing co-owned property. He said the current law is rooted in medieval-era rules and can hinder preservation of middle-class housing, especially where a two-family home might otherwise be sold and redeveloped. He argued the change would give judges a modern tool to preserve existing housing stock and noted the issue arises in some partition cases, though not every day. Laura Silber testified for West Tisbury in support of H. 5447, saying the town wants its affordable housing trust fund expanded to serve households up to 180% of area median income and to support seasonal-community workforce needs, including public sector essential workers. She said the town and Martha’s Vineyard Commission also support broader seasonal-community housing tools and a future local option transfer fee. Senator Cyr questioned whether the home rule petition was necessary given the Seasonal Communities law, and Silber responded that the petition was a short-term measure while technical fixes and a pooled year-round housing trust are developed. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with adjournment after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olga Shiloh, here on behalf of the California Association of Health Plans, respectfully in opposition
• Why recognize health plan play a real role?
• While recognizing health plans play a real role in managing care responsibly and safeguarding against
• It also encourages a shared responsibility where patients are protected and plans remain empowered to
• It also encourage a shared responsibility where patients are protected and plan remains empowered to

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 8, 2026, with a quorum established and 59 bills listed for consideration. The committee first approved two consent calendars: several bills were sent to the Assembly floor on a due-pass basis, and a smaller set was approved due-pass but not eligible for the floor consent calendar. The proposed suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual debate on those measures. The committee heard several bills in regular order. AB 1977, sponsored by the Secretary of State, would clean up and clarify the Online Notarization Act to support implementation by 2030; it drew no opposition and was approved. AB 2011 would codify existing federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement authority, while health plans opposed it as premature given federal uncertainty and possible premium impacts; the bill was placed on the B roll call. AB 1673 would give county fish and game commissions more flexibility to use certain revenues for wildlife conflict prevention, and it advanced on an A roll call. AB 2233 would allow unused authorized ABA therapy hours for children with autism to be made up within the authorization period; supporters emphasized access and continuity of care, while insurers warned of higher costs and reduced utilization safeguards; it advanced on an A roll call. AB 1660, as amended, would give courts more flexibility in cases involving financial institutions and public guardians/conservators, with supporters saying it could save counties time and money; it was approved due-pass as amended. During general public comment, speakers voiced support for AB 2081 and AB 1667, and opposition to AB 1777. After public comment and final vote recording for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a new 494 interchange planned at this location.
• The city will use a combination of cash for land acquisition and issue debt for the planned improvements
• </c> and issue debt for the planned and issue debt for the planned improvements.<00:04:16.680><c> The
• Um and so, they do plan on recently.
• Um and so, they do plan on collaborating<00:07:13.680><c> on</c><00:07:14.080><c> exhibits</c><00:07:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Clardy introduced House File 4238, seeking a $5 million state general obligation investment for roads and infrastructure in Inver Grove Heights tied to the planned Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame project, along with a separate requested $20 million cash appropriation for the facility itself. He described the bill as having statewide value and asked to focus first on the $5 million GO request. Mayor Brenda Dietrich and Community Development Director Jason Ziemer testified in support, calling the Hall of Fame a once-in-a-lifetime, transformative project for the city, the Twin Cities region, and the state. They said Inver Grove Heights expects to invest $14 million to $17 million locally for land acquisition and site improvements, and that the state funds would help pay for roads, utilities, stormwater work, grading, and right-of-way needs. They also emphasized that the public investment would support broader economic development in the area and accommodate a future I-494 interchange. Members asked about long-term ownership and maintenance, and were told the facility would be privately owned, with a developer owning about half and the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame nonprofit owning the ice arena portion. Another question raised whether the project would compete with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame; testifiers said it would instead work in tandem, with collaboration on exhibits and a potential benefit to the Eveleth institution. No vote or formal action was taken in the portion of the meeting shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• to sit up there and she used to watch me every day and she used to tell me, Randy, that God has a plan
• And it is an honor of a lifetime that God's plan for me is to come and help all of you implement that
• plan.
• He has a plan for me. He has a plan for every member of my family.
• He has a plan for every person who is watching here today.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1106 by Parker, relating to publication of public improvement district service plans, to
• Schwertner, relating to applicability of certain prescription drug insurance laws to health benefit plans
• Senate Bill 1143 by Blanco, relating to certain planning, notification, and evaluation requirements with
• Senate Bill 1142 by Miles relating to pre-authorization of certain benefits by certain health benefit plan
• Senate Bill 1143 by Blanco relating to certain planning notification evaluation requirements with respect

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to electric public utilities, establishing distribution system planning requirements,
• requiring distribution system plans and energization reports.
• Requiring beneficial electrification plans, providing for electric public utilities to recover costs
• and public participation in the process, providing procedures to appeal a selected district plan.
• in the process, providing procedures to appeal a selected district plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:41.160><c> to</c><00:04:41.240><c> major</c><00:04:41.480><c> in</c> HBCU, where he plans
• to major in HBCU, where he plans to major in political<00:04:41.960><c> science</c><00:04:42.320><c>
• a thoughtful short- and long-term plan to<00:19:07.440><c> address</c><00:19:07.960><c> Maryland's</
• House Bill 243, Chair Economic Matters Committee, Land Use Comprehensive and General Plans Alteration
• </c> bill from the Department of Planning bill from the Department of Planning modifies<00:53:35.880>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> decision on the Wildfire mitigation plan decision on the Wildfire mitigation plan by<00:15:20.199
• </c> to uh make decisions um get the planning to uh make decisions um get the planning and<00:33:06.120
• <00:33:51.399><c> and</c><00:33:51.559><c> sustainable</c> planning and sustainable planning and sustainable
• </c> that's than that because they planning that's than that because they planning without<00:35:08.720
• </c> County's water use and development plans County's water use and development plans of<01:07:59.400

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee procedures and then took up SB 1, relating to vegetation management near utility lines. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it would shift rights, responsibilities, and liability onto the state and private landowners. Hawaiian Electric supported the measure with amendments, describing it as a first step to address wildfire risk and improve public safety and system reliability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and Command Schools both raised concerns that the bill could impose significant costs, liability, and access burdens on farmers, ranchers, and other landowners, especially where easements are old or unclear. Life of the Land argued the issue belongs before the Public Utilities Commission, and PUC staff explained that the commission is already reviewing Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation plan and vegetation management in a docket, with a decision expected by September and public meetings scheduled for April 23 and 24. Committee members questioned the need for legislation versus negotiated solutions, and witnesses said private parties could potentially renegotiate easements without statute. The committee then heard HB 1296, relating to disaster recovery. DLNR and OPSD supported the bill, saying it would ease regulatory burdens in post-disaster rebuilding and help speed permit review. Testimony and member questions focused on the bill’s five-year rebuilding timeline, the role of the coastal zone/SMA process, and how long permit reviews typically take; OPSD said SMA major/use permits generally take about six months, while minor permits are faster. Members also discussed whether the bill would apply to existing structures damaged in disasters and whether the amendments from the Attorney General’s office and OPSD were acceptable; no objections were raised. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. HHFDC supported the bill, and testimony from a Maui affordable housing project said the measure is needed to rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments, a 63-unit affordable project in Lahaina, using insurance funds rather than government money. Members asked whether the bill would help existing affordable rental projects damaged before the enactment of related coastal rules, and the response was that the bill is aimed at existing structures damaged during events and intended to speed rebuilding of affordable housing.