Transcript Highlights:

• Although the department reported it was not directly involved in compact negotiations, both the 2021
• However, they did not work on the negotiations themselves of the actual compact.
• I'm just really concerned with the payout and finishing up those negotiations because we're entering
• I think that certainly feel that the 2021 compact negotiations were That the 2021 compact negotiations
• But as you heard testimony from the director, those negotiations are in the compact and That is, those

Committee: Senate Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard the Arizona Auditor General’s 2025 sunset review of the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The audit found the board generally processed licenses and complaints timely and had adopted required school curriculum rules, but it also identified inconsistent disciplinary actions, gaps in required infection-prevention and law education for some reciprocity and instructor applicants, weak application review controls, and noncompliance issues involving open meeting law, public records, and conflicts of interest. Auditors also recommended statutory changes on esthetics scope of practice, cease-and-desist authority, and eyelash technician training standards. The board’s executive director said the agency agreed with the findings, had already implemented some changes including updated disciplinary parameters, conflict-of-interest training, lawful presence verification, and revised cash-handling procedures, and was working through the remaining recommendations. After questions, the committee voted 7-0 to recommend the board implement the audit recommendations and be continued for six years, until July 1, 2032. The committee then took up the combined sunset review and performance audit of the Arizona Department of Gaming, the Arizona Racing Commission, and the Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission. The Auditor General reported that while the department distributed tribal gaming funds and issued some licenses appropriately, it failed to consistently obtain and review required independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and had delayed some compact trust fund distributions. Additional issues included IT security documentation, horse-racing suitability checks, fee-setting reviews, rulemaking, and public records procedures; the Boxing and MMA Commission also had licensing and fee-setting deficiencies. The department and commissions agreed to implement the recommendations, and the department director said the agency was already making changes, including updated guidance to operators, a new complaint-tracking process, conflict-of-interest training, and work on trust fund distributions and rule changes. Committee members pressed both the auditor and the department on why fantasy sports audit reviews had not been completed, whether underpayments would be recovered, and why no distributions had yet been made to certain Category 3 tribes under the 2021 compact trust fund. The director said the department was now doing a look-back review, would seek any owed fees, penalties, and interest, and was helping tribes resolve the baseline-revenue formula needed for distributions. Members also asked about conflict-of-interest practices, problem gambling, and whether prediction markets fall under gaming regulation. The discussion continued into the department’s broader presentation, with the director describing the agency’s regulatory role and ongoing modernization efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• We negotiated for years with G Shores. This negotiated for years with G Shores.
• During the split, negotiations are an effort to split, negotiations are an effort to split, negotiations
• to strong armed tactics negotiations to strong armed tactics negotiations to strong armed tactics that
• All of these factors were negotiated, including this tax with were negotiated, including this tax with
• , and agreed up, discussed, negotiated, and agreed up, discussed, negotiated, and agreed upon.

Bills: HB258 , HB324 , HB333 , SB270 , HB258 , HB324 , HB333 , SB270

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: primary election, election calendar, off-presidential year, May primary, second Tuesday in May, fourth Tuesday in May, runoff primary, special primary, presidential primary, election administration, candidate filing, ballot access, political parties, county election officials, state election law, Alabama elections, sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they did no behind-the-scenes negotiations. Everything was done in front of the public.
• 11.720><c> And</c><00:09:11.839><c> I</c><00:09:11.920><c> would</c><00:09:12.160><c> urge</c> negotiations
• And I would urge negotiations in public.
• We did<00:09:19.360><c> no</c><00:09:19.600><c> behind-the-scenes</c><00:09:20.280><c> negotiations.
• </c> did no behind-the-scenes negotiations. did no behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I think we're still in the process of negotiating and drafting the CD1.
• So, um, I think we're still in the process of negotiating and drafting the CD1.
• Thank you. process of negotiating and drafting the process of negotiating and drafting the CD1.<00:08
• So for this measure, I believe we're still negotiating our CD1.
• So why we're still negotiating our CD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:33.200><c> Malinkovich,</c> you're<00:41:37.040><c> negotiating</c> you're negotiating you're
• So I don't know that it negotiations.
• Um, we negotiate, um, and sometimes we negotiate in a way that, um, a charge is dismissed and refiled
• Um we negotiate um and sometimes we do.
• Um we negotiate um and sometimes we<01:14:14.719><c> negotiate</c><01:14:15.600><c> in</c><01:14:15.840

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a negotiated, 100% negotiated easement.
• As far as conduct, again, all negotiations are conducted in a manner that reflects the Again, all negotiations
• And then we recently had successful negotiations And then we recently had successful negotiations and
• We agreed to negotiate with them as a group, as long as we were negotiating as a group and we were signing
• So it, of course, is negotiated, like all leases are.

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• the scope of that definition of providers who would have access because of how really carefully negotiated
• ...” “...providers who would have access because of how really carefully negotiated, as well as the lack
• I have a couple follow-ups on some of that because I wasn’t here either during the negotiations.
• I guess my pause, I wasn’t here for the negotiation.
• that happened during the PDMP negotiation, which I was...” “...wasn’t here for, admittedly.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a continuation of the negotiation on criminal justice reform.
• This amendment is a result of continuing negotiations between the two parties. Yield for questions.
• and meetings during negotiations?
• They have to negotiate with the association that their teachers choose to negotiate with.
• I don't feel like that teacher was fairly represented in those legal negotiations.

Bills: HB3407 , HB1242 , HJR1081 , HB3443 , HB3781 , HB1939 , HB4237 , HB3430 , HB3321 , HB3905 , HB3329 , HB4253 , HB4421 , HB4311 , HJR1046 , HB2015 , HB3244 , HB4265 , HB3941 , HB4203 , HB2941 , HB3695 , HB3380 , HB3132 , HB3673 , HB3134 , HB3383 , HB4490 , HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• The amended language makes clear that any negotiated contributions must remain fully consistent with
• AB 569 gives local governments that option, not the obligation, to negotiate for, This bill does not
• The amended language makes clear that any negotiated contributions must remain fully consistent with
• that option, not the obligation, to negotiate for stronger retirement security.
• It would allow a small contribution to those plans, allow the union to negotiate a small contribution

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills dealing with pensions, holidays, public employee accountability, and first responder retirement. AB 912 was taken up on the consent calendar and passed. AB 569, as amended, would allow local public employers and unions to negotiate contributions to supplemental defined benefit pension plans; the author and Teamsters said it would clarify existing PEPRA grandfathering rules, while labor supported it, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid state holiday, with strong support from Native organizations and tribes and no opposition; the committee members spoke in favor and the bill passed. AB 268 would recognize Diwali as an official state holiday, also with broad support and no opposition, and it passed. AJR 3 urged protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal from federal cuts; retirees, caregivers, and health advocates testified in support, and the resolution passed. AB 1067 would require public employers to complete misconduct investigations even if an employee retires during the process; the author said it closes an accountability loophole, while opposition raised due process and family-retirement concerns, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1510 was presented as a cleanup bill making technical changes to state employee pay and benefits and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority labor law; it passed with support from AFSCME. The committee then heard AB 1233, which would create a statewide database of classified school employee positions and certain egregious misconduct records to help school employers screen applicants. School administrators and county school officials supported the bill as a student-safety tool, while classified employee groups raised concerns about fairness, due process, and the scope of misconduct covered; the author said the bill already focuses on serious sex and drug offenses involving children and was open to narrowing language. The bill passed to the Committee on Education. Finally, AB 1383, a major first responder retirement bill, drew extensive testimony. The author and firefighters argued that lowering the normal retirement age for public safety employees from 57 to 55 and restoring some bargaining flexibility would help recruitment, retention, and health, citing cancer and other job-related risks. Cities, counties, and local government associations opposed it, warning it would roll back PEPRA reforms, increase pension costs, and strain local budgets. Despite the opposition, committee members spoke strongly in favor of first responders and the bill passed to Appropriations. The committee then adjourned after all items were voted out.

Transcript Highlights:

• is, I had another representative asked me earlier today, or Senator, actually, why don't you just negotiate
• Well, there is no negotiating the contract. Either you sign or you don't do the work, period.
• There is zero negotiations. Okay. Well, thank you very much. You bet. Rep. Kimball, please.
• Well, there is no negotiating the contract. Either you sign or you don't do the work, period.
• There is zero negotiations. Okay. Well, thank you very much. You bet. Rep. Kimball, please.

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

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard Senate Bill 916, sponsored by Senator Berger, which would limit certain liability exposure for contractors working on MoDOT projects when they are following approved plans and standards. The sponsor argued the bill aligns responsibility with control, prevents contractors from being sued for conditions they did not create, and stops the state from requiring indemnification as a condition of bidding or starting work. He cited examples of long-running lawsuits arising from highway work zones and said the bill would not protect negligence or defective workmanship. Several supporters testified, including a general contractor, representatives of the Missouri Asphalt Payment Association, the AGC of Missouri, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. They said contractors often face lawsuits and higher insurance costs for incidents outside their control, sometimes even before work begins or after a project is complete. The Municipal League also supported language clarifying that naming a public entity as an additional insured does not waive sovereign immunity. MoDOT’s deputy director and chief engineer testified for information, warning the bill could create unintended consequences by bringing the state into litigation during construction if contractor indemnification is removed. After testimony and questions, the committee moved into executive session once a quorum was established. Senate Bill 916 was voted do pass by unanimous roll call, 8 ayes and 0 noes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Traditionally, we haven't negotiated the special session agreement until all those bills have been posted
• Traditionally, we haven't<00:01:29.520><c> negotiated</c><00:01:30.080><c> the</c><00:01:30.240><c> special
• </c><00:01:30.560><c> session</c> haven't negotiated the special session haven't negotiated the special
• I'd really like to say we have talked a lot about the negotiations, but we haven't talked that much about
• important to recognize that these pieces of these bills that make up the budget have been fiercely negotiated

Transcript Highlights:

• You have 101 people in this body, and you can't negotiate a budget with 101 people.
• And we sat in these meetings, and this is a negotiated, hard-no budget.
• We negotiated.
• That requires negotiation.
• Because they're all tied together, because it's part of a negotiation.

Bills: SB1177 , HB3705 , SB1942 , SB2026 , SB1533 , SB1327 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2159

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey. Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services. No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said you've negotiated a year to get this in place back in 2022 and 2023.
• So how long have you negotiated this increase? We first discussed this in January.
• That would mean negotiable.
• If they want to negotiate, that's fine.
• If they want to negotiate, that's fine.

Summary: The committee met at 5:13 p.m. on April 15 with 14 members present and took up several local and municipal bills. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 162, authorizing the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention and Improvement District to levy a fee after a local vote, was also moved favorably without objection. A lengthy discussion centered on HB 481, which would change the rate for publishing official proceedings and public notices. Supporters from the Louisiana Press Association said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in newspaper revenue, but a calculation error meant the current law would instead cut revenues by about 40% to 50% when it takes effect in 2027. Representatives from police juries and other local-government groups argued the bill should be corrected to restore the intended compromise, while some members questioned whether the change would break a prior deal and whether small or single-newspaper parishes would be harmed. The committee ultimately reported HB 481 favorably by a 10-5 vote, with members urging further negotiation and possible floor amendments. HB 573, as amended, would restructure oversight of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board by giving the New Orleans City Council and mayor more authority over operations, contracts, and accountability measures. Representative Hilferty and Mayor Helena Moreno argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and has failed residents, while one witness from the Louisiana Justice Institute warned the bill could shift control without fixing infrastructure problems and could raise equity and financial concerns. Despite that opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also advanced HB 368, increasing fines for unauthorized demolition of historic properties in New Orleans; HB 441, clarifying that Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service; and HB 257, which would give the elected police chief of Central authority to hire, fire, and discipline police personnel, subject to consultation with the city attorney and a delayed effective date. All of those bills were reported favorably after discussion and, where needed, adoption of amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board authorized a settlement negotiation path with our CP2 contractor, and we are working toward
• But it's been negotiated and agreed, just not signed. It's going through the negotiation process.
• So the negotiations, I mean, as of now, you would have to follow that state law, correct?
• Who has been involved in that negotiation? Which parties? The entire board? Both parties.
• I want to know the details of this change order negotiation.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on California High-Speed Rail, focusing on the authority’s supplemental project update report and the newly released 2026 draft business plan. Committee leaders emphasized transparency, the project’s funding challenges, and the need for clear answers on costs, schedule, and scope. The High-Speed Rail Authority said the project has made major progress in the Central Valley, including substantial construction completion, right-of-way acquisition, and railhead development, and highlighted over $14 billion in savings from a rebased project plan, plus an additional $2 billion in savings in the draft business plan. The authority also said it expects to begin laying track by the end of the year and continues to pursue private-sector partnerships and clean-energy opportunities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Inspector General both raised concerns about whether the current funding plan is sufficient and whether the authority has clearly identified the timing of future expenditures versus revenues. The LAO said the project likely still faces a funding gap for Merced-to-Bakersfield once financing costs and the loss of $4 billion in federal funds are considered, and warned that cap-and-invest revenues are volatile and may not be well suited for borrowing without additional safeguards. The Inspector General said the authority still has not provided a precise funding plan, estimated the project is about two years away from lacking funds on hand to stay on schedule, and urged lawmakers to focus on financing costs, procurement timing, schedule risks, and distinguishing true cost cuts from scope changes. Members questioned the authority about proposed statutory changes, including CEQA and permitting streamlining, court resources, third-party process changes, sales tax exemptions on materials, and expanded land-use/value-capture tools. They also pressed the authority on the loss of federal funds, the withdrawal of litigation over those funds, and whether the project’s revised savings depend on moving station locations away from downtown Merced and Bakersfield and on other scope changes such as more single-tracking and blended operations south of Palmdale. The authority said it is still committed to Merced-to-Bakersfield, believes the business plan shows a path to completion with sufficient funding, and will work with the Legislature on any needed changes before the final plan is submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The members who held firm on these provisions through a long negotiation understood what was at stake
• Just wanted to make sure I explicitly thank you all, and especially the chief negotiators of both the
• I'm glad to see that that is not in the final negotiated package.
• In a shared government, compromise and negotiation are necessary, so no budget will be perfect.
• a priority, but not just those that negotiated this budget, but the entire Republican caucus.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recall with great clarity the night the Fresno SERP was negotiated.
• I was in Sacramento, I recall with great clarity the night the Fresno SERP was negotiated.
• I was in Sacramento following negotiations from afar.
• These issues are best addressed through local negotiation and tailored conditions. Jurisdiction.
• Basically, in a negotiation, you have to find leverage points.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:17.199><c> or</c> Right now, libraries cannot negotiate or Right now, libraries cannot negotiate
• You're trying to force negotiation.
• You're trying to force negotiation.
• You're trying to do it at negotiation.
• </c> the table when the real negotiation the table when the real negotiation needs<00:21:38.880><c> to

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's in negotiations right now &gt;&gt; No.
• But now with the negotiations of &gt;&gt; Yes.
• </c> no certainty as to when this negotiation no certainty as to when this negotiation is<01:21:15.840
• &gt;&gt; because we were in still in negotiation.
• ><c> which</c><01:23:43.040><c> we</c> discussions and negotiations, which we discussions and negotiations

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard seven bills on consumer protection, DBEDT-related matters, and tourism/creative industry issues. On SB 2031, DCCA supported aligning state law with the FTC’s 2025 rule on hidden fees and pricing misrepresentations in live event ticketing and short-term lodging; hotel and financial industry witnesses also testified, and senators asked for complaint and enforcement data. On SB 2129, DBEDT and business groups supported a study of minimum wage impacts, with testimony emphasizing effects on hours, employment, prices, and business viability; a senator asked whether the study could also examine the gig economy and business closures, and DBEDT said that may be possible but would require more research and data access. On SB 2259, which would promote dementia-friendly businesses, DBEDT said the measure fit better with another agency and lacked the department’s expertise, while the Executive Office on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association supported the intent and offered to help with curriculum, branding, and training. Testifiers described dementia as a spectrum and said businesses should be trained to communicate effectively with customers and employees living with the disease; suggested amendments included changing the branding language and requiring at least 85% of employees to complete training rather than all employees. A senator also raised concerns about stigma and whether early-stage dementia should affect a person’s ability to function, and the witness responded that people can often function well in early stages. The committee also heard SB 2577 on sports tourism, which DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported as a way to better understand which events draw visitors and economic benefits. SB 2578, creating a film commission, drew broad support from DBEDT, Creative Industries, SAG-AFTRA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, the Hawaii Film Office, and others, but several witnesses urged changes to the commission’s composition and authority, including more labor representation and limits on the commission’s ability to adjust the production cap. Senators questioned staffing, costs, and whether current film office employees should transfer to the new commission, and one senator proposed a friendly amendment to add musicians, SAG, IATSE, and Teamsters, though the department cautioned that too many members could make the commission difficult to manage. The transcript ends during discussion of the film bill, with no final votes or committee actions stated for the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• So is a fee not negotiable any longer? It is negotiable.
• So the way that the bill reads is the first $25 of any negotiated fee goes.
• The way that the bill reads is that the first $25 of any negotiated fee goes to the state. Gotcha.
• I believe in negotiations we did achieve a portion of our interest on the House side, which was to restrict

Summary: The committee briefly reviewed four transportation-related bills before taking executive action. House Bill 2347 would repeal the 10% sales and use tax on luxury aircraft; members discussed the bill’s economic importance and its role in supporting business, wildfire suppression, agriculture, and health care, and it passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise monetary limits for state highway repair, emergency work, and WSDOT contracting, including higher thresholds for self-performance and small-business participation; it also passed unanimously. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, which authorizes transportation bonds, drew the most discussion. As amended by striking amendment H-3808.1, the bill reduced general highway bond authorization from $1.1 billion to $800 million while retaining $500 million for SR 520 corridor projects and other transportation funding changes. Members described the amendment as a compromise to constrain future spending, and the bill passed 16-10 with several members voting no or no recommendation. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would advance transportation electrification by allowing certain new manufacturers to sell directly under dealer licensing rules and by increasing the dealer documentary service fee, with part of the revenue supporting EV rebates for vulnerable populations. An amendment reduced the fee increase from $50 to $25, lowering the total fee to $225 through 2036 before reverting to $200. After debate about dealer impacts and direct sales policy, the amended bill passed 21-4. The chair then thanked staff and members and adjourned, noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2442, this is going to be a placeholder that is going to go to Ways and Means as we continue to negotiate
• And, you know, as we get down to some more brass tax and negotiations, this bill will obviously change
• get down to some more brass<00:04:01.280><c> tax</c><00:04:01.599><c> and</c><00:04:01.760><c> negotiations
• ,</c><00:04:02.400><c> you</c><00:04:02.560><c> know,</c> brass tax and negotiations, you know, brass
• tax and negotiations, you know, this<00:04:02.799><c> bill</c><00:04:02.959><c> will</c><00:04:03.360

Bills: HF2442

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy