Transcript Highlights:

• Keiki make up about 20% of our population yet have some of the most limited mobility options.
• don't owe income tax.
• They pay more of their income in GET than higher-income people do as a portion of their income.
• credit because they already don't owe a whole lot of income tax.
• </c> younger and and meet the [cough] income younger and and meet the [cough] income requirements.<00

Bills: HB2116 , HB1879 , HB2214 , HB2310 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB1596 , HB2197 , HB2498 , HB2167

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:47.839><c> tax</c> Minnesota's individual income tax Minnesota's individual income tax liability
• </c><00:15:31.680><c> on</c> the workforce and the assumed limits on the workforce and the assumed limits
• , and a lower forecast for nonfarm business income.
• ><c> receipts</c> November individual income tax receipts November individual income tax receipts are
• </c><00:20:50.240><c> tax</c> for this income tax for this income tax forecast<00:20:52.240><c> Beyond

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Low to mid income rental multifamily.
• Yeah, area median income, so it depends on.
• It was limited to pretty low areas. median income and it got bumped a session or so ago to a little bit
• Our agency in particular has a very limited role in that.
• We have more limitations placed on us today than ever before.

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• taxes and income tax policy.
• Slide 11, limited debate.
• The limitations, you know, there, there are limitations, uh, but if you ignore those limitations, then
• what Congress limit themselves on what kinds of things they can do.
• We pay Medicare premiums for people who are on Medicare and low income.

Transcript Highlights:

• income?
• that net income or is that income, is that net income or is that gross<00:35:02.320><c> income?
• </c> gross income? gross income?
• That's not low income.
• That's not low income. $2,000 a month. That's not low income.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Avista serves a service area and a customer base that is well below median income.
• We are 40% or more in some areas, asset-limited, income-constrained, employed—the working poor that the
• Ceded Low Income 120 blah passed in 2019 was well intended but had unintended consequences.
• pay more than 6% of income on energy costs every year.
• income on energy costs every year.

Bills: HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Retirement income is typically difficult to spot except through income tax records; interest earnings
• income records.
• Retirement income typically is difficult to spot except through income tax records, interest earnings
• If you don't have an income tax record, you don't file income taxes, then they just don't look at that
• It's determined by your income.

Bills: HB88 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB486 , HB529 , HB544 , HB639 , HB996 , HB1036 , HB1071 , HB1113

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: local law, special bill, legislative process, transparency, election amendment, lobbying, public service, ethics, statewide officials, compensation, disclosure requirements, government employment, financial disclosure, public servants, immediate family, psychology, telepsychology, interjurisdictional practice, compact, licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> few cleanup items for the Earned Income few cleanup items for the Earned Income Tax<00:46:55.800
• And with HGA and their work in low-income, low- to medium-income, that's who we're getting to now.
• And with HGA and their work in low-income, low- to medium-income, that's who we're getting to now.
• income groups.
• income groups.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• households or at least 20% for very low-income households.
• Leavitt as a sponsor recognizes that we need both tools for low-income up to 80% area median income as
• Leavitt as a sponsor recognizes that we need both tools for low-income up to 80% area median income as
• well as moderate ...tools for low-income up to 80% area median income as well as moderate income up
• They're using that as an entrepreneurial way to supplement their income.

Summary: House Finance heard briefings on several tax and housing-related bills, including HB 1717 on a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing, HB 1859 on expanding density bonuses for housing on religious organization property, HB 1960 on a renewable energy excise tax, HB 2133 on making a senior citizen center property tax exemption permanent, HB 2135 on extending a disabled veterans housing sales tax preference, HB 2140 on tax treatment for land transferred to government entities, HB 2442 on a broad package of local tax and levy changes, and HB 2559 on a local option short-term rental tax for affordable housing. Staff also described multiple proposed substitutes and amendments, many of them technical or aimed at shifting administrative duties, changing tax credits, or requiring voter approval. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1717 and reported it out unanimously with a due pass recommendation. HB 1859 was also reported out with a due pass recommendation after members discussed added flexibility for affordable housing on faith-owned land. For HB 1960, the committee adopted amendments clarifying tax administration and JLARC review, rejected an amendment that would have adjusted property tax levies to offset shifts, and then advanced the bill on an 11-4 vote. HB 2133 and HB 2135 both received technical amendments and were reported out unanimously, with members emphasizing the value of permanent or extended tax preferences for senior centers and disabled veterans. The committee then advanced HB 2140, which narrows tax consequences when land is transferred to a governmental entity and is used for current-use purposes, with members describing it as a fix for unintended burdens on landowners and farmers. HB 2442, a large local government finance package, drew the most debate; amendments to make new taxes credits against state taxes and to require voter approval were rejected, and the bill passed 9-6. HB 2559, which would allow a local option excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing, also saw rejected amendments on state tax credits, local control, and voter approval before passing 9-6. Throughout, supporters framed the bills as tools for local governments and affordable housing, while opponents argued they would increase taxes and should require direct voter approval or state offsets.

Transcript Highlights:

• So whether that's continuing students or incoming students, I'm not exactly certain.
• As we move from left to right on the graph, we transition from lowest-income students to middle-income
• And its ability to better serve low and middle-income families.
• Currently, the limited student data is done on an aggregate basis.
• For our incoming class, we're roughly just to be safe using a 10% phase-in factor.

Transcript Highlights:

• to its previous 100 PSI limit.
• group, communities that have both a high rate burden and low income.
• But the tier one is your median household income. ...to push those together.
• Tier one is your median household income at or below the statewide median household income.
• MHI. ...income is less than, say, 80% of the statewide MHI.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Height limits at that time were limited; they varied throughout the course of the years, but generally
• </c> maai of alamana Boulevard height limits maai of alamana Boulevard height limits at<00:13:50.399>
• </c><00:13:55.399><c> to</c> generally speaking they were limited to generally speaking they were limited
• As you can see there, the median income is 12,100, but this generally gives you an idea of what the limits
• </c> make 140% or less the ARA median income make 140% or less the ARA median income for<00:37:47.319

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the federal level, your Social Security income, retirement income, is taxed in your federal income
• We had no tax, no Arizona income tax on Social Security.
• If you're over 60, then you do not have to pay income tax on the retirement income that you earn from
• It does not reduce the state income tax. So there's no cost to the state.
• Very soon, millions of Arizonans will file their state income taxes.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and welcomed several guest groups, including JAG students and students from Heila Ben High School. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 2153, the annual tax conformity bill, which was described by supporters as aligning Arizona tax law with recent federal changes and providing relief through no tax on tips and overtime, a larger child tax credit, a new child care expense deduction, and a deduction for certain retirement income. Opponents argued the measure would primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations, reduce state revenue, and leave some seniors out because the retirement-income deduction is tied to retirement accounts. Members also discussed the Department of Revenue’s already-issued tax forms and the need for certainty for filers. After extended debate, the Committee of the Whole gave HB 2153 a do pass recommendation by a vote of 31-26, and the House adopted the report and sent the bill to engrossing. The House then took up the Senate mirror bill, SB 1106, substituted for HB 2153, and after floor explanations of vote, passed it 31-27 with 2 not voting. Supporters said the bill would help working families, seniors, and small businesses and prevent filing confusion, while opponents repeated concerns about cost, fairness, and impacts on public services. The bill was transmitted to the Senate. Following the tax vote, members made several announcements, including birthday wishes and a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and committee chairs announced upcoming cancellations. The House then recessed and reconvened for first reading and referral of a long list of new bills covering topics such as elections, health care, education, transportation, public safety, taxation, housing, and appropriations. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the federal level, your Social Security income, retirement income, is taxed in your federal income
• We had no tax, no Arizona income tax on Social Security.
• If you're over 60, then you do not have to pay income tax on the retirement income that you earn from
• Very soon, millions of Arizonans will file their state income taxes.
• As a reminder, today at 5 p.m. is the 7-bill limit that's in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• for landlords and limiting for tenants who can't maybe afford things like this.
• However, our strong concern is really limited to the window-mounted air conditioners.
• However, our strong concern is really limited to the window mounted air conditioners.
• For income-constrained renters who are often coping not only with a limited budget but are more likely
• This further limits opportunities for certain groups.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on several bills. SB 6091 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to limited or exclusive groups unless the listing is also marketed to the general public and all brokers, with exceptions for health or safety and private party sales. The sponsor and supporters, including Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, Zillow, the Fair Housing Center, and others, said the bill promotes transparency, competition, and fair housing by preventing “pocket listings” and insider access. Opponents, including Compass representatives and some brokers, argued it would limit homeowner autonomy, harm privacy-sensitive sellers such as seniors, and create legal risk for brokers; the Attorney General’s office said it supported the competitive goal but wanted a different enforcement mechanism than WLAD. The committee later closed testimony on SB 6091 without taking final action in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 6200, which would allow tenants and residents in manufactured home communities to install portable cooling devices, subject to safety, code, and electrical restrictions, and would require landlords to notify tenants of their rights and limitations. The prime sponsor and many public health, tenant, and climate advocates said the bill is needed to prevent heat-related illness and death during extreme heat events, especially for renters in older or low-income housing who lack built-in cooling. Landlord and property management groups supported the idea of portable floor units but raised concerns about window-mounted devices, citing fall hazards, property damage, and insurance issues. Testimony emphasized that the bill includes liability protections for landlords and is intended as a narrow public health measure. The committee then heard SB 6096, which would require cities and towns collecting water and sewer connection charges to offer a deferred payment option for qualifying residential construction until final inspection or certificate of occupancy. The sponsor and builders’ groups said deferral would reduce upfront financing costs and help housing production. Cities and utility districts opposed the bill, arguing it shifts financial risk to utilities and ratepayers, complicates infrastructure planning, and could delay or reduce needed system investments. Finally, the committee heard SB 6153, which would create a senior independent housing ombuds program, require registration of senior independent housing facilities, and make certain landlord-tenant violations subject to Consumer Protection Act enforcement. The sponsor said the bill responds to complaints from seniors in independent living settings who lack an ombuds or other practical recourse, while staff noted the bill carries an estimated $4.4 million biennial fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• limitation that is 300% of the area median gross income, which is a number calculated by the Department
• limitation that is 300% of the area median gross income, which is a number calculated by the Department
• verification in accordance with the income limits in the bill. >> Representative Hill, back to you.
• verification in accordance with the income limits in the bill.
• That's the income gap. That's the income That's the income gap.

Bills: HF3490 , HF4040

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Of its acutely low-income RHNA obligations.
• on fixed incomes.
• , which is a subset of the very low-income category.
• And so I think we're trying to be mindful of not allowing all of the very low-income or acutely low-income
• to be counted as interim housing... ...the very low-income or acutely low-income to be counted as interim

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related measures. SB 866 by Senator Blakespear would require jurisdictions that do not receive HAP homelessness grants to include homelessness data strategies and regional coordination in their housing elements. Supporters said the bill would close a planning gap and improve transparency and accountability; opponents, including the League of California Cities and several cities, argued it would impose costly, duplicative reporting requirements and ask cities to collect data outside their control. Members raised concerns about burden on small cities and possible amendments for lower-population or low-homelessness jurisdictions, but no final vote was taken because the committee initially lacked a quorum. SB 967, also by Senator Blakespear, would allow qualifying interim housing units to count toward a portion of a jurisdiction’s RHNA obligation for acutely low-income housing, with safeguards against double counting and reporting requirements. Supporters said the bill would incentivize rapid, dignified interim housing and help move people out of encampments; opponents warned it would blur the line between temporary shelter and permanent housing and could reduce pressure to build deeply affordable permanent units. After extensive debate, the committee reached quorum and voted the bill out on a due pass basis to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with members noting continued work on amendments. The committee also considered SCR 131, a resolution calling for a coordinated state effort to end unsheltered homelessness and prioritize a broad range of interventions, including interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and prevention. Supporters emphasized the scale and urgency of unsheltered homelessness and the need for clearer state goals and funding. One member said the resolution’s language was too broad and abstained, but the author agreed to consider wording changes. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote and held on call for absent members. Finally, SB 1238 by Senator Wahab would increase oversight and transparency for homeowners associations and HOA managers, including disclosures, reserve-fund rules, and a proposed fiduciary-duty standard. Realtors and homeowner supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability, while community-manager groups opposed the fiduciary-duty provision and raised concerns about litigation and insurance costs. Members discussed the reserve-fund language and fiduciary-duty issue, noting that further changes would be considered in the Judiciary Committee; the bill was not yet voted on in this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a limit on the income we can make on that, but those bonds that we're selling, say there, let's
• There's a limit on the income we can make on that, but those bonds that we're selling, say there, let's
• So the low-income housing tax credit projects can serve up to 30% AMI, which is the extremely low-income
• We are projecting that household income growth is going to be in the extremely low and the very low-income
• or increases in income is less than others.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at $51,000, we're up to 8.5% of your income is what the cap is limited of the premium that you
• And as your income of their income.
• </c><00:42:01.280><c> of</c><00:42:01.520><c> the</c> income is what the cap is limited of the income
• It's a very tightly limited income eligibility, 138 to 200, but it basically is a Medicaid-like benefit
• It's a very tightly limited income eligibility, 138 to 200, but it basically is a Medicaid-like benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a challenge from a resource limitation standpoint.
• So, you say we want to make sure we reach low-income people.
• get more low-income people when we have enough low-income people.
• On a two-year limited term basis rather than an ongoing basis.
• Often, there's pushback about, "Oh, limited term positions."