Video & Transcript Research : 'priority'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They are the boots on the ground and can make those decisions between what is the highest priority to
- keep on campus versus something that is of lesser priority.
- Priority.
- But as far as identifying from a legislative perspective and our priorities, I think it is around access
- Together, we conducted a workforce and academic needs assessment. to identify the priority occupations
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine perspectives from the field, focusing on farmer and rancher views on the agricultural economy. Feb 26th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Echeverria is a leader of New Mexico's farming community and works tirelessly to represent the priorities
- On Farm Bill priorities, specialty crops represent nearly half the total U.S.
- highlight some key areas that are either currently supported in the Farm Bill or need to become a priority
- So, while there is a significant amount of work ahead, I am thankful that this remains a top priority
- One top priority of mine in this new administration and the immediate future is I want to talk to talk
Keywords:
agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE, HRE DEFER Public Hearing 02-04--2025 Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So what's the priority of the University when it comes to do we increase our class size for physicians
- And if you don't have doctors to see your patients, then to me that seems to be a priority over some
- <00:19:50.159>
of effectively so what's the priority of effectively so what's the priority - seems<00:20:27.480>
to <00:20:27.640>be <00:20:27.760>a <00:20:27.919>priority - know to me that seems to be a priority know to me that seems to be a priority over<00:20:28.720>
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education heard Senate Bill 101, which would require University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine graduates who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in Hawaiʻi for at least two years after residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. The Deputy Attorney General said the bill addressed a matter of statewide concern. JABSOM Dean Sam Shoemaker testified in opposition, arguing the school already uses scholarships, loan repayment, and other incentives, and that the strongest predictor of where physicians practice is where they complete residency; he said the school is working to expand residency slots, neighbor-island training, and class size. Supporters argued the state faces a severe physician shortage and should do more to ensure publicly subsidized students remain in Hawaiʻi. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including a statewide concern statement, and deferred the measure to July 31, 2025; the vote was adopted.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 19, which creates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program on Maui. University of Hawaiʻi and nursing workforce representatives testified in support, saying there is ample capacity on Maui and strong demand for higher nursing education. Members discussed the broader nursing pathway, including existing associate and bachelor’s programs at UH campuses and the need to improve access for Maui and nearby communities. The measure was moved to decision-making and adopted with amendments and a deferred date.
Senate Bill 637, appropriating funds for various University of Hawaiʻi nursing programs, also received support from UH nursing leaders, who said the funding would support the final phase of the West Oʻahu-Manoa collaboration and an online RN-to-BS program. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing said its research showed capacity and demand for these programs. The committee recommended amendments to blank out appropriation amounts for the committee report and deferred the measure, then adopted it. The committee also adopted Senate Bill 741, which establishes an external audit committee within the UH Board of Regents, and deferred or amended several other measures, including a wastewater technology pilot program, a coconut rhinoceros beetle response program, and a climate-resilient development appropriation.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jan 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This will be a priority in this committee, and I look forward to collaborating with you if you are confirmed
- I look forward to hearing more about his policy priorities and his plans to advance President Trump's
- Trump has told me it's his priority to bring essential medicine manufacturing back to this country.
- him, so it's a priority for me as well.
- It's always been a priority for me. I spent 20% of my career working on Native issues.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The order is roughly the priority order, although it's mixing all of our projects.
- continuously going to be a high priority continuously going to be a high priority of<00:45:12.200
- We only had three, and the priority three was funded.
- So we thought it appropriate that that priority be removed at this time.
- So we thought it appropriate that that priority be removed at this time.
Summary:
The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used.
On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities.
The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, the budget is the blueprint of our priorities.
- to come together in many ways for the first time in a long time on some of these really critical priorities
- Laird led a both policy and a budget retreat, where we as senators collectively talked about our priorities
- million people, we have been continually, as the chair said, 56 meetings, talking about what those priorities
- So these are priorities, and what I just hope going forward into the summer is that we don't let that
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the Senate journals and adopted floor amendments. Members voted on motions to advance Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures and to suspend Joint Rule 62A so the budget committee could hear budget-related bills with shortened notice; both motions passed by roll call. The chamber then moved through the Daily File, including several second-reading bills and gubernatorial appointments.
Three appointments were confirmed: Julie Lee and Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Christopher Clark to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators also took up Senate Joint Resolution 17, which urges Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam; the resolution passed unanimously. The Senate then considered AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, with extensive debate on the state’s fiscal condition and major budget priorities.
Supporters said the budget is balanced, maintains reserves, reduces the structural deficit, and protects funding for child care, Medi-Cal, distressed hospitals, in-home supportive services, housing, higher education, and transit. Opponents argued it relies on future tax increases, leaves a structural deficit, and does not adequately address affordability, public safety, or repayment of unemployment insurance debt. After debate, AB 109 passed 28-9, and the chamber later approved the consent calendar items 81 through 86.
The session ended with adjournments in memory of Honorable Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie. The Senate announced its next floor session would be Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Regarding the digital driver's license, one of my priorities has been, even since we had an individual
- , as you know, that was in the House with us—I won't name him currently—but that was a big priority of
- Regarding the digital driver's license, one of my priorities has been, even since we had an individual
- , as you know, that was in the House with us—I won't name him currently—but that was a big priority of
- And I do believe with a two-point verification, That was a big priority of his.
Keywords:
electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal, fire safety, tow yard, impound, storage fee, administration fee, local ordinance, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, insurance coverage, motor vehicle insurer
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as a framework for vertiports and eVTOL aircraft, but an amendment removed the sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity provisions to vertiports co-located at airports. Supporters said the bill would help Florida lead in emerging aviation technology, while opponents and some members raised concerns about safety, local control, and extending immunity to unproven facilities. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also considered SB 260 on storage of damaged electric vehicles. The bill, as amended, would allow local governments to set a daily administrative fee of up to three times the normal rate for storing EVs with visible battery damage or saltwater intrusion, reflecting fire-safety spacing requirements. Testimony from insurers, towing interests, and fleet operators focused on whether the fee was justified, whether cleanup language could lead to cost shifting, and whether more data reporting should be required. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably.
Members then approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizures and related DMV functions, preserves disabled veterans’ plate designations, prohibits license plate covers that obscure plates, and routes online license and ID renewals through county tax collectors. SB 1370 was also reported favorably; it closes a loophole so drivers who never obtained a license can still face habitual traffic offender penalties after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee took up SB 1220, a broad FDOT transportation package. After amendment, it retained provisions on trails, SunTrail, seaports, airports, drone delivery, autonomous vehicle protections, and FDOT coordination on federal funding, while removing the digital driver’s license provision and the rapid rail compact language. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And we really want to commend the House for making these a priority and recognizing that we have shortages
- How did it happen that this got a priority in the Senate?
- maybe won't even get through because over there it's not on your list of priorities.
- I believe that the reason that these are priorities of the Senate is because we met with the compact
- And so that's why these two have priority, because they've been through that process.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Governor Scott said that by setting clear priorities, they can keep their focus on the areas of
- more important than ever to focus on the issues we can control, stay disciplined, and set clear priorities
- 20.880>
other failing system at the expense of other failing system at the expense of other priorities - priorities priorities and<00:16:22.959>
we <00:16:23.120>cannot <00:16:23.440>ask - This has been a priority for my administration since day one.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a lot of strategic planning, organizing what are community priorities, what are the commissioners
- ' priorities?
- You want us to adjust these priorities to meet the needs of the community that's relevant for now.
- We would then discuss, here's your priorities.
- What is on your priority list?
Summary:
The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably.
The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels.
The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 14, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- LEADERSHIP OF THE GOVERNOR THE SOUP DESANTIS SUPPORTING MILITARY FAMILIES HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON CAREER CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAFF AND STUDENTS AND PRIORITY
- LIKE IF YOU GO TO HILTON AND OR PRIORITY AND THEY HAVE SOMEONE TO SPEAK WITH AND ARRIVE THERE THAT IS
- EXPERIENCED AND THEY CAN HAVE THAT GIVEN THEIR PRIORITY OF SERVICE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR NAMES ARE
- THE 5 PERCENT AND THE RATE THAT IS OPEN TO VETERANS AND ALSO MAY BE NEEDING TO HEAR IT AND GIVE PRIORITY
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I know the budget forecast poses challenges for us all, and I want to highlight some of MDH's priorities
- Deficit Grant Program in Article 6, we recognize that with a challenging budget target, not all priorities
- It's not an economic issue that we should be making a priority of.
- And Chair Bierman and I, that was our priority. We sat down in December.
- We agreed on that priority or agreed on EMS.
Bills:
HF2435
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Improving how state government contracts with nonprofits should be a top priority. I don't know.
- Improving how state government contracts with nonprofits should be a top priority.
- deliver opportunities to our community by providing more liquor license supply through a localized priority
- Then, if you aren't one of the 25 winners of the priority drawing or liquor license lottery, you will
- bill will help identify unnecessary properties and potentially a revenue opportunity, with its top priority
Summary:
The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House health panel hears HF1010 3/26/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Practice Registered Nurse Coalition to bring this bill forward, and it has been our top legislative priority
- <00:04:28.160>
since <00:04:28.440>the our top legislative priority since the our top - legislative priority since the year<00:04:28.800>
2019 year 2019 year 2019 certified<00:04:31.039 - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and House File 1010 is our top legislative priority
- House File 1010 is our top legislative priority this year, and it has been the last few years as well
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- talking about, the CHP, their assistant commissioner, you mentioned you want to move this to a top priority
- Top priority as far as the computer crimes and making sure that the sexual exploitation moves forward
- Now making it a top priority, do you envision more of the percentage of those dollars moving forward
- Correct, at least bringing it up the tier and then when you bring it up to the tier of a top priority
- So I want to thank you for moving that up in the priorities that are there within the Department of the
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:44:04.880>
that toolbox and what are the priorities that toolbox and what are the priorities - We are also looking at priority agency partnerships over the biennium.
- agency Partnerships over the priority agency Partnerships over the biennium<01:49:29.520>
OHA - I notice on table one OHA functions, yes, you didn't fill in the Department-wide priority.
- We are a small agency, so all priorities have to be filled out.
Summary:
The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline.
DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly.
Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , you know, segment two, three, priority, you know, segment two, three, or<01:02:55.120>
four? - step in as a priority, but I appreciate<01:03:23.200>
the <01:03:23.280>question <01:03 - Our bonding request is the number one priority for St.
- This has been the number one priority even before most folks knew what the acronym stood for.
- This has been the number one priority even before most folks knew what the acronym stood for.
Keywords:
water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
High Subsidy Transit Routes report 2/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- a function of each board's uh priorities a function of each board's uh priorities and<00:31:30.559
- <00:32:13.679>
and in accordance with their priorities and in accordance with their priorities - And additionally, because they have advantages such as signal priority, such as dedicated bus lanes or
- <00:56:30.640>
um <00:56:30.960>such <00:56:31.200>as as uh signal priority - um such as as uh signal priority um such as dedicated<00:56:32.240>
bus <00:56:32.559>lanes
Summary:
The committee heard a Met Council report from Charles Carlson on high-subsidy transit route analysis required by the transportation bill. Carlson explained that the study uses per-passenger operating subsidy, compares routes by type and service day, and is intended to help providers improve cost-effectiveness while recognizing transit’s importance for access, affordability, safety, and the region’s economy. He noted that routes more than 60% above peer averages are considered the highest-subsidy tier, and that the report also estimates the cost of Metro Mobility associated with those routes.
Members asked several questions about why contracted service can cost less than directly operated service, whether contracting affects wages, union membership, or service quality, and why the Met Council targets about 20% of regular route service for contracting. Carlson said contracted service can be cheaper because of lower overhead and other market factors, that the council sets minimum wage and service-quality requirements in contracts, and that customers should not notice a quality difference. He also said the 20% target is meant to balance cost-effective service, geography, and a mix of providers, and that some routes may become more cost-effective with more frequent service depending on local demand.
Carlson reported that in 2024, 206 of 264 routes met guidelines, 16 were in the lowest intervention tier, 14 in the middle tier, and 28 were in the highest-subsidy tier. He said the regional share of high-subsidy service was about 4.1%, but the share varied widely by provider, with some at 0% and others much higher. He estimated that discontinuing the highest-subsidy routes would save about $23 million annually and up to $72 million in capital costs. For Metro Mobility, he said the cost associated with trips tied to high-subsidy routes rose from about $368,000 in 2023 to about $6.1 million in 2024, largely because the mix of routes triggering federally mandated paratransit service changed, especially in the Shakopee area.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HED Info Briefing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in order to make sure that we're making these other priorities that are higher on our list healthier
- <00:32:37.679>
in some things that are lower priorities in some things that are lower priorities - that are higher these other priorities that are higher on<00:32:42.480>
our <00:32:42.720> - <00:35:58.880>
And <00:35:59.040>in to go after state priorities. - And in to go after state priorities.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Land management is within those 10 priorities.
- the state with u priority the state with u priority recommendations<00:36:06.480>
Land <00 - um in addition they priorities um in addition they recommended<00:36:13.240>
that <00:36:13.400 - I mean, we've got a priority list.
- Okay, we know that we may not be able to do everything at the same time, but we do have a priority list
Summary:
The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism and Water and Land was held on March 20, 2025, on SB 1396 SD3 HD1, which would raise transient accommodations tax revenues beginning in 2027, impose a $20 per-night tax on stays booked through loyalty or rewards points, and dedicate funds to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. The Office of the Governor, DLNR, DBEDT, the Hawaii State Energy Office, Tax Department, Hawaiian Home Lands, HI-EMA, the Climate Advisory Team, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HCDA, the Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resource Legacy Fund, KUA, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority all testified in support or with comments, generally emphasizing the need for dedicated funding for environmental stewardship, resilience, wildfire and climate preparedness, and community-based projects. Several supporters cited polling showing broad visitor willingness to pay additional fees to protect Hawaiʻi’s resources, and DLNR and the Attorney General noted the bill aligns with broader state land-management and fire-safety priorities.
Opposition came from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill unnecessarily raises the TAT, places more burden on visitors and visitor-dependent businesses, and could harm Maui’s still-recovering economy. The Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaiʻi initially marked opposition but then said it had misunderstood the bill’s relationship to another measure and asked to resend testimony. Expedia Group did not oppose the TAT increase itself but raised operational concerns about the new tax on loyalty-point redemptions, calling it novel and difficult to administer. The American Hotel Lodging Association and Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance were listed as having no comments present.
Testifiers also suggested amendments, including dedicating the revenues to a special fund, ensuring community grants, and clarifying administrative provisions. One testifier urged the bill be used to fund hurricane shelters and stronger building standards, while another emphasized that the measure should support people and disaster resilience as well as environmental protection. During questions, members asked for the polling methodology and for a breakdown of current TAT allocations; staff indicated they could share the survey memo and began identifying existing statutory remittances. No vote or final committee action was taken during the excerpted portion of the hearing.