Transcript Highlights:

• So if I went over to the State Library and pulled down the laws of 1967, there would be chapter 1, chapter
• 2, chapter 3.
• </c><00:29:28.159><c> one</c><00:29:28.360><c> chapter</c> 1967 there would be chapter one chapter 1967
• there would be chapter one chapter 2<00:29:28.919><c> chapter</c><00:29:29.200><c> 3</c><00:29:29.519
• </c><00:29:40.799><c> 113</c> uh the H Bill 25 in 2023 is chapter 113 uh the H Bill 25 in 2023 is chapter

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As 1 Timothy chapter 1 states, the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, a good
• A.R.S., amending Title 5, Chapter 2, Article 1, A.R.S., relating to marital agreements.
• House Bill 2960, amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 12-119.06, amending Title 41, Chapter
• House Bill 4004, amending Title 8, Chapter 4, Article 1, A.R.S., relating to child welfare.
• Amending Section 35-1-44, A.R.S., relating to Title 41, Chapter 11.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 859, by Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to child custody, amending Chapter 7, Title
• Section 16-24-8, Idaho Code, relating to confidentiality and disclosure of information, repealing Chapter
• relating to rural health transformation, amending Title 56, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter
• Amending Title 56, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter 25, Title 56, Idaho Code, to establish
• And so then we say it shall be a violation... ...of the provision of this chapter for the issuer to..

Transcript Highlights:

• And one final thing that I'd like to note when you're looking at special taxing districts, Chapter 75
• And one final thing that I'd like to note when you're looking at special taxing districts, Chapter 75
• And one final thing that I'd like to note when you're looking at special taxing districts, Chapter 75
• And one final thing that I'd like to note when you're looking at special taxing districts, Chapter 75
• And one final thing that I'd like to note when you're looking at special taxing districts, Chapter 75

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2248, an act amending title 36, chapter 6, article 4.2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• House Bill 2248, an act amending title 36, chapter 6, article 4.2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Chapter 6, article 4.2... under Vice Studies by adding section 36-683, relating to public health.
• House Bill 2313, an act amending title 15, chapter 5, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, section 15
• House Bill 2720, an act amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2248, an act amending title 36, chapter 6, article 4.2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Chapter 6, Article 4.2, by adding section 36-683, relating to public health, and the committee of rules
• House Bill 2313, an act amending Title 15, Chapter 5, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• House Bill 2720, an act amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• House Bill 2873, an act amending Title 19, Chapter 1, Article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:22.160><c> and</c> authorized and under the chapter and authorized and under the chapter and
• chapter chapter uh<00:08:35.520><c> governing</c><00:08:36.000><c> manufactured</c><00:08:36.640><c>
• </c> spending timelines provided in chapter spending timelines provided in chapter 16A<00:13:40.040><
• </c> chapter 462A. chapter 462A.
• </c><00:53:43.120><c> 1460</c> Department of Health, Chapter 1460 Department of Health, Chapter 1460

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Thomas, Chapter 536 has to do with administrative procedure and review.
• Chapter 536 has to do with administrative procedure and review, but I just kind of touched, I just looked
• And then would you be able to speak on page two, section five, number five there, about the section Chapter
• About the section, Chapter 536, or non-severable, any powers vested in the General Assembly, et cetera
• section are non-severable and if any of the powers vested within the General Assembly pursuant to Chapter

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Committee for Insurance met with a quorum and first took up three bills in executive session. House Bill 2902 was amended with a committee substitute that removed the commission language while keeping provisions on software and key-emulating devices, and members confirmed it still included a Class D felony penalty. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass, with one member voting no. House Bill 1789, dealing with delivery network companies and insurance coverage during the delivery availability period, was also amended and adopted; the substitute clarified that the availability period is not commercial activity and that auto insurance applies until a driver is actually engaged in delivery. The committee then voted the bill do pass, with one no vote and one present. House Bill 1647 was amended to remove it from the collateral source rule section and clarify that it applies only to civil actions for damages and property claims; the substitute was adopted and the bill voted do pass, with several no votes recorded. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1894, which would implement federal nondiscrimination requirements for licensed health care providers in Missouri insurance law. The sponsor said the bill is about patient choice, fairness, and access, especially in rural areas, and does not expand scope of practice or require coverage of new services. Supporters from chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would ensure equal reimbursement for the same covered services and improve access to local providers. Opponents from the insurance industry argued the bill would interfere with network design, reduce negotiating leverage, and require equal payment regardless of provider type or credentials; they also said current federal law already governs network adequacy and that the bill’s rulemaking language was standard but the reimbursement mandate was the main concern. The committee also heard House Bill 3314, which updates Missouri’s insurance guaranty association laws. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill would clarify coverage for cyber policies, ensure coverage follows the policyholder in insurance business transfer or corporate division transactions, and allow limited pre-liquidation information sharing from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to guaranty associations so claims can be handled faster after insolvency. Witnesses said the bill is technical and intended to modernize the system without expanding coverage or increasing taxpayer exposure. Members asked about the $300,000 property and casualty claims cap, the definition of high-net-worth individual, oversight of guaranty associations, and confidentiality concerns; supporters said the cap is longstanding, high-net-worth means over $25 million, and the department’s existing oversight and confidentiality protections are sufficient. The hearing closed after a final supportive statement from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This rule chapter was reviewed and rewritten in compliance with Idaho law.
• This rule chapter was reviewed and rewritten in compliance with Idaho law requiring periodic review of
• This rule addresses the provisions of Title 41, Idaho Code, Chapter 40, regarding self-funded health
• This rule implements Title 41 provisions of Chapters 21, 42, and 52 of Idaho Code regarding short-term
• I didn't see anything, but I didn't look at whole chapters. Is that consistent with code?

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 is hereby repealed. Section 4.
• So certain communities are already getting within their Chapter 70 some funding.
• Section 77, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, Section 16C of Chapter 71 of
• While these needs are important, they're no less important than our overall Chapter 70 funding.
• Section 77, subsection B of section 2 of chapter 18 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2020...

Summary: The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions congratulating three Eagle Scouts, then concurred in Senate amendments to House bills affecting the town of Milford’s alcohol licensing law and the town of Middleton’s charter. It also passed to enact a Senate bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester and engrossed a House bill allowing Plymouth to create a special revenue account for land acquisition. The chamber later observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard “Rick” Ford, Portuguese American community leader Louis Pedroso, and Quincy veteran Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guest groups and dignitaries, including students from Fall River, D.A.R. Good Citizen award recipients, and a British minister visiting the State House. Most of the floor session centered on FY27 budget amendments, especially housing and shelter policy. Members debated and rejected multiple Republican amendments that would have tightened eligibility for the HomeBASE and emergency shelter programs by requiring citizenship or limiting access to U.S. citizens with Massachusetts residency, with supporters arguing the changes would reduce costs and opponents saying the programs already have strict eligibility rules and that the proposals would exclude lawful residents and vulnerable families. The House also rejected an amendment to block Housing and Livable Communities grants from being conditioned on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with supporters calling it a reprieve for noncompliant towns and opponents saying the law is helping address the housing shortage. A consolidated housing/environment amendment was then adopted 154-0, funding major housing, shelter, clean water, climate, and food assistance accounts. The chamber also defeated amendments to create a data center commission and to eliminate the vocational-technical school admissions lottery, though the latter was withdrawn after debate. Another rejected amendment would have suspended public policy and public benefit charges on electric and gas bills; opponents said that would eliminate low-income and senior bill relief. The House then turned to education-related amendments, rejecting proposals to change special education reimbursement formulas and to raise the reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%, with opponents arguing the ideas needed committee review and cost analysis. Finally, the House began debating an amendment to fully fund regional school transportation by removing “subject to appropriation,” but the transcript ends before any final vote on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 90 helps us to partner with municipalities that you serve.
• The Chapter 90 supplemental bill provides $1.2 billion over four years in Chapter 90 authorization for
• Chapter 90 is the cornerstone of local infrastructure investments.
• That's why it's so important for Chapter 98 to be flowing to them.
• That's why it's so important for Chapter 98 to be flowing to them.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So that so it's chapter law.
• So that so it's chapter law.
• So that so it's chapter law.
• So that so it's chapter law.
• Could you chaptered into law. Sorry.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is under Chapter 490, which is the evidence chapter in Missouri.
• That's what Chapter 490 is. It's all about evidence.
• This is evidence in all tort cases, is what Chapter 490 is.
• This isn't just a property damage chapter that we're talking about. And I also didn't see...
• This isn't just a property damage chapter that we're talking about.

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 1615 and House Bill 2071 “do pass” with 11 ayes and no opposition on each bill, with one member present on the roll call. After returning to public session, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1647, sponsored by Representative Overcast, which was described as a fairness measure intended to prevent double recovery when insurance payments have already satisfied part of a claim. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was aimed at property damage claims and intercompany arbitration between insurers, though several members questioned whether the bill’s language was actually limited to property damage or instead reached broader collateral source issues and evidence rules. Committee members, especially Representatives Butts, Zimmerman, and Castile, pressed the sponsor on how the bill would work in practice, whether it would reduce a plaintiff’s recovery or instead affect insurer subrogation rights, and why arbitration was being addressed in an evidentiary statute. Supporters from the Missouri Insurance Coalition and other industry groups said the bill would clarify offset rules, preserve voluntary insurer-to-insurer arbitration, and prevent inconsistent court treatment of prior payments. Opponents, including attorney Blake Heath, argued the bill was drafted too broadly, did not stay confined to property damage, and was placed in the wrong statutory section because these issues are usually handled through insurer subrogation rather than in a lawsuit by the injured party. Additional support came from the Missouri State Medical Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, though some supporters also acknowledged the bill might need narrowing if the intent was property damage only. No vote was taken on House Bill 1647 during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• introduction of each chapter.
• So, in the introduction to each chapter, there's a chapter for each of 16 different tax types.
• tax chapter.
• tax chapter.
• tax chapter.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• our job to tour around and give workshops to these different classrooms, and we have, out of 105 chapters
• At the chapter, district, state, and even the national level, we have officer teams.
• We have officer teams, so members learn the skills of anywhere from running chapter finances and managing
• The second thing is what we call Basic, where we train all of our chapter officers on how to run a chapter
• officer team and how to run their chapter.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• My concerns are that the provisions of Labor Code Chapter 410 don't necessarily mesh with the provisions
• Now, the biggest ambiguity I can see in the bill, as it written now is under Texas Labor Code Chapter
• Judicial review under Chapter 410, there are two. types.
• This will review under Labor Code Chapter 410, a substantial evidence review, which is just a review
• To Chapter 607 of the Government Code, which covers firefighters and police officers for specific diseases

Bills: HB1654 , HB1691 , HB2545 , HB2652 , HB3799 , HB4144 , HB5008

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Transcript Highlights:

• sitting in the blue in the gallery, and specifically I have a few of my constituents from the Maui chapter
• And we have Lauren Akit, who's the Maui president of the Maui chapter and also the University of Hawaiʻi
• <c> have</c><00:02:25.200><c> Sonia</c><00:02:25.640><c> Toma</c><00:02:25.959><c> who's</c> Maui chapter
• we have Sonia Toma who's Maui chapter we have Sonia Toma who's the<00:02:26.319><c> public</c><00:02
• of</c><00:02:31.760><c> the</c><00:02:32.160><c> a</c><00:02:33.160><c> Maui</c><00:02:33.440><c> chapter

Summary: The Senate convened, called the roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and heard several introductions recognizing staff, visiting students from Do Middle School participating in Working Families Day, and advocates from organizations including H-CAN, Hawaii Workers Center, Aloha Care, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the American Association of University Women Hawaii. The clerk then reported gubernatorial messages withdrawing several nominations to boards and commissions, transmitting one nomination to the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, and House communications sending House bills to the Senate for first reading and committee referral. The chamber adopted multiple groups of standing committee reports, including reports requiring 48-hour notice and one-day notice, and then took up third reading of Senate bills. Several bills passed third reading by unanimous consent or near-unanimous votes, including measures relating to water pollution, spaying and neutering animals, condominiums, marine life conservation districts, mental health, geothermal resources, the University of Hawaiʻi, and aircraft. Senate Bill 841 SD1 and SB 1042 SD1 each passed 22-1, SB 1197 SD1 passed 21-2, and SB 319, relating to marijuana, failed on third reading with 11 ayes and 12 noes. The Senate also granted a waiver of referral for Senate Bill 1621 SD1 to the Committee on Ways and Means so it could meet the first taking deadline, and gave one day’s notice for third reading. The session concluded with a motion adopted to leave the journal open until 11:00 p.m. for additional committee reports and to recess until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• the ACLU of Colorado, Adams County, AdventHealth, American College of Emergency Physicians Colorado Chapter
• College of Emergency Physicians American College of Emergency Physicians Colorado<00:49:25.640><c> Chapter
• ,</c> Colorado Chapter, Colorado Chapter, Anneo, Anneo, Anneo, Arapahoe<00:49:29.600><c> County,</c>
• the ACLU of Colorado, Adams County, AdventHealth, American College of Emergency Physicians Colorado Chapter
• the ACLU of Colorado, Adams County, AdventHealth, American College of Emergency Physicians Colorado Chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:18.720><c> in</c> Action Hawaii chapter in Action Hawaii chapter in support.<00:08:22.000>
• Deborah Nyman, chapter lead, testify for Brady Hawaii in support.
• 13:48.560><c> for</c><00:13:48.720><c> Brady</c> Nyman chapter lead testify for Brady Nyman chapter lead
• The current definition of firearm in chapter 134-1 distinguishes firearm frame from receiver.
• The current definition of firearm in chapter 134-1 distinguishes firearm frame from receiver.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several firearms-related bills. HB 125 would require firearm sellers or transferors to provide buyers notice about secure storage laws, expand secure-storage requirements, and clarify criminally negligent storage. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education supported the bill. The Office of the Public Defender raised constitutional concerns under District of Columbia v. Heller and suggested narrowing the bill so a firearm need not be made inoperable when the lawful owner is home. Supporters, including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, veterans, and other advocates, said secure storage would reduce accidental shootings, youth access, theft, suicides, and school shootings. Opponents argued the bill was redundant, could criminalize victims of theft, and imposed strict liability. The committee noted 24 individuals in support and 103 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 137, which would impose a mandatory prison term for violent felons who violate firearm or ammunition possession prohibitions. DLE, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawaii County Prosecutor supported the measure, arguing it targets repeat offenders and strengthens public safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed mandatory sentencing, saying judges already have discretion to impose lengthy sentences and that mandatory terms can be inappropriate in some cases. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in a felony. DLE and the Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while the Public Defender and several opponents said parts of the bill were redundant or could create definitional problems; the committee recorded five supporters and 70 opponents. HB 995 would amend deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting by the Attorney General and county police chiefs. The Attorney General’s office and HPD supported the bill, with the Attorney General asking for more time for police departments to submit complete data and for the April 1 deadline to be removed. The committee also heard HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended consolidating the new office’s duties with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission to avoid duplication and possibly repealing the existing commission statute. DLE supported HB 664, while the Tax Foundation objected to the special fund. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ted Gafales with Grassroot Institute. within chapter 205. And second, the bill within chapter 205.
• </c> chapter 205. chapter 205.
• 20 um set out in district under chapter 20 um set out in chapter<01:49:40.320><c> 205.
• I do not believe it chapter 205. it.
• </c> chapter 46. chapter 46. &gt;&gt; Okay.<01:49:46.239><c> Um,</c> &gt;&gt; Okay.

Bills: HB1721 , HB1714 , HB1718 , HB1732 , HB1740 , HB1777 , HB1842 , HB1919 , HB1701 , HB1923 , HB1741 , HB1734 , HB1739

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.