Transcript Highlights:

• She controls your CIP. Like Santa, she has a list of all your needs.
• She<00:25:00.320> controls<00:25:00.720> your<00:25:00.880> CIP.
• She controls your CIP. She controls your CIP.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects is the Central individual CIP projects is the Central Maui<00:18:25.600> Wastewater<
• We are also seeking support of DNR's CIP funding requests to expedite the reopening of Lānaʻi Harbor.
• You provided CIP funds in 2022 for phase one of this renovation project, which has all been encumbered
• our vidina Stadium um you provided CIP our vidina Stadium um you provided CIP funds<00:32:48.799
• Um, quick questions about your CIP requests.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states do CIP bond funding as well, and also cultural trusts, which we're really interested in
• 08.360> do dedicated funding source other states do dedicated funding source other states do CIP
• 00:20:10.000> well<00:20:10.880> um<00:20:11.080> and<00:20:11.280> also CIP
• Bond funding as well um and also CIP Bond funding as well um and also cultural<00:20:11.960> trusts

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 547 HD1, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and support spay/neuter services, funded in part through a tax return check-off and other sources. The Department of Taxation said it could implement the check-off; the Attorney General and Budget and Finance raised drafting and placement concerns about which department should house the fund; and the Hawaii Humane Society strongly supported the bill, emphasizing statewide need and the importance of distributing funds to areas of greatest need, including neighbor islands. The Tax Foundation opposed the measure on special-fund grounds, arguing there was no sufficient nexus between the bill’s purpose and the proposed revenue source. The committee later recommended HB 547 HD1 with technical amendments and sent it to Finance, with members voting aye and no objections noted. The committee also heard HB 925 HD1, relating to arts funding, which would impose a 1% fee on ticket sales from concerts at state venues and direct the proceeds to a dedicated arts fund. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the measure, while the Attorney General suggested defining “concerts” for clarity and Budget and Finance was available with comments. In discussion, the committee chair asked about how other states fund arts programs, and Director Ewald said many states use dedicated funding sources such as concert fees, bond funding, cultural trusts, and hotel lodging taxes. The committee recommended HB 925 HD1 with amendments, including a preamble, a new Performing Arts special fund, a definition of “concerts,” and a defective date, and the recommendation was adopted. Finally, the committee considered HB 1378, also related to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Based on the Attorney General’s testimony, the committee proposed deleting a section of the bill, creating a Performing Arts special fund, specifying revenue sources such as legislative appropriations, foundation charges, grants, gifts, and interest, and using the fund for coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The amendments also added a definition of Performing Arts, granting standards, and a defective date, while blanking out the appropriation amount for the committee report. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation on HB 1378 with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also seeking your support of DNR's CIP funding request to expedite the reopening of Līna Harbor
• You provided CIP funds in 2022 for phase one of this renovation project, which has all been encumbered
• /c><00:26:57.960> um<00:26:58.240> you<00:26:58.399> provided<00:26:58.840> CIP
• our vidina Stadium um you provided CIP our vidina Stadium um you provided CIP funds<00:27:00.159
• Um, does your office have any, or does your administration have any specific asks outside of the CIP

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also in my town have someone who's serves on the budget committee, the CIP committee, and as chairman
• I also in my town have someone who's serves on the budget committee, the CIP committee, and as chairman
• I also in my town have someone who's serves on the budget committee, the CIP committee, and as chairman
• Representative Guthrie continued, saying that a person serving on the budget committee, the CIP committee

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: HR202, HB2095, SB2657, SB2138, SB3110, SB3082, SB3109, HB1800

Keywords: Hawaii, Hawaiʻi, house resolution, congratulatory resolution, education, public schools, librarian of the year, middle school principal of the year, school counselor of the year, teacher of the year, library system, blind and print disabled, accessible learning, braille, audio technology, principal, school counselor, agriculture education, culinary arts, student recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a provision in there regarding allowing transfers from CIP budgets to operating.
• There was a provision in there regarding allowing transfers from CIP budgets to operating.
• There was a provision in there regarding allowing transfers from CIP budgets to operating.
• There was a provision in there regarding allowing transfers from CIP budgets to operating.
• There was a provision in there regarding allowing transfers from CIP budgets to operating.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• But having at least some contractors helps us deploy CIP. >> We are trying and looking at it.
• But having at least some contractors helps us deploy CIP. >> Yes.
• some contractors helps us deploy CIP some<01:55:23.920> contractors.
• You folks get all this money for CIP in a short period of time.
• the only person who has issues with CIP the only person who has issues with CIP projects<02:12:25.920

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the state employee group CIP.
• The University hasn't participated in CIP since 2002.
• CIP efficiently. CIP efficiently.
• I just didn’t know whether that I just needed the clarification that you guys participated in CIP and
• So, I was just CIP? I I don't know.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your CIP requests—so this is for the new Old Triple C, the $30 million. So that's Triple C.
• CIP is more clearly articulated in Table 15.
• budget approved eight of our 12 CIP budget approved eight of our 12 CIP projects<01:14:51.080>
• We use the siren CIP money to install new sirens.
• funds hello we use the siren um CIP funds hello we use the siren um CIP money<01:21:06.400> to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, for this biennium, our CIP requests are $20 million each year for DERF and $50 million each year
• you well for this panium our CIP you well for this panium our CIP requests<00:15:24.120> are<
• This is CIP. Oh, where's your operating? Oh, our operating is just personnel.
• And then this is your CIP, correct?
• The first is a roughly $30 million CIP request for the 99E leasehold program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the CIP chair. to the CIP chair. Representative<01:33:00.320> Kitagawa.
• I'd now like to highlight a few of the items that are included in this CIP budget.
• Madam Speaker, this CIP budget is something that we can all be proud of.
• I'd now like to highlight a few of the items that are included in this CIP budget.
• Madam Speaker, this CIP budget is something that we can all be proud of.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To this end, we've requested $5 million annually in CIP funding for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to
• These CIP funds also provide the opportunity for matches to non-state grants.
• Looking back, we can see the impact of leverage funds and CIP funding from the legislature.
• requested $5 million annually in CIP requested $5 million annually in CIP funding<01:25:08.920><
• <01:25:45.719> funds<01:25:46.199> also Statewide these uh CIP funds also Statewide

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate agriculture committees met on January 17, 2025, for an informational briefing on biosecurity and invasive species; Chair Kahaloa opened by noting there would be no public testimony. Members introduced themselves, and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) program manager Chelsea Arnot outlined the purpose of the briefing and the statewide impacts of invasive species, citing examples such as coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coquí frogs, albizia, and mosquito-borne disease. She emphasized that biosecurity requires coordinated action across state departments, counties, federal agencies, universities, and communities, and highlighted HISC’s role in funding interagency projects, island invasive species committees, research, outreach, and early detection efforts. Arnot and HISC representatives described major funding and program needs, including a requested $4.25 million increase to HISC to raise its baseline budget to $10 million, support island committee operations, research, biocontrol, marine biosecurity, surveillance, and staffing. They also requested $500,000 for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, saying it is critical to invasive ant research and little fire ant response. The briefing also noted HISC’s leverage of federal dollars, including a $4.6 million REPI award with HISC providing the match, and cited successful collaborative eradications and responses, including veiled chameleons on Maui, axis deer on Hawaiʻi Island, and a 2023 coconut rhinoceros beetle response on Maui that prevented further spread. Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials then discussed implementation of updated administrative rules effective January 20, 2025, which permanently restrict movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material and give the department stronger authority to stop movement of infested material. They reported 2024 import activity of about 50,000 ship and aircraft arrivals, inspection/clearance of 20 million pieces, and 16,000 interceptions, with additional staffing from Act 231 expected to increase interceptions. They also described Act 231 funding and current spending status: about 65% obligated and 52% encumbered, with some funds tied to contracts for CRB and little fire ant response, plus an $800,000 green-waste hauling RFP that had to be reissued because of a flaw. The department said 580 Oʻahu homes and 290 Hawaiʻi Island homes are slated for little fire ant treatment, while Maui and Kauaʻi will focus on survey and outreach. Members questioned how homes are selected for subsidized treatment, whether HISC and the island invasive species committees received Act 231 support, and whether the state should direct how contracted funds are prioritized. Representative Martin raised concerns that the RFP limited eligibility to private pest control companies and excluded more experienced entities such as the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. Department officials said they would follow up on prioritization and funding details, and noted that emergency proclamations and procurement flexibility could help with rapid response and hiring during invasive species emergencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it's gone really well, but one of the problems that we noticed right away is that the CIP program
• is<00:04:41.520> that<00:04:42.240> the<00:04:42.400> the<00:04:42.720> CIP
• <00:04:43.280> program right away is that the the CIP program right away is that the the CIP
• You know, that one and a half percent CIP mandate is a cost across the board to ratepayers, and as we're

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3296, as amended, was heard in committee and laid over. The bill would extend an existing exemption in Minnesota’s energy conservation/efficiency program calculations so that certain data centers, like crypto-based data mining operations, would not be counted in a utility’s gross annual retail sales if the new load increases the utility’s base load by 40% or more. Representative Gilman and testifier David Meyer of Glenco Light and Power argued the change is needed because large data loads can make the 1.5% annual savings target effectively unattainable for smaller municipal utilities, and they said the added revenue from the facility has helped lower rates for other customers. Ken Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association supported the bill, describing it as narrowly drafted to address mid-sized data centers that do not fit other relief provisions but still create local utility problems. Sarah Wolf of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light opposed the exemption, arguing that energy efficiency remains important amid rising demand and grid stress from data centers, and that large users should continue contributing to efficiency efforts rather than being exempted. Members raised questions about whether the facility had a long-term contract, whether the customer was helping lower rates, and how much savings were being passed on to ratepayers. Meyer said the customer had a three-year agreement extended another three years, the infrastructure costs were borne by the customer, and the facility’s revenue has allowed Glenco to reduce rates by about half a cent per kilowatt hour through a $40,000 monthly buy-down of its power cost adjustment. Some members expressed concern that data centers should continue to improve efficiency over time, while others noted the bill’s focus on smaller utilities facing disproportionate impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:42.400> line Center that was um a you know a CIP line Center that was um a you know
• a CIP line item<01:26:43.440> project<01:26:43.920> so<01:26:44.239> from<01:26
• So how, what's the percentage of time that you folks have come in with CIP projects that the money you
• So how, what's the percentage of time that you folks have come in with CIP projects that the money you
• So how, what's the percentage of time that you folks have come in with CIP projects that the money you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, an example of the hospitality academy is that through CIP, uh, we did build a small facility that
• the hospitality academy is<01:25:53.600> that<01:25:53.840> through<01:25:54.159> CIP
• Uh up first uh qualifying priority CIP.
• We're going to make it 6 to dovetail with a typical CIP. not specify when the first report should not
• It is 6 to dovetail with a typical CIP planning process or the cycle.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion. The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date. After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> turning it over to CIP. >> turning it over to CIP.
• <00:31:58.399> Um >> Okay, let me go over our CIP request.
• Um >> Okay, let me go over our CIP request.
• noticed um when you went over the CIP noticed um when you went over the CIP um<00:52:17.119>
• The governor's budget also approved five FY27 CIP project requests totaling $51,250,000.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to join him in thanking all of the CIP staff who tirelessly worked on this budget.
• The CIP budget makes strong investments in our communities.
• join him in thanking all of the CIP join him in thanking all of the CIP staff<00:52:27.520> who
• The CIP budget makes strong budget.
• The CIP budget makes strong investments<00:52:32.200> in<00:52:32.320> our<00:52:32.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have funding in the current CIP to build a new facility.
• We don't have funding in the current CIP to build a new facility.
• We don't have funding in the current CIP to build a new facility.
• We don't have funding in the current CIP to build a new facility.
• We don't have funding in the current CIP to build a new facility.

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• This project was requested in the 2011, 2013, and 2015 CIP requests, and we really appreciate your support
• This project was requested in the 2011, 2013, and 2015 CIP requests, and we really appreciate your support
• This project was requested in the 2011, 2013, and 2015 CIP requests, and we really appreciate your support
• This project was requested in the 2011, 2013, and 2015 CIP requests, and we really appreciate your support
• This project was requested in the 2011, 2013, and 2015 CIP requests, and we really appreciate your support

Bills: SB6, SB62, SB74, SB90, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB133, SB135, SB182, SB185, SB193, SB207, SB217, SB229, SB233, SB260, SB262, SB280, SB281, SB300, SB306, SB378, SB382, SB393, SB403, SB422, SB427, SB431, SB434, SB442, SB452, SB456, SB468, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB6

Keywords: cloud seeding, Nevada, water conservation, agriculture, Desert Research Institute, victim compensation, hate crimes, property remediation, criminal justice, vulnerable persons, elections, voter registration, mail ballots, candidate eligibility, cybersecurity, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel