Transcript Highlights:

• We're representing the million people we each represent, and those million people just want a fair opportunity
• They represent hardworking families who want their kids to have the same opportunities traditionally
• But the Senate, the state of Texas, had an opportunity today to put together a policy statement and begin
• If we didn't do that today, we would miss that opportunity.
• They represent hardworking families who want their kids to have the same opportunities. ...traditionally

Keywords: Senate Bill 688, Senate Bill 9, equity, meritocracy, social progress, policy reform, public testimony

Summary: During this meeting of the committee, significant discussions centered around Senate Bill 688 and Senate Bill 9, with members expressing deep concerns over the implications of the proposed legislation. Chair Carol Alvarado initiated the meeting by addressing the audience and highlighting the need for robust dialogue regarding the bills in question. Senator Royce West actively contributed to the discussions, emphasizing the necessity to reform existing policies that some believe would regress social progress in the state. The debate revealed a passionate division among committee members, as they navigated the complexities of equity and meritocracy in legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Families who once owned homes in many neighborhoods across California, or had the opportunity to, now
• And so it's something that we can do to provide more opportunity for homeownership for Californians.
• Because the entertainment industry is mobile, it can come and go as economic opportunities change.
• I appreciate the opportunity to present AB 1550.
• Thank you to the Chair, members, and the Assemblywoman for giving me the opportunity to speak.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just wondering, is there any opportunity, and I'm sure stolen through crypto.
• And I'm just wondering, is there any opportunity, and I'm sure it's pretty elaborate and very detailed
• in trying to track that down, is there an opportunity either for your office or with legislative help
• At its core, this bill is about expanding opportunity, opportunity for Idahoans to find a home they can
• Lisa Anderson: At its core, this bill is about expanding opportunity—opportunity for Idahoans to find

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans embrace the potential for new technology and the opportunity to lead Minnesota into the future
• Republicans embrace the potential for new technology and the opportunity to lead Minnesota into the future
• I've talked with many people about accessible vehicles and the challenges, but this is also an opportunity
• I've talked with many people about accessible vehicles and the challenges, but this is also an opportunity
• for us and hold up the bill opportunity for us and hold up the bill in<00:14:30.800><c> committee.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republicans held a Transportation Committee press event to promote several bills they said would make driving cheaper and transportation more innovative. The main measures discussed were House File 3526, which would reduce vehicle tab fees; House File 3513, which would legalize automated driverless vehicles with regulatory guardrails; and a bill to consolidate metro-area bus operations and reduce administrative overhead and subsidies. They also said other transportation-related bills, including a school bus stop-arm clarification and a distracted-driving bill, were scheduled for the House floor on Monday. Representative Patti Anderson argued that Minnesota vehicle registration fees have become unaffordable, citing examples of high costs for newer and older vehicles, and said the state should roll fees back to pre-2023/2024 levels. On automated vehicles, Republicans said the bill had been revised after concerns from committee members, MnDOT, and stakeholders, adding a weight limit to avoid autonomous trucking, accessibility provisions for wheelchair users, a U.S.-based support person requirement, a labor/economic/congestion study, and tighter permitting. They said the bill should advance to the next committee and rejected delaying implementation for further study. On transit, Republicans said the metro has too many separate bus systems and that consolidation would save taxpayer money by cutting redundant service and administrative costs. They cited high per-ride subsidies and claimed combined reserve funds and reduced waste could save tens of millions of dollars. In questions, they defended using general-fund dollars for transportation, said the system benefits all residents, and argued that autonomous vehicles and related industries would create new opportunities even if some driving jobs are displaced. No formal votes were taken in the press event, though the speakers said they expected committee action on the automated-vehicle bill and that other bills would move to the floor or other committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for this opportunity.
• Reading is how we access information, safety, opportunity, and independence.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify here in support of ESHB 1295.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak today in support of House Bill 1634.
• Thank you so much for your time and for the opportunity to speak. Thank you.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three K-12 bills focused on behavioral health, literacy, and review of education mandates. On House Bill 1634, staff and Rep. Milin Tai described a framework for OSPI and educational service districts to coordinate with state and local partners on behavioral health technical assistance and training for schools, aligned with the Washington Thriving prenatal-to-25 plan. Testifiers, including students and education/behavioral health representatives, said the bill would improve coordination, early intervention, and access to supports for students and families. The bill was presented as having no fiscal note because it relies on existing funding, and testimony emphasized parent and student engagement in the framework. On House Bill 2636, staff and Rep. Skyler Rude explained that the bill creates a Public Education Review Steering Committee to identify existing policies and funding provisions for JLARC review, with the goal of determining whether they achieve intended outcomes, improve student performance, are cost-effective, and should be maintained, modified, or repealed. Supporters said the bill is intended to help reduce burdensome or ineffective requirements on school districts and free resources for students, while some members questioned how the committee would define policy and whether it could affect future mandates. A representative of the Washington State School Directors Association supported the concept as a meaningful review of unfunded mandates. The committee also heard House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned literacy curriculum updates after 2027, require comprehensive K-4 literacy programs using structured literacy practices, direct PESB to revise literacy endorsement standards, require literacy-related continuing education, and direct OSPI to develop educator literacy training. Supporters, including parents, educators, students, dyslexia advocates, and district staff, argued that structured literacy is supported by research and would improve outcomes for struggling readers and students with dyslexia. One witness from the Washington Education Association supported the bill but raised concern about adding another continuing-education requirement. Testimony on the bill was extensive and largely in favor, with some discussion about whether the approach would address older students and how it would interact with existing district and ESD efforts. After public hearings, the committee moved into executive session and approved three gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation. It adopted an amendment to House Bill 1796 and advanced the bill to Ways and Means, passed Engrossed House Bill 2317 to Rules, and adopted a striking amendment to Substitute House Bill 2594 before advancing it to Ways and Means. All actions were taken by voice vote, with no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• owners more opportunity within their property rights.
• And I think this is just a golden opportunity.
• And I think this is just a golden opportunity.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to speak on this.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to speak on this.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
• I'd like to thank you for this opportunity to speak to all of you.
• When I do so, there are opportunities to submit written testimony.
• And thank you for your leadership and for the opportunity to testify.
• I appreciate the opportunity to address the committee this afternoon.

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on House Bill 2410, which would establish a commercial truck safety and education council, increase the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32, and direct the new revenue to a dedicated account for truck safety and training programs. Committee staff outlined the bill’s CDL and training requirements, council structure, confidentiality provisions, and fiscal impacts. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to improve truck safety through industry-led education and noted that a substitute was expected because details still needed work. Testimony from the Washington Trucking Associations, insurers, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission was generally supportive of the safety goals, though the commission said operational details and agency roles still needed clarification. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2347, which would repeal the recently enacted luxury aircraft tax on non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000. Staff explained that the tax is scheduled to take effect April 1 and that repeal would reduce revenue to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel account. Representative Dent, the sponsor, argued the tax is harming business aviation, emergency services, wildfire response, agricultural operations, and rural access, and said aircraft and related jobs were already leaving the state. Most public testimony came from aviation businesses, airport operators, industry associations, and related employers, all urging repeal and warning of aircraft departures, lost hangar tenants, reduced fuel sales, and job losses. One witness from the Port of Seattle supported addressing the tax’s impact but urged working toward a narrower fix rather than full repeal so sustainable aviation fuel funding would remain stable. After closing the hearing on HB 2347, the committee received a work session on tolling technology. Transportation Commission staff presented the results of a pilot using a smartphone app to support toll collection, explaining that the current tolling system remains accurate but that new technologies could reduce costs and improve flexibility over time. The pilot found high accuracy when the app was paired to a vehicle by Bluetooth, lower accuracy without pairing, strong customer satisfaction, and some privacy concerns. The commission recommended keeping the current system in place for now, conducting a more fully operational smartphone-based pilot in the near term, and eventually developing a broader technology marketplace for future tolling systems. Members asked about the role of tags versus apps, video tolling accuracy, and the timeline for replacing existing tolling methods. The meeting ended with adjournment for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of House Bill 2524.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of House Bill 2524.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you in support of House Bill 2524.
• Thank you for your opportunity to speak. Thank you. Are there any questions?
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of this bill.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason why we did this work session right now is because our members have the opportunity to
• I've had the opportunity to work on clean buildings since the law came into fruition in 2019.
• I'm excited to be here today to report on our progress, our challenges, and our opportunities ahead.
• And some of these could be extreme cost-cutting measures as well as opportunities.
• And some of these could be extreme cost-cutting measures as well as opportunities.

Summary: The committee first received a Commerce overview of capital budget grant programs, including behavioral health facilities, Building for the Arts, Building Communities Fund, early learning facilities, library capital improvements, and youth recreational facilities. Commerce described program eligibility, match requirements, funding cycles, and project examples such as an early learning center in Spokane, a rural library in Stevens County, and a youth clubhouse in Prosser. Members asked about behavioral health capital projects, including how many facilities have been opened and how capital planning aligns with operating funding; Commerce said it could provide more data later and noted it focuses on capital while HCA, DSHS, and DOH handle operating requests. Members also raised concerns about nonprofit financial stability, project licensure, siting, and the burden of non-state match, while Commerce emphasized shovel-ready projects, community match, and efforts to reduce application burden. The committee then heard an update on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard from Commerce. Staff reviewed Washington’s building emissions laws, compliance tiers, exemptions, incentives, and district energy system decarbonization planning under House Bills 1543, 1976, and 1390. Commerce reported nearly 5,000 inquiries in 2025, a fellowship program that has helped more than 250 buildings in 16 counties, and review of nearly 30 district energy plans. The presentation highlighted that over half of Tier 1 buildings are already meeting targets, that Tier 2 incentive applications suggest the 30-cent-per-square-foot incentive often covers compliance costs, and that district decarbonization plans face common challenges such as aging infrastructure, grid readiness, workforce, and inconsistent cost reporting. Members asked what additional legislative action might help, and Commerce said it was still learning from the new rulemaking and implementation changes. Western Washington University and Corex then presented on WWU’s campus heating conversion project and a possible off-campus thermal energy partnership with the Port of Bellingham. WWU described its aging steam system, high emissions, maintenance costs, and the $51 million in Climate Commitment Account funding it has received to transition toward an electric hot-water system using technologies such as geo-exchange, heat recovery chillers, and air-source heat pumps. Corex explained its existing district energy system at the Port of Bellingham, which uses industrial waste heat and is operating at very high efficiency, and said it is exploring a heat transmission line to WWU and possibly sewer-heat recovery. Testimony from WSU and UW supported the broader decarbonization effort but raised concerns about the scale of costs, deferred maintenance, and the need for predictable state funding. A contractor witness urged the state to think bigger about public-private partnerships and other financing tools rather than forcing campuses to compete for limited funds. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2330, which would create a prioritization process for capital funding for state campus district energy system decarbonization projects. Staff said the bill would establish a Commerce committee to score and rank projects, issue a preliminary framework report by December 30 of this year, and provide biennial recommended project lists beginning in 2028, while also studying barriers to energy-as-a-service contracts and public-private partnerships. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to create a thoughtful, predictable process for deciding which projects to fund, emphasizing energy savings, emissions reductions, operating cost reductions, shovel-readiness, and the value of public-private partnerships. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive: WSU and UW backed the bill as a way to advance compliance and predictability, though WSU warned that compliance costs could be very large and that the university would likely seek state help if fines were imposed. A contractor witness supported the concept but argued the bill should help build a larger funding “pie” through partnerships and financing tools rather than simply dividing scarce resources. The committee then opened and heard testimony on House Bill 2338, which would authorize community-scaled weatherization projects. Commerce staff said the bill would allow weatherization funds and matching funds to be used for neighborhood-scale projects affecting multiple dwelling units, while still prioritizing low-income households; the fiscal note estimated about $273,000 in FY 2027 and about $237,000 per biennium ongoing for administration. Supporters from community action agencies and Spark Northwest said the bill would improve health, safety, affordability, and contractor participation by allowing weatherization to be done at a community scale, especially in mobile home parks and low-income neighborhoods. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to speak.
• Opportunities for clarity ensure understanding between patients and providers.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of this bill. Please support House Bill 2261.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Shannon Fitzgerald.
• I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today. I'm Dr.

Bills: HB2261 , HB2283 , HB2425 , HB2110 , HB2113 , HB2122 , HB2152

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, transparency, patient communication, credentials, professional standards, medical loss ratio, insurance, health plans, cost management, nursing delegation, registered nurse, RN, home care aide, nursing assistant, certified nursing assistant, CNA, medical assistant, home health, hospice, community-based care

Transcript Highlights:

• If a city or a county needs that, it gives them the opportunity to put it in front of the people that
• Thank you, Madam Chair, for this opportunity to speak in favor of House Bill 2174.
• We just need an opportunity to do that through a stakeholder process.
• And I think we should try to give them every opportunity to succeed. I have a question.
• I appreciate the opportunity to be heard today. We do not have any more testifiers. Thank you.

Bills: HB2267 , HB2183 , HB2174 , HB1529

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: urban forestry, local government, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, heat response, counties, public health, emergency management, climate action, crash prevention, traffic safety, roadside regulations, emergency zones, public safety, state legislation, infrastructure, county resources, road construction, maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• And it gives them that opportunity, which they don't have right now.
• Thank you so much for this opportunity.
• It is giving agents the opportunity to, if they get a call from somebody and they want to talk about
• It is just allowing them the opportunity, should they wish. And then that's it. Any questions?
• Good morning, and thank you for this opportunity to speak.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there are so many families that would benefit from this opportunity in leveraging institutions
• Thanks for the opportunity to testify today.
• I've had the opportunity— I've had the opportunity to teach in schools from the East Coast to the Midwest
• You all have this amazing opportunity to help nurture this future forward.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

Bills: SB5901 , SB5860 , SB5956 , SB5574 , SB5922 , SB5858

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 4370.
• Thank you, Chairman, and members, for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 4491.
• Thank you for the opportunity to lay out this important bill. I think it's...
• Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee today.
• Thank you, members, for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 3641.

Bills: HB386 , HB1449 , HB1701 , HB2142 , HB2675 , HB2857 , HB3063 , HB3171 , HB3641 , HB3732 , HB4045 , HB4370 , HB4491 , HB4505 , HB4626 , HB5267 , HB5356

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chairman Frank, and good morning to the members and Vice Chair Bucy for the opportunity to
• And like I said to the Committee on Public Health back in 2013, let's take this opportunity to stand
• Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for the consideration.
• Chairman and members for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 1652.
• Thank you for this opportunity on this crucial bill. Try in the Senate and the House last session.

Bills: HB514 , HB1652 , HB2117 , HB2298 , HB3269 , HB46 , HB46

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: maternal health, maternal care, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, doula, birth worker, midwife, obstetric care, women's health, rural health, health workforce, workforce development, trauma-informed care, public outreach campaign, health equity, minority health, underserved communities, Texas Department of State Health Services, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to present House Bill 1461 to you today.
• You'll certainly be given that opportunity to close.
• I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to lay out House Bill.
• You get an opportunity, and your bill, they are very, very similar.
• I also missed the opportunity of being with you earlier, so thank you.

Bills: HB153 , HB1410 , HB1461 , HB1760 , HB1762 , HB3261 , HB3773 , HB153

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really appreciate the opportunity and want to be... That's better.
• I think there are definitely opportunities for us to do things differently.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
• Dylan Hoffman, on behalf of the Center for Employment Opportunities.
• No, I really appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on transportation agency budget proposals and did not take any votes. The first major discussion focused on the Motor Vehicle Account shortfall and a proposed one-time $166 million transfer from the Air Pollution Control Fund and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to offset California Air Resources Board mobile source costs. Department of Finance and the LAO described the account’s long-running structural deficit, driven largely by employee compensation growth and REAL ID-related workload, while members criticized the use of Proposition 4, GGRF, and other one-time or redirected funds as backfills and urged a longer-term solution that addresses both revenues and expenditures. The committee then heard Caltrans’ request for $25 million in General Fund support to create a Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant Program. Caltrans said the program would build on the prior Clean California effort by funding local litter and graffiti cleanup, community engagement, and workforce pathways for vulnerable populations. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that local litter abatement is not a core state responsibility and that one-time funding is unlikely to solve persistent local cleanup needs. Several members echoed those concerns, while public commenters split between support for the cleanup/employment model and calls to instead restore funding to the Active Transportation Program and transit operations. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requested that California administratively recognize Tahoe’s federally designated population figure for state formula-based transportation funding, which would raise the population count used in formulas from 40,000 to 145,000. The agency said the change would not request new money but would better align state formulas with federal law and support a shared regional funding framework; members appeared generally supportive, though they noted the need to phase in the change to reduce impacts on other regions. The final presentation was on High-Speed Rail. The LAO reviewed the authority’s project update report, noting that it did not fully meet statutory requirements and that key details are still pending in a supplemental report expected later in the summer. The LAO said the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment still shows an estimated roughly $7 billion funding gap, with no specific plan to close it, and highlighted risks from federal review, inflation, and uncertain GGRF revenues. High-Speed Rail Authority staff said they are conducting a bottom-up review of scope, schedule, ridership, and costs, expect to provide updated information by late summer, and are exploring public-private partnerships and other financing strategies. Members stressed that no further funding commitments should be made until the updated analysis is available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today on behalf of the Minnesota Sheriff's
• I appreciate the opportunity to highlight the importance of House File 327 and why it is critical to
• </c><00:03:57.720><c> to</c> and thank you for the opportunity to and thank you for the opportunity to
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak to this.
• </c> right so I think we have the opportunity right so I think we have the opportunity now<00:14:00.720

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 327, which would increase penalties for introducing contraband into correctional facilities, especially drugs and other dangerous items sent through the mail or brought in by outside actors. Representative Ingan described the bill as a response to a sharp rise in violations and staff exposures in DOC facilities, arguing that stronger felony penalties are needed to deter people from sending in illicit substances. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee omnibus because it has a fiscal note. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment after Representative Ingan explained it was intended to clarify language that could otherwise create a catch-22 for people arrested or booked into jail who already have contraband on them. Members then raised concerns about the breadth of the bill, including overlap with an existing DOC statute and the possibility that the language could sweep in incarcerated people in situations involving prescription medication or minor exchanges. House nonpartisan staff and members suggested the DOC provisions should be reconciled with existing law before moving forward, and some suggested narrowing the bill to focus more specifically on jails. Sheriff Brad Wise of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying contraband in jails threatens staff, inmates, visitors, and administrators and that current penalties are not enough to deter smuggling. Commissioner Paul Schell of Corrections also testified, noting that DOC already has a separate statute with a higher felony penalty for certain contraband, described the department’s mail-scanning contractor process, and said it has reduced suspected drug incidents by about two-thirds. An A2 amendment tied to medication intake practices was offered by Representative Curran but then withdrawn after discussion, with members agreeing the issue of medication access in facilities should be handled separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> believe that we have a real opportunity believe that we have a real opportunity um<00:09:52.800>
• I think that there are real opportunities.
• </c> that there will be um real opportunity that there will be um real opportunity to<00:20:05.880><c
• </c><00:20:39.600><c> I</c><00:20:39.720><c> think</c> there are real opportunities I think there are
• real opportunities I think that<00:20:40.120><c> the</c> that the that the overreach<00:20:42.159><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity.
• for visitors to creates an opportunity for visitors to invest<00:13:54.759><c> and</c><00:13:55.000>
• Thank you for the opportunity. Next up, we have Ted Bolan.
• He thanked the committee for the opportunity to testify.
• <00:19:35.720><c> thank</c> opportunity thank opportunity thank you<00:19:38.799><c> next</c><00:19:39.159

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.