Transcript Highlights:

• as a part of that, they have amended and restated their compact, and that includes appendices A, B, S,
• part of that, they have amended and restated their compact, and that includes the appendices A, B, S,

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• And they must achieve a minimum require scores on THE A C T S to your part. Gold seal.
• So, but so you have someone that's in their 30's.

Transcript Highlights:

• nightlife-led neighborhood revitalization, and as our mayor, Mayor Lurie, recently underscored at SB 395's
• nightlife-led neighborhood revitalization, and as our mayor, Mayor Lurie recently underscored at SB's 395's

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Organization met and heard several bills, beginning without a quorum and later establishing one. SB 364 by Senator Strickland would speed up outdoor advertising permit processing by allowing Caltrans to act on applications as freeway projects are completed in segments, and it also clarifies customary maintenance for signs. Supporters from Fountain Valley and the outdoor advertising industry said the bill would reduce delays and help local revenue; there was no opposition. The bill passed 13-0, with the roll left open for additional votes. The committee also heard SB 470 by Senator Laird, which extends until January 1, 2030 the sunset on the alternative open-meeting rules for state boards and commissions created by SB 544. Supporters, including the Little Hoover Commission and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, said remote participation has increased public attendance, saved money, and improved access for people with disabilities and caregivers. Opponents, including the ACLU of California Action, California News Publishers Association, and media and good-government groups, argued the bill weakens transparency and should be more narrowly tailored. The bill passed 12-4, with the roll left open. SB 395 by Senator Wiener would create a hospitality zone in San Francisco allowing up to 20 additional non-transferable liquor licenses for restaurants in the Union Square/Yerba Buena area. Supporters said the measure would help downtown recovery, fill vacant storefronts, and support small restaurants by offering licenses at the ABC application fee rather than the high secondary-market price. The bill passed 16-0, with the roll left open. Finally, SB 783 by Senator Rubio would extend until January 1, 2029 the current rules for outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas. Supporters said the extension would protect existing signs and give communities time to work on a permanent solution, while opponents warned about unfair market advantages and possible federal highway funding risks. The bill passed 21-0, and the committee adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• participated in negotiations for AB 195, and we, along with many other organizations, only agreed to AB 195's
• s hidden gems with an extraordinary social and cultural story to tell so that we can celebrate them and

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met with a delayed start while waiting for quorum, then heard several bills before moving to the suspense file. AB 564 by Assemblymember Haney would freeze the planned cannabis excise tax increase at 15% rather than allow it to rise to 25%; supporters argued the legal cannabis industry is struggling against the illicit market and high taxes, while opponents said the measure would reduce funding for children, youth programs, environmental restoration, and enforcement promised under Prop. 64. The bill was sent to suspense during regular order and later approved out of suspense on a 6-0 vote with amendments, including a five-year sunset and a reduced rate. AB 1265, also by Haney, would extend and expand the state historic tax credit to encourage rehabilitation of vacant historic buildings for housing and mixed-use projects; preservation and housing advocates supported it, and it was also sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee then heard AB 1377 by Assemblymember McKenna, which would require studios seeking optional diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility film tax credits to complete the plans they submit to the California Film Commission. Labor supporters said studios should do more than make good-faith efforts, and the bill passed 5-1 to Appropriations. AB 1416 by Vice Chair Ta would clarify disaster-related property tax deferrals for homeowners who have requested installment plans, and it passed 7-0 to the Assembly Floor. Afterward, the chair gave a general warning that the bills on suspense represented large revenue losses and emphasized the committee’s need to weigh tax expenditures against other state priorities. On the suspense file, the committee approved AB 27, AB 53, AB 97, AB 231, AB 232, AB 429, AB 613, AB 984, and AB 1485, mostly on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while AB 547 passed 5-1. Several other bills, including AB 386, AB 389, AB 490, AB 6991, AB 814, AB 1057, AB 1219, AB 1282, AB 1354, AB 1431, AB 1435, and AB 1481, were held in committee. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the suspense-file actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• participated in negotiations for AB 195, and we, along with many other organizations, only agreed to AB 195's
• s hidden gems with an extraordinary social and cultural story to tell so that we can celebrate them.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee met first without a quorum, then established one and heard several bills. AB 564 by Assemblymember Haney would freeze the cannabis excise tax at its current 15% rate rather than allowing it to rise to 25%; supporters argued the legal cannabis industry is under severe pressure from the illicit market and high taxes, while opponents said the measure would reduce funding for child care, youth programs, environmental restoration, and enforcement. AB 1265, also by Haney, would extend and expand the state historic tax credit to encourage rehabilitation of vacant historic buildings into housing and mixed-use projects; supporters emphasized housing production, preservation, and economic returns, and the bill was referred to suspense. AB 1377 by Assemblymember McKinnor would require studios seeking optional DEIA film tax credits to fully carry out their submitted diversity plans; it passed the committee 5-1 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1416 by Assemblymember Ta would clarify disaster-related property tax deferrals for homeowners and passed 7-0 to the Assembly Floor. After the regular agenda, the committee took up suspense-file bills and made broad remarks about the fiscal impact of tax expenditures. The chair said the bills on suspense represented large projected revenue losses and argued the committee must weigh those costs against state priorities. On the suspense file, AB 564 was approved 6-0 with amendments including a five-year sunset and a Section 41 requirement. AB 27, AB 53, AB 97, AB 231, AB 232, AB 429, AB 613, AB 984, and AB 1485 all passed with varying unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while several bills including AB 386, AB 389, AB 490, AB 814, AB 834, AB 838, AB 895, AB 918, AB 976, AB 1057, AB 1219, AB 1282, AB 1354, AB 1431, AB 1435, AB 1481, and AB 6991 were held in committee. AB 547 passed 5-1 with amendments, and AB 613 passed 6-0 after amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 265's definition of a qualified nonprofit, including the state nonprofit designation, helps ensure
• s communities for more than a century.

Summary: The Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee met in person and established quorum after beginning briefly as a subcommittee. The committee adopted its rules and then heard several bills focused on economic recovery, housing, technology, retail theft, and utility infrastructure. AB 265 (Caloza) would create a $100 million state-funded small business and nonprofit recovery program for organizations affected by declared emergencies; it drew broad support from small business, nonprofit, chamber, city, and community groups, with no opposition voiced. AB 797 (Harabedian) proposed a zero-cost state financing structure using CRA-backed securities to help community nonprofits buy wildfire-damaged properties at fair market value and prevent predatory investor purchases; it was presented as a community stabilization tool and received support from the California Community Foundation, with no opposition. AB 940 (Wicks/Ellis) would establish quantum innovation zones to strengthen California’s quantum computing economy, and AB 949 (Shiavo) would create a retail theft grant program for small businesses to fund security improvements and theft prevention measures; both bills were supported by business and university witnesses, though one member said they would not vote for AB 949 due to concerns about broader crime policy. AB 1347 (Carrillo) proposed a pilot program to speed utility interconnections in priority growth regions, including allowing developers to trade expedited connections for upfront infrastructure cost recovery and use microgrids in some cases; it had no opposition in the hearing. Committee members generally expressed support for the bills, especially those aimed at disaster recovery and small business resilience. Questions on AB 940 focused on where quantum innovation zones might be located and how local governments and universities would coordinate; the author and witnesses said the zones should be open statewide and could build on existing research centers such as Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, UCSB, UCLA, and UCSC. On AB 797, members discussed the need to protect homeowners from below-market offers after wildfires. On AB 949, the author emphasized that modest grants could help small businesses make security upgrades and prevent repeated theft losses. The committee voted to send AB 265, AB 797, AB 940, AB 949, and AB 1347 forward, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with the bills reported out of committee and placed on call as needed. The consent calendar, including AB 254, AB 415, AB 655, AB 1232, AB 1254, AB 1477, and HR 27, was also approved. The hearing adjourned at 10:33 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> MY FAMILY CAME HERE IN THE EARLY 1800'S. THEY HAVE BEEN HERE ROUGHLY 200 YEARS.
• 'S ARE TRYING TO CONTROL THIS IN EUROPE HAS BEEN VERY TRICKY.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Sharish S. Ripa, who aspires to be a veterinarian.
• Next is Sharish S. Ripa, who aspires to be a veterinarian.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you do against the S&P?
• How do you do against the S&P?
• How do you do against the S&P?
• How do you do against the S&P?
• How do you do against the S&P?

Bills: HF3298

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The message is time signed by Thomas S. B., Secretary of the Senate.
• They're afraid of what the stock market is already doing to their 401(k)s.
• They're afraid of what the stock market is already doing to their 401(k)s.
• They're afraid of what the stock market is already doing to their 401(k)s.
• Markets are coming off a week that saw the S&P 500 enter into correction territory.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 111's pilot program is the first step to ensuring the assets are built in New Hampshire and deliver
• SB 111's pilot program is the first step to ensuring the assets are built in New Hampshire and deliver
• sp111 work uh reliability so how would s sp111 work uh sp1<00:08:59.440><c> 111</c><00:09:00.399><c>
• /c> to speak in support of uh the proposed s to speak in support of uh the proposed s SP<01:37:35.040
• I move amendment. all s sp110 the O aot um yeah so all s sp110 the O aot um yeah so um<02:24:23.960><

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I am not prejudging Division 3's work on this.
• not think it's going Division I am not prejudging<00:30:19.600><c> division</c><00:30:20.039><c> 3's<
• c><00:30:20.919><c> on</c><00:30:21.200><c> this</c><00:30:22.159><c> I'm</c> prejudging division 3's
• </c><01:46:56.639><c> of</c><01:46:56.880><c> opinion</c> we have s s had a difference of opinion we
• have s s had a difference of opinion um<01:46:58.159><c> but</c><01:46:58.400><c> if</c><01:46:58.599

Summary: Division 3 Finance held a work session to move through five bills before noon, noting one member’s early departure and adjusting the order of bills accordingly. The first item, HB 54, would allow some alternative treatment centers in the medical cannabis system to operate for profit. Members discussed a fiscal note showing a one-time $133,000 cost, which was described as a Division 1 budget item to be handled through HB 2 rather than directly in Division 3. After discussion about keeping Division 1 informed and the distinction between retaining a bill versus funding it, the committee voted unanimously to retain HB 54 for further finance work and conversion into HB 2. The committee then took up HB 547, concerning reimbursement to counties for enhanced FMAP funds during the COVID period. The chair summarized the issue as federal enhanced Medicaid matching funds that were received by the state before authority existed to pass them through to counties, creating a disputed amount owed to counties. County representatives said the money should have gone to counties and clarified the relevant time period, while the department did not take a position. The chair proposed retaining the bill and moving it into HB 2, with discussion of a possible four-year repayment structure in equal annual installments. The committee agreed to retain the bill for continued work in the budget process. During the HB 547 discussion, members also clarified the fiscal and accounting details, including that the fiscal note had not been widely available and that some figures in the note should be treated as county revenue rather than county expenditure. Testimony explained that the enhanced FMAP increased from 50 percent to 56.2 percent, and that the state’s and counties’ shares of claims were affected by the timing of the federal change and the later state authorization. The committee emphasized that the issue was complex and budget-dependent, and that retaining the bill would allow further negotiation and incorporation into HB 2 rather than immediate final action.

Transcript Highlights:

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• /c><00:35:28.000><c> own</c> their own attorney at the employ 's own their own attorney at the employ
• In 2013's Villan v.
• This was found in 2005's T v.
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Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 1324, which would require the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and allow attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide those services, with an appropriation. The Department of the Attorney General recommended removing reference to Hawaii Public Housing Authority tenants because HPHA eviction proceedings are administrative and could conflict with the bill. Hawaii Appleseed and other testifiers strongly supported the measure, citing studies showing much higher tenant retention when counsel is available, and suggested adding notice of the right to counsel at key points such as rent increases, eviction notices, and lease signing. The committee adopted amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested change and a technical amendment, and passed the bill out with a recommendation to move it forward; members voted aye, with one member voting with reservations and several excused. The committee then heard House Bill 126 on property forfeiture, which would increase transparency and accountability in civil asset forfeiture by clarifying covered property, changing disposition rules, and removing language requiring liberal construction of the forfeiture act. The Attorney General said forfeiture remains an important law enforcement tool and that the bill would not impair its use. The Office of the Public Defender supported the measure but argued civil forfeiture is broadly problematic because many people cannot meaningfully challenge it and are not entitled to counsel. Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, saying forfeiture is useful in fighting illegal activity and that added procedures would delay enforcement and reduce operational funding from forfeiture proceeds. Community Alliance on Prisons, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters urged reform or abolition of civil forfeiture, citing transparency concerns and the risk of abuse. No vote on HB 126 was taken in the portion provided. The final measure discussed was House Bill 166, which would require the state to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees in certain civil actions, allow employees to hire their own counsel at their own expense, and set a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the state declines to defend. Testimony from the Hawaii Association for Justice and labor representatives was in strong support, describing the bill as a negotiated clarification that balances employee protections with accountability and noting it had passed previously but died in conference. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on HB 166.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our macroeconomic consultant, S&P Global Market Intelligence, SPGMI, released their baseline forecast
• Our<00:08:15.680><c> macroeconomic</c><00:08:16.560><c> consultant,</c><00:08:17.440><c> S&amp;P</c><
• 00:08:18.000><c> Global</c> Our macroeconomic consultant, S&amp;P Global Our macroeconomic consultant
• SPGMI's forecast of the S&P 500 stock index is one determinant of our forecast for non-wage income.
• Their February forecast is substantially higher than their November forecast for the S&P 500.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, measure is adopted. and add technical non-s substantive and add technical non-s substantive
• Vivien S. Tallner in support offering comments.
• Vivien S. Tallner in support offering comments.
• Vivien S. Tallner in support offering comments.
• Vivien S. Tallner in support offering comments.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, last name is G-R-E-S. First name is N-A-T-C. Thank you. Wait a minute. Thank you.
• E S. First name is N A T C. E S. First name is N A T C. Thank<00:20:42.159><c> you.
• Uh but I anyways I'm s again my set.
• Uh but I anyways I'm s again my apologies<00:35:24.960><c> madam</c><00:35:25.280><c> chair.
• taking<00:42:03.200><c> is</c><00:42:03.599><c> getting</c><00:42:03.839><c> a</c><00:42:04.160><c> s<

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 74, which would require state agencies, especially the Department of Environmental Services and other permitting agencies, to report more detailed data on permit applications, approvals, denials, pending applications, and permits taking longer than 90 days. The sponsor’s representative and a lawyer who helped draft the bill argued that the legislature needs comprehensive permitting data to evaluate whether current timelines are reasonable and whether regulatory delays are burdening property owners and economic activity. They said the information should already be tracked within existing budgets, despite a fiscal note claiming additional staff would be needed. A Business and Industry Association representative supported the bill, saying better data is needed to understand actual permitting timelines and to help streamline the process, especially in light of housing and development concerns. Members asked whether the bill was simply collecting data without a clear next step, and the response was that the data would allow lawmakers to judge whether existing deadlines, extensions, and exemptions are justified and whether changes to permit timelines are needed. Several members agreed the information would be useful and that agencies should already be tracking it. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 74 on a roll call, with the motion approved and the bill placed on consent for further consideration, with a note that it would go to finance for review of the fiscal note. The committee then took up Senate Bill 196, which would raise the threshold for certain in-house construction projects handled by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and two other departments from $500,000 to $1 million, described as an inflationary update. The sponsor said the department’s existing staff can handle these smaller renovation-type projects and that the bill should not require new positions; the deputy adjutant general later confirmed the department does not need additional staff and said the projects are typically roof, boiler, and similar repairs. Members asked about a fiscal note suggesting new positions and about revenue/expenditure impacts, and the sponsor explained that the fiscal note language appeared to reflect an earlier draft and that the budget effect is largely a shift in where the work is performed. The committee recessed briefly for the deputy adjutant general’s arrival, then continued discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 14 through 17 are all from the A1’s budget bill.
• I I really this is a s be unreasonable.
• First we have Kathleen S. Mckenry.
• Um first we have<01:25:40.239><c> Kathleen</c> have Kathleen have Kathleen um<01:25:42.719><c> S.
• Um if you could unmute um S. Mckenry.

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• and jobs and their lowincome individuals and couples<00:45:56.440><c> um</c> couples um couples um s<
• thank you madam chair I originally s thank you madam chair I originally raised<00:46:00.960><c> my</c
• > uh</c><01:15:43.800><c> that</c><01:15:43.960><c> it</c><01:15:44.120><c> is</c><01:15:44.400><c> s<
• that since fast am told uh that it is s that since fast has<01:15:46.600><c> gotten</c><01:15:46.920>
• okay thank you we available um last s okay thank you we believe<01:45:04.920><c> the</c><01:45:05.000

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the chance to s share our support<01:33:25.520><c> for</c><01:33:25.920><c> Senate</c><01:33:26.239>
• sustainable management of reindeer, s sustainable management of reindeer, prioritizing<01:46:56.480><
• </c><01:57:55.760><c> Uh</c><01:57:56.000><c> S</c><01:57:56.239><c> West</c><01:57:56.960><c> uh</c>
• Uh S West uh and on the A side of it.
• Uh S West uh and one<01:57:57.760><c> and</c><01:57:57.840><c> for</c><01:57:58.080><c> full</c><01:57

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• $2</c><00:48:34.839><c> tipping</c><00:48:35.119><c> fee</c><00:48:35.400><c> a</c><00:48:35.599><c> s<
• /c><00:48:36.000><c> charge</c><00:48:36.839><c> that</c> say a $2 tipping fee a s charge that say a
• $2 tipping fee a s charge that could<00:48:37.240><c> provide</c><00:48:37.480><c> $4</c><00:48:37.800
• that the state has with our members TR s that the state has with our members but<01:34:26.960><c> I</
• I'm sorry okay so I'm assuming most to S I'm sorry okay so I'm assuming most of<01:46:05.239><c> the<

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 619, which would appropriate $1 million to the Solid Waste Management Fund for matching grants to municipalities and businesses for waste diversion projects, with 50% of the money prioritized for food waste diversion. Representative Karen Ebel, the sponsor, said the fund would help New Hampshire meet its solid waste diversion goals, preserve landfill capacity, and support composting, recycling, and related local business activity. She cited New London’s composting program as an example, saying 172 families participated and 32 tons of food waste were diverted in 2024, reducing tipping and trucking costs. Committee members asked about possible alternative funding sources, including a surcharge on landfill tipping fees. Ebel said many other states use such surcharges to fund recycling and solid waste programs, while New Hampshire relies on general funds. She also said the current fund balance was about $900,000 because some money had been used for staffing, and that the grant program was still in rulemaking. Questions also focused on how household composting works and whether municipalities could generate revenue from compost; Ebel said participation is optional, most programs use buckets and transfer stations, and the main benefit is cost savings from reduced disposal rather than compost sales. Testimony in support came from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. Both said municipalities are interested in food waste diversion and composting, that these programs can reduce long-term disposal costs and property tax pressure, and that there is growing demand for technical assistance and grant support. The Northeast Resource Recovery Association said food waste makes up about 24% of municipal and business waste, that fewer than two dozen communities and fewer than two dozen businesses currently offer such services, and that a City of Lebanon pilot program saw about 30% savings by composting on site. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but is working on rulemaking for the grant program and expects strong interest from municipalities, private composters, farmers, and anaerobic digester operators. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.