Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, can you talk a little bit about the government procurement portion of the bill?
• technology procurement and contracting. Are there any amendments? None of that is, Mr. Speaker.
• This bill simply requires reporting, accountability, and transparency on municipal utilities.
• So I've met with dozens upon dozens of municipal utilities over the past four years.
• So right now, municipal utilities operate beyond their municipal boundary.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1492 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a farm-to-school local food procurement
• reimbursement grant program to reimburse school districts for costs, ...food procurement reimbursement
• grant program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods
• And I have to point out here the DEP, the reason for our objection, DEP regulates the recycling of municipal
• Certain municipalities and working families, like how do we ensure that local residents are not being

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the way that our procurement works, the way that our hiring processes work, all of those are much
• water, it's just a very complex time for wastewater treatment, and it seems to me that if the municipalities
• water, it's just a very complex time for wastewater treatment, and it seems to me that if the municipalities
• ><00:25:54.960><c> that</c><00:25:55.560><c> if</c><00:25:55.800><c> the</c><00:25:55.920><c> municipalities
• </c> seems to me that if the municipalities seems to me that if the municipalities want<00:25:57.160>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 592, which concerns regional conservation and energy resources planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, and a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to another authority. Jason Stock of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association said his group was fine with the bill as printed, especially after Senate language clarified that habitat stronghold designations are for information gathering and not regulatory purposes. Ted Diers of the Department of Environmental Services strongly supported the bill’s Winnipesaukee River Basin provisions, saying the state’s role in operating the wastewater system is outdated and that the communities are now capable of taking more control; he also supported creating a higher-level engineering/director position to oversee aging infrastructure and help manage a possible transition. Committee members asked about the facility’s location, capacity, costs, staffing, the possibility of private operation, the commission’s membership, and whether the six-month study timeline was realistic. Diers said there would be no state savings beyond administrative time, that the communities already pay the costs, and that a report in six months should provide useful next steps even if it would not resolve everything. The chair closed the work session on HB 592 and announced a brief recess before later action, while a member indicated interest in proposing an amendment to change the commission’s membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also serve the legislature, local municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.
• We also serve the legislature, local municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.
• </c><00:10:07.760><c> and</c> the legislature local municipalities and the legislature local municipalities
• </c><00:35:48.160><c> and</c> which reduces our need to procure and which reduces our need to procure
• </c><01:42:06.080><c> boundary</c> the cost of our Municipal boundary the cost of our Municipal boundary

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what have we seen some municipalities do?
• It says that the utilities at the municipal level and the cities and the municipalities of counties will
• This subject is about municipal taxation.
• Should the municipal government have some restrictions placed on them?
• It's not been done at the municipal level, and there have been abuses.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have alternative procurement options for many different entities throughout the state.
• In that context, low-bid procurement has clear limitations.
• AB 1786 gives us the ability to better align our procurement method with the complexity of the work.
• I'm not sure I got some clarity on what today's barriers are in municipal government that are preventing
• Based on analysis by Bluefield Research in 2025 across the U.S., 18% of municipal treated water is lost

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> establishments within municipality. establishments within municipality.
• </c> municipal clerks. municipal clerks. &gt;&gt; That's<04:27:02.800><c> Yes.
• 200 small municipalities?
• &gt;&gt; And about 200 small municipalities? &gt;&gt; And about 200 small municipalities?
• But what about the mediumsiz municipalities? municipalities? municipalities?

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Committee on Procurement and Contracts.
• Senate Bill 459 by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the General Municipal Law, the Public Authorities

Committee: Senate Procurement And Contracts

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Procurement and Contracts met for its second meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Jeremy Zellner noting a quorum and welcoming members. The committee took up a series of procurement- and contracting-related bills, including measures on reciprocal MWBE certification, liability and design professionals, minority and women participation in state contracts, waste diversion planning by state agencies, breaking public contracts into smaller sizes to increase small business participation, expanded construction mentorship opportunities, service-disabled veteran-owned business participation goals, and contract fee/requirements for agreements between state agencies and nonprofit organizations. The discussion in the transcript was brief, with no substantive debate recorded. Members generally moved each bill and seconded the motions, and the chair called for votes. Most bills were reported out of committee either to the calendar or to finance, with members voting in favor and a few recorded as “without rec” or individual ayes noted. No bills were defeated. At the end of the meeting, the chair reminded members to complete their voting sheets and then entertained a motion to adjourn. The committee approved adjournment and the meeting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to have an impact on municipalities.
• It's going to have an impact on municipalities.
• The department is in the process of setting up a municipal solar program.
• The department is in the process of setting up a municipal solar program.
• So, you know, there's some real benefits to the funds for municipalities and low-income folks, etc.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, there are 52 municipalities...
• To date, there are 52 municipalities in six different counties known to be affected.
• One last thing that I wanted to bring up: we talked about the damage this does to municipalities.
• municipalities that it's a very difficult time to make things worse.
• We haven't seen it in municipal or MassDOT work.

Bills: S3091 , H5477

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on two late-file matters, centered on S. 3091, a bill to create relief for homeowners affected by the crumbling concrete/pyrrhotite crisis. Senator Peter Durant presented the bill as a way to establish a crumbling concrete assistance fund, administered by CEDAC, to help replace failing foundations and reimburse homeowners who already paid out of pocket. He said the proposal follows recommendations from a state commission and would be funded by a $6 fee on homeowner/condo insurance policies and a $6-per-cubic-yard surcharge on concrete, with the goal of spreading costs broadly rather than placing them on homeowners alone. Several affected homeowners testified about severe financial and emotional harm, including expensive foundation replacements, lost equity, inability to sell or refinance, and long delays in getting help. Homeowners Karen Riani, Michelle Iglesi, Karen Bellotti, and Russell Dupierre described living with homes that became unsellable or unaffordable to repair, and urged the committee to move the bill forward. Committee members asked about inspection practices, whether pyrrhotite can be detected during home sales, whether the bill would ban pyrrhotite, and how much funding the program would need. Witnesses said the problem is broader than originally understood, affecting at least 52 municipalities, and that the only fix is full foundation replacement. They also said the bill includes training and education for inspectors, but does not ban pyrrhotite outright because the issue is now being addressed through quarry testing and material controls. Representatives of the concrete industry, including Craig Dauphinay, Karen Marshall, and Guy Glottis, said they support homeowner relief and the creation of a fund, but strongly opposed the concrete surcharge. They argued the industry has already taken significant steps, including supporting state testing and regulation of aggregate sources, and said the surcharge would unfairly assign blame, raise costs for residential, municipal, and infrastructure projects, and create cross-border competitiveness issues with neighboring states. They favored a Connecticut-style model funded primarily through insurance assessments, noting that Connecticut’s program has been successful and that Massachusetts could adopt a similar approach. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We learned a lot of municipalities and small businesses fall between that 25 and 50, and they're unable
• There do, with that, come caveats, whether it be exemptions of procurement law, you know, the three-bid
• system for different types of procurement and contracts.
• Fayetteville currently has an exemption very broadly for procurement law and is able to say because we're

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Summary: The committee reconvened and took up several amendments and bills. Senate Bill 15 was amended to transfer Keep Arkansas Beautiful functions to ARDOT and replace the current commissioners with an advisory council; the amendment was adopted without objection. An amendment to Senate Bill 7 lowering the claims-data threshold for group health insurance from 50 employees to 25, to help smaller employers and municipalities shop for coverage, was also adopted. An amendment to Senate Bill 41 that would have restricted University of Arkansas at Fayetteville athletic funding from academic funds was rejected after members questioned its scope and fiscal basis. The committee then considered an amendment to House Bill 1051 that would cap online sports-betting free play at 5% of gross receipts. Senator Hester argued the current unlimited promotions were predatory and effectively subsidized casinos, while other members questioned the tax and accounting assumptions and whether the proposal belonged in a fiscal committee. The amendment failed, and a separate agriculture-related amendment from Representatives Vaught and Painter to exempt certain tractor parts tied to diesel exhaust fluid systems was also not adopted, with members citing drafting and enforcement problems and suggesting it should go through the revenue committees. After suspending the rules to add items, the committee adopted a technical correction to Senate Bill 4 clarifying physician licensure language so the rural workforce pathway would apply to underserved and primary care shortage areas, rather than the narrower federal term originally used. The committee also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 77 deleting a fund-transfer section and instead increasing appropriation authority and creating a matching-fund mechanism to help Arkansas TV pay PBS dues, with supporters saying it would leverage private donations and preserve PBS access while allowing the commission to decide programming. The bill passed as amended, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're trying to identify with our local partners and our local municipalities what those unique situations
• Every municipality has its own uniqueness with respect to how they envision micromobility use and see
• If, from an engineering standpoint, there is one, I think you've seen local municipalities address this
• One great example is a new procurement method we created called Modified Phase Design-Build.
• given us the authority to enter into alternative contracting, and so we can essentially design a procurement

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on micro-mobility device regulation and enforcement, focusing on e-bikes and e-scooters. Sheriff Robert Hardwick and Chief Jamie Cruz described serious injuries involving children, including crashes at high speeds, and argued that current law is outdated because it folds e-bikes into the bicycle statute. They urged a separate statewide framework with clearer age limits, licensing or training requirements, helmet rules, and penalties for modifying devices to go faster. Both also emphasized that parents should bear responsibility and that enforcement should include education, progressive discipline, and, if needed, civil citations. FDOT District 6 Secretary Daniel Iglesias and DHSMV representative Lonnie Groner said their agencies are prioritizing education, outreach, and better data collection. They noted that micromobility devices are increasingly common, create safety and accessibility issues on sidewalks and shared-use paths, and are difficult to track because crash reports often do not identify them consistently. Members discussed whether motorized devices should be barred from sidewalks, whether riders should be licensed and insured, and how enforcement could be made uniform statewide. The panel also said manufacturers have not been meaningfully engaged and that local approaches vary widely. The committee then heard 2026 legislative priorities from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and DHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. Perdue outlined FDOT’s large five-year work program, ongoing congestion-relief projects, investments in ports, airports, rail, workforce, heavy equipment, facilities, and cybersecurity, and the need to do more with flat revenues. Kerner summarized DHSMV’s agency bill priorities, including requiring a Florida address and proof of residence for vehicle registration, updating identification requirements, aligning tank vehicle and motor carrier rules with federal standards, improving IFTA administration, raising the crash-report damage threshold, and allowing electronic notices. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gene Strickland, Superintendent of Hobbs Municipal Schools.
• Carson Stark was a previous student at Farmington Municipal Schools who was exposed to and learned about
• But because it is a requirement, I would like to give an example of Hobbs Municipal Schools.
• Is it a procurement issue? Why is it taking so long to get these facilities upgraded? Mr.
• I understand all of that; I'm just concerned that if there's an issue with our procurement processes

Transcript Highlights:

• For municipal state aid streets, there's the same appropriation increase as a result of highway user
• </c><00:42:29.680><c> state</c><00:42:29.920><c> aid</c><00:42:30.160><c> design</c> aid and municipal
• These are target business procurement authority that currently all state agencies enjoy, but for some
• </c><01:29:48.159><c> goods</c> that Met Council uses to procure goods that Met Council uses to procure
• :56.320><c> that</c><01:29:56.719><c> currently</c> uh procurement authority that currently uh procurement

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first element of this amendment would require annual certification for any municipality or public
• And so the second part of the amendment, Madam President, is to say that if municipalities receive a
• And so the second part of the amendment, Madam President, is to say that if municipalities requires municipalities
• allow the Board and the Attorney General to consider noncompliance in licensing, enforcement, and procurement
• It would also require the Attorney General to monitor municipalities' compliance with HUD and requests

Summary: The Senate began with recognitions, welcoming four young women from Quincy and Lawrence who were at the State House advocating on climate issues. The chamber then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll of Attleboro, with remarks honoring her long public service at the State House and her family’s legacy of service. The main business was Senate No. 2947, an act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth. Senators Gomez and Payano spoke in strong support, describing housing discrimination against voucher holders and people of color, and explaining that the bill would expand enforcement authority, increase penalties for repeat violations, require annual complaint summaries, and mandate fair housing training for real estate licensees. Senator Lovely also supported the bill, citing her experience in real estate and the need for stronger fair housing education and enforcement. Several amendments were considered. Senator Tarr’s amendment to add HUD-related certification, notice, and corrective-action requirements for municipalities and public agencies was debated but defeated on a roll call vote, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral wording amendment was adopted, as was Senator Payano’s amendment requiring publication of suspended as well as revoked licenses. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment on housing access for returning citizens, and other amendments were withdrawn. The Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call vote of 38-0. The Senate then adjourned to meet again the following Tuesday, also noting John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll in memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• They look after the ITSD budget, the complexities around cost allocation, procurement, and the unique
• The procurement process was archaic, horrible. Have we...
• Back, the procurement process was archaic, horrible.
• That was a hybrid for finance and procurement.
• That was a hybrid for finance and procurement.

Committee: House Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational hearing on the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) within the Office of Administration, with no quorum present and no formal action taken. Chair Voss said the purpose was to review ITSD’s programs, budget needs, and future plans, and members emphasized the value of an informed appropriator. Representative Riggs cautioned that the state should avoid jeopardizing federal broadband funding and asked that AI-related work remain consistent with federal expectations. ITSD leadership, including CIO John Loren and Deputy CIO Tara Damp, outlined the division’s scope and recent modernization efforts. They said ITSD supports 15 executive agencies plus the governor and lieutenant governor, manages about 1,200 production software solutions, handles roughly 35,000 help desk requests per month, and defends against billions of cyberattacks monthly. They highlighted investments in layered security, data center and network redundancy, a unified Microsoft 365 environment, modern development tools, and portal platforms. Damp reviewed the history of IT consolidation, noting budget reductions after 2007, then increased investment beginning in 2020 and especially with ARPA funds in fiscal 2023. Members asked about spending projections, subscription-based licensing, procurement modernization, and the role of non-consolidated agencies such as MoDOT and Conservation. The committee also discussed future funding needs and benchmarking. ITSD said its current spending is about $287 million, with a projected ongoing need of about $345 million to maintain and modernize services, while Gartner comparisons suggested Missouri spends less per employee and as a share of operating budget than peer states. Members asked for more detailed fiscal-year spending profiles for major initiatives and for clarification on what is and is not included in the projections, including Social Services and HR1-related work. ITSD said it would provide additional detail. A major portion of the hearing focused on AI strategy and governance. Tim Marsheski, ITSD’s director of AI and innovation, described a cautious, pilot-based approach centered on secure use, human oversight, and data governance. He cited examples such as an internal HR chatbot that reduced average response time from about 45 minutes to two minutes, pilots with DESE data transformation, and efforts to use AI for code assistance, document scanning, and workflow support. Members asked about workforce impacts, training, closed versus open models, and whether AI could help with auditing and fiscal analysis. ITSD said it is still early on workforce forecasting, but it is building governance, acceptable-use policies, and feedback loops to test tools, measure results, and scale only when they provide value and remain secure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a massive impact across the Commonwealth, with 347 out of our 351 municipalities certified in
• These services support municipal meetings, court and legal proceedings, medical and behavioral health
• of both the VSO and the municipal leadership.
• We are looking, with updated procurements, to try to procure a program for girls in that area.
• We are looking with updated procurements to try to procure a program for girls in that area.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began. MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Committee on County and Municipal the Committee on County and Municipal Government.<00:10:37.120
• Senate bill number municipal government.
• From the Committee on County and Municipal Government.
• From the Committee on County and Municipal Government.
• </c> from county and municipal government. from county and municipal government.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill. Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements for the state to get their projects done. >> But they would procure you technically. >>
• requirements for the state to get their projects done. >> But they would procure you technically. >>
• </c> &gt;&gt; but they would procure you technically.
• &gt;&gt; but they would procure you technically.
• municipalities across the country, municipalities across the country, you've<01:17:38.880><c> seen</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1670, municipalities; county occupation licensure prohibition.
• SB 1713, access procurement contracting. SB 1714, pricing emergency enforcement.
• appropriate contact schools education education education education research report HS 17 17 13 13 access procurement

Keywords: 1182, all