Bills: SB2596, SB3002, SB3067

Keywords: government leases, state entities, real property, affordable leasing, budget impact, green infrastructure, urban development, sustainability, environment, climate change, public health, Hawaii State Planning Act, land records, registration, surveys, subdivision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill repeals the leasing restriction on owner-builders who obtain an owner-builder exemption to
• There's no provision in here that includes all of the protections afforded to homeowners when they use
• <00:09:19.360> restriction Uh but the current lease restriction Uh but the current lease restriction
• business to lease business to lease different<00:11:56.320> properties,<00:11:57.280>
• It was the first time that I knew that there was this prohibition on leasing for 1 year.

Bills: HB1743, HB2122, HB1756, HB1837, HB1729, HB2559

Keywords: owner-builder, exemption, housing crisis, contractor, leasing restrictions, affordable housing, construction, regulations, teacher housing, housing vouchers, teacher retention, Hawaii Department of Education, hard-to-staff schools, housing, first-time home buyers, savings account, tax deductions, homeownership, savings accounts, tax deduction

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• So um right state one, 150 a per lease.
• <00:15:59.600> So<00:15:59.680> if on a on an individual lease.
• So if on a on an individual lease.
• So we need the wells but has two leases. So we need the the<00:16:13.519> 500,000.
• leases would have an individual bond, or it would be a statewide bond. >> Mr.

Bills: SJ0001

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And um mineral leases.
• <00:04:46.040> in down all of our oil and gas leasing in down all of our oil and gas leasing
• We get the leases we want.
• We get the leases we want.
• Leasing Act, which requires at least quarterly lease sales.

Bills: SJ0001

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all

Bills: HB148, HB203, HB360, HB552, HB 1244, HB 1284, HB1533, HJR30, HB148, HB203, HJR30

Keywords: residential property, ad valorem tax, leasing, property appraisal, fair market rent, housing affordability, appraised value, tax limitation, housing market, affordable housing, leased residential real property, rent control, Texas Tax Code, property tax, residential leasing, homestead, tax code, appraisal review board, real estate sales, property tax relief

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and they are low already from what they propose, but we want this to be um affordable and efficient
• they propose, but we want this to<00:05:09.919> be<00:05:10.400> um<00:05:10.560> affordable
• <00:05:11.039> and<00:05:11.199> and<00:05:11.520> efficient to be um affordable
• and and efficient to be um affordable and and efficient for<00:05:12.080> all<00:05:12.160>

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Bills: SB174, SB174

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2786 adds the gross proceeds of sales or gross income derived from the business of leasing
• saying that we're going to apply the same tax treatment in this circumstance if the textbooks are leased

Bills: HB2120, HB2173, HB2261, HB2786, HB2792

Keywords: property tax exemption, disability, veterans, widows, income limits, Arizona Revised Statutes, property tax, electronic communication, tax assessment, tax correction, real estate, agriculture, tax classification, land use, nonprofit organizations, transaction privilege tax, tax exemption, textbook rental, education, business leasing

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee heard and advanced several tax-related bills. HB 2261, by Rep. Griffin, would rename and clarify the agricultural real property classification in statute to align with court rulings on valuing permanent crops such as orchards and vineyards under the income approach. Supporters argued it codifies existing law and avoids unnecessary litigation costs, while county assessors and the Arizona Association of Counties opposed it, asking the committee to wait for the pending Arizona Supreme Court case. After discussion about the court history and valuation methods, the committee passed HB 2261 on a 5-3 vote with one absent. The committee then unanimously or near-unanimously advanced HB 2173, which allows tax officers and taxpayers to use electronic responses for notices of proposed correction and notices of claim unless certified mail is required. County assessors supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce delay, paper, and postage costs, and members discussed whether the statute should require periodic reauthorization of email contact. HB 2120, which adds the Social Security Administration to the definition of competent medical authority for property tax disability exemptions, also passed, though one member voted present and another no while seeking more information about how it would interact with existing disability documentation requirements. Two additional bills were also approved. HB 2786 would extend a tax deduction to gross proceeds from leasing or renting textbooks required by state universities or community colleges, including digital textbook rentals, and was supported as student relief and tax parity for rental versus physical books. HB 2792 would fully exempt from property tax the primary residence of a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability, and would treat a jointly owned primary residence as fully owned by the veteran for exemption purposes; assessors said the bill was a needed cleanup measure to clarify implementation. Both bills received strong support and were returned with do-pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• are arrested and jailed each year for driving with a suspended license, some because they could not afford
• Some because they could not afford expensive surcharges based on minor driving left infractions.
• The only difference is that our neighbors who cannot afford to restore their licenses and must strive
• With this change, since they cannot afford to pay fines and costs, uh, they will face about 4 days in
• , you know, all the money goes to insurance, they can't afford to restore their license, uh, and, and

Bills: HB316

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, affordable care act, medical assistance, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• everyone is to make it affordable for everyone.
• of four people who are eligible for affordable housing get affordable housing or rental. assistance of
• We hope 3 million affordable homes.
• And so many people will have to work 2.8 jobs or more in order to afford affordable housing.
• We have an affordability crisis.

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• The development would set a minimum of 20% of their units as affordable.
• The bill also has a ton of protections for renters that mirror the Affordable Housing Act.
• or available to lease at an average rent amount equal to or less than the rent amount for 80% of the
• The purpose was to make sure that as these units become affordable, they continue to follow what the
• with affordable housing.

Bills: HB310, HB323, HM51, HB194

Keywords: museum, cultural affairs, lowrider, Espanola, appropriation, feasibility study, broadband access, low-income, rural areas, Indian nations, affordable internet, employment opportunities, detention centers, immigration, economic development, repurposing facilities, job transition, rural development, housing, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• highlights the state's current housing affordability issues. shortage of rental units as an affordability
• So what I'm saying is, as someone that's leasing a home...
• They can leave their leases for various reasons.
• If they don't, they will break their lease, lose their voucher, and then they won't be able to afford
• You can't use a voucher if you don't have a signed lease.

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• As we all know, Texas is currently experiencing an affordable housing shortage.
• As developers have attempted to expand Texas's supply of affordable units.
• An additional hearing process in order to develop affordable housing.
• These are all needed affordable housing developments throughout the state. They serve...
• Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers for the bill.

Bills: HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673, HB164

Keywords: migrant labor, housing regulations, civil penalties, complaints, occupants' rights, remediation, education, retaliation, housing, rental regulation, municipal authority, local government, leasing, housing regulation, local control, rental properties, leasing laws, landlord, tenant rights, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• what needs to happen to get the unhoused housed and to get those individuals who are working in affordable
• the private activity bonds allocation process for qualified residential rental projects, updating affordable
• year, and meets several additional requirements, gives third priority to projects with a mix of affordable
• units, up to 30% of the area median income, and more moderate affordable up to 80% of the area median
• we make sure that uh we're not impeding on things that damage what we can do in terms of moving affordable

Bills: HJR40

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare access, Affordable Care Act, federal funding, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable housing then the statewide affordable housing aid.<00:05:27.120> is<00:05:27.280><
• a lease to pass away at the same time. a lease to pass away at the same time.
• new far more affordable than building new affordable<00:43:07.280> housing.
• affordable way to do it. Correct. affordable way to do it. Correct.
• . affordable. affordable.

Bills: HF4207, HF3639, HF3981, HF3064, HF2123

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, landlord regulations, tenant rights, minor children, lease agreements, eviction, privacy protection, housing, lease termination, medical care, death, infirmity, landlord obligations, St. Paul, public housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• housing tax credit and contribution fund, which has been wildly popular, and the, uh, local and affordable
• c><00:29:14.000> uh<00:29:14.159> local<00:29:14.480> and<00:29:14.720> affordable
• The local and affordable housing aid and statewide affordable housing aid are programs where we

Bills: SF2434

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one resolution today, SCR 48, declaring the intent that affordable housing credits are perpetual
• We have one resolution today, SCR 48, declaring the intent that affordable housing credits are perpetual
• We have one resolution today, SCR 48, declaring the intent that affordable housing credits are perpetual
• Um, and you know, just providing clear parameters for these affordable housing credits.
• Affordable housing credits.

Bills: SCR48

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, 910, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• To put this in perspective, there are currently two leased tracks at county facilities, one in Sweetwater
• I'd say that that would actually discourage any new operator from wanting to come into the state to lease
• mile rule was an important consideration in 2021 when 307 Horse Racing first entered and decided to lease
• c><01:05:19.839> to Racing first entered and decided to Racing first entered and decided to lease
• lease their track in Campbell County. lease their track in Campbell County.

Bills: SF0045, SJ0001

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Bills: HB1979

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.