Transcript Highlights:

• defaults, never be put in that position where they have to redeem after a sale and never have to refinance
• c><00:19:59.360><c> never</c><00:19:59.679><c> have</c><00:19:59.840><c> to</c><00:20:00.000><c> refinance
• </c><00:20:00.559><c> a</c> of sale and never have to refinance a of sale and never have to refinance
• </c><01:00:03.359><c> outside</c><01:00:03.920><c> of</c> the policy might be refined outside of the
• policy might be refined outside of policy<01:00:04.960><c> committee.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So would that qualify under your exemptions if I had to refinance and the rate doubled or tripled in
• So would that qualify under your exemptions if I had to refinance and the rate doubled or tripled in
• So would that qualify under your exemptions if I had to refinance and the rate doubled or tripled in
• So would that qualify under your exemptions if I had to refinance and the rate doubled or tripled in
• So would that qualify under your exemptions if I had to refinance and the rate doubled or tripled in

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Bills: HB6955 , HB8800 , HR1118

Keywords: banking reform, financial institutions, community banks, credit unions, regulatory relief, economic stability, mergers and acquisitions, supervisory practices, CACFP, Child and Adult Care Food Program, National CACFP Week, child nutrition, school meals, after-school meals, Head Start, child care, day care, adult day care, emergency shelters, military child care

Transcript Highlights:

• It refines the authority to more narrowly approve agency-requested exceptions on a more granular level

Transcript Highlights:

• And just, um, I'm confident that we'll continue to update and refine our consumer data protection act

Committee: House Small Business & Information Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• So the numbers have been refined multiple times. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Adrian.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• This strike-all amendment refines the bill to focus squarely on the infrastructure and funding pillars

Summary: The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four member bills. The first, CS/HB 1387 by Rep. Overdorf, would create the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act and require secret-ballot union recognition for companies receiving state economic development funds. Questions focused on whether the bill was pro- or anti-union and on its fiscal impact; the sponsor said it was neutral and expected no fiscal impact. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with several speakers arguing it would interfere with private-sector labor relations and discourage companies with existing labor agreements from investing in Florida, while a few supporters backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with several members voting no. The committee then unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 1211 by Rep. Albert, which streamlines senior management service governance in the Department of Military Affairs, updates military leave benefits for state employees serving in the Florida National Guard, expands emergency financial assistance eligibility for guardsmen, and repeals an unfunded statutory program. An amendment aligning senior management positions under state statute was adopted without objection. The committee also unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 741 by Rep. Owen, a Department of Commerce bill updating outdated statutes, including provisions on military installation revertor clauses, rural community definitions, community development block grant language, and E-Verify/unauthorized employment provisions; the sponsor said there would be little or no fiscal impact. Finally, CS/CS/HB 1093 by Rep. Spencer, dealing with advanced air mobility, was amended to focus on infrastructure and funding for vertiports and charging systems and to remove liability, siding, and preemption provisions. Support came from industry and legal groups, and the bill was reported favorably unanimously. Before adjournment, the chair noted that budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026-27 had been submitted to the appropriations chair. The ranking member offered closing remarks, saying it was his last year in the House and thanking members for their collegiality. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Still need some refinement, but there's some great programs in there.

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to consider House Bill 2, the major public education and school finance bill. The committee first reconsidered and withdrew the prior committee substitute, then took up a new substitute. Senator Creighton explained several changes, including a correction to the golden penny yield weight, an increase in the special education evaluation incentive cap from $45 million to $67 million, timing changes to avoid a funding gap for Bluebonnet curriculum training grants, narrowed language affecting educator preparation providers, added facility-usage reporting language, incorporation of bilingual allotment language from Senate Bill 2185, removal of the $20 million annual cap on JROTC funding, and a prevailing-clause provision to make HB 2 controlling over conflicting measures. Members generally praised the bill’s historic funding level but raised concerns about details and future floor debate. Senator Menendez said he appreciated the special education, safety, and teacher pay funding but was not ready to fully support the bill because of inflationary pressures, facilities funding, and district-specific impacts, and indicated he might vote present. Senator Parker strongly supported the bill, emphasizing historic funding, teacher pay, and the need to continue refining the package. Senator Witt also said he would vote present while seeking more refinement, especially on certification issues for public and charter schools. Senator Bettencourt highlighted the bill’s scale, including about $8 billion in new funding and $1.3 billion for special education, while Senator Hinojosa asked for more flexibility in the basic allotment and thanked the author for bilingual education and coastal-area provisions. The committee then adopted the new committee substitute and voted to report HB 2 favorably to the full Senate. The motion passed 9 ayes and 2 present not voting, with the bill reported as committee substitute do pass and be printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Planning Association, and really pleased to be in support and really appreciate the additional refinements

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Planning Association, and really pleased to be in support and really appreciate the additional refinements

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee met on March 26 and, after beginning without a quorum, proceeded as a subcommittee before later establishing quorum and taking formal votes. The chair reviewed hearing rules, including in-person testimony only, limits on disruptive conduct, and procedures for public comment. Four bills were on the agenda, with AB 1030 placed on the consent calendar. AB 59 by Assembly Member Aguirre-Curie would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects, allowing the district to plan long-term financing and pursue small hydropower facilities in existing canals. The author, local officials, and water district representatives supported the bill as a way to reduce energy costs and improve water stewardship; no opposition was heard. The committee later passed AB 59 unanimously. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo would clarify and streamline laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs), with supporters saying it would improve local governments’ ability to fund infrastructure, affordable housing, and economic development. One opponent objected specifically to CRIA eminent domain authority and urged an amendment to remove that power. After quorum was established, the committee passed AB 417 on a 6-0 vote. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora would restore expired authority for health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects. Supporters said the measure would help districts secure financing and complete projects efficiently without changing public contracting rules; there was no opposition. The committee passed AB 533 7-0. AB 1030 was also approved on the consent calendar, and the hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• so being able to lay out these proposals during the interim get responses back and work through Refinements

Bills: HB138 , HB335 , HB388 , HB138

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• It's hydrometallurgical refining. I'm just an undergrad from UNH.
• It's hydrometallurgical refining. I'm just an undergrad from UNH.
• It's hydromemetal<04:11:53.920><c> refining.</c> hydromemetal refining. hydromemetal refining.
• Um, and it's just by virtue of hydrometallurgical refining and some of the benefit there.
• Um, and it's just by virtue of hydrometallurgical refining and some of the benefit there.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• But we’re happy to work with the prime sponsor, any other members of the committee, to further refine
• But we’re happy to work with the prime sponsor, any other members of the committee, to further refine
• But we’re happy to work with the prime sponsor, any other members of the committee, to further refine
• But we’re happy to work with the prime sponsor, any other members of the committee, to further refine
• But we’re happy to work with the prime sponsor, any other members of the committee, to further refine

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• And her characterization was that the Senate did a good job of refining points that were ambiguous or
• </c><00:56:09.240><c> good</c><00:56:09.560><c> job</c><00:56:09.920><c> of</c><00:56:10.080><c> refining
• </c><00:56:10.640><c> points</c> Senate did a good job of refining points Senate did a good job of refining

Transcript Highlights:

• were making decisions about what would be carried in terms of costs, and it was decided that the refined
• costs and it was decided<01:02:34.760><c> that</c> decided that decided that the<01:02:35.720><c> refined
• 36.920><c> is</c><01:02:37.120><c> what</c><01:02:37.280><c> would</c><01:02:37.440><c> be</c> the refined
• language is what would be the refined language is what would be brought<01:02:37.840><c> forward</c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been at this for some time now, and we've kind of refined what we're doing, but thank you.
• now, and we've for for some time time now, and we've kind<00:48:28.960><c> of</c><00:48:29.040><c> refined
• what</c><00:48:29.520><c> we're</c><00:48:29.640><c> doing,</c><00:48:29.920><c> but</c> kind of refined
• what we're doing, but kind of refined what we're doing, but but<00:48:30.400><c> thank</c><00:48:30.640

Summary: The joint Minerals Committee met to select interim topics and announced its meeting dates for April 27-28 in Casper, June 4-5 in Casper, and August 27-28 in Cheyenne. Members heard public testimony on several economic development and minerals-related topics and were asked to identify their top priorities for later ranking and consensus. No formal votes were taken during this portion of the meeting. A major topic was removing obstacles to energy development in Wyoming, including possible regulatory, bonding, and permitting barriers. Testimony from the Mining Association and Energy Capital Economic Development supported revisiting barriers to development, similar to the earlier Regulatory Reduction Task Force. Another related topic was industrial siting exemptions on coal mine property, with testimony arguing that mineral-related projects such as rare earths, uranium conversion, and ferroalloys should not have to go through the full industrial siting process when communities have already dealt with similar development. Members also discussed industrial siting bonding requirements, including whether bonding or advance payments should be used to cover impacts on local services and emergency response, especially for projects like solar farms or battery storage. The committee also discussed coal bed methane industrial sovereign zones, tied to House Bill 120, with testimony seeking to include coal bed methane in value-added manufacturing zones. The sponsor said the goal was to create industrial zones that support economic development while protecting scenic values and limiting industrial sprawl. Another topic was sourcing curling stones in Wyoming, which was presented as a lighthearted but potentially useful way to promote Wyoming stone and broader dimension-stone quarrying; a state geologist testified that Wyoming has granite with similar mineralogy to stone used for curling stones elsewhere. Child care as an economic driver was withdrawn. The committee also heard support for a Business Council restructure review, though several members said the Minerals Committee should do the substantive review because the Business Council falls within its jurisdiction, while still coordinating with Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a domestic preference in residential general service contracts, extending Wyoming preference concepts beyond construction into goods and services, with testimony emphasizing local economic multipliers and possible exceptions for federal funding or other procurement limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• NIPPC is committed to working with forest landowners and the bill sponsors on other refinements to the
• Nipsey's committed to working with forest landowners and the bill sponsors on other refinements to the
• With forest landowners and the bill sponsors on other refinements to the bill. Thank you.
• And we're committed to working with the sponsor and the Attorney General to refine this policy.

Summary: The committee took up executive action on the capital budget, Proposed Substitute Senate Bill 6003, and several policy bills. Staff described amendments to the capital budget that shifted funding among behavioral health, local/community projects, irrigation projects, and juvenile rehabilitation capacity, plus a technical fix to the water pollution control revolving program. The committee adopted Senator Dozier’s budget-neutral amendment and a technical amendment, then advanced the amended capital budget to the Rules Committee. It also moved House Bills 2441, 2124, 2471, 2133, 2610, and 2338 forward with due-pass recommendations, and advanced Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 on Climate Commitment Act accounts to the Transportation Committee after adopting two amendments and withdrawing three others. A major public hearing focused on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which would terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1 in 2029, transfer surplus assets, and direct portions to the Climate Commitment Account and the pension funding stabilization account. Staff said the plan is currently about 160% funded and explained the bill’s IRS-review process, statute of limitations, and estimated implementation costs. Testimony was sharply divided: some retirees, firefighters, counties, and cities opposed the bill as an improper use of pension assets and urged benefit enhancements or protection of local medical obligations, while others supported using the surplus for broader public purposes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2179 on PERS coverage for certain port workers, with ports and the Washington Public Ports Association supporting clarification for railroad employees covered by the federal railroad retirement system. House Bill 1069, allowing Department of Corrections employees to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits, drew support from Teamsters and corrections workers, while House Bill 2091, expanding employee-information sharing with bargaining representatives, drew union support and privacy objections from Washington Policy Center. Finally, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 on targeted urban area tax preferences drew support from labor, local governments, and project proponents, and opposition from contractor groups and environmental advocates over project labor agreement requirements and nuclear-related concerns; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 on community preservation and development authorities and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974 on land bank authorities for affordable housing were also heard, with both receiving supportive testimony from community and housing advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• They pointed out a few areas where we do have some opportunities to refine the model that would be incredibly
• As I mentioned, we're also We're also going to continue to evaluate and refine our conceptual site model
• We're looking to continue to evaluate and refine that as quickly as possible.
• Hazard, refine that seismic hazard with new data, new methods.

Committee: Joint Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the increasing number of statutes that have, you know, worked to refine and restrict authorizing
• We have worked together very diligently not only to refine and think outside our own boxes to come to
• If there's other pieces of software we're happy to work with Opposition on maybe refining the scope here
• Assemblymember Avila Farias for their collaboration. on this bill and ask for your partnership in refining

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• the bill moving so we can work with the Department of Health and other stakeholders to address and refine
• the bill moving so we can work with the Department of Health and other stakeholders to address and refine
• the bill moving so we can work with the Department of Health and other stakeholders to address and refine
• the bill moving so we can work with the Department of Health and other stakeholders to address and refine

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.