Transcript Highlights:

• state statute says, you know, it this 10 days pay when paid, they were demanding that I make an agreement
• state statute says, you know, it this 10 days pay when paid, they were demanding that I make an agreement
• </c><00:10:17.520><c> that</c> demanding that I make an agreement that demanding that I make an agreement
• It doesn't have to be a formal contract; it could just be a rental agreement or anything like that.
• It doesn't have to be a formal contract; it could just be a rental agreement or anything like that.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would agree, however,<00:49:47.200><c> with</c><00:49:47.440><c> an</c><00:49:47.680><c> agreement<
• /c><00:49:48.319><c> of</c><00:49:48.559><c> the</c> however, with an agreement of the however, with
• an agreement of the parties<00:49:49.280><c> to</c><00:49:49.680><c> submit</c><00:49:50.000><c> to</
• I would agree with an amendment, perhaps, to let that be done by agreement.
• So, I'm going to pass for today. agreement. I want to see some actual agreement.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• QueensCare adheres to HIPAA regulations, and through the MOU agreement, it clearly states that we do
• Thanks. ...center that is a joint powers agreement of six school districts. And Ms.
• But I think, yeah, we are all in agreement on the basic intent.
• But I think, yeah, we are all in agreement on the basic intent.
• In agreement on the basic intent.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're all in agreement with this? Everybody on the board, yep, no opposition.
• Can we establish what the agreement was in '22 or '23 when this bill was filed?
• Now, we were all in agreement in this in 2023, and the agreement was a 15% to 20% reduction in what local
• But y'all don't dispute that an agreement was made previously?
• Okay, but the agreement was a 15% to 20% reduction. Speaker: So, 15% to 20% reduction.

Keywords: 965, house, all

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:

• To be clear, AB 1954 would not affect the many agreements freely entered into between municipal golf
• We're all in agreement with that.
• We're all in agreement with that.
• We're all in agreement with that.
• Within two weeks of that happening, you have a settlement agreement, and almost all of the states—red

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on youth health, sports, and entertainment access. AB 1626 would require mental health training for youth sports coaches and create a model training for recreational and club coaches; supporters said coaches are often the first adults to notice mental health struggles, and the bill passed 6-0 to the Assembly Education Committee. AB 1884, as amended, would allow school districts that already use athletic drug-testing programs to add nicotine testing, with safeguards limiting disclosure and removing earlier punitive provisions; supporters framed it as a response to youth vaping, while opponents warned it could stigmatize students, discourage participation in extracurriculars, and burden schools. The bill passed 3-2 to the Assembly Education Committee, with some members still expressing reservations but supporting it after amendments. AB 2503 addressed heat guidelines for desert school athletics, seeking flexibility in wet-bulb temperature rules so practices and games would not be pushed so heavily into evening hours. The author and a desert athletic trainer argued current standards do not reflect local acclimatization and create scheduling burdens; the bill passed 5-0 to the Assembly Education Committee. AB 1954, the PAR Act, would require third-party golf reservation platforms to have written authorization from municipal golf course operators before listing or reselling tee times, aimed at stopping inflated resale of public golf reservations. Supporters from city and golf organizations said the bill would protect affordable access to public courses; it passed 5-0 to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. The committee also heard AB 2319, which would create a standalone California post-production tax credit to keep editorial, sound, visual effects, and finishing work in-state even when principal photography occurs elsewhere. Labor and industry witnesses said California is losing post-production jobs to other jurisdictions and urged the bill be amended to include stronger labor standards; the bill passed to the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. Finally, AB 1720, the California Fans First Act, would cap resale prices for concert and live entertainment tickets at no more than 10% above face value, excluding sporting events and certain season-ticket arrangements. The author argued the bill would curb scalping and make live events more affordable for fans.

Transcript Highlights:

• The striker allows that framework by requiring a recorded regulatory agreement to ensure the home remains
• Recorded regulatory agreement to ensure the home remains affordable for at least 30 years.
• In a state where we are so close to the border, where Mexico and the United States have a trade agreement
• between two or more landlords not to compete for residential agreements and to set or adjust rental
• They're operating under the licensed operators per contractual agreement, so they're just as licensed

Bills: SB1206 , SB1254 , SB1290 , SB1421 , SB1432 , SB1515 , SB1563 , SB1641 , SB1649 , SB1670 , SB1671 , SB1747

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention, storm chaser, residential construction contract, workers' compensation, joint check, claim solicitation

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what I would like to say at this time, while we do think we have an agreement, the Alabama State
• ,</c> while we do think we have an agreement, while we do think we have an agreement, the<00:18:22.160
• We have worked diligently together to reach this agreement for our service members.
• </c><00:22:02.480><c> And</c> agreement for our service members.
• And agreement for our service members.

Bills: HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354 , HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• today as is, passing it on third read as is, and then holding it in the Senate until we have an agreement
• is to get it sitting over in the Senate, in a committee, or even on a sine die until we have an agreement
• They could assign it to a committee, and then whatever chairman can hold it until we have an agreement
• Chairman, members, House Bill 2692 outlines requirements for a cooperative agreement used to procure
• , my work down at the Over the last 30-plus years by my agreement, my work down at the Arizona State

Bills: HB2063 , HB2271 , HB2416 , HB2478 , HB2593 , HB2692 , HB2813 , HB2992 , HB2993 , HB4044

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, firefighters, insurance rates, workers' compensation, firefighter cancer reimbursement, rate deviations, cost analysis, premiums, border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, immigration, education reform, K-12

Transcript Highlights:

• Prosecutors can enter into agreements with defendants who are eligible, and they offer an array of services
• <00:41:29.920><c> can</c><00:41:30.079><c> enter</c><00:41:30.240><c> into</c><00:41:30.560><c> agreements
• </c> Prosecutors can enter into agreements Prosecutors can enter into agreements with<00:41:31.040><c
• </c><00:42:17.680><c> these</c> the ability to enter into these the ability to enter into these agreements
• </c> agreements with defendants. agreements with defendants.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. During second reading, several bills and a joint resolution were reported to the Rules Committee, including measures on trauma center provider coverage, cremation, public library trustees, local occupational license fees and taxes, and a food-is-medicine resolution. The House also communicated passage of House Bills 176, 178, and 280 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced Senate Bill 39, Senate Bill 181 with a committee substitute, Senate Bill 17 with a committee substitute and title amendment, and Senate Bill 34. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 13, which would allow military installations to have ex officio representation on nearby planning and zoning bodies to improve communication about land use near bases. It passed 37-0. Senate Bill 46, concerning school transportation, was amended by committee substitute to require background checks and drug testing for drivers of school vans and to extend van use to 10-passenger vehicles; it passed 37-0 after a brief clarification about the amendment’s display in the system. Senate Bill 22, expanding the dual credit scholarship program to support a teacher apprenticeship pathway, was amended to require a 2.75 GPA and then passed 36-1 after questions about employment status and liability; the sponsor explained it would help address teacher shortages and reduce student debt. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 90, which extends the behavioral health conditional dismissal pilot program from 2027 to 2031 to continue offering treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for eligible low-level offenders; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 51, a proposed constitutional change to freeze property tax assessment increases for homeowners age 65 and older on their primary residence, also passed 37-0. Senate Bill 30 was passed over but retained its place in the orders of the day. The rules committee later posted Senate Bills 27, 40, and 76 for the next day, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bill 109 to Licensing and Occupations, Senate Bill 68 to State and Local Government, and Senate Resolutions 45 and 46 to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• On top of those increases through the collective bargaining agreement, there was also rates of pay that
• pay through the collective increases in pay through the collective bargaining<00:18:53.039><c> agreements
• </c><00:18:53.600><c> that</c><00:18:53.919><c> were</c><00:18:54.559><c> uh</c> bargaining agreements
• that were uh bargaining agreements that were uh completed<00:18:55.679><c> after</c><00:18:56.640><c
• ,</c><00:19:20.000><c> uh</c> collective bargaining agreement, uh collective bargaining agreement, uh

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on June 20, 2025 and first approved the May 16 minutes and the non-removed items on the consent calendar. It then took up a Health and Human Services item for $5 million in additional nursing facility payments (FIS 25158). HHS explained the transfer was for private and county nursing facilities and was the third and final transfer in FY25, funded through federal matching dollars, county cap funds, and general funds. Members asked about the size of the transfer, whether it signaled future shortfalls, and how projections were developed; HHS said the request reflected updated estimates and that they did not expect similarly large transfers going forward. The committee adopted the item. The committee also considered an ARPA-related item to remove a line from a funding request because the issue had been resolved and the positions/funds were no longer needed. Members approved the item with that line removed. Commissioner Caswell then answered questions about ARPA spending authority, saying remaining projects must be expended by December 31, 2026 and that the item was intended to preserve authority for ongoing capital projects; any unspent funds would revert to the federal government. Members noted the recurring nature of these ARPA adjustments and the need to keep tracking deadlines. The Department of Corrections presented several items, including a $10 million request tied to staffing shortages and overtime costs, plus additional corrections-related funding items. Interim commissioner John Skipa said 18 employees had received preliminary layoff notices pending final budget approval. He and staff said the overtime need was driven by staffing shortages, later collective bargaining pay increases, and double-time compensation for uniform officers forced into overtime; they also said one housing unit section had been closed to reduce staffing pressure. In response to questions about morale and operational risk, Skipa said the department was under strain, that leadership was in transition, and that staffing or budget reductions could create litigation risk. The committee also heard about the Site Evaluation Committee’s budget shortfall, which was attributed to fewer new facility applications but continued casework and public engagement, and approved that item. Finally, members discussed a YDC claims administration item, questioning the role and cost of the Verald Dana consultant; staff said the firm handles intake and processing of claims for the Attorney General’s office and had been involved since the claims process was created. Several items were adopted after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they are in to come to an agreement.
• We certainly have agreement on about 80 percent of that.
• We certainly have agreement on about 80 percent of that.
• </c><04:50:04.160><c> uh</c> the agreement that we have on this. uh the agreement that we have on this
• ><c> successfully</c> The Iran nuclear agreement successfully The Iran nuclear agreement successfully

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process improves project delivery and ensures support for a skilled workforce through project labor agreements
• And we do expect to be addressing many of those issues, and they will help us to both get to an agreement
• And we do expect to be addressing many of those issues, and they will help us to both get to an agreement
• The CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement.
• You've demonstrated the statistical need, but do you have any actual agreements with employers?

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on community college procurement, higher education access, and student support. SB 1154 by Senator Reyes would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. Supporters, including San Bernardino Valley College, the San Bernardino Community College District, labor groups, and several districts, said it would improve delivery of complex facilities and align community colleges with other education systems. Opponents, including the Associated General Contractors, argued the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce requirements and labor-compliance scoring would narrow the bidder pool and raise costs. The committee passed the bill to the Assembly Floor on a due-pass vote, with some members voting no or not recorded. SB 1255, also by Senator Reyes, would create a California Hispanic-serving institution designation. Supporters from HACU, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, UC, community colleges, and other education organizations said the designation would recognize campuses that serve large numbers of Latino and low-income students and strengthen accountability and student success. The committee approved the bill as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, with one no vote. SB 1328, presented on behalf of Senator Cervantes, would require LGBTQ+ points of contact at satellite or branch campuses of CSU and community colleges, either through designated staff or regular office hours. Testimony emphasized gaps in access at remote centers and the need for confidential support; one member raised concerns about staffing, costs, and whether existing systems could meet the need remotely. The bill was passed as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 960 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand the circumstances under which community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in response to unmet workforce needs, especially where CSU programs are impacted or not realistically accessible locally. Supporters said the bill would help meet workforce demand and expand access for place-bound and adult learners. CSU and faculty representatives opposed unless amended, urging stronger partnership requirements, clearer workforce-need standards, and safeguards around duplication and Prop 98 funding. Members discussed impaction, regional access, and the role of partnerships; the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 632 by Senator Otagan would extend the California College Promise fee waiver to part-time community college students enrolled in nine units. Supporters said many students cannot attend full time because of work, caregiving, and living costs, and the bill would better reflect student realities; the transcript ends during testimony on this measure, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do expect to be addressing many of those issues, and they will help us to both get to an agreement
• The CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement that ensures all
• The CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement.
• Step, the CSU will continue to work with the author and this committee to reach an agreement that ensures
• You've demonstrated the statistical need, but do you have any actual agreements with employers?

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• immigrants, and a small group of immigrants under what is called a compact of free association agreements
• And the state... ...a compact of free association agreements, and the state-funded California food assistance
• Legislature approve the budget requests for the clinic navigators, there will be all the privacy agreement
• signs, so it will allow the department to actually share... ...privacy agreement signs, so it will allow
• And see my other comments about... privacy agreement signs, so it will allow the department to actually

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on how H.R. 1’s new federal work and community engagement rules will affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh, especially for Californians with behavioral health needs, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved individuals. The Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined the scope of the changes, including Medi-Cal work requirements beginning in January 2027 and CalFresh changes beginning in June 2026, and estimated large potential coverage losses if people cannot document exemptions or comply with reporting rules. State departments said they are still awaiting some federal guidance but are already building implementation plans, data matching, outreach campaigns, and system changes to reduce disruption and automatically identify exemptions where possible. Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services officials described efforts to use existing data, CalSAWS, and cross-program coordination to streamline exemption screening, including for medical frailty, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and student status. They said outreach will include text messaging, webinars, county training, and community-based partners, while also acknowledging that many people will still need direct worker contact. County representatives stressed that the new rules will create major administrative burdens, require significant new staffing, and could lead to coverage loss if counties are not adequately funded. They urged the Legislature to release the $20 million in current-year General Fund for CalFresh implementation and to consider a much larger county augmentation next year. Assembly members pressed the administration on outreach strategy, county funding, consistency across counties, and how to avoid harming eligible people through overly aggressive implementation. They also asked about coordination with universities, CDCR, and community-based organizations, and about how exemptions would be documented for mental health and substance use conditions. Department officials said they are working with counties, education institutions, and correctional agencies, and that they are trying to align Medi-Cal and CalFresh rules where possible, but not all federal definitions match. Public commenters from legal aid, counties, labor, and public hospitals warned that work requirements do not increase employment, will worsen food insecurity and health outcomes, and will strain county systems unless the state provides more funding and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools may pursue mediation or due process when necessary, and partial agreements can be implemented
• I mean, when I read it, it says if they failed to reach an agreement, but what about fail to reach the
• Right now you can do that and then you go back to work on an agreement of a potential placement adjustment
• Smith was getting at, is that the difference in the whole process on gaining consent or coming to an agreement
• Obviously, we've got a time window for agreement. But I'll talk to you about that more offline.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MoCAP framework. Representative Hurlbert and supporters said the program has helped about 1,200 adults earn diplomas, mostly women with children, and that it improves employment and health coverage outcomes. Members raised concerns about funding, the use of the foundation formula, and how the program differs from existing adult education options. Supporters said it is tuition-free, pay-for-performance, and intended for adults with a short path to graduation; no vote was taken on the bill. The committee then took up House Bills 2335 and 2230/2978 in executive session. HB 2335, dealing with teacher training, was amended and then given a do pass recommendation by a 19-0 vote. HB 2230 and 2978, as amended, were also approved do pass by an 18-1 vote after extensive discussion of the Student Screen Time Standards Act, including limits on screen time, a new advisory council, and a related cursive-writing amendment. Members generally supported the direction of the substitute, while some raised questions about local control, implementation, and the role of experts. Later, Representatives Irwin and Steinhoff presented House Bills 2913 and 3228, which would provide legal protection for teachers who intervene in violent situations to protect students or themselves. Supporters said the bills would reduce fear of liability and encourage reasonable intervention, while committee members and witnesses discussed possible limits, training, whether the protection should extend to other school staff, and how the proposal interacts with existing discipline and restraint rules. Public testimony was largely supportive, with school and teacher groups asking for clearer definitions and coordination with federal law; no vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2304, which would require parental consent before major changes to a child’s special education placement or services. The sponsor and advocates said it strengthens parent involvement and collaboration, while members questioned delays, due process, safety exceptions, and the effect on school operations. Testimony from advocates and parents supported the bill, and the hearing concluded without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• there were a conviction of assault in the fourth degree, again, most cases are a result of a plea agreement
• assault, felony level, that the prosecutor isn't able to, you're pleading, you're coming to plea agreements
• assault, felony level, that the prosecutor isn't able to, you're pleading, you're coming to plea agreements
• There's universal agreement on the problem statement that we all agree, I think, that we have a phenomenal
• there was also discussion about putting more money into the tox lab, which I think we're all in agreement

Bills: HB1228 , HB1239 , HB2310 , HB2464

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, impaired driving, toxicology, forensic toxicology, breath test, blood test, THC, marijuana, cannabis, alcohol concentration, state toxicologist, implied consent, evidence admissibility, venous blood draw, forensic phlebotomist, certified laboratory, accredited laboratory, law enforcement, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• We have agreements with the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, which Andrey's gonna talk a little bit
• And Acela was offering a managed agreement service every year that costs me.
• We project it will save us $46,000 this year because we didn't enter into the mass agreement with Acela
• We will not enter into that agreement. And saves $75,000 dollars.
• We still have to have the maintenance for the software, but we don't have to have to manage agreement

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just want to stress how important that is and that we are in agreement that schools should be in
• have to create this instance where Miami then is able to share data after all the data sharing agreements
• And then, of course, we have a data sharing agreement with our partners as well.
• And then we did add in a user agreement and then we're now working at well finishing the student one.
• And so before the students use the tool, they will be signing a user agreement as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• David Archuleta mentioned we have a reciprocity agreement between ERB and PERA, so that's its own act
• for the state, when these charter schools are formed, they have to do, I believe it's called a 217 agreement
• , that referendum agreement, comes to fruition.
• Changes to their Social Security Agreements.
• So they're not reported under PERA, but we're kind of the liaison for those types of agreements.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• enter<00:20:28.960><c> into</c><00:20:29.200><c> a</c><00:20:29.360><c> formal</c><00:20:29.679><c> agreement
• </c><00:20:30.080><c> to</c><00:20:30.320><c> commit</c> enter into a formal agreement to commit enter
• into a formal agreement to commit to<00:20:30.720><c> purchasing</c><00:20:31.200><c> local</c><00:20
• We're talking about, again, how district stadium, um, know, making the basics of, um, um, agreement,
• District stadium, um, know, making the basics of, um, um, agreement, um.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony and then took up House Bill 1369, which would repeal several tax credits and exemptions, including the renewable fuels production tax credit. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed: Hawaii Gas, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, and the Tax Foundation all raised concerns, with opponents arguing the renewable fuels credit has supported major local investment, cleaner fuel production, and energy resilience, while Hawaii Gas warned repeal would raise costs for customers. The Department of Taxation said it did not take a position but provided revenue estimates, saying the bill would increase revenues by about $33.8 million in FY 2026 and $121.7 million in FY 2027; DBEDT said it would follow up on broader economic impacts. The chair proposed a series of amendments that removed some repeals, added five-year sunsets to certain exemptions, narrowed or conditioned others, and tied the renewable fuels exemption to a dollar-for-dollar match for renewable fuel production certified by the state energy officer. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted with multiple members voting with reservations. The committee then moved through a series of other measures. HB 159, HB 244, HB 280, HB 316, HB 716, HB 1298, and HB 1295 were recommended for passage, with HB 1295 amended to change a date to 2050. HB 455 was amended to remove the Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program language and instead fund DBEDT contracting for startup financing and support, excluding businesses already eligible for the community-based economic development loan program. HB 504 was amended to add non-recurring appropriations for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, conditioned on formal commitments to purchase local products under the HRS 27-8 timeline; members discussed the cruise passenger tax and where the revenue would go, and the bill was passed with amendments. HB 606 was amended to recognize DHHL authority over mercantile projects licenses, remove some reporting requirements, and replace the appropriation with $25 million for mercantile projects and $25 million for repair and maintenance. HB 1378 was amended to allow the foundation to enter public-private partnerships, adjust appropriation language, and cap a proposed limit at $15 million, with the committee noting the changes addressed concerns raised in testimony from BNF and the attorney general. HB 974 was deferred indefinitely because the House had already passed SB 1501. Finally, HB 1007 was amended to rename the transit-oriented development infrastructure district program as the transit-oriented community improvement program, consolidate the boards into one, expand board membership, add conflict-of-interest provisions, and allow legislative designation of areas; after discussion about HCDA’s role and the stadium district, the measure was adopted with one reservation.