Transcript Highlights:

• ordered a There is a full halt on a whole lot of federal funds, including some states that are now locked

Transcript Highlights:

• Donaldson specifically held that a finding of mental illness alone cannot justify a state's decision to lock

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I felt that, you know, being locked into the system was a detriment.
• know, being locked into the system<01:37:08.080> was<01:37:08.239> a<01:37:08.480>
• The contractor had locked these low-wage employees into non-competes that prevented them from working
• The contractor<01:46:09.840> had<01:46:10.080> locked<01:46:10.320> these<01:46:
• 10.560> low-wage contractor had locked these low-wage contractor had locked these low-wage employees

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation-wise, that's what we're locked in, right?
• The alternative is to lock Jay, Jenny, and myself in a room and we'll come up with it for you guys, right
• The alternative<02:37:12.560> is<02:37:12.800> to<02:37:13.040> lock<02:37:13.920
• > Jay,<02:37:14.319> Jenny,<02:37:14.720> and alternative is to lock Jay, Jenny,
• and alternative is to lock Jay, Jenny, and myself<02:37:15.439> in<02:37:15.680> a<02:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational briefing on the Public Utilities Commission’s performance-based regulation (PBR) framework and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ whistleblower complaint process. Chair Jared Kohole opened the meeting, noted it was informational only with no public testimony, and explained that members would hear presentations and then have an opportunity for questions. The committee heard first from Ulupono Initiative, which provided background on why utilities are regulated, how Hawaii’s cost-of-service model and rate cases work, and why PBR was adopted to shift utility incentives away from a capital-investment bias and toward performance, efficiency, cost control, and policy goals such as renewable energy and reliability. Ulupono described Hawaii’s PBR structure as a five-year multi-year rate plan with annual revenue adjustments, a customer dividend, a Z factor for extraordinary exogenous events, and an exceptional project recovery mechanism for large projects. It also outlined performance incentive mechanisms tied to renewable portfolio standard progress, interconnection speed, reliability, and shared savings. The presentation said the current docket is evaluating a possible hybrid approach that would combine forward-looking forecasting with historical results, and Ulupono advocated for stronger incentives, arguing the current rewards are too small relative to utility revenues and should be more meaningful to better align utility behavior with legislative intent. The PUC then presented its own overview, emphasizing that the PBR docket is open and active and that the briefing was limited to the record to avoid ex parte concerns. The commission described the development of PBR in Hawaii through multiple phases beginning in 2018: an initial collaborative phase to set goals, a formal contested-case phase that produced the initial framework, later phases adding scorecards, reported metrics, and additional performance incentive mechanisms, and subsequent refinements including sunset of some mechanisms and adjustments after the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The PUC said the framework is intended to be customer-centric, administratively efficient, and protective of utility financial integrity, and that current work includes evaluating how to balance forward-looking and historical test-year approaches within the rebasing process. No votes or formal actions were taken at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• problem, including focusing on diversion, early intervention, engagement services, community services, locked
• So if, for example, we had a locked earth facility develop in the metro area, you know, or anywhere else
• example<01:52:03.760> we<01:52:04.080> had<01:52:04.239> a<01:52:04.400> locked
• <01:52:04.719> earth<01:52:05.040> facility example we had a locked earth facility
• example we had a locked earth facility develop<01:52:05.920> in<01:52:06.159> the<01:52

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the carbon sequestration program, municipalities are losing revenue because this timber is being locked
• the carbon sequestration program, municipalities are losing revenue because this timber is being locked
• the carbon sequestration program, municipalities are losing revenue because this timber is being locked
• the carbon sequestration program, municipalities are losing revenue because this timber is being locked
• the carbon sequestration program, municipalities are losing revenue because this timber is being locked

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• youth at the center of this bill, that means continued incarceration, and keeping a young person locked
• And keeping a young person locked up after they've earned a community placement is not neutral.
• three-year-old little boy was found overdosing on lithium after being force-fed his mother's medication and locked

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:38:26.920> was snow, got down to the car, car was snow, got down to the car, car was locked
• :28.800> in<01:38:29.080> the<01:38:29.200> window,<01:38:30.360> the locked
• We looked in the window, the locked.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there was a lack of services, a lack of opportunities provided to those that really needed help, that locking
• ><01:05:29.000> that those that really needed help that those that really needed help that locking
• 30.680> up<01:05:30.840> wasn't<01:05:31.120> the<01:05:31.200> answer Locking

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:54:10.200> that<00:54:10.440> that<00:54:10.560> they're<00:54:10.720> locked
• <00:54:11.120> up<00:54:11.440> and sure that that they're locked up and sure that
• that they're locked up and that<00:54:12.280> kind<00:54:12.480> of<00:54:12.560> stuff

Bills: HF4712, HF4801, HF3756, HF4860, HF4931, HF4289, HF4460

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Summary: The committee met at 1:00 p.m., confirmed a quorum, and approved the April 8, 2026 minutes. The first bill heard was House File 4712, which was laid over after the committee adopted a DE2 amendment. Representative Schultz said the bill would create a narrow additional exception to public pool limitations so highly certified swimming instructors could use certain pools for specialized infant, youth, and developmental-disability swim instruction. The only testifier, Tessa Seppelt, described ISR instruction as water-safety and drowning-prevention training for very young children and children with developmental delays, and said access to appropriate facilities is the main barrier. Members raised questions about emergency egress, public safety, and insurance coverage, and the author said he would follow up on those concerns. The committee then took up House File 4801, a bill by Representative Nadeau aimed at health care program integrity. He said it would align commercial and Medicaid partners to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse by changing prior authorization and retrospective review processes, improving data sharing on suspected fraud, addressing conflicting or duplicative services, allowing managed care organizations to verify provider credentials, and making risk corridors in MCO contracts permanent. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans supported the bill, saying it would help detect fraud and improve coordination, while the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposed it, arguing that expanded prior authorization would delay care, increase physician burden, and harm children with chronic conditions. Members debated patient safety, fraud detection, and whether the bill would undermine recent prior-authorization reforms. The bill was laid over. House File 3756, a technical update to the insulin safety net program, was also laid over. Representative Backer said the bill clarifies that a hospital-use intravenous insulin product is not part of the program because it is sold only to health care institutions and infused by practitioners, not dispensed to patients for self-use. The Board of Pharmacy testified that the language was drafted to avoid affecting future legitimate uses, and members asked whether the definition could limit new uses if treatments change. The committee then began House File 4860, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s presentation is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Universities are trying to be nimble and address workforce needs, and so they can't lock themselves up
• Clerk will lock the machine and the members will vote. 76 yeas, 29 nays, the BR has been adopted.
• the<02:26:36.880> adoption<02:26:37.280> of<02:26:37.320> the Clerk will lock

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My other child was two when our world locked down.
• Umberg asked about counting reduced price eligible students in the formula as a 0.5, which artificially locks
• which in the formula as a 0.5, which in the formula as a 0.5, which artificially<01:33:06.200> locks

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:36:58.800> to thing, I I really believe we ought to thing, I I really believe we ought to lock
• <01:37:00.360> And lock this thing down. And lock this thing down.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'll be a red vote today because frankly I object to locking down law enforcement.
• So, I'll be a red vote today because frankly I object to locking down law enforcement.
• There are a lot of people that think locking down law enforcement, taking away some of the fundamental

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection. On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll encourage Ken to stay involved, and know that we'll lock arms with you.
• on the list, food is medicine, we've talked about that at length and I feel and uh know that we'll lock
• arms with and uh know that we'll lock arms with you.<00:43:20.400> There's<00:43:20.960> quite

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:41.200> um That would include any provisions that you guys have, and see if we could lock
• the particulars are really clear and there are no ambiguities, and if that can be done quickly... um lock
• down that um uh that area and I um lock down that um uh that area and I would<00:33:03.120> I

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:43:37.520> make<00:43:37.680> sure<00:43:38.079> door<00:43:38.480> locks
• upgrades to make sure door locks upgrades to make sure door locks actually<00:43:39.280> worked

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• boarding in many of our children are boarding in hospitals<01:33:20.960> and<01:33:21.280> locked
• /c><01:33:21.760> detention<01:33:22.239> as<01:33:22.480> our hospitals and locked
• in detention as our hospitals and locked in detention as our best<01:33:23.040> option<01:33:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• access<01:42:44.719> to<01:42:45.199> to<01:42:45.600> no<01:42:45.760> lock
• that the RAS have access to to no lock that the RAS have access to to no lock zone<01:42:46.719>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• font> >> So in emergency or if they need to its locking
• font> >> So in emergency or if they need to its locking
• font> travel on roads from the local need to its locking