Transcript Highlights:

• would be in the communication sector: a wireless communication subsector, a cell phone telephone facility
• A classic example of this would be Harborview Medical Center as the region's only Level 1 trauma center
• a hospital, impacted a number of commercial and agricultural properties, hospitals, government facilities
• And so four years later, they're experiencing the same level of trauma that they had experienced before

Bills: HB2579

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: public media, digital equity, funding, media access, communication technology

Transcript Highlights:

• character-building organizations, nursing homes, homes for the aging, museums, performing arts facilities
• attack, cardiac arrest, and stroke, and activities under the statewide emergency medical services and trauma
• time-sensitive emergencies, which is what the Department of Health calls their program, not just for traumas
• that uses the best science and technology and leverages the current cancer research talent and facilities

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's move on to the next measure: Senate Bill 1475, relating to special facility revenue bonds, which
• I continue to live with this trauma of that night, both emotionally and physically.
• c><00:35:16.599><c> live</c><00:35:17.000><c> with</c><00:35:17.200><c> this</c><00:35:17.440><c> trauma
• </c> that I continue to live with this trauma that I continue to live with this trauma of<00:35:18.599
• Moved on to Senate Bill 1475 relating to special facility revenue bonds, which increases the total amount

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• When someone experiences trauma, it looms much like a monster. It blocks the path.
• When someone experiences trauma, it looms much like a monster. It blocks the path.
• activated. shown that trauma can leave the amygdala, the brain's alarm system, chronically activated
• Trauma researchers also note that overwhelming experiences are often stored not as coherent memories
• It's what I call protagonist: the realization that even after trauma, one still possesses direction,

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 3078 and 2672 and voted the substitute do pass, with one no vote. It then separately voted House Bill 2362 and House Bill 2588 do pass, each by 16 ayes and one no. During the executive session, one member objected to the combined bill on constitutional equal-protection grounds, while another supported it as a benefit for veterans. In public hearing, Representative Stephanie Boykin presented House Bill 3280, which would create a Missouri specialty license plate for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who previously qualified for a disabled veteran plate. She described it as a low-cost way to continue honoring a veteran’s service and family sacrifice. Committee members and a surviving spouse testified in strong support, emphasizing the recognition of spouses’ sacrifices and noting that similar plates exist in other states. No opposition was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 3029, sponsored by Representative Schulte, which would require disclosures and prohibit compensation for referrals in the business of advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits, with penalties for violations. Supporters, including a Missouri veterans service officer, argued the bill was needed to stop unaccredited “claim shark” companies from charging veterans for initial claims and using misleading social media advertising. Opponents, including a representative of Veterans Guardian and a VA-accredited attorney, argued the bill would restrict lawful private-sector assistance, reduce veterans’ choice, and should be narrowed to target bad actors while exempting accredited attorneys and referral arrangements. The hearing also included a presentation on the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program, which provides medals and certificates for veterans of major conflicts, and a presentation on MU Extension’s Veteran REEDS program, which uses literature and discussion to support veterans and first responders through community-based resilience work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment adds a definition of health care facility.
• enforcement and seeking access to health care facilities.
• The amendment additionally requires health care facilities, no later than 90 days after the effective
• The amendment additionally requires health care facilities, no later than 90 days after the effective
• The amendment additionally requires health care facilities, no later than 90 days after the effective

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2735, the “Troxel 2” bill relating to establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases. Staff explained that the bill would add legislative findings and intent to Chapter 26.09 RCW, emphasizing parental fitness, equal standing for similarly situated parents, and a duty to cooperate. The prime sponsor and public testifiers largely supported the bill, arguing that family courts too often restrict fit parents’ access to children without sufficient due process and that the bill would restore constitutional protections and reduce conflict. Some testimony also framed the proposal as a way to improve child safety, stability, and outcomes. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on multiple bills. It advanced bills on garnishment forms (ESSB 5865), child hearsay/testimony rules (SSB 5169, amended), immigration-enforcement policies for health care and related facilities (ESSB 5906, amended), compensation claims for wrongly convicted persons (SSB 5520), reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force (ESSB 5912), preserving streamlined administrative and land-use review procedures (SSB 6009), authorizing court security threat assessments (ESSB 6086), adding superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties (SB 5868), requesting reinstatement of the limited license legal technician program (SJM 8006), expanding personality rights to digital likenesses (SSB 5886), and liability protections for certain children’s item donations, including car seats (ESSB 6087). Several bills were amended before passage out of committee. Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing on strong bipartisan margins. Notable split votes occurred on SSB 5169 and ESSB 5906, reflecting concerns about balancing child protection, due process, and immigration-related enforcement issues. The committee concluded by thanking staff and adjourned after reporting all listed executive-session bills out of committee with do pass recommendations, some as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another thing trauma-informed care.
• Yeah, because the trauma, if I can ask—apologize—the trauma that's manifested, if it's a third-degree
• burn, the trauma is, you know, all the physical damage, trauma, um, mentally, um, you know, and so we
• trauma um that's ask apologize the trauma um that's manifested<01:18:48.480><c> if</c><01:18:48.640>
• is you know all the physical trauma is you know all the physical damage<01:18:53.360><c> trauma</c><

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on the second anniversary of the Maui wildfires, with Chair Dela Alani framing the discussion around emergency preparedness, recovery, and lessons for future disasters. The main presentation came from researchers involved in the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, who described the project as a grassroots academic-community partnership that has enrolled more than 2,000 adults and children for health screenings, social assessments, and biomonitoring. They said the study has documented elevated mental and physical health conditions, housing instability, unemployment, barriers to care, and exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants, while also noting some modest improvement in adult mental health and self-rated health compared with the prior year. The presenters emphasized that wildfire impacts remain severe two years later. They reported that about half of adult participants had worsening health since the fires, roughly 40% had direct or frequent fire exposure, and many adults showed chronic disease burdens such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory impairment. They also said about half of adult survivors reported depressive symptoms, about a quarter had moderate to severe anxiety, more than 4% had considered suicide in the prior month, and nearly one in four had PTSD. A clinician from the Lahaina Certified Community Behavioral Health Center described the clinic’s no-turn-away model, with case management, therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management for anyone who needs it, and urged lawmakers to fund and expand that approach. The researchers also highlighted environmental findings, saying urine testing of more than 1,200 adults found heavy metal signatures that differed between burn-zone residents and those on the perimeter, with higher levels associated with displacement and ash re-exposure. They said about 20% of participants had higher-than-expected heavy metal levels 6 to 12 months after the fires, and cited a negative association between nickel levels and lung function. They argued for long-term monitoring, better cleanup methods, and a centralized health surveillance system tied to community outreach. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the briefing; the chair said the presentation materials and related reports would be posted for public access, and members were invited to ask questions after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an estimate of $1.1 million that will take to replace or repair this facility.
• </c><00:03:38.920><c> of</c> to uh replace or repair this facility of to uh replace or repair this facility
• is a very important see this facility is a very important part<00:29:45.159><c> of</c><00:29:45.279>
• I'll give you an example of the renovation and the passion of the community for this facility.
• </c><01:25:51.960><c> on</c> left behind an enrichment facility on left behind an enrichment facility

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• These historical traumas are not relics.
• These historical traumas are not relics.
• Stans is both a site of historic trauma and a beacon of cultural endurance, where the U.S.
• You lead the way in terms of intergenerational trauma. You lead the way. You lead the way.
• You lead the way in terms of intergenerational trauma.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened with a welcome and acknowledgment of Native land, then heard testimony focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), the Feather Alert system, and the impact of Public Law 280 (PL 280) on tribal communities in California. Chairpersons Antonette Del Rio, Cheyenne Stone, Charles Martin, and others described historical trauma, ongoing underreporting, and the need for education, tribal consultation, and stronger state and county responses. Members of the committee repeatedly emphasized equity, urgency in missing-person cases, and the importance of media attention, data collection, and better coordination with tribes. A major theme of the first panel was the practical failure of law enforcement systems in MMIP cases, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairperson Charles Martin described the case of Morongo tribal citizen Amy Porter, whose disappearance and death were not met with a timely Feather Alert, and said the family had to organize its own search. Witnesses and members discussed the need for better training, cross-jurisdictional communication, and more consistent use of Feather Alerts. Several members noted that California’s diverse tribal landscape, including federally recognized, non-federally recognized, and rancheria communities, makes one-size-fits-all responses inadequate. The second panel focused on exploitation and trafficking in a PL 280 state. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created serious underfunding, weakened trust, and made investigations harder by shifting jurisdiction without providing resources. Chairman Joe James, Morning Star Gali, and Dustin Contreras linked trafficking and MMIP to historical violence, jurisdictional gaps, and the targeting of Native communities by traffickers who exploit weak coordination. They urged stronger tribal policing authority, more formal partnerships, mandatory training, youth education, and funding for victim services and trauma recovery. Committee members asked about the relationship between trafficking and MMIP, the need for school-based prevention, and how task forces and local partnerships could be expanded. The final panel began with Acting Director Isaac Borges of the Attorney General’s Office, who outlined state efforts including Missing in California and Indian Country outreach, the Native American Marcy’s Law card, tribal response planning, and a PL 280 advisory council. He said the state is working with POST on updated training and with tribal experts to improve law enforcement response. The hearing concluded with continued calls for budget support, better media outreach, and implementation of the bills and reforms discussed, including Feather Alert improvements, tribal policing authority, and stronger coordination across state, county, and tribal systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of those responses talked about the reputational damage and the trauma that a lot of health care
• And I think if it's a system that owns two or more facilities, sorry, if you have my, do I have it?
• If we truly want safer communities, we should be invested in youth programs, mentorship, trauma-informed
• rehabilitation programs they have under the federal system and bring them into the state corrections facilities
• because I don't hear a lot about rehabilitation. and bring them into the state corrections facilities

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• experiences that we experience on trauma experiences that we experience on the<00:09:52.360><c> job.
• partnership to strengthen the Hawaii trauma system.
• /c><00:29:23.320><c> trauma</c><00:29:23.720><c> system.
• </c><00:29:24.760><c> And</c> strengthen the Hawaii trauma system.
• And strengthen the Hawaii trauma system.

Bills: SCR56 , SCR25 , SCR79 , SCR179 , SCR181 , SCR182 , SR54 , SR22 , SR81 , SR174 , SR176 , SR177

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard SCR 56 and SR 54, which recognize open water lifeguards as first responders and acknowledge their role in emergency response and public safety. Testifiers from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, Honolulu and Kauai Ocean Safety, and a junior guard all strongly supported the resolutions, describing lifeguards as often first on scene for drownings, cardiac arrest, spinal injuries, flooding rescues, and other emergencies. Several speakers said formal recognition would better reflect the work lifeguards already do and could improve training, support services, pay equity, and access to benefits such as retirement and trauma resources. Members asked about what legal or administrative changes would follow, and the discussion suggested the resolutions were a first step toward broader recognition and related policy changes. The committee then took up SCR 25 and SR 22, opposing federal condemnation or threats of condemnation to take control of Pohakuloa and other state land. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the resolutions, saying Pohakuloa has deep historical, cultural, genealogical, and ecological significance and that any future decisions should go through existing state legal processes with meaningful consultation with Native Hawaiians. Members discussed the role of the governor’s advisory process, the need to follow DLNR/BLNR procedures, and concerns about environmental and health violations at the site. The committee also noted 14 written testimonies in support. Next, the committee heard SCR 79 and SR 81, urging the U.S. Navy to take responsibility for eradicating octocoral and other invasive species in Pearl Harbor waters, including West, Middle, and East Loch. DLNR supported the resolutions, and testimony focused on the spread of invasive coral, the difficulty of eradication, and the limited access state agencies have inside Pearl Harbor. Members raised concerns about contamination, responsibility for the problem, and whether the Navy should fund or carry out the cleanup; DLNR said it could not speak to broader contamination issues but supported the resolution as a way to encourage action. The committee then began discussion of SCR 179 and SR 174, which urge Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, with written support noted from Aloha Independent Living Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• expectations here: orientation to foster care programs, training, and understanding the impact of trauma
• Children in foster care tend to have a lot more trauma and dealing with birth parents.
• Children in foster care tend to have a lot more trauma and dealing with birth parents, dealing with the
• In 1982, it was under And to address trauma and services.
• You're already in trauma. So we don't want to do anything that's going to make that harder.

Transcript Highlights:

• were the first black pilots in the United States military who got their name from their training facility
• The stress and trauma of combat can cause our veterans to deal with depression, PTSD, and worst thoughts
• is in your district at Fort Sam and... carries a tremendous number of individuals located in that facility
• , Army facility.
• I'm sorry, backup power supply to our water facility stations so that they would never be out of water

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• Trauma also disrupts how memories are encoded and consolidated, resulting in fragmented storage.
• because where the hypervigilance and hyperarousal of trauma lives are in deep areas of the brain that
• That's one of the most well-known books in the trauma space.
• blast injuries, which, on an aside, is a completely different type of brain insult than an impact trauma
• Could it be a result of psychological trauma and pinpoint the driver that is underneath that?”

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal aviation facilities are required to meet this under federal law, and we are accepting them.
• So if I'm building a government facility, say I'm building a facility through parks and recs in the local
• within rights-of-way when the owner of the underground facility fails to locate the underground facility
• Those services must be optional and available to all residents of the facility.
• All of the trauma. All of our suffering is being dismissed.

Transcript Highlights:

• to receive minor committed to the facility to receive care without the consent of the minor's parent
• Correctional Facility to receive um<00:56:34.880><c> minor</c><00:56:35.240><c> committed</c><00:56:
• committed to the facility to um minor committed to the facility to receive<00:56:36.839><c> care</c>
• Low-income households are impacted by generational trauma of domestic violence that gets passed down
• Facility where that is not necessary Facility where that is not necessary because<01:32:16.119><c> it's

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to housing, homelessness, caregiving, and tax relief. On HB 431, which appropriates funds for the CAL initiative and HHFDC, the Department of Human Services supported the bill and noted the Governor’s request for $50 million per year for HMS, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a technical issue with establishing a special fund in session law. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions strongly supported the measure, describing it as unprecedented funding for CAL projects and linking it to goals of reducing homelessness and expanding housing inventory. Catholic Charities Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition also supported the bill, emphasizing permanent supportive housing, diversion from jail, and public safety benefits. The chair redirected one testifier to stay on the measure when testimony drifted to another program. Written support was also noted from several organizations and agencies. The committee then heard HB 225 on squatting. DHS said it appreciated the intent and deferred to the Attorney General and task force members, while noting that outreach on public lands differs from private land, where owner consent is required. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill and wanted a voice in finding a solution. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions also said it supported the intent, while opposition from the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and support from one individual were noted. For HB 280, which would make the community outreach court permanent and appropriate funds, the Judiciary strongly supported the bill, describing the court as a mobile, community-based program serving vulnerable populations and connecting participants to services. The Office of the Public Defender also supported the measure, saying the program has helped people move off the streets and into stable housing and that permanent funding would allow expansion. Written support from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition was noted. The committee then moved to HB 71, creating a refundable family caregiver tax credit, where the Department of Taxation provided comments, the Executive Office on Aging and AARP Hawaii supported the measure, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about duplication with an existing dependent care credit and the lack of incentives for cost control. The committee next heard HB 753, which would increase the applicable percentage for the household and dependent care services tax credit. Support came from the Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, while the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and administration but noted the bill adds guardrails against abuse. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3207, dangerous incompetent defendants; out-of-state facilities. Health and human services.
• It harms and traumatizes our community, so SB 1170 will cause more trauma, more harm, more drug use inside
• materials, let them buy it themselves and put it in their own house and not put it into public facilities
• , publicly funded facilities, where children can see it.
• acts, a facility for filming or facilitating sexually explicit acts, that goes very broad.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Contreras, for the record, the goal of the commission is the preservation of Ben Avery facility
• In the fall and spring, there are a tremendous amount of groups utilizing the facility and the resources
• In the fall and spring, we just have a tremendous amount of groups utilizing the facility and the resources
• Sanchez is because we bring up one of the biggest facilities that we have, I guess the mega ship that
• It is about the trauma response training and the de-escalation training.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2763, which would require a joint resolution of the legislature before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a state-run shooting range. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Prescott-area doctor, Arizona Citizens Defense League representatives, and Game and Fish staff, argued that closures can push shooters into unsafe public lands, create trash and safety problems, and that the legislature should have a voice in any closure decision. Game and Fish said its goal is to preserve Ben Avery and emphasized public safety. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 8-1 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2417, allowing courts to order speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension or revocation for certain traffic offenses. Supporters said it could help people keep working and reduce recidivism, while opponents and some members raised concerns about scope and implementation. An amendment removed eligibility for people convicted of reckless driving or racing and clarified manufacturers are not required to build compatible vehicles. The bill, as amended, passed 7-2. House Bill 2345 followed, creating a felony for unlawfully present persons who possess a falsified commercial driver’s license and authorizing vehicle forfeiture and penalties for employers who knowingly hire such drivers. The sponsor framed it as a narrow public-safety measure, but the Arizona Trucking Association opposed it, arguing it was preempted by federal law, unworkable, and could jeopardize federal funding. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a 5-3-1 do pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 2666, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving victims ages 15 to 17; testimony from prosecutors and anti-trafficking advocates supported the bill, while defense attorneys and some members urged caution about juvenile defendants and mandatory consecutive sentences. It passed 8-0 with members noting possible future amendments. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2175, which adds hate-crime-style sentencing enhancements for bias-motivated offenses and expands protected categories to include political expression and political affiliation. The ADL and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office supported the measure as a needed tool, while the ACLU and defense attorneys warned the political-expression language was too broad and could chill speech or invite selective prosecution. The bill passed 6-2 after adoption of an amendment. House Bill 2186, which lets a passenger satisfy identity requirements during a traffic stop by verbally providing information instead of showing physical ID, also received a do pass recommendation on a 7-0-1 vote after the sponsor said it was meant to fix an unconstitutional vagueness problem. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 2364, concerning penalties for distribution or receipt of abortion-inducing drugs by courier or delivery service, but the exchange was cut off before testimony or action on that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are about four of these facilities across the state.
• The bill will require OIC to look at the actuarial reports that we know all four of these facilities
• So our proposed bill, and was unable to be hired by that facility.
• Rural facilities would face impossible regulatory burdens, and patients would experience unnecessary
• The first is abdominal injuries secondary to trauma—car wrecks, falls, horse injuries, whatever it is

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a Friday morning hearing with several House bills and then took executive action on three measures. In executive session, the committee voted do pass on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2242, Substitute House Bill 2152, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2168, sending the first two to Rules and the overdose-mapping bill to Ways and Means. The committee also waived the five-day notice rule for several bills on the agenda. Public hearings focused on hospital inspections, continuing care retirement communities, radiologic technologist supervision, music therapy licensure, nursing regulation, ambulance billing after motor vehicle accidents, and EMT recertification. Representative Macri presented HB 2577 to require hospital inspections at least every 18 months, allow limited pauses during emergencies, and clarify when CMS or accrediting-body surveys may substitute for state inspections; DOH supported the bill, citing JLARC recommendations, while many people signed in opposed. Macri also presented Second Substitute HB 2384, which would require actuarial analysis review for certain CCRCs; OIC supported the transparency goal, while CCRC representatives opposed the added cost, though residents and association witnesses argued the oversight would protect seniors and their life savings. Representative Engel’s HB 2113 drew strong support from radiology, hospital, and provider groups for allowing virtual direct supervision for IV contrast procedures and aligning state law with CMS practice. Representative Ryu’s HB 1187 would bar ambulance services from sending motor-vehicle-accident medical debt to collections for 120 days; she described a personal experience with an ambulance collection issue, and the hearing was closed after no testifiers appeared. Representative Reed’s HB 2363 would let music therapy applicants practice under supervision for up to six months while exam results are processed; music therapy witnesses said it would prevent workforce gaps. Representative Simmons’ HB 2339 would update nursing title and transcript requirements and allow the board to issue interim permits directly, with the Board of Nursing and ARNP groups calling it a technical cleanup. HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals to six years for long-tenured EMTs, and firefighters supported it as an administrative simplification without changing training requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what that has meant for child care facilities has been particularly egregious.
• And it requests any requests to enter a school facility or grounds.
• It a school facility or grounds.
• that ICE uh situation and the trauma that ICE uh created.
• the health care facility employee with a valid judicial warrant."

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a history of trauma and I have a history of mental health challenges myself. for the Hawaii County
• I have a history of trauma and I have a history of mental health challenges myself. I'm lucky.
• </c><00:26:02.880><c> a</c><00:26:03.120><c> history</c><00:26:03.279><c> of</c><00:26:03.520><c> trauma
• and I have a I have a history of trauma and I have a history<00:26:04.960><c> of</c><00:26:05.279><c
• </c> A lot of them do suffer from unspeakable trauma, and, as was stated, we have a lack of resources

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.