Video & Transcript Research : 'native Hawaiian speaker'

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Sep 12th, 2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would like to thank the legislative AAPI caucus, the black, Latino, Native American and LGBTQ caucuses
  • Senate Pro Tem and Assembly Speaker for helping us finally address this issue after many years, many
  • I taught students who are primary English speakers as well as those learning English as an additional
  • Hi, my name is Ella, I'm a Bay Area native and I've been living there all my life.
  • And I'm hearing the concerns from one of the speakers who gave the Me Too about the lack of a disability
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So a sergeant if you'll block that wherever we are there that's the last speaker for this part and then
  • Echo the comments of some of the previous speakers calling for dedicated continuous allocations for natural
  • You heard from some of the previous speakers calling for those funds. Thank you so much. Thank you.
  • Good morning, Alex Loomer on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust, Defenders of Wildlife, California Native
  • position that I think there are much more beneficial ways and direct allocations that could benefit the native
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:27:20.560> American There are several other Native American There are several other Native
  • <01:29:02.960> Americans Native Americans Native Americans unconscionable.<01:29:05.520> Thank
  • When enforcement operations intensify in Native homelands and urban Native centers, which are part of
  • And yes, native people have detained. And yes, native people have been<02:35:40.479> detained.
  • have been the majority of the native have been the majority of the native detainees<02:38:54.960
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The hearing of the Minnesota Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability focused on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, especially ICE and CBP operations, and their alleged constitutional and civil-rights impacts. Opening remarks from both parties emphasized the need for calm, cooperation, and public safety, though they sharply differed on the causes of the current situation. Republican members argued that violent criminal undocumented immigrants should be removed and that state and local officials should cooperate with federal authorities. Senator McEwen and other Democrats described the federal presence as abusive and terrorizing, citing deaths, family separations, and community fear, and called for accountability and truth-telling. The chair also held a moment of silence for Renee Mlin Good and Alex Prey before testimony began. Testimony from the ACLU of Minnesota and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota described what they said was a large-scale federal enforcement operation, including Operation Metro Surge, with widespread alleged violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, and other constitutional amendments. Witnesses cited alleged racial profiling, warrantless arrests, excessive force, denial of counsel, detention out of state, and failure to comply with court orders. They referenced specific cases involving Susan Tinure, Abdi Khadir Nure, Victor Manuel Diaz, and others, as well as reports of journalists and community members being threatened or detained while documenting ICE activity. The witnesses also said the federal government’s lack of transparency makes it difficult to know how many people have been detained or deported and argued that the harm extends to both immigrants and citizens. Committee members asked questions about ICE entering homes without judicial warrants, federal claims about constitutional limits, and access to counsel for detainees moved out of state. The witnesses said that out-of-state detention, poor locator systems, paid phone access, and lack of privacy make legal representation difficult or impossible, and that civil-rights remedies often come too late because people are removed before cases are resolved. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee moved from opening statements into testimony and member questions.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/25/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of our previous speakers actually stated that they feel that they would be okay with patients having
  • One of our previous speakers actually stated that they feel that they would be okay with patients having
  • Americans eligible um through the Native Americans eligible um through the white<01:05:28.240> Earth
  • And I want to really speak to two things, and I want to disagree with one of the earlier speakers: you
  • said maybe it was from a um speakers said maybe it was from a um cosmetic<01:10:12.880> injection
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Agriculture & Livestock Jul 21st, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • The screwworm is a parasitic fly that is native to the Western Hemisphere, and, and this fly, as you
  • You could, you could potentially treat those, but as far as the native wildlife population, it can be
  • So the screwworm is native, right? It's called the New World.
  • the last regular session, even before we knew that we're gonna have a special session to, uh, uh, Speaker
  • In addition to native wildlife, the exotic wildlife industry is estimated to have an additional add an
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/18/26

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a half hour left and we have a couple more speakers.
  • We have a half hour left and we have a couple more speakers.
  • We have a half hour left and we have a couple more speakers.
  • times the average salary for a single Native mom.
  • So it's just completely native mom.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 2, February 10, 2026-PM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, Yin. >> Mr. Speaker, Yin. >> Mr. Speaker, >> Are there any changes?
  • Speaker. Yin. >> Mr. Speaker. Yin. >> Mr. Speaker. >> Are there any changes?
  • <01:54:36.960> Speaker. you, Mr. Speaker. you, Mr. Speaker.
  • <02:08:30.960> speaker. yin Mr. speaker. yin Mr. speaker.
  • Thank you, Mr.<03:59:23.439> Speaker. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.
Keywords: 916, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 2, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Speaker, >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
  • Speaker.
  • Speaker. Um, I rise today with Mr. Speaker.
  • Speaker. I rise in Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • Speaker.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Lena Al Le from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was also referenced, and the speaker then moved on to
  • The speaker said that people entering the early learning field are nontraditional students who benefit
  • The speaker replied that they are working very closely with their colleagues and do have someone in mind
  • The speaker said yes, and that they are working closely with colleagues and have someone in mind on staff
  • The speaker also said they would add the concern of the AG with this bill as a law of statewide concern
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/10/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • First of all, in the language of Senator Gonzales, her native language is Yaqui.
  • In the language of Senator Gonzales, her native language is Yaqui.
  • Speaker, I rise to explain my vote. Please. Thank you. I oppose. I'm running a voting note.
Keywords: 1182, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education May 6th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Another speaker testified to the fact that the entire medical community and scientific community is in
  • For instance, the concept of two-spirit individuals existed for Native Americans well before the arrival
  • What if you have a child in your school that comes from a Native American heritage?
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • PRIOR TO LIVING IN FLORIDA I WAS TWICE ELECTED AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND AS A NATIVE
  • BEING ABLE TO HAVE WHATEVER IDEOLOGICAL VIEWPOINT THEY WISH BUT IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED BY SOME OTHER SPEAKERS
  • AS A MOTHER AND A NATIVE OF PENSACOLA AND ALUMNI OF UW A F AND AS A FLORIDIAN I TO TRUST THE GOVERNOR'S
Keywords: 999, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 9:45 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • We had another one in support, written testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and from
  • We have written testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Human Services
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 963, which would make crimes against elders age 60 and over strict liability offenses by removing the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim’s age. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-of-mind element would create unfair and subjective results and suggesting sentencing enhancements or broader vulnerability-based language instead. Supporters, including Sandy Wong and another testifier with elder-abuse experience, said the current knowledge requirement creates a loophole that lets offenders avoid the elder enhancement even when they target vulnerable older adults. No vote was taken on the measure in the portion provided. The committee also heard HB 384, which increases penalties for promoting minor-produced sexual images, extends probation terms for felony obscenity offenses, tolls the statute of limitations during a victim’s minority, and requires sex offender registration for certain felony obscenity offenses involving minors. The Public Defender opposed the bill as overly broad and warned of absurd results, while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported it, saying the bill addresses sextortion and other exploitation cases where adults solicit images from minors and that the 3-year age-gap threshold preserves ordinary teen relationships. Committee members questioned whether the bill was aimed at adults only and whether the age-gap carveout was narrow enough; the prosecutor said it was intended to cover adult predators and not consensual peer conduct. No final action was reported. HB 1100, which renames the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to use “low vision” instead of “visually impaired,” was supported by the Department of Human Services and disability advocates, who said the current term is derogatory and that the change responds to the blind community. The department said it was beginning work on administrative rules and expected to seek an appropriation, with implementation hoped for in 2026. The committee then heard HB 1283, exempting paternity proceedings from mediation when domestic abuse is alleged; the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others supported it as consistent with divorce law and important for survivor safety. HB 689, creating safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement help, drew support from HPD, Emua Alliance, the Judiciary, and others, who said it would prevent traffickers from using prostitution charges to silence victims. Finally, HB 383, reinstating mandatory minimum jail terms for successive violations of protective orders and removing the court’s ability to suspend those minimums, drew opposition from the Public Defender, who said some repeat violations stem from mental health or substance use issues, and support from the Prosecuting Attorney, who argued the bill treats protective orders like temporary restraining orders and preserves judicial discretion within a misdemeanor framework.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 24, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker.
  • Speaker.
  • Speaker.
  • Speaker.
  • Speaker?
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • shovel-ready projects and approximately $1.5 million for workforce development projects with our California Native
  • shovel-ready projects and approximately $1.5 million for workforce development projects with our California Native
  • Do we have, are we growing enough seedlings to cover the needs to reforest with native species if there's
  • Conservation Districts and the California Tahoe Alliance would echo the comments from the previous two speakers
Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the California Conservation Corps on its 50-year history, current operations, and budget proposals. Director J.P. Patton described the CCC’s work in conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development, noting 26 facilities, about 3,000 Corps members annually, and a funding mix of roughly 55% General Fund and 45% reimbursements. Members praised the program and asked about revenue sources, recruitment, retention, and post-service tracking. The CCC said it has a 5,000-person waitlist, uses first-come, first-served admissions with minimal eligibility requirements, and is working to improve data on outcomes. The committee also discussed the Greenwood Residential Center, where the CCC seeks staffing and operating funds to reopen a rebuilt facility in El Dorado County; the LAO suggested considering fewer new members or a delayed opening to reduce General Fund pressure, but no vote was taken and the item was held open. The committee then considered a CCC wildfire readiness proposal to move hand crews to a seven-day operational schedule. CCC and Cal Fire representatives said the change is needed because wildfire is now year-round and because the current model leaves crews unavailable in many months due to staffing gaps. They said the proposal would improve reliability for Cal Fire, preserve training opportunities for Corps members, and better align the CCC with Cal Fire’s 66-hour workweek. The LAO supported the concept but recommended considering lower-cost alternatives, such as relief staffing or partial reimbursement. Members also discussed the decline in incarcerated fire crews, with Cal Fire explaining that reforms and eligibility changes have reduced the pool of incarcerated people who qualify for camp and fire work. One member raised the use of goats and grazing for fuel reduction, and staff responded that such methods can help with prevention but cannot replace hand crews for suppression. The item was held open. Cal Fire then presented its department overview, emphasizing its expanded workforce, year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and partnerships with federal, local, tribal, and private entities. Members asked about contract counties such as Orange County, reforestation and seedling capacity, federal reimbursement, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Cal Fire said it is still below the seedling capacity needed for post-fire reforestation and relies heavily on public-private partnerships. The committee also reviewed a proposal for permanent funding for defensible space inspections. Cal Fire said it needs 31 positions and ongoing General Fund support to replace temporary funding that expires in 2027 and to maintain a goal of 250,000 inspections per year. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested alternatives such as a different General Fund/GGRF mix, reinstating an SRA fee, or approving the positions on a one-time basis. Members generally supported the work but raised budget concerns, and the proposal was held open. Finally, Cal Fire began presenting a fixed-wing pilot and mechanics contract increase, explaining that its aviation fleet has grown and become more complex, requiring more pilots and maintainers for year-round operations. The department said labor market pressures have increased contractor costs and that the contract is needed to support continuous aerial firefighting readiness. The transcript cuts off before further discussion or any action on that item.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Apr 24th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is an honor and a blessing as a native Texan to be able to share this prayer with you.
  • It is an honor and a blessing as a native Texan to be able to share this prayer with you.
  • Established in 1913, Jim Hogg County was named in honor of Governor James Stephen Hogg, our state's first native-born
  • the commission is appointed by the Supreme Court, and then the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, messages from the House, and several recognitions, including county day delegations from Fayette, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Austin, and others, as well as a recognition of Rob Keppel for his career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 429 designating October 2025 as RET Syndrome Awareness Month and SR 432 honoring Rob Keppel. A doctor-of-the-day introduction and a public announcement about free skin checks were also made. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1152, creating the offense of continuous manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, passed after suspension of the rules. SB 1868, regulating kratom and related substances, was amended to prohibit smokeable kratom products and kratom pills and to clarify THC variants such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, then passed. SB 1349, creating offenses for transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law, drew debate over a failed amendment that would have added election misinformation and foreign meddling; the bill ultimately passed unanimously. SB 2037, expediting review of LNG environmental permits, passed after amendments clarifying fees and deadlines, with opposition focused on its energy-policy implications. SB 1164, addressing emergency detention and court-ordered inpatient mental health treatment, passed after a drafting-error correction and discussion of the bill’s basis in recommendations from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Senate also advanced SB 2743 on prosecution of certain election offenses, which would allow a court process to disqualify a local prosecutor who repeatedly refuses to prosecute election cases and appoint the Attorney General; it passed to engrossment amid questions about evidence and local discretion. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit members, supporters, volunteers, and donors from disclosure by public agencies, passed unanimously. SB 2349, exempting certain short-term leases and temporary tenancies from floodplain notice requirements, passed unanimously. SB 2788, adding PSAT and pre-ACT scores for Texas Success Initiative exemptions and clarifying dual-credit eligibility, passed unanimously after amendment. SB 843, creating a TEA database of school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects and adding charter schools, passed after amendments on funding and scope. Finally, SB 1832, allowing parents to transfer a student who was victimized by a public school employee to another campus, passed to engrossment after extended debate over whether the bill should also cover private schools and how it would interact with school choice and ESA policy. SB 39, revising the admission rule in commercial motor vehicle collision cases, was laid out and debated over its effect on negligent entrustment and related evidence, with the author emphasizing that the bill preserves the bifurcated trial structure and does not alter other admissibility rules.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Apr 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Over-reporting disproportionately impacts Black and Native American children, with studies showing these
  • In California, 50% of Black and Native American children are investigated by CPS by age 18.
  • Native American children are investigated by CPS by age 18, compared to only 25% of white children.
  • L. is a 70-year-old monolingual Mandarin speaker.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Latinas in our focus groups were more likely to be first-generation, native-born women with strong
  • Native-born women with strong work ethics and a determination to succeed.
  • immigrants, both documented and undocumented; 98% are women, 44% are Latinas, and 45% are Spanish speakers
  • And I'm actually very thankful that one of the things that the speaker on our side of the Assembly is
  • that we support, I’m not probably going to say anything astounding since you had some wonderful speakers
Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So a sergeant, if you'll block that wherever we are there, that's the last speaker for this part.
  • Fenstermaker for the California Council of Land Trusts, echoing the comments of some of the previous speakers
  • and reduces VMT, goes hand in hand with some of the comments you heard from some of the previous speakers
  • and reduces VMT, goes hand in hand with some of the comments you heard from some of the previous speakers
  • Alex Luma on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust, Defenders of Wildlife, California Native Plant Society,
Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Fri Mar 14, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • University of Hawaiʻi System, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the County of Maui, and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau
Keywords: 910, house, all