Transcript Highlights:

• One thing we walked in here and talked about was the tariffs, and during that time now we're hearing
• and</c><00:01:14.200><c> during</c><00:01:14.560><c> that</c><00:01:14.799><c> time</c> about the tariffs
• and during that time about the tariffs and during that time now<00:01:15.439><c> we're</c><00:01:15.640
• And as I said, we've had three changes in 24 hours to tariffs numbers that have come out.
• </c><00:18:38.440><c> that</c><00:18:38.640><c> warrants</c> administrations on tariffs that warrants

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can designate, like I know that President Trump and administration is going with the tariffs right
• now, but we can eventually that's going to phase out and become no non-tariffs and, uh, with the new
• You go in there, shop, you don't have to pay non-tariff.
• </c> free trade area like a no tariff area. free trade area like a no tariff area.
• </c><00:21:42.400><c> Uh</c> don't have to pay non-tariff. Uh don't have to pay non-tariff.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard six bills on February 5, 2026, covering timeshare registration, Agribusiness Development Corporation authority, a North Kohala land parcel, business competitiveness, state enterprise zones, and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For SB 2359, DCCA said the bill would streamline annual renewals and plan amendments for timeshares, though it still wanted review time rather than automatic acceptance. For SB 2169 and SB 2170, ADC and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measures; members asked about condemnation authority and the intended agricultural use of the North Kohala parcel, with ADC stating it had no current lands it was seeking to condemn without authorization and that the parcel would be suitable for crops such as cucumber, eggplant, and tomato. SB 2263 drew broader discussion about how to measure and improve Hawaii’s business competitiveness. UHERO’s Dr. Steven Bond-Smith supported the bill’s intent but cautioned against relying on a mainland-oriented composite ranking as a benchmark for Hawaii, arguing it could mischaracterize the state’s economy. DBEDT responded that Hawaii must compete within the broader U.S. landscape and that the bill would add accountability and planning around competitiveness goals. On SB 2360, which revises the state enterprise zone program, DBEDT and other supporters said the program helps stimulate business activity and that the bill would better align the program with current business needs; a witness from Min Plastics said the current definition excluded businesses that do substantial custom manufacturing work, and another testifier urged combining enterprise zones with foreign trade zones. Committee questions focused on current zone locations, reporting, and whether technology, aerospace, and creative industries should be included. For SB 304, which concerns the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, HTDC said the bill would expand allowable uses of funds and help support local companies as federal R&D grant opportunities change; it currently awards about 20 grants from roughly 50 applicants each year. After testimony, the committee recessed and then took up decision-making. It recommended passage of SB 2359 with amendments, including extending a review period from 45 to 60 days; SB 2169 with technical amendments; SB 2170 with amendments blanking out the bond appropriation amount; SB 2263 with amendments and a new definition section; SB 2360 with amendments; and SB 3084 with amendments blanking out its appropriation amount. All recommendations were adopted without objections, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our farmers, and our state in particular, stand to suffer from these tariffs.
• U.S. pork producers face tariff and non-tariff barriers to our products in many countries, including
• The best way to do this is through comprehensive trade agreements, eliminating those tariff and non-tariff
• So any type of retaliatory tariff back on us would be concerning.
• We're good partners, and once again, any type of tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, especially that would

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to oppose Donald Trump's reckless tariffs on food products.
• But who thinks we need tariffs for Corona beer? Who thinks we need tariffs for vegetables?
• Donald Trump put a 25% tariff on it.
• Donald Trump put a 25% tariff on it. So much for lowering grocery prices, Mr. Trump.
• Rising tariffs will only cripple economic growth here.

Bills: HR776 , HR43 , HR226 , HR42 , HR835

Keywords: Coptic Christians, human rights, Egypt, religious freedom, US-Egypt relations, minority rights, violence prevention, inauguration, Congress, House attendance, ceremony, legislative session, inaugural ceremony, House of Representatives, President, Vice President, adjournment, aviation, transportation, centennial

Transcript Highlights:

• Tariffs are still out there and they're still wreaking havoc.
• They're talking about tariffs, and she's listening to farmers and business people in that community.
• Also, not just the tariff economic policies, the immigration policies.
• Impacts of tariffs, yes.
• Tariffs and every of the other impacts that you're seeing across the sector.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture first moved through a series of animal welfare bills, reporting all of them to the floor. The measures included bills on sentencing for aggravated cruelty to animals, additional aggravated cruelty provisions, penalties for animal abandonment, requiring owners or lessors of vacated properties to inspect for abandoned animals, and restricting surgical depopulation procedures on dogs and pets. Members generally expressed support, and each bill advanced by motion and voice vote with no noted opposition or recusals; one additional bill was held by the sponsor. The committee then heard from Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball, who gave an update on state and federal agriculture issues. He discussed the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, federal farm bill negotiations, specialty crops, labor and H-2A reform, dairy margin coverage concerns, possible cuts to EQIP, organic certification funding, trade and USMCA review, tariffs and input costs, and disaster concerns affecting Long Island seafood producers. He also highlighted state programs such as Nourish New York, Dairy Modernization, farm-to-school efforts, and workforce development initiatives. Members asked questions about raw milk sales, H-2A labor, solar siting on farmland, farm-to-school expansion, tariff impacts, and support for farmers facing federal cuts and rising costs. Ball said raw milk sales remain limited to licensed on-farm sales with inspections and warnings, supported reform of H-2A and broader labor policy, urged protecting prime and actively farmed land from solar development, and emphasized the need to preserve food access programs like Nourish New York and farmers market nutrition benefits. The meeting ended after the commissioner’s testimony and member discussion, with no further formal action beyond the earlier bill reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, with the Trump Musk tariffs coming down the pipe, a lot of that can increase the cost
• and retaliatory tariffs, would impact this project.
• The President, President Trump, said that "tariff" is the most beautiful word in the English language
• If the President already did put a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, on imports of aluminum and steel,
• And there are probably many other factors that will drive up costs if those tariffs are implemented.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you, and again, this is not a political conversation, but even the threat of tariffs really
• The reason is that large companies, even, again, just with the threat of tariff, the word of tariff,
• So even if there were tariffs, and even if these small and medium-sized businesses that are the majority
• I can tell you, and again, this is not a political conversation, but even the threat of tariffs really
• The reason is that large companies, even, again, just with the threat of tariff, the word of tariff,

Committee: House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Monica Villalobos, president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who shared trade and economic data on Hispanic businesses and consumers in Arizona and nationally. She emphasized that Hispanics represent a major economic force, that small and medium-sized businesses are key exporters, and that tariffs or border disruptions can significantly affect Arizona businesses. She also highlighted Arizona’s trade relationship with Mexico, major import/export sectors such as computers, electronics, transportation, and machinery, and the need for more state support for small businesses through capital access and technical assistance. Villalobos noted the Chamber’s upcoming business engagement tour to Mexico City and said the organization would provide district-specific trade profiles to legislators. Members asked questions about top Mexico trade products, transportation equipment, and how the state could better support small businesses. Villalobos said major Mexico-related trade areas include automotive electronics, transportation, and service-oriented business opportunities, and she pointed to the need for microloan access and funding for technical assistance programs that have lost federal support. She also offered to share additional data and connect members with experts on transportation infrastructure and trade. The committee then considered HB 2754, which would add the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, or designees, to the Arizona Commerce Authority board; shift trade office oversight and the Arizona Competes program to legislative appropriation; require annual reporting on trade office activities; and remove the Competes program’s termination date. The bill sponsor argued the legislature should have more direct oversight of trade offices and the Competes Fund. After discussion, the committee voted 5-0 with 2 present and 3 absent to give HB 2754 a do pass recommendation, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that has not come in for any HLF tariff that has not come in for any HLF tariff is<00:55:19.560>
• Is that that that—" "They all must comply with their filed tariffs. It's the filed tariff doctrine.
• </c> have an extreme high load factor tariff have an extreme high load factor tariff on<00:56:55.000>
• </c> tariff we're going to ask for." tariff we're going to ask for."
• </c><01:01:34.080><c> So,</c> evaluating the tariff. So, evaluating the tariff.

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• I will tell you where, to my knowledge, where we are with the tariffs: initial tariffs struck down by
• And there were variable in different numbers of the tariffs. Those are struck down.
• And but then again, now we're at a 10% across-the-board tariff, probably going to 15%.
• If you ship shrimp to India, it's a 30% tariff on their end right now, right?
• And in many cases, those will supersede any tariffs.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the House Fiscal Division’s FY 2027 budget presentations for the State Treasury, Public Service Commission, Department of Civil Service, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Treasury’s recommended budget was about $15 million with 74 positions, funded largely by self-generated revenue. Treasury staff highlighted strong investment returns, record unclaimed property recoveries, a new ACH option to speed and reduce the cost of payments, a School Transparency portal that helped uncover questionable school spending, and a new online portal that has sped up processing of cooperative endeavor agreements and related payments. Members praised the transparency work and faster payments, and asked about bond ratings, CEA oversight, and the public accessibility of the transparency site. The Public Service Commission’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $11.5 million, entirely self-generated, with most spending on personnel; commissioners said salary and market adjustments were needed to address heavy attorney and auditor turnover. Civil Service’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $28.7 million, with major funding from interagency transfers and general fund, and officials explained recent pay-plan and special entrance rate changes intended to improve recruitment and retention across state agencies. Members asked how those compensation changes were developed and whether market studies supported them. The Agriculture and Forestry budget was presented at $91.4 million, with major funding from statutory dedications, general fund, and federal dollars, and the commissioner described severe pressure on farmers from low commodity prices, drought, freezes, wildfires, storm damage, and labor shortages. The Agriculture and Forestry discussion was the longest and most detailed. The commissioner said the state is working to expand markets, reduce costs, and help farmers through federal assistance, while also seeking more equipment and fuel for wildfire response after a severe fire weekend and ongoing drought conditions. Members raised concerns about storm-damaged timber, soil and water conservation funding, and the loss of federal dollars that depend on local technicians. The commissioner explained the wildfire suppression subfund, the role of severance taxes, and the limits of current firefighting equipment and staffing. He also discussed the seafood sector, especially shrimp and crawfish, saying imported seafood, currency changes, tariffs, and H-2B worker shortages are hurting Louisiana producers and processors. He said the department is testing imported seafood for antibiotics, wants more authority to hold contaminated product, and is pursuing legislation to support seafood promotion and testing. Members also asked about wood chips, rail transport, timber severance reporting, and incentives for wood pellet use, and the commissioner said the department is exploring new markets, including overseas buyers for wood and agricultural products. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, agency testimony, and member questions and comments. The tone throughout was supportive of the agencies’ work, with repeated praise for Treasury’s transparency efforts, Civil Service’s compensation reforms, and Agriculture and Forestry’s advocacy for farmers, foresters, and seafood producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires each electric utility with a data center in its service territory to make available a tariff
• for the investor-owned utilities, or the governing body of a consumer-owned utility, to approve a tariff
• Section 3 of the bill establishes a state-level tariff that is ostensibly for data centers.
• Often through the bill it equates tariff or policy.
• We'd like to take policy out and have it redefined separately from contracts and tariffs.

Bills: HB2338 , HB2367 , HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable for them as a result of things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs
• affordable for them as a result of things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs
• affordable for them as a result of things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs
• affordable for them as a result of things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs
• affordable for them as a result of things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs

Transcript Highlights:

• they wanted to talk about their concerns about cuts to Medicaid, cuts to housing, the loss of jobs, tariffs
• they wanted to talk about their concerns about cuts to Medicaid, cuts to housing, the loss of jobs, tariffs
• they wanted to talk about their concerns about cuts to Medicaid, cuts to housing, the loss of jobs, tariffs
• they wanted to talk about their concerns about cuts to Medicaid, cuts to housing, the loss of jobs, tariffs
• Uh, one day there are tariffs, the next day there are not.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:19.360><c> uh</c> seen the uh imposition of tariffs uh seen the uh imposition of tariffs uh
• So while the statutory those tariffs.
• We see consumers experiencing lower tariff rates. The effective average tariff rate in the pes...
• So we've seen a large of tariffs.
• </c> deportations and of course the tariffs. deportations and of course the tariffs.

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is tariffs and trade policies.
• You talked about the tariffs, impact of tariffs, but you sort of glossed over it real quickly.
• :32:26.640><c> of</c><00:32:26.880><c> tariffs,</c> about the tariffs, impact of tariffs, about the tariffs
• You talk about tariff offs and stuff like that because you said the emergency tariff off with fentanyl
• </c> we'll still we'll see more of the tariff we'll still we'll see more of the tariff pass<01:35:44.320

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:20:07.280><c> have</c><00:20:07.520><c> created</c> tariff and trade policy have created tariff and
• ><c> going</c><00:47:00.000><c> to</c> there's tariffs, how's that going to there's tariffs, how's that
• </c> suspending tariffs. suspending tariffs. &gt;&gt; Oh,<01:37:43.360><c> okay.
• </c> considerable uncertainty on the tariff considerable uncertainty on the tariff front<01:39:50.080
• </c><01:45:25.360><c> changes</c> you uh go through a big tariff changes you uh go through a big tariff

Transcript Highlights:

• , as did the section 10% section 122 tariffs that the administration announced. tariff rate of 14%, four
• </c><00:08:51.680><c> happened</c> invalidating the AIPA tariffs happened invalidating the AIPA tariffs
• </c> the section the 10% section 122 tariffs the section the 10% section 122 tariffs that<00:08:59.760
• </c> trade, tariffs, and immigration. trade, tariffs, and immigration.
• Tariffs some forms of consumer spending.

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no limitations on the amount of electrolytic hydrogen that can be produced under the tariff
• So if you sell your house, that's when the tariff changes.
• And if you impose the net billing tariff, it's going to exceed 10 years.
• They are reporting under the new tariff, the net billing tariff, payback periods of as low as four to
• But if you sell your home to me, then I get the tariff that everyone gets today.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to move heaven and tariffs.
• </c> Trump administration to pay out tariff Trump administration to pay out tariff refunds<02:46:48.560
• </c> because of these damn tariffs. Mr. because of these damn tariffs. Mr.
• those import taxes, those illegal tariffs and arbitrary tariffs imposed by a president who'd like to
• those import taxes, those illegal tariffs and arbitrary tariffs imposed by a president who'd like to

Bills: HB4626 , HR1075 , SB2503 , HB6329

Keywords: energy conservation, home appliances, affordability, Secretary of Energy, technological feasibility, consumer protection, economic impact, aviation safety, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, air traffic management, pilot training, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> operate</c><04:03:10.080><c> in</c> measure, these tariffs operate in measure, these tariffs operate
• Tariffs are paid by this point.
• </c> imported in 2025 that did have tariffs imported in 2025 that did have tariffs applied.<04:05:26.560
• because I do believe against all tariffs because I do believe that<04:08:03.680><c> tariffs</c><04:08
• </c><04:08:37.040><c> don't</c> past, we've seen that tariffs don't past, we've seen that tariffs don't

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The steel and aluminum tariffs are making each bus $75,000 more expensive. $1,000 more expensive, so
• My contact there said they're about to lay off some people because of the tariffs.
• How many times are you going to get whacked with a tariff at 30%?
• But it was the poster child for the effect of tariffs in this state. Mr.
• They are importing product, anticipating tariffs; they're being preemptive, and so our work...