Transcript Highlights:

• </c> same kind of criteria and structures same kind of criteria and structures that<00:13:56.120><c>
• </c><00:37:20.720><c> and</c> in the December 9th final Rule and in the December 9th final Rule and because
• So the rules that were being used, our Medicare rules, did change their definition, but they did not
• deviate, or we can change from those rules.
• ><c> the</c> being CED our our Medicare rules um the being CED our our Medicare rules um the Medicare

Committee: House Health

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what are seen any of the rules yet.
• They don't make rules. Oh, okay.
• The attorney general shall adopt rules.
• The attorney general shall adopt rules.
• And if a structure, not by preference.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 297 and a new amendment, 2462, which combined the original Senate bill with the Carson amendment and added a proposed alternative regulatory system, RSA 420R. The chair and members discussed that the amendment was intended to give the Senate what it had asked for while also creating a dual system for public entity risk pools. Members asked whether the new structure would affect ownership or governance of health trusts, and the chair explained that 420R would be a separate regulatory statute while existing 420J-style arrangements could remain in place. The committee also noted that a paragraph had been accidentally deleted from the amendment and that another amendment would be prepared to correct it, with the subcommittee recessed while that was done. Public testimony focused on School Care, represented by Executive Director Lisa Ducette, who opposed the shift to Department of Insurance oversight under 420R. She argued that public entity risk pools are not insurance companies, that they are accountable to member entities and taxpayers, and that the proposed dual regulation would add unnecessary costs through examinations, higher reserves, and additional accounting requirements. She said the change could threaten tax-exempt status and create an uneven playing field, and she urged the committee to support SB 297 with the Carson amendment instead of moving to 420R. Committee members questioned whether the amendment would actually affect pools that stayed under the Secretary of State model, and one member cited support from the New Hampshire Municipal Association for the dual system. The discussion then shifted to amendment 245 on ambulance reimbursement and contracting timelines. Members reviewed a provision giving insurers 45 days and ambulance providers 60 days in the contracting process, and one member suggested making both periods 60 days. The chair and others said the current language was intentional and part of a broader compromise aimed at ending balance billing and forcing insurers to establish reimbursement rates. Members noted that the measure was unusual and that its effects would be reviewed over the next two years, with one member saying the bill would likely be difficult to roll back later. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So more laws have been passed, more rules, and so they need something that's a little bit more robust
• Let's take a look and see: Is this the right structure? Is this the right scope?
• Importantly, a final decision is expected on this proposed rule tomorrow at FERC's open hearing.
• Non-emitting structures could start construction before new source review permits are issued.
• And then, as referenced earlier by NCSL, there's new tariff structures as well.

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will move a do pass on Senate Bill 238, and a do pass on the Senate Rules Committee substitute for
• And a do pass on the Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 238 for the purposes of discussion
• What structural renovations are needed at the mansion right now? Madam Chair, Senator...
• Move a due pass on the Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 238.
• Move a due pass on the Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 238.

Bills: SB238 , HJR1 , SM21 , SM22

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 238, which would rename the governor’s residence advisory commission as a governor’s residence management committee and clarify its duties, membership, and authority over furnishings, maintenance, inventories, and hospitality functions at the governor’s residence. Senator Worth and Secretary Designate Anna Silva said the change was needed to remove ambiguity during the transition to a new administration and to improve transparency around the residence, the General Services Department fund, and the separate Mansion Foundation fundraising role. Several senators questioned whether the bill concentrated too much authority in the governor and whether it could enable a large renovation project without sufficient legislative oversight; supporters said major renovations would still require legislative appropriations. The committee ultimately advanced the Senate Rules Committee substitute for SB 238 on a 5-2 vote. The committee then approved House Joint Resolution 1, which would create bipartisan nominating commissions to vet and recommend university and special school regents to the governor, rather than leaving appointments entirely to the governor’s discretion. Senator Steinborn said the resolution would improve qualifications and reduce conflicts of interest, including by changing the student regent selection process. After brief discussion about party-affiliation restrictions, the resolution received a due pass with no objection. Two memorials followed. Senate Memorial 21, presented by Senator Stephanics for Senator Bergman, calls for a Department of Health study of overdose prevention tools, including overdose prevention centers and other harm-reduction strategies, in response to New Mexico’s high and rising overdose death rates. Supporters cited rural access challenges and the need to explore all available tools; one senator asked for more accurate county and demographic data in the memorial’s background. The committee gave SM 21 a due pass. Senate Memorial 22, presented by Senator Charlie and the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, asks the Legislative Finance Committee to convene a working group to map how domestic-violence funding flows through CYFD and related agencies, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and provider input. Witnesses said funding streams are fragmented and sometimes unclear, and senators discussed whether the work should remain within CYFD or be overseen elsewhere. The committee also gave SM 22 a due pass. The chair then announced that the committee would hear SB 264 and SB 261 at its next meeting and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was the first state attorney general to secure a favorable ruling against the Biden administration
• Then we went into catalytic converters, and laws and rules had changed to make it a little harder to
• I mean, it's really going to take all the stakeholders to really start putting together some structure
• That was to be built within 500 feet of their properties. 500 feet the Railroad Commission rules states
• and manipulates the rules and benefits to benefit their gender, you're not trying to be a good neighbor

Bills: SB766 , SB290 , SB494 , SB1145

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Over some of the orientation rules for the committee for the session.
• . the 24-hour rule for amendments.
• My mind that I remember, so there are two rules pertaining to the scheduling of bills per the House rules
• Any other time, we'll default to the House rule on taking.
• They're not coordinated in any specific or structured way.

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• to rule again...
• Motions are debatable unless our rules say otherwise. These rules say this.
• Unless our rules say otherwise. These rules say this is not a debatable motion.
• So if our rules said otherwise, that's what would control.
• A vote of yes upholds my ruling; a vote of no votes to overturn my ruling.

Transcript Highlights:

• for certifications and recertifications from July 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026, to allow time for rule
• It is a failure of will, structure, and accountability. This is not failure of evidence.
• It is a failure of will, structure, and accountability.
• The imbalance is structural.
• First, it removes the one-shot rule for non-conviction records, allowing people with multiple arrests

Bills: S0212 , S0656 , S0682 , S0810 , S0812 , S0890 , S0892 , S0900 , S0928 , S1084 , S1284

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply this bill seeks to ensure the licensure process and rules apply the same to fresh water captains
• The bill would require inspections and repairs all the way to the housing structure.
• This brings me to my next point as we're kind of pulling in this new universe of structures.
• The bottom this bill will ensure clarity and continuity in the rules that those businesses that operate
• I also think about the visitors and who maybe don't know what our rules and our laws are pretty easy.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico, we all, you all, have made a big investment in structured literacy.
• So what we want to make sure is that we can effectively monitor the implementation of structure.
• Their regional structure for supporting STEM.
• An example of that is with our structured literacy grant.
• School board training is one of the 10 components of the accreditation rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• The nations that win the race in this area will ultimately rule the world.
• I think you mentioned 'rule the world.'
• I think the bill has been fantastically structured. We need a plan.
• Moreover, the bill is structured very nicely. chunks of money to people or entities.
• Putting this structure in place isn't committing us as a state.

Bills: HB 106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• And his actions were ruled justified, just as Representative Carlson said...
• And his actions were ruled justified, just as Representative Carlson said, were ruled justified by the
• We, I think— Rules apply to them that apply to everyone else in the state of Louisiana.
• Second, MPEERS is using the court system to enforce their rules.
• In city court, it's generally advisable to have an attorney, because the rules of procedure apply, rules

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Transcript Highlights:

• :57.720><c> Branch</c><00:37:58.520><c> we</c> basic structure of the judish Branch we basic structure
• </c> as far as respect and follow the rules as far as respect and follow the rules and<01:29:24.760><
• So now my rules are in effect.
• , they adhere to the rules.
• , they adhere to the rules.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session. The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, Representative Geymann moves to suspend the rules to concur.
• Representative Knox moves to suspend the rules to pass this resolution.
• Over time, this creates structural strain, not efficiencies.
• The ruling was that the amendment is germane.
• The ruling continued: the amendment is germane.

Bills: SCR59 , SCR70 , HR275 , HR279 , HR282 , HR289 , HR307 , HCR112 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB121 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HCR117 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , SCR30 , SCR40 , SCR65 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB54 , HB137 , HB321 , HB368 , HB386 , HB414 , HB431 , HB552 , HB555 , HB578 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB638 , HB670 , HB692 , HB707 , HB708 , HB715 , HB718 , HB732 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB796 , HB807 , HB822 , HB848 , HB856 , HB887 , HB888 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1082 , HB1243 , HB1246 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB159 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1126 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1235 , HB1249 , SB259 , SB295 , SB312 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB441 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB463 , HB998 , SB197 , SB268 , SB123 , SB276 , SB326 , SB80 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB479 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB42 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB449 , SB487

Keywords: Major Richard Star Act, veterans, military retirement, disability compensation, VA benefits, combat-wounded, medically retired, military retirees, service members, veterans benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, concurrent receipt, retirement offset, combat-related disability, bipartisan support, memorial resolution, Congressional memorial, Louisiana delegation, Richard Star

Transcript Highlights:

• This structure, it's the Ran Wash spill structure, is a shared structure.
• Um so it the cost of those structures.
• However, structure.
• </c><02:39:20.960><c> thing</c> and and so it the the home rule thing and and so it the the home rule
• </c> this is our authority under home rule this is our authority under home rule and,<02:50:07.840><c

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It also cleans up the structure of the four grant programs to clearly separate the specific requirements
• Since the maternal rules for designation require PCR participation by medical directors and program managers
• Priority structure is important to ensure that these are getting where they need to go, that they're
• HB1700 directs the regulatory authority to adopt rules to create uniform procedures for a patient's consent
• Ready and able to, you know, the bill allows us to write rules.

Bills: HB18 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1644 , HB2187 , HB1887 , HB 1275 , HB37 , HB1503 , HB1699 , HB1700 , HB2735 , HB1741 , HB1731 , HB1675 , HB18 , HB37

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> rule ma and potential rulemaking. rule ma and potential rulemaking.
• So that's the rule we would uh that would be applicable to us.
• Um currently Medicaid rules allow care.
• So that's the rule we expansion state.
• And so within that structure, we are diving deep into the weeds on all five of these areas.

Bills: HR1

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:03.320><c> and</c> referred to the Committee on Rules and referred to the Committee on Rules
• President, Senator, it's because of our Senate rule, um and I believe it's Senate Rule 8.2.
• President, Senator, it's because of our Senate rule, um and I believe it's Senate Rule 8.2.
• </c> confirmation calendar under Senate Rule confirmation calendar under Senate Rule 8.2,<00:55:07.640
• </c> violating rule 36.2. violating rule 36.2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has that been done in rule, or where has it been done? Miss Mark: Mr.
• structure in the interim<00:31:26.519><c> have</c><00:31:26.760><c> you</c><00:31:27.559><c> gotten<
• so that they're building structures so that they're habitable<00:37:41.760><c> and</c><00:37:41.960>
• to help rehabilitate them the structures to help rehabilitate them whereas<00:37:55.960><c> for</c><
• Everyone in their packets should have a copy of the committee rules and procedures for this committee

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's very, very structured and doesn't leave a lot of stuff to just by chance.
• So the fee structure set up in Title 38-111 is for the land per acre.
• Us as logging contractors do assist the IDL when they're fighting fires, rarely on structures, but structures
• Us as logging contractors do assist the IDL when they're fighting fires, rarely on structures, but structures
• This bill is focused on statutory clarity, defined structure...

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment