Transcript Highlights:

• So, it seems like that you have to pay more for fuel because of the war in Iran.
• Unfortunately, we pay the going rate, wholesale rate, for fuel.
• <00:20:45.240><c> vendor</c> fuel vendor fuel vendor for<00:20:46.520><c> a</c><00:20:46.600><c> period
• </c><00:20:59.880><c> Distribution</c> Maintenance and uh Fuel Distribution Maintenance and uh Fuel Distribution
• </c> uh wholesale rate for fuel. uh wholesale rate for fuel.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on May 15 at 10:00 a.m. and first approved the April 17 minutes. It then took up a consent calendar covering tabs three through seven, with items 089 and 097 removed for separate discussion. The committee approved the remainder of the consent calendar and then adopted item 089, which involved Department of Safety/Homeland Security grant funding for active shooter incident management and school reunification training. Officials said the project is a mandatory Homeland Security grant set-aside, with training for public safety officials and school districts and internal social media used only to promote training schedules; members asked about marketing, outcomes, and how success would be measured. The committee next considered item 097 for the Division of Historical Resources. Agency officials said the request was driven by a decade-long increase in Section 106 and state historic preservation reviews, many tied to disaster-related infrastructure work such as culvert and road repairs, and that the grant would add capacity to handle roughly 1,000 to 1,500 reviews per year. The committee approved the item after brief discussion. Under the regular calendar, the Department of Transportation presented a fuel-related transfer. Members questioned the decline in the highway fund balance, which staff said was being affected by rising expenses, flat-to-moderate revenue, and a rough winter that increased maintenance costs. DOT officials said they were considering toll rate increases and noted the agency pays market wholesale fuel rates; they also discussed prior fuel hedging decisions and said they have authority to hedge again if it makes sense. The committee approved the DOT item, then approved a miscellaneous action item to fill a position at the LBA. Members also asked the chair to remind the Attorney General to appear at a future meeting regarding the YDC claims report. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned after a brief note of appreciation for recent corrections and changes reported by the liquor commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I would like to, uh, I'm going to switch the order a little and we have here because one of our directors
• Similarly, in priority number two, we maintain a lot of facilities with fuel storage.
• We also maintain the state's fueling system.
• What is preventing us from using the fund that you're paying into every time you buy fuel?
• </c> every time you buy fuel? every time you buy fuel?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bankers, accountants, and business professionals for the western half of the state, an area which. fuels
• Senators, what I'm asking you to consider is helping us help the folks who provide the food, fiber, and fuel
• I'll now move into the next portion of my presentation. with your instruction to switch gears towards
• For us to maintain our competitive advantage and fuel the kind of high-skilled talent pipeline that we
• Fuel delivery trucking is a completely different variety. And so we'd be...

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• than conventional fuel as determined by Ecology through participation in the Clean Fuels Program.
• those fuel suppliers to report emissions to the Department of Ecology.
• those fuel suppliers to report emissions to the Department of Ecology.
• So the bill is actually agnostic on fuel type and will already include propane.
• So the bill is actually agnostic on fuel type and will already include propane.

Bills: HB2675, HB2249, HB2120, HB1069, HB1983, HB2431, SB6006, SB6297, SB6351, SB6353, HB2521, HB2091, HB2104, SB6355, HB2254, HB2385, SB5808, HB1796, HB1376, SB6260, HB2353

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• Quality Act to address the definitions of motor vehicle fuel and alternative fuel, folding alternative
• fuels into the definition of motor vehicle fuel.
• fuels into the definition of motor vehicle fuel.
• fuel.
• So the current definition of motor fuel in the Motor Fuel Quality Act is outdated and prevents WASDA

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to speak to the review of tax preferences for natural gas as a transportation fuel.
• They supported major environmental gains, enabled the development of critical fueling infrastructure
• in the Port of Tacoma, and help position Washington as a leader in clean maritime fuel.
• To continue this momentum, sustained investment in alternative fuel initiatives is essential.
• in alignment with federal proposals such as the Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act.

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on September 22, 2025, confirmed a quorum, and unanimously approved the August 6, 2025 meeting minutes. The main business of the meeting was public testimony on the 2025 tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself for the first witness, Joey Halverson of Tote Maritime Alaska, who testified in support of the tax preference for natural gas as a transportation fuel. He argued that LNG has enabled major emissions reductions, supported infrastructure at the Port of Tacoma, and should continue to receive tax preferences to encourage further clean maritime fuel adoption. The second witness, Michelle Preston of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testified in support of the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers. She said the preference helps Habitat affiliates advance homeownership and sustain operations, but noted that reporting has been inconsistent across independent affiliates and that JLARC’s metrics may not fully capture the program’s benefits. Commissioners asked questions about affiliate accounting, the distinction between benefits to nonprofits versus homebuyers, and whether the reporting/renewal period should be shorter than the current seven years; Preston said the preference benefits the nonprofit developer, not the homebuyer, and suggested shorter renewal periods might improve compliance and awareness. JLARC staff then outlined the process for the commission’s upcoming comments on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Commissioners will receive a web-based comment form, with responses due September 30, the chair will compile consolidated comments, and those materials will be distributed for the October 21, 2025 meeting. The chair noted that only voting members will complete the comment forms, though individual members may also submit minority reports. The meeting ended with a reminder that written testimony could still be submitted to JLARC and that the next commission meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fuel. It's not airline fuel, isn't it? fuel. It's not airline fuel, isn't it?
• </c> fuel. Thank you. My apologies. Okay. fuel. Thank you. My apologies. Okay.
• Um, a fuel that can take the place of jet fuel, which is based on fossil fuels, and to replace that in
• Sustainable aviation fuel is a fuel.
• Senator Hchild. fuel. It doesn't need to be blended with fuel.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , certain watercraft fuels, and others.
• starting next year are from qualified fuel suppliers.
• The intent is to ensure that a fuel supplier supplying fuel to the state or local governments is either
• But unfortunately, the current language leaves a loophole allowing a fuel supplier to purchase the fuel
• After we noticed a large drop in our fuel volume, truck carriers told us they were buying fuel in Oregon

Bills: HB1069, HB2091, SB6355, HB2104, SB6003, HB2441, HB2124, HB2610, HB2338

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• history, leaks could have ranged from 6 to 144,000 gallons, to up to maybe 1.9 million gallons of fuel
• Very simply, the fuel tanks are on the ridge between Moanalua Valley and Halawa Valley.
• Uh, so if this was Red Hill and all the fuel tanks are in Red Hill, Moanalua Valley, uh, would be on
• Um, so Moanalua Valley, the Red Hill fuel tanks, uh, sit underground.
• residual Fuel and there's still some residual Fuel and sludge<00:14:00.360><c> they</c><00:14:00.480

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Economic Development and Tourism met on February 11, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 1338, relating to long-duration clean energy storage, received support from the Energy Office, DEED, HTDC, and the gas company. With no opposition or questions, the committees recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and a deferred effective date of 5/13/2040. The committees then heard Senate Bill 233 on climate resilience, which drew support from the Hawaii State Community Office and other testifiers. SB 492, relating to the general excise tax, had mixed testimony, with support from DHHL, the Office of Planning, county representatives, and others, and opposition from the Grassroots Institute and another testifier. The chair explained that SB 492 would be amended to remove language that would prevent DHHL from benefiting, along with technical amendments and the same deferred date of 5/13/2040. For Senate Bill 1634, relating to water resources, the Board of Water Supply testified in support and urged expanding the bill from two to six monitoring wells, citing Red Hill contamination concerns, PFAS detections in Halawa Shaft, and the need for a broader monitoring grid to track groundwater movement. Members discussed the connected aquifers and the need for more data. The committee recommended passage of SB 1634 with amendments to allow funding for six monitoring wells, include a sentinel monitoring system, and make technical, non-substantive changes. The committee also voted to pass SB 233 unamended, and all recommendations were adopted by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Sterling, staff to the committee: House Bill 2322 relates to alternative jet fuel production in
• under the Department of Ecology’s Clean Fuels Program.
• ’s Clean Fuels Program by requiring Ecology to adopt a carbon intensity for electricity supplied to an
• under the Clean Fuels Program.
• under the Clean Fuels Program.

Summary: The Environment and Energy committee met for executive session on four bills. Staff briefed House Bill 2416, which would replace Climate Commitment Act no-cost allowances for the Spokane waste-to-energy facility with a separate regulatory scheme requiring emissions reductions, reporting to Ecology and Commerce, and enforcement provisions; members discussed whether emissions accounting included biogenic emissions and confirmed the reduction measures would need to occur on-site. House Bill 2537 would direct Ecology to recommend a future allowance schedule for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities and require biennial reporting and periodic plans, while House Bill 2575 would reduce several Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy reporting requirements for utilities and Commerce. House Bill 2322, as amended in a proposed substitute, would delay alternative jet fuel tax incentives until July 1, 2031, remove capacity thresholds, tie eligibility to life-cycle rather than direct emissions, and drop a Clean Fuels Program carbon-intensity change. During executive action, the committee debated the policy impacts of the waste-to-energy bill, with supporters saying the Spokane facility is unique and needs a separate framework, and opponents arguing it would create costly disincentives and raise ratepayer costs. The EITE bill drew support from members who said it would help identify facility-specific decarbonization options, while opponents warned about competitiveness, job losses, and industry leaving the state. The reporting-reduction bill was described as a streamlining measure that would save utilities money and remove duplicative or outdated reports. The alternative jet fuel substitute was presented as a clarification and simplification of the incentive structure, and members praised the changes. All four measures were reported out of committee with due pass recommendations. House Bill 2416 and House Bill 2537 each passed on 12-9 votes, House Bill 2575 passed unanimously by voice vote, and the proposed substitute for House Bill 2322 also passed unanimously by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxing this fuel as if it were used to propel a vehicle is inconsistent with the purpose of the tax,
• It dealt with relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for counties.
• It dealt with relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for counties.
• Senator Hall, is this where counties don't have to pay motor vehicle fuels tax? Is this?
• They're using it; they're a government agency, so just making them exempt from having to pay the fuel

Bills: HB135

Keywords: civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal, animals

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 2345, as a committee substitute, which would reform the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund. Senator Schwertner explained that the bill is based on an agreed voluntary funding soundness restoration plan between the City of Austin and the fund, and would create a new reduced benefit tier for firefighters hired on or after January 1, 2026, adjust COLAs for current retirees, establish an actuarially determined funding model to address legacy liabilities and 2024 asset losses over 30 years, and add new board seats. Mayor Kirk Watson, city finance staff, the fund executive director, trustees, and retired firefighters all testified in support, describing the measure as an agreed-to, fiscally responsible compromise that protects benefits, supports recruitment, and reduces risk to taxpayers. The committee adopted the committee substitute, but left SB 2345 pending. The committee also heard House Bill 135, which clarifies tax treatment for exotic game or exotic livestock operations by defining them within agricultural exemptions and stating that sales of exotic livestock are not subject to sales and use taxes. Senator Flores described it as a clarification to provide consistency and fairness, and a witness for the Exotic Wildlife Association said it would resolve a Comptroller-related tax issue and benefit ranchers, landowners, and hunters. The committee closed public testimony and reported HB 135 favorably to the full Senate, with a motion to place it on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 771, by Senator Hinojosa, was also heard and later reported favorably. The bill would allow diesel fuel used in auxiliary power units or power takeoff units to qualify for the same fuel tax credit or refund already available for gasoline, correcting an inadvertent exclusion from the 2003 motor fuel tax rewrite. A witness supported the bill as a matter of tax equity. The committee then considered House Bill 1109, the House companion to SB 935, which exempts counties from certain motor fuel taxes on fuel used in county vehicles; Senator Hall explained it as simply exempting government agencies from paying the tax on their own vehicles. HB 1109 was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee adjourned after completing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:10:02.200><c> know</c><00:10:02.360><c> there's</c><00:10:02.560><c> no</c><00:10:02.760><c> fuel
• </c><00:10:03.120><c> control</c> and you know there's no fuel control and you know there's no fuel control
• price or whether it's on, you know, fuel price or, uh, it looked like there's also an opportunity to
• CenterPoint might come forward to ask for some securitization—thank you, that word—whether it's on fuel
• price or whether it's on, you know, fuel price, or, uh, it looked like there's also an opportunity to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Decarbonized gaseous fuels may offer that pathway.
• And by biasing the assessment toward these fuels, CARB cannot be objective.
• What is the definition of decarbonized gaseous fuel? The bill doesn't provide any definitions.
• Other fuels can provide that need. I mean, hopefully a lot will be electrified.
• Other fuels can provide that need, but we really don't know the magnitude.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused on environmental policy, public infrastructure, housing, and energy. AB 1812, dealing with compostable plastics and compost contamination, drew strong support from farmers, composters, counties, cities, and waste companies, while manufacturers and compostable-product companies opposed it unless amended, arguing it would undermine compostable packaging and SB 54 goals. AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area also received broad support and no opposition. AB 2481, which would allow leftover glass quality incentive funds to support recycled glass used in fiberglass insulation and other products, was supported by insulation manufacturers, recyclers, and waste advocates and passed with no opposition. AB 2152, streamlining fire station construction and tying CEQA relief to project labor agreement requirements, was supported by firefighters and construction trades but opposed by contractors and wildlife groups over the PLA mandate and environmental review provisions; the committee discussed amendments and sent it forward. AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, aimed at offshore oil and gas safety and decommissioning, was supported by coastal and environmental groups and opposed by the petroleum industry, with members debating pipeline safety, drilling risks, and carbon intensity before advancing the bill. AB 1849, a study bill on decarbonized gaseous fuels, split supporters from hydrogen, bioenergy, and propane interests against environmental and justice groups who said it favored biomethane and hydrogen without clear definitions; the author said it was only a study measure, and it moved ahead. AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and community college housing projects, was backed by students, UC representatives, housing advocates, and labor, with no opposition heard; members raised concerns about environmental impacts and evacuation planning, but the bill was approved. Several measures were taken on consent and others were held open for absent members or quorum issues, with multiple bills receiving due pass recommendations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Decarbonized gaseous fuels may offer that pathway.
• And by biasing the assessment toward these fuels, CARB cannot be objective.
• And by biasing the assessment towards these fuels, CARB cannot be objective.
• Quick question: What is the definition of decarbonized gaseous fuel?
• Other fuels can provide that need, but we really don't know the magnitude.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've got fuel-laden ships from Holland, so to satisfy the Jones Act, they have to bring fuel here
• So you've got fuel-laden ships from Holland, so to satisfy the Jones Act, they have to bring fuel here
• So you've got fuel-laden ships from Holland, so to satisfy the Jones Act, they have to bring fuel here
• So you've got fuel-laden ships from Holland, so to satisfy the Jones Act, they have to bring fuel here
• </c> lift command and I provided food Fuel lift command and I provided food Fuel and<01:24:57.960><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest sector economic stimulus, science, fuel breaks, resilient forest and landscapes.
• We also need to work to build our fuel break network.
• Fuel modification.” “Correct. Correct.
• We have over 100 miles of shaded fuel breaks.
• You have to have the fuel management done in an area.

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused on California wildfire resilience funding, the SB 254 report on natural catastrophe resilience, and how the state should better prioritize community hardening, recovery, and financing. Senators emphasized that catastrophic wildfires have driven major property losses, insurance cancellations, and affordability problems, and several members argued that prevention and home/community hardening should receive far more attention than they have to date. Members also raised concerns about CEQA and other permitting delays, the need for ongoing rather than one-time funding, and whether the state should rely more on the General Fund, utilities, or other sources such as polluter-pays approaches. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state has appropriated about $4.7 billion for wildfire resilience since 2018-19, with most funding going to forest health, fuels reduction, and related landscape work, while only about $65 million has been specifically targeted to community hardening. LAO also noted that future one-time funding is likely to decline, that GGRF revenues may be limited under the new cap-and-invest structure, and that maintenance costs for treated areas could be substantial over time. Senators pressed LAO on why wildfire resilience is not more often funded through the General Fund and on whether current spending matches the scale of the risk. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, and said the SB 254 report aligns with Cal Fire’s direction. He said California has roughly 4 million homes in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern wildfire-resistant standards, and highlighted recent streamlining that approved 383 fuels-reduction projects in under 30 days during an emergency proclamation. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying federal approval delays have been a major barrier and that the state has hardened 155 properties so far through the pilot, with many more in process. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said the state has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, treated over 700,000 acres annually, and is shifting toward more regional, data-driven planning and block grants. Task force staff and Cal Fire both said they are moving beyond simple acreage metrics toward models that estimate avoided loss and community risk reduction, but acknowledged major data gaps on parcel-level home hardening and defensible space. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation and budget changes, including home inspection reforms and continued CEQA streamlining.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs in California over the last few decades, we actually see, as a result of improving fuel economy
• costs in California over the last few decades, we actually see, as a result of improving fuel economy
• pathways in our low carbon fuel standard program.
• in California because I think it has the potential to actually help reduce the cost of fuels.
• It has the potential to actually help reduce the cost of fuels.

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• One was the heating fuel was enacted in One was the heating fuel was enacted in in<00:20:01.440><c> 1978
• </c><00:59:06.865><c> [snorts]</c> fuel generation mix. [snorts] fuel generation mix.
• </c> state's electricity fuel generation mix. state's electricity fuel generation mix.
• </c><01:10:32.159><c> per</c><01:10:32.480><c> unit</c> cost of fuel of a fuel source per unit cost of
• fuel of a fuel source per unit over<01:10:33.199><c> the</c><01:10:33.440><c> assumed</c><01:10:33.840

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• recognize the concerns of the AG's and with the Judiciary's permission we humbly suggest amendments to switch
• 13:17.920><c> suggest</c><00:13:18.240><c> amendments</c><00:13:18.800><c> to</c><00:13:19.120><c> switch
• </c><00:13:19.440><c> out</c> humbly suggest amendments to switch out humbly suggest amendments to switch
• adopted a resolution supporting efforts to divert waste from landfills, including recycling to create fuels
• per capita in West Wahoo across the state and arguably the world. ...including recycling to create fuels

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last couple of months, we've had this issue with our friends to the south in Utah dealing with fuel
• There was a proposal in Utah to raise fuel taxes, or to tax the fuel going from the Utah refineries into
• There was a proposal in Utah to raise fuel taxes.
• There was a proposal in Utah to raise fuel taxes, or to tax the fuel going from the Utah refineries into
• What they did on their fuel bill and our water. I'm here to tell you there's no deal.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee approved the minutes from March 2, March 4, and March 6, then considered a series of RS introductions. Representative Furness presented RS 33665 to clarify that firefighter differential pay bonuses go to the intended frontline workers, and the committee voted to introduce it. Representative Barbieri presented RS 33624C1, a revised version addressing committee work-product accessibility and allowing the committee to determine otherwise by unanimous vote; Representative Rubel opposed it, but the motion to introduce passed with Rubel recorded as nay. Representative Schurz introduced RS 33680, a pared-down industrial hemp regulation measure incorporating prior feedback, and it was introduced. Representative Green presented RS 33631 to update Idaho’s electric-assisted bicycle classifications for road safety, and it was introduced. Representative Furman presented RS 33692, a fix to life insurance lapse notices supported by the Department of Insurance and insurers, and it was introduced. Representative Pickett presented RS 33681, a county waste and trash framework intended to protect county investments, increase transparency, regulate waste streams, and reduce liability; it was introduced. Speaker Moyle presented RS 33678, a concurrent resolution concerning the Bear River Basin and Idaho water use. He said it was not tied to Utah fuel-tax issues, and explained that it would create two reports: an early June snapshot on available water and current use, and a September report to the Natural Resources Committee on future opportunities and projects. Representative Monks said she would prefer a hearing in the Resources Committee, but the committee voted to introduce the resolution. The committee then adjourned.