Video & Transcript Research : 'disability'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It's sustaining disability services access through efficiency measures.
- The next proposal reduces some disability grants.
- disability services in decades. disability services in decades.
- <01:15:40.480>
So Minnesota Council on Disability. So Minnesota Council on Disability. - I wish I was there in person, but some days disability keeps me in bed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The unemployment rate for working-age people with disabilities is twice that of the non-disabled population
- I'm with Disability Rights California, a proud co-sponsor of AB 246.
- net for millions of disabled people and older adults.
- net for millions of disabled people and older adults.
- Disability Rights California, and many of our colleagues and partners in the disability and aging advocacy
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services.
Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards.
The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/12/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Veterans Affairs as having a service-connected disability.
- for a veteran with a 70% disability rating.
- <00:42:00.640>
veterans <00:42:01.640>to disabled veterans to disabled veterans to $400,000 - <00:42:28.119>
American director dor for the disabled American director dor for the disabled - <01:46:04.159>
claims process veterans disability claims process veterans disability claims
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/12/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- believe<00:08:14.639>
all <00:08:14.840>committee <00:08:15.159>members disabled - I believe all committee members disabled I believe all committee members should<00:08:15.720>
have - I'm a veteran that lives on disability.'
- I'm a veteran that lives on disability.'
- the veterans um permanent disability the veterans um obviously<00:26:09.440>
it's <00:26:09.799
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HHSC also provides long-term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities.
- We also here have our program STAR Kids, which is for children and youth with disabilities.
- , uh, including physical disabilities and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- The other 5 listed here, including 4 for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and
- , blindness, or another disability.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Medicaid and Medicare is the federal program for adults 65 and older or those with a disability.
- We have people, including children and adults with disabilities, and then some specific programs for
- And then, again, that Star Plus program, which is older adults and people with disabilities, as well
- Uh, including physical disabilities and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- , blindness, or an another disability, so there aren't as many people who meet that criteria.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That's right. in the framework and prioritize first, along with disability.
- , visual, and physical disabilities.
- categorized as auditory, visual, physical disability, intellectual, developmental disability, emotional
- disturbance, learning disability, autism, speech disability, traumatic brain, but you did not include
- I just want to follow up on the issue about disabilities with Chairman Creighton.
Bills:
SB 2
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- years to support a statewide effort to train and connect parents of students with disabilities.
- Department of Education to oversee the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- California trails behind the nation in inclusion rates of students with disabilities.
- behind the nation in inclusion rates of students with disabilities.
- And I'm very thankful that with the continued coordination with your other disability rights advocacy
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee heard a lengthy set of bills, beginning with AB 2189, which would authorize a State Council on Developmental Disabilities grant to create a statewide parent network for families of students with disabilities. The author and supporters said the bill would help parents understand special education rights and advocate more effectively, while an opposing witness argued California already has family-led organizations doing similar work and the bill should build on existing efforts. The committee discussed the bill’s amendments, then passed AB 2189 6-0 and held it on call.
The committee then took up AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 dealing with instructional materials and anti-discrimination provisions in schools. Supporters said the bill makes technical and substantive fixes promised during last year’s debate, including clarifying “factually accurate” language, removing references to professional responsibility standards, and refining how offending materials are handled. Opponents from civil rights, labor, and education groups argued the bill still chills speech and could be used to police classroom instruction too broadly, especially the “factually accurate” requirement. After extended debate and several member questions about implementation, the committee passed AB 2615 5-0 and held it on call.
The committee also heard AB 2496, which would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, reviewing or phasing out the School Accountability Report Card, and making a mid-year LCAP update optional. Supporters said the bill reduces duplication and improves accessibility, while an opponent warned that parents could lose a simple PDF-style report and that the mid-year update still provides useful budget information. AB 2496 was passed out on a 3-0 vote and held on call. In addition, AB 1750, which would require school employees to receive full salary for up to five additional months while on extended medical leave, drew strong support from educators and opposition from administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1644, a bell-to-bell smartphone ban for TK-8 schools with recommended high school restrictions and exceptions for educational, health, and safety needs; supporters emphasized student focus and well-being, while administrators raised concerns about timing and local implementation after recent district policy adoption.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/09/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- They all have learning disabilities. They all have learning disabilities.
- >
center <03:56:15.520>also The the disability rights center also The the disability rights - I'm the policy director at the Disability Rights Center.
- , for that child with the disability, for that child with the disability, whether<05:00:16.000>
- It's just overwhelmingly students with disabilities.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1331, which would allow the town of Derry to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment. The prime sponsor and several supporters argued the change would increase local control, streamline overlapping town and school functions, and potentially help align school spending with Derry’s tax cap. Supporters also said Derry is large enough to warrant a structure more like Manchester or Nashua, and one witness cited a 2018 nonbinding Derry ballot question that passed 597 to 547 in favor of seeking authorization for this change.
Opposition came from NEA New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle, who said the association and the Derry Education Association opposed the bill because schools are not simply another municipal department and because Derry voters had already rejected merging the district into town government. She argued the state should respect local control and the community’s prior decision. Committee members asked about the scope of the proposed charter change, the role of the school board, and the reported prior vote, and the sponsor clarified that the amendment would be limited to this specific purpose rather than opening the entire charter.
The hearing then moved to House Bill 1374, which would change the procedures for withdrawing from a cooperative school district. Representative Mary Murphy said current law gives other cooperative towns too much control over a withdrawing town’s decision, and her bill would remove the requirement for approval by the other towns while raising the withdrawing town’s approval threshold to a supermajority. She pointed to Francis Town’s 2024 withdrawal vote and said the bill was intended to protect students and local decision-making. The sponsor asked for an ought to pass recommendation, and committee members asked follow-up questions about the prior withdrawal vote and the number of voters involved.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Number two, with the Arkansas Disability Coalition, this is a state grant increased by $63,000 for the
- Number three, also with the Disability Coalition, this is increasing by $17,500 for the Arkansas Disability
- consultant for disability case processing services.
- Number two is with disability determination for Social Security Administration and this is for Number
- for disability case processing services and these are the RFQs, Madam Chair.
Summary:
The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures.
The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 15, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- HEALTH AND SUIT IS SUSAN NIPPER THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS PROGRAMS OF THE AGENCIES OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
- OF SERVING AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
- THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OR APD SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES
- BUDGET FLORIDA WAIVER WHICH IS APD'S MOST WELL KNOWN PATHWAY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
- LET'S TAKE THE CASE OF A MOTHER TAKING CARE OF HER CHILD WITH DISABILITY AND SHE HAS ALL THE CHILDREN
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 5, 2026 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair: Laura Lee Minutello, Disability Rights Florida, is an opponent, followed by Jacqueline Steele.
- I know there is an exception for those with disabilities to use the machines.
- So if somebody asked to use the machine and say they have an invisible disability and are denied, what
- , some some with disabilities, such as blind voters.
- It will hurt voters with disabilities, young people, seniors, people struggling to make ends meet, and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House POCI Caucus Press Conference 5/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- He's entirely disabled. He lost a kidney and he consistently needs care.
- He's entirely disabled. He lost a kidney and he consistently needs care.
- He's entirely disabled. He lost a kidney and he consistently needs care.
- He's entirely disabled. He lost a kidney and he consistently needs care.
- He's entirely disabled. He he needs. He's entirely disabled.
Summary:
Lawmakers and advocates from the POCI Caucus held a news conference focused on protecting recent DFL-enacted policies in a newly divided Legislature. They highlighted accomplishments from the last biennium, including earned sick and safe time, ethnic studies, unemployment insurance changes, environmental protections, and MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrants, and argued these measures should not be rolled back in budget negotiations. Speakers said Republicans were pushing cuts or carveouts that would disproportionately harm Black, brown, immigrant, women, and low-income communities, and they urged the House and Governor Walz to reject those changes.
A major theme was opposition to proposed carveouts to earned sick and safe time. Amanda Otero of TakeAction Minnesota said the proposed changes would remove benefits from more than 100,000 workers based on employer size, and lawmakers said sick leave should be universal. Another major topic was MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants. Representative María Isa Pérez Vega, Council Member Jason Chavez, and others argued the program is affordable, reduces uncompensated emergency care, and improves public health by expanding preventive care. Chavez and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos shared personal stories about family members who benefited from health coverage and said cutting access would worsen disparities and hurt families and communities.
The event also included remarks on ethnic studies and historical memory. Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura connected the Ethnic Studies for All Act to her family’s experience with Japanese American incarceration during World War II, and Sally Sudo described her family’s removal and imprisonment under Executive Order 9066. Speakers framed these stories as warnings against scapegoating and exclusion. In the question-and-answer portion, lawmakers said they were still in negotiations but emphasized that certain protections were non-negotiable and that any compromises should be distributed equitably rather than targeting specific groups.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 1925 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez and others, relating to disabilities.
- Permanent disabilities should not require permanent paperwork.
- Permanent disabilities should not require permanent paperwork. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- I want to thank both the author, who is also my seatmate, For people with disabilities.
- Approximately 380,000 veterans live with service-connected disabilities, like myself, conditions that
Summary:
The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay due to lack of quorum, then proceeded through a long House of Origin deadline session focused mainly on floor votes for dozens of bills. The day opened with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated shooting at an Islamic Center in San Diego, and a warning to visitors about disrupting proceedings. Leadership repeatedly urged members to be on time and at their desks as the chamber worked through a large daily file.
The bills considered covered a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, community college trustee compensation, transit camera enforcement and privacy, taxation and excess proceeds claims, HOA rules, hepatitis C treatment access, child care planning, greenhouse energy standards, consumer lending, housing and homelessness, pet spay/neuter access, local financing for workforce housing, student financial aid, DUI penalties, senior housing, foster youth, behavioral health licensing, transit stop data, disaster response for child welfare, elections notices, safe surrender for infants, college enrollment and leave policies, insurance regulation, fair funding, school safety, environmental labeling, cash rounding, park passes through libraries, grocery access, pregnancy protections in education, swatting, domestic violence protective orders, farmworker housing, juvenile justice, cervical cancer screening, Medi-Cal transitions, disability certification, and home protection products. Most authors described their bills as cleanup measures, consumer protections, access expansions, or targeted fixes to existing law.
Testimony from authors and supporters emphasized access, safety, affordability, and administrative simplification, while a few bills drew policy concerns or opposition, especially AB 1751 on townhome development and labor standards. That bill prompted extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, and stakeholder engagement, but it ultimately passed. Other notable discussion included AB 1628 to extend California’s safe surrender window for infants, AB 1902 on juvenile detention extension hearings, and AB 1925 on permanent disability certification, each framed as addressing difficult real-world gaps in current systems.
The chamber took many roll-call votes, with most measures passing overwhelmingly and several by unanimous or near-unanimous margins. A few bills were temporarily passed, retained on file, or moved to the inactive file, and AB 1534 required the call to be lifted and then passed on a 54-8 vote. Overall, the session was dominated by floor action on the daily file rather than committee reports or gubernatorial messages, and the Assembly advanced a large number of bills on a deadline day.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Apr 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- IT IS INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND ADDRESSING BULLYING IN GRADES FOUR THROUGH SIX.
- FOR MY AWARD I'M WORKING ON A PROJECT TO INCREASE DISABILITY AWARENESS.
- THEY ALSO SAW EVAN'S ABILITY AND NOT JUST HIS DISABILITY.
- THE OTHER SESSION WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON DISABILITY, A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON HOW WE HANDLE DISABILITY
- THIS SHINES A LIGHT ON DISABILITY. UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT HOPELESS.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee. (7-1-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, if you have an disability.
- be a manifestation of your disability. be a manifestation of your disability.
- , with a student who has a disability, with a student who has a disability, then then then you're
- if there's a student with a disability if there's a student with a disability who's<01:46:05.000
- <01:46:16.840>
is So, if the student with disability is So, if the student with disability
Keywords:
0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call
0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes
0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools
0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257
0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System
1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report
1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability.
On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use.
The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- accessing Medicaid via the CADI and BI disability waivers.
- accessing Medicaid via the CADI and BI disability waivers.
- <00:02:14.720>
accessing motans with disabilities accessing motans with disabilities accessing - disability disability waivers<00:02:20.720>
uh <00:02:20.879>first <00:02:21.120>is - to individuals with disabilities to individuals with disabilities particularly<00:53:56.559>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:48.280>
Education <00:07:48.960>Act <00:07:49.599>nutrition disabilities - Education Act nutrition disabilities Education Act nutrition funds<00:07:50.960>
a <00:07:51.080 - or potential disabilities?
- <01:24:12.280>
and <01:24:12.440>developing with disabilities and developing with disabilities - our students with disability our students with disability Transportation<02:18:23.200>
any
Summary:
The committee met to hear a Minnesota Department of Education presentation on federal education funding and the potential effects of federal actions on those dollars. Chair Kunesh framed the discussion around concerns about threats to the U.S. Department of Education and noted that federal funds make up about 10% of Minnesota’s education budget, or roughly $1.4 billion. Senator Lang pushed back, emphasizing that 90% of school funding comes from state and local sources and urging the committee to focus on state mandates and how to pay for them. New member Senator Clark introduced himself and said he would teach ethics or running if he were a teacher.
Department staff explained that federal education dollars are divided between entitlement/formula funds and competitive/discretionary grants. They said Minnesota receives federal money through established systems and that the department is seeking clarity about how federal changes might affect the flow of funds, oversight, and program administration. They also outlined Minnesota’s legislative review process for federal funds, which includes several pathways such as the governor’s biennial budget, supplemental budget submissions, legislative advisory committee review, and expedited review processes when needed.
The presentation then focused on ESEA Title funding, especially Title I. Staff said Title I is one of the largest federal education programs in Minnesota, with about $200 million in current funding, and supports 476 local education agencies. They described how funds are allocated through Minnesota’s North Star accountability system and Compass support structure, based on measures such as poverty, graduation rates, and state assessment performance. Examples of allowable supports included professional development, attendance initiatives, reading curriculum, training, and peer coaching. Senators asked whether executive action could affect these funds and whether the money flows directly to districts or through the state; staff responded that they would avoid speculation and would continue explaining the different funding streams and oversight structure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Disability Rights California is the nation's largest disability rights organization, and our work includes
- Homelessness itself is a disability issue.
- So, Disability Rights, California is the nation's largest disability rights organization, and our work
- And homelessness itself is a disability issue. on the streets.
- And homelessness itself is a disability issue.
Summary:
The committee heard multiple bills, with extensive discussion focused on short-term rental regulation, street vending, park/public safety financing, transit-oriented housing fees, and demographic data collection. SB 346 would require short-term rental platforms to provide local governments with listing addresses and related information to help collect transient occupancy taxes and enforce local ordinances; supporters argued cities and counties need the data to identify unlicensed operators and recover taxes, while opposition from platforms raised privacy and due process concerns and said administrative subpoenas already exist. The bill was amended and passed 7-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, sought to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared in ways that could expose them to federal immigration enforcement; supporters described raids and fear in vendor communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. SB 499 would clarify that certain park and recreation facilities designated in local safety or hazard mitigation plans can qualify for fee deferral exemptions when they serve emergency or public safety functions; supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and recovery hubs, while some housing advocates sought a clearer nexus to development impacts. The bill passed as amended 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which would modernize traffic impact fee rules to better reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, drew support from housing and transportation advocates and passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 515, aimed at improving demographic data collection and reporting by local governments and state entities, passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote.
The committee also took up SB 276, presented by Assembly Member Stefani on behalf of Senator Wiener, which would allow San Francisco to create a permit-and-enforcement system for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks. Supporters said the measure is needed to address fencing operations and protect legitimate vendors, while emphasizing it is narrowly targeted and not aimed at food vendors or permitted sellers. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 276, with supporters from the Mission street vendor community and San Francisco Public Works describing enforcement problems and the need for clearer rules and city resources.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Our first up we have Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- I'm with the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- again, our concern is that it could lead to long-term impacts to those that are less fortunate, the disabled
- again, our concern is that it could lead to long-term impacts to those that are less fortunate, the disabled
- again, our concern is that it could lead to long-term impacts to those that are less fortunate, the disabled
Bills:
SB2405, HCR19, HCR63, HCR85, HCR140, HCR166, HCR82, HCR98, HCR104, HCR106, HCR141, HCR165, HR20, HR57, HR77, HR132, HR156, HR74, HR90, HR96, HR98, HR133, HR155
Keywords:
agricultural workforce, housing, Hawaii, working group, zoning, land use, financial incentives, tax credits, water conservation, infrastructure, public health, March4Water, water access, sustainable resources, Honopou Bridge, emergency access, wildfire risk, public safety, structural integrity, community outreach
Summary:
The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park.
Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications.
At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.