Transcript Highlights:

• Florida's homestead tax exemption, even if they have a lease that terminates upon their death.
• We are all in agreement. We do not want to pay Donald J.
• If we're all in agreement, simple amendment, let's lock it up in this language. Thank you.
• We're all in agreement. We do not want to pay him for the use of his name.
• It says clearly in the bill that they have to come to an agreement; they have to have a contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> States allow non-disclosure agreements States allow non-disclosure agreements in<00:21:41.320><c
• </c> agreements like this. agreements like this.
• ,</c> existence of the agreement, existence of the agreement, that<00:52:34.840><c> the</c><00:52:35.000
• </c> uh and a balanced stakeholder agreement. uh and a balanced stakeholder agreement.
• </c> not just those in the lease. not just those in the lease.

Bills: HF4077 , HF3809 , HF3639 , HF4478 , HF3363 , HF3874

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register. Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets. Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It shuts down our mineral leasing, it shuts down our oil and gas.
• act to authorize the mineral leasing act to authorize the state<00:33:13.440><c> of</c><00:33:13.600
• Um, and the manage that mineral leasing.
• </c> leasing, it shuts down our oil and gas. leasing, it shuts down our oil and gas.
• that we have with the an agreement that we have with the Forest<00:49:18.079><c> Service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Libraries lease them, and those leases expire after 2 years or 26 checkouts.
• ><c> those</c> Libraries lease them, and those Libraries lease them, and those libraries<00:04:33.800
• ,<00:05:04.080><c> blocking</c><00:05:04.520><c> contract</c> agreements, blocking contract agreements
• We are saying that we don't want them to be leased at such an exorbitant cost.
• </c> leased and at such an exorbitant cost. leased and at such an exorbitant cost.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the current agreement calls for us to improve the roadways to the city's standards before they
• Tiffany, I guess just some clarity on the agreement, the federal agreement, and mainly for me, like,
• Tiffany, I guess just some clarity on the agreement, the federal agreement, and mainly for me, like,
• There is a national agreement between entities, and I'm happy to provide that to you.
• </c> charged like does the federal agreement charged like does the federal agreement just<01:10:11.520

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, there is general agreement that this measure before us is needed, but also agreement that
• Madam Speaker, there is general agreement that this measure before us is needed, but also agreement that
• I know that many, if not all, stadiums and convention centers around the country lease naming rights.
• Leasing the naming rights to community.
• Leasing the naming rights to just<04:34:16.561><c> any</c><04:34:16.799><c> entity</c><04:34:17.199><

Transcript Highlights:

• pole attachers and electric utilities collaborated to develop a draft rule outlining both areas of agreement
• and areas where consensus cannot be reached. both areas of agreement and areas where consensus cannot
• So when parties cannot reach an agreement, the commission will use the timelines and procedures established
• And then, lastly, a statement was added eliminating the need for venues that lease or rent their space

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The RTO order did not acknowledge the realities about office space, office leases, office equipment,
• Despite this agreement, UC has disregarded any arbitrator decision they do not like.
• First, UC and AFSCME have recently negotiated a collective bargaining agreement and settlement agreements
• It is an agreement between the employers and the workers attempting to organize.
• It is an agreement between the employers and the workers attempting to organize.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call. Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call. Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call. After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.

Transcript Highlights:

• For comment four, for programmatic agreements, maybe we suggest that rights of way be included as in
• </c><01:02:41.359><c> you</c> respect to programmatic agreements you respect to programmatic agreements
• to work it might programmatic agreements to work it might not<01:02:49.119><c> work</c><01:02:49.359
• </c><01:03:42.319><c> uh</c> four for programmatic agreements uh four for programmatic agreements uh
• </c><01:46:42.400><c> to</c> regarding Pro programmatic agreements to regarding Pro programmatic agreements

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 26, SD 2, relating to affordable housing, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development explained a prior transit-oriented development study that identified roughly 59,000 possible units and about 25,000 affordable units from known projects, and said the bill would help fill gaps by evaluating additional public lands for housing suitability and possible co-use with existing facilities. Members asked about the need for resources and staffing to do that work, and OPSD said it would need time and consultant support to carry it out. Testimony on the bill included support from state and county housing agencies and comments from planning and land use entities. On SB 66, SD 2, relating to housing and historic preservation review, SHPD and OHA both testified. SHPD said the bill would not override existing burial-site protections and that county staff with proper qualifications could make historic-property determinations locally, while OHA asked for clearer language requiring consultation when Native Hawaiian historic sites are involved and clearer procedures if an adverse effect is found. Committee members and SHPD discussed whether the bill should explicitly preserve existing Chapter 6E processes, whether counties have qualified staff, and how quickly a county would have to decide if it cannot complete the review itself and must use a third-party reviewer. Supporters said the measure could speed permitting and keep decisions local; one opponent argued it could rush approvals and strain infrastructure. The committee also heard support from housing, construction, business, and food-industry groups, and opposition from some preservation and community advocates. The committee then heard SB 332, SD 1, on foreclosure-related protections, with testimony focused on Lānaʻi and concerns about speculative real estate after the foreclosure moratorium ended. SB 414, SD 2, on restoring access to disaster-affected areas, drew support from HHFDC, DHS, and the Maui Chamber; HHFDC noted DOH plans for a temporary paved access road to the Kayola temporary housing site and said agencies were discussing which parcels would be needed. On SB 102, SD 2, relating to affordable housing and third-party historic review, SHPD said it would need to do more upfront screening and that the bill’s timelines and third-party provisions should be clearer; OHA said the measure should include a sunset and better staffing, and asked that the department fill positions to meet review demand. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, what it does is the agreement we they allow us to spread it out over four years.
• Uh, it what it does is the agreement<00:23:03.440><c> we</c><00:23:03.919><c> they</c><00:23:04.240><
• we they allow us to spread it agreement we they allow us to spread it out<00:23:05.840><c> over</c><
• So, if I don't have an ID, I probably don't have the lease to my apartment or the deed to my home or
• So, if I don't have an ID, I probably don't have the lease to my apartment or the deed to my home or

Transcript Highlights:

• State management federal mineral leases.
• A joint federal mineral leases.
• </c><01:33:20.840><c> on</c> administer and manage mineral leasing on administer and manage mineral leasing
• </c><01:49:58.280><c> And</c><01:49:59.080><c> so,</c> get an agreement on.
• And so, get an agreement on.

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenue generated from the leasing of those sites, and run by private entities, basically funded
• </c><01:06:57.520><c> 12</c> gone from in mid 2000s uh we leased 12 gone from in mid 2000s uh we leased
• At one point in time, all three dams created hydropower and were all leased for hydropower.
• Now, we are down to only one dam that is currently generating hydropower that is being leased. restore
• Now, we are down to only one dam that is currently generating hydropower that is being leased.

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future. Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions. After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that you have, ag parks and the leases that you have, how<00:10:48.800><c> many</c><00:10:49.160><c>
• of</c><00:10:49.400><c> those</c><00:10:49.680><c> leases</c><00:10:50.360><c> just</c><00:10:51.160
• ><c> them</c><00:10:51.440><c> alone</c> how many of those leases just them alone how many of those leases
• Well, our business model, like we signed an agreement with Hawaiian Airlines.
• </c><01:10:39.480><c> I</c> agreement with Hawaiian Airlines. I agreement with Hawaiian Airlines.

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, it sounds like we're all in agreement that DOR should at least conform to the above-the-line items
• procedure and fill out ultimately what are two forms that contain maybe five pages, depending on how many leases
• Every agriculture lease abstract that comes into my office ends up on my desk for my review and my signature
• Every agriculture lease abstract that comes into my office ends up on my desk for my review and my signature

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several tax, retirement, and property-related measures. SB 1215, the so-called “comma bill,” was described as a technical correction to firefighters’ cancer coverage language: it reorganizes the listed cancers into a column format to avoid comma-delimitation confusion, and an amendment removed unintended police-officer language. The bill was amended and passed 6-1. SB 1180 would codify the Department of Revenue’s practice of assuming federal tax conformity for above-the-line items when preparing state tax forms; DOR said it would not have changed this year’s executive-order-driven changes, and the bill passed 7-0. SCR 1028, a referral to voters, would narrow an existing exception under Prop. 108 for agency-set fees and assessments; supporters said it would curb delegation of taxing authority, while opponents warned it could hinder public services and business operations. The resolution passed 4-3. The committee also advanced several other measures. SB 1292 clarifies that the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System’s 5% ownership cap applies only to publicly traded corporations, to avoid problems with investment funds being classified as corporations; PSPRS supported it, and it passed. SB 1294 restores county assessors’ authority to prorate property value for property destroyed in any manner, while preserving the five-year classification protection for property destroyed by verifiable accident; it passed 6-1. SB 1430, the annual tax corrections act, made minor cleanup changes and codified current practice, and passed unanimously. SB 1270 would allow CORP employers to make optional supplemental defined-contribution incentive payments of up to $5,000 to certain Tier 3 corrections employees to aid recruitment and retention; supporters called it an optional tool, while some members raised concerns about county costs and pension policy, and it passed 6-1. SB 1290 drew the most extended debate. It requires advance notice and inspection reports for property inspections by DOR and county assessors and bars repeat on-site inspections of agricultural property for three years after an inspection. Farm and ranch groups said the bill would improve transparency and reduce repeated disputes over agricultural classification, while county assessors opposed it, arguing it would add costs, create inconsistent reporting, and interfere with their duty to inspect and value property annually. The bill passed 4-2 with one member not voting, and the chair noted it would likely remain a work in progress.

Transcript Highlights:

• In circumstances like this, they'd have to at least provide a lease if they had one.
• So in a circumstance where someone was living in their car, they wouldn't have a lease.
• For example, if someone's renting an apartment, then in their particular circumstance, a lease would
• So I don't want us to jump the gun, and I think we're in agreement in concept on that, but I think there

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:03:03.480><c> a</c> House Bill 491 is a measure that would raise the threshold required for lease
• of real property equipment cost, a lease of movable equipment, and new acquisition, upgrade, or replacement
• </c> first part of the Free Trade Agreement first part of the Free Trade Agreement last<00:30:14.080>
• for the avoidance of a double agreement for the avoidance of a double taxation<00:30:26.799><c> agreement
• </c> taxation agreement taxation agreement and<00:30:30.120><c> right</c><00:30:30.279><c> now</c><00

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had it under an MOU when I came and spoke with you last time, and we are now in a lease agreement
• It's not on the map yet because we're not in a lease agreement, but we have a memorandum of understanding
• We, as part of our deal, take ownership of that agreement.
• What are we doing with your agreements when it comes to that?
• Do you have any agreements with those generation companies?

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know that, aside from just inflating health care costs, these hidden compensation agreements can
• and information to guide their decision-making without capping compensation or barring contractual agreement
• comprise about one-third of new homes in California, and many homeowners are adding ADUs to rent or lease
• comprise about one-third of new homes in California, and many homeowners are adding ADUs to rent or lease
• comprise about one-third of new homes in California, and many homeowners are adding ADUs to rent or lease

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we are hoping that we'll be able to arrive at an agreement whereby the commission would receive
• Most of those increases for the executive are due to increased grants, increased lease costs, and just
• programs are roughly equivalent and include over 35,000 in increases to support increased costs of leases
• Is it a supported decision-making agreement? Is it a power of attorney?
• Office furniture and vehicle leases. And I do need to correct myself.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been discussing the possibility of expanding our current lease acreage.
• We lease our acreage around Lake Maumelle to the Game and Fish Commission at a reduced rate.
• I believe it was $0.52 an acre per year to lease the property for 99 years to open it up for public fishing
• We would want to expand our agreement with them.
• The title would be held under Central Arkansas Water's name, and it would have a notice of grant agreement

Committee: All ALC-PEER