Bills: HB2410, HB2235, HB1904, HB2201, HB2349, HB1972, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2391, HB2575

Keywords: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, economic diversification, small business, innovation, manufacturing assistance, grants, technology programs, advanced manufacturing, military, community relations, economic development, defense-related programs, workforce development, local business readiness, in-state manufacturing, federal investment, space operations, orbital sustainability, aerospace, space traffic management

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• A project proposer may unknowingly choose a location with water availability or sustainability concerns
• The current requirements are sufficient to meet the growth opportunities in the state in a sustainable
• We appreciate Representative Acom's leadership and desire for a balanced approach to sustainable data
• The data center industry is committed to being a collaborative stakeholder for sustainable data center

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• A project proposer may unknowingly choose a location with water availability or sustainability concerns
• A project proposer may unknowingly choose a location with water availability or sustainability concerns
• We appreciate Representative Aim's leadership and desire for a balanced approach to sustainable data
• for sustainable data center development<00:25:54.559><c> in</c><00:25:54.799><c> Minnesota.
• :18.640><c> for</c> building a sustainable future for building a sustainable future for Minnesota<00:

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• proposals, as well as to determine the amount of groundwater that could be produced annually on a sustainable
• proposals, as well as to determine the amount of groundwater that could be produced annually on a sustainable
• Texas is critical, not just for urban growth, but also for agricultural communities that feed and sustain
• Protecting our ability to produce food, maintain 311 ranching operations, and sustain local economies
• “So one of the previous witnesses talked about the maximum sustained pumping volume.

Bills: HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bills 27 and 24 on groundwater issues in East Texas, with members and witnesses focusing on a proposed large-volume groundwater export project and the need for more science before major permitting decisions are made. HB 27, which was within the special session call, would direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a hydrogeologic study of the aquifers in the affected area and temporarily pause new export permits while the study is underway. HB 24, a separate bill that would limit certain production and export permits to 5% of modeled available groundwater, was laid out but the chair said it would not be moved out of committee. Testimony on HB 27 was largely supportive, though some witnesses were neutral. Supporters, including representatives from a water supply corporation, the Trinity River Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the region lacks enough hydrologic data, that the proposed pumping could affect private wells, surface water, and local economies, and that the state needs better information on sustainable yield and groundwater-surface water interaction. Several witnesses emphasized that groundwater conservation districts need clearer tools and better data, while also noting concerns about property rights and the rule of capture. Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed project, the absence of a groundwater conservation district in Houston County, and the possibility that the study should examine desired future conditions and maximum sustainable pumping rather than only modeled available groundwater. The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB 27 and voted it out favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Calendars. The roll call was unanimous, 11 ayes and 0 nays. After the vote, members briefly reflected on the complexity of the issue and the need to continue working on broader groundwater policy in the interim and next session. HB 24 was discussed later in the meeting, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they need, but growth is also something that we really need to be looking at how did it do sustainably

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• We are looking at some innovative technologies to get sustainable renewable energy.
• </c> technologies to to get sustainable technologies to to get sustainable renewable<00:05:13.840><c>
• things like green fertilizer, green things like green fertilizer, green steel,<00:47:58.240><c> sustainable
• /c><00:47:58.800><c> aviation</c><00:47:59.280><c> fuel</c><00:47:59.680><c> because</c> steel, sustainable
• aviation fuel because steel, sustainable aviation fuel because when<00:48:00.160><c> those</c><00:48

Bills: HF4770

Keywords: biomass, anaerobic digester, renewable energy, sustainability, energy generation

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts through private funding, we seek $2.5 million over the biennium to transition the program to sustainable
• To, uh, revol revolutionize their agricultural landscape by offering sustainable alternatives to traditional
• lacks adequate processing facilities, making it difficult for farmers to convert raw hemp into sustainable
• education market development, promote industrial hemp applications in construction, bioplastics, and sustain
• sustainable textiles to boost demand.

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also considering today the bipartisan safe orbit act to address growing congestion in low earth
• orbit.
• It also includes the Safe Orbit Act by Senators Cornyn, Peters, Wicker, Blackburn, Hickenlooper, Schmidt
• Lujan, and Kelly, which addresses the growing challenges of space debris and satellite congestion in orbit
• , Ads for Mental Health Services. act as amended by Sullivan substitute as modified s-428 the safe orbit

Bills: SB244, SB28, SB289, SB323, SB389, SB414, SB428, SB433, SB582, SB613, SB759, SB792, SB841, SB843, SB97

Keywords: national security, cybersecurity, consumer technology, routers, modems, study, communication, consumer protection, smart devices, transparency, internet-connected devices, FTC enforcement, broadband, infrastructure, federal programs, internet access, accessibility, affordability, deployment, government coordination

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an important meeting where they discussed various bills aimed at addressing pressing issues like consumer protection, technology, and environmental management. Chairman Cruz opened the meeting by emphasizing the role of subpoenas in ensuring accountability and oversight, highlighting a recent compliance from several parties following such threats. The meeting progressed to consider several bills, including the Romance Scam Prevention Act championed by Senator Blackburn, which seeks to protect vulnerable populations from online dating scams that have resulted in enormous financial losses, particularly among seniors. The committee also nominated Michael Kratios for the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Medder for the Federal Trade Commission, underscoring the significance of leadership in fostering innovation and consumer protection in technology sectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, they're sharing a strong concern about the financial sustainability or vulnerability to
• the</c><01:18:51.040><c> financial</c> concern about the financial concern about the financial sustainability
• <01:18:52.480><c> or</c><01:18:52.800><c> vulnerability</c><01:18:54.080><c> to</c> sustainability or
• vulnerability to sustainability or vulnerability to misuse.<01:18:55.440><c> I</c><01:18:55.760><c>
• tax rate, additional assessment, and experience rates all went up pretty substantially and for a sustained

Bills: HF3545, HF4004

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Summary: The House Workforce, Labor, Economic Development, and Finance and Policy Committee met on March 10, 2026, approved the March 5 minutes, and then took up House File 3545, which would alter Minnesota’s residential energy code process. Representative Mekeland moved a DE amendment and explained it would remove the commissioner’s authority to choose a more efficient standard and eliminate the requirement that the 2038 residential code achieve a 70% reduction in annual net energy consumption compared with 2006, arguing the change was needed to protect home affordability. The committee adopted the DE amendment, and the chair indicated the bill was expected to be voted on that day for referral to the general register. Testimony was split sharply. The bill’s supporters, including Representative Mekeland and later witnesses from Housing First Minnesota and ARX, argued that energy-code mandates raise construction costs, threaten affordability, and could slow permitting or create unintended consequences in the code-adoption process. They said the state should follow the model code, keep the Department of Labor and Industry involved, and focus on homeownership costs. Opponents, including representatives from Center for Energy and the Environment, AIA Minnesota, Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, and FIA Alliance Minnesota, argued that energy codes are not the main driver of housing prices, that stronger codes save homeowners money over time through lower utility bills, and that the current process already includes stakeholder and cost review. Several cited studies and examples suggesting energy-efficiency upgrades pay back over time and improve comfort, safety, resilience, and climate outcomes. During member questions, Representative Pinto asked about cost-effectiveness materials, and Fresh Energy’s Eric Fowler said a cited analysis showed a modest upfront mortgage increase offset by larger monthly utility savings. Department of Labor and Industry legislative director Josiah Moore said the department had concerns that the bill would move Minnesota to a less energy-efficient code and that the DE could create unintended consequences in the code-adoption process, while noting the existing TAG process already considers cost concerns. The chair then closed public testimony and moved to member questions on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aquifer, or what is sustainable.
• So when we're looking at what's sustainable, it might be a very small amount of water.
• Sustaining local economies depends on safeguarding access to water.
• So one of the previous witnesses talked about the maximum sustained pumping volume.
• To sustain the growth that drives our great state.

Bills: HB24, HB27, HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're supporters of budget sustainability legislation, including the four-year balanced budget requirement
• When I first saw this bill pop up at the last second, I read the title, 'budget sustainability.'
• unfair taxes when I first saw this bill pop up in at the last second I read the title budget sustainability
• SB 6182 will help us recover lost ground and ensure sustainable ongoing funding.

Bills: HB2747

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending, 904, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held public hearings on several bills and took executive action on House Bill 2747. HB 2747 would change how state budget outlooks estimate revenues for the next two biennia by using the official revenue forecast instead of the current 4.5% growth assumption. Staff said the change is tied to Washington’s four-year balanced budget requirement and would have an indeterminate fiscal effect on available resources. Testimony was mixed: the Washington Roundtable and OFM supported the bill as a more measured budgeting approach, while one public commenter criticized it as a blank check for spending. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then voted 26-3 to report the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, which would create an abortion savings program funded by a new annual assessment on health carriers offering exchange plans. Staff explained the bill would direct most of the new revenue to grants for abortion care providers, with administrative costs for the Department of Health and Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood-affiliated and clinic representatives, said the bill would stabilize access to abortion care and help patients facing travel and cost barriers. Opponents argued the bill would force taxpayers and premium payers to subsidize abortion, raised moral objections, and questioned the program’s safeguards; an insurance industry representative also raised concerns about the assessment’s interaction with actuarial rate-setting rules. Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority, was also heard. Staff said the authority would support expansion of transmission capacity, partner with public and private entities, identify high-priority corridors, and create related accounts and a tribal clean energy work group. Supporters from industry, labor, clean energy, and business groups said the bill would help address grid congestion, improve reliability, and speed construction of needed transmission. County and forest landowner representatives supported the goal but warned about local tax losses, eminent domain, and the need for county and landowner input; they asked for payment-in-lieu-of-taxes provisions and board representation from rural counties. The committee then heard Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which would reduce funding or eligibility in several K-12 programs: extending bus depreciation schedules, reducing Running Start’s combined enrollment cap from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE, and changing transition-to-kindergarten funding to a budgeted amount. School districts, community and technical college representatives, students, and education groups opposed the cuts, saying they would reduce opportunities for low-income and rural students and strain district budgets; the hearing ended before any action on this bill.

Bills: SB18

Keywords: greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, air quality, climate policy, sustainability, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both of these are really, really valuable programs and would benefit from sustained funding.
• of compensation or, um, action in good faith to make sure that those, those folks are able to, to sustain

Bills: SB 7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• environmental pressures, you know, we must take proactive action to make sure that our natural systems can sustain
• :19:45.280><c> natural</c><00:19:45.679><c> systems</c><00:19:46.160><c> can</c><00:19:46.400><c> sustain
• </c> that our natural systems can sustain that our natural systems can sustain themselves<00:19:47.520
• I just want to emphasize that healthy forests are a foundation to sustaining Hawaii's environment, and

Bills: HCR31

Keywords: rangelands, pastoralists, Hawaii, livestock, environment, sustainability, ecosystem services, Paniolo traditions, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Housing first heard HCR 85, which urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer parcels in the East Oahu area. DLNR, OPSD, HHFDC, and HCDA testified, and the chairs noted an intent to keep revenues from the lands with DLNR while agencies collaborate until parcels are ready for substantive transfer. Both committees then voted to pass the measure as is, with the recommendation adopted. The committees also heard HCR 101 and HCR 166. HCR 101 was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted by both the Hawaiian Affairs and Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committees. HCR 166, which asks DLNR to identify state lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, received no opposition in testimony and was also recommended and adopted unamended by both committees. Later, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee took up several resolutions. HCR 36, establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, Japan, drew support from DBED, which highlighted educational, agricultural, and airport-related opportunities, and the committee moved it forward. HCR 19, designating March as March for Water Month, was supported by the Board of Water Supply. HCR 162, creating an arts data mapping task force, received support from DBED and arts advocates, including the Hawaii Youth Symphony. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, and nursery capacity, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple community testifiers emphasizing climate resilience, native forests, and storm recovery. The committee also heard HCR 106 on designating Waikīkī as a world surfing reserve, with support from the University of Hawaii, and HCR 14 on a perpetual non-exclusive easement for existing drainage improvements at Waikīkī, which DLNR said had already been approved by the board and only needed legislative passage to execute. HCR 178, concerning a county set-aside for East Maui public trust water resources, drew testimony from the East Maui Water Authority and others supporting local control and public stewardship, while HCR 179, directing the Aamoku Advisory Committee to follow its rules and comply with Sunshine Law, drew testimony both in support and urging amendments to preserve Aamoku’s independent, semi-autonomous role. Because quorum was not available, decision-making on the later measures was deferred to the end of the 3 p.m. agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sustainability is critical for federal and state funding programs as well.
• and invests as well in lead pipe that we've heard this morning, replacement and water systems sustainability
• So that makes the challenge even more difficult to make, to help sustain that community.

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are valuable programs and would benefit from sustained funding.

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1184, house, all

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all