Transcript Highlights:

• It was a lot of work during work.
• want to see this work and work good for want to see this work and work good for everybody<04:02:
• We'll work on it then. hall eventually. We'll work on it then.
• Um, work.
• I appreciate the work, the good work of the committee, and I'm sure you didn't expect that work.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This meeting, including the audio and video of remote participants, is being streamed live on YouTube
• and insert a blank appropriation out of the art special fund for the preservation or relocation of works
• amendment, to add a blank number of representatives from construction labor organizations to the working

Bills: SB2088, SB2925, SB3263, SB2047, SB2087, SB2100, SB2268, SB2353, SB2781, SB2902

Keywords: coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, agriculture, biosecurity, environment, coconut rhinoceros beetle, student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, drug pricing

Summary: The joint committee on Ways and Means and Consumer Protection met for decision-making only on two agendas and took action on a large number of Senate bills, with no oral testimony heard. On the 1016 agenda, the committee recommended passage of measures including SB 2088, SB 2925, SB 2781, and several others, and passed a number of bills with amendments. Notable amendments included SB 3263, which adopted AG amendments related to the name, image, and likeness endowment trust fund; SB 2047 on pharmacy benefit managers, which incorporated Hawaii Pharmacist Association changes; SB 2087 on health insurance, which added Insurance Division clarifications; SB 2100 on pesticides, which added a blank appropriation; SB 2353 on outdoor signage, which removed provisions related to the Wiki special district; and SB 2902 on renewable energy, which clarified certification standards for portable solar devices and exempted them from certain disclosure requirements. Most recommendations were adopted without objection, though a few members noted reservations on selected bills. The committee also deferred one bill on the agenda, SB 3327. The committee then moved to the 1015 agenda and acted on additional measures. SB 2003 was passed with amendments tied to Act 255, including a repeal trigger if deadlines are missed; SB 2497 on utility-related transparency drew the most discussion, with one member warning about litigation and costs while another argued it was simply about electricity-rate transparency, and it ultimately passed with PUC-related amendments and an exemption for utility cooperatives. Other measures were passed unamended or with technical or fiscal amendments, including bills affecting land planning, tax credits, conveyance tax language, shoreline maintenance, and community improvement projects. Several bills had appropriations blanked or effective dates deferred to 2050, and many were adopted with members noting reservations rather than opposition. On the 1017 agenda, the committee continued approving measures, including SB 709 on crisis intervention officers and assisted community treatment, SB 2153 on defining bona fide farmer/agriculture activity, SB 2694 on water rate adjustments, SB 3025 on income eligibility limits, and SB 3085 on the Hawaii film studio, which included a five-year repeal provision if the studio has not relocated. The committee also passed numerous other bills unamended or with technical amendments, often deferring effective dates or blanking appropriations. Across both agendas, the committee’s actions were largely consistent: bills were advanced with amendments tailored to agency requests, technical corrections, or fiscal adjustments, and votes were generally unanimous or near-unanimous with occasional reservations recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• They voluntarily came together to create the rules, working hand in hand with the neighbors.
• We're prioritizing absolute individual choice over targeted outbreak control, which works.
• Allowing employees who will not utilize basic, safe medical care to work in... ...employees who will
• I have worked in a school district setting a number of times, and I can personally attest to the fact
• I am grateful to the work that CAIR does for those reasons because by protecting the civil rights of

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of them work full-time jobs.
• with the committee and I I will do work with the committee and I I will do the<00:25:54.080> work
• this will work because it worked<00:26:12.000> during<00:26:12.279> covid<00:26:12.840
• well so we worked and it worked really well so we figured<00:30:05.039> why<00:30:05.240>
• He says we must work the works of him who sent us.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, that didn't work out for new Arrowhead, but any other way.
• But this is something that will work. If the voters approve that, that will be an issue.
• One I worked for 30-some years. But it's a pleasure to be here this morning.
• I live in a very remote area of the county. I'm an hour away from any hospital service.
• It doesn't work. And then There is an issue about these monies being clawed back right now.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They voluntarily came together to create the rules, working hand-to-hand with the neighbors.
• We're prioritizing absolute individual choice over targeted outbreak control, which works.
• basic, safe medical care to work in medical settings deprives the patients and places the rights of
• I have worked in a school district setting a number of times, and I can personally attest to the fact
• I am grateful for the work that CAIR does for those reasons because, by protecting the civil rights of

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• go work, or go work some more that they paid their own way.
• And we're able to work around the edges and make that system work much better.
• If that doesn't work, maybe you should work 50 hours a week. Maybe you should work 60 hours a week.
• So something's not working. Just keeping people on Medicaid is not working. It's better.
• That's one of the things we work on all the time is to work with the governor's office, always work with

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710, HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268, HB4440, HJR1067, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1149, SB1167, HJR1024, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, HB3419, HB3748, HB4335, HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420, HB3040, HB4140, HB1638, HB3298, HB4113, HB1082, HB4301, HB3269, HB3587, HB4226, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB3278, HB3996, HB4236, HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• Her doctoral work focuses on improving health literacy among uninsured Hispanic individuals with diabetes

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710, HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268, HB4440, HJR1067, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1149, SB1167, HJR1024, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, HB3419, HB3748, HB4335, HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420, HB3040, HB4140, HB1638, HB3298, HB4113, HB1082, HB4301, HB3269, HB3587, HB4226, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB3278, HB3996, HB4236, HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Bills: HB4274, HB3076, HB4358, HB3312, HB3288, HB3885, HB3147, HB4299, HB4265, HB4266, HB3011, HB3143, HB3144, HB3881, HB3519, HB3522, HB3530, HB2976, HB4459, HB3142, HB4316, HB4338, HB4230, HB3985, HB3883, HB4335, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3619, HB3624, HB3463, HB4423, HB3342, HB3645, HB3647, HB3887, HB4430, HB4431, HB2964, HB3834, HB4193, HB4272, HB3277, HB3148, HB3651, HB3323, HB4287, HB4105, HB3304, HB3345

Keywords: HB4274, Oklahoma schools, interdistrict transfer, open transfer, school enrollment, military families, active duty, National Guard, Reserve orders, military installation, residency requirements, district of choice, public school transfer, student transfer, special education, IEP, Section 504, military housing, base housing, electronic enrollment

Transcript Highlights:

• continued work together.
• You worked very well with me, sir, and so I appreciate all of that work behind the scenes.
• In my work group alone, I work in line assets. And so...
• In my work group alone, I work in line assets.
• No, I appreciate the work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're dedicated to the work.
• We're dedicated to the work: to work on self, to work on community.
• So yes, we have worked with them. We have worked with, I know that ACLU is looking.
• I work in prisons.
• All these tactics, they work. They work every single day.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors. The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to continuing to work with you, and thank you for your excellent work on this bill. the
• <00:19:40.840> with forward to continuing to uh work with forward to continuing to uh work
• work on this bill. work on this bill.
• <00:46:56.880> with<00:46:57.080> DVS mentioned, we work with DVS mentioned, we work
• uh, to work on this particular language. uh, to work on this particular language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we can kind of separate out what we want to work on in a work session.
• out what we want to work on in a work out what we want to work on in a work session.<00:05:29.199>
• Doesn't work anymore. adequately. Doesn't work anymore.
• Works.
• not all of them have worked smoothly. not all of them have worked smoothly.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with your other working entities around you? Yes, we work with the county.
• Or any type of work they may be doing, if it's handy work, cattle work, yard cleaning, landscaping, everything
• We need to understand what the liaisons need to do their work, as they have to get out there remotely
• So the ongoing work is there.
• To do the work, or they would do the work themselves.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's what we need to work on, and certainly work on that in rural areas.
• This is the work of home visiting. This is the work of quality childcare.
• This is the work of our early intervention programs and everybody collectively working together.
• Remote communities that you're working hard and that you're doing some good stuff there.
• Folks who work with us and work with many states are actually authors here with us.

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work very collaboratively across many fronts and look forward to working with you as we tackle these
• It would also help providers get work.
• I want to continue to work on this item.
• Since we heard about how important the work that we do, and I know you know that we do great work, my
• It's beautiful work that we do.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• FROM THESE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
• YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL DAY; TO TRY TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR BILL AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
• IT DIDN'T WORK THEN AND IT DOESN'T WORK NOW.
• ALL OF THEM WHO ARE WORKING AGE.
• HOW WOULD YOU TIE IT TO A WORK-STUDY? I MEAN, IT IS COUCHED IN TERMS OF WORK EXPERIENCE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we we have nothing even remotely But we we have nothing even remotely close close close when
• still working with children. still working with children.
• Chair West has worked very hard.
• Chair West has worked very hard.
• Chair West has worked very hard.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been working on that.
• get to work together.
• Happy to work on our committee. ...to work with them. They've been nothing but very accommodating.
• Madam Chair, and I'm happy to work with you, is how do we at least, if it's not this bill, work with
• In this particular case, the State Land Department did not work with the people, did not work with the

Bills: HB2150, HB2262, HB2267, HB2268, HB2351, HB2425, HB2426, HB2427, HB2755, HB2781, HB2913, HB2943, HB2956, HB2975, HB2985, HB4009

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• We also need markets to work on rewarding that type of stewardship, that type of work, with our farm
• I appreciate your work over many years and have been happy to work with you on many items.
• , and a lot of that work is regarding emerging markets.
• We have remote locations; labor markets are different.
• we did work with the administration or tried to work with the administration to get feedback.

Keywords: 988, house, all