Video & Transcript : 'campaign planning' :

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAM DEFER, WAM, WAM Public Hearings 03-31-2025

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • for doe we're adding $4 management plans for doe we're adding $4 million<00:10:41.360><c> in</c><00:
  • We're adding $1.7 million in both fiscal years for reproductive health and family planning services.
  • Planning Planning services<00:14:53.160><c> and</c><00:14:53.320><c> adding</c><00:14:53.720><c> 15<
  • provided that and on page six planning provided that and on page six line<00:24:40.080><c> nine</c><
  • </c><00:24:55.559><c> as</c> needed for succession planning as needed for succession planning as additional
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee met in decision-making only and first took up HB 300, the Senate majority budget package. The chair described the bill as a response to economic uncertainty and reduced revenue forecasts, and outlined a wide range of appropriations and staffing changes across state agencies, including agriculture, education, health, public safety, housing, labor, natural resources, and corrections. The package emphasized one-year funding for many new programs, vacancy reductions, and investments in services such as preschool, mental health, wildfire mitigation, cybersecurity, public access, and workforce development. HB 300 was recommended to pass with amendments and was adopted unanimously, with members voting yes and no reservations noted only as procedural responses. The committee then acted on HB 794 and HB 795, both recommended to pass with amendments by changing the defective date to 2050; both measures were adopted without discussion. On the 101 agenda, HB 400, the Judiciary budget bill, was recommended to pass with amendments. The bill included vacancy reductions, security funding, permanent staffing for several court and justice programs, and support for civil legal services, immigration-related services, and technology licenses. HB 400 was adopted. HB 410 was also adopted with amendments and a defective date change to 2050. On the 102 agenda, the committee passed several bills either unamended or with targeted amendments. HB 3, HB 134, HB 177, HB 237, HB 648, HB 713, HB 735, HB 1391, and HB 1462 were passed unamended. HB 214 passed with amendments expanding eligibility for retired employees to fill labor-shortage or succession-planning positions, including certain management positions excluded from collective bargaining; one member raised concerns about school resource officers and community fit, which the chair said could be addressed in the committee report. HB 441 passed with amendments to direct cigarette tax funds to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be included. Other measures passed with amendments included HB 448, HB 667, HB 727, HB 740, HB 806, HB 1020, HB 1345, and HB 1365, generally involving date changes, blank appropriations, or technical language. HB 1391 was adopted with a reservation from Senator Kim. The meeting concluded with HB 1462 adopted unamended.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • defense in that suit was John Choi in his capacity as the Ramsey County Attorney and the Minnesota Campaign
  • The Campaign Finance Board has disputed approximately $160,000 of our claim, suggesting at a minimum
  • Understanding that both the Campaign Finance Board and Ramsey County may lack sufficient funds to cover
  • In the United States, a foreign national cannot give directly to a campaign.
  • But more importantly, this is language that we asked the Campaign Finance Board to produce.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance (02/14/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • While fiscal year 2024 general fund revenues were 126.4 million over plan through the first 7 months
  • of fiscal year 2025, revenues are below plan by 39 million.
  • </c> heard so much about on the campaign heard so much about on the campaign Trail<00:08:59.920><c> uh
  • I saw many examples on the campaign trail of this.
  • </c><00:30:43.760><c> is</c> with our 60-day permitting uh plan is with our 60-day permitting uh plan
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Info Briefing - Fri Jun 19, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c><00:17:39.040><c> other</c> use it for staffing, planning, other use it for staffing, planning,
  • </c> There's marketing advertising campaigns There's marketing advertising campaigns and<00:38:46.080
  • > for</c><00:39:05.160><c> example,</c> specific campaigns, like for example, specific campaigns, like
  • </c> have an RFP out to look at campaign have an RFP out to look at campaign uh uh uh spending<00:40:
  • the planning commit the departments<01:28:37.160><c> of</c><01:28:37.240><c> planning</c><01:28:37.560
Keywords: 910, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This year we are planning to do 50 total.
  • Cal Fire also approves their three-year action plans.
  • This year we are planning to do 50 total.
  • Cal Fire also approves their three-year action plans.
  • A giant marketing campaign.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation held an oversight hearing on home hardening and defensible space as wildfire mitigation strategies. The chair opened by stressing that California has reached a tipping point, with repeated community-scale wildfire losses, rising insurance costs, and growing utility wildfire mitigation expenses. The hearing was organized around four panels: what home hardening and defensible space are, community risk reduction and coordination, evaluation of current defensible space programs and proposed investments, and the future of home hardening and the California Wildfire Mitigation Program. The first panel featured IBHS, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and local wildfire mitigation advocates. IBHS described wildfire spread through embers, flames, and radiant heat, emphasizing that structure separation, removing combustible materials within the first five feet of a home, and combining multiple mitigation measures significantly reduce loss. It highlighted its Wildfire Prepared Home and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood standards, including an “essential” and “enhanced” level, and said California is ahead of other states but still needs scalable, standardized, and sustainably funded mitigation. The LAO outlined key policy questions for the Legislature, including the state’s role, intergovernmental coordination, cost-effectiveness, program design, measurement of success, long-term sustainability, and barriers to implementation. The chair and panelists discussed estimated costs, including roughly $15,000 for a basic retrofit and about $50,000 for more extensive ignition-resistant construction, and whether state funding should focus on the most cost-effective initial measures. The second panel focused on scaling adoption through local coordination, education, financing, and community-based programs. Megafire Action argued that home hardening is a market adoption problem and said the state should not try to pay for every home, but instead target high-leverage interventions across the “customer journey,” including education, financing, trusted certification, and neighborhood network effects. Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council described free home assessments, small retrofit grants, Firewise community support, and the importance of neighborhood-level action, local capacity, and cultural change. Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority described its locally funded model, grant program, public education efforts, and an Ember Ready program that helps residents navigate home hardening and Zone Zero compliance. The chair repeatedly emphasized the need for a coordinated statewide marketing campaign, stronger incentives, better insurance discounts, and more use of local, utility, federal, and private funding sources. The third and fourth panels addressed Cal Fire’s defensible space inspection program, the proposed defensible space financial assistance program, and broader state investments. Cal Fire said homes lacking compliant defensible space are far more likely to be damaged or destroyed and requested ongoing funding and staffing to stabilize inspections statewide; the LAO suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as GGRF or a reinstated SRA fee. Cal Fire and the State Fire Marshal explained that Zone Zero sets a minimum standard, local governments cannot go below it, and grant prioritization will favor jurisdictions that submit inspections. Cal Fire also said the new defensible space financial assistance program would focus on ember-resistant zone-zero work and, in the Southern California counties covered by the legislation, would assist about 3,125 homes at an estimated $8,000 per home. In the final panel, the State Fire Marshal described California’s layered strategy of parcel-level home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, along with technical support, financial assistance, and incentives such as insurance discounts and builder marketing. The overall theme was that California must move from isolated efforts to a coordinated, science-based, and scalable statewide approach to reduce wildfire losses.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> sustainability of the March campaign. sustainability of the March campaign.
  • </c> Minnesota Food Share March campaign. Minnesota Food Share March campaign.
  • </c><00:44:48.440><c> We</c> just as long as this campaign. We just as long as this campaign.
  • </c><00:45:08.520><c> So,</c> come from this March campaign. So, come from this March campaign.
  • So, it's really, really campaign.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Mar 25th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Campaign-related expenses, I'm not sure is.
  • It's a campaign-related child care expense if the expense would not exist but for the campaign. ...child
  • So the campaign funds can't be used for child care expenses unrelated to campaign activities. ...can't
  • weren't doing campaign activities, such as personal errands or routine child care unrelated to campaigning
  • Those are our retirement plans. That's how I plan to retire when I reach a certain age.
Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain pre-existing genetic or medical conditions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to prevent children from being wrongly removed from their families when symptoms of conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin deficiencies are mistaken for abuse. Several parents and advocates testified in support, describing long dependency cases and removals they said were caused by misdiagnosis. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language requiring certain medical personnel to provide differential-diagnosis analysis, and the bill then passed favorably with unanimous support. The committee then heard SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, sponsored by Senator Collins, who described the long effort by U.S. victims of the FARC to enforce a federal judgment and recover assets. The bill would clarify procedures for terrorism-related judgments, modernize intangible asset law, and help prevent terrorists from hiding assets or blocking wire transfers. After one supportive appearance form and no debate, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 96, a local claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and SB 382, an affordable housing rent bill that was amended to define base rent and apply to certain shorter-term rental agreements entered after July 1, 2026; SB 382 drew support from housing advocates and some opposition, but passed unanimously. Several claims bills were also approved: SB 4 for Patricia Armini, SB 6 for Jose Correa, SB 28 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., SB 30 for the estate of M.N., and SB 24 for Mandy Penny Lemon, each involving injuries or damages caused by local government or hospital district negligence and each reported favorably after brief testimony and roll calls. The committee also passed SB 658 on waiver or release of liens after discussion about form language and enforceability. SB 72, which would allow campaign funds to pay certain child care expenses incurred while a candidate is actively campaigning, prompted questions about definitions and safeguards; the sponsor said the bill would require the expense to exist only because of campaign activity, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, which would create a statewide process for releasing certain small, low-value parcels from conservation easements if mitigation credits are secured elsewhere. The bill drew support from the sponsor and a property representative, but environmental advocates and President Passidomo raised concerns about flood control, wildlife corridors, and whether the bill was too property-specific; the sponsor said he would continue working on the language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1622, which would repeal the 2018 customary use law and restore local authority over public beach access. Supporters argued the current law has privatized beaches, hurt tourism, and led to harassment and conflict, while opponents defended private property rights and warned against taking away owners’ ability to exclude others. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1622, before a final vote is shown.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 02/24/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That was the same year that Jessie Louis Jackson launched his presidential campaign.
  • That was the same year that Jesse Louis Jackson launched his presidential campaign.
  • She called me, and I was like, I know that you must have been involved with Jesse Jackson's campaign.
  • That was 20 years after his election campaign. We have a lot to be thankful for.
  • THAT WAS 20 YEARS AFTER HIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN. WE HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • That is a very different plan.
  • So what happened is there was a seven billion dollar plan, okay, and let's just...
  • With a lot of the Metro Next plan, the same thing. Tech stock had a 33 percent...
  • Yeah, well I wasn't planning until some of the last comments.
  • We'll make an announcement, but right now we'll plan on that meeting back here.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We did have to show the benefit of having a plan.
  • This way, they can make plans if it's going to impact their interests. going to happen.
  • This ensures that residents are not caught by surprise and can make appropriate plans.
  • This extension will allow the city to develop and plan multi-year infrastructure projects.
  • And of course, long-term planning saves taxpayer money. Resources we all know.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 9th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Another one, during that same campaign, a grown man seeking the Another one, during that same campaign
  • His campaign began by disparaging Latinos, but it has never stopped.
  • This is the same individual who started his campaign off with lies about immigrants.
  • And what does Planned Parenthood provide?
  • It's Planned Parenthood. I get it.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several floor recognitions, including St. Mary’s High School football team for its first state championship and Black-owned businesses honored by the Legislative Black Caucus and Black Chamber of Commerce. The Rules Committee also reported Senate Resolution 77 to third reading. The chamber then confirmed Tyler Sadwith as Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services and State Medicaid Director by a 33-0 vote. The main floor debate centered on SR 77, a resolution condemning racist and dehumanizing imagery posted by President Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Supporters from multiple caucuses, including the Black, Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, and API caucuses, described the post as racist, harmful, and part of a broader pattern of dehumanization and urged a public apology. A few Republicans objected to the resolution’s language and process, saying it was overly partisan or not collaborative, but the resolution was adopted on a 28-0 vote. The Senate also took up SB 106, a budget bill to provide $90 million in state funding for family planning providers, especially Planned Parenthood, after federal cuts under H.R. 1. Supporters argued the bill would preserve essential reproductive and preventive health services, especially in rural and underserved communities, and backfill lost reimbursements. Opponents criticized the bill’s transparency, no-bid contracting structure, and priorities compared with other needs such as distressed hospitals and developmental disability services. After debate, the Senate concurred in the Assembly amendments to SB 106 by a 26-9 vote.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 2)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Your own state legislators, Democrats and Republicans, oppose this plan.
  • Your own state legislators, Democrats and Republicans, oppose this plan.
  • YOUR OWN STATE LEGISLATORS, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, OPPOSE THIS PLAN.
  • What kind of plan is that for parents?
  • Was at any time like it was laid out in the campaign.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • It would make sense for the state campaign finance board to do this to keep track of it.
  • Right now, campaign finance reporting.
  • would provide technical support, which they would be planning on doing anyway.
  • , local campaign committees that it would be more work for them.
  • Thank you, Madam Chair and Senator Marty. local campaign committees that um it local campaign committees
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 9th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Another one, during that same campaign, a grown man seeking the Another one, during that same campaign
  • To support family planning providers.
  • And what does Planned Parenthood provide?
  • The second is the issue of Planned Parenthood.
  • It's Planned Parenthood. I get it.
Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through privileges of the floor to recognize several guests, including the St. Mary’s High School football team from Stockton for winning the 2025 state championship, Black-owned businesses honored by the California Legislative Black Caucus and California Black Chamber of Commerce, and students and guests visiting the Capitol. The Rules Committee reported Senate Resolution 77 to third reading, and the Senate approved the journals and proceeded to the daily file. The chamber then confirmed Tyler Sadwith as Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services by a 33-0 vote. The main floor action was on Senate Resolution 77, which condemned racist and dehumanizing imagery shared by President Donald Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Numerous senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, framing the post as racist, dangerous, and part of a broader pattern of dehumanization; one Republican senator objected to the resolution’s language and process but said racism should be condemned. SR 77 was adopted on a 28-0 vote. The Senate then took up SB 106, a budget bill to create a one-time $90 million grant program to support family planning providers after federal cuts under H.R. 1 reduced reimbursements to Planned Parenthood and similar clinics. Supporters said the measure would preserve access to reproductive and preventive health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents criticized the bill for secrecy, no-bid contracting, and prioritizing abortion-related services over other budget needs such as rural hospitals and developmental disability services. After debate, the Assembly amendments were concurred in by a 26-9 vote. At the end of the session, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory, with Senator Choi offering a remembrance for Mitzi Ortiz, the city manager of Aliso Viejo, who died on December 22, 2025.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 25th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's an overhaul of... ...an overhaul of campaign finance.
  • The campaign finance laws, all of you know this.
  • of our real goals was to reset the foundation of our campaign finance laws.
  • It does increase the campaign finance limits.
  • They have to do campaign finance reporting. This adds clarity for those sections.
Keywords: 989, all
Summary: The committee first approved the March 16 and March 17 minutes, then introduced RS 33798, a Department of Administration procurement-related bill from Senator Van Orden. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1422, a major rewrite of Idaho campaign finance law sponsored by Senator Harris and Secretary of State Phil McGrane. The bill would move campaign finance provisions from Title 67 to Title 74, reorganize the law into clearer parts, add disclosure and reporting requirements, prohibit foreign contributions, require “paid for by” language, add pre-primary and pre-general reports, create a more graduated fine structure, and clarify rules for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and donation timing. Questions focused on enforcement, reporting thresholds, and whether the bill addressed ad truthfulness; McGrane said it did not regulate speech content, only spending and disclosure. The committee voted to send SB 1422 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 889, a broad overhaul of the State Procurement Act presented by Representative Britt Raibolt. The bill updates procurement definitions, clarifies best-and-final-offer procedures, requires use of agency subject-matter experts, allows multiple-award contracts, clarifies bid scoring and analysis, lets prior state contract performance be considered, requires vendor agreement before federal contracts are sent to CMS, protects certain technical information while requiring disclosure if a vendor later bids, adds a debarment process for bad-faith conduct, creates a cooling-off period for certain former officials and employees, establishes a protest bond for bid challenges, and requires reporting of procurement-related spending over $50. Raibolt said the bill was prompted by practical procurement problems and aimed to improve consistency, transparency, and cost savings. The committee sent HB 889 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Two additional bills related to the ITD building and surplus property were also advanced. House Bill 890 would repeal a special surplus-property disposal provision and return disposal of administrative property to the regular process under the State Board of Land Commissioners. House Bill 900 would set procedures for insurance claims over $100,000, require an appraisal opportunity for affected agencies, require public notice of settlement offers, and mandate a public hearing and legislative notice if an agency relocates services or sells property after a damage-related claim. Both bills were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations. The longest discussion was on House Bill 898, which would move the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society into the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Sponsor Senator Den Hartog said the move would improve coordination on federal permitting, strengthen Idaho’s voice with federal agencies, and preserve all federally required SHPO functions, with funding and staff continuing. Many preservation professionals, local officials, and citizens testified in opposition, arguing the current structure works well, that SHIPO benefits from being housed with the Historical Society, and that moving it under an office focused on energy and minerals could create conflicts of interest or pressure to weaken preservation review. Supporters, including water and utility representatives, argued the change would improve coordination, reduce delays, and help small entities navigate complex federal processes. The sponsor closed by saying the bill complies with federal law and would not change the underlying preservation review process, though the committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House/Senate Republican Media Availability 3/6/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, all along the campaign together.
  • That is what we are planning to do.
  • But he's also saying he's planning to run for a third term as governor.
  • That is what we are planning<00:18:22.960><c> to</c><00:18:23.200><c> do.
  • Madam Speaker, the planning to do.
Keywords: 1183, house
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

March 4, 2026 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I didn't file this bill for a campaign contribution.
  • Faculty and staff may campaign on their off-duty hours.
  • emails that are funded by the state server for campaign managers.
  • Emails that are funded by the state server for campaign managers, for campaign accounts, and this is
  • That's technically an unauthorized use of a logo while you went to campaign.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and adoption of the special order report for the day. Members observed a moment of silence for several service members killed in the Middle East conflict, and the chamber also recognized visiting students, law enforcement, and later several guests in the gallery during farewell remarks. The House then moved through the special order calendar, taking up a series of bills on third reading. The first major measure was CS for CS for HB 981 on tributaries of the St. Johns River, which sponsors described as a community-driven plan to restore the Ocklawaha River while balancing conservation, recreation, and economic concerns. Representative Sapp opposed the bill, arguing it would harm rural communities, Rodman Reservoir interests, freshwater resources, property values, and local jobs without adequate funding or certainty. Representative Cross supported the restoration effort and its long-term environmental and community benefits. The House adopted an amendment updating planning references and expanding the advisory council, then passed the bill 107-3. The chamber next passed CS for CSHB 1389 on affordable housing and the Live Local Act after debate over state preemption of local authority, accessory dwelling units, and the removal of local opt-out provisions; supporters emphasized the statewide housing shortage and the need for more housing supply, while opponents argued the bill further limited local control. The bill passed 70-29. The House also passed CS for CSHB 1085, codifying the local government cybersecurity grant program and giving preference to fiscally constrained counties, by a unanimous 109-0 vote. CS for HB 273 on special districts passed after extensive questioning about downtown development districts, rural areas of opportunity, budget approval, and administrative caps; an amendment to remove the downtown district provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 88-? yeas as announced on the floor. CS for HB 989 on motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers passed 109-1 after sponsor testimony that it would prevent manufacturers from concentrating new vehicle inventory with one dealer group and protect competition and small businesses. CS/CS for HB 1329 on local government spending and budget transparency passed 82-28 after a lengthy debate over whether the bill would impose costs on local governments; a Cheney amendment to provide hardship assistance for smaller governments was adopted, and supporters framed the bill as improving public access to local budget information while opponents argued it duplicated existing transparency and could require new software or staff. The House then began consideration of CS/CS/CS/CS HB 1417, the Department of Environmental Protection package, with the sponsor outlining provisions on environmental regulation, septic systems, solar facility stormwater controls, coastal resiliency partnerships, and air-pollution permit timing.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> have campaign spending commission. have campaign spending commission.
  • First up, campaign on this measure. First up, campaign spending<01:20:48.719><c> commission.
  • </c> public outreach and engagement campaign. public outreach and engagement campaign.
  • </c> 2051 relating to campaign contributions. 2051 relating to campaign contributions.
  • campaign contribution ban.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.