Transcript Highlights:

• Our members hear directly about what's wrong at HUD.
• Municipalities modernizing HUD programs.
• But burdensome HUD uh monthly payment.
• </c><08:42:42.080><c> and</c> the country that rely on both HUD and the country that rely on both HUD
• My bill requires HUD and USDA housing.

Bills: HB1531 , HB6644 , HB3190 , HB3390 , HB3682 , HB5616 , SB3705

Keywords: Taiwan, China, banking organizations, financial regulators, national security, Burma, sanctions, foreign relations, accountability, economic oversight, military accountability, discount window, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Act, Board of Governors, liquidity, bank liquidity, emergency lending, lender of last resort, financial stability

Transcript Highlights:

• Our second largest program is the administration of the federal HUD rental assistance project-based Section
• 8 that we do on behalf of HUD under contract.
• </c><00:05:26.160><c> uh</c> administration of the federal HUD uh administration of the federal HUD uh
• on</c><00:05:29.680><c> behalf</c><00:05:30.639><c> of</c><00:05:30.960><c> of</c><00:05:31.440><c> HUD
• </c><00:05:31.840><c> under</c> that we do on behalf of of HUD under that we do on behalf of of HUD under

Bills: SF2434

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• The HUD director at the time, George Romney, came from the automotive industry and knew how the automotive
• One of the outcomes of that was what we know as the HUD code, the only preemptive code in... ...why a
• One of the outcomes of that was what we know as the HUD code, the only preemptive code in the U.S., and
• So it's an interesting history, but performance-based, essentially, the HUD code came out of a performance-based
• .. ...to establish these standards that either can be adopted nationally under preemptive code like HUD

Summary: The committee held its first official work session with member and staff introductions, then received an update from the State Building Code Council on the current three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed code changes. Council staff said the council is moving toward CR-102 rulemaking and final adoption in the spring, with legislative mandates nearing completion on minimum dwelling unit size, emergency shelters, single-exit stairs for buildings up to six stories and 24 units, and sixplexes in the residential code. Members asked about how technical advisory groups are selected, and staff explained that the council advertises seats, reviews applications and recommendations, and approves members in public meetings, typically including firefighters, engineers, architects, and other subject-matter experts. A major portion of the meeting focused on the single-stair and sixplex work and on how fire safety, egress, and local service levels are being considered. Council representatives said the single-stair proposal includes emergency escape and rescue openings on all levels and is intended to provide more options for safe egress while reducing building footprint and cost. They emphasized that the recommendations are still entering the public rulemaking process and that cost-benefit considerations were part of the legislative intent. Members also raised questions about whether self-rescue devices or other builder options could be codified, and council staff said such ideas are considered through the advisory process, though not all become required code provisions. The second half of the session covered performance-based codes, prompted by a bill referred to as HB 2381. Todd Byrd explained the difference between prescriptive codes, which specify exact solutions, and performance-based codes, which set outcomes and allow designers and manufacturers more flexibility in how to meet them. He described the bill as a narrow proposal for low-rise residential buildings up to 24 units and under the high-rise threshold, with third-party or state certification and local jurisdiction approval still required. He cited international examples, especially Japan and Sweden, where performance-based approaches supported innovation and prefabrication, and said such systems can lower costs while maintaining safety. Members discussed seismic safety, builder participation, embodied carbon, and energy-code interactions, and council staff said the proposal could help align material, energy, and design optimization without changing the existing energy code. The committee took no vote and adjourned after the informational presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, my organization is the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants.
• But these are bills, first of all, my organization is the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants.
• Both for public housing and HUD multifamily, so we need your help to get it passed.
• In this building, I'm now HUD-funded.
• I'm 75 years old, and I'm here with the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on a wide range of housing bills focused on manufactured housing, condominiums, public housing, tiny homes, and protections for elderly and disabled residents. Chairs Haggerty and Cyr opened by emphasizing the importance of these housing types and the need to hear from many speakers. Testimony on manufactured housing was especially extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of bills such as H. 1475, S. 990, and H. 1513 argued that out-of-state corporate owners are buying communities, raising rents and fees, reducing services, and exploiting legal gray areas. Residents and lawmakers from affected communities like Taunton, Middleborough, Attleboro, and Oak Point described steep rent disparities, fear of displacement, and the need for stronger protections, while Representative Hawkins urged an omnibus approach and said the bill would create a local board to ensure compliance with existing law. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Association and Hometown America’s counsel, argued that current law already provides protections, that the bills would create uncertainty or unfairly restrict owners, and that H. 1475 was intended to clarify the post-Blake legal landscape. The committee also heard testimony on condominium reform through S. 980, with owners describing lack of transparency, surprise assessments, and limited accountability, and urging updates to Chapter 183A and more owner rights. Public housing bills also drew support from housing authority advocates. MassNAHRO backed S. 955, H. 1517, H. 1512, H. 1550, and H. 1551, saying housing authorities need more flexibility to preserve and expand affordable housing. Witnesses supported tax relief for replacement public housing units and streamlined procurement rules, arguing these changes would help projects move faster and make better use of capital funds. Committee members asked questions about PILOT agreements, tax treatment of new developments, and whether state and federal public housing would be treated similarly. The committee also heard from Senator Lovely and advocates for S. 1007/H. 1525, which would prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in housing. Supporters described the bills as a long-needed response to harassment in senior and public housing, calling for building-level plans, staff training, and AG oversight; Jerry Halberstadt said the measure should be strengthened with enforcement and tenant advocacy support. Pamela and other witnesses described severe personal impacts from bullying and management retaliation. Another major topic was S. 1474/H. 1474 on movable tiny houses as permanent dwellings and accessory dwelling units. Supporters, including Representative DeCoste, Vera Struck, Kaylee DeCrease, and Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said tiny homes are a safe, affordable, sustainable option for seniors, workers, and others facing the housing shortage, and urged the committee to legalize them and align state rules with emerging standards. They also discussed tax classification and the need for a clear building code and DMV category. Finally, H. 1476 on pet-friendly elderly housing drew support from animal welfare groups, who said the bill would restore and modernize a prior pet program, expand access across state-aided housing, limit pet deposits, and reduce pet surrender caused by housing barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we basically get three streams of funding from the feds, from Housing and Urban Development, HUD,
• Early on in 2025, the federal administration unveiled their budget, and it proposed big cuts to HUD of
• COC Builds funding. cuts to HUD of up to 44% reductions that sought to eliminate standalone Continuum
• So then we saw programmatic changes proposed by HUD.
• And then the ceiling is 300% of area median household income as determined by HUD.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it's something that the VA federally and HUD have kind of come together to acknowledge that, you
• Um, it's something that the VA federally and HUD have kind of come together to acknowledge that, you
• Um, it's something that the VA federally and HUD have kind of come together to acknowledge that, you
• </c><00:18:47.280><c> And</c><00:18:47.440><c> they</c> from the VA and HUD together.
• And they from the VA and HUD together.

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the HUD program, right? >> CDBG, right?
• </c><00:11:50.000><c> That's</c><00:11:50.160><c> the</c><00:11:50.320><c> HUD</c> development block
• That's the HUD development block grant. That's the HUD program,<00:11:51.200><c> right?

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• So that has come through because of the T-HUD bill.
• It also does not allow HUD to cap Tier 1 projects below 60% for fiscal year 2026 funding.
• So that has come through because of the T-HUD bill.
• But it also, this T-HUD bill directed HUD to release the year 26 funding notice by June 1st, which I
• HUD is attempting to move away from the longstanding housing first practice.

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and that's what I have from HUD, 2018.
• That's according to HUD, more than likely. It's possible.
• That's the way that HUD describes the experience.
• homes built to HUD standards.
• homes built to HUD standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, under the Trump administration, a lot of things have changed with how HUD rules contemplate these
• Now, under the Trump administration, a lot of things have changed with how HUD rules contemplate these
• Therefore, from HUD, and that mainly right now, the purpose has been to create housing.
• During my time as senior policy advisor to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, the program continued to receive
• Thank you. ...reported on the HUD website, and I'd be happy to go through that in detail with you.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to provide written approval from HUD that shows that it's allowed.
• So, there was some concern that what we might be asking them to do wouldn't be allowed under HUD regulations
• , and we didn't want to risk a clawback from HUD later on.
• They have to provide written approval from HUD that shows that it's allowed.
• , and we didn't want to risk a clawback from HUD later on.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also ensures housing remains affordable for at least 15 years following federal HUD standards and
• least 15 years affordable for at least 15 years following<00:04:27.360><c> federal</c><00:04:27.759><c> HUD
• </c><00:04:28.160><c> standards</c><00:04:28.560><c> and</c> following federal HUD standards and following
• federal HUD standards and recorded<00:04:29.440><c> D</c><00:04:29.840><c> restrictions.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Stalber, who when this also happened was one of the 22 Republicans to make sure and send a letter to HUD
• sure and send a Republicans to make sure and send a letter<00:15:42.880><c> to</c><00:15:43.040><c> HUD
• 43.680><c> for</c><00:15:43.839><c> this</c><00:15:44.000><c> to</c><00:15:44.079><c> be</c> letter to HUD
• asking for this to be letter to HUD asking for this to be extended<00:15:44.560><c> and</c><00:15:44.800
• statewide delegation, but also a federal delegation and partnership to hopefully get this fixed at HUD

Transcript Highlights:

• HUD is the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Thank you.
• HUD is the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Thank you.
• </c> accountable um it's typically a HUD accountable um it's typically a HUD requirement<01:30:19.000
• that HUD holds the requirement that HUD holds the developers<01:30:20.320><c> accountable</c><01:30:
• </c><01:30:53.159><c> to</c> knowledge we would work with HUD to knowledge we would work with HUD to

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing, land use, and preservation bills. HB 1008 HD2 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete historic preservation determinations for state affordable housing projects within 90 days and create sensitivity-based review pathways. HHFDC, DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division, and written testimony from DBEDT supported the bill as an expedited process for projects unlikely to affect significant historic resources. Members asked how the bill would define significant versus non-significant historic properties, how it would interact with Kapakai analysis, and whether burial councils had been consulted; SHPD said the bill would not replace Kapakai review and that burial councils had not been included. Written support also came from OHA, Hawaii Realtors, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. HB 1093 would clarify the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers relating to housing projects. HPHA supported the measure, saying it would align definitions with prior law and help deconcentrate poverty by allowing mixed-income rebuilding. The director also said the bill was increasingly urgent because of reported federal HUD priorities that could affect public housing and Section 8 funding. HB 1096 HD1 would repeal state low-income housing preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans, with HPHA saying federal veteran programs such as VASH are a better mechanism and that the state preference has not been used in years. HB 1411 would allow HHFDC projects to give sale or lease preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project; HHFDC and the Hawaii Chapter of NAIOP supported it as a way to keep residents connected to their communities, while members raised constitutional concerns about broader local-preference policies. The committee also heard HB 367 HD1, which would create county permit exemptions for certain agricultural and maintenance activities. Written testimony included opposition from the Department of Planning and Permitting and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Grassroot Institute, and others. A public testifier opposed the bill, arguing that permit exemptions could worsen safety and compliance problems. Finally, HB 826 HD1 would allow county planning commissions, by special permit, to authorize residential housing in agricultural districts for agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or fee simple ownership under certain conditions. HHFDC supported it as a faster alternative to lengthy state land-use redistricting, but the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development raised concerns about food production impacts, due process, service provision, jurisdictional conflicts, and the use of special permits for what could amount to district boundary changes. Public testimony was mixed, with some support and some opposition. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• funded this HUD section 8 housing<00:45:03.200><c> program.
• Section 8 housing vouchers are critically important to us, particularly in this housing crisis, and HUD
• </c><00:59:38.960><c> has</c><00:59:39.200><c> this</c> housing crisis and HUD has this housing crisis
• and HUD has this insidious<00:59:40.240><c> formula</c><00:59:41.119><c> whereby</c><00:59:41.599><c
• really allow states to do this would HUD really allow states to do this because<01:01:06.720><c> if<

Transcript Highlights:

• public housing authority is a state entity that helps to disperse the funds that are received from HUD
• Uh we have seen over 50% now of HUD staffers laid off.
• over</c><00:49:43.760><c> 50%</c><00:49:44.400><c> now</c><00:49:44.640><c> of</c><00:49:44.880><c> HUD
• </c> we have seen over 50% now of HUD we have seen over 50% now of HUD staffers<00:49:45.920><c> laid
• They had not yet laid off the staff at HUD, and they had not yet threatened to cut Section 8.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• to us by the department, the total amount of funding we have from federal refugee money and federal HUD
• to us by the department, the total amount of funding we have from federal refugee money and federal HUD
• The total amount of funding we have from federal refugee money and federal HUD housing money, and the
• The total amount of funding we have from federal refugee money and federal HUD housing money, and the
• </c><01:17:34.280><c> or</c> is not covered under either HUD or is not covered under either HUD or Refugee

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• HUD offices have closed.
• So this means that some claims are not being heard at all by our federal agencies like HUD and the EEOC
• When it comes to the HUD contract, the state of California has sued HUD over terms that we find unacceptable
• When it comes to the HUD contract, the state of California has sued HUD. And we don't know.
• When it comes to the HUD contract, the state of California has sued HUD over terms that we find unacceptable

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote. The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• HUD offices have closed.
• So this means that some claims are not being heard at all by our federal agencies like HUD and the EEOC
• When it comes to the HUD contract, the state of California has sued HUD.
• When it comes to the HUD contract, the state of California has sued HUD. And we don't know.
• When it comes to the HUD contract, the state of California has sued HUD over terms that we find unacceptable

Transcript Highlights:

• The main difference is that manufactured homes are to HUD standards, which are federal standards that
• </c> manufactured homes are, uh, to HUD manufactured homes are, uh, to HUD standards,<00:48:51.920><c
• </c> homes by definition follows HUD homes by definition follows HUD requirements,<00:51:59.120><c> which
• </c> very different from the HUD standards. very different from the HUD standards.
• There is a, again, manufactured homes, which is contemplated in this bill, by definition, follows HUD

Bills: HB1700

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.