Transcript Highlights:

• DOJ or the Federal Trade Commission, with state attorneys general taking on specific and more limited
• General.
• This is Jennifer Euler, the Chief Assistant Attorney General.
• “Generally, I wouldn’t say completely novel.
• First, the VOCA funding, $25 million General Fund.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the judicial branch, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget remains structurally imbalanced and urged the Legislature to avoid new ongoing spending unless offset by reductions elsewhere. In the judicial branch discussion, the Judicial Council highlighted language access funding, appellate court security, a backfill for the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation room mandate; Finance supported most items but suggested reporting language on interpreter costs and reducing the General Fund backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial vacancies, long-term salary freezes, remote hearings, and the lack of progress on court staffing in some counties. For the Board of State and Community Corrections, the administration proposed $10 million one-time each for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People grant program and a human trafficking vertical prosecution grant program. The LAO said both should be weighed against other priorities and suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and asked whether ongoing support would be considered. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said BSC was a good fit because of its grant administration experience and prior vertical prosecution work, while legislators asked why the program was not placed with the Office of Emergency Services as originally contemplated in prior legislation. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse staffing, completion of organized retail criminal enterprise cases, and trailer bill language for a continuous appropriation from the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO supported the antitrust account use but questioned the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s ability to cover the full request without General Fund repayment, and recommended against a continuous appropriation for the restitution fund in favor of a more limited mechanism with legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. In the CDCR portion, the largest discussion centered on the Boston Consulting Group efficiency review and sharply reduced savings estimates; LAO said the department had not fully explained the proposed position eliminations or future $100 million savings target, while Finance said the work reflected deeper analysis and ongoing efforts to find savings. Members repeatedly pressed CDCR and Finance on the gap between earlier promised savings and the revised figures. CDCR also outlined population projections showing continued declines in prison and parole populations, while LAO again urged the state to close an additional prison to save ongoing costs. The department then walked through several May Revision items, including workers’ compensation funding, a Corcoran honor housing dorm, incarcerated firefighter pay implementation, an incarcerated menopause program, mental health receiver staffing, mental health resource teams and crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing changes, and AI note-taking for the electronic health record. LAO generally recommended limiting-term funding and more reporting for many of these proposals, while Finance defended them as necessary ongoing investments or court-ordered obligations. Members questioned the cost of workers’ compensation, the need for more prison closures, the lack of funding for women’s facility violence prevention, and the timing and transparency of the BCG savings process. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's General Counsel for St.
• Members, this House Bill 1752 is a request from the Attorney General's office.
• District Attorneys Council.
• The Attorney General's Office and the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council. With that, Mr.
• I'm just not familiar with the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council.

Bills: HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to consider several executive nominations and a series of bills. The committee advanced Joel Franks to the Polygraph Examiner Board, Julie Pittman to a full term on the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission, and Justin Ferris to serve as Director of Corrections. Each nominee was introduced by a sponsoring senator, gave brief remarks, and was advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. On legislation, the committee passed House Bill 4125, which would restore certain rights to nonviolent felons after completion of sentence and includes an expungement component; members focused heavily on whether the language could unintentionally allow firearm possession by people still on probation or deferred sentences, and the author said he would work with staff on clarifying language. House Bill 2951, as amended, renamed a correctional facility after Chief James Smith; House Bill 3082 barred sex offenders from serving as firefighters; and House Bill 4142 expanded the crime involving unlawful use of bombs or explosives to include conspiracy. All three advanced with little opposition. The committee also passed House Bill 4106, which lowers the grand larceny threshold by $100 and adds an escalator for repeated thefts, though the author struck the title to continue working with the Attorney General’s office on retail theft issues. Members debated whether the change conflicted with the voter-approved theft threshold and whether it would meaningfully deter crime. House Bill 1752 exempted the Attorney General’s Office and the District Attorneys Council from the OMES vehicle requisition process and passed unanimously. House Bill 3268 made knowingly displaying a false or fictitious license plate a felony; members questioned its scope, including whether it could affect temporary tags or other situations, and it passed on a 5-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of very serious problems with this bill are the fee shifting, where the Attorney General gets
• the attorney's fees, or shall get attorney's fees, when the Attorney General prevails.
• And that is unfair and results in an unfair legal system overall because the Attorney General has, what
• And if there is inappropriate conduct by the Attorney General, then by golly, the Attorney General is
• The fact that we would have a fear that the Attorney General could enforce the rule of law is simply

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Isaiah Cordero, Deputy Darnell Calhoun.
• Deputy Brett Harris, and now Deputy Cor Liu, who passed on January 8th of this year in an on-duty traffic
• Deputy Corlew was not just a public servant.
• Deputy Corlew embodied the very best. of law enforcement.
• Today we honor Deputy Timothy Corlew's extraordinary life and service.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funds with a very minimal general funds with a very minimal general request<00:06:00.080><c> fund
• </c> would bring up um, uh, the deputy would bring up um, uh, the deputy commissioner<00:06:58.960><c
• contamination in general but generally contamination in general uh<00:31:14.399><c> in</c> uh in uh
• </c> enough attorneys to take those cases. enough attorneys to take those cases.
• </c> were performed by contract attorneys. were performed by contract attorneys.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Jay Sturgis, the Deputy Secretary for District Policy and Administration of the Red River and Workforce
• I'm Jay Sturgis with the Deputy Secretary for Fiscal Policy and Administration with the Labor and Workforce
• I'm the Deputy Secretary of the Workforce Strategy at the California Labor and Workforce Association.
• Fund to address the implementation and workload generated by this bill.
• So each petition that's filed generates a lot more claims and additional work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> million of our need for general funds. million of our need for general funds.
• </c> working very closely with our attorney working very closely with our attorney general.<01:34:13.040
• budget</c> with our attorney general and our budget with our attorney general and our budget people<01
• &gt;&gt; generally generally yes, this would &gt;&gt; generally generally yes, this would allow<04:26
• General.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:49.680><c> general's</c> and also uh the attorney general's and also uh the attorney general's
• You were the deputy were in charge.
• Um so our attorneys five maybe six.
• Um and our attorneys extent possible.
• </c> retired Ramsey County Sheriff's deputy. retired Ramsey County Sheriff's deputy.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 25 attorneys general appealed to Congress...
• Over 25 attorneys general appealed to Congress to take action to protect these sites.
• General to review agreements pertaining to criminal investigations.
• Any questions for the district attorney?
• And Attorney Skyler, we have three attorneys from Lynn English High School here today as well.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Bayshore, you recognize her to present SB 1191. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Deputy Pifer, you're recognized to explain your bill, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Deputy Pier, having received 11 and 0 neg, report SB 1246 out do pass, sir. Thank you, Mr.
• When you're an attorney and you file a lawsuit, you have to name every party.
• When you're an attorney and you file a lawsuit, you have to name every party.

Bills: SB1191 , SB1976 , SB1613 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB1314 , SB1246

Committee: House Energy

Keywords: SB1191, Oklahoma Energy Initiative Act, Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board, low carbon energy, clean energy, energy policy, renewable energy, board repeal, statutory repeal, administrative board, energy committee, natural resources, Oklahoma statutes, 17 O.S. 802.3, oil and gas, surety bond, financial responsibility, environmental compliance, plugging wells, SB1613

Transcript Highlights:

• “With me to testify in support from Attorney General Bonta’s office is Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney
• General, and Erica Connolly, Deputy Attorney General, to answer any technical questions.
• Tiffany Brokaw, Deputy Attorney General, with the California Department of Justice, here on behalf of
• I'm here with Deputy Attorney General Erica Connolly to answer questions, and we ask for an aye vote.
• I'm a deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General Alyssa K. on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General
• Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General Alyssa K. on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General
• </c><00:28:58.120><c> in</c><00:28:58.399><c> the</c> attorney general uh online oh in the attorney general
• Deputy attorney general<00:29:06.880><c> Alyssa</c><00:29:07.240><c> K</c><00:29:07.519><c> on</c><00
• Is the Attorney General still here?

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> house file 1265 be placed on the general house file 1265 be placed on the general register<00:01
• Attorney General Ellison's Medicaid fraud control unit already does great work catching people who steal
• I'm the deputy director and general counsel for the Cannabis Expungement Board.
• deputy director and general hzy I'm the deputy director and general counsel<00:59:41.520><c> for</c><
• </c><01:45:55.400><c> we</c> generation or the generations that we generation or the generations that

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined today by Chief Deputy Mindy McIntyre.
• But we know it's a lot of plastic that's currently being generated.
• I will defer to Deputy Director Mark DeBee. And if so, why is that?
• I want to look to my fellow attorney.
• I want to look to my fellow attorney.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard department budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle presented its 2026-27 budget and discussed priorities including edible food recovery, composting, beverage container recycling, and landfill response. Members asked about funding for food recovery grants, processing fees for wine and spirits containers under SB 1013, plastic packaging generation under SB 54, restaurant food waste requirements under SB 1383, and litter cleanup efforts. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has helped recover more than 300 million meals, but there is no sustained funding source; it also explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and that new producer responsibility and infrastructure investments are intended to improve recycling rates over time. The committee then heard CalEPA’s overview, including the agency’s response to climate, air quality, water, toxics, and enforcement challenges. Secretary Garcia emphasized federal rollbacks, methane monitoring, AB 617 implementation, safe drinking water progress, Exide cleanup, and pesticide reduction efforts. Members questioned the agency about regional gasoline blends, authority and technical thresholds for landfill intervention, and the growth in the Secretary’s office staffing and budget. CalEPA said the budget increase reflects expanded coordination, technology modernization, hazardous materials response, and legal capacity. The committee also discussed a proposed landfill support, response, and enforcement package for subsurface elevated temperature events, with CalEPA describing a coordinated multi-agency approach and the need for stronger early response tools. DTSC presented its department overview and several BCPs. Director Butler highlighted progress on permit backlog reduction, safer consumer products rulemaking, Exide cleanup, PFAS work, and planning for emerging waste streams such as solar panels and lithium batteries. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals, and fee-setting authority, and identified community concerns about cumulative impacts, hazardous waste planning, accessible data, and engagement. The committee also heard a proposal to expand DTSC’s Office of Policy into a statewide planning division to implement hazardous waste management plan recommendations and improve reporting systems. Members raised concerns about whether the new division duplicated existing work, but DTSC said it would fill identified gaps and improve coordination. Public testimony largely supported the proposals, especially ongoing funding for edible food recovery, composting, safer consumer products enforcement, and the coordinated landfill response package. Witnesses from StopWaste, California Against Waste, Waste Management, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and water advocacy groups urged continued or increased funding for these programs. No votes were taken; the chair held all items open and adjourned the hearing after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also in the gallery, we have Deputy Chief Deputy Attorney General, also, to add to his credit, former
• To my left, I have our Attorney General, Chris Mays. Very honored to have her as my guest.
• If you guys all stay till 5 o'clock, Attorney General Mays and I will be doing an arm wrestling contest
• I'd like to introduce Brigadier General John Connolly. Brigadier General John Connolly.
• She's an attorney and a mediator.

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened for opening day of the second regular session of the 57th Legislature with ceremonial prayers, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. Senate President Warren Petersen gave a farewell-style address highlighting his efforts to shift power toward members and committee chairs, preserve conservative policies, and deliver annual tax cuts, including a projected $1 billion cut this year. The chamber then recessed for an opening-day speech by Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller, who spoke about Arizona’s labor-force needs, workforce training, and GCU’s role in expanding access to education and middle-class jobs, including apprenticeships and technical programs tied to local employers. After returning to order, the Senate adopted its organizational rules for the session, including suspending rules so bills and resolutions could be read by number and short title only on first and second reading and by number and title only on third and final reading. Members also approved a motion to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, and the House later reported that it was likewise organized. The chamber then adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced committee assignments for standing and statutory committees, including Appropriations, Education, Finance, Government, Military Affairs and Border Security, Natural Resources, Rules, Legislative Council, Legislative Audit, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. The remainder of the session focused on points of personal privilege, with senators introducing family members, constituents, local officials, school leaders, law enforcement officers, tribal leaders, and advocacy guests. Several members used the occasion to emphasize issues they expect to work on this session, including education, public safety, housing, water, early childhood services, veterans, border security, and workforce development. The Senate also received a motion to request House consent for an adjournment schedule, and the body adjourned until Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. after announcing upcoming committee meetings and the first batch of bill introductions and references.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just had some general. General comments. Border security. Thank you for everything y'all do.
• Yeah, why that's in the governor's budget as opposed to, like, attorney general.
• General.
• Central SOP programs apply for specialized funding through the Office of the Attorney General, and we'll
• We respectfully request an additional 62 million in general revenue to the Office of the Attorney, I'm

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Crawford, staff attorney for DFA. Thank you for being here.
• Brandon Crawford, staff attorney for DFA. Thank you for being here.
• Charles Thompson, attorney, Arkansas Department of Health.
• Have attorneys from both sides sat down and talked through this? Yes, sir.
• Jeff King, Deputy Director, Division of State Parks.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and reports. Early agenda items included filing reports from ALC subcommittees and approving quarterly administrative directives, with no new directives from Corrections or the Post-Prison Transfer Board. The committee also noted that RDOT utility accommodations rules and one solid waste district rule had been pulled at the agencies’ request. Most agency rules were reviewed and approved without objection, including rules from the Department of Transportation on oversized/overweight vehicle permits and automatic license plate readers, the Insurance Department on vision plan coverage, the Department of Education on course choice, restroom access for athletic personnel, and school district consolidation/detachment, and several Department of Health and DHS rules covering controlled substances, acupuncture, physician assistant delegation, personal care, Medicaid eligibility, continuous glucose monitors, maternal health services, PACE, EVV, substance use disorder treatment, and hospital reimbursement. The committee also approved rules from Labor and Licensing, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Shared Administrative Services, the 529 Plan Review Committee, and the Treasurer’s Office, and it voted to continue the Office of Early Childhood’s rules and to accept outstanding rulemaking responses from several agencies. Two items drew notable discussion. The committee held the DHS hospital reimbursement rule for further review after concerns were raised about whether acute hospitals, especially Children’s Hospital, could legally and economically provide the newly reimbursable lower level of care; the committee first voted to hold it, then expunged that vote and instead held the item until the next day’s full ALC meeting for further discussion. The committee also denied the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board rule after a motion that it did not match legislative intent, with concerns focused on proof of insurance and vague language about future financial responsibility. All other reviewed rules were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under AB 3099, the Attorney General has prioritized addressing long-standing jurisdictional complexity
• In response, the Attorney General established the first-of-its-kind Public Law 280 Advisory Council,
• And I do know the Attorney General is really working hard on these issues.
• So anytime agents seize firearms, that case is discussed with Deputy Attorney General Dax to see if there's
• As you know, it is the duty of the Attorney General to ensure that the laws of the state are properly

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Deputy Attorney General Gavin Tom, appearing on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, and
• Randall Watt, Deputy Attorney General for the Department of the Attorney General.
• Randall Watt, Deputy Attorney General for the Department of the Attorney General.
• </c> Good afternoon, Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 498 HD1.
• > of</c> attorney general or Department of attorney general or Department of Hawaiian<02:58:01.720><c

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the deputy adjutant general for the Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services, and I have
• > the</c> I'm the deputy adant general for the I'm the deputy adant general for the Department<00:07:
• As our deputy adjutant general stated, I'm the state Judge Advocate.
• Do you know if the State Attorney General regularly talks with the U.S. Attorney's Office?
• </c> attorney general or any Prosecuting attorney general or any Prosecuting officer<02:20:17.600><c>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety