Transcript Highlights:

• WE WANT IT SALUTE THE UNIVERSITY FOR AGREEING TO AN MOU TO LEASE 14 ACRES OF SPACE AT THE CAMPUS.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
• WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WE FEEL CRAS TO INCREDIBLY GULLIBLE
• THEY SPENT 17.5 MILLION DOLLARS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT THERE IS ONE PROJECT WITH A COMPLETED PHASE
• IS A DIRECT NEXUS TO BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS MENTIONED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This prohibits the state from leasing any public lands or extending the lease of any public lands to
• </c> 427 and this is relating to land leases 427 and this is relating to land leases this<00:21:05.360
• Yes, leases.
• And keep in mind some of the military leases—an example is a real old lease issued in 1964.
• </c> leases P an example is a real old lease leases P an example is a real old lease it's<00:27:38.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several water, land, and natural resources measures. SB 5 would narrow the definition of historic property to properties eligible for the Hawaii Register of Historic Places or with important Native Hawaiian or ethnic cultural value. The State Historic Preservation Division said the bill would tighten the definition and could reduce or streamline reviews, while one testifier warned it could add another layer of review and delay. Support and opposition were both noted. SB 19 would appropriate funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources to establish positions, and it drew strong support from DLNR and multiple ocean and reef advocates. SB 145, concerning declarations of water shortage and emergency, was supported by the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Board of Water Supply, which said rulemaking would improve transparency and public input. The chair also noted broader public concern about water use and pricing, especially on Maui. SB 44 would prohibit commercial sale of parrotfish caught by spearing and ban spearing them at night; DLNR supported the measure, while several fishers and gathering-rights advocates opposed it, arguing it would restrict traditional gathering and that resource management should focus on fish populations rather than methods. The committee noted 26 communications in support and opposition combined. SB 427 would bar the state from leasing or extending public land leases to parties in arrears, out of compliance with environmental obligations, or convicted of a crime, and would require gubernatorial certification for certain federal leases. DLNR said existing law and BLNR procedures already address compliance and cure periods, while supporters argued the bill would help ensure accountability for contaminated or poorly managed lands. The committee also began SB 457, dealing with submerged land reclamation and leasing of submerged/tidal lands; DLNR again said current statutes and BLNR protocols were already adequate, describing existing review and enforcement practices for shoreline structures and easements. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> entering into a sale or lease. entering into a sale or lease.
• </c> giving them the option to lease it. giving them the option to lease it.
• . lease. lease.
• </c> pretty good lease payment out of them. pretty good lease payment out of them.
• </c><00:42:15.280><c> lease.

Committee: Joint Public Property

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Affordability, affordability.
• Affordability, affordability.
• That is an affordability issue because those costs... ...in replacement and repair costs.
• That is an affordability issue because those costs are getting passed through.
• In reality, with costs so high, we're in an affordability crisis where people can't afford their groceries

Bills: HB2015 , HB2060 , HB2062 , HB2100 , HB2118 , HB2165 , HB2258 , HB2327 , HB2397 , HB2445 , HB2460 , HB2641 , HB2745 , HB2876 , HB2917 , HB4011 , HB4049 , HB4056 , HB4087 , HCR2013 , HCR2016 , HCR2040 , HCR2044 , HCR2048 , HCR2056

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• CHC advocates for the production and preservation of affordable housing, and we're here in strong support
• This bill delivers more affordable, accessible energy for hardworking Californians in my district.
• But we've seen it happen in the affordable housing-for-rent market, which is important.
• We need to build for-rent housing for sure that's affordable and deed-restricted.
• Again, we've seen the success with affordable housing on the rental side.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then as the uses, it would be affordable and attainable housing.
• Chair, Representative Lujan, I think by the time we close the RFP, the affordable housing money will
• One month in a nursing home is like $19,000, and I've heard of some as affordable as $6,000, but most
• But most people can't afford that type of care. Mr.
• Chair and Secretary, I suggest that the taxpayers of New Mexico cannot afford nursing home care.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> clean, affordable, and reliable energy." clean, affordable, and reliable energy."
• </c><00:48:04.240><c> reliability</c> the affordability and the reliability the affordability and the
• </c> delivering affordability benefits. delivering affordability benefits.
• </c> in a reliable and an affordable way. in a reliable and an affordable way.
• </c><01:53:31.760><c> a</c> money for people who cannot afford a money for people who cannot afford a

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, Californians are facing an affordability crisis in the form of rapidly rising electricity
• electricity is more abundant can help reduce electric grid costs and provide ratepayers with more affordable
• Yes, affordability. Our rates are down 11%. Yes, affordability.
• And our Assembly Speaker and the Assembly as a whole has been focused not just on affordability, but
• For example, a model, sort of similar to Citizens, where there's sort of a lease between a public agency

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't think there are a lot more leases left.
• Mahalo. leases expire they'll not be renewed for leases expire they'll not be renewed for agriculture
• the other alternative is renewing lease the other alternative is renewing these<00:38:17.160><c> leases
• </c><00:38:45.599><c> and</c> DNR is actively managing the lease and DNR is actively managing the lease
• </c> that it's not as if by when their lease that it's not as if by when their lease is<00:45:19.800>

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my question is related to the mineral leasing.
• Chairman, the question there is, the mineral leasing is very difficult to estimate.
• I will say this is the lease bonuses and the royalties that come to the state from mineral activity on
• Some of it relates to federal policy that allows rebidding of leases and that leasing activity.
• Maybe we lease a little bit out to somebody in the executive branch. There are plenty of options.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my question is related to the mineral leasing.
• Chairman, the question there is that mineral leasing is very difficult to estimate.
• I will say this is the lease bonuses and the royalties that come to the state from mineral activity on
• Some of it relates to federal policy that allows rebidding of leases and that leasing activity.
• You know, maybe we lease a little bit out to somebody in the executive branch.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've made it work, but for most of our history, we've leased commercial spaces and converted them into
• We've made it work, but for most of our history, we've leased commercial spaces and converted them into
• We've made it work, but for most of our history, we've leased commercial spaces and converted them into
• 00:15:05.680><c> our</c><00:15:05.920><c> history,</c><00:15:06.240><c> we've</c><00:15:06.480><c> leased
• </c> for most of our history, we've leased for most of our history, we've leased commercial<00:15:07.600

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, in addition to asking for a list of all current leases that are leased out to any federal
• </c> um a list of all of the current leases um a list of all of the current leases that<00:19:55.280>
• ><c> any</c><00:19:56.240><c> federal</c> that are leased out to any federal that are leased out to any
• </c> both uh current and potential lease both uh current and potential lease renewals.<00:20:04.400><
• Um so this is a a continued leases.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on April 15, 2025, and heard several Senate resolutions. For S.R. 128, S.D. 1, which asks the Attorney General to provide a list of state lands leased to the United States or federal agencies, Deputy Attorney General Miranda Steed said the Attorney General had concerns with the resolution as drafted because it also seeks legal opinions on the legality of current and potential lease renewals. She noted the issue is important, especially with military leases expiring in 2029, but said the request was too broad and suggested legislators bring specific questions to the Attorney General after session instead of through a resolution. Committee members discussed the request, including concerns about language referencing the current administration, but ultimately recommended passage as is, with one member noting support with reservations. The motion to pass S.R. 128, S.D. 1 unamended was adopted. The committee then considered S.R. 204, requesting the Department of Law Enforcement to provide information on the disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosives, fireworks, and similar hazardous materials. There was no in-person testimony and no one on Zoom to testify, though one written testimony with comments had been received. The committee recommended passage of S.R. 204 as is, and the recommendation was adopted without opposition. Finally, the committee took up S.R. 184, requesting county police departments to increase enforcement against out-of-state vehicles operating on public roads without proper county registration. Again, there was no live testimony, only one written submission with comments. The vice chair recommended passage as is, noting a similar House resolution had not been scheduled on the other side. The committee adopted the recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> transmitted two advertisements for lease transmitted two advertisements for lease space<00:02:47.440
• </c><00:08:00.000><c> purchase</c> through lease purchase through lease purchase financing.<00:08:02.160
• This space is currently leased under PR 5297 through June 30, 2025, and the new lease resulted from the
• This lease has been reported 2030.
• lease lease 12,746<00:21:33.200><c> square</c><00:21:33.440><c> ft</c><00:21:33.760><c> of</c><00:21

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University. The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity. Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lease Assistance Award will help pay for rent and lease obligations for these schools.
• Item 5A in your books this morning is the FY26 Lease Assistance Awards.
• The lease issue: the district and the Pueblo of Milwaukee have executed a lease for a tract of land owned
• We don't want to be in a lease basis. We want to make this permanent.
• And if not, it would roll into a 99-year lease.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn't make things more affordable.
• A state dollar invested in affordable housing, an affordable rental housing, can leverage a ratio of
• A state dollar invested in affordable housing, an affordable rental housing, can leverage a ratio of
• to go to school and they can afford to live.
• to go to school and they can afford to live.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot afford to lose $300,000 through this bad ruling BCF program. Please support SB 6047.
• We cannot afford to lose $300,000 through this bad ruling BCF program. Please support SB 6047.
• . create a new tax burden at a time when premium affordability is already under a significant strain.
• Again, all these taxes are borne by our customers, who are experiencing an affordability crisis.
• It’s a bill that raises questions about affordability and fairness in our view.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on nine bills. Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic donations for ECAP preschool slots; supporters, including DCYF, the governor’s office, and early learning advocates, said it would help expand access to high-quality pre-K with a 10-year Ballmer Group commitment for up to 10,000 new seats annually. Senators asked how the money would flow, and staff and witnesses explained it would be governed by an MOU and deposited annually; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5879 would eliminate two JLARC studies, one on lodging tax reporting and one on training benefits; supporters said the reports were duplicative and burdensome, while the hospitality industry warned against losing transparency, and no action was taken. Senate Bill 6047 would permanently codify various capital budget administration rules, including minor works flexibility and early learning grant changes; testimony focused on technical cleanup and on provisions affecting co-located child care and community projects, with no vote taken. Senate Bill 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to charge fees for accrediting opioid treatment programs, with support from DOH and tribal/nontribal providers who want the state to continue providing the service; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5923 would allow Island Hospital in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital, with local hospital leaders and residents supporting the measure to improve reimbursement and sustain rural care; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5832 would raise the Lemon Law arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to fund the Attorney General’s consumer protection work, and the AG’s office, dealers, and the sponsor said the program is effective and underfunded; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5970 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers, with AARP supporting the bill as a benefit to seniors and caregivers; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5994 would preserve timber tax distributions for school districts that recently had qualifying levies, and forest industry witnesses supported the bill while suggesting a possible amendment for state forest transfer lands; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5949 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses so it applies only to the entity paying the insurance premiums tax, retroactive to 2019; the Department of Revenue and bill supporters argued it restores tax equity, while insurers, health plans, and business groups opposed it as retroactive, ambiguous, and likely to raise premiums. The committee heard extensive testimony on that bill, but the transcript ends with adjournment and no recorded vote or executive action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was all this discussion about what they'd done in '84 and how affordable the games were.
• We cannot just have those that could afford it be able to attend.
• But then there's also having them in areas that already could afford it.
• I'll call it also the GRN. to afford the service even if we wanted to.
• . ...and college sites for backup power and affordability.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan includes 220-plus units of mixed-income affordable housing with 100% veteran preference and
• my rent,' 'I'm homeless,' 'How am I supposed to afford this place?'
• Their lease runs out in the next few months.
• We went through the process with DCAM to negotiate a new office lease.
• It effectively affords the ability now for clients to go in and lock their cards, make them basically

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. military lease lands um it's the aclu's military lease lands um it's the aclu's mission<01
• How many actual leases are there? ...How many actual leases are there?
• We're going to lease it. We're going to extend the lease or renew the lease for the military.
• We're going to lease it. We're going to extend the lease or renew the lease for the military.
• We're going to lease it. We're going to extend the lease or renew the lease for the military.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.