Video & Transcript Research : 'S.127 Housing and Housing Development'

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VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Caucus of the Whole - 2025-05-16 - 11:35AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • It revives the ability for the city and county to be able to do intensive housing development.
  • and Development Housing Finance and Development Corporation<00:43:26.400><c> approved</c><00:43:26.720
  • housing and transit-oriented development.
  • Next item is HB 1740, relating to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
  • ,</c><02:19:20.319><c> the</c> housing and lower density housing, the housing and lower density housing
Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd like to call to order the joint public hearing with the House Committees on Housing and Water and
  • I develop affordable housing under the city's Bill 7 program, and I also serve as a volunteer for the
  • and community development.
  • </c><01:55:58.719><c> The</c> housing and community development.
  • The housing and community development.
Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HOU Public Hearing 01-27-2026

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 2062 relates to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
  • and Sustainable Development in Planning and Sustainable Development in support.
  • Stanford Carr Development in support, Hawaii Appleseed in support, and Housing Hawaii's Future in support
  • </c> and Housing Hawaii's future in support. and Housing Hawaii's future in support.
  • And you know have to live in the house. And you know what?
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Housing and Land Management, City and County of Honolulu in support.
  • And, you know, Kathy Charities and our projects, or Kathy Charities Development Corporation, of course
  • </c> Both the House and the Senate drafts, where it says, you know, so in the House draft we did pair
  • </c> housing development.
  • And we just think housing development.
Summary: The House Housing Committee opened its Friday morning hearing by noting potentially catastrophic flooding on the island and acknowledging that some members were absent helping their communities, so quorum for voting was uncertain. The committee then heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most bills drawing support from housing agencies and community organizations and little or no opposition in the room. On SB 2069 SD2, SB 2177 SD2, and SB 2342 SD2, witnesses largely supported the measures. HHFDC supported SB 2069 and SB 2177, and HPHA supported SB 2342. For SB 2342, HHFDC raised concerns that the bill would alter the Qualified Allocation Plan outside the normal open, public process required by federal law and could exclude stakeholders; Kathy Charities echoed those concerns and also objected to changing point allocations in ways that could raise rents and weaken long-term affordability. Members questioned HHFDC about how the QAP is normally updated, the meaning of the point system, and whether a legislative working group could mandate changes; HHFDC said recommendations would still need public hearing and board approval. The committee also heard SB 2060 SD2, which would create a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund. HHFDC said the subaccount would likely use tier-two funds, estimated at about $100 million total, to support mixed-income projects above 60% AMI, citing Front Street Apartments as a possible example. Members asked about project selection and funding needs. On SB 2544 SD2, OHA opposed the bill’s Chapter 6E-related exemptions and mandatory review timelines, arguing that burial review protections should not be weakened and that the SPEED Task Force process was a better venue for streamlining. The sponsor later clarified that the bill was not meant to eliminate the 60-day review process but to make the deadline clearer. For SB 3011 SD1, which concerns public housing and pet ownership, HPHA and several humane organizations supported the measure, saying it would help low-income residents and seniors keep pets and benefit from animal companionship. HPHA explained its existing pet policy, including deposits, monthly fees, and restrictions, and said the requested funding would support ADA-accessible pet areas and related administration. Finally, on SB 2061 SD2, HCDA supported the bill while OHA opposed it unless protections for Hawaiian Crown and Government lands were strengthened. Committee members questioned the project’s 60/40 split between income-restricted and market-rate units, the 10-year owner-occupancy restriction, and the procurement exemption; the sponsor said the exemption was tied to a real estate transaction and that the project would still use 103D-like solicitation procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several items were left for later action because quorum was uncertain.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs May 6th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • As I dealt with developers, we were looking for two things: housing for teachers and housing for students
  • TAP represents over 700 members that develop, finance, and manage affordable housing across Texas.
  • Today, affordable housing developments in the tax credit program and the families who need them are restricted
  • it may not, and yet you'll still have a great housing development, which is great.
  • The bill qualifies for homeless housing and services programs through the Department of Housing and Community
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next, we have HCDA For the record, Gavin Thornon, housing policy director at Department of Housing and
  • I note that our mayor and our research and development did put in testimony today.
  • mayor and our um research and that our mayor and our um research and development<00:47:46.160><c> uh<
  • </c><01:18:57.920><c> there</c> housing shortage in West Maui and there housing shortage in West Maui
  • Um and I also see, affordable housing.
Summary: The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations. Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year. The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing none, next item on the agenda is SB 2424 SD1 related to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development
  • SB 2424 SD1 related to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
  • </c><00:14:20.480><c> and</c> developers to provide more housing and developers to provide more housing
  • </c> regulations and for housing in Hawaii. regulations and for housing in Hawaii.
  • </c><01:23:00.320><c> that</c> cost of housing by about 30% and that cost of housing by about 30% and
Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure. SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing. SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system. The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Trung Lamb with the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, and I stand on my written testimony.
  • is really enhancing the rest of our initiatives this session introduced by the House and the Senate
  • Hi, Georgia Skinner, Creative Industries, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
  • House and the Senate introduced by the House and the Senate to<00:15:10.800><c> help</c><00:15:11.040
  • </c> Economic Development, and Tourism. Economic Development, and Tourism.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Initiated by a large coalition of businesses, local governments, and housing leaders and developers across
  • and housing leaders and governments, and housing leaders and developers<00:04:33.520><c> across</c><00
  • Subdivision six is your mixed housing and greenfield developments.
  • </c> housing and green field developments. housing and green field developments.
  • development and increase housing supply.
Bills: HF3902, HF3895
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/25/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • across rental housing, new construction and preservation, single-family development, and manufactured
  • rental housing, new construction and preservation, single-family development, and manufactured home
  • Our members support the development of housing across our entire state and house our local workforces
  • development</c><01:36:24.679><c> uh</c> year and start the house development uh year and start the house
  • We've also lost far too many contractors and developers to build housing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • and timely delivery of housing. capacity and timely delivery of housing.
  • Housing Hawaii's Future in support. AP Hawaii in support. Avalon Development and Support.
  • That encourages the development of these alternative, diversified, and mixed-income housing strategies
  • Next item on the agenda is HB 1724 relating to the White Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
  • Next item on the agenda is HB 1724 relating to the White Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
Summary: The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent. The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Taxes Committee Meeting - 2025-05-06

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also want to thank you for the inclusion of provisions related to TIF on housing and economic development
  • , including a lot of housing. into both office and mixed-use development, including a lot of housing.
  • on housing and especially affordability.
  • Beacon is one of the largest developers and providers of supportive housing, with 24 buildings serving
  • Out, and then I'd like to really thank House Research, both partisan and nonpartisan, and House fiscal
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 5/6/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • that will be used for development of affordable housing and on property that is held by a land bank
  • House File 2437 as amended and uh I House File 2437 as amended and uh I really<00:59:00.799><c> want<
  • I also want to thank you for the inclusion of provisions related to TIF on housing and economic development
  • </c> development including a lot of housing. development including a lot of housing.
  • Beacon is one of the largest developers and providers of supportive housing, with 24 buildings and over
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Housing Committee Meeting - 2026-04-07

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> housing grants and programs committee. housing grants and programs committee.
  • </c> were great and a lot of state housing were great and a lot of state housing finance<00:25:42.960
  • > of</c> be done in housing and the taxpayers of be done in housing and the taxpayers of Minnesota<01
  • </c><01:31:35.040><c> and</c><01:31:35.360><c> housing</c> manufactured housing and housing manufactured
  • housing and housing stability<01:31:36.800><c> and</c><01:31:36.960><c> then</c><01:31:37.199><c> we
Bills: SF2434
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> I'll</c> our housing supply demand and and I'll our housing supply demand and and I'll say<00:48
  • We work across Minnesota to support economic development, housing stability, and wealth building within
  • The Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program is available exclusively to smaller and mid-size
  • Our communities are working diligently to support and attract the development of additional housing,
  • And just as importantly, these developments support local employers by ensuring there is housing available
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 15th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • companion in the House and the Senate.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development's report, ...
  • move into more permanent housing and job security.
  • costs associated with the development and construction of workforce single-family housing projects,
  • We all agree that education and housing go together.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 15th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, the chair lays out House Bill 1701 and recommends...
  • And I'm here to support House Bill 1701.
  • and simplify the permitting process for developers.
  • Thank you, Vice Chair and members, for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 4045.
  • I've been doing budgets for 25 years and am responsible for developing them, enacting them, and monitoring
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:30 pm

Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I did have one last-minute ask, and it was based on House action on the legislative branch budget,
  • And then... Elected officials, but not judicial and not legislative, as you said.
  • it and each line and say, yep, we approve the top when we approve this one.
  • in the '60s and '70s and early '80s.
  • quarter, and $4,500 of the... ...quarter, and $4,500 of that—$4,500—went to police officers and kids
Bills: SB2014
Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on the remaining bill and related amendments. Joe Morse asked the committee to include a $219,000 general fund replacement for rent that would no longer be collected from Career and Technical Education after the 15th floor of the tower becomes legislative space under the Legislative Council’s jurisdiction. Members discussed that state law currently requires rent only from executive branch office space, not legislative or judicial space, and there was no objection to adding the request to the amendment package. The committee then revisited a set of amendments it had previously discussed, including whether to include funding for Prairie Public. Senator Dwyer argued against any Prairie Public funding, citing its reserves, endowment, and charitable gaming revenue, and said the state should prioritize other needs. Senator Irby supported a one-time infrastructure contribution as the state shares in related infrastructure costs. Senator Sickler said Prairie Public still provides unique local programming, but that a one-time infrastructure item would be a reasonable compromise rather than ongoing operating support. A motion was made and seconded to provide Prairie Public $850,000 from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund for infrastructure needs. The roll call vote failed 3-2, with Senators Sickler and Irby voting aye, Senators Dwyer and Burkhard voting no, and Chairman Wanzek voting yes. After that vote, the committee indicated the amendment package was otherwise complete, though leadership had asked that final action on the bill be held for a little longer. The meeting adjourned with the understanding that more amendments could still be brought forward before the next meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, and you know, just providing clear parameters for these affordable housing credits.
  • and the transportation for the housing and the transportation committees.<00:15:31.880><c> Um</c><00
  • it's reflective of the members' concerns in both the chambers around transportation and housing.
  • </c><00:30:03.960><c> And</c><00:30:04.080><c> I</c><00:30:04.160><c> want</c> transportation and housing
  • And I want transportation and housing.
Bills: SCR48
Summary: The Housing Committee met on SCR 48, which declares that affordable housing credits are perpetual and remain valid until redeemed, and asks counties to recognize them without expiration dates. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with speakers saying the resolution clarifies the intent of the 2024 act and provides clear parameters for the credits. No one testified in opposition or offered questions. The committee then took up SCR 48 for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the resolution as is. The measure passed with one member voting with reservations. The chair noted this was the committee’s final hearing of the year and thanked advocates, stakeholders, staff, and IT support before adjourning. The transcript also included portions of the Transportation Committee and a joint Transportation/Housing hearing. Transportation advanced SCR 31 on school bus driver licensing and workforce improvements, SCR 132 urging Honolulu to prioritize the rail extension, SCR 145 on studying a demerit point system, and SCR 110 SD 1 on evaluating state-owned logistics facilities for housing projects. SCR 110 drew support from labor groups, with a request to add labor representation to the working group. The committees adopted recommendations on those measures, including SCR 110 with amendments.