Transcript Highlights:

• This bill moves the pupil transportation safety net program that is currently funded in the operating
• This bill moves the pupil transportation safety net program that is currently funded in the operating
• So like, why is it some big problem to do operating? And I'm asking honestly because I don't know.
• And I think this gets to the operating budget issue.
• Investing in energy efficiency reduces the ongoing operating cost of schools.

Bills: SB5841 , SB5922 , SB5858 , SB5943

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: financial aid, postsecondary education, student support, application process, higher education access, school transportation, school buses, pupil transportation, transportation vehicle fund, school district finance, fund transfer, reimbursement schedule, depreciation schedule, zero-emission buses, electric school buses, bus electrification, charging stations, fueling stations, vehicle replacement, major repairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We have begun to use the State Emergency Operations Center. We moved in in May of 2025.
• Unfortunately, or tragically, the first use of that State Emergency Operations Center was in response
• </c> have began to use the State Emergency have began to use the State Emergency Operations<01:11:33.400
• > in</c> Emergency Operations Center was in Emergency Operations Center was in response<01:11:44.480>
• for operational control.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:46.000><c> under</c> New motor vehicle dealers operate under New motor vehicle dealers operate
• It won't shock you that I ended up in the emergency room simply because I put off care.
• </c> you that I ended up in the emergency you that I ended up in the emergency room<01:10:45.840><c>
• ,</c> ability to reinvest in their operations, ability to reinvest in their operations, expand,<01:19
• significant</c><01:26:58.560><c> financial</c> operating at a significant financial operating at a significant

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each dairy producer in the states that we operate in contributes 15 cents per hundredweight.
• Obviously, you can see Dairy West, you know, I mentioned we're now operating as a four-state region.
• and representation in each one of the states that we operate in.
• We have an annual operating plan that kicks off in January.
• The Middle East and North Africa is an emerging market for us.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies cannot impose requirements on a coal facility in operation prior to 2011 that are inconsistent
• Emissions from a coal plant in operation on or before July 22, 2011, are exempt from the Cap-and-Invest
• , under current law, there are sales and use tax exemptions for coal at a coal plant placed into operation
• The OIC predicts there will be no fiscal impact for operating expenditures.
• If this old coal plant continues to operate, it must ...at the end of the year.

Summary: House Finance heard several bills and took no recorded votes. HB 2367 would end special tax and emissions exemptions for the Centralia coal plant by limiting its Climate Commitment Act exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas requirements, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. The sponsor, Rep. Fitzgibbon, said the bill would help keep the plant’s transition to cleaner natural gas generation on track; Climate Solutions supported it, while business and clean-energy groups raised concerns about allowance-market impacts and asked for amendments to adjust the cap-and-invest allowance budget. HB 1974 would authorize public housing authorities, public corporations, and nonprofits to operate as land banks for affordable housing, give them priority for tax-foreclosed properties, and provide property tax, leasehold excise tax, and REET exemptions for land bank transactions. Rep. Hill said the bill was narrowed to reduce fiscal impact and support existing land banking work in Spokane; supporters said it would lower land costs and speed affordable housing development, while questions focused on how public land would be used and whether affordability should be permanent rather than limited to 30 years. HB 2650, a Department of Revenue request, would standardize notice and effective dates for local REET and lodging tax changes and clarify documentation for an affordable housing sales tax deferral. DOR supported the bill as an administrative efficiency measure, and there was no opposition testimony. HB 2626 would raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations, health care service contractors, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements from 2% to 3%, remove a dentistry-related exemption, and add a new 1% tax on certain disability and group stop-loss insurers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help fund Apple Health and subsidies amid federal funding concerns; insurers and business groups opposed it as a cost increase likely to be passed on to consumers and employers, while patient and advocacy groups supported the revenue idea but urged that funds be dedicated to subsidies or other health care supports and that pass-through to consumers be prevented.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency bill. This is a reaction to House Bill 9.
• I mean, I mean an emergency emergency bill.
• If the only reason we're doing this is because you run out of emergency bills, I've got a couple that
• We'll have some amendments this afternoon because we have another emergency bill that's going to draw
• We're going to have amendments And we'll do the two emergency bills this afternoon.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needs of parties. experienced an unprecedented amount of natural disasters, which have required emergency
• The reality is the door to the emergency room is always open, and hospitals are not going to turn away
• And we're going to pass them in the first two weeks with an emergency clause in January.
• There's no emergency. Nobody's lost Medicaid today. Or will they before January?
• Providing for taking newborn children into temporary Circumstances, declaring an emergency.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Nobody. operate vehicles that weigh thousands of operate vehicles that weigh thousands of pounds<00
• True emergencies.
• </c> only be spent on emergency expenses. only be spent on emergency expenses.
• True emergencies. tables, not whatever. True emergencies.
• </c> remain operational remain operational until<01:37:57.119><c> the</c><01:37:57.360><c> end</c><01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> don't want to use the word um emergency, don't want to use the word um emergency, but<00:19:05.280
• 00:54:05.520><c> response</c> that from an emergency response that from an emergency response perspective
• And we've in the state of emergencies.
• athletic complex for emergency service.
• </c> uh office of operations. uh office of operations. &gt;&gt; Good<00:57:43.520><c> morning.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the October 13 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, including a deferred list from the September 2025 agenda. Members questioned several agencies about the purpose, cost, and duration of the items before them, with repeated motions to consider the contracts reviewed without objection passing by roll call. The Office of Energy Policy and Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a solar-and-battery program. Members asked about panel and battery lifespan, warranty coverage, who would pay for replacement or disposal, and whether the program made sense in Kentucky. The agency said panels and batteries generally last 25 to 30 years, warranties would cover replacement during the warranty period, EPA guidance would govern disposal, and federal funds would cover program expenses. Officials estimated the program could reduce participating homeowners’ utility bills by about 70%, with a minimum required savings of 20%. The Department for Community Based Services explained a new vendor contract for SSI initial and redetermination work for children in out-of-home care, saying the work is federally required, the department lacks in-house capacity, and the contract replaced a prior vendor after an RFP protest and rebid. The Department of Highways described umbrella traffic engineering contracts for smaller highway safety projects, noting they are used for spot improvements and are nearing full utilization. The Kentucky Historical Society said its contract funded a temporary exhibit tied to 250th anniversary programming, and the Board of Medical Licensure discussed an amended audit contract, explaining that annual audits were adopted after an auditor’s recommendation and that the board is funded by state allocation plus fees and fines. The Department for Natural Resources/Abandoned Mine Lands gave the most extensive presentation, describing a $5 million engineering services contract as part of a much larger workload increase driven by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, with projects prioritized by citizen complaints and safety impacts; the agency said the contract supports design and oversight for community-scale mine reclamation projects that exceed in-house capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those assessment centers should operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• And that does not negate the fact that we do have young people and emerging adults that need to spend
• And as I heard the superintendent say in another hearing, the emergency release valve that we need.
• With the emergence of Harbor Heights, and again, I’m glad that Barbara brought up the fact that we’re
• and give you some emergency power to transfer, but also do it in a way that meets...

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lowers cost, reduces fuel convoys, and strengthens our operational resilience.
• Fossil fuel and nuclear plants require significant amounts of water to operate.
• If there's an emergency, there's an emergency; they're... Representative Aguilar.
• House Bill 2400: it is an emergency measure and requires at least a two-thirds vote to enact the emergency
• It is an emergency measure and requires at least a two-thirds vote to enact the emergency.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, guest introductions, and several ceremonial proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Joseph Torkelson for his service in pediatric oncology and military medicine. Members also introduced guests connected to Arizona Bleeding Disorders, charter schools, and a suicide-prevention effort tied to HB 2665 (“Cade’s Law”). The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions. On the first calendar, the House gave do pass recommendations, mostly as amended, to HB 2117, 2744, 2751, 2917, 2939, 2957, 2970, and HCR 2038. The amendments addressed topics such as natural resource conservation district boundaries, manufacturing and jobs, Real ID/non-Real ID data privacy, and Colorado River conservation and tribal/community representation. The House then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and sent the measures for engrossing; a later motion to amend the report to include the defeated Villegas amendment on HB 2667 failed by roll call vote, 22-32 with 6 not voting. In the next calendars, the House advanced HB 2015, 2129, 2327, 2439, 2533, 2667, 2793, 2873, HCR 2044, and others, with several floor or committee amendments adopted. Debate focused on homelessness coordination in HB 2533, homebuyer assistance and corporate ownership concerns in HB 2667, annexation and local control in HB 2793, and a proposed constitutional referral in HCR 2044 aimed at closing loopholes for discrimination in public programs. The House also considered HB 2044 and HB 2076 in the Judiciary calendar, with debate over the scope of a homicide-disposal statute in HB 2044 and school safety/teacher firearms issues in HB 2076; both bills advanced as amended. The final calendar covered natural resources, energy, and water bills. The House advanced HB 2014, 2055, 2145, 2185, 2267, 2340, 2428, 2696, 2798, 2955, 2975, and 2986, with amendments on drought definitions, emissions permitting, mineral district mapping, and environmental enforcement authority. HB 2267 drew the sharpest debate, with opponents arguing it would hinder solar and wind development and supporters arguing for diversification toward coal, gas, and nuclear; after a division vote, the bill still received a do pass recommendation. The session concluded with the Committee of the Whole rising and reporting, and the House adopting the report and assigning the measures accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um, the air exchange system, for example, is extremely expensive to operate.
• And um so PSTC expensive to operate.
• emergency emergency fund.<00:38:42.400><c> Does</c><00:38:42.640><c> anyone</c><00:38:43.040><c> have
• One, our emerging programs and needs so that we can more peacefully renovate.
• One, our emerging focus on two things?

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• millionaire tax dollars or excess capital gains, which means that it is not available for traditional operational
• millionaire tax dollars or excess capital gains, which means that that is not available for traditional operational
• budgets, both, that is not available for traditional operational budgets.
• The Senate for its final passage requiring the adoption of an emergency preamble.
• Emergency Cranble is adopted. Three recess, sir. Instead of being a brief recess.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph, a five-year-old Hyde Park child whose death was described as a tragic loss to his family, school, and community. Senators offered condolences and a moment of silence was observed. The chamber also recognized several guests, including students and scholarship recipients from the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program and visitors from River Valley Charter School and Fall River’s Green School. The main legislative business was Senate 2521, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing about $189 million for early education and care providers so they could receive June child care financial assistance payments. The minority leader questioned why the deficiency had arisen so late in the fiscal year and asked about preventing similar shortfalls. The Ways and Means chair responded that the bill was time-sensitive, that such supplemental appropriations are common for caseload-driven accounts, and that the House had already passed the measure. He also reported that FY25 revenues were about $1.1 billion above benchmark, though most of that was restricted Fair Share revenue or excess capital gains. The Senate took a roll-call vote on engrossment, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 39-0. The Senate then agreed to a conference committee on the FY26 budget bill, House 4001, after insisting on its amendment. It also adopted resolutions recognizing the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship and the Concord-Nani sister-city anniversary. The chamber suspended rules to advance a petition to ban DEHP in IV bags and tubing, and it agreed to a House referral change for Senate 2522, a health care petitions bill, sending it to the Judiciary Committee. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed Senate 2521 to be enacted before adjourning to meet again the following Monday in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number 4757 alpha by Senator Bailey: an act to amend the executive law in relation to establishing an Operation
• Senator Stavisky: an act to amend the education law in relation to granting academic credit at state-operated
• New York and the senior colleges of the City University of New York to volunteer firefighters and emergency
• An act to amend the education law in relation to granting academic credit and state-operated institutions
• New York and the senior colleges of the City University of New York to volunteer firefighters and emergency

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Finance Committee met with Senator John Liu presiding for Chair Liz Krueger, joined by members of the majority and minority. The committee considered a broad agenda of bills covering agriculture, public health, technology, taxation, corrections, education, housing, transportation, and civil rights. Among the measures discussed were a youth agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, a Bronx asthma study commission, a statewide multi-factor authentication requirement for governmental entities, a tax on noise emissions from certain helicopter and seaplane flights, a requirement that state events serving alcohol include New York-produced alcohol, a veterans and service members alternative resolution program, packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure legislation, limits on certain debt-collection practices involving foreign sovereign debt, commissary rules in correctional institutions, school energy performance contract recovery periods, a senior rent cap tied to income, a dental health demonstration project, farm succession planning, Operation SNUG gun violence prevention grants, expanded breast cancer screening coverage, direct Medicaid billing for creative arts therapists, a vacant storefront registry, academic credit for volunteer firefighters and EMTs, a plan to expand wheelchair-accessible vehicles outside New York City, STAR exemption notification, restrictions on certain tropical hardwoods in state contracts, a PSC guidebook on gas and electric rate making, gender-affirming care coverage and anti-discrimination provisions, and state leave for Civil Air Patrol members on airport-assigned missions. Most of the meeting focused on the packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure bill, which drew extended debate. Supporters said the bill had been revised after months of discussion with industry, included waivers for food safety and federal-law conflicts, and could save local governments money through producer responsibility funding. Opponents argued it would raise costs, harm food packaging flexibility, threaten food safety, and hurt manufacturers and small businesses, citing examples from dairy, meat, and coffee businesses. The sponsor’s representative said the bill had been updated and that some small businesses would be exempt, while acknowledging not all concerns were resolved. The committee also discussed the fiscal impact, with testimony that upfront state costs would be reimbursed and localities could see savings. Several other bills prompted brief policy discussion, including the helicopter/seaplane noise tax, where staff explained it would be assessed per ticket or up to $200 per flight and exempt quieter aircraft meeting DOT standards, and the sovereign debt/claims bill, where a senator warned it could drive financial activity out of New York. The committee also heard concerns about the packaging bill’s effect on New York food manufacturers and the availability of waivers. After discussion, the committee voted to report the bills; the transcript indicates the measures passed, generally with some members recorded as without recommendation or opposed, and all listed bills were moved to the floor before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are required to provide adult dental benefits, which include emergency extractions, partial dentures
• So small issues don't become large problems like infections, hospital visits, costly emergencies.
• Every registry operating in Florida must use the specific mandated language provided in this bill to
• I know I have been sometimes easy, but you guys have operating to the fullest and helping to given information
• Surely the brains behind the operation. So thank you, Eric.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had some emerging reports of unidentified drones near our military installations," "We've had some
• emerging reports of unidentified drones near our military installations and airports that are potentially
• Preserving Texas spaceports is vitally important for operational duties, air traffic safety, and potential
• SB 1197 keeps exceptions for authorized operators like law enforcement and spaceport staff, ensuring
• business, veterans develop leadership and problem-solving skills, but adapting them to business operations

Bills: SB390 , SB1197 , SB1271

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, 1185

Summary: The Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills related to military installations, veterans, and contracting opportunities. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to spaceports, with exceptions for authorized users; no public testimony was offered at the first hearing, and the bill was left pending before later being reported favorably. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, which would allow Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations so state and local authorities could handle certain juvenile offenses and provide more rehabilitative options; a committee substitute was explained, but the bill was left pending after no initial witnesses appeared. The committee also considered SB 390, which would expand the state historically underutilized business definition to include SBA-certified veteran-owned businesses regardless of disability rating. Supporters from the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce and other veterans argued the change would improve access to state contracting, strengthen the economy, and better recognize veterans’ contributions. Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category to all veterans might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB classifications, and Jim Brennan echoed that concern while suggesting a separate category might be more workable. During the pending-legislation portion, the committee voted on several bills. SB 651 and SB 897 were each substituted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1197 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 was left pending after a motion to report the committee substitute favorably, and SB 390 was left pending after testimony concluded. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this bill authorizes insurance providers to operate in areas that they otherwise might not choose
• part of that solution would dramatically change the overall frameworks of how captive insurance operates
• part of that solution would dramatically change the overall frameworks of how captive insurance operates
• part of that solution would dramatically change the overall frameworks of how captive insurance operates
• > just frameworks of of how captive just frameworks of of how captive insurance<00:13:45.839><c> operates

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up a short-form administrative licensing measure requested by the administration to correct and clarify renewal provisions in a prior bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to adopt the proposed Senate draft and recommit the bill back to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee for a further public hearing. The committee then heard SB 2876 on natural hair braiding, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing under certain conditions. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it views hair braiding as within the broader scope of cosmetology, but agreed that people who only braid hair should not need a license because the training and exam requirements are minimal. The board warned, however, that exempting braiders could create consumer protection gaps involving sanitation, training, and enforcement, and noted that related services such as waxing, cutting, coloring, shampooing, and relaxing would still require licensure. Supporters included the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and the Institute for Justice. The committee also heard SB 2950 on captive insurance and SB 2951 on insurance proceeds. On SB 2950, the Insurance Division opposed the bill, saying captive insurance is designed for formal self-insurance for companies and that allowing captives to insure the public would not fit the existing regulatory framework; a fire survivor advocate supported the measure as a way to expand disaster-related insurance options. On SB 2951, which would require mortgage servicers to follow certain rules for disbursing insurance proceeds after residential damage or destruction, United Policy Holders strongly supported the bill, citing delays in releasing funds and the need to help survivors rebuild, while banking and financial industry groups submitted opposition or comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 2952, SB 2960, and SB 2964, all related to property insurance and disaster recovery. SB 2952 and SB 2960 would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to submit documentation and recover replacement cost value, with supporters arguing that rebuilding after major disasters takes far longer than standard policy deadlines allow and that the bills would improve consumer protection and transparency; the Insurance Division, the Insurance Council, and national insurance groups opposed the measures. SB 2964 would require annual disclosures of replacement cost value and coverage sufficiency; the Insurance Council opposed it as costly and unnecessary because policies already include inflation-related adjustments, while United Policy Holders and fire survivors supported it, saying many homeowners are underinsured and do not understand their coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• From an operational standpoint...
• We bring in everybody to our emergency operations.
• And the emergency response is phenomenal.
• We bring in everybody to our emergency operations.
• or operating a— Recycling facility or operating a nuclear reactor?

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to add that re-evaluating IWS limitations was one of the recommendations that emerged from
• For subsection 3, emergency exemptions, we'll change this to read, uh, packaging in any situation...
• ><c> change</c><01:14:26.960><c> this</c> emergency exemptions, we'll change this emergency exemptions
• But the idea is, yes, in an emergency situation where there's a need to use single-use plastics for emergency
• situation where there's a need to use single-use plastics for emergency response, there has to be a

Bills: HB644 , HB1802 , HB1569 , HB1619 , HB1620 , HB1730 , HB1749

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license, habitat conservation plan, HCP, DLNR, BLNR, Board of Land and Natural Resources, endangered species recovery committee, threatened species, endangered species

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses must pay the B&O tax even if they do not have any profits or may be operating at a loss.
• Funds in the account may not be used for emergency fire costs or suppression costs.
• Funds in the account may not be used for emergency fire costs or suppression costs.
• In addition, systems in operation prior to January 1, 2028, may operate after the system has been in
• operation for 25 years.

Bills: HB1960 , HB2194 , HB2089

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants