Transcript Highlights:

• Ward excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita. Madam Speaker, 46 members are present, five are excused.
• Ward excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita. Mr. Hussey. Miss Ilagan. Miss Iwamoto. Miss Kahaloa.
• Ward excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita. Mr. Keohokalole. Mr. Kong. Miss Kusch. Miss Lamosao. Mr.
• Ward excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita. Mr. Perruso excused. Mr. Pierick. Miss Poepoe. Mr.
• Ward excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita. Madam Speaker, here. Mr.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, then deferred reading of the journal. The chamber received Governor’s Message No. 4, which transmitted proposed changes to the fiscal biennium 2025-2027 executive budget, and the message was received and filed. The House also received a Senate communication transmitting a Senate bill that had passed third reading in the Senate; on motion by Representative Morikawa, seconded by Representative Garcia, the bill was given first reading by title on a voice vote. During introductions, Representative Morikawa recognized staff members Judy Hernandez and Robbie Allen, Representative Lamosao welcomed Kab Bukowski of IBEW 1260, and Representative Iwamoto introduced a Hawaii Pacific University student group visiting to learn about the legislative process and environmental policy. The House then considered Standing Committee Report No. 797; Representative Todd moved to adopt the report and advance the accompanying House bill as amended to second reading and third reading calendar, the motion was seconded by Representative Morikawa, and it passed by voice vote. No resolutions were up for action, and none were referred to print. Announcements highlighted an upcoming Capitol agriculture event featuring more than 70 vendors and a separate notice about House member jacket samples and ordering for 2025. The House adjourned on motion by Representative Moryker, seconded by Representative Garcia, until 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 27th.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> no representative Ward no representative Ward no<00:36:48.760><c> representative</c><00:36:49.359
• My name is Jerry Ward, and I represent Rockingham 27, which is Ward 4 in Portsmouth.
• </c> you deputy secretary representative Ward you deputy secretary representative Ward you<01:00:20.119
• </c> town with two Villages and a City ward town with two Villages and a City ward so<01:25:37.679><c
• </c><04:10:49.720><c> nine</c><04:10:50.000><c> we're</c> ward that at least in ward nine we're ward

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward. Wicks here. Wilson. Okay, not quite there.
• Ward? Aye. Ward. Wicks. Wilson. Sir, you may continue. Aye, Hart. Aye. Irwin? Aye. McKinner. Aye.
• Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Ward? Aye. Ward. Wicks. Wilson. Sir, you may continue.
• Ward, seconded by Mr. Hart. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• Ward. Aye. Aye. Pellerin. Petrie-Norris. Aye. Petrie-Norris. Aye. Ward. Aye. Wilson.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on consumer transparency, environmental protection, education accountability, and privacy protections. AB 2143 by Assemblymember Irwin would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California; supporters said the bill would close an e-commerce loophole that helps spread invasive species, while TechNet opposed it unless clearer standards and safeguards were added. AB 1744 by Assemblymember Addis, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, would bar sunscreen products containing chemical UV filters from being marketed as “reef safe” or similar claims; supporters, including a Sacramento high school eco club and Surfrider Foundation, said the bill would prevent misleading greenwashing, while the Personal Care Products Council expressed concern about implications for the safety of those ingredients. The committee also heard AB 1861 by Assemblymember Lackey, which would require the California Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable database of special education complaint decisions with personal information redacted. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help identify patterns of noncompliance affecting students with disabilities, while county education officials argued state resources should instead go toward filling special education vacancies. AB 2624 by Assemblymember Bonta would expand the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers and restrict online posting of their personal information when intended to threaten or intimidate; supporters described rising harassment, doxing, and threats against immigrant-serving organizations, while Assemblymember DeMaio raised First Amendment and public transparency concerns and Assemblymember Patterson questioned the bill’s limits on protest and publication. Because the committee initially lacked a quorum, several bills were heard and later voted on once quorum was established. Members generally praised the bills and, in some cases, requested to be added as coauthors. When votes were taken, AB 1861, AB 1744, AB 2143, and AB 2624 all passed out of committee, with AB 2624 receiving 11 aye votes and 2 no votes; the others were reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson. Petrie-Norris. Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• , aye, Ward, aye, Wicks, Wilson, aye.
• Ward: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. Mr.
• Patterson no Pelleron Petri Norris I Petri Norris aye Ward ward I wicks I wicks I wicks I Wilson Wilson

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward filed. Item number two, AB, 21. Thank you very much, Mr. Ward. Do you have witnesses, Mr.
• Ward? Great. You may proceed when ready. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members.
• We are proud to join Assembly Member Ward in sponsoring AB 2222.
• Ward.
• Ward.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senator Sullivan, would you Senator Ward Senator Sullivan, would you Senator Ward would 68 We still
• Thank you, Chair Ward.
• Thank you, Chair Ward. Senator Brent. Thank you, Chair Ward.
• <c> SAU</c><01:08:07.319><c> consolidation</c> this says propose an SAU consolidation this says propose
• </c> a lot of problems with the proposal. a lot of problems with the proposal.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes that ratepayers are on the hook for $1 billion.
• </c> mean you know the day that the proposal mean you know the day that the proposal came<01:55:26.920
• Representative Quinlan, hi, noting the absence of Representative Ward.
• </c><02:05:54.199><c> uh</c> the absence of Representative Ward uh the absence of Representative Ward
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, Representative Ward is absent.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Ward.
• Thank you, Senator Ward.
• So thank you Senator Ward. we all this? So thank you Senator Ward.
• Senator Ward, the proposal is to take lines 16 through 27 out of the bill that was presented to us, the
• Senator Ward, the<01:42:11.520><c> proposal</c><01:42:12.159><c> is</c><01:42:12.480><c> to</c><01:42

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep Perez, Rep Ward-Johnson, Rep Davis, Rep Schaffner. All right, a quorum is present.
• Ward-Johnson. Aye. Rep. Davis. Aye. And Rep. Schaffner. Aye.
• Rep Perez, rep Ward-Johnson, rep Davis, and rep Schaffner.
• HB 2081 proposes a strategic investment to address this gap.
• Yes, Representative Ward-Johnson, please.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jerry Ward from Portsmith.
• </c> District 2 Milton and Rochester Ward District 2 Milton and Rochester Ward five<00:06:58.599><c>
• What would you propose for that gap?
• </c><01:40:52.679><c> two</c> Ward one's ballots and not ward two Ward one's ballots and not ward two
• </c> Lane yes representative Ward Lane yes representative Ward no<02:48:35.319><c> representative</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward: Aye. Tangipa: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0.
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Tangipa: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number five.
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number eight, SB 1014?
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number ten, SB 1092.
• Ward? Aye. Ward? Aye. Ta? Aye. Ta? Aye. Ta? Wix? Aye. Wix? I, Wilson? Aye. Wilson? I. 920.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here Vice Chair Flores, Rep Cole, Rep Dayala, Rep Kerwin, Rep Martinez Fisher, Rep Orr, Rep Basu, Rep Ward
• Ward Johnson, we will have somebody come and visit with you regarding that if that's OK.
• They also kill endangered species, including a number of bat species, and there is a proposed species
• Well, no, and I, I'm thinking too, like for the purposes of, of, uh, the suit's proposal here that, you
• Cole, Rep Da Ayala, Rep Kerwin, Rep Martinez Fisher, Rep or Rep Martinez, excuse me, Rep Basu, Rep Ward

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, when our wards do have populations where 40% is obtainable.
• </c> the way or in this proposed bill. the way or in this proposed bill.
• Uh, Senator Boner, I have proposed amendments right here.
• So what we're proposing requirements.
• </c><01:34:17.920><c> over</c> as we look at these uh at proposals over as we look at these uh at proposals

Bills: HB0002, HB0022

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward? Here. Thank you. We do have a quorum.
• Ward, aye. That has 11 votes. We'll hold the roll open for members to be able to add on.
• Ward. Aye. That has 11 votes, and we'll hold the roll open for members to be able to add on.
• Ward? Aye. All right, we have tended to it, and it’s out, and we’ll leave that open.
• Ward. Aye. Okay. We have 10 aye votes and we'll leave that roll open.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward here. Thank you. We do have a quorum.
• Ward, aye. We have 10 votes, and we'll hold the roll open for other members to add on.
• Ransom, Rogers, Sharp Collins, Sharp Collins, aye, Ward. Ward, aye. That has 11 votes.
• Ward? Aye. All right, we have tended to it and it's out, and we'll leave that open.
• Ward? Aye. Okay. We have 10 aye votes and we'll leave that roll open.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard six bills. AB 1837 (Gonzalez) would remove the sunset on transit agencies’ authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking violations in bus lanes and at bus stops. The author and supporters from transit agencies, Streets for All, and the California Police Chiefs Association said the program improves bus reliability, safety, and access for riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Some members raised concerns about automated enforcement error rates and due process, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1944 (Lee), presented by Assemblymember Arreguín, would delay implementation of declining axle-weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the existing final cap in place. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit agencies, said heavier batteries are needed for longer-range zero-emission buses and the delay would help agencies comply with clean transit goals. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1599 (Arreguín) would require Caltrans to create a centralized statewide transit stop registry with standardized stop information. Move LA, AARP, Streets for All, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve trip planning, data consistency, and accessibility for riders; the bill also passed to Appropriations. AB 1608 (Wilson) would expand the California High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General’s authority, including hiring and contracting flexibility and a requirement to publish reports with limited confidentiality protections. The author, the Inspector General, and the First Amendment Coalition said the bill would improve oversight and transparency while protecting sensitive information; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1613 (Wilson) would create a mandatory off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course for access to off-highway lands starting in 2029. Supporters from the off-road community said the bill was developed through stakeholder safety summits and would reduce accidents and protect public lands; it passed to Water, Parks, and Wildlife. AB 1662 (Wilson) would require DMV points for certain offenses that are dismissed through diversion programs, which supporters framed as a needed accountability measure for dangerous driving and opponents from ACLU Cal Action criticized as undermining diversion and harming low-income drivers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Final roll calls showed each bill advancing, with AB 1662 receiving the strongest support and the other measures also moving forward despite some no votes on AB 1837, AB 1944, AB 1608, and AB 1613.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Ward in support. Keon Parker in support. J. Julia Wood Goodman in support.
• Sarah Ward in support. Keon Parker in support. J. Julia Wood Goodman in support.
• Sarah Ward in support. Keon Parker in support. J. Julia Wood Goodman in support.
• Sarah Ward in support. Keon Parker in support. J. Julia Wood Goodman in support.
• Sarah Ward in support. Keon Parker in support. J. Julia Wood Goodman in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The HHS committee met in Room 224 and announced the hearing was being streamed live, with a one-minute limit on testimony. The chair explained that written testimony had already been reviewed and that speakers should either add new comments or stand on their written testimony. The committee first heard SB 2211, an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including DHS, Aloha United Way, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the importance of maintaining SNAP-related food assistance and emergency food delivery, while Catholic Charities raised a question about whether the bill’s language would also reach food banks serving food-insecure households that are not on SNAP. No opposition was heard and the bill was moved on without questions from members. The committee then heard SB 2025, which would exempt actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses from jury duty. Testimony was broadly supportive from nursing and health organizations, including the Hawaii American Nurses Association, the Hawaii affiliate of the College of Nurse Midwives, the Hawaii State Board of Nursing, and others. One witness from Kaiser Permanente requested an amendment to include physician assistants, and a committee member asked the Board of Nursing to review that request. The bill otherwise drew no opposition and no further member questions. SB 2038, relating to medication labeling, drew the most extended discussion. The measure would change labeling requirements for certain abortion medications, and testimony was split between supporters who framed it as a privacy and access issue and opponents who raised patient safety, ethics, and transparency concerns. The Department of Health supported the intent but requested an amendment to allow quicker access to private information during investigations without a subpoena. The Board of Pharmacy said it supported the written comments but noted operational challenges and possible cost impacts, while Kaiser said compliance would likely require manual workarounds and could slow pharmacy processes. The chair and members questioned whether patients could simply remove labels themselves, but witnesses said there could still be safety and access issues if the patient is not the one receiving the prescription. The committee then moved on to SB 2050, relating to chiropractic, which received support from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, with no substantive opposition noted. The hearing later turned to SB 201, relating to insurance, which appeared to be a new mandated-benefit measure tied to infertility/IVF coverage. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission provided comments, while Hawaii Family Forum opposed the bill, arguing it went beyond medical infertility and raised ethical and public policy concerns. Kaiser and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans both asked for a study or audit, saying the measure could create new insurance mandates and increase costs for residents and employers. Private Work Hawaii strongly supported the bill as an equity issue. The committee noted there was no quorum for decision-making and deferred action on the measure to a later hearing, then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we don't have all the tools necessary to safeguard the ward.
• But we don't have all the tools necessary to safeguard the ward.
• They also include the public guardian for indigent wards.
• off the wards' assets.
• ' records, wards' visitation, and property items.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive updates on implementation of House Bill 1349, which created guardianship transparency measures, and on the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). The Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation described the statewide guardianship database for judges and a public-facing website, noting the system went live in March 2025 after a soft launch in 2024. Officials said the database now includes information from all 67 clerks, with 388 users, about 6,400 wards, and 518 professional guardians. Members asked about unique identifiers, data duplication, training, and how the system is being used; CCOC said it is working to use registration numbers as identifiers, improve search functions, expand training, and seek continued funding. Secretary Michelle Branham then outlined OPPG’s implementation of HB 1349 and its broader oversight role. She said the department has doubled education requirements, expanded transparency through the Sentry system, and brought investigations fully in-house in August 2024. She described the complaint and investigation process, including legal sufficiency review, regional investigators, mandatory in-person interviews, and possible outcomes ranging from corrective training and fines to suspension or revocation. Members asked about complaint categories, disciplinary actions, whether guardians can be suspended during investigations, and how older cases are handled; the secretary said most complaints are administrative/technical, serious allegations are referred to law enforcement, and one older case discussed remained ongoing. The Auditor General’s office presented its operational audit of OPPG, covering July 2022 through January 2024 and follow-up on prior findings. The audit identified problems with monitoring private professional guardians and public guardian offices, complaint processing timeliness, incomplete public profile information, late registration renewals, failure to assess contract penalties, weak collection safeguards, missing follow-up on required public guardian reports, lack of needed rules, and Sentry system access/security controls. In response, Secretary Branham said the department does not dispute the findings and has already taken corrective steps, including launching Sentry, hiring additional monitors, moving investigations in-house, adding automated renewal reminders, updating forms, and drafting new rules. She also said the department plans to seek subpoena power and stronger fines in the next legislative session. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after members’ questions were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward, yes. Senator Inis, yes. Senator Ward, yes.
• Senator Ward, yes. Senator yes. Senator Ward, yes. Senator Bashardy,<01:50:29.199><c> yes.
• </c> we have proposed floor amendment 2893. we have proposed floor amendment 2893.
• Senator Ward,<04:57:40.878><c> no.
• </c><04:57:43.120><c> Senator</c> Ward, no. Senator Rashardi, no. Senator Ward, no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DNR has proposed exemptions, and the chapters they propose are specific to the Northwestern Hawaiian
• DNR has proposed exemptions, and the chapters they propose are specific to the Northwestern Hawaiian
• </c> excused as is Representative Ward. excused as is Representative Ward.
• </c><01:13:04.080><c> Cherry</c> is Representative Ward. Cherry is Representative Ward.
• Quinnland and Ward are And reps.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits. Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward? Ward. Aye. Wilson. Wilson. Aye. Thank you so much. And we have the next bill, AB 2180.
• Ward. Aye. Ward. I. Wilson. Wilson, aye. All right. So, Sammy, Waugh. Well, thank you, Mr.
• Ward? Aye. Wilson? Aye. Wilson, aye. The vote is 6 to 2.
• Ward: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9 to 0.
• Ward: I. Ward: I. Wilson: Wilson, aye. Aye. The bill is out. We do have a couple more. That's good.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 25, 2026, hearing eight bills, with several measures focused on housing, water, and local government administration. AB 1621 by Assemblymember Wilson sought to speed post-entitlement housing permits by setting clearer timelines, limiting repeated plan checks, and restricting field changes that conflict with approved plans. Supporters from the building, apartment, business, and housing sectors said the bill would reduce delays and costs, while county and city representatives opposed it unless amended, warning it could limit local enforcement of building and environmental codes and create problems for incomplete applications. The bill passed after a roll call vote, with the committee noting it would continue working with local government groups on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1712, which would help Santa Fe Springs sell its small, financially strained water system to a larger regulated provider without requiring a municipal election, using a protest process instead. The author and city officials said the system faces contamination, major deferred maintenance, and rate increases that could otherwise triple; water industry representatives supported the bill and no opposition was heard. AB 2080, sponsored by county treasurers, would make county delegations of investment authority to treasurers ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burden and avoid technical lapses. AB 2640 would allow local governments to offset reductions in reimbursement for disallowed state mandate claims against other unpaid mandate reimbursements; Shasta County testified in support, describing a large audit disallowance and long-delayed state payments. Both bills passed. The committee also approved consent items AB 1622 and AB 1834. AB 2180, which would codify a framework for proportional water rates under Proposition 218 based on the Dreher decision, drew broad support from water agencies and local government groups, but opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors, who argued the bill was premature while the Supreme Court reviews related case law. Despite that opposition, the bill passed on a 6-2 vote, and the remaining bills were advanced with roll calls left open for additional votes before adjournment.