Transcript Highlights:

• For each measure being presented today, For each measure being presented today, we'll be allowing primary
• AB 957 is, again, an evidence-based measure to ensure our patients focus on healing rather than that,
• This prevents new hires from beginning full-time work until completing the course.
• For these reasons, we respectfully urge your aye vote on the measure. Thank you.
• Barriers throughout the way to prevent you from being on a path to thrive.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Accordingly, Senate Bill 1534 would create a study to help prevent workforce shortages.
• As such, Texas has been forced to enact measures to promote more reliable and dispatchable energy sources
• for agreements with renewable energy facilities and even offer fewer safeguards or transparency measures
• Of course, the Senate did pass those measures on my bill last week related to reforms in Chapters 380
• gun storage to prevent unintentional shootings. school violence and suicides, and pushed for harmful

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Chemical and Toxic Safety, and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners in support. Thank you.
• As she mentioned, Dennis Alviani with the California Seed Association, and we support this measure.
• Preventing online marketplaces from selling these weeds will cut off a key contributor to the spread
• So we think this is a common sense measure...
• So we think this is a common sense measure, and at the appropriate time, we request an aye vote.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is hard for us to measure.
• This is hard for us to measure.
• This is hard for us to measure.
• This is hard for us to measure.
• This is hard for us to measure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I want to say the measured way that We have you working for the state.
• prevention measures in place relating to sexual abuse and misconduct.
• Madam Chair, Representative, I think it has to do with all of our loss prevention measures that I outlined
• So with which we can see as far as our total OPEB liability for this last measuring cycle for fiscal
• This division supports all of our state agencies from insuring loss prevention and handling claims.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal are practical, preventative, they are focused on child safety.
• , they are focused on child preventative, they are focused on child safety. safety. safety.
• </c> be able to take and get measurable be able to take and get measurable actionable<01:13:53.520><c
• </c> help prevent future abuse. help prevent future abuse. Thank<01:23:51.640><c> you.
• </c> measures that we could we could pursue. measures that we could we could pursue.

Bills: HF4277, HF3819, HF3489, HF4408, HF3901, HF4316

Keywords: child care, child care center, day care, licensed child care, video security cameras, surveillance, security cameras, maltreatment, child abuse, child safety, public and shared areas, camera mandate, child care assistance program, CCAP, Great Start Compensation Support, early learning scholarships, licensed provider, Minnesota Statutes 142B.68, Harvey's Law, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• The operator is required to implement reasonable measures to prevent its chatbot from generating sexually
• An operator must implement reasonable measures to prohibit and prevent these chatbots from claiming to
• to prevent the generation of content encouraging or describing how to commit self-harm.
• And how to, kind of, where to draw the line, how to prevent this is something that we're still trying
• I think having reasonable measures to prevent sexually explicit or suggestive content for minors is important

Bills: SB6046

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn't mean it's being measured, like I said, but somebody is doing some type of effort to work
• That doesn't mean it's being measured, like I said, but somebody is doing some type of effort to work
• What are the measures of success?
• How do we measure it? How do we know what we did?
• All of that stuff prevents the maverick spend.”

Summary: The committee received a series of informational reports from NDIT and DPI on major IT projects, cybersecurity, and the K-12 student information system transition. Justin Data reviewed the quarterly major project portfolio, noting 111 projects totaling about $542.8 million, generally under budget and slightly behind schedule overall. He highlighted three schedule-red projects: Bed Management System and Vital Records, both now complete and being closed out, and the Roadway Capital Planning Project, which is delayed due to vendor bug fixes after user testing. He also summarized new project startups, including the Attorney General’s Victim Notification System, HHS Medicaid correctional facilities data exchange, Highway Patrol’s motor carrier e-permit system, and additional RIMS work, and answered questions about project timing, funding, and whether work had begun on legislatively funded IT projects. Chris Gurgan, NDIT’s chief information security officer, reported on mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting under HB 1314. He said 77 incidents have been reported since August 2021, with 47 meeting the statutory definition of a cybersecurity incident; phishing remains the most common type, followed by email quarantine alerts, XDR detections, and malware. He emphasized that most incidents are resolved, but that timely reporting is critical for any chance of recovering funds in business email compromise or ransomware cases. He also described several notable incidents since the last report, including the PowerSchool breach, a SimpleHelp intrusion at a school district, a court intrusion, a WSUS vulnerability, a business email compromise at a K-12 district, and a recent ransomware report involving a non-state critical infrastructure entity. Members asked about smishing, MFA, conditional access, security awareness training, and recovery of lost funds; Gurgan said state systems use phishing-resistant MFA and conditional access, training is provided to state employees and offered to political subdivisions on an opt-in basis, and broader cybersecurity maturity assessments are underway. Craig Falkley gave brief reports on coordination with political subdivisions and higher education, including shared networking, cybersecurity, radio/911, PeopleSoft, and co-location services. He also explained distributed ledger technology as a tool for decentralized, secure data sharing, but said the state has limited use for it and would likely frame future reporting more broadly around emerging technologies. The committee then heard from Tony Ambrose of DPI on the statewide Infinite Campus implementation. He said district implementations are underway, but the project had to terminate its original data migration vendor for poor performance and replace it with Aurora Educational Technology, which had experience with a similar North Carolina migration. He also said DPI is moving special education data from Tynet into Infinite Campus, is still working through how to preserve e-transcripts and Choice Ready-type functionality after the PowerSchool transition, and is developing identity, authentication, and data-sharing arrangements for the summer cutover. Members raised concerns about procurement timing, summer school disruption, and whether some functions would be ready by July 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I support your measure. I supported it last year.
• And we also know that these measures work.
• Basically, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure here.
• So I'm happy to support the measure. Would you like to close?
• Measure fails, excuse me, without objection. Reconsideration.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• medical procedure, treatment, device, drug, injection, medication, or medical action to diagnose, prevent
• medical procedure, treatment, device, drug, injection, medication, or medical action to diagnose, prevent
• There was a committee amendment, and that committee— other technical measures.
• Additionally, the commercial entity is required to implement reasonable measures to prevent the uploading
• Additionally, the commercial entity is required to implement reasonable measures to prevent the uploading

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long minority calendar covering a wide range of bills, with sponsors giving brief descriptions and members frequently raising concerns about constitutionality, cost, federal preemption, and policy impacts. Topics included medical intervention and vaccination/mask prohibitions, state treasurer investment rules, vacant state positions reporting, shooting range closure limits, congressional term limits, audit penalties, cellphone use while driving, procurement restrictions tied to China, air ambulance regulation, hospital immigration-status reporting, SNAP purchase restrictions, school assessment changes, school contract transparency, religious excusals from school, student contact information, fitness reporting, and several property tax, water, and agriculture measures. Members also discussed bills on AI-generated sexual material consent verification, DEI liability, hate-crime sentencing, commercial driver forfeiture tied to immigration status, speed-limiting devices for repeat speeding offenses, PFAS firefighting foam, name changes for sex offenders, abortion-inducing drugs, prisoner transition services, sexual extortion penalties, solar radiation management bans, and cultivated-cell food labeling and sales bans. Several bills drew explicit opposition or requests to pull them from consent, especially those affecting abortion access, immigration-related hospital reporting, school testing, religious release programs, DEI policies, and cultivated-cell foods. Members noted that some measures appeared duplicative, overly broad, or likely unconstitutional, and in multiple cases referenced prior vetoes or prior-year versions of the same bills. Supportive comments were also made on selected bills, including the PFAS foam prohibition, the assistive technology study committee, the digital goods consumer protection bill, and the prisoner transition services extension. The caucus also considered water and infrastructure measures, including brackish groundwater funding and studies, water augmentation authority bonds, Pima County water rates, groundwater transport rules, and HOA drought watering limits. Toward the end, members reviewed election-related memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers, a memorial urging withdrawal from the United Nations, and another urging defunding the IMF; all three were noted as being on consent and were pulled for further discussion. The meeting closed with announcements, including a note about a local missing-person concern and a caucus recognition program called the Affordable Arizona Award.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proactive review is critical to ensuring compliance with fire and life safety codes and to preventing
• notification and coordination related to fireworks shipments and storage locations, giving fire prevention
• SB 828 is a preventative-focused, common-sense measure that strengthens oversight, supports firefighting
• And I think that this is just very much needed as a safeguard in some of the measures in the space.
• And I think that this is just very much needed as a safeguard in some of the measures in the space.

Summary: The committee opened with quorum, then several members offered brief remarks thanking staff and colleagues as they noted it was their last meeting or last chairing of the committee. The committee then took up SB 795 by Senator Richardson on consent and passed it unanimously, with the vote held open briefly before later being completed 14-0. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 719, which extends the reporting window for state oversight of high-risk automated decision systems used by state government. He said the first required report showed no current use, but continued monitoring is needed as AI systems evolve. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed the committee unanimously on a do-pass motion to Judiciary. Cabaldon also presented SB 828 in response to the Esparto fireworks explosion that killed seven people. The bill would require fireworks license applicants to disclose storage locations, prove local permits, and allow the State Fire Marshal to notify local agencies and deny or revoke licenses when proof is lacking. Fire officials and industry representatives testified in support, while committee members raised concerns about training, enforcement, and broader safety gaps. The bill passed unanimously on a do-pass motion to Local Government, with votes later completed 14-0 after the committee briefly recessed to record absent members' votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The measure passes. File item 125, that's ACR 143 by Assembly Member Pacheco. The clerk will read.
• The measure passes. It's so nice to have a pinch hitter. Thank you, Assembly Member.
• The measure passes. We're going to pass and retain on file items 130 through 137.
• Colleagues, I rise today to present AB 2052, a measure designed to protect some of our most vulnerable
• The measure passes. We're going to pass and maintain on file items 139, 140, 141.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a preventative measure. It’s designed to prevent tragedies in the future.
• And I do believe that the best way to prevent a DUI is through prevention and keeping people from doing
• This approach focuses on prevention.
• We can avoid all these issues and solve this problem by enacting any of the 22 preventative measures
• on violence to occur, but taking proactive measures.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 907, which would strengthen California DUI laws in several ways, including mandatory Watson advisements when DUI charges are reduced, judicial discretion for consecutive sentences in cases with multiple victims, enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders and certain hit-and-run cases, and adding vehicular manslaughter offenses to the violent felony list. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, described the bill as a response to repeated, preventable tragedies and argued it would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about duplicative penalties, legal overreach, and the violent-felony and sentencing provisions. Committee members were divided but generally supportive of stronger DUI enforcement; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the three-strikes provision removed and the bill kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, aimed at online child exploitation and extortion networks. The bill would create a new offense for adults who recruit, direct, coerce, or use minors to harm or exploit other children, and it would also allow limited misdemeanor or felony charges for minors engaged in extreme coercive conduct, with diversion available for juveniles. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, and child-safety advocates, said the bill addresses a fast-growing cybercrime problem involving grooming, blackmail, self-harm, and organized online groups using minors as intermediaries. Opponents argued existing laws already cover much of the conduct and warned against criminalizing adolescent behavior, urging the Legislature instead to focus on platform accountability. The committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with members emphasizing the need to address evolving online harms. The committee also heard SB 1285, which would clarify that juvenile court dismissals under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 remain a broad “general dismissal” remedy, separate from record sealing, so that eligible youth can more fully avoid future collateral consequences. Supporters said the bill would restore the intended effect of prior juvenile justice reforms and help young people access employment, education, military service, and licensure without lingering barriers. There was no opposition after one group withdrew its objection, and the bill was moved to the floor on a do-pass motion. SB 1342 followed, a technical cleanup measure for automatic record clearance laws that would prevent outdated pending charges from blocking relief, require local court records to match DOJ updates, and create a way for people to obtain written proof of clearance; it also advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1330 was heard to extend existing assault-and-battery protections for certain workers to utility workers; supporters described rising assaults and even shootings against crews, while one utility worker opposed the bill as only increasing penalties after the fact rather than preventing attacks. The bill was moved out on a do-pass motion and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our removal being necessary to prevent imminent physical harm. D.C.Y.F.
• I'm Vicki Ibarra, Assistant Secretary for Partnership Prevention and Services.
• I'm Vicki Ibarra, Assistant Secretary for Partnership Prevention and Services.
• What should we measure when we think about relational permanency and child well-being?
• What should we measure when we think about relational permanency and child well-being?

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on child welfare dependency, focusing on implementation of HB 1227 (Keeping Families Together) and SB 6109 (the fentanyl response bill), along with related data and system updates. DCYF first reviewed the dependency process, explaining intake, shelter care, fact-finding, disposition, and review hearings, and emphasized that removal standards are separate from service provision and that children may be in-home or out-of-home at different stages. DCYF said 1227 raised the removal threshold to imminent physical harm and strengthened kin placement, with nearly 60% of children now placed with relatives or suitable others. The department also said 6109 directs courts to give great weight to fentanyl’s lethality and added legal liaisons to support staff in court preparation. DCYF presented data showing that entries into out-of-home care declined after 1227 but rose again after 6109, returning close to pre-1227 levels. The agency also reported a sharp increase in reviewable critical incidents in 2022-2025, especially near-fatalities, which it linked to the opioid and fentanyl crisis, parental stress, and system complexity. DCYF said it has responded with statewide Safe Child Councils, staff consultations, hotspot monitoring, and additional training, and noted that some contracted services authorized under 6109 were not implemented because of fiscal constraints. Senators asked about where children are in the process, who participates in court, the timing of data releases, age breakdowns, and geographic hotspots. Advocates and lived-experience witnesses from LCYC and a family intervention clinic argued that 1227 has not prevented courts from removing children when necessary and said the law appropriately requires the state to show a causal link between home conditions and risk. They said 6109 appropriately highlights fentanyl’s danger, but stressed that the larger issue is lack of prevention and treatment resources, inconsistent county-by-county practice, and insufficient supports such as inpatient beds, family treatment, housing, transportation, and third-party safety plan participants. A parent ally described how early support, peer guidance, and kin placement helped her achieve recovery and stability after losing parental rights in an earlier case. The committee also heard an update on SB 6068 from the Administrative Office of the Courts and K Implementation and Evaluation. The report identified 15 dimensions of relational permanency and child well-being, found that some data already exist while other measures need development, and recommended a phased data collection plan, a restored data-sharing agreement between AOC and DCYF, and a standing cross-agency work group. AOC said its dependency data system lapsed when the prior agreement expired in June 2025 and needs to be rebuilt. The meeting also included a brief update on bridge housing for youth exiting inpatient treatment, with presenters saying two programs are now open, one in King County and one in Spokane, and a short introduction to juvenile rehabilitation capacity updates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We recognize the importance of implementing clear and enforceable safety measures within behavioral health
• I want to clarify that this measure will not inhibit genetic medical research aimed at benefiting society
• I want to clarify that this measure will not inhibit genetic medical research aimed at benefiting society
• AB 1382 addresses two issues, preventing the exacerbation of the Chairman Chair members, AB 1382 addresses
• two issues, preventing the exacerbation of the pet overpopulation problem and the questionable ethics

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee began without quorum and initially heard several bills as a subcommittee. AB 277 by Assemblymember Alanis would require background checks for unlicensed employees providing behavioral health treatment; the author and CalABA said it would protect children and people with disabilities, and the bill drew no opposition. AB 1382 by Assemblymember Castillo would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals altered for cosmetic purposes, while exempting glowfish after amendments; supporters framed it as an animal welfare and pet overpopulation measure, and there was no opposition after the amendments. ACR 173 by Assemblymember Carrillo would formalize a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, Mexico; the author emphasized cultural and economic ties and binational cooperation, though one senator objected to language referencing recent mass deportations and said he would abstain rather than support it as written. After quorum was established, the committee took up consent items AB 2085, AB 1733, ACR 129, ACR 164, and ACR 166, which passed 6-0. AB 277 was then approved 6-0 and sent to the Senate Public Safety Committee. AB 1382 passed 6-0 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. ACR 173 was adopted 4-0, and the committee granted reconsideration so the author could potentially address the concern raised about the immigration-related language.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 6081 prevents unnecessary disclosures that put families like mine at risk. Thank you. Thank you.
• It exempts sex designation change records from public disclosure, prevents the Department of Licensing
• The bill also requires, as part of filing an initiative or referendum measure, that the sponsor file
• We support the common-sense measures in this bill.
• We believe this ensures initiatives reflect genuine public interest and prevents what was referred to

Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a total of 22 measures on today's agenda.
• I should note right at the outset, and we'll come back to this later, but there are eight measures proposed
• They are families devastated by preventable accidents.
• They are families devastated by preventable accidents.
• When a similar measure was adopted in San Diego in 2024, it was highly effective.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure seeks to remove those obstacles that might prevent them from voting.
• Voter ID laws like Measure A also worsened disparities in mail-in voting.
• AB 1164 is a common-sense measure.
• AB 1164 is a common-sense measure.
• These measures ensure that all eligible individuals have equal access to the democratic process.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call. Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the measure that we're hearing. the measure that we're hearing.
• Next<00:14:36.720><c> measure,</c> Next measure, Next measure, SCR<00:14:39.080><c> 22,</c><00:14:40.440
• </c> And this this resolution will prevent And this this resolution will prevent that<00:32:57.600><c
• </c> next measure and the last measure. next measure and the last measure.
• Um, the next measure, SCR 22 SD1. Um, we did not receive any testimony for this measure.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 11, urging Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, drew support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Pride at Work Hawaii, both of which backed the measure as a statement of equality and protection for LGBTQIA+ people. A member also reminded testifiers to keep signs and statements relevant to the measure. SCR 22, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahu and Aliʻa, had no testimony. SCR 58, calling for a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in DLNR boating and ocean recreation lots, drew strong support from multiple testifiers who argued that towing is overly punitive, costly, and unfair to beach and harbor users; they favored warnings or smaller citations instead of towing and raised concerns about signage, contract oversight, and the cost of proposed enforcement technology. One member asked about whether DLNR could use HPD or other officers for citations, and the discussion focused on staffing and enforcement authority. The committee then heard SCR 60 SD1, requesting an update on the “Breaking Cycles” study on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was not present, but the Corrections Reform Working Group strongly supported the resolution, saying the study reflects extensive community outreach and should not be shelved. Testifiers urged the committee to use the report to examine alternatives to a new jail, including diversion, pre-trial reform, probation reform, and renovations to existing facilities, and one testifier suggested amendments to add experts in those areas and technical assistance from the Prison Policy Initiative. Another testifier described Maui’s use of wraparound reentry services, prosecutorial discretion, and programming as an example of reducing incarceration without expanding jail capacity. SCR 184, asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine anti-discrimination laws as applied to algorithmic and automated decision systems, had no in-person testimony, with the chair noting one support and one comment submitted. The final measure, SCR 89 SD1, which would create an advisory committee under the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission to develop recommendations on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu, also had no testimony from the department, but the Corrections Reform Working Group supported it as a way to ensure community input into jail planning. A later testifier echoed concerns about building a large new jail and urged the committee to consider alternatives to incarceration and to include people with expertise in diversion, pre-trial reform, and probation reform. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But every future one should be prevented.
• the next preventable death.
• the next preventable death, right?
• You have to focus on prevention.
• That aims toward focusing on prevention.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs. The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition. The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.