Video & Transcript : 'House Bill 3' :
Page 52 of 500
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 19 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Keep in mind, this does not include House originated bills.
- Keep in mind, this does not include House originated bills.
- Keep in mind, this does not include House originated bills.
- Keep in mind, this does not include House originated bills.
- Keep in mind, this does not include House originated bills.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs will come to order. The time is 3:15.
- So that's the goal of the bill: to move this number up from $2 million to $3 million.
- This time, the chair lays out House Bill 627. Chair recognizes the Chair to explain the bill.
- Thank you. for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 627 before this committee.
- Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers for the bill.
Bills:
HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673 , HB164
Committee:
House Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
migrant labor, housing regulations, civil penalties, complaints, occupants' rights, remediation, education, retaliation, housing, rental regulation, municipal authority, local government, leasing, housing regulation, local control, rental properties, leasing laws, landlord, tenant rights, municipal regulation
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As you are aware, through your leadership and the legislative process to refine and pass House Bill 171
- Level, but geometry was added in House Bill 171. Graduate profiles and next step plans required.
- However, in House Bill 171, the Next Step Plan must now align with their district's graduate profiles
- Came down to the barrier for students to graduate and we're not with the flexibility of the House Bill
- We love House Bill 171 and the flexibility of the graduation requirements because again, it's not specific
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee REVISED: Agency presentation times revised Jan 20th, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- We've increased them over the last 3 to 5 years.
- They've only got 1,500 square foot houses instead of the 4,000 square foot houses they want.
- But it's currently a little over $3 billion.
- And then OK, this is the house OMES and house bill 1794 mentioned as part of the.
- , and I do believe we did not pass that bill.
Committee:
House A&B Education Subcommittee
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Apr 21st, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's... ...about asking for a study of Plan 3.
- I wonder if that's that bill.
- Well, the presumption in the bill was the 10% cap on—I don't know how that bill plans to distribute that
- That would be a separate discussion: what House Bill 2034 actually did.
- Well, I like your idea also on studying the bill, a presentation on the bill.
Committee:
Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy
Summary:
The committee first approved the November minutes by roll call vote, with a majority of members voting aye and some members excused. Staff then provided brief litigation updates: Fowler et al. v. Leathers remains pending in federal district court over interest calculations on transferred TERS funds, with summary judgment motions expected to be heard May 1; Dolan v. King County was decided against the state in Pierce County Superior Court on the issue of recouping attorney’s fees from a former PERS member, though no fees were assessed against the state in that case.
An actuarial update noted upcoming presentations on the agency’s work and the latest valuation report, including new contribution rates reflecting updated demographic assumptions. The committee then reviewed its draft interim work plan and correspondence items, focusing on requests related to Plan 3, Plan 1 COLAs, teacher retirement age, and a missed early retirement factor. Members discussed a possible study of Plan 3’s design and outcomes compared with Plan 2, including retirement ages and benefit adequacy, and staff was asked to work with DRS on a study outline.
The committee also discussed ongoing COLA requests and the need for retiree groups to bring forward a more formal proposal for the next budget cycle, with members noting that any recommendation should likely be made by October or November. Another major topic was the study of LEOFF 1 medical/disability boards, including how many boards exist, how they operate, and what costs they incur; staff said it was still gathering basic information and would provide an overview next month. Staff also explained planned changes to how correspondence will be handled and posted online due to cybersecurity concerns. The committee approved the May agenda by voice vote and then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- Our budget in the introduced version of House Bill One is 2. 0.02 billion of which 75% of which is federal
- We have $64 million still unexpended from that appropriation, of the appropriation from House Bill 1.
- The program was created by House Bill 4256 of the 88th.
- Turning to page 6 item 3 is Senate bill 28 and Senate at joint resolution 75 from the 88th legislature
- House Bill 1 is introduced, made the following changes to our base request, the reduction of $43.5 million
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- to read this bill again.
- If inflation is above 3%, it will be maximum 3%.
- at 3%; fiscal year 28, 3%, again capped at 3%; and then for fiscal year 29 we actually saw inflation
- capped at 3% and fiscal year 28 3% again capped at 3% and then<00:08:54.720><c> for</c><00:08:54.880
- billing?
Committee:
House Education Finance
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 7, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 1299.
- What's especially noteworthy is the pace of applications within just 3 months of House Bill 1299.
- House Bill, 197 in 2024, was a comprehensive bill aimed at regulating massage therapists and massage
- Cases issue 27 cease-and-desist orders and 37 arrests by law enforcement as part of House Bill. 197.
- Several recent bills. First up, House Bill 1421. creates the Emily Adkins.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 2105 next House Bill 2105 next.
- Members, by vote of 4 to 3, passed HB 2104 as amended. And now we will vote on House Bill 4103.
- We're here in support of House Bill 2979.
- House Bill 2979 will not go to the floor. Thank you. We're now going to go to House Bill 2996. Mr.
- Members, by a vote of seven to zero, House Bill 2996 passes. We will now go to House Bill 2174.
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee approved the March 9, 2026 minutes and held HB 29 and HB 2939 at the sponsor’s request. It then took up HB 2016, which would bar late-filing penalties when a taxpayer’s income tax liability is zero; after an amendment narrowed the bill to income tax filers, the Department of Revenue was neutral on the bill but supported the amendment, and members debated whether removing the penalty would reduce incentives to file. The committee adopted the amendment and returned HB 2016 with a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote.
The committee also heard HB 2289, which updates the property-value examples used in bond/override election pamphlets and truth-in-taxation notices from older low values to a $300,000 home example. The sponsor and Arizona Tax Research Association said the update would better reflect current home values and improve voter understanding, while some members argued the bill could confuse voters or that the second example should be closer to the current median home price. The committee passed HB 2289 on a 4-3 vote.
Several bills related to school district bonding and agricultural property classification were then considered. HB 4103 would prohibit school districts from calling bond elections if enrollment is below 50% of capacity; supporters said districts should use or monetize excess space before seeking more debt, while school administrators and several senators argued it would block needed maintenance and local voter choice. HB 2104 and HB 2105 would give agricultural property owners a temporary reprieve from repeated reclassification and inspections after winning an appeal, with farm groups supporting the measures and county assessors opposing them as limiting oversight; both bills passed 4-3 after amendments. The committee also passed HB 2256 on a 7-0 vote, which creates a process for salvage auction dealers to obtain abandoned titles when insurers do not complete salvage title transfers, and HB 2979 and HB 2996 unanimously, addressing credit union regulatory timelines and clarifying that certificates of insurance do not alter policy coverage. Finally, the committee heard HB 2174 on insurance modeling organizations and HB 2477 on AZ 529 plan updates, with HB 2174 discussed at length over regulatory treatment of models and HB 2477 described as a conformity bill expanding K-12 and credentialing uses and rollover options.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/10/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- October was 3% below.
- Bill 1 and anything that was adjusted through House Bill 2 due to legislation, and they figure out what
- </c><03:30:40.120><c> that</c><03:30:40.239><c> was</c> house bill one and anything that was house bill
- House Bill 2 due to adjusted through House Bill 2 due to legislation<03:30:43.279><c> and</c><03:30:
- From that, we will make an amendment to House Bill 1 using those revenue estimates. Thank you.
Summary:
The committee received a Department of Revenue Administration update from Commissioner Lindsay Stepp focused on revenue estimates for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She explained the department’s forecasting method, which uses five scenarios based on the first seven months of actual collections and different assumptions for the remaining months, then selects a reasonable high and low range for FY 25 and applies projected growth rates for FY 26 and FY 27. Members asked several clarifying questions about how the scenarios are chosen and how the estimates relate to economic growth and taxpayer behavior.
For business taxes, Stepp reported FY 25 year-to-date collections of $110.3 million, 18.2% below plan and 17.2% below prior year. She said the shortfall reflects both economic conditions and a resetting of estimated payments after unusually strong pandemic-era profits, and noted that the department cannot fully separate changes in taxpayer liability from changes in estimated payment behavior. She said approximately just under $72 million was refunded in FY 24 due to the CCO cap, and that FY 25 year-to-date refunds are at 41.7%. For business taxes, the department’s FY 25 range was based on either continued underperformance versus plan or a return to prior-year levels, with FY 26 and FY 27 growth projected at 3% to 8%.
The committee also reviewed meals and rooms tax, tobacco tax, and related trends. Meals and rooms revenue was $6.9 million, or 3.3%, ahead of plan and prior year; the FY 25 gross estimate was $475.894 million, with a net range of about $331.82 million to $335.259 million after municipal transfers and school building aid. Stepp said recent monthly results suggest some fluctuation tied to disposable income, weather, and travel patterns, but no clear sustained decline. Tobacco tax was $18.1 million, 14% below plan and 4.8% below prior year; she said cigarette stamp sales are declining while e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are growing, with FY 25 tobacco revenue projected at $182.5 million to $185.3 million and FY 26-FY 27 growth ranging from -5% to flat. No votes or formal actions were taken.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (1-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:34:39.240><c> KRS</c><00:34:40.040><c> 311a</c><00:34:41.200><c> 185</c> House Bill 57s repeal
- of KRS 311a 185 House Bill 57s repeal of KRS 311a 185 and<00:34:42.440><c> establishes</c><00:34:43.079
- It is in response to House Bill 444 out of the 2024 regular session and to comply with that.
- House Bill 444 out it is in response to House Bill 444 out of<01:06:47.039><c> the</c><01:06:47.200>
- </c> bathing facilities to comply with House bathing facilities to comply with House Bill<01:10:09.159
Summary:
The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and welcomed new members before taking up Council on Postsecondary Education regulations 13 KAR 2:120 and 13 KAR 2:130. The regulations, as amended by staff and agency amendments, update public university and KCTCS performance funding models to conform to 2024 Senate Bill 191 and the performance funding work group’s recommendations. Changes discussed included replacing the underrepresented minority metric with an underrepresented students metric defined as first-generation students, adding an adult learner metric, increasing the low-income degree premium, adjusting small-school and nonresident credit-hour weights, revising data aging and progression metrics, and adding STEM+H criteria in 13 KAR 2:120.
Travis Pal of the Council on Postsecondary Education explained that the changes reflect the work group’s three-year review process and that the work group ultimately voted to define underrepresented students as first-generation students and to apply half-weighting between research and comprehensive universities for the new metric. Michael Frasier of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition and Eastern Kentucky University student government opposed 13 KAR 2:120, arguing that the regulation improperly applies weights where the statute does not clearly authorize them and that the funding changes disadvantage comprehensive universities and vulnerable students. He asked the committee to find the regulation deficient or, alternatively, recommend legislative clarification and a revised fiscal analysis. Pal responded that weighting has been part of the model since 2017, that CPE was following the statute and work group recommendations, and that the model could be changed by future legislation.
Members asked about the timing of the broader performance funding review, and Pal said the full model is reviewed every three years, with the next work group cycle beginning in 2026. No motion to find the regulation deficient was made, and the committee allowed the regulations to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The committee then approved a staff amendment to Teachers’ Retirement System regulations 102 KAR 1:195 and 102 KAR 1:340, which require annual reporting of accumulated sick leave, leave policies, and salary schedules to TRS and make technical changes to the final average salary calculation and related definitions.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 14th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- This is House Bill 676 by Representative Spell.
- So this is one of my marriage bills. House Bill 1025 deals with protective orders.
- This is House Bill 772.
- Members, this is House Bill 1038.
- Yes, members, this is Amendment Set 3, 729 for House Bill 1038, and here's what it's doing: Amendment
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers.
The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information.
HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, your Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred House Bill 1009, House Bill 1011, and House
- Speaker, your Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred House Bill 1006, House Bill 1013, House
- Bill 1036, House Bill 1016, House Bill 1043, House Bill 1086, House Bill 1078, House Bill 188, House
- Speaker, your Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred House Bill 1006, House Bill 1013, House
- Bill 1036, House Bill 1016, House Bill 1043, House Bill 1086, House Bill 1078, House Bill 188, House
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber then received committee reports from the Joint Budget Committee recommending passage of several appropriation bills, and the Governor’s communication noting approval of House Bill 1001 (Act 2). The Speaker also recognized guests in the galleries, including law enforcement personnel, doctors, students visiting for STEM Day, line workers, and representatives from the Council of State Governments.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to budget amendments and appropriation bills. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes at East Arkansas College, DHS and Department of Health staffing adjustments, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller Building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office reductions. The chamber then passed House Bill 1060 for the State Library, and Senate Bills 5, 13, 39, and 56, which funded the Tobacco Settlement Commission, Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, Arkansas State University, and Auditor of State continuing education/local offices. Most measures passed with strong support, though Senate Bill 56 drew 14 nays.
Before adjournment, the Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and planned to move the following week’s calendar earlier, with a possible sine die adjournment on Wednesday if business proceeded as planned. Representative Meeks moved to adjourn until 1 p.m. the next day, and the motion carried without objection.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Office of Inspector General delete-all amendment 2/19/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 5 of the Senate and, thanks to this delete everything amendment or DE amendment, 3/5 of the House.
- 5 of the Senate and, thanks to this delete everything amendment or DE amendment, 3/5 of the House.
- </c> 3/5 of the House. 3/5 of the House.
- </c> version of the bill. version of the bill.
- Uh, Madam Chair and members, there is a House rule that requires bills that make substantial changes
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
- . 3.
- Senate Bill 4F by Senator Avila, a bill to be entitled an act relating to property tax administration
- The reading of the bills, Mr.
- bills filed within the call.
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then read the governor’s proclamation calling the session. The proclamation said the special session was for property tax relief measures, including a proposed constitutional amendment affecting assessment caps, homestead exemptions, and local ad valorem tax limits, along with related implementing legislation on ballot language, taxpayer notices, supermajority voting requirements for tax increases, and a public website showing estimated savings.
The secretary read the bills filed within the call: Senate Joint Resolution 2F by Senator Avila, proposing constitutional amendments to Article 7 and Article 12 to revise annual assessment limits, increase the homestead exemption, limit county and municipal ad valorem taxes, and create a trust fund; and Senate Bill 4F by Senator Avila, relating to property tax administration. Both were referred to Appropriations. The Rules Chair announced the Appropriations Committee would meet later that day, and the Senate adopted motions to waive rules, place SJR 2F and SB 4F on the special order calendar for June 2 with an amendment deadline one hour before convening, establish the special order calendar for the rest of special session by website publication and announcement, and send any bills filed outside the call to Rules for review.
The chamber then heard farewell remarks from Senators Hooper and Polsky, who were leaving the Senate. Hooper reflected on his long public service and said he hoped to be remembered for treating others with respect and kindness. Polsky thanked constituents, staff, colleagues, and family, and spoke about his years representing communities in South Florida. The Senate then adjourned until 9:00 a.m. the next day, or upon the President’s call, for committee meetings and other business.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 2105 next House Bill 2105 next.
- Members, by a vote of 4 to 3, HB 2104 as amended passes. And now we will vote on House Bill 4103.
- Members, by a vote of 7 to 0, you passed House Bill 2256. We're now going to go to House Bill 2979.
- We're here in support of House Bill 2979.
- Members, by a vote of seven to zero, House Bill 2996 passes. We will now go to House Bill 2174.
Bills:
HB2016 , HB2104 , HB2105 , HB2174 , HB2256 , HB2289 , HB2477 , HB2903 , HB2939 , HB2979 , HB2996 , HB4103
Committees:
Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference
Keywords:
tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, insurance regulation, modeling organizations, financial disclosure, rate-making, predictive models, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, taxation, bonds, school finance, budget override, tax increases
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human services policy bill clears committee 4/3/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:49.800><c> house</c><00:04:50.039><c> file</c> Bill house file Bill house file 2216<00:04:52.160
- as</c><00:05:20.639><c> amended</c> policy Bill house file 2115 as amended policy Bill house file 2115
- Section 3 is also from House File 98.
- </c> two different bills is um from house two different bills is um from house file<00:10:34.519><c>
- ><c> the</c> policy Bill and house file 2260 the policy Bill and house file 2260 the first<00:15:40.800
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 7th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- 2225, which is a housing bill that has been proposed by the governor's office and deals with housing
- And this bill, as it is introduced, will be able to serve all the types of housing needs that are out
- then like housing finance agency their programs could be used to put on houses then like housing finance
- Bill or Senate Bill... ...1997, which creates a Rural Endowment Fund.
- policy bill first and then... ...with this particular bill to get it as a policy bill first and then
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 2265, which would provide the Fargo National Cemetery with up to a $3 million line of credit to help fund improvements such as indoor bathrooms, parking, a family gathering area, an office, a hearse garage, and a veterans gallery. Supporters said the cemetery has expanded rapidly since 2019, has already conducted about 1,000 burials, and needs better facilities for families and the Honor Guard; they also said the project would be subject to federal VA approval and, once completed, would be taken over by the VA. Members raised questions about the project’s cost, timing, funding sources, whether the bill should be a grant instead of a line of credit, and whether a chapel should be specifically included. No vote was taken on SB 2265 during the excerpt.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2230, which would have the Secretary of State mail active voters a guide on ballot measures at least 45 days before an election, with objective summaries, fiscal impacts, and arguments for and against each measure. Secretary of State Michael Howe said the office already receives many questions about ballot measures and would post the same information online and at polling places, while emphasizing the need to keep the material objective and consistent with election-law restrictions. Members generally supported the idea as a voter-education tool, and the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 2230 by a 19-0 vote.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2256, which would provide one-time state support for the NDSU Research and Technology Park in Fargo to expand its role in commercialization, robotics, precision agriculture, and defense-related technology. Park CEO Brenda Weiland explained that the park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit spun out of NDSU, governed by a board with both university and industry representation, and that the new model is intended to bridge the gap between research and market-ready products without competing directly with private industry. Members asked about ownership, intellectual property, the planned partnership with Carnegie Mellon’s robotics center, and how the park would use the funding; the discussion focused on contracts, licensing, and the park’s intent to build technical capacity and attract companies. The excerpt ends before any vote on SB 2256.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I’m looking at a bill that I’m hearing today jointly at 3:00, and it’s a geothermal bill.
- Well, I’m looking at a bill that I’m hearing today jointly at 3:00, and it’s a geothermal bill.
- Well, I’m looking at a bill that I’m hearing today jointly at 3:00, and it’s a geothermal bill.
- Well, I’m looking at a bill that I’m hearing today jointly at 3:00, and it’s a geothermal bill.
- Well, I’m looking at a bill that I’m hearing today jointly at 3:00, and it’s a geothermal bill.
Committee:
Senate Economic Development and Tourism
Summary:
The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands.
The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills.
On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- substitute for House Bill 500.
- Of that amount, both the House and Senate introduced bills, including $3 billion for additional rate
- House Bill 500.
- Hopefully, by the end of your good work on House Bill 1, Senate Bill 1, and House Bill 500.
- I'm here testifying on House Bill 500.
Committee:
House Appropriations