Transcript Highlights:

• been quite a slippery slope as other states have shifted CME requirements to an expanding list of statutory
• requirements to a uh expanding list CME requirements to a uh expanding list of<00:14:39.360> statutory
• 14:41.440> So<00:14:41.760> if<00:14:42.320> uh<00:14:42.480> you of statutory
• So if uh you of statutory requirements.
• , we hope that with the technical score factoring increasing, with our state's commitment to our statutory

Bills: SB2421, SB2690, SB3103, SB3137, SB3164, SB3206, SB2933, SB3133, SB3315

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• In place to remove school board members who are doing things that go against their three statutory duties
• School board members have a statutory requirement that they have to take training, correct? Mr.
• Chairman, Representative Vincent, I do believe there was legislation where we have statutory requirements
• So if a school board member decides they want to act out, they don't want to go through the statutory
• They don't want to go through the statutory requirements. They don't want to do peer learning.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Stewart: ...promulgate rules that have the effect of statutory law, which I think is a bad...
• give agencies rulemaking authority, those rules, to the extent that they don't conflict with our statutory
• laws, get the same deference as laws, but this is specifically saying this has the same standing as statutory
• The words 'standing as statutory law.' I mean, come on. That jumps off the page.
• So I would suggest we do things like, on line 10, strike 'standing as statutory law' and insert in lieu

Transcript Highlights:

• To statutory.
• It will require a constitutional vote or some statutory change to do that, but it's a 20-year period

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is shown as a statutory expenditure from that account.
• statutory expenditure from that account. statutory expenditure from that account.
• > appropriation<01:14:35.280> to would be a statutory appropriation to would be a statutory
• The first is a bill list by statutory order.
• two bills into one uh statutory section. two bills into one uh statutory section.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deadline begins in uh when the statutory deadline begins in April<00:04:59.600> of<00:05:00.120
• <00:13:03.839> I<00:13:04.000> would<00:13:04.160> say independent statutory
• I would say independent statutory body.
• We do have statutory have implications.
• 51.520> language Explore Minnesota's statutory language Explore Minnesota's statutory language

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are fastly approaching statutory operating debt in our fiscal year 25 budget.
• I'm not projecting us yet to go into statutory operating debt, but we are getting very, very close.
• We are fastly approaching statutory operating debt in our fiscal year 25 budget.
• we are fastly approaching statutory we are fastly approaching statutory operating<00:21:17.760><
• <00:46:45.920> operating the verge of statutory operating the verge of statutory operating

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for recommendation one from the 6E PIG, clarify and extend the statutory timelines under chapter 6E
• <02:44:34.880> Um statutory timelines under HRS 6E. Um statutory timelines under HRS 6E.
• the statutory timelines under chapter<02:45:25.359> 6E.
• and program statutory regulatory and program changes.<03:13:14.080> Participants<03:13:14.720
• deadlines or program design as statutory deadlines or program design as needed<03:40:11.040> to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02.960> contract<00:32:03.440> complied<00:32:03.919> with<00:32:04.240> statutory
• the contract complied with statutory the contract complied with statutory requirements,<00:32:05.919
• risky transaction that this property was distressed property bought at a value that doesn't meet statutory
• risky transaction that this property was distressed property bought at a value that doesn't meet statutory
• at a value that doesn't meet statutory at a value that doesn't meet statutory minimums. minimums

Bills: HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840

Keywords: time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Connection with clarifying the statutory definitions of collections for another government and damage
• In Colorado's statutory rape provision, that is currently 10 years for a 16-year-old, which I believe
• and a half%. ...statutory median with one and a half%.
• The bill increased state and statutory public entity workload on an ongoing basis.
• State and statutory public entity workload on an ongoing basis.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:17.680> and<01:00:17.920> open The totals are statutory and open appropriations
• And then moving down to DLI statutory and open appropriations, starting on line 17, DLI has expenditures
• The biggest source for DLI statutory and open appropriations is the construction code fund.
• <01:01:34.119> and<01:01:34.319> open source for DLI statutory and open source for
• DLI statutory and open Appropriations<01:01:35.720> is<01:01:35.920> the<01:01:36.119><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee heard Senate File 560, a bill to require the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to establish a cost-per-square-foot valuation for residential building permits. Senator Dornink said the measure is intended to make permit fees more fair, reasonable, transparent, and predictable, and to reduce housing costs by limiting large differences in permit fees between municipalities. He said the bill would be sent to the Housing Committee without recommendation, and members discussed but did not act on a related amendment that would have shifted plan review and inspection fees to hourly and trip-based charges and made fee information publicly available. Testimony from Housing First Minnesota supported the bill’s goal, arguing that Minnesota’s housing shortage and high new-home prices make it important to reduce inefficiencies in the permitting system. The witness said permit valuations are often increased by cities, leading to higher costs for homebuyers, and cited examples of large fee differences between municipalities and claims of overcollection. He said some other states, including Texas and Wisconsin communities, use square-footage-based approaches. A League of Minnesota Cities representative opposed the amendment language and cautioned that trip charges and hourly billing would make fees less certain, could raise costs, and would be especially burdensome in Greater Minnesota; he said current valuation-based fees better reflect the actual cost and complexity of service and can be appealed if disputed. A representative of the Association of Minnesota Building Officials also raised concerns about the amendment, saying building departments provide consultations, inspections, plan review, and other services beyond a single trip, and that trip charges would not fit a responsive fee-for-service model. He said the current valuation system helps cover the full range of permitting work, though he acknowledged that a consistent square-foot valuation standard could improve transparency and reduce disputes over project value. Committee members asked about other states’ approaches and the scope of the bill, and the discussion emphasized that the proposal applies to one- and two-family dwellings.

Transcript Highlights:

• academic science standards about prenatal development, include fetal and prenatal development in the statutory
• departments bring rule changes to the legislature to allow the legislature to provide an express statutory
• departments bring rule changes to the legislature to allow the legislature to provide an express statutory

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills that had returned from the Senate with amendments, with members repeatedly noting that sponsors intended to concur on most items. Topics included public health and vaccination rules (HB 2086, HB 2248), state investment in gold and silver (HB 2140), property records and voter-registration privacy (HB 2327), municipal and county regulation of business property and development fees (HB 2460, HB 2946, HB 2999), legislative subpoenas (HB 2745), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), nursing-facility complaint timelines and licensed health aide rules (HB 2195, HB 2189), court-ordered treatment review (HB 2923), Access/Medicaid reimbursement and prior authorization for diagnostic services (HB 2932), inmate mental health study committee language (HB 2673), prenatal development instruction in schools (HB 2830), public records requests by legislators (HB 4056), parents’ rights and social transitioning in schools (HB 2249), school district financial compliance and facilities contracting (HB 2481, HB 2482), Native American language proficiency for graduation (HB 2895), advanced math auto-enrollment (HB 2423), special education and military-family procedures (HB 2621), AI rules for state agencies (HB 2592), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), shade structures in HOAs (HB 2342), homelessness-related community restitution (HB 2028), medical records timelines (HB 2557), PFAS firefighting foam restrictions (HB 2641), family-court expert testimony and prisoner transition services (HB 2662, HB 2440), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), guardianship notice attestation (HB 2661), utilities for high-load customers (HB 2756), and nuclear-ready community planning (HB 2456). The committee also briefly moved to Caucus Calendar 19 for additional bills on mobile food vendors, school board training, out-of-state travel and meeting transparency, and a medical-intervention nondiscrimination bill. Several bills drew substantive discussion or criticism. Members debated HB 2932 at length, with staff explaining that Access said the bill would have a high fiscal impact because it would require reimbursement for non-contracted lab services and eliminate prior authorization for a broad range of diagnostic services, potentially increasing costs substantially. HB 2249 also prompted concern from members who argued it could force teachers to out students and create civil liability for using preferred pronouns or failing to notify parents about social transitioning. HB 2830 was criticized as requiring prenatal-development instruction while barring discussion of sexual activity or reproduction. HB 2028, which allows community restitution instead of a $20 probation assessment for people who are indigent and experiencing homelessness, was questioned as potentially punitive. HB 2481 was discussed as a way to help, rather than punish, small rural school districts struggling with financial-record compliance. The caucus also noted that several of the measures were sponsored by Democrats, which was highlighted as notable during the meeting. No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The caucus chair repeatedly asked for questions, and in most cases there were none, after which the sponsor was understood to intend concurrence with the Senate amendments. The meeting ended with adjournment after the caucus moved through the remaining calendar items.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean it's just it's a statutory fund, and so the transfer will be authorized through legislation.
• agency that obviously has come to our subcommittee multiple years now trying to be able to meet their statutory
• , do you have an idea on how they will be able to continue out the mission of the agency and the statutory

Bills: SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends the statute to formally include JPOs and JDOs in the statutory definition of officer.
• It amends the statute to formally include JPO's and JDOs in the statutory definition of officer.
• Senate Bill 820 and this amendment strengthen the statutory performance reporting requirements of these

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met and reported several bills favorably. SB 646, by President Gates, would allow the use of drug testing tools such as test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants like fentanyl and xylazine; it was supported by Senator Osgood and others who said it could help prevent overdose deaths, and it passed unanimously. SB 418, by Senator Jones, creates autism-focused law enforcement training and a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism; it drew strong support from Disability Rights Florida, parents, advocates, and committee members, who emphasized safety, communication, and de-escalation, and it also passed unanimously after extensive testimony.\n\nThe committee then considered SB 132, by Senator Polsky, which would require the Florida Commission on Offender Review to maintain a public database to help people determine whether they have completed the requirements for restoration of voting rights. An amendment making the database subject to legislative appropriation was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1734, by Senator Martin, would recognize juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under state law, extend training and certification standards, and provide officer-level benefits and protections; it passed without opposition.\n\nFinally, the committee took up SB 820, by Senator Bradley, on problem-solving court reports. A strike-all amendment expanded annual reporting requirements for specialty courts, set a January 31 reporting deadline, and phased in the new data collection. After support from the State Courts Administrator and others, the amendment and the bill as amended were adopted and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends the statute to formally include JPOs and JDOs in the statutory definition of officer.
• It amends the statute to formally include JPO's and JDOs in the statutory definition of officer.
• Senate Bill 820 and this amendment strengthen the statutory performance reporting requirements of these

Bills: S0132, S0418, S0646, S0820, S1734

Keywords: voting rights, felony conviction, database, Florida Commission on Offender Review, restoration of rights, autism spectrum disorder, law enforcement, communication, training, blue envelope, blue card, drug paraphernalia, narcotic testing, fentanyl, controlled substances, civil forfeiture, juvenile justice, detention, Medal of Heroism, probation officers

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 646, relating to drug paraphernalia, was presented by President Gates as a narrow measure to allow drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants and help prevent overdose deaths. Senator Osgood spoke in strong support, describing the bill as important for people in recovery. The bill had one support appearance and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee then heard SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Jones explained that the bill requires autism awareness and communication/de-escalation training for officers and creates a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with ASD. Multiple advocates, including Disability Rights Florida, an Autism Society representative, parents, and a retired federal officer, testified in support, emphasizing safety, communication, and the need to avoid tragic misunderstandings during police encounters. Senators also discussed whether broader disability training should be considered in the future. SB 418 was reported favorably unanimously. Next, the committee considered SB 132 on restoration of voting rights, which would require the Florida Commission on Offender Review to create and maintain a public database to help people determine whether they have completed sentence requirements for rights restoration and to publish clearer instructions for eligible individuals. An amendment was adopted to make the database subject to legislative appropriation. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1734, which recognizes juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under state law and extends training, certification, and certain benefits, and CS/SB 820, which strengthens reporting requirements for problem-solving courts and sets annual reporting deadlines. Both bills were reported favorably after brief discussion and support appearances.

Transcript Highlights:

• An ETJ is a statutory or was a statutory, continues to be a situation of statute.
• project at the appropriate phase of development or construction if local governments do not meet the statutory

Bills: SB1708, SB2523, SB1450

Keywords: county platting, subdivision platting, Local Government Code Chapter 232, Section 232.022, Section 232.0014, model subdivision rules, Water Code Section 16.343, Texas county subdivision law, residential subdivision, land conveyance, gift deed, family transfer, consanguinity, affinity, third degree relative, five acres or less, county land use, platting exemption, rural land division, property subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• Plus, this is a statutory construct that the legislature has created, whether it's chapter 66 or 283.
• Do and they do that with the construct and the tools that the legislature provides them from a statutory
• We have statutory timelines now for notice and other requirements that are there. Those aren't new.

Transcript Highlights:

• Plus, this is a statutory construct that the legislature has created, whether it's...
• effectively by utilizing the appropriate constructs and tools. that the legislature provides them from a statutory
• There are statutory timelines now for notice and other requirements that are there.

Bills: HB3713, HB3953, HB4055, HB4272

Keywords: telecommunications, local exchange companies, universal service fund, rate maintenance, business expansion, broadband access, internet service, multiunit residential properties, urban areas, affordability programs, fiber-optic cables, public land, construction permits, environmental impact, notification requirements, municipal projects, infrastructure, facility relocation, public right-of-way, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 650, as amended, adds to that list walkways that run parallel to roads which meet the statutory definition
• of limited access facility. ...walkways that run parallel to roads which meet the statutory definition
• The purpose of the strike also specifically refers to that existing statutory definition of limited access

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met and considered a wide range of education-related bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports. Early in the meeting, the committee approved CS/SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funding, CS/SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School updates, and CS/SB 430 requiring public schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans, train students and staff in CPR/AED use, and maintain accessible AEDs. Testimony on the cardiac bill came from the American Heart Association and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology in support, and the chair noted a survey suggesting many districts already have AEDs in schools. The committee also approved CS/SB 1528 on educational opportunities for military children, which expands coordination and training under the interstate compact, and CS/SB 364, which would move the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University for research and administrative support. The committee then adopted amendments and favorably reported CS/SB 1590 on educator preparation, which modernizes teacher standards and certification pathways, including updates to FEAPs, a revised teacher exam, and an alternative certification program. The SPLC testified in opposition to part of the bill, arguing that language on historical instruction and systemic racism was contradictory and could limit accurate teaching of history. The committee also approved CS/SB 1702 on education, incorporating a wireless-device-in-schools pilot and other education provisions, with support from the Florida Charter School Alliance and others. CS/SB 444 on human trafficking awareness was amended to require no-cost training for school employees and charter schools; FSU law students testified in support, emphasizing the need for school personnel to recognize trafficking indicators. The committee also approved CS/SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions, expanding transportation eligibility for students walking near limited-access facilities, though members noted the bill carried an indeterminate fiscal impact and no dedicated funding. Later, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 1102 on school readiness, which expands how disabilities can be identified for early learning services and ties additional funding to training on early identification of delays. It also approved SB 1382 on access to school readiness programs for economically disadvantaged households, revising eligibility and priority tiers to use state median income rather than federal poverty level and refining the waitlist and forecasting process. Several members recorded votes on bills they had missed during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after reporting all of the above measures favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rule was nullified last November after review of statutory authority by Florida's Joint Administrative
• We must either have constitutional or statutory authority granted to us by the voters under the legislative
• Those are all done by statutory authority. 79 percent of general tax revenue comes from property taxes
• If we don't help on homelessness but we create statutory requirements, local governments end up picking