Transcript Highlights:

• Assessment training is not part of that forensic nursing program.
• </c> don't have the assessment training don't have the assessment training necessary<00:53:41.799><c>
• </c> forensic nursing programs they train forensic nursing programs they train nurses<00:53:46.839><c
• is not part of that assessment training is not part of that forensic<00:53:55.119><c> uh</c> forensic
• Thank you very much. and the Hawaii Counselors Association and the Hawaii Counselors Association we're

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm wondering, nursing training for behavioral health is really important.
• It is $5.4 million to sustain a dynamic training program for three years.
• and they offer free CEUs and CMEs in exchange for that training.
• It is $5.4 million to sustain a dynamic training program for three years.
• they offer free CEUs and CMEs in exchange for that training.

Transcript Highlights:

• “And psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner training.
• It is $5.4 million to sustain a dynamic training program for three years.
• and they offer free CEUs and CMEs in exchange for that training.
• It is $5.4 million to sustain a dynamic training program for three years.
• they offer free CEUs and CMEs in exchange for that training.

Summary: The hearing began with a stakeholder presentation from Let California Kids Hear urging coverage of pediatric hearing aids for children in the large group market. Advocates described the issue as a long-running developmental emergency, argued that existing state efforts have been inefficient, and said the new proposal would cover about 70% to 80% of affected children without new spending by redirecting existing dollars. Public commenters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s advocates, strongly supported the proposal and emphasized the need for timely access to sound. The chair thanked the group and noted hope for a future fix, including continued work on the exchange market. The Department of Finance then gave a broad budget warning about the state’s more than $20 billion structural deficit and said new investments must be weighed against out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with an overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, seismic hospital compliance, workforce programs, and the Data Exchange Framework. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, behavioral health pipeline programs, the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, and future CalRx products such as EpiPens and GLP-1s. HCAI also described its enforcement approach for health care spending targets, saying the board would not change the targets in response to H.R. 1, and outlined the diaper access initiative, which will distribute diapers through hospitals in higher-need areas. Several HCAI budget items were discussed and held open, including additional expenditure authority, the transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate, long-term care payment transparency staffing, and reporting on health care worker waiting periods. The department also presented its Behavioral Health Services Act workforce initiative and a proposed $100 million General Fund offset, which both the LAO and the chair questioned as unclear and potentially one-time in nature. HCAI said the final workforce plan would be adjusted after stakeholder consultation if the offset proceeds. The department also described the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying California received $233.6 million in federal funds, had to revise its proposal to satisfy CMS, and must obligate the money by October 30; the program will fund rural care models, workforce development, and technology, with grants rolled out on a phased basis. The Department of Managed Health Care then presented its budget and three legislative implementation requests: SB 41 on PBM reform, SB 306 on prior authorization transparency, and AB 1041 on provider credentialing timelines. Finally, the administration outlined a menopause care proposal requiring coverage and education for menopause-related services, provider training, and an outreach campaign, with DMHC requesting staffing and funding to implement and enforce the new requirements. Throughout the hearing, most items were held open for later action, and no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to the staff that keeps this train running, most of us have no idea how many hours you're... ...staff
• that keeps this train running.
• Lepore, black girl from Castle Point, a classroom teacher and school counselor who had not been into

Transcript Highlights:

• But I’m wondering, nursing training for behavioral health is really important.
• So we have one open now for fellowship training. We’ll have one open next year.
• This is just for the registration system itself, and there's other training materials.
• It is $5.4 million to sustain a dynamic training program for three years.
• and they offer free CEUs and CMEs in exchange for that training.

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• to work with one of our trusted partners that will go through a rigorous vetting, onboarding, and training
• to work with one of our trusted partners that will go through a rigorous vetting, onboarding, and training
• That includes community-based organizations, legislative offices, recovery advisors, housing counselors
• If we intervene with the homeless youth now, they get the support of education, training, everything
• that they need to really provide ...support of education, training, everything that they need to really

Transcript Highlights:

• This effort will provide families with the tools, training, and coordination they need to understand
• The organization receiving the grant will be tasked with conducting outreach, training, and bringing
• AB 2189 proposes creating a statewide effort to train and connect caregivers and parents and strengthen
• We initiated a legislative process training within Pleasant Valley State Prison.
• Among athletes who train and compete in the heat every day.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:14:41.960><c> professionals</c> better than the trained professionals better than the trained
• In fact, this act promotes the criminalization of trained medical professionals whose years of training
• In fact, this act promotes the criminalization of trained medical professionals whose years of training
• In fact, this act promotes the criminalization of trained medical professionals whose years of training
• </c> reducing the number of mandatory trained reducing the number of mandatory trained attendants<04:

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:45.840><c> requirements</c> compliance training requirements compliance training requirements
• </c> for the mandatory compliance training for the mandatory compliance training it's<01:12:10.520><c
• /c><01:12:25.160><c> multiple</c> trainings already required for multiple trainings already required
• ,</c><01:12:53.480><c> some</c> some programs do have training, some some programs do have training,
• I also have early and has trainings.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:57.520><c> in</c><00:26:57.679><c> the</c><00:26:57.919><c> KD</c> principles are trained
• in the KD principles are trained in the KD recommended<00:26:59.279><c> letters</c><00:26:59.760><c>
• Our instructional coach is going through the LETRS training.
• I'm going through the LETRS training, and the LETRS training is specifically in regards to the science
• </c><00:50:45.599><c> former</c> sports program and training former sports program and training former

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and heard first from the Washway Nicotine Youth Advocacy Group, which urged stronger enforcement of Kentucky’s Tobacco 21 law. Youth advocates described the harms of flavored vaping products, argued that nicotine use is targeting children, and called for retailer licensing, annual compliance checks, harsher penalties for illegal sales, and more funding for enforcement. Committee members praised the presentation, and one senator said he had heard a bill on licensed retailers may be coming soon. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Cloverport Independent School District and the Kentucky Virtual Academy about the state’s virtual school model. Superintendent Keith Haynes and principals Brandy Fagan and Sally Johnson said KYVA serves about 2,800 students, many of whom are at-risk or have health, safety, behavioral, or family reasons for choosing virtual education. They emphasized that the program uses live synchronous instruction, provides devices and materials, and offers special education and related services. They also said the school had a large wait list and that virtual programs need more flexibility in staffing ratios, scheduling, and testing windows. School leaders acknowledged criticism of KYVA’s proficiency scores and said many students entered far below grade level, with 59% not proficient in English language arts and 79% not proficient in math on recent state testing. They argued the program is too new to judge solely on one year of data and pointed to growth in MAP scores, as well as middle and high school rankings in the top half of Kentucky schools. Fagan and Johnson outlined improvement efforts, including daily interventions, small-group instruction, literacy programs, staff training, and expanded clubs and student activities. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, my name is Kelly Samson, and I'm senior policy counselor for Brady, which is the nation's oldest
• I am a mother and a member of this... and I'm senior policy counselor Brady and I'm senior policy counselor
• they are training safety and accountability<01:22:21.719><c> and</c><01:22:21.880><c> every</c><01:22
• I've carried an assault rifle countless days in training, and I carried it overseas in Helmand Province
• I've carried an assault rifle countless days in training, and I carried it overseas in Helmand Province

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee hearing covered House Bill 279 and House Bill 392, both relating to firearms. HB 279 would restrict carrying or possessing firearm parts except at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container, define firearm parts and prohibited persons, and increase penalties for violations. The Department of Law Enforcement strongly supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole involving disassembled or “ghost gun” parts and help law enforcement charge people who carry weapons in pieces. Most public testimony opposed the measure, with speakers arguing it was unconstitutional, vague, hard to enforce, and would burden lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and firearm dealers; several also said existing laws already cover the conduct. One supporter, Dennis Dunn, said additional firearm security could reduce theft and suicides. The chair noted the committee had received 270 testimonies on HB 279, with 39 in support, 234 in opposition, and one comment. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for using a ghost gun in a felony. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported the bill, saying unserialized firearms are difficult to trace and that prosecutors need clear laws to address them. Supporters argued the measure would help prevent untraceable weapons from circulating and align penalties with other firearm offenses. Opponents, including several gun owners and association representatives, said the bill was unnecessary because existing state and federal laws already prohibit unserialized firearms, and warned it could create confusion, criminalize lawful owners of antique or self-built firearms, and be difficult to administer. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• School districts may already be facing shortages of teachers, counselors, and support staff; now they
• ,</c><02:25:29.920><c> and</c> shortages of teachers, counselors, and shortages of teachers, counselors
• Over the next two years, Yuri and an elite cohort will train at Johnson Space Center down in Houston
• Citizens instead packed churches for training to empower themselves to respond to Border Patrol agents
• </c><07:47:31.680><c> to</c> instead packed churches for training to instead packed churches for training

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> saying uh physicians from uh training saying uh physicians from uh training United<00:46:43.520>
• So it's the idea was we don't have to train them here. That's not what we're trying to do.
• So it's the idea was we don't have to train them here. That's not what we're trying to do.
• My doctor is a foreign-trained doctor. He grew up here in the Cowboy State.
• He was foreign-trained, but he is a child of Wyoming.

Bills: HB0143 , HB0129

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a shortage of mental health providers, we have a shortage of even training mental health care
• These are diagnoses showing up in clinical records and school counselors' offices every single day.
• So we have to make sure that we are building a California. getting the job training.
• We are training physical therapy students in our CSU campuses and private universities, but we're losing
• We are training physical therapists students in our CSU's campuses, private university, but we're losing

Transcript Highlights:

• the Mud Creek Wildlife Management Area, the Grand Isle Fish Culture Station, and the Gordon Center Training
• </c><00:37:18.480><c> These</c> Gordon Center Training Facility.
• These Gordon Center Training Facility.
• Um, from '97 to 2011, she was a youth counselor and an acting team supervisor.
• Her supervisory responsibilities included support and monitoring of the work of counselors, interns,

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> educational leadership training educational leadership training opportunities<01:26:48.560><c> in
• </c> are also covered during that training. are also covered during that training.
• So this uh training really leader.
• </c><01:31:26.480><c> And</c> performance excellence training. And performance excellence training.
• </c> participating in the letters training participating in the letters training for<01:40:21.679><c>

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities. Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework. The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• speak about the incredible harm that this bill, as it is worded, will bring to countless families, counselors
• speak about the incredible harm that this bill, as it is worded, will bring to countless families, counselors

Transcript Highlights:

• strictly speaking, where a kid says, 'I'm gay,' and the parent says, 'I'm going to send you to a counselor
• therapist to explore gender confusion, but it ended up being a conversion, who is to say that the counselor

Summary: The committee first took up SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the time for survivors of conversion therapy to bring malpractice claims and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Senator Wiener and supporters, including a survivor and a licensed therapist, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued that survivors often cannot come forward within current limitation periods. Opponents, including attorneys and advocacy groups, argued the bill was an unconstitutional workaround to California’s existing ban and could chill legitimate therapy or expand liability. Committee members pressed both sides on the bill’s scope, with the author emphasizing it does not bar exploratory therapy or medical treatment, only attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the item placed on call; the consent calendar was also adopted 6-0 and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, as amended, concerning manufactured home parks. The bill would require park owners who intend to sell to give residents or their designated representatives notice and an opportunity to submit a competitive bid, with timelines intended to allow residents to organize financing and complete due diligence. Supporters said the measure would help preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and give residents a fair chance to buy the land under their homes, especially after fire-related losses and increasing investor ownership of parks. Opponents from park-owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create an unconstitutional taking by imposing long timelines and restrictions that could deter buyers. Several senators questioned the 240-day process and whether the bill should include clearer good-faith or reciprocity provisions; the author said he was open to further adjustments. The transcript ends during committee discussion of SB 1092, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• strictly speaking, where a kid says, 'I'm gay,' and the parent says, 'I'm going to send you to a counselor
• therapist to explore gender confusion, but it ended up being a conversion, who is to say that the counselor

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a tenant counselor from the South of Market Community Action Network in San Francisco.
• I'm a tenant counselor from the South of Market Community Action Network in San Francisco.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several housing- and courts-related bills. AB 768, by Assemblymember Avila Farias, would close a loophole in mobile home rent control by excluding homes not used as permanent residences, such as vacation or short-term rental use. Supporters said it would preserve affordability for full-time residents while preventing wealthy second-home owners from benefiting from rent control; a nonprofit housing operator asked for a technical amendment to avoid conflicts with tax-exempt bond restrictions. The bill was moved and passed as amended. AB 1359, by Assemblymember Arambula, would let people age 80 and older request a permanent jury-service excuse without providing a doctor’s note. Supporters from the California Senior Legislature said the current medical-note requirement is burdensome and unnecessary, while some members raised concerns about reducing older adults’ participation on juries and suggested the exemption should be more flexible or reversible. After discussion, the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1406, by Assemblymember Ward, would raise the cap on liquidated damages in new condominium pre-sale contracts from 3% to 10% to help developers finance condo projects and increase for-sale housing production. Developers and housing advocates argued the change would improve financing and make more condos feasible, while realtors and consumer advocates warned it would shift too much risk onto buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. Committee members expressed mixed views and asked for stronger consumer protections; the author said he was open to further amendments, and the bill was held open with the roll call not fully completed in the excerpt. The committee also began hearing AB 1157, by Chair Kalra, which would lower and make permanent the rent cap under the Tenant Protection Act and extend protections to single-family home renters, but the transcript excerpt mainly captures extensive public support testimony and the author’s opening presentation, with no final vote shown.