Transcript Highlights:

• fees and overhead directly into the hands of successful Florida-bred owners and breeders, while preserving
• Are there conversations to say, you know, we want to preserve this industry at minimum for five years
• You can preserve the history and the hope and the passion of the future generations by not allowing this
• The Florida thoroughbred industry has a profound impact on the state economy and the preservation of
• Lawmakers must prioritize preserving this vital piece of Florida's agricultural economy over corporate

Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should new federal leases be, protecting public access, protecting marine resources, and preserving the
• After much collaboration and listening to stakeholders, Assemblymember Rubio's bill preserves the ability
• After much collaboration and listening to stakeholders, Assemblywoman Rubio's bill preserves the ability
• Just want to thank Save Mount Diablo for their incredible work preserving the range across the many counties
• We've seen species come back as a result of that preservation, something that we all strive for in California

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, coastal protection, water supply, and invasive species. AB 1987 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry would direct fees and lease revenues generated by state wildlife areas back to those areas for operation and maintenance; the author accepted committee amendments, and Audubon California testified in support with no opposition. AB 1448 by Assemblymember Hart would strengthen California’s restrictions on offshore oil and gas development by limiting the use of existing infrastructure for new offshore drilling and adding review requirements for lease transfers and related actions; it drew broad support from coastal governments and environmental groups and no opposition, and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1894 by Assemblymember Rubio addressed imported water deliveries for groundwater recharge in the context of golden mussel control plans, aiming to prevent local restrictions from blocking deliveries that comply with state-approved invasive species plans; supporters said it protects groundwater reliability, while opposition argued it could weaken local authority and liability protections. After discussion, the committee approved the bill 6-0 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also considered ACR 107 by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, a resolution recognizing the Diablo Range as a major conservation priority and highlighting its habitat, watershed, and 30 by 30 value. Support came from Save Mount Diablo, and members emphasized the range’s ecological importance and regional reach; the resolution was adopted on a 7-0 vote. Finally, AB 1946 by Assemblymember Bryan sought to elevate investment in urban conservation and park creation in historically underserved communities as part of California’s 30 by 30 goals. Testimony from Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and park/recreation organizations stressed the need to reduce “nature poverty,” improve access, and remediate degraded urban lands; members discussed equity, biodiversity, and park maintenance, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. Several items, including AB 1987 and the consent calendar, were also approved on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with some measures held on call before final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• alternative and complementary health care practice, including naturopathy, maintaining distinctive preserves
• I am proud to be here to present this bill, the Music Festival Preservation Act, which establishes a
• The bill says that it will establish the California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program within
• SB 993 limits the routine disclosure of their information, but also preserves accountability by requiring
• It preserves access to the complaint process and ensures oversight remains intact without exposing clinicians

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development met as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later established quorum and took up a series of bills, mostly sunset extensions for licensing boards. SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all dealt with extending board operations to January 1, 2031 and making related technical or policy changes. SB 1303 for the Board of Naturopathic Medicine added a fictitious name permit program and other administrative changes, while SB 1304 for the Respiratory Care Board drew significant testimony over whether licensed vocational nurses should be allowed to perform basic respiratory tasks in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. SB 1363 updated barbering and cosmetology apprenticeship and licensing rules, and SB 1368 added a retired license category and strengthened continuing education oversight for speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program to support large independent multi-day music festivals. Supporters, including Visit Sacramento and festival promoters, said the bill would protect jobs, tourism, hotel nights, and local tax revenue; opponents raised concerns about using state funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable events should receive subsidies. The committee also heard SB 1297, which would create regional public-private partnerships and financing tools for wildfire mitigation projects; the author and supporters said it would help address the state’s large wildfire prevention funding gap by leveraging local and private investment, while members asked how the bonds would be repaid and whether the state would bear costs. SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals working in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process. Supporters described safety threats, stalking, and staffing concerns, and the bill passed unanimously. SB 1304 also passed after committee discussion, with members and the author noting ongoing negotiations over LVN scope and training in higher-acuity settings. SB 865 passed on a 9-1 vote, SB 1297 passed 10-0, and the sunset bills SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all advanced unanimously to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 1333 was not heard, and SB 1445 was on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• technology detects the violation, there is an evidence file that is created that the officer can preserve
• technology detects the violation, there is an evidence file that is created that the officer can preserve
• technology detects the violation, there is an evidence file that is created that the officer can preserve
• <00:14:40.240><c> the</c><00:14:40.399><c> officer</c><00:14:40.880><c> can</c><00:14:41.199><c> preserve
• </c> created that the officer can preserve created that the officer can preserve and<00:14:42.000><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You know we've done quite a few roadway pavement preservation projects.
• we distributed our funds based on this table, we've spent a little over $14 million on bridge preservation
• page and it says local government road fund, Hatch Valley Public Schools, South Park, Kingmont Preservation
• Could you tell me the location of... that Spaceport Road, Paloma Circle, pavement preservation.
• For the Laws of 2025, we have a pavement preservation project on New Mexico 171 that will begin once

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allows a landowner to monetize a portion of the asset value of the land and allows the state to preserve
• By improving the incentive for voluntary conservation, the bill gives landowners more options to preserve
• The Land Conservation Incentive Act is critical to the work of organizations like the Trust in preserving
• And so if you can preserve more land, it's easier because it's such a boom to New Mexico.
• And so if you can preserve more land, it's easier because it's such a boom to New Mexico.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 186, which would update New Mexico’s Land Conservation Incentives Act by increasing the conservation tax credit cap from $250,000 to $2 million, raising the credit percentage, and making the credit refundable. The sponsor and conservation groups said the bill is intended to help land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve working farms, ranches, watersheds, habitat, and cultural resources, while also leveraging federal conservation dollars and supporting rural economies. Supporters from land trusts, Realtors, conservation organizations, and local landowners testified that current caps are too low to make easements feasible for smaller properties and that the bill would reduce pressure to sell to developers. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, whether refundable credits should be limited, and whether wealthy landowners could benefit; the sponsor said the bill is aimed at smaller landowners and that the fiscal estimates may be overstated. The committee voted 6-3 to do pass HB 186. The committee then considered HB 92, which would phase out the state income tax on Social Security benefits over eight years. The sponsor argued that Social Security income should not be taxed and said the phase-out would help seniors, attract retirees, and support the economy. An amendment was adopted to strike language related to a prior date. Opposition testimony focused on fairness and revenue concerns, with one witness arguing the bill would mainly benefit higher-income filers and reduce funds for schools, infrastructure, and housing. Several members questioned the fiscal impact, the income thresholds, and whether the bill was ready without more data; the sponsor said the phase-out was designed to avoid a cliff effect and that the current estimates were uncertain. The committee then voted 5-3 to table HB 92. Finally, the committee heard HJM 1, a memorial supporting stronger relations between Taiwan and New Mexico and the United States in trade, technology, education, and official exchanges. The sponsor and a representative from Taiwan’s economic office described the long-standing sister-state relationship and said the memorial would reinforce goodwill and people-to-people ties. Members spoke in support of the relationship, with one noting Taiwan’s importance in technology and chip manufacturing. One member questioned tariffs and the need for the memorial but still acknowledged the strong bilateral relationship. The committee approved HJM 1 on an 8-1 do pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, to your question, this bill preserves the tax preference that community banks have historically
• But the purpose of this legislation is to preserve a tax preference for the community banks that you're
• that are potentially affected by a project as well as the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
• input from both federally recognized Indian tribes and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
• Historic preservation and allow the county to condition applications by the project developer on consistency

Bills: HB1960, HB2194, HB2089

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we are moving on next up we have HB 1143, relating to historic preservation.
• HB 1143, relating to historic preservation. Yes, thank you very much, Chair.
• </c> decades while it's important to preserve decades while it's important to preserve property<01:52
• Next up, we have HB 1143 relating to State historic preservation income tax credit.
• </c> relating to State historic preservation relating to State historic preservation income<02:44:03.840

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uchino here for informational purposes, and you will be speaking from the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation
• Pepper Uchino on behalf of Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
• the foundation of the Florida Park Service's mission to provide resource-based recreation while preserving
• the foundation of the Florida Park Service's mission to provide resource-based recreation while preserving
• As visitation continues to grow, proactive investment in repair and maintenance is essential to preserving

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This change prevents the misuse of historic preservation laws to block new housing and expands opportunities
• It balances housing production and historic preservation by forbidding SB 9 projects at individually
• I'm Catherine Plummer, a preservation breeder of exhibition poultry, and I oppose AB 928.
• Hello, Becky Colano, a member of the American Poultry Association, American Bannam Association, preservation
• Jesse, a 20-year veteran and president of the California Association of Preservation Gamefowl from Anaheim

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 30, 2025, for a regular order hearing on a large slate of bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar in two motions: one for bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another for unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. The committee also deemed the suspense calendar approved without further discussion. Several housing and shelter-related bills were presented. AB 1061 by Quirk-Silva would allow SB 9 duplex and lot-split provisions to apply in historic districts, with limits to protect individually listed historic sites and maintain street-facing appearances; California YIMBY supported the measure. AB 750 by Quirk-Silva would strengthen oversight of homeless shelters by requiring posted resident-rights information, standardized reporting, and penalties for noncompliance, including possible withholding of state funding. AB 712 by another member would increase penalties for public agencies that violate state housing law and bar indemnification demands against applicants when agencies break those laws; it was described as part of a fast-track housing package. The committee then took public comment, dominated by extensive opposition to AB 928. Dozens of individuals, many identifying with poultry, feed, gamefowl, agricultural, or related organizations, testified against the bill, saying it would harm their livelihoods, culture, religious practices, or constitutional rights and could kill birds. A few speakers also testified on other bills, including support for AB 1337 and AB 804 and opposition to AB 1337. After public comment concluded, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Project lead agency, CEQA review, may not prioritize tribal input, the preservation, and the preservation
• CEQA review may not prioritize tribal input, the preservation of Native American culture, and continuous
• Me today testifying in support of this bill is Councilwoman Catalina Chaconan and Tribal Preservation
• So I think that, you know, for the first part, we all want to ensure that we're preserving the cultural
• are just trying to preserve their culture and the sacred tradition of even years ago by highlighting

Summary: The committee heard several energy, environmental, recycling, and land-use bills, beginning with SB 925 by Senator McNerney, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy. Supporters said the bill would help California retain leadership in fusion research and commercialization, attract investment, and create jobs, while some members emphasized the need to avoid overregulation and keep the state competitive. No opposition testified, and the bill was later approved on a 4-0 vote and held on call. The committee also heard SB 1350, another McNerney bill, to expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for turbines using renewable hydrogen. Supporters framed it as a way to support clean energy reliability, preserve tax credits, and create jobs, while opponents including TURN and Earthjustice warned about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions. The author and chair described committee amendments as adding guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 and was held on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145, which would streamline CEQA and related review for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, part of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The bill is intended to speed a long-planned transit-oriented development with housing, commercial space, parks, and open space; supporters included local officials, labor groups, and business organizations, while a housing group raised concerns about affordable housing guarantees but still supported the CEQA exemption. The committee described the bill as balancing streamlining with retained environmental review and approved it 4-0, held on call. Senator Cabaldon’s SB 1341, dealing with CalRecycle processing fees for bag-in-a-box wine and spirits containers, also drew support from the wine industry and some environmental groups that wanted a workable recycling market, while glass packaging and other opponents objected to giving CalRecycle too much discretion; it too passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee then heard SJR 13 by Senator Padilla, urging the U.S. to seek enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution at the 2026 USMCA review. Supporters described severe public health and environmental harms from sewage and runoff in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, especially for border and farmworker communities, and the resolution passed 4-0. Padilla’s SB 1033, requiring protein product manufacturers to test for and disclose heavy metals, drew support from consumer and public health groups citing Consumer Reports findings, while industry groups argued for narrower scope, QR-code options, and thresholds tied to health standards; the bill passed 3-0 and was held on call. Senator Ashby’s SB 1010, creating a manufacturer-funded system for refrigerant recovery from discarded appliances, was supported as a climate and enforcement measure but opposed by appliance manufacturers and recyclers who said existing law already regulates refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and reduce recycling; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley. Supporters said the bill would help ensure solar development benefits local communities and farmland, while solar industry groups argued it duplicated existing work and should better reflect solar’s benefits; the bill was heard but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've preserved over 100,000 affordable homes.
• And the redundancy that our project sponsors experience, while preserving and leveraging the strengths
• And it's now providing a path to preserve a very valuable resource for affordable housing in the state
• The bond could help produce 40,000 new units and critically preserve 5,500 affordable units.
• I want to emphasize how important that preservation side of the equation is.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine California’s housing finance system, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for practical recommendations to the Legislature and Governor. Co-chairs described the committee as an educational and problem-solving forum focused on financing housing production, first-time homeownership, mixed-income developments, and affordability across the income spectrum. Witnesses from state agencies and the development sector were invited to explain how housing is financed and where the system is breaking down. Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee/State Treasurer’s Office, CalHFA, and Related outlined the “capital stack” used to finance affordable housing, stressing that projects typically rely on multiple public and private sources, including federal and state low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental income. Speakers noted that affordable housing rents generally cannot support full project costs without public subsidy, and that recent federal changes—especially the expansion of the 4% and 9% tax credit programs and the reduction of the bond financing threshold for 4% credits—should allow California to finance substantially more units. CalHFA also described its homeownership programs, including My Home, Dream For All, and disaster-related mortgage assistance, as well as its multifamily lending and bond issuance programs. Several witnesses and committee members emphasized that the system remains too complex, too slow, and underfunded. They pointed to the need for more state funding, a housing bond, a permanent funding source, and better coordination among agencies, while also citing recent streamlining efforts such as AB 434’s SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency reorganization. Members raised concerns about equity, access, missing-middle housing, gender and racial disparities, and whether current programs adequately serve extremely low-income households and those at risk of homelessness. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing; the discussion ended with committee members and witnesses agreeing that both funding and administrative reform are needed to increase production and improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the next few years that we'll know about next year, but certainly we do need resources for preservation
• in the next few years that we'll know about next year, but certainly we do need resources for preservation
• I can't agree more with the fact that we need to do maintenance and preservation than the things that
• comes to addressing a really critical failure from the past on not addressing maintenance and preservation

Summary: The committee briefly reviewed four transportation-related bills before taking executive action. House Bill 2347 would repeal the 10% sales and use tax on luxury aircraft; members discussed the bill’s economic importance and its role in supporting business, wildfire suppression, agriculture, and health care, and it passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise monetary limits for state highway repair, emergency work, and WSDOT contracting, including higher thresholds for self-performance and small-business participation; it also passed unanimously. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, which authorizes transportation bonds, drew the most discussion. As amended by striking amendment H-3808.1, the bill reduced general highway bond authorization from $1.1 billion to $800 million while retaining $500 million for SR 520 corridor projects and other transportation funding changes. Members described the amendment as a compromise to constrain future spending, and the bill passed 16-10 with several members voting no or no recommendation. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would advance transportation electrification by allowing certain new manufacturers to sell directly under dealer licensing rules and by increasing the dealer documentary service fee, with part of the revenue supporting EV rebates for vulnerable populations. An amendment reduced the fee increase from $50 to $25, lowering the total fee to $225 through 2036 before reverting to $200. After debate about dealer impacts and direct sales policy, the amended bill passed 21-4. The chair then thanked staff and members and adjourned, noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• leadership in areas such as environmental stewardship, education, public health, and cultural preservation
• and</c><00:11:53.839><c> cultural</c> public health, and cultural public health, and cultural preservation
• .<00:11:55.040><c> Now,</c><00:11:55.360><c> therefore,</c><00:11:56.079><c> I</c> preservation.
• Now, therefore, I preservation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You preserved the flexible rebate pass-through options. Those are preserved.
• You preserved the flexible rebate pass-through options. Those are preserved.
• You preserved the flexible rebate pass-through options. Those are preserved.
• Uh, you preserved the flexible rebate pass-through options. Those are preserved.
• Uh, you preserved the flexible rebate pass-through options. Those are preserved.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• collecting, preserving, and interpreting Minnesota's<00:19:26.160><c> biodiversity,</c><00:19:27.120
• It was it was really preservation.
• This bill preserves the core of the original law.
• This bill preserves and for the state.
• This bill preserves the<01:14:29.760><c> core</c><01:14:30.080><c> of</c><01:14:30.239><c> the</c><01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:23.280><c> stabilizing</c><00:03:24.280><c> and</c><00:03:25.440><c> vitalizing</c> preserving
• </c><00:32:34.440><c> in</c> units have been preserved in units have been preserved in duth<00:32:36.600
• </c><00:33:01.120><c> in</c> for a total of 792 units preserved in for a total of 792 units preserved
• </c> and the City of Minneapolis to preserve and the City of Minneapolis to preserve these<01:05:43.039
• So not only are we preserving, but we are actually adding new units.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill removes the now obsolete non-sectarian, quote-unquote, eligibility requirement while preserving
• I respectfully accept the committee amendments, which further strengthen the bill by preserving local
• The bill also preserves local flexibility.
• SB 930 preserves important exceptions that allow disclosure when required by a court order or subpoena
• Thank you. conforming changes to the definitions, reinstate the requirement for schools to preserve and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the preservation and enhancement of our aquatic ecosystems helps ensure biodiversity, community
• </c><00:09:12.560><c> our</c><00:09:12.680><c> environment</c><00:09:13.360><c> to</c> and preserving
• our environment to and preserving our environment to teaching<00:09:13.880><c> the</c><00:09:13.960>
• This preserves the intent of the form.
• This preserves the intent of the section<00:16:04.320><c> while</c><00:16:04.680><c> avoiding</c><00:

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, it was a huge, huge struggle to put enough money away in the reserves to maintain and preserve
• Otherwise, it was a huge, huge struggle to put enough money away in the reserves to maintain and preserve
• Otherwise, it was a huge, huge struggle to put enough money away in the reserves to maintain and preserve
• Otherwise, it was a huge, huge struggle to put enough money away in the reserves to maintain and preserve
• Otherwise, it was a huge, huge struggle to put enough money away in the reserves to maintain and preserve

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing heard and acted on three measures related to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) and affordable housing policy. First, it considered GM 681, the nomination of Garth Yamanaka to the HHFDC Board of Directors. Yamanaka testified that he supports using all available tools to increase housing production, including open space and park dedication where feasible, more revenue-neutral and workforce housing, and a broad mix of housing types. Senators questioned him on priorities such as perpetual affordability, state- and county-owned projects, and whether HHFDC should focus more on revenue-neutral housing; he generally supported greater flexibility and more options, while emphasizing the need to consider feasibility and local market needs. The committee recommended GM 681 for advise and consent and adopted that recommendation unanimously, with Senator Fevella excused. The committee then heard GM 764, the nomination of Susan Coons to the HHFDC Board. Coons said she supports prioritizing state and government lands for affordable housing but stressed that the government cannot solve the housing shortage alone and should continue to engage private and nonprofit partners. In response to questions, she said HHFDC should give greater priority to perpetual affordability and could potentially devote more resources to revenue-neutral, income-blind housing, but she cautioned against blanket policies and said decisions should be guided by data, community needs, and project readiness. She also supported the idea of a 100,000-unit housing plan and said HHFDC should focus on more specific policies and projects. The committee recommended GM 764 for advise and consent and adopted the recommendation. Finally, the committee considered HCR 83, which supports using the dwelling unit revolving fund for pre-development costs through interim loans for government affordable housing projects. HHFDC testified in support and explained that it already has authority to make pre-development loans, but the resolution would provide policy support and comfort to the board. Members asked about loan security and default; HHFDC said such loans would typically be secured by land collateral and that it would not expect to forgive the loans. The committee agreed to pass the resolution with amendments, including adding committee report language about default and collateral and noting HHFDC’s existing authority. In a joint portion with the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, the committees also took up HCR 98 HD1 and recommended it pass with amendments to clarify that the countywide housing pattern book applies only to the City and County of Honolulu and involves collaboration between Honolulu housing and planning agencies. All recommendations were adopted, and the hearing adjourned.