Transcript Highlights:

• And there'll be a lot of benefits, I think, for customer service in that sense. So we did.
• And there'll be a lot of benefits, I think, for customer service in that sense.
• , among other services.
• , among other services.
• And thank you very much for your service. We do have one more testifier.

Bills: SB6046

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• Lenders originating conventional loans may only charge a single service charge not exceeding 1% of the
• ><00:06:45.720><c> charge</c><00:06:46.000><c> a</c><00:06:46.199><c> single</c><00:06:46.560><c> service
• </c><00:06:46.960><c> charge</c> may only charge a single service charge may only charge a single service
• Center and I think many members services Center and I think many members around<00:37:48.119><c> this
• </c> you really need to look at what services you really need to look at what services they're<01:20:

Bills: HF1865 , HF2014 , HF2028

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: mortgage, qualified mortgage, QM, points and fees, conventional loan, consumer lending, home loan, residential real estate, lender fees, service charge, finance charge, closing costs, Minnesota Statutes 47.20, housing finance, borrower protections, cooperative apartment loan, contract for deed, real estate lending, foreclosure, notice requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands the Department of Health Care Services’ oversight of Medi-Cal providers.
• This bill enhances requirements for the California Highway Patrol Protective Services.
• California Association for Adult Day Services.
• That's more than 2,300 coordinated care services every year.
• Additionally, in support of the land access language in SB 178. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held a weekend informational hearing on the final 2026-27 budget package, with no votes taken. The Department of Finance presented 16 bills, including two budget bill juniors and 14 trailer bills, covering climate bond and greenhouse gas reduction fund appropriations, health care, education, housing, labor, transportation, wildfire mitigation, and technical cleanup items. Major items included funding for Proposition 4 climate programs, a state-only dialysis program for restricted-scope Medi-Cal enrollees, 988 crisis center governance and interoperability with 911, CalFood, child nutrition, workforce and housing programs, and a package of film tax credit changes. Trailer bills also addressed TK-12 and higher education technical changes, developmental services, early education, the 2028 Olympics, transmission projects, wildfire mitigation tax exclusions, and other implementation fixes. Members highlighted several provisions, including the extension of CalSHAPE deadlines for school HVAC projects, funding for geothermal and wildfire prevention, restoration of goat herder wage parity to support prescribed grazing, and support for state scientists’ labor contracts. There was also discussion of trauma recovery and training funding for women’s prisons, 988 and LGBTQ+ youth crisis services, and the need to address county indigent care and AB 85 technical issues in the future. Public commenters largely praised funding for transit, housing, food assistance, air quality programs, and film tax credit fixes, while some expressed disappointment over the lack of funding for part-time faculty office hours, county indigent care technical corrections, expanded immigrant food assistance, and additional support for certain health and energy programs. A major point of contention in public testimony was SB/AB 194, with one group opposing it as a threat to a Los Angeles street safety project near Forest Lawn Avenue, while supporters argued it was needed to ensure a transparent public process for roadway changes affecting cemetery access and traffic. Other commenters supported or criticized specific budget items such as GGRF allocations, CalSHAPE, the Demand Side Grid Support Program, the FARMER program, and funding for regional housing and transit agencies. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, and the public, noting the committee’s work over two years and indicating the package would move to floor action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• does is set up the framework What this does is set up the framework to make sure that the Public Service
• </c><00:27:32.720><c> an</c> The Secretary of State has a filing for registration of an agent for service
• There is a filing with the Secretary of State just for an agent for service of process under Title 10
• So if they want legal existence and an agent for service of process, and most of them do, they can file
• It gives them an option to file for an agent of service of process.

Bills: HB168 , HB220 , SB187 , SB270 , SB265 , SB220 , SB242 , SB277

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: loitering, mask policies, school safety, crime prevention, public health, board appointments, governor authority, multi-member boards, state governance, legislative authority, Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code, Title 10A, corporate governance, nonprofit governance, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, Senator Burgess, are you willing to take up tab 21, HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands?
• This bill protects owners of land that was formerly mined for phosphate rock from strict liability law
• has requested and the Department of Health has conducted a gamma radiation survey of the land.
• Portions of a hearing conducted by the Florida Public Service Commission were confidential or exempt
• Tab 6, CS for CS for SB 290 on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Senator Trumbull.

Bills: S0062 , S0156 , S0168 , S0288 , S0290 , S0292 , S0296 , S0298 , S0364 , S0386 , S0624 , S7004 , S7006 , S7008 , S7012 , S7014 , S7016

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: candidate qualification, political party, voter registration, election law, Florida Statutes, rural electric cooperatives, energy production, Florida law, energy tariffs, regulation, agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, public records, appellate courts, information exemption, safety, personal identifying information

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements and allow challenges by qualified candidates or political parties. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; the sponsor and local law enforcement supporters emphasized the Raynor case, while criminal defense lawyers objected to deleting existing force-limit language and to the mandatory life penalty. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills extending or preserving public records exemptions, including CS/SB 7014 on social media platform investigations, SB 7016 on small business loan program records, CS/SB 7012 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigations, CS/SB 7000 on emergency shelter recipient information, CS/SB 7002 on Department of Military Affairs records, SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit reinvestigation materials, SB 7006 on Florida Public Service Commission records and meetings, and SB 7008 on Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. Other measures reported favorably included SB 624 allowing optional faith-based activities in batterers’ intervention programs, HB 167 protecting former phosphate mining lands from certain strict-liability claims, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units and housing supply, SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure, SB 292 creating a records exemption for appellate court clerks and families, CS/SB 296 expanding domestic violence safety tools and address confidentiality protections, CS/SB 298 as the public-records companion, SB 386 on farm equipment lemon-law style protections, and SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local governments, advocacy groups, industry groups, and affected families, with some opposition on SB 156 and SB 290. For CS/SB 48, the committee adopted two amendments before reporting the bill favorably. SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was temporarily postponed after the chair allowed public testimony but no final action was taken. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I retired in 2023 with 20 years of service in law enforcement, most of which was spent in the fight against
• Scaramucci, first of all, thank you for all your years of service to Texas and law enforcement.
• The United States Postal Service has become a- a drug mule for the abortion industry.
• The young man told me it was the website with the best service.
• In a country known as the land of the free, in a state that embodies. Bodies this pride as well.

Bills: SB10 , SB16 , SB6 , SB 6 , SB 10 , SB 16

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, victims, criminal justice reform, victim rights, criminal justice, judicial reform, court procedures, mental health services, criminal penalties, court security, SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• these emissions but also create a new economic opportunity for rural communities and agricultural lands
• It is important to emphasize that forest biomass residuals that we are referring to in this bill are
• They claim that forests must be logged and thinned for wildfire safety, yet the most effective way to
• Forever, Forest Unlimited, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, NRDC, Sierra Club California.
• SCR 50 will urge the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to examine other regulatory

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea is to charge a fee for taking undeveloped land, which costs nothing in municipal services or
• The idea is to charge a fee for taking undeveloped land, which costs nothing in municipal services or
• which costs nothing in undeveloped land which costs nothing in Municipal<00:50:43.640><c> services</
• There's an expectation we're going to assess your tree farm, your forest land, based on that growth,
• </c><00:58:58.000><c> Land</c> Farm your tree farm your Forest Land Farm your tree farm your Forest Land

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working with the United States Forest Service and all their supervisors in a working group for
• We are working with the United States Forest Service with all their supervisors in a working group for
• Chairman, about what a healthy forest looks like.
• We see risks from delayed or avoided forest management.
• , State Forest, private property.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> so of mostly forested land all over New so of mostly forested land all over New Hampshire.<03:19
• Uh, for the record, my name is Patrick Hackley, the director for the Division of Forest and Lands.
• Um, so our agency is in charge of all matters pertaining to forestry, forest management, and forest lands
• Uh, I wish more people did this, and it's fitting from the director of forest and land.
• Uh, I wish more people did this, and it's fitting from the director of forest and land.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish and Wildlife Service, county lands, state lands, parklands, those kinds of things.
• lands,</c><00:18:48.160><c> um</c> Service, county lands, state lands, um Service, county lands, state
• TNC will own the land. They're going to pay taxes on the land.
• . land. land.
• </c> land from? land from?

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• these emissions, but also create a new economic opportunity for rural communities and agricultural lands
• It is important to emphasize that forest biomass residuals that we are referring to in this bill are
• They claim that forests must be logged and thinned for wildfire safety, yet the most effective way to
• Forever, Forest Unlimited, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, NRDC, Sierra Club California.
• SCR 50 will urge the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to examine other regulatory

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with an initial quorum delay, then approved a consent calendar including SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee then heard SB 88, which would direct state agencies to support biomass utilization and biochar/low-carbon energy strategies; supporters argued it would reduce wildfire and agricultural burning emissions and create rural economic opportunities, while opponents said woody biomass energy is dirty, costly, and harmful to forests and public health. The bill was amended and passed to Appropriations on a due-pass vote. The committee next considered SB 653, defining “environmentally sensitive vegetation management” to support wildfire fuel reduction projects that also protect biodiversity. Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District and the California Invasive Plant Council supported the measure as a voluntary framework with no new mandates, and a committee member requested to be added as a coauthor. The bill passed to the floor. SCR 50, urging the state to define maladaptation and better evaluate climate resilience policies and investments, was also adopted with no opposition. Later, the committee heard SB 567, a pilot program to convert idle oil and gas wells into gravity-based energy storage wells. Supporters said it could help meet energy storage needs and accelerate well plugging, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, seeking protections for groundwater basins and stronger leak-notification requirements. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 831 clarified the Geological Survey’s role in mapping geologic hazards, including those tied to climate change such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion; it received support from CalCIMA and passed to Appropriations. The committee concluded by recording votes on absent members and closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair members, the United States Forest Service staffing levels might seem like something far from everyday
• So many of our water sources originate in national forest lands.
• You don't need a reservation or much planning to enjoy most of our national forests.
• This forest and other national forests in my district sustain tribal communities and thousands of rural
• Service.

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard two items: AB 1016 by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez and AJR 10 by Assemblymember Rogers. AB 1016 would expand the local permitting pilot for geothermal power plants in Imperial County, increasing the eligible generating capacity and extending the program through 2030. Gonzalez said he accepted committee amendments and emphasized the bill’s potential to create jobs, generate school and local tax revenue, and support California’s clean energy and baseload power goals. Imperial County officials and supporters from the State Building Trades and Independent Energy Producers Association testified in strong support, citing the county’s long geothermal permitting history, high unemployment, and major economic benefits from proposed projects. No opposition was presented. Committee members asked a few questions, including about the bill’s capacity range and ongoing coordination with labor. Gonzalez said he was continuing to work with the building trades on amendments, and the trades indicated they were now in support. The committee then took a roll call and passed AB 1016 on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members and later additional aye votes recorded. AJR 10 called on the federal government to oppose Forest Service staffing cuts and highlight the importance of national forests for water, wildlife, wildfire prevention, recreation, and rural economies. Rogers argued that reduced staffing would worsen wildfire risk and harm rural communities, and the committee heard no opposition. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, with the roll also held open and later additional aye votes added. The hearing concluded after both measures received enough votes to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires the division of state lands to have an electronic copy of certain land management plans
• Most of our privately owned forest land has been looking for another source of wood.
• There are 17 million acres of forest land covering almost half of Florida's total land area.
• And this is a big kicker: almost two-thirds of the forest land is privately owned.
• Almost two-thirds of the forest land is privately owned.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes. The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues. Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• lands in our communities.
• Without these services, it has...
• DNR and other forest land managers, including land trusts, have been using prescribed burns and other
• DNR and other forest land managers, including land trusts, have been using prescribed burns and other
• Forest land managers, including land trusts, have been using prescribed burns and other sustainable management

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, the United States Forest Service staffing levels might seem like something far from everyday
• So many of our water sources originate in national forest lands.
• You don't need a reservation or much planning to enjoy most of our national forests.
• This forest and other national forests in my district sustain tribal communities and thousands of rural
• Service.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard two items: AB 1016 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez and AJR 10 by Assembly Member Rogers. AB 1016 would expand the local permitting pilot for geothermal power plants in Imperial County and other geothermal-rich areas, allowing larger projects through 2030. Gonzalez and Imperial County supporters said the bill would support clean baseload power, create jobs in a high-unemployment region, and generate local tax revenue for schools and other public services. The State Building Trades and the Independent Energy Producers Association testified in support, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised geothermal energy and discussed ongoing amendments, including language related to project size and coordination with labor. After quorum was established, the committee voted the bill out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations; the roll was held open and later additional members voted aye, bringing the total to 14 votes. AJR 10 called on the federal government to oppose Forest Service staffing cuts, with Rogers arguing that reduced staffing threatens wildfire prevention, water resources, recreation, rural jobs, and forest health in California. No opposition was presented. The committee adopted the resolution on a motion to be adopted, and the roll was also held open before later votes brought it to 14 ayes. The hearing then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Land Use Review Board was directed, in consultation with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
• </c> forest economy. forest economy.
• , Parks and Recreation; the state forester and director of forest division, Department of Forests, Parks
• Forest, Parks and Recreation, the state Forest, Parks and Recreation, the state forester<02:02:48.000
• and director of forest forester and director of forest division,<02:02:50.600><c> Department</c><02:

Transcript Highlights:

• With 58% of California forest lands owned and managed by the federal government, recent directives to
• Paul Mason with Pacific Forest Trust.
• conserved lands provide.
• We are the statewide organization representing our member land trusts and the broader community of land
• Tasha Newman on behalf of the Bixar Land Trust, the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, the Wildlands Conservancy

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures receiving broad support and due-pass recommendations. AB 80 on carpet recycling would require CalRecycle to implement prior reforms, expand collection sites, and improve reporting and backstamping; it drew support from the author, carpet industry representatives, labor, environmental groups, and no opposition. AB 452 would create a voluntary process for local governments to designate state surf reserves as part of 30 by 30 conservation goals; supporters included Save the Waves Coalition, tourism and environmental groups, and several members praised the bill, while the League of California Cities sought clarifying amendments. AB 823 would ban sale of certain personal care and cleaning products containing intentionally added plastic microbeads, but it generated significant debate over scope and ambiguity, with environmental groups supporting stronger restrictions and industry groups warning the bill could unintentionally affect sunscreens, cosmetics, fragrance encapsulation, and other products; the committee ultimately passed it 13-2 to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials as amended. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which creates a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic waste requirements for crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills; agricultural groups and rural county representatives supported it, and it passed with no opposition. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” would require Cal Fire to maintain year-round staffing; the author and Cal Fire labor representatives argued wildfire conditions are now year-round and staffing gaps are unsafe, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 571 would provide a targeted CEQA exemption and urgency clause for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon; veterans, county officials, and supporters emphasized the long delay and need for a dignified burial site, and it passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize the Board of Forestry to adopt emergency regulations and streamline future rulemaking for ember-resistant standards after recent Los Angeles County fires; it passed without opposition. AB 687, which would allow public agencies to use forest practice rules and timber harvest plans for certain fuel reduction projects, drew concerns from environmental groups about CEQA confusion and agency review, and while the author said it was not a CEQA exemption, the bill moved forward with some opposition and ongoing discussion. AB 652 would allow alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to avoid quorum problems and passed with support from the City of San Diego. AB 317, the California First-Time Home Owner Dream Act, would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer property taxes to encourage affordable housing; it passed with support but also prompted concerns about guardrails against misuse in larger subdivisions. The committee also heard AB 900, which would require the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for current and future 30 by 30 lands; supporters from land trusts and conservation groups said stewardship funding and management are essential to make conservation durable, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 738 would let certain wildfire-disaster survivors rebuild under the solar standards in place when their homes were originally built, rather than newer requirements; the author and county representatives framed it as limited relief for underinsured homeowners, and the committee began discussion with questions about what other rebuilding requirements might be affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is our first line of forest management.
• lands.
• When you look at our forest.
• From the forest, and the forest needs to be managed. So I want to add one more thing.
• It was a forested grassland.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only... but these are lands that's considered forest though. It's a state-owned forest.
• It's only... but these are lands that's considered forest though. It's a state-owned forest.
• It's only... but these are lands that's considered forest though. It's a state-owned forest.
• It's only... but these are lands that's considered forest though. It's a state-owned forest.
• It's only... but these are lands that's considered forest though. It's a state-owned forest.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.