Transcript Highlights:

• cost, or $16 million worth of bonds. financing. financing.
• , so we will be sending it to finance, so we will be sending it to finance.
• obstacle normally is financing. obstacle normally is financing.
• <00:33:43.040> So, Housing Finance Agency. So, Housing Finance Agency.
• <01:04:57.760> We're does need to go to Finance. We're does need to go to Finance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move to refer Senate Bill 508 to Finance. You've heard the referral.
• I have amendment number 913 proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance. Thank you.
• I have Amendment No. 874 proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance. Senator Dondero Loop.
• I have Amendment No. 930 proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance. Senator Dondero Loop.
• I move to refer AB 224, AB 356, and AB 366 to the Committee on Finance.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• any expenses for the campaign finance any expenses for the campaign finance board.<01:04:26.480>
• uh, filings with the campaign finance uh, filings with the campaign finance board.<01:07:39.599>
• <01:07:43.200> and study from the campaign finance and study from the campaign finance and
• <01:14:42.560> finance.
• <01:14:43.840> Uh finance finance. Okay. Uh finance finance. Okay.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, we're debating the Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 425.
• , and also Jennifer Fabian, who is also from the Legislative Finance Committee.
• The Senate Finance amendments did a couple of things, Mr. President.
• It came down and we missed the amendments from Senate Finance, so I asked unanimous consent.
• Senate Finance is going to go in, uh, we're gonna. Uh, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Melody Jimenez with the Department of Finance.
• Melody Jimenez with the Department of Finance.
• Shadi Ari, Department of Finance.
• Ethan Strider with the Department of Finance.
• Ethan Strider with the Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jake Stover here with finance with UK Healthcare.
• <00:04:21.880> stack kind of talk through the financing stack kind of talk through the financing
• for uh with finance with UK Healthcare. for uh with finance with UK Healthcare.
• design, construction, and financing. design, construction, and financing.
• . financing. financing.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote. The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote. Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 345, relating to public financing. This is the Senate’s version of public financing.
• campaign financing campaign financing bills<01:05:02.200> please<01:05:03.200> candidly
• First up, we have one... to campaign Finance this prohibits to campaign Finance this prohibits foreign
• partial public financing I would like to partial public financing I would like to better<01:39:55.679
• <01:43:32.800> uh from house finance to move forward uh from house finance to move forward

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Improvement Program, requiring the Department of Transportation to include a report. and priorities financed
• An act relating to the financing of highway projects, providing additional bonding authority to the State
• the Department of Transportation to include a report on highway project selection and priorities financed
• Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee, then Senate Finance Committee. Senate Bill 5.
• Finance Committee. Senate Bill 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any comments from the Department of Finance? Ms.
• Do we have any comments from the Department of Finance?
• Do we have any comments from the Department of Finance? Blair Huxman, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance: any additional comments?
• Thank you, Department of Finance. Any comments?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:55.440> with budget and finance with budget and finance with comments<00:23:57.520>
• get a financing commitment and was we'll get a financing commitment and was that<00:31:29.799> um
• projects that don't use State financing projects that don't use State financing okay<00:31:43.399
• <00:32:44.080> with and finance with and finance with comments<00:32:46.440> Hua<00
• finances finances um<01:01:01.799> I<01:01:01.960> recommend<01:01:02.400> that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a series of housing bills. HB 1432 and HB 1428 drew support from HHFDC, and HB 1428 also received testimony from Hawaiian Community Assets, which said housing counseling funding is needed to meet demand for financial education tied to affordable housing, and that such counseling can help reduce evictions, prevent foreclosure, and stabilize households. HB 833 on community land trusts received broad support from HHFDC, county housing officials, community land trust representatives, and a local developer; testimony emphasized keeping housing affordable in perpetuity, but also asked for clearer access to financing, longer repayment terms, and inclusion of additional land trusts in the bill. Peter Savio argued that community land trusts are the best way to control demand and keep housing tied to local incomes. The committee also heard HB 19 on the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, which HHFDC said should be made permanent because the pilot has been successful, with 81 units in the program and $7.4 million of the $10 million allocation already committed. HHFDC said the fund helps stalled for-sale projects by providing state equity that revolved back when homes are sold. HB 529 and HB 432 were also heard; HB 432 would create a subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund for projects above 60% AMI, and HHFDC said this would help finance housing for households at 65% and 80% AMI. The bill drew support from several housing, business, and industry groups. Several other housing measures were discussed with mixed testimony. HB 419 had HHFDC support, Limby Hawaiʻi opposition, and support from the Grassroot Institute and others; members asked about whether councils approve these projects in one or multiple readings. HB 527 and HB 416 also drew a mix of support and opposition, with questions focused on county approval timelines and whether state-financed projects would still go through normal local review. HB 417 on the rental housing revolving fund prompted questions about how it differs from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund and whether it should be more flexible for mixed rental and for-sale projects. HB 418’s proposed working group was noted as potentially unnecessary because HHFDC said a public working group was already being formed. HB 1411 on housing preference raised questions about what happens if a recipient changes jobs, and HB 374 drew an Attorney General’s Office recommendation to remove a duration requirement to avoid possible constitutional travel issues. HB 373 and HB 1492 were also heard, with strong testimony from Peter Savio in favor of a broader trust-based model for affordable housing. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a financing tool in the Treasurer's Office. to help those in need of financing.
• We're also joined by the Department of Finance.
• Albert Pineda, the Department of Finance.
• Anything else from the Department of Finance or the LAO? I'll represent the Department of Finance.
• Of the Office of the Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there are all of the numbers that are below it, um, are targets that are set for the finance
• targets that are set for the finance targets that are set for the finance committees.<00:01:15.760
• <00:02:36.080> committee does is it allows that finance committee does is it allows that finance
• committee<00:04:06.080> totals all of the finance committee totals all of the finance committee
• Committee aside from the uh finance Committee aside from the uh finance budget<00:04:46.360>

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislative Finance Committee is continuing its workshops in room 307 tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m
• **Senate Bill 144**, introduced by **Senator Gonzalez**, endorsed by the **Mortgage Finance Authority
• Then to the **Senate Finance Committee**. That's **Senate Bill 150**.
• Committee, then to the **Senate Finance Committee**. That's **Senate Bill 158**.
• Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Senate Finance, he's actually having lunch.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is TLF, or third-party litigation financing?
• it is when an investor helps financing it is when an investor helps finance<00:07:54.280> a<00
• So what litigation financing is, is it finances the litigation.
• So what litigation financing is, is it finances the litigation.
• accidents in order to in effect Finance accidents in order to in effect Finance the<01:07:14.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katie Lagomarsino with the Department of Finance.
• Amber Alexander with the Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance, please. Hugo Solis Galena with the Department of Finance.
• And why don't we start with finance? George Harris, Department of Finance.
• George Harris, Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2050, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, relating to partial public financing of elections.
• that would put in an amendment which would allow candidates participating in the partial public financing
• On this, I'm encouraging our Finance Committee to go with the House Draft 2 language.
• this I'm encouraging our Finance this I'm encouraging our Finance Committee<00:29:03.360> to<
• Committee and Ways and between Finance Committee and Ways and Means<00:29:12.720> Committee.

Bills: HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• hold it in finance? hold it in finance?
• <00:30:15.279> A financed on multi-year schedules. A financed on multi-year schedules.
• <00:30:27.840> financing<00:30:28.399> costs, customers see higher financing costs,
• And when there financed over many years.
• Higher financing costs, predictable.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. Perfect. Testerkin back with the Department of Finance. Thank you.
• Henry, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. Hi, Kimberly Harbison, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance?
• Department of Finance.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we'll work with the House Finance Committee and the Senate Finance Committee over the next
• <00:08:36.039> committee<00:08:36.320> and<00:08:36.399> the with house finance
• committee and the with house finance committee and the Senate<00:08:36.800> finance<00:08:37.120
• Um, I just wanted to, on the bottom of page four going into page five, uh, there has been House Finance
• So don't think because a bill... whether they should come to finance or whether they should come to finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you talked a little bit about the financing piece in trying to help folks with the financing.
• They don't need a penny of public capital financing.
• And second, housing finance and strategy board.
• Secondly, of course, financing. And Mr.
• As was mentioned earlier, time is money on financing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.