Transcript Highlights:

• To, to the state forester to do this. So that is a request, and I would make a motion for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the bill we heard previously relating to notice to the Texas A&M Forest Service, a prescribed

Transcript Highlights:

• . $394 million to the Texas A&M Forest Service Agency to increase the state's firefighting capabilities

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this bill is like we called it the be ready to us forest.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The US Forest Service has participated in the past.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaiian Health Systems, the Native Hawaiian Health Systems, trusted<01:12:02.000> CBOS<01:12
• Nearly half of our patients that we serve are Native Hawaiian.
• Native Hawaiians are part Hawaiians, and we know that this population is already experiencing higher
• patients that we serve are Native patients that we serve are Native Hawaiian.<01:48:15.840> um
• > part Hawaiian. um Native Hawaiians are part Hawaiian. um Native Hawaiians are part Hawaiians

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population. Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking. The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being able to be a native speaker doesn’t mean that you can teach it.
• teach English and I because I'm a native teach English and I because I'm a native English<01:05:
• because they are a first world or native because they are a first world or native language<01:06
• Being able to be a native example.
• Being able to be a native speaker<01:07:50.559> doesn't<01:07:50.880> mean<01:07:50.960

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:13 Approval of Minutes - 4:07 Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing - 5:18 Math Improvement Committee Report - 21:02 ETS Praxis Exam - 41:47 KDE Performance Review Data - 1:15:04 Adjournment - 1:57:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are dying at nearly two times the rate, and the deaths of Native
• <00:33:31.200> Hawaiian rate and the deaths of native Hawaiian rate and the deaths of native
• We are at a pivotal time where locals, native voices are gaining visibility.
• So we are at a pivotal time where locals, native voices are gaining visibility.
• <03:46:03.680> and this tax to support native and this tax to support native and Indigenous

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• examination into the woven stuff and make sure people are Talking to each other because I went to a native
• No one was there from the native division of P.E.D.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is most apparent, in my opinion... ...in our Native American population.
• We need pediatric palliative care... ...in our Native American population.

Bills: SJR1, SM2

Keywords: school elections, partisan elections, voting rights, constitutional amendment, New Mexico, elector registration, pediatric palliative care, pediatric hospice, Medicaid, state plan amendment, Health Care Authority, children with serious illness, life-limiting conditions, complex medical conditions, curative care, concurrent care, family-centered care, hospice services, managed care, pain management

Transcript Highlights:

• There are over a thousand varieties of pecans many named for Native American Indian tribes But I bet
• California alien land law, the plethora of laws and policies discriminating against Native Americans,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The river supports a wealth of rare aquatic life, provides critical habitat for native fish and mussels
• You're a native of Houston, right? Yes, sir.

Bills: HB1730, HB1823, HB2048, HB2266, HB2440, HB3333, HB4086, HB4271, HB4413, HB4839, HB4841, HB5151

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a Laurel County native, and she's been working at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• Nor the Forest Service with their firefighter camps. >> Okay. >> So, it's more of an indirect kind of

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities like Aldine, Green Ridge North, Imperial Valley, Green Forest, and High Meadows.
• rise today in opposition to this effort to conduct mid-decade redistricting as a proud Texan. proud native

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During the initial operations, many Native American students directly asked me whether they were safe
• significantly impacted the Native significantly impacted the Native American<00:31:10.520> students
• American students directly asked Native American students directly asked me<00:31:15.840> whether
• I can only imagine how difficult they are if English is not your native language, if you have cultural
• are if English is not your native are if English is not your native language,<01:21:18.760> if

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about that, and we were also adding Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Public Safety, TxDAP, the Forest
• ...some of the TIFMAS apparatus that you fund through the Texas A&M Forest Service.
• The Texas A&M Forest Service has a A few trucks, but most of those you grant money down to the local
• The Texas A&M Forest Service brings four-wheel drive motor graders to the fight in the panhandle to support
• The great thing that we have going with our partnership with TDM, DPS, Parks and Wildlife, and the Forest

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Forest Service, AgriLife, the Public Utility Commission, and our teams were ready to support weather
• with the exception, I believe, of some of the TIFMAS apparatus that you fund through the Texas A&M Forest
• The Texas A&M Forest Service has a few trucks, but most of those you grant money down to the local governments
• The Texas A&M Forest Service brings four-wheel drive motor graders to the fight in the Panhandle and
• The great thing that we have going with our partnership with TDM, DPS, Parks and Wildlife, and the Forest

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial, the Fairmont Opera House, and the Litchfield Opera House.
• Paul, the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial, the Fairmont Opera House, and the Litchfield Opera House.
• <02:11:34.480> Paul,<02:11:34.800> the<02:11:34.960> Forest<02:11:35.280>
• Paul, the Forest Lake Home in South St.
• Paul, the Forest Lake Veterans<02:11:36.079> Memorial, Veterans Memorial, Veterans Memorial, um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a native Kentuckian from Owensboro, a Kentucky Colonel since 1988, and a licensed barber and the
• I'm a native<00:14:42.800> Kentuckian<00:14:43.760> from<00:14:43.920> Owensboro,
• ><00:14:45.160> a native Kentuckian from Owensboro, a native Kentuckian from Owensboro, a Kentucky
• will<00:39:06.240> say<00:39:06.600> as<00:39:06.800> a<00:39:06.920> native
• I will say as a native of the country.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 02:45 Roll Call 05:25 Cosmetologists 13:48 Barbers 01:16:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• equity and realistic pathways for energy generation developed on island-based science that considers native
• on island-based science<00:11:20.160> that<00:11:20.320> considers<00:11:21.120> native
• <00:11:21.440> Hawaiian science that considers native Hawaiian science that considers native
• Um we just want to<00:43:17.680> note<00:43:18.000> that<00:43:18.240> Native<00
• :43:18.520> Hawaiian<00:43:19.120> along<00:43:19.400> with to note that Native

Bills: SB2960, SB2347, SB2272, SB3137, SB3132, SB2271, SB2804, SB2175, SB2487

Keywords: homeowners insurance, disaster recovery, replacement cost value, state of emergency, policyholder rights, insurance extensions, tenant rights, landlord obligations, housing crisis, eviction prevention, multilingual access, SB2272, Act 105, home health licensing, home health agency, home health services, Department of Health, DOH, CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.