Transcript Highlights:

• Novo Nordisk in the Upper Valley is another one of our founders, and they manufacture for rare disease
• :10:20.640><c> rare</c> Um, and they manufacture um for rare Um, and they manufacture um for rare disease
• uh cases out of the Upper Valley disease uh cases out of the Upper Valley location.<01:10:23.920><c>
• We had a right-to-try expansion to go to chronic diseases. >> Yeah. >> We've not taken a position on
• </c> expansion to go to chronic diseases. expansion to go to chronic diseases.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• these sensors that measure your brain waves and they can identify anxiety, depression, Parkinson's disease
• ,<01:33:03.960><c> epilepsy,</c><01:33:05.400><c> um</c> disease, epilepsy, um disease, epilepsy, um
• neurocognitive disorders, behavioral disorders, respiratory problems, cancer, and cardiovascular disease
• respiratory problems, cancer and respiratory problems, cancer and cardiovascular<01:46:52.240><c> disease
• </c> cardiovascular disease. cardiovascular disease.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs is folks who have diabetes or who are otherwise overweight, dealing with things like heart disease
• costs is folks who have diabetes or who are otherwise overweight, dealing with things like heart disease
• Every day in our Medicaid system: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, sleep
• apnea, joint disease, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers.
• population and maybe get rid of some of the expenses that we're paying to try to treat all those diseases

Transcript Highlights:

• But what I want to bring up is my dad had Parkinson's disease for 30 years.
• </c><01:10:36.480><c> And</c> Parkinson's disease for 30 years.
• And Parkinson's disease for 30 years.
• Watson: Parkinson's disease. Uh, you may remember I've said he was my driver's ed teacher.
• Watson: Parkinson's disease. Uh, you may remember I've said he was my driver's ed teacher.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• As the disease progresses, mobility challenges, costs, and logistics can make that travel difficult or
• </c><00:40:28.240><c> As</c><00:40:28.400><c> a</c><00:40:28.640><c> disease</c> inner inner island travel
• As a disease inner inner island travel.
• As a disease progresses,<00:40:29.520><c> mobility</c><00:40:30.000><c> challenges,</c><00:40:30.560>
• The center for Disease Control and Prevention manages the national violent death reporting system.

Bills: SB2936 , SB2850 , SB2851 , SB2521

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1871, establishing a maternal health monitoring pilot program, drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii State Commission on Status of Women, and the Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, with testimony urging provider-neutral language so midwives and other qualified providers would not be excluded. HB 1977, requiring a maternal and infant health information mobile app, received support from ACNM and Philips, which said similar apps in other states improved awareness of services and helped families navigate care; a member asked the Department of Health about implementation time. HB 1858, relating to certificates of fetal deaths, was supported by the Department of Health and clinicians, who said the current statute is outdated and inconsistent with CDC guidance; the department and a physician testified that the bill should shift documentation responsibilities to physicians and APRNs, and members discussed optional versus mandatory issuance language and whether the bill would improve data on home births and transfers. The committee also heard HB 1591, expanding definitions for preceptor and volunteer-based clinical training to improve income tax credits. The Department of Health supported the measure but preferred a similar, broader bill; Taxation suggested clarifying terms; the University of Hawaii and the State Center for Nursing supported it. ACNM asked that midwifery preceptors and Hawaii-based students enrolled in mainland programs be included, while the Hawaii Public Health Institute supported expansion of the program as a workforce solution. HB 1574, on the health care education loan repayment program, also drew broad support, including from the governor, SHPDA, OHA, and health organizations, but ACNM raised concerns that the bill’s 30% Medicaid-client threshold could exclude many providers and limit participation. For HB 1575, creating a feasibility committee on Parkinson’s patient air transport, the Department of Health supported the intent but said transportation is more likely an insurance or benefit issue and suggested redirecting funds to Parkinson’s research; the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Hawaii Parkinson Association supported the bill, citing inter-island travel barriers and high costs for patients and caregivers. HB 1854, establishing certification of community behavioral health clinics, was supported by the Department of Health and DHS, which said certification would help clinics qualify for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement and expand access; the Attorney General’s office raised a legal concern about the special fund language and recommended a purpose section, and the committee discussed whether the fund would be self-sustaining and noted a possible amendment to change membership language and reduce the board size if the amendment moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the Centers for Disease Control has been studying harm reduction for over 30 years and found
• ><00:59:37.760><c> The</c><00:59:38.440><c> Centers</c><00:59:38.720><c> for</c><00:59:38.880><c> Disease
• </c> when we um The Centers for Disease when we um The Centers for Disease Control<00:59:39.799><c> has
• lead to further complications in their recovery, undermining their efforts to break free of their disease
• break free undermining their efforts to break free of<01:12:43.639><c> their</c><01:12:44.000><c> disease

Bills: HF696 , HF1429 , HF1379

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• use sexually transmitted<01:20:27.320><c> infections</c><01:20:28.040><c> and</c><01:20:28.280><c> diseases
• </c><01:20:29.040><c> pre</c> transmitted infections and diseases pre transmitted infections and diseases
• of them: CPR and AED training, vaping awareness prevention, sexually transmitted infections and diseases
• um sexually transmitted<01:43:17.280><c> infections</c><01:43:17.800><c> and</c><01:43:18.040><c> diseases
• </c><01:43:18.599><c> and</c> transmitted infections and diseases and transmitted infections and diseases

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and then about 2009 the trend reversed, and that was largely due to what has now been called the diseases
• Those are specifically suicide, drug poisoning, including accidental overdose, and alcohol-related diseases
• <01:26:05.480><c> been</c><01:26:05.760><c> called</c><01:26:06.080><c> the</c><01:26:06.320><c> diseases
• </c> to what has now been called the diseases to what has now been called the diseases and<01:26:07.239
• and you can see alcohol related diseases and you can see how<01:26:18.760><c> in</c><01:26:19.000><c

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, by integrating more data sources, how we think about health care prevention disease is going to
• </c><00:43:22.000><c> is</c><00:43:22.160><c> going</c><00:43:22.319><c> to</c> care prevention disease
• is going to care prevention disease is going to change<00:43:22.920><c> quite</c><00:43:23.079><c> a
• ><00:52:59.599><c> the</c><00:52:59.720><c> Centers</c><00:53:00.119><c> for</c><00:53:00.400><c> Disease
• </c> Grant through the Centers for Disease Grant through the Centers for Disease Control<00:53:01.720

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• right of the rostrum: guests of Representative Badger and Senator Lovely, guests from the Celiac Disease

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a message from the Governor recommending legislation on energy affordability, independence, and innovation, which was referred to the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. The House also recognized several guest groups, including visitors from the Celiac Disease Foundation and a sixth-grade class from Holy Name School in West Roxbury. The Committee on Rules reported a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including observances for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and ALS awareness, a commemoration of Wakefield’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monuments, recognition of veterans’ efforts regarding Agent Orange awareness, and congratulations to an Eagle Scout. The House suspended the rules and adopted these resolutions. The House then considered Senate amendments to House Bill 4010/House 4100, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The House did not concur in the Senate’s amendment and instead ordered a committee of conference, appointing Representatives Michalowitz, Ferranti, and Smola. The House also concurred in the referral of a retirement-credit petition and suspended Joint Rule 12 for several other petitions, including measures on arts education, a psychedelics treatment pilot program, toxic-free medical devices, and retirement credit service. House 4100 was later taken up for final passage, its emergency preamble was adopted, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The House adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also Representative Harbison's resolution dealing with chronic kidney disease.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health met with a quorum and took up several measures in executive session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 878, a pharmacy-related bill. Members adopted a committee substitute and amendment that added language previously seen in other bills, including pseudoephedrine and 340B provisions, and language matching Senate floor changes on ivermectin. One member raised concerns about making hydroxychloroquine available over the counter and about pharmacists prescribing class II devices such as CPAP machines, but the substitute ultimately passed by a vote of 13-2. The committee then considered House Bill 3457, Representative Burns’s medically complex patients bill. A substitute was adopted that narrowed the definition of “medically complex patient,” changed one provision from “shall” to “may,” and required primary care physician approval of a care plan before it could be entered into the alert system. The substitute passed unanimously, 15-0. Finally, the committee approved two resolutions sponsored by Representative Harbison. House Resolution 538, on ALS awareness, was amended to add more emphasis on assistive technology and augmentative/alternative communication, then passed 15-0. House Resolution 4661, on chronic kidney disease, also passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting concluded with brief closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Capriglione's bill, sponsored by the Dean of the Senate, about training on Alzheimer's disease

Bills: HB 1193 , HB2495 , HB2733 , HB3104 , HB3395 , HB4325 , SB3009

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• public safety, of course, and make sure that we don’t have problems with transmission of communicable diseases
• instances in history where people have had to quarantine or stay at home or isolate because of rapid disease
• Disease transmission.

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 43rd day by roll call vote, 122-1. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor former state representative and St. Louis public servant Edward L. Bushmeyer with a moment of silence, and to recognize Jean Carnahan during Women’s History Month. The chamber then welcomed numerous guests, including students from California Middle School, Missouri Centers for Independent Living, Southern Boone cheer teams, Conservation Day participants, Project Home woodworking students and veterans, Coro Fellows, YMCA advocacy day participants, Easter Seals guests, and others. The House then took up several appropriations bills. House Bill 2017, the reappropriations bill, was explained as carrying forward previously approved capital and other projects into a new fiscal year; members raised concerns about unspent general revenue and the large $186 million storm-recovery item for St. Louis, but the bill was adopted and perfected. House Bill 2018, the maintenance and repair bill for state facilities, was described as routine upkeep of state buildings and was also adopted and perfected. House Bill 2019, the capital improvements bill, drew more debate over new projects, the $104 million transfer from the Capital Commission Fund, and whether some projects had been adequately vetted; an amendment by the gentleman from Texas to shift $3 million from the Conservation Commission Fund to help repair a state-owned road to the George O. White Nursery was adopted, and the bill then passed through committee substitute adoption and perfection. House Bill 2020, the ARPA spending bill, was described as the final year for spending federal pandemic funds, with any unspent amounts to flow to the foundation formula; members discussed how much might remain and whether funds could be used to offset education costs, and the bill was adopted and perfected. The House also considered House Bill 2760, the “Praise Act,” which would bar government from imposing stricter emergency restrictions on houses of worship than on comparable private entities, while preserving emergency carve-outs for disasters, terrorism, and civil unrest. Supporters framed it as a religious liberty bill and argued it would prevent unequal treatment during emergencies; opponents warned it could undermine public health protections during pandemics and noted past restrictions on church gatherings. The debate included extended exchanges over whether churches were treated differently from airports and other venues during COVID-19. The transcript ends during continued discussion of House Bill 2760, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• hospitals matter more than clinics, than preventative care, you're telling people, just wait until your disease
• We'll just wait until your disease gets worse enough so you show up to a hospital to die.
• cutting preventative services screws poor people because what it tells people is: wait until your disease

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• hospitals matter more than clinics, than preventative care, you're telling people, just wait till your disease
• We'll just wait till your disease gets worse enough so you show up to a hospital to die.
• cutting preventative services screws poor people because what it tells people is: wait till your disease

Transcript Highlights:

• water and health impacts with fire retardant chemicals, extreme heat, and the rise of mosquito-borne diseases
• water and health impacts with fire retardant chemicals, extreme heat, and the rise of mosquito-borne diseases
• job, a health care tax from increased emergency visits, doctor appointments, and medication for diseases

Bills: SB12 , SB36 , SB92 , SB120 , SB133 , SB151 , SB18 , SB96

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, indicates that roughly 1% of all U.S
• announcement: February is American Heart Month, with the purpose of raising awareness about heart disease
• Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, indicates that roughly 1% of all U.S
• February is American Heart Month, with the purpose of raising awareness about heart disease, which is
• Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of special guest introductions recognizing interns, community leaders, FFA officers, library advocates, park and recreation professionals, and others. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor Black History Month and the legacy of William Clay Sr. The chamber then moved into first reading of several bills, including measures on University of Missouri curators, personal property assessment lists, and state department spending. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1757, which would require universal screening of third-graders for gifted education using flexible screening methods and would help ensure students who qualify are identified regardless of zip code or family resources. Supporters argued the bill would close gaps in gifted identification and expand access, while questions focused on funding, screening methods, and whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then debated the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, presented as House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294. Supporters said the bill would require medical care for infants who survive an abortion attempt and impose civil and criminal penalties for knowingly harming such a child. Opponents argued the bill was duplicative of existing law, could criminalize medical providers, and would worsen Missouri’s maternal care shortages. The debate included extended questioning about the bill’s standards, scope, and enforcement, but no final vote on the born-alive measure was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Air pollution created by burning coal has been linked to respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease,
• that SIB maintains in this bill, no amount of returns on 1% of the fund are worth Washington-funded disease

Bills: SB5439 , SB6109 , SB6304

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: investment, thermal coal, divestment, state investment board, fossil fuels, environmental impact, renewable energy, detention facilities, state funds, privatization, criminal justice reform, Washington State Investment Board, responsible investment, sustainability, corporate governance

Transcript Highlights:

• languages, helping our highest-need patients stay out of the hospital, better control their chronic disease
• services, or FPHS, to preserve connections with communities and maintain readiness for emergencies and disease
• services or FPHS to preserve connections with communities and maintain readiness for emergencies and disease

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.