Transcript Highlights:

• Convening this morning's hearing for the House Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development
• We are reconvening this morning's hearing for the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic
• On the Committee on Economic Development and Technology, we have the same recommendations for HB 916.
• For the Committee on Economic Development and Technology, voting on House Bill 916 HD1.

Bills: SB2816

Keywords: enterprise zones, economic development, innovation enterprise, job creation, Hawaii, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard House Bill 2195, HD1, which would replace the existing transit accommodations tax on cruise ships with a per-passenger infrastructure fee collected by the Department of Transportation and deposited into a new cruise ship special fund. Testimony included support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii warning that the bill should remain narrowly tied to harbor-related uses to avoid potential Tonnage Clause issues. The Department of Transportation testified that cruise-related harbor work includes pier repairs, dredging, terminal upgrades, and shore power, and said a dedicated revenue stream would help prioritize cruise infrastructure needs. The Attorney General’s office said it had submitted written comments but did not address questions about the litigation or constitutional background. Members questioned whether the new special fund was necessary when the existing harbor special fund already finances similar improvements. DOT said the funds overlap and suggested the bill could be amended to use the harbor special fund with a separate cruise subaccount, while still preserving a dedicated revenue stream and separate accounting. DOT also said it currently collects port entry, dockage, and per-head passenger fees from cruise ships and that existing cruise-related expenditures from the harbor special fund have not been challenged. The chair ultimately recommended moving HB 2195 forward as introduced, while continuing discussions about the fund structure and awaiting further clarity from the Attorney General and DOT. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass HB 2195, HD1, as is. They also voted to pass House Bill 916, HD1, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, which would allow certain state low-income housing tax credits to offset state transient accommodations taxes in the same county and make Act 129 of 2016 permanent. Both the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 916, HD1, unamended. The hearing was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 124, economic development rodeo museum.
• We had a local economic development group that went out and actually is set up for a new economic development
• It's absolutely economic wise, Wyoming.
• Uh, teacher's aides, I mean, I might have misspoke.
• Uh, teacher's aides, I mean, I might have misspoke.

Bills: HB0150

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:33.360><c> development</c> evaluate and reform economic development evaluate and reform economic
• </c> maybe a leadership vacuum in economic maybe a leadership vacuum in economic development.<00:04:03.200
• </c> actually work with economic development. actually work with economic development.
• </c> economic development in their community. economic development in their community.
• </c> knuckle economic development people. knuckle economic development people.

Bills: HB0150

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The E&E Committee met to finalize action on Senate Bill 2018, the Commerce Department budget. Members reviewed several funding lines and made verbal adjustments, including reducing tourism marketing awareness to $5 million, keeping Operation Intern at $2 million, restoring the Destination Development Fund to $20 million, setting Autonomous Agriculture Grants/Grand Farm at $10 million, and reducing the WIP Regional Workforce Impact Program to $5 million. Representative Martinson proposed additional earmarks for the Fargo Theatre, Maddock trolley cars, a theater in Marmarth, and Driscoll’s community hall, and also moved to keep the Destination Development Fund at $25 million; the committee discussed these items, but the transcript does not show separate recorded votes on those proposals. The committee adopted two amendments. One dealt with the drone replacement program and related data-collection direction, with language agreed to by UAS representatives, IT, and the governor’s office. The second, offered by Representative Swantec, created a trigger for funding children’s science centers in Fargo and Grand Forks if the SIF fund exceeds a specified threshold during the 2025-27 biennium; the amendment was clarified to use the term “Children’s Science Education Center” and passed 7-0. The committee then approved a do-pass motion on the Commerce budget as amended and with the verbal changes discussed, passing the bill 7-0. During debate, Representative Louser raised concerns that the budget’s spending could affect property tax relief, while the chair responded that there would still be sufficient money for tax relief and that the programs funded were ongoing and successful. The chair closed by thanking members and staff, noting conference committee assignments and a committee dinner, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Dialogue has been very productive in terms of deepening economic ties and security ties with chief
• Senator, as the President and the Secretary have said, tariffs are just one tool in our economic and
• Which is that Elon Musk said that AID was a criminal enterprise.
• By the way, do you agree that AID is a criminal enterprise? Senator, thank you for that question.
• committee is a co-conspirator because we've all supported AID.

Keywords: Senator Flinstone, HB22, SB4, amendments, public testimony, legislation, environmental impact, economic implications

Summary: The meeting featured a thorough examination of various bills, including substantial discussions on HB22 and SB4. Key points included amendments proposed by committee members, particularly from Senator Flinstone, who emphasized the need for clarifications on certain provisions. The committee actively engaged with several witnesses providing public testimony, some in favor of the proposed legislation while others highlighted concerns and potential implications. The discussions were vibrant, showcasing different perspectives, especially on the environmental and economic impacts of the bills in question. The meeting concluded with a consensus to reconvene after a recess to further address the outstanding issues related to the bills.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• While they have seen some improvement in economic conditions in recent years, significant headwinds remain
• farmers as they face the workforce shortages, emerging diseases, import pressures that threaten their economic
• has impacted more than 160 million birds and nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the country, causing economic
• On trade and economic competitiveness, fair trade is critical for fresh produce growers.
• And I think we can all agree that depopulation is an incredibly expensive, economically and emotionally

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Midwest factories, the ports like Kwanzaa, generating economic growth across our country.
• The economic slap back is here now.
• Without changes, our nation is needlessly undermining our own economic development and climate goals.
• Minimize litigation risks and maintain economic growth. Here are four ways Congress can help.
• Leading to economic damage and, tragically, loss of life.

Keywords: environmental review, permitting process, infrastructure, bipartisan legislation, economic growth, Nucor, West Virginia

Summary: The meeting focused on critical discussions surrounding the need for modernizing the federal environmental review and permitting processes. Witnesses from various sectors, including Nucor, provided testimony on the delays and costs associated with current regulations, emphasizing the impact on infrastructure and economic growth. Major projects in West Virginia, such as the Corridor H and Coalfield Expressways, were highlighted as examples of initiatives stalled by excessive permitting hurdles, prompting calls for bipartisan legislation to streamline these processes while maintaining environmental protections. The committee expressed a commitment to address these issues immediately, highlighting the urgency to enhance efficiency in permitting to facilitate economic development.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is, all of them, regardless of their circumstances, economic circumstances, educational circumstances
• of our members with oversight over this program will be able to assess the demographics from an economic
• dollars and we're going to let it we're going to let people apply 80% are in different stratas of economically
• But at 16, I would. would agree that that is total aid.
• The bill that passed out of here in the Senate in both special sessions, it authoritized economically

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Bills: HF2431

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Bills: HF2431

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a staff attorney at Legal Aid in the Minnesota Disability Law Center.
• ><00:51:05.440><c> attorney</c><00:51:05.839><c> at</c><00:51:06.079><c> Legal</c><00:51:06.319><c> Aid
• and zero nays, the motion prevails and the bill is passed. >> You know, hope no one needs a hearing aid
• </c><01:27:16.639><c> after</c> hope no one needs a hearing aid after hope no one needs a hearing aid
• This simply would basically activate or get aid to that person that is injured.

Bills: HF3661, HF2380, HF3468, HF3483

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Chair Kisha, members, House File 3492 is a grant program funded with state aid.
• </c><01:11:36.400><c> for</c> uh schools revenue or safety aid for uh schools revenue or safety aid for
• </c><01:21:19.920><c> Every</c> costs without direct aid. Every costs without direct aid.
• </c> schools are included in safety aid schools are included in safety aid funding.<01:21:39.520><c>
• They get no aid for this funding stream.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Bills: HB441, HB425, HB416

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, mental health, regional authority, board of directors, local governance, public health, sudden cardiac arrest, automated external defibrillator, AED, school safety, emergency response, cardiac emergency response plan, training, athletic events, first aid, 923

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm calling to order this meeting of the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and
• </c><00:21:05.600><c> Um</c><00:21:05.919><c> this</c> them took economic losses.
• Um this them took economic losses.
• </c><00:21:10.799><c> It</c><00:21:11.039><c> does</c> the economic release package.
• It does the economic release package.

Bills: HF3732

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, economic development, grants, job creation, 1183, house

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Bills: HB2347

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, 904, all

Bills: SB6132

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all