Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in support. in support.
• . support. support.
• . support. support.
• </c> in support. Hawaii Yimi in support. in support. Hawaii Yimi in support.
• Holua Collaborative in support. support. support.

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 08:57.120><c> supported</c> evidence-based practice that's supported evidence-based practice that's supported
• I support this program.
• Chair, and support the program.
• Chair, and support the program.
• Chair, and support the program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:04.160><c> of</c> paying their workers less supporters of paying their workers less supporters
• We're here in support of SB 88.
• </c> would ask that you support would ask that you support sb88<00:17:35.080><c> thank</c><00:17:35.240
• </c> Merit shop workers and support Merit shop workers and support reinvesting<00:20:01.520><c> our</
• support.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> individuals with the tools and support individuals with the tools and support necessary<00:05:34.960
• from the state, and you know, I support it, ...I support it, but I was disappointed that you withdrew
• </c><01:05:05.920><c> this</c> accountability so please support this accountability so please support
• </c><01:06:21.799><c> it</c> successfully with bipartisan support it successfully with bipartisan support
• </c> under current support under current support agreements<02:06:34.880><c> the</c><02:06:35.079><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> program also works statewide to support, program also works statewide to support, educate,<00:17
• And frankly, we've demonstrated we need that discipline.
• I desperately want to support my people who are in need of this.
• Stand in full support of the bill.
• It was started with heavy state support. It kind of went away.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just like how you are business support, we want to also support you in your business.
• We support Hawaii-made products.
• </c> We support Hawaii made products. We support Hawaii made products.
• </c> support division uh Jason Ushi. support division uh Jason Ushi.
• </c> the business development and support. the business development and support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the admins provide more clerical and administrative support like typing up minutes, committee reports
• </c> more clerical and administrative support more clerical and administrative support like<00:15:59.120
• Now, there are some new administrative support staff folks.
• So the cluster will say here's the transmission that's needed to support these projects, and then if
• You have to demonstrate to the ISO that this project is real and what its capability is.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:51.200><c> black</c> would want to be able to support black would want to be able to support
• </c><00:17:31.360><c> community</c> the businesses that support community the businesses that support
• </c><00:40:48.640><c> programs</c> know, like collateral support programs know, like collateral support
• </c><00:43:23.040><c> to</c> take that as an additional u support to take that as an additional u support
• It will demonstrate a true shift from rhetorical support to economic justice.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Less than 100 were in support.
• Less than 100 were in support.
• Less than 100 were in support.
• Less than 100 were in support.
• support this bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> farmers and those that are supporting farmers and those that are supporting the<00:15:15.199><c>
• It is our responsibility to support them every way possible, so I urge you to continue supporting this
• </c><01:10:14.159><c> that</c> of supporting that of supporting that transition<01:10:16.159><c> this
• </c><01:10:22.239><c> thank</c> fully support thank fully support thank you<01:10:25.040><c> thank</c
• It really is making such a difference. supported it um I feel like you should supported it um I feel

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My current revenue does support this.
• My current revenue does support this.
• My current revenue does support this.
• My current revenue does support this.
• The board is entirely fee-supported and receives no general fund dollars to support its services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:00.960><c> our</c> of our high schools supporting our of our high schools supporting our students
• I have a support a young mom of three.
• </c><00:10:03.200><c> students,</c> passion for supporting students, passion for supporting students,
• or or um support for staff supports or or um support for staff<00:57:34.480><c> who</c><00:57:35.599
• </c><01:09:15.600><c> that</c> happening and how we can support that happening and how we can support

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unanimously do support this legislation. unanimously do support this legislation.
• </c><00:13:24.880><c> you</c> uh we veterans don't support it." you uh we veterans don't support it."
• I support this bill.
• </c> for assistance or comfort or support. for assistance or comfort or support.
• Uh I support HB1705. invitation. Uh I support HB1705.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> now press the green button to support now press the green button to support the<00:54:17.359><c>
• </c><00:54:22.480><c> The</c> support parents' rights? Thank you. The support parents' rights?
• </c> careers and their ability to support careers and their ability to support their their their families
• </c> order to support the motion of OTP. order to support the motion of OTP.
• Um I hope that you'll support this.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:06.080><c> of</c> philanthropy and through the support of philanthropy and through the support
• Joyce has supported us previously, so it's continued support from them and new support from ECMC, really
• </c><00:15:25.839><c> for</c> course continuing to provide support for course continuing to provide support
• Your previous support paved the way for this...
• with your all's support, you made it possible.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and provide support to grantees. and provide support to grantees.
• ><c> extends</c> So the monitoring support extends So the monitoring support extends throughout<00:08
• </c> call author and support. call author and support.
• I fully support this.
• Um I fully support this. And I &gt;&gt; Yeah. Um I fully support this.

Bills: HF4072, HF3691, HF4613

Keywords: workforce development, journalism, local news, internships, media training, emergency management, essential employees, public safety, law enforcement, workforce, economic development, appropriation, Twin Cities Marathon, Explore Minnesota, grants, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, applause or other audible demonstrations are not allowed.
• </c> depend on how well we can support depend on how well we can support participation,<00:31:55.679>
• </c> internal operations general support internal operations general support services.<01:01:56.559><
• </c> support a local immigrantled business. support a local immigrantled business.
• all women. communities that support all women.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one page for support, there's no opposition.
• It shows that there's support for good.
• If not emotional support, they should be supplying financial support for the child.
• ,</c><02:18:40.880><c> but</c> mother wanted to provide support, but mother wanted to provide support
• So I think for the purpose of support.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, we are very strongly in support of its passage.
• </c> strongly in support of its passage. strongly in support of its passage.
• I fully support and am very proud that we passed the ADA.
• I fully support something differently.
• </c><01:48:27.199><c> of,</c> service, which I'm fully supportive of, service, which I'm fully supportive

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 25 RS HB 534 - AN ACT relating to actions for forcible entry and detainer: 00:01:45 25 RS SB 111 - AN ACT relating to juvenile justice: 00:23:46 Children's Advocacy Centers of Kentucky: 01:13:26 Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment in State and County Correctional Facilities: 01:25:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the September 18 minutes and then heard testimony on House Bill 534, which would automatically seal dismissed eviction filings and protect youth from public disclosure in forcible detainer cases. Rep. Susan Tyler Whitten and George Ecklan of the Coalition for the Homeless said the bill is aimed at reducing housing barriers for Kentuckians, especially those with dismissed cases, while preserving landlords’ rights to pursue rent, collections, damages, and other legal remedies. They said the proposal was developed with input from landlords, clerks, judges, AOC, and service providers, and noted that similar laws exist in other states. Several members, including Sen. Neimes, Rep. Deetsz, Rep. Cole Carney, and Sen. Thomas, expressed support while emphasizing that the bill is narrowly tailored to dismissed cases and should not affect legitimate landlord claims; Sen. Wheeler raised concerns about cases involving settlements or delays and whether future landlords should know about them. The sponsors responded that the bill only covers dismissed actions, that dismissals require a judge’s order, and that the goal is to remove barriers created by records that remain publicly visible even when a case is resolved. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111 on juvenile justice. Commissioner Randy White, Kentucky Hospital Association President Nancy Galvanny, and Dr. Clark Lester of the University of Kentucky said the bill would require a secure state-run facility for youth with high-acuity mental health needs in detention and, until that is built, create a process with incentives for private hospitals to provide inpatient treatment with safeguards and increased compensation. They argued that detention is not an appropriate setting for severely mentally ill, violent youth and that private psychiatric hospitals often refuse these referrals or discharge them early. Dr. Lester cited recent referral data showing high denial rates for juvenile justice youth in private hospitals in August and September, often due to aggression, and described a case in which repeated placement attempts failed because of violent and self-harming behavior. The presenters said the bill is intended to fill a service gap and improve safety and outcomes for youth, staff, and hospitals, but no vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> re-entry services that support re-entry services that support individuals<01:38:46.239><c> and</
• </c> Treatment beds and permanent Supportive Treatment beds and permanent Supportive Housing<01:40:34.880
• </c> from our jails so the community supports from our jails so the community supports Investments<01
• </c> have to come together to support have to come together to support successful<01:46:45.840><c> diversion
• </c><01:47:11.599><c> and</c> to really understand and support and to really understand and support and

Keywords: 910, house, all