Transcript Highlights:

• Madison, Senator Elliott, Senator Gavan, Senator Jones, Senator Kelly, Senator Livingston, Senator Price
• Senator Price, Senator Shet, Senator Stewart. We have a quorum. Excellent, thank you.
• Senator Price, aye. Senator Stewart, no. Weaver, we have a 10 to 4 vote.
• Senator Price, aye. Senator Shonet... Senator Stewart.
• Senator Price. Senator Or. Senator Price, aye. Senator Shonet. Senator Stewart, no.

Bills: SB245 , SB246 , HB30 , HB30

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: SB245, public assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, food assistance, Alabama Medicaid Agency, Department of Human Resources, eligibility verification, self-attestation, data matching, fraud prevention, improper payments, program integrity, benefit eligibility, income verification, residency verification, asset verification, electronic benefit transfer, EBT, cross-checks

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryan Stolwell online. He's an ER doctor. He's seen firsthand the catastrophic impact of Cratum.
• So I'll give you two minutes, and then we'll see if there's anybody online.
• Do we have anyone online that wants to testify?
• Okay, and we have someone online, I do believe? We have Kara. Are you there? Okay.
• And then a quick comment to the witness that just testified online.

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It deals with price lists that are to be provided by sellers of products sold to bordering states.
• We know that land cost is a primary driver of housing prices by... ...sort of open debate.
• We know that land cost is a primary driver of housing prices by...
• This definition of inappropriate online behavior...
• It's going into asset prices. We won't get affordable housing until we change the money system.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're extremely grateful for everybody to be here, as well as countless friends and family online.
• to have that competitive process and allow them to pick who will best fit their needs for the best price
• I've talked to Sea-to-Port personnel, and they said they're hoping to come online in 2032, 2033.
• awarded in 2027, that would leave, even if it was ahead of schedule in 2028, if the port were to come online
• With Project 11, when large container ships were coming online, the width of the channel...

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone else online or in >> Thank you.
• Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization in support. online. online.
• Anyone online or in person comments.
• Anyone online individual with comments.
• Anyone online or in person in support.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> leading</c> trade Association of the world's leading trade Association of the world's leading online
• :38.880><c> support</c><00:04:39.240><c> of</c><00:04:39.560><c> uh</c><00:04:39.639><c> your</c> online
• businesses in support of uh your online businesses in support of uh your bill<00:04:40.280><c> HF</c
• T thank you thank you very public price T thank you thank you very much<00:41:55.640><c> any</c><00:
• tag that's especially alarming price tag that's especially alarming given<01:07:42.400><c> that</c><

Bills: HF1277 , HF1006

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The next section is 23-215, price list furnished by sellers.
• The next section is 23-215, price list furnished by sellers.
• This is the way we file things online now is done very differently than it was.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• : Billy Olson and David Engel come on up, and then please promote Amy Wentworth and Ramona Brandy online
• Amy Wentworth, David Engel, Billy Olson — I think Amy's online. We'll move to Amy then.
• Billy Olson and David Engel come on up, and then please promote Amy Wentworth and Ramona Brandy's online
• David in the room with us doesn't look like it Amy Wentworth David Engel Billy Olson I think Amy's online
• conducted extensive screening and laboratory analysis of cookware of all types and across a range of price

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• listen, and anybody who submitted testimony or written letters, those are all available out front and online
• Buyer will be online—that is Nicole Hockley—and you can unmute yourself and begin.
• Thank you so much to the testifiers for being here and online too for Nicole for coming.
• parade fees and those types of fees, button sales. beverage tent sales, any kind of admission type prices
• Have you guys looked at increasing prices on that to help cover security costs, or what have you done

Bills: HF1354 , HF1901 , HF2124 , HF2130 , HF2260 , HF2099 , HF104 , HF134 , HF1769

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The stream is streaming online. So, we are going to get started pretty quickly.
• They will sell it to the pharmacies at that price. The Most a pharmacy can charge is $55.
• We currently have Americans for Lower Drug Prices supporting this.
• In this, we also have several other groups that have come out to support this bill to get our drug prices

Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we did that in 2025, so we had that online for a year.
• And so the systems, we were able to utilize a system to have variable pricing to address when there's
• And so we did that in 20, last year in 2025, so we had that online for a year.
• And so the systems, we were able to utilize a system to have a variable pricing to address when there's
• And so that's the dynamic pricing I'm talking about.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• If a doctor and a health plan already agreed on a price, wouldn't this kind of interrupt that relationship
• unique in the fact that underwriters and actuaries don't have much flexibility as it relates to how we price
• Today, most consumers manage their auto finance accounts online.
• Today, most consumers manage their auto finance accounts online.
• to the state to purchase multi-year software licenses and subscriptions to take advantage of bulk pricing

Bills: S0158 , S0314 , S0618 , S0684 , S0838 , S0990 , S1000 , S1082 , S1452 , S1494 , S1500 , S1568 , S1706

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: pet insurance, consumer protection, insurance regulation, policy disclosure, agent training, payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, workers compensation, Florida statute, commercial insurance, insurance board, electronic signatures, vehicle titles, insurance regulations, auditing, total loss vehicles

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee considered a full agenda of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early action included SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest on attorneys’ trust accounts, which was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for out-of-network emergency claims. Senator Graal explained it as a way to reduce litigation and use a dispute-resolution process similar to the federal No Surprises Act. An amendment intended to require plan disclosure and prevent default by nonparticipation drew questions from members and concerns from insurers and providers about clarity and scope, especially whether it could affect contracted rates or shift claims between state and federal systems. Senator Graal withdrew the amendment, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from insurers and emergency physicians both supporting the underlying dispute-resolution concept while asking for further clarification. The committee also favorably reported SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels; CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which adds agent continuing education, stronger consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage, expanding required mammogram and supplemental screening coverage; and CS/SB 314, a strike-all bill creating a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act. CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings was also approved, with an amendment addressing access to safe deposit boxes by requiring letters of administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance raised the consent-to-rate cap from 10% to 20% for workers’ comp policies and adjusted the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; supporters said it would help keep high-risk employers in the voluntary market. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program within DFS to allow certain stablecoin payments for fees, after a substitute amendment removed authority for a Florida coin, limited eligible stablecoins, and required qualified public deposit handling. CS/SB 838 clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments on retail installment contracts are permissible, while preserving a fee-free payment option; members discussed consumer access and fee concerns. CS/SB 1452, a broad DFS agency bill covering My Safe Florida Home, insurance administration, unclaimed property, licensing, and other departmental changes, was reported favorably after a technical amendment. The committee also approved SB 1706 creating a My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program targeted to owner-occupied, lower-income condominiums, and SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies in Florida, with supporters arguing it would modernize law and promote competition. The meeting concluded with all bills on the agenda that were heard being reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• the practitioner determines is the best interest of the patient to compare to a prescription drug prices
• I have no way of shopping online or I don't care to shop online.
• And so you would have to wait to see what the price was.
• difficult to know which ones even some 24 hour pharmacies that are closed for holidays and then also for price

Transcript Highlights:

• Tim, uh, one of the areas that this bill is also asking for is monies for online development for online
• Tim, uh, one of the areas that this bill is also asking for is monies for online development for online
• </c><00:19:06.400><c> development</c><00:19:06.960><c> for</c><00:19:07.200><c> online</c> for online
• development for online for online development for online applications,<00:19:08.480><c> the</c><00:19
• It isn't this online isn't easier.

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn. The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not. Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Brand, director of Cook County HRA, is online. Great. Mr.
• new construction to appropriately price new construction to attract<00:17:05.199><c> builders</c><00
• Online is Mr. Yacco, who is mayor, and Mr.
• Mayor, if you're still online, how long have you been mayor? Also 1 year.
• been How you're still online, if you've been How long<00:59:13.359><c> have</c><00:59:13.480><c> you

Bills: HF3700 , HF3982 , HF3927 , HF3933 , HF3949 , HF4238 , HF4275 , HF4476 , HF4504

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome all those that are watching us online or watching us also from KET from their homes, as well
• other three regulations we found deficient were a regulation dealing with the emergency accessible online
• are also required to report<01:00:32.920><c> into</c><01:00:33.160><c> Leads</c><01:00:33.440><c> Online
• into Leads Online database for all<01:00:35.680><c> metal</c><01:00:35.960><c> transactions.
• Ben was assigned to the 1st Space... the ultimate price in service to our the ultimate price in service

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have a bunch of people watching online.
• Uh, this is going to run until 12:55 for any members in the room or watching online.
• So every price lunch weights etc.
• I know this table is really small, but it will be available online afterwards.
• </c> it will be available online afterwards. it will be available online afterwards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seriously, I mean, this wrong, so I had to pay the price here.
• here what look I had to pay the price here what look like<00:09:29.160><c> m</c> like m like m or<00
• Do we have Mike Ewall online there? We have two minutes.
• Christopher Dean is online. Hello, welcome, Mr. Dean. You have one minute. Thank you.
• Eall for joining us online. Yes, just a question following up on that and listening to Mr.

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> come to the mic so that everyone online come to the mic so that everyone online can<00:19:26.840
• </c> should not be pegged to the GDP price should not be pegged to the GDP price index<00:21:06.559><
• I am sympathetic that prices are going up right now; inflation is going up.
• </c><00:26:35.799><c> increas</c><00:26:36.120><c> is</c><00:26:36.399><c> probably</c> regular price
• Registered to testify online or in person, is there anyone wishing to testify on this?

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, we sorry, do we need a roll call vote because we have folks online. Apologies. >> Thank you.
• </c> call vote because we have folks online. call vote because we have folks online. Apologies.
• </c><00:29:36.559><c> and</c> uh these are reports that are online and uh these are reports that are
• online and and<00:29:37.120><c> available</c><00:29:37.520><c> for</c><00:29:37.760><c> for</c><00:29
• Before session is no longer reflective of what the pricing actually would be in a bill that would be