Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:31.600><c> the</c><00:18:31.919><c> project</c><00:18:32.320><c> was</c><00:18:32.559><c> launched
• </c><00:18:32.880><c> in</c> So, since the project was launched in 2024, we identified 101 individuals
• But before launching into any questions, I'd like to go straight into a presentation by Mr.
• Um, but I think uh before launching in any questions, I'd like let's just go ahead and go straight into

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds were launched late last year, and funds are being...
• Um the you know<00:16:40.800><c> it</c><00:16:41.040><c> was</c><00:16:41.199><c> launched</c><00:16:
• uh</c><00:16:42.000><c> late</c><00:16:42.320><c> last</c><00:16:42.639><c> year</c> know it was launched
• uh late last year know it was launched uh late last year um<00:16:44.160><c> and</c><00:16:45.040><c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we're how many years into trying to launch this initiative, you know, four or five years later
• years into uh And now we're how many years into uh trying<01:28:12.480><c> to</c><01:28:12.719><c> launch
• /c><01:28:12.960><c> this</c><01:28:13.280><c> initiative,</c><01:28:14.080><c> you</c> trying to launch
• this initiative, you trying to launch this initiative, you know,<01:28:14.400><c> four</c><01:28:14.560

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• stores never recognized that there was a change happening, and that was a successful piece of the launch
• successful<01:22:47.760><c> piece</c><01:22:48.080><c> of</c><01:22:48.239><c> the</c><01:22:48.480><c> launch
• </c><01:22:49.280><c> We're</c> successful piece of the launch.
• We're successful piece of the launch.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• :24:11.120><c> be</c> This request for $10.85 million in capital investment funds is critical to launching
• 55.440><c> to</c> capital investment funds is critical to capital investment funds is critical to launching
• </c> launching the lot D project in 2025. launching the lot D project in 2025.

Bills: HF333 , HF2712 , HF1064 , HF1069 , HF1113 , HF2207 , HF204 , HF2867 , HF2924 , HF746 , HF1530 , HF2587 , HF1078

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Um in the year and a half since launch uh we've served over 28,000 meals to uh and currently serve 182
• ><00:04:55.680><c> half</c><00:04:55.840><c> that</c><00:04:56.240><c> since</c><00:04:56.639><c> launch
• </c><00:04:57.280><c> uh</c><00:04:57.440><c> we've</c> and a half that since launch uh we've and a half
• that since launch uh we've served<00:04:58.000><c> over</c><00:04:58.240><c> 28,000</c><00:04:59.040

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the organization launched its fundraising campaign, 'Reunite, Renew, and Re-imagine Rally,' back
• We<01:08:02.240><c> launched</c><01:08:02.559><c> our</c><01:08:02.799><c> fundraising</c><01:08:03.440
• ><c> campaign</c> We launched our fundraising campaign We launched our fundraising campaign reunite,<

Bills: HF1972 , HF229 , HF1090 , HF1084 , HF1307 , HF1274 , HF1609 , HF2110 , HF211 , HF216 , HF222 , HF224 , HF225 , HF203 , HF206 , HF207 , HF208 , HF227 , HF246 , HF427 , HF466 , HF502 , HF680 , HF971

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Ben Klinsky from the Department of Education to also provide additional comments, as they will be launching
• provide additional comments as they will provide additional comments as they will be<01:37:07.760><c> launching
• 08.560><c> uh,</c><01:37:09.040><c> the</c><01:37:09.440><c> program</c><01:37:09.760><c> and</c> be launching
• uh, the program and be launching uh, the program and training<01:37:10.320><c> as</c><01:37:10.480><

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I implore you to support Senate File 42 and help the Division of Indian Work and their partners launch
• 01:03:10.119><c> and</c><01:03:10.240><c> their</c><01:03:10.440><c> Partners</c><01:03:10.920><c> launch
• </c><01:03:11.279><c> this</c> work and their Partners launch this work and their Partners launch this

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The scope of it is manageable, and we already have strong regional connections to launch this work and
• already have strong Regional connections already have strong Regional connections to<00:15:42.160><c> launch
• 42.639><c> work</c><00:15:42.839><c> and</c><00:15:43.040><c> assess</c><00:15:43.279><c> its</c> to launch
• this work and assess its to launch this work and assess its potential<00:15:43.880><c> to</c><00:15:

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We are on track to launch this portal this year and are already building the systems for testing this
• We are on track to launch this portal this year and are already building the systems for testing this
• We are on track to launch this portal this year and are already building the systems for testing this
• We are on track to launch this portal this year and are already building the systems for testing this

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• would be similar to you or I renting a car at the airport; we can drive into the park into Kamʻe launch
• park</c><01:31:05.840><c> into</c><01:31:06.199><c> Kam</c><01:31:06.639><c> e</c><01:31:06.800><c> launch
• ><01:31:07.040><c> ramp</c><01:31:07.400><c> at</c><01:31:07.679><c> guua</c> the park into Kam e launch
• ramp at guua the park into Kam e launch ramp at guua that's<01:31:08.440><c> not</c><01:31:08.679><c

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched the fraudulent business filing portal on our website, offering a one-stop shop for reporting
• Since its launch, we have processed over 90 administrative dissolutions, many citing the website portal
• In 2019, I launched a privacy product called The Red Pill.
• In 2019, I launched a privacy product called The Red Pill.
• In<01:29:32.000><c> 2019,</c><01:29:33.040><c> I</c><01:29:33.160><c> launched</c><01:29:33.600><c> a

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're looking to do a nice launch sometime soon.
• So, we're looking to do a nice launch sometime soon.
• So, we're looking to do a nice launch sometime soon.
• So, we're looking to do a nice launch sometime soon.
• So, we're looking to do a nice launch sometime soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see item one is a generic launch, and we're just removing the brand, the ingredient generic as

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I feel like we're doing a nuclear launch here.

Bills: SB2057 , SB2109 , SB2400 , HB1752 , SB2599 , SB2930

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's really what launched the solar industry here in Minnesota in 2013.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• "We plan to launch softly live on July 1 with no punitive, but mainly education, working with providers

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We plan to launch softly live on July 1 with no punitive, but mainly education, working with providers

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.

Transcript Highlights:

• We plan to launch softly live on July 1 with no punitive, but mainly education, working with providers

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE