Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:41:32.400><c> the</c> government to help support the government to help support the renovation
• </c> um just what the the data is supporting um just what the the data is supporting the<01:46:10.239
• </c><03:57:30.319><c> that</c> had 15 children come in for food that had 15 children come in for food
• </c> people food will not solve this issue. people food will not solve this issue.
• </c> those families who are going to food those families who are going to food pantries<03:59:28.399>

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns. Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken. The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended. Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, it is paramount that in the Legislature and in state government, we endeavor to support our
• And they all attract strong support, especially from folks who are politically active.
• So we're missing politically an enormous constituency that would support the recommendations of this
• So we're missing politically an enormous constituency that would support the recommendations of this
• The old adage: no farms, no food.

Summary: The meeting was the final session of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century, convened to adopt its final report. The chairs described the report as the product of extensive public engagement, research, and collaboration, focused on challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts agriculture, including climate resilience, farmland access, workforce development, food security, and farm viability. Several members and stakeholders thanked the chairs and staff for the multi-year process and emphasized the value of hearing directly from farmers and industry participants. Senator Barrett offered a detailed set of draft corrections and concerns for the record, including the report title, outdated references, repeated definitions of MDAR, the need to better reflect suburban communities, and a possible tension between recommendations supporting anaerobic digestion and a governor’s proposal affecting the alternative portfolio standard. The chairs noted that comments had been circulated for written review and said substantive feedback would be considered, while also indicating the document was nearing finalization. The commission then held a roll call vote and unanimously voted to adopt the final report, with all members present voting yes. The chairs said the final report would be formatted, published online, and distributed to stakeholders and the public, with a public rollout and media briefing planned for the fall. They also noted that the report was intended to support related legislation already filed or expected to be filed in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• you're going to put the label on your food or you're gonna take those additives out of your food.
• I'm here in support of SB 1122.
• I am in support. both bills.
• The public supports this bill, cities can only do so much.
• And so I'm here in support of the bill.

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm here today to support meat.
• </c> &gt;&gt; And I'm all for supporting our farmers.
• I certainly support this proposal.
• </c><00:09:52.000><c> So</c> pet food and supplements and such.
• So pet food and supplements and such.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• It's supported by special and general revenue.
• It's supported by special revenue.
• That is specific to food services only.
• And it is specific to food services, food purchases, delivery of food for seniors in the senior service
• It will be supported by customer billing.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our systems are failing to support our systems are failing to support children<00:02:51.519><c>
• Concrete supports are limited.
• Um, and just ... supports um sometimes those are supports um sometimes those are Financial<00:10:26.440
• </c> Manner and if we have the supportive Manner and if we have the supportive resources<00:22:32.159
• </c> incarcerated when we think about food incarcerated when we think about food security<00:28:16.440

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I also stand in support of ACA 8.
• I rise in support of ACA 8.
• I rise in strong support of ACA 8.
• I rise in support.
• efforts to rip food assistance away from hundreds of thousands... ...efforts to rip food assistance

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and brief recess, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor debate centered on redistricting measures, especially ACA 8, along with SB 280, AB 604, and related motions. A point of order challenging the constitutionality of the redistricting items was raised by Assembly Member DeMaio, but the chair ruled it not well taken; an appeal was taken and the chair was sustained, 58-18. The body also approved a motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 (57-20), rejected a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary (19-58), and defeated a motion to take up AJR 21 without regard to file (19-58). Earlier, the consent calendar was taken up and SB 482 was removed at the author’s request; ACR 105 was listed on the consent calendar and the roll was opened, though the transcript then moved into further procedural business. The main substantive debate focused on ACA 8, described by supporters as an “Election Rigging Response Act” that would temporarily use voter-approved congressional district boundaries and send the question to the voters, while opponents argued it would undermine California’s independent redistricting system and violate the state constitution. Supporters, including Assembly Members Berman, Lowenthal, Boerner, Carrillo, Mark González, Bonta, Gibson, Elhawary, Gabriel, Salachi, Ransom, Ávila Farías, and others, framed the measure as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in Texas and other states, warning that Donald Trump and Republican-led states were trying to rig the 2026 election and threaten democracy, health care, immigrant communities, and other rights. Several supporters emphasized that ACA 8 would still leave the final decision to California voters and argued the state needed to act to preserve fair representation and counter national power grabs. Opponents, including Assembly Members Wallace, Ta, Gallagher, DeMaio, Dixon, Patterson, and Davies, argued that ACA 8 would abandon the voter-created independent citizens’ redistricting commission, erode trust, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a “power grab.” They stressed that Californians had already approved independent redistricting, that the Legislature lacked authority to redraw maps, and that the proposal was rushed with limited public input. Several opponents also criticized the cost of a special election and argued the state should focus on other priorities. The debate was marked by repeated admonitions from the chair to avoid impugning motives and to keep remarks decorous, but no final vote on ACA 8 itself appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here in support of House Bill 2117.
• We urge you to support House Bill 2117 and look for your support for the governor appointing the representative
• I'm here to speak in support of the legislation.
• I'm testifying on behalf of our 20,000 supporters in support of HB 2516.
• Arbaugh supports the cleanup of derelict vessels and supports whatever policy outcomes make DNR's and

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills, with most of the discussion focused on tribal representation and natural resource management. On HB 2117, which would add a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, the prime sponsor and DNR officials said the bill would strengthen government-to-government relationships without replacing existing consultation duties. Tribal leaders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation testified in support, as did the Commissioner of Public Lands and DNR’s tribal relations director. County and timber interests said they were not opposed to tribal representation but raised concerns about trust responsibilities, beneficiary interests, and whether the representative should come from a tribe with commercial forest management experience. The committee later closed testimony on HB 2117 and read into the record 192 pro, 124 con, and zero other sign-ins. The committee also heard HB 2516, which would impose a two-year moratorium on the use of certain anticoagulant rodenticides and bromethalin after a Department of Agriculture report and while the Washington State Academy of Sciences studies alternatives and impacts. The prime sponsor argued the bill balances rodent control with concerns about wildlife, groundwater, and human exposure, while opponents from the pest management industry warned it would remove effective tools and worsen rodent problems, especially for low-income and manufactured-home communities. Supporters included the Washington Poison Center, wildlife rehabilitators, Birds Connect Seattle, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and other advocates who cited poisonings in wildlife and children and pointed to non-toxic alternatives and integrated pest management. The committee read into the record 754 pro, 176 con, and five other sign-ins. For HB 2554, which would repeal RCW 77.110 and related language tied to Initiative 456 and tribal fishing rights, the sponsor and the Attorney General’s Office said the statute is unconstitutional and inconsistent with federal treaty law and court rulings. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also supported repeal, describing the measure as removing an unenforceable anti-tribal statute. The committee then moved on to HB 2327, a bill directing JLARC to audit the county forest board lands trust and DNR’s management of those lands. The sponsor, former Rep. Jim Buck, county representatives, and forest industry witnesses supported an independent review of the trust structure and performance; some asked for amendments to address reconveyance options, broader legal and ecological considerations, and consultation with tribes and the Board of Natural Resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> need to plan effectively and support need to plan effectively and support students<00:15:18.440>
• for the support to provide services to support those students despite our slight decline.
• um to provide services to the support um to provide services to support<00:39:16.280><c> those</c><00
• to support these teachers.
• Are they getting support in the class, in school, or outside of school support with the families?

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has received bipartisan support and is a support bill.
• This is a support support and received unanimous bipartisan supporting committee.
• AB 1666 is support, support. May I ask for an aye vote? AB 1666 is support, support.
• political support.
• support.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And fish has been a staple food for the Karuk. It's been a healthy food for all the people here.
• We need to support the funding for more of those studies.
• You're always there for us. look at the food source.
• These solutions also require durable funding support.
• That are supported by a large amount of Proposition funding.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I was getting back to healthy food with Senator Irvin.
• I've just been proud to support our farm-to-school program.
• Again, I was getting back to Healthy Food with Senator Irwin.
• I've just been proud to support our farm to school program.
• Now, again, we can't buy food. Yes, that's prohibited by CMS.

Summary: The committee heard extensive public testimony from youth advocates and public health speakers urging action on vaping. Witnesses said flavored products and social media are driving youth use in Arkansas, described nicotine addiction and health harms, and asked lawmakers to prohibit vaping in public indoor spaces, align vape rules with smoke-free laws, and expand prevention efforts. Committee members thanked the speakers and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was an overview of Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded through CMS. State officials said Arkansas received about $209 million for the first year and may receive roughly $1 billion over five years if performance is strong. They emphasized that the program is intended for targeted, locally driven transformation rather than general operating support, debt relief, or new construction, and outlined four initiatives: Heart, PACT, Rise, and Thrive, focused on prevention, access and coordination, workforce development, and technology. Officials said applications would open in the spring, with a reimbursement-based process and a goal of launching all four initiatives by June. Members asked detailed questions about eligibility, rural definitions, school gardens, faith-based and nonprofit partnerships, mobile clinics, EMS, behavioral health, residency slots, and whether urban providers serving rural patients could apply. Officials said the program would favor regional collaboration, could support targeted renovations and expansion of existing programs, and would allow residency growth and some equipment or infrastructure purchases, but not food purchases or permanent new construction. They also said a committee of state health and finance officials would review applications, with heavy technical assistance and an expectation of quick turnaround. The committee also reviewed two DHS/Health Department rules. One implemented Medicaid and CHIP coverage and care coordination for eligible incarcerated youth before and after release, including targeted case management and screening services, with no public comments received. The other updated audiology licensing rules to reflect recent acts expanding scope of practice and changing the renewal deadline. Both rules were reviewed without objection, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We respectfully urge you to support legislation that prohibits vaping in public places.
• I mean, all of that is encompassed into food science and nutrition.
• Again, I was getting back to Healthy Food with Senator Irvin.
• I've just been proud to support our farm-to-school program.
• Now, again, we can't buy food. Yes, that's prohibited by CMS.

Summary: The committee first heard extensive public testimony from youth and advocates urging stronger restrictions on vaping. Speakers described vaping as a youth-targeted public health problem, citing flavored products, social media marketing, nicotine addiction, brain development concerns, school disruption, and exposure to harmful aerosol. They recommended prohibiting vaping in public indoor spaces and aligning vape rules with smoke-free laws. Committee members praised the speakers and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was on Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, administered through DFA. Secretary Jim Hudson and program director Brad Andi explained that Arkansas received about $209 million in the first year under the federal program, with potential for roughly $1 billion over five years if performance is strong. They emphasized that the program is meant for long-term rural health transformation, not general operating support, debt relief, or new construction. The state’s plan centers on four initiatives: HEART for prevention and community health, PACT for access and provider collaboration, RISE for workforce development, and THRIVE for technology and telehealth. Officials said applications will be handled through upcoming notices of funding opportunity, with a focus on local, shovel-ready projects, regional collaboration, and transparency. Committee members asked how the program would work for hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, schools, faith groups, and urban providers serving rural patients. Officials said eligibility is broad if applicants can show a connection to rural health, and that targeted renovations, mobile units, school-based clinics, farm-to-school or garden projects, EMS equipment, residency expansion, and behavioral health initiatives may fit if they align with the plan. They stressed that the program cannot fund working capital, routine maintenance, or new buildings, but can support repurposing space and collaborative networks. Members also raised concerns about protecting existing rural providers from being displaced, and officials said applications would be reviewed by a state committee with technical assistance and a reimbursement-based process. The committee then reviewed and took no objection to several DHS and Health Department rules. DHS presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule implementing federal requirements for incarcerated youth, including pre- and post-release coverage, care coordination, targeted case management, and screening services, with no public comments received. The Health Department also presented a licensing rule for audiology and speech pathology that implements recent acts and changes the renewal deadline; that rule was likewise reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• sides of the aisle to support it as well.
• SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SUPPORT IT AS WELL.
• That's why I support this resolution.
• You can't support the police while supporting those who attack them. I yield back.
• YOU CAN'T SUPPORT THE POLICE WHILE SUPPORTING THOSE WHO ATTACK THEM. >> I request unanimous consent to

Transcript Highlights:

• The program supports natural resource management around military installations to support the military
• It cannot support on-base actions.
• It cannot support on-base actions. is the only work. It cannot support on base actions.
• Thank you for the support.
• So that is something. that can support and serve as an outpost.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military- and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining that it works through voluntary, non-regulatory cooperation with landowners to reduce encroachment around the base by conserving prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and limiting incompatible development. He described REPI funding, recent and pending conservation projects, and possible policy supports such as state designation, a dedicated funding stream, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-rights transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director David Puente and Deputy Director Solomon Gilbert updated the committee on a proposed state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and the Spokane Veterans Home replacement project. For the cemetery, they said the VA has identified a need within a 75-mile radius, the agency has two candidate parcels in Richland/West Richland, and a state-funded pre-design study is underway; they also noted future operating costs will likely require general fund support because the Armed Forces license plate fund is limited. On the Spokane home, they described plans for a 120-bed, small-house-model facility on a 42-acre site near the VA medical center, with improved privacy, outdoor space, memory care potential, and better staffing retention. They also reviewed budget reductions affecting outreach, counseling, and veteran service organizations, and answered questions about wellness services, adult day health care, and cemetery operations. Blue Star Families Puget Sound Executive Director Megan Barnes described the chapter’s family-support programs, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor cohorts, resume workshops, and Blue Star Welcome Week events. She said the organization is focused on belonging and connection for military families and is using its online network and local outposts to expand beyond the South Sound. Members raised concerns about food insecurity among military families, and Barnes said the group is seeing increased need and is distributing grocery gift cards and coordinating with food banks and partner nonprofits. In the closing discussion, members previewed possible legislation for the upcoming session, including a bill to restore the Washington National Guard retention strategy, a proposal to expand military family eligibility for E-CAP early learning, a bill to update the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee composition, and a concept to allow transitioning service members to access veterans’ preference in hiring before receiving a DD-214. Senator Conway also asked for a formal report on state and federal cuts affecting veterans services, and the committee adjourned after thanking staff and presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• We really took to heart what was stated in the December hearing around continuing to support DCFS in
• All we need to do now is do fixes, enhancements, provide help to support.
• The suite of decision support tools that we provide... Thank you for raising it.
• We're nonpartisan, and we value research, policy, and practice support.
• They want to do what they can, but they just can't afford substitutes for processed food sometimes.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee reviewed three DHS out-of-state service contracts: a $690,000-plus sole-source contract for DCFS with Evident Change for maintenance and operation of the Child Welfare Structured Decision-Making practice hub; a $1.2 million sole-source contract for County Operations with Sifter Solutions to support a SNAP waiver compliance solution; and a $156,000 contract for Developmental Disabilities with Samaritan Integrative Services for psychiatric services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. The chair and staff explained the contracts and noted that the Evident Change and Sifter contracts were sole-source due to the proprietary nature of the systems or services involved. Most of the discussion focused on the Evident Change contract. Members questioned DCFS about long-term dependence on the vendor, the lack of a competitive bid, the absence of a clear off-ramp, and whether the state was paying more overall as the work was split into multiple contracts. DCFS said the contract before the committee was only for maintenance and operations of a web-based platform used daily for safety assessments and case planning, while a separate Evident Change contract covers case reviews, CQI work, and data management. The vendor said it was continuing to reduce its role and had begun off-ramp discussions, but members remained concerned that the state was too reliant on the vendor. Staff said the contract had to be approved by May 31 or the system could be turned off. The committee also discussed the Sifter Solutions contract, which supports Arkansas’s SNAP waiver pilot by providing a dynamic list of excluded products and a consumer app that scans barcodes and provides nutrition information. DHS said the waiver is intended to improve the nutritional value of SNAP benefits, that the contract is funded with remaining federal SNAP Nutrition Education dollars that would otherwise be returned, and that the University of Pennsylvania will conduct the evaluation at no cost. Members asked about the benefit to Arkansas, whether the app would include nutrition and budgeting information, and whether the state would own the application or need future renewals. DHS said the two-year term was intentionally aligned with the waiver period and that future procurement options could change. After discussion, the committee noted the items as reviewed and adjourned without objections or votes recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please support this bill.
• So I hope you will vote in support of this.
• Chewing food... Chewing food is difficult for him because only two of his teeth can touch.
• My husband is here for emotional support.
• My husband is here for emotional support.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> opportunity to testify today in support opportunity to testify today in support of<00:19:14.480>
• , and I'm struck by their supportive testimony.
• , and I'm struck by their supportive testimony.
• , and I'm struck by their supportive testimony.
• Tell us where they're concerned and where they're supportive, and I'm struck by their supportive testimony

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Thank you. and<00:35:41.359><c> support.</c> and support. and support.
• Also in support, Ela Yamashita. Support, Anton Tr, the City and County of Honolulu support.
• support.
• Brian Miamoto, Farm Bureau, a local food coalition, in support. Amanda Shaw, in support.
• </c><02:01:51.599><c> That</c> in support. Amanda Shaw in support. That in support.

Bills: SB2024 , SB896 , SB2613 , SB494 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB2614 , SB2615 , SB3262 , SB3325 , SB3118

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support on Zoom? Yes.
• Hawaii Food Industry Association in support on Zoom.
• </c> you uh members also testimony in support you uh members also testimony in support from<00:21:43.720
• c><00:22:24.240><c> good</c> Association in support on Zoom good Association in support on Zoom good
• </c> we stand on our testimony and support we stand on our testimony and support and<00:22:30.679><c>

Committee: House Finance