Transcript Highlights:

• NAHawaii Chapter, in support; BIA Hawaii, in support; Maui Chamber of Commerce, in support; strong in
• Chamber<00:04:53.520> of support thank you Mai Chamber of support thank you Mai Chamber of Commerce
• <00:04:54.000> and Commerce and Commerce and support<00:04:56.240> strong<00:04:56.360>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 11, 2025, to hear Senate Bill 662 and Senate Bill 66. SB 662 would require HHFDC to transfer the public roads in the Villages of Kapolei to the City and County of Honolulu by January 1, 2026, and would authorize county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on all public streets and highways. Testimony on the measure was in support from H50, the City and County of Honolulu, and an individual testifier. HHFDC Executive Director D. Minomi said the agency had been negotiating with the city over a $60 million transfer of road and infrastructure maintenance responsibility, but no formal agreement had been drafted; negotiations were paused when related bills were introduced. He said that if the bills do not pass, HHFDC would continue negotiations because the amount is less than the estimated cost of rehabilitating the roads itself and would free up staff time. The committee recommended SB 662 be passed with amendments, including a deferred date and report language referencing the ongoing negotiations, and the recommendation was adopted with aye votes from the chair, vice chair, Senator Kino, and Senator Kuha. The committee then heard SB 66, which would require counties to issue building permits within 60 days when applications are stamped and certified by a licensed engineer and architect and other conditions are met. Testimony was mixed, with the Department of Planning and Permitting for the City and County of Honolulu in opposition, and several groups including the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, RMS Sales, Hawaii Realtors, NAHawaii Chapter, BIA Hawaii, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce in support; several individuals also testified both for and against. The State Historic Preservation Division testified with comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended SB 66 be passed with technical, non-substantive amendments and with additional amendments from the State Historic Preservation Division, including requiring a complete application and specifying qualified professionals under SHPD rules for architecture, archaeology, architectural history, and/or physical anthropology. The committee adopted the recommendation by a vote of the chair alone, with no objections noted. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Honoring the Granberry Chamber of Commerce and all the other Hood County officials and citizens we have
• These men and women in the Granberry Chamber of Commerce are instrumental in ensuring the continued economic
• Today we have in the gallery, members from Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and also Fort Bend Central Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, it is my honor to be here today to present this resolution honoring the Granbury Chamber of Commerce
• These men and women in the Granbury Chamber of Commerce are instrumental in ensuring that continued economic
• Today we have in the gallery members from Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, and also Fort Bend Central
• Commerce here.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to move that Senate File 621 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
• 621 be withdrawn from the<00:07:03.879> committee<00:07:04.199> on<00:07:04.400> Commerce
• <00:07:04.720> and<00:07:04.960> consumer the committee on Commerce and consumer the
• committee on Commerce and consumer protection<00:07:06.599> and<00:07:06.759> move<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, completed the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and established a quorum. It then received the executive and official communications listed on the agenda, adopted the committee reports except those related to appointments, and laid the appointment reports on the table. Senate Files 202 and 571 were given second reading, and the bills on the introduction calendar received first reading and referral, with Senate File 824 specifically referred to the Committee on Elections. Under motions and resolutions, the chamber approved the author motions as a group. It also approved a motion to withdraw Senate File 222 from the Judiciary Committee and re-refer it to the Housing and Homeless Prevention Committee, with the understanding it would return to Judiciary after that stop. Another approved motion moved Senate File 621 from Commerce and Consumer Protection to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, with agreement from the co-chairs. Senate Resolution 7 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. During announcements, Senator Jasinski recognized his assistant Dom Ianetti, who was leaving for a new role after three sessions of service. Senator Limmer was excused from the session. On motion by Senator Johnson, the Senate adjourned until Monday, February 3rd at 11 a.m., and the adjournment motion prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do the blight, clean it up, make it an area that has lots of commerce, and that was one of the
• “We can do the blight, clean it up, make it an area that has lots of commerce, and that was one of the
• It looks like it’s all commerce.”
• “It looks like it’s all commerce all the way from the airport, from Thomas Road all the way to the airport
• It’s all commerce. Okay. And I guess that at any point in time, Mr.

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee met and advanced a series of local bills, mostly by unanimous voice vote after brief questions. SB 430 by Sen. Jenkins renewed the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s 1.5% hotel occupancy tax for 12-year periods by voter approval, with discussion about continued planning and coordination among tourism entities. SB 286 by Sen. Duplessis updated the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond renewal voting boundaries. The committee also favorably reported SB 198 by Sen. Mizell, requiring government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district rules for new construction; SB 172 by Sen. Luneau, expanding a planning-commission waiver process for certain property divisions to municipalities below 150,000 population; and SB 439 by Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, adding pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s cancer for firefighters and fire service employees. Testimony on the firefighter bill emphasized the health risks from carcinogen exposure and the value of early detection, and members expressed strong support. Additional bills advanced included SB 458 by Sen. McMath, creating a mechanism for local ethics-entity tax revenues in St. Tammany Parish to be transferred to the district attorney’s office if an inspector general office is created; SB 447 by Sen. Bass, changing Bossier City Police Department promotions from competitive to promotional seniority; SB 281 by Sen. Barrow, expanding the Baker Economic Development District boundaries to include additional commercial areas; SB 385 by Sen. Harris, changing appointments to the City Park Improvement Association board and allowing City Park to opt out of certain ORM insurance coverage; HR 84 by Rep. Walters, urging Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA workers during federal shutdowns; and SB 417 by Sen. Allain, adding two members to the St. Mary Parish drainage district board. All of these measures were reported favorably, with one member recusing himself from the City Park bill due to board membership. The committee then recessed briefly, noting several remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not arrive soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Commerce Committee this bill was heard, and I'm just going to mention some of the discussion that
• In<00:04:14.920> Commerce<00:04:15.360> Committee<00:04:15.720> this<00:04:15.959
• > bill<00:04:16.200> was In Commerce Committee this bill was In Commerce Committee this
• conversation about this bill over the weekend, and thinking about some of the ideas that we talked about in Commerce

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4223 was presented as an appropriation to implement and jump-start the Strengthening Our Homes program enacted in 2023. Rep. Elkins said the goal is to help homeowners strengthen roofs using standards promoted by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, citing other states such as Alabama as examples where hardened homes performed better in major storms. He emphasized rising homeowners insurance costs, especially for affordable apartments, older condo buildings, and seniors on fixed or limited incomes, and said the grants would help people who may not have the upfront cash to make improvements. Committee members generally supported the concept, describing it as a way to reduce storm damage and lower insurance premiums. One member highlighted that the income threshold for grant eligibility could reach a large share of Minnesota homeowners and potentially harden nearly a million homes, while another noted the program’s focus on lower-income households. A Commerce Committee discussion was referenced in which an alternative approach was raised: tax incentives, including possible sales tax relief, for materials and labor used to harden homes against hail and other weather risks. Rep. Elkins responded that labor is an important part of the cost and that many potential beneficiaries are seniors with little taxable income, making a grant program more practical than a tax-based incentive. Another member agreed the upfront cost is a major barrier and said the grant design appears thoughtful. No vote was taken; the bill was laid over for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• years ago to create the Arizona Space Commission, which is focused on bringing burgeoning space commerce
• years ago to create the Arizona Space Commission, which is focused on bringing burgeoning space commerce
• So this will give them a funding mechanism to support the ventures of increased space commerce industry
• Chair, Representative Villegas, I think anybody with a love of space and a love of commerce and a love
• Chairman, the Committee on Commerce is under consideration SB 1181 and respectfully recommends the bill

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:38.400> Senate following dates out of Commerce Senate following dates out of Commerce
• <00:26:11.320> to<00:26:11.480> which<00:26:11.640> was committee on Commerce
• to which was committee on Commerce to which was referred<00:26:12.200> Senate<00:26:12.480>
• place the majority of the Commerce place the majority of the Commerce Committee<00:26:56.679>
• to which was committee on Commerce to which was referred<00:27:57.720> Senate<00:27:57.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I apologize, before I said commerce and state and local.
• of commerce. of commerce.
• <02:07:47.520> Uh like to move this bill to commerce.
• Uh like to move this bill to commerce.
• Uh, your bill is on the way to commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of um activity and um and commerce of um activity and um and commerce around<00:10:08.760> us
• 10:33.000> you<00:10:33.160> very<00:10:33.399> much<00:10:33.959> uh Commerce
• uh thank you very much uh Commerce uh thank you very much uh Senator<00:10:34.760> kunek<00:10
• ><00:14:04.800> the<00:14:05.120> Chamber<00:14:05.519> of<00:14:06.120> Commerce
• support from the Chamber of Commerce support from the Chamber of Commerce um<00:14:08.880> questions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
• Is there anyone of Commerce of Hawaii.
• This is the Senate Commerce and welcome.
• <01:11:09.120> We of commerce and consumer affairs. We of commerce and consumer affairs.
• Maybe for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Bills: SB2045, SB2354

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, Senate File 1567, does need to be referred to the Commerce Committee.
• And that response only came after I finally found a place on the Commerce Department website where I
• There's three agencies tasked with overseeing HMOs and the insurance companies in the state: Commerce
• There's three agencies tasked with overseeing HMOs and the insurance companies in the state: Commerce
• Thank you, and as I mentioned, this bill needs to be referred to the Commerce Committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Chamber represents more than Commerce.
• , realtors and the Chamber of Commerce, realtors and the Chamber of Commerce, um um um that<01:08
• electronic commerce. electronic commerce.
• <01:12:06.440> clause exposes Minnesota to commerce clause exposes Minnesota to commerce clause

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, Commerce Department. Does anybody need a break?
• Does it go to a particular fund, or stay in the Department of Commerce?
• North Dakota Department of Commerce awarded grants to 23 projects across the state.
• North Dakota Department of Commerce awarded grants 23 projects across the state.
• Anything else on the Commerce Department? Anybody got questions? Mr.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but stakeholders, what this is, it's worked well, um, and including the AG and Department of Commerce
• Um, but stakeholders, what this is, it's worked well, um, and including the AG and Department of Commerce
• <00:04:26.840> Over<00:04:27.000> the and the Department of Commerce.
• Over the and the Department of Commerce.
• I'm the Assistant Commissioner of Regulatory Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It passed last year, a similar bill, through the House Commerce Committee.
• And then the year before that, it was just rolled during the time in the House Commerce Committee.
• But there are some tax issues we have to work through, through Commerce and Tax.
• I'm Matthew Stackpole on behalf of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
• Matthew Stackpole, again, for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce.
• Commerce.
• Commerce.
• Commerce. payment requirements, duties of operators exemptions. Commerce.
• We're still in Commerce.

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing visiting groups and guests, including Junior League members, a Louisiana Renewable Energy Day proclamation, Wholesalers Day, the Louisiana Home Builders Association, and other visitors. Members also adopted or laid over a number of resolutions honoring local events, organizations, and individuals, including condolences resolutions and commemorations such as ALS Awareness Month and Junior League Day. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 385 by Rep. Bamberg, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they lose eligibility, subject to several exemptions and a possible move into career and technical education. Members raised concerns about whether the bill would turn a merit scholarship into a loan, its effect on student decision-making and brain drain, constitutional notice issues, administrative costs, collection methods, and whether the Board of Regents had been consulted. After debate, a motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed by a 34-16 vote, and the bill was later returned to the calendar. The House then passed House Bill 55, prohibiting disclosure of juror information with exceptions for juror interviews, by a 94-2 vote; House Bill 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine to 24 months; House Bill 396, making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings; and House Bill 406, directing the Department of Education to study whether it should oversee interscholastic high school athletics, by a 97-1 vote. The chamber also passed House Bill 622 aligning criminal history record handling with federal requirements and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering. Several other bills were introduced, referred, or returned to the calendar, including measures on criminal history confidentiality, parole, autopsy evidence, athletics oversight, and non-emergency medical transportation for mental health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• more fiscally responsible to put a building that was no longer being used back into some type of commerce
• for sale and rehab it using historic tax credit and creating a financial stack to bring it into commerce
• It already went through Commerce? Yes, it has. And it came out of Commerce? Came out of Commerce.
• Already went through Commerce? Yes, it has. And it came out of Commerce? Came out of Commerce.
• We amended it and it came out of Commerce. You amended it in Commerce.

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which would reinstate an existing TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans after a sunset expired. The author said the program had been underused because it was not well promoted, but that the new veterans workforce effort called “The Boot” would help connect veterans to the benefit. Members confirmed it would use existing TOPS funds and not require new money, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3 asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be used for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. The author described it as an exploratory study, while members raised concerns about the fiscal note and the scope of the study. Fiscal staff explained the agency had requested additional positions to do the work. The committee discussed narrowing the study to certain areas, but the resolution was ultimately reported favorably. House Bill 189 sought supplemental pay for fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport. The author and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform hazardous, specialized ARFF duties at a busy public airport and should be treated like other supplemental-pay recipients. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualified under existing law and whether the proposal would expand an already costly program. After debate, the committee rejected the bill on an 8-10 vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 461 favorably, which would place certain small groups of active employees under the Office of Group Benefits to improve insurance rates without using general fund money. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor product producers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was amended to clarify the direct-to-consumer shipment prohibition and then reported favorably. House Bill 1222, which would authorize LED to create a grocery initiative grant and assistance program to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters said it would only create incentives for private grocers and related assistance. It was amended and reported favorably by a 16-2 vote. Finally, House Resolution 80, as amended, would shift a proposed audit-related effort on higher education budget metrics away from the legislative auditor and toward university systems’ own boards; members questioned the need for a look-back report and the added workload, and the chair indicated he would move to recommit the resolution to the education committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I moved that the subfloor amendment in Commerce Committee in my name be adopted.
• Members, today at the Latino Caucus, we had the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce come and speak to us.
• We had the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce come and speak to us.
• Tuesday committees: I wish to announce that the Committee on Commerce is not meeting.
• The Committee on Commerce is not meeting. Chairman Gress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro Tem.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce. Thank you.
• Reported favorably by Commerce. H.R. 253 by Rep.
• Commerce reported it with amendments.
• Reported by Commerce with amendments.
• Reported by Commerce with amendment. Morning hour 17.

Bills: HR295, HR296, HR297, HR298, HR299, HR300, HR301, HR302, HR303, HR304, HR305, HR306, HR307, HCR115, HCR116, HCR117, HR286, HR287, HR288, HR290, HR291, HR292, HR293, HR294, SCR61, SCR68, SB121, SB250, SB348, SB444, SB485, HR252, HR253, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, SB268, SB283, SB414, HCR98, HR179, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB74, HB108, HB956, HB1085, HB1137, HB75, SB39, SB99, SB111, SB112, SB124, SB134, SB174, SB189, SB190, SB201, SB233, SB236, SB258, SB270, SB273, SB288, SB307, SB313, SB320, SB321, SB325, SB326, SB331, SB339, SB341, SB345, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB357, SB359, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB419, SB422, SB426, SB435, SB437, SB440, SB451, SB464, SB470, SB487, SB488, SB495, SB504, SB505, SB518, SB523, HR84, HB646, HB998, HB1191, SB78, SB81, SB97, SB100, SB109, SB123, SB125, SB208, SB385, SB479, SB56, SB163, SB197, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Energy Caucus, Louisiana House of Representatives, energy policy, fossil fuels, oil and gas, natural gas, renewable energy, solar, wind power, nuclear power, legislative caucus, industry group, economic development, state legislature, House resolution, energy sector, victims' services, criminal justice, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Act No. 370