Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:20.640> and<01:02:20.880> controlling the clock um monitoring and controlling
• eight, now it's six regions to monitor eight, now it's six regions to monitor and<01:04:05.280><
• We monitor and enforce compliance with mandatory electric reliability standards.
• We monitor in entities in our footprint.
• We monitor in and<01:07:49.839> enforce<01:07:50.720> um<01:07:50.960> compliance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, with regard to threat monitoring, like DIR does today, every day, I might add, the command may
• monitor the dark web or other channels only for entities that contract for that help.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these farmers, these deer farmers, will tell you that they can monitor their herds very effectively
• for the first signs of any disease more effectively than we can in the DNR monitor wild herds.
• <00:43:38.600> their<00:43:38.840> herds you that they can monitor their herds you
• that they can monitor their herds very<00:43:39.800> effectively<00:43:40.480> for<00:43
• <00:43:46.720> So, in the DNR monitor wild herds. So, in the DNR monitor wild herds.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call. The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote. Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote. The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings these arrangements into a structure that the department can effectively monitor without overcomplicating
• :45.960> capital<00:08:46.400> principles We apply risk-based capital principles to monitor
• One of the things that we did incorporate into this amendment is the idea of monitoring solvency using
• <00:59:08.320> solvency<00:59:08.960> using the idea of monitoring solvency using the
• idea of monitoring solvency using risk-based<00:59:09.840> capital.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can imagine, federal requirements on subrecipient monitoring, reporting back to the federal government
• As you can imagine, federal requirements on subrecipient monitoring, reporting back to the federal government
• As you can imagine, federal requirements on subrecipient monitoring, reporting back to the federal government
• As you can imagine, federal requirements on subrecipient monitoring, reporting back to the federal government
• As you can imagine, federal requirements on subrecipient monitoring, reporting back to the federal government

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund and monitor ELL programs, reduce class sizes, raise teacher minimums to $45,000, $55,000, and $65,000
• Do we monitor all of our inactive wells?
• Could you work with contractors to monitor more wells because that's a significantly cheaper operation
• then certainly we could add, we could put a price agreement or put an ITB out for that kind of monitoring
• However, despite this large share of Maggie Klug: the budget monitoring of our tax expenditures has been

Transcript Highlights:

• c> longer As a result, federal compliance has become even more challenging, and performance monitoring
• performance monitoring is less accurate. performance monitoring is less accurate.
• Active means it's monitoring or under remedial work.
• Uh active means uh it's<00:47:50.319> monitoring<00:47:50.960> or<00:47:51.280> under
• <00:47:51.599> remedial<00:47:52.880> um it's monitoring or under remedial um it's

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CURES monitoring system, designed specifically to prevent controlled substance abuse, would be rendered
• The ISA technology actively monitors vehicle speeds and warns or limits acceleration to promote compliance
• In some of these areas, we don't have cell service to actually assure the monitoring of these individuals
• I co-chair the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.
• I also submerged my GPS monitor doing a Spartan race.

Summary: The committee heard AB 82, which would expand privacy and safety protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. The author and supporters said the bill is needed because of rising harassment, doxing, and threats, and because sensitive health data could be used by hostile actors; opponents argued it would create constitutional problems, enable abuse of safe-at-home protections, and improperly shield providers and records from scrutiny. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many advocates in support and many privacy, civil liberties, and anti-trafficking or sex-based policy groups in opposition. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation and remained on call. The committee then heard AB 331, which would clarify that county election certification is a ministerial duty, prohibit misleading ballot return envelopes, and require voter information guides to be delivered to jails in an acceptable format. The Department of Justice and several good-government groups supported the measure, the Secretary of State had no position after amendments, and a committee member noted ongoing concerns but supported it after the changes. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1178 followed, proposing to protect undercover peace officers’ names, images, and likenesses in public records while preserving disclosure of sustained misconduct records. Law enforcement and public safety groups supported the bill as a needed safety measure, while journalists, transparency advocates, and civil liberties groups opposed it, saying existing law already protects officers and the new language could lead to overbroad withholding. After discussion about the scope of undercover status and the need for judicial discretion, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar. Later, AB 981 was heard, creating a five-county pilot program requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for certain reckless driving convictions. Supporters, including traffic safety advocates and crash victims, said the bill could reduce repeat speeding and save lives; opponents raised concerns about cost, installer oversight, liability for automakers, and the breadth of the pilot. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 22, which would repeal Proposition 57 and restrict release of sexually violent predators and certain sex offenders, drew strong opposition from youth justice, public defender, and civil liberties groups who said it would be unconstitutional and harmful; the chair recommended no, no motion was made, and the bill was held. Finally, AB 897, a squatter-removal bill, was presented with the author arguing it would protect property owners through a faster due-process process; the transcript cuts off during early support testimony and does not show a final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are monitoring the bull-versus-cow ratio, and that is part of why the baiting change is being made
• Hunting over bait is more successful, so the goal is to continue monitoring harvest and how successful
• <00:14:06.399> the<00:14:07.120> bull right now um we are monitoring the bull right
• now um we are monitoring the bull versus<00:14:08.120> cow<00:14:08.959> um<00:14:09.320
• :14:17.519> to successful so in order to continue to successful so in order to continue to monitor

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was placed on an ankle monitor, not supposed to be around me. We went for our DVO case.
• 00:08:01.720> ankle from jail he was placed on an ankle from jail he was placed on an ankle monitor
• not supposed to be around monitor not supposed to be around me<00:08:06.360> we<00:08:06.520>
• c><00:08:35.640> with<00:08:35.839> his<00:08:36.039> ankle<00:08:36.360> monitor
• for over 2 hours with his ankle monitor for over 2 hours with his ankle monitor on<00:08:38.080>

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting cut off before the end. This is the complete meeting pulled from back ups. Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 HB 38: 00:02:42 HB 206: 00:29:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and introductory remarks, including recognition of new members and guests. It then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase penalties for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation involving the same order and same individual could be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. Tipton and domestic violence survivor Maryanne Pratt testified in support, with Pratt describing repeated abuse, protective-order violations, and ongoing fear despite arrests and jail time. Several members spoke in favor of the bill and praised Pratt’s testimony. Members and outside witnesses raised concerns about the substitute’s language, especially the requirement that the same victim be involved and whether the bill could leave gaps for repeat abusers with different victims. Representative Burke and others questioned whether the conduct was already covered by stalking or assault statutes. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the bill could allow technical contempt findings to be used as predicate offenses and noted that existing assault and stalking laws already address much of the conduct. Sponsor Tipton said the language was not final and that further changes might be considered in the Senate. Despite the concerns, the committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 38 with favorable expression by a 19-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 206, sponsored by Representative Nemes, on wrongful conviction compensation. Nemes introduced exonerees and representatives from the Kentucky Innocence Project, and the substitute was adopted without objection. Testimony came from Paul Herd, who spent 20 years wrongfully convicted and described the difficulty of reentry, and Jon Acar, who said he was wrongly convicted as a teenager and spent years in custody and on parole. Both urged passage of the bill as overdue support for people exonerated after wrongful convictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have, for example, I forgot what fruit fly, I think it's to—they have a fruit fly monitoring program
• /c><00:47:38.960> a<00:47:39.040> fruit<00:47:39.240> fly<00:47:39.520> monitoring
• to they have a fruit fly monitoring to they have a fruit fly monitoring program<00:47:40.480>
• comes to actual on-the-ground response, this is what we do when it comes to early detection or monitoring
• comes to early detection or monitoring comes to early detection or monitoring and<00:53:23.000><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration. Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops. DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• outreach has been made and interventions have been exhausted, and real-time internal data dashboards to monitor
• outreach has been made and interventions have been exhausted, and real-time internal data dashboards to monitor
• 00:15:28.639> to realtime internal data dashboards to realtime internal data dashboards to monitor
• 29.680> for<00:15:29.920> all<00:15:30.199> districts<00:15:30.959> not monitor
• attendance for all districts not monitor attendance for all districts not all<00:15:31.440> districts

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• need for major improvement levels of security in the following areas, excuse me, surveillance and monitoring
• Areas, excuse me: surveillance and monitoring, control movement, and restricting passage.
• The improvements, as Kristen mentioned, are primarily related to surveillance and monitoring, such as
• And then finally, cybersecurity, AG election monitors, and an election litigation fund. Thank you.
• They will also coordinate services for first responder departments, monitor utilization trends, and ensure

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also learned in a social media monitoring study among college students that online distress can be
• We participated in a post-implementation monitoring working group led by the Minister for Health's office
• So monitoring not just whether accounts are decreasing if there's a policy change, but not just whether
• Yeah, thank you, and I appreciate your observations early as much as you're trying to quickly monitor
• Much as you're trying to quickly monitor, track, measure, sort of what the behavior changes are looking

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.

Transcript Highlights:

• in our current programs, ensure that our current programs are actually serving disconnected youth, monitor
• well as build a system of accountability, which is a dedicated structure including performance monitoring
• which in New Mexico, we track completion, but we need to increase youth participation, as well as monitor
• America's Graduates, show potentially positive impacts, but implementation should either be better monitored
• High-performing WIOA youth states use real-time outcome monitoring, cross-agency integration, and flexibility

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of structure, a lot of coordination, requires staff time, business partnerships, and systems to monitor
• And if no one is responsible for monitoring it, it doesn't get done.
• lot of structure, a lot of coordination, requires staff time, business partnerships, and systems to monitor
• And if no one is responsible for monitoring it, it doesn't get done.
• And if no one is responsible for monitoring it, it doesn't get done.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, in November of 2021, the program's objective was expanded to include the monitoring of the excise
• So, probation, parole, they've got a therapist that monitors that.
• And then the third one I want to touch on is on drought monitoring, which is quite unique.
• The OCS is the primary author of the US Drought Monitor for Oklahoma.
• Is that it's being submitted to the US Drought Monitor every week to really accurately classify what

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We monitor underwriting gain, which is their profit. So, we track that as well.
• So it's our responsibility to ensure that we monitor the network.
• We monitor 24/7, 365 operations.
• And if you do that, do you have the capacity—the workforce capacity—to monitor that?
• Do you monitor a little bit? What do you do to kind of make sure they're okay? Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The one call board of Texas is the Oversight board created to monitor the statewide underground utility
• Corporation, also known as the One Call Board, which monitors the 8-1-1. system.
• Duties include monitoring and registering notification centers.
• So there's not someone there to monitor. the email to receive the email that the locate has been requested
• there in Houston, and one of the jobs you give a new project engineer that that's their job is to monitor

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• difference regarding the response is many of these we wanted to go to the sheriffs because state sheriffs monitor
• difference regarding the response is many of these we wanted to go to the sheriffs because state sheriffs monitor
• :50:22.000> sheriffs sheriffs because uh state sheriffs sheriffs because uh state sheriffs monitor
• <00:50:24.440> Uh<00:50:25.440> however<00:50:26.079> for monitor state buildings
• Uh however for monitor state buildings.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.