Transcript Highlights:

• The kick was of such force that it launched Beagle Brigadier Freddy, a 25-pound beagle, off the ground
• The kick was of such force that<02:33:07.280><c> it</c><02:33:07.520><c> launched</c><02:33:07.920><c
• > Beagle</c><02:33:08.319><c> Brigadier</c> that it launched Beagle Brigadier that it launched Beagle

Transcript Highlights:

• This launch has been delayed over and over trying to get it right.
• This<00:36:55.440><c> launch</c><00:36:56.000><c> has</c><00:36:56.240><c> been</c><00:36:56.400><c>
• delayed</c><00:36:56.880><c> over</c><00:36:57.200><c> and</c> This launch has been delayed over and
• This launch has been delayed over and over<00:36:57.839><c> trying</c><00:36:58.079><c> to</c><00:36:

Bills: HF3174 , HF3800

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, like with a lot of everything that's been going on with the launch of HNL Bill, the new
• with the<00:21:43.080><c> with</c><00:21:43.280><c> the</c><00:21:43.880><c> uh</c><00:21:43.960><c> launch
• </c><00:21:44.440><c> HNL</c><00:21:44.840><c> Bill,</c><00:21:45.160><c> the</c> the with the uh launch
• of HNL Bill, the the with the uh launch of HNL Bill, the new<00:21:45.400><c> system,</c><00:21:46.080

Bills: HB1984 , HB1593 , HB2423 , HB1691 , HB2283 , HB2386 , HB1824 , HB1697 , HB2164 , HB2165

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There she oversaw the opening of interdisciplinary health sciences center and launched a new learning
• interdisciplinary health sciences<00:16:01.600><c> center</c><00:16:02.079><c> and</c><00:16:02.320><c> launched
• </c><00:16:02.639><c> a</c><00:16:02.800><c> new</c> sciences center and launched a new sciences center
• and launched a new learning<00:16:03.199><c> track</c><00:16:03.519><c> to</c><00:16:03.680><c> prepare

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendations are a result of a multi-stage competitive process that was launched early in 2025
• contents of the bill. multi-stage competitive process that was multi-stage competitive process that was launched
• 03.840><c> 2025</c><00:18:04.640><c> with</c><00:18:04.880><c> the</c><00:18:05.120><c> release</c> launched
• early in 2025 with the release launched early in 2025 with the release of<00:18:05.520><c> our</c><00

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched a solar-on-public-buildings project for non-Excel territory in the second half of last year
• We uh launched a solar on possible.
• We uh launched a solar on public<00:32:25.279><c> buildings</c><00:32:25.679><c> for</c><00:32:25.919
• The project we landed, we launched in the Department of Commerce.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• , starting with an accountable health community, or AHCs, this was a federal demonstration model launched
• community or AHCs, um this was a federal demonstration<00:46:32.400><c> model</c><00:46:32.840><c> launched
• </c><00:46:33.320><c> by</c><00:46:33.480><c> the</c> demonstration model launched by the demonstration
• model launched by the Centers<00:46:33.960><c> for</c><00:46:34.080><c> Medicare</c><00:46:34.680><c

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conference also served as an official launch of the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network.
• served<01:11:10.800><c> as</c><01:11:11.040><c> an</c><01:11:11.280><c> official</c><01:11:11.679><c> launch
• </c><01:11:12.000><c> of</c><01:11:12.000><c> the</c> served as an official launch of the served as an
• official launch of the Kentucky<01:11:12.800><c> Heritage</c><01:11:13.600><c> Emergency</c><01:11:14.400

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I have him in these spaces like this, I know that he's going to take away something to launch him
• When I have him in these spaces like this, I know that he's going to take away something to launch him
• away something to launch him, to help me away something to launch him, to help me um<00:12:59.519><c>

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's launching nationwide, and Phase 4 is a continued implementation of IP-based television technical
• It's<00:34:49.040><c> launching</c><00:34:49.560><c> nationwide</c><00:34:50.560><c> and</c><00:34:50.879
• ><c> phase</c><00:34:51.200><c> four</c> It's launching nationwide and phase four It's launching nationwide

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, 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 help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• if we move that process to the Department of Safety along with right now a current process that we launch
• current process along with right now a current process that<00:27:43.919><c> we</c><00:27:44.159><c> launch
• > on</c><00:27:44.799><c> Thursday</c><00:27:45.520><c> which</c><00:27:45.760><c> is</c> that we launch
• on Thursday which is that we launch on Thursday which is automating automating automating inventory<

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we're ensuring that the Office of Cannabis Management has a successful launch.
• of cannabis management has<00:36:28.000><c> a</c><00:36:28.160><c> successful</c><00:36:28.720><c> launch
• </c><00:36:29.520><c> Uh</c><00:36:29.760><c> we've</c> has a successful launch.
• Uh we've has a successful launch.

Transcript Highlights:

• utility capital project that will have this provision in the law that allows it to be halted before it launches
• 01:20:19.679><c> halted</c><01:20:20.159><c> before</c><01:20:20.560><c> it</c><01:20:20.880><c> launches
• </c><01:20:21.840><c> if</c><01:20:22.320><c> it</c><01:20:22.560><c> is</c> be halted before it launches
• if it is be halted before it launches if it is too<01:20:23.040><c> expensive</c><01:20:23.679><c> essentially

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire's ABLE plan launched back in 2017.
• :22.240><c> Hampshire's</c><00:35:22.640><c> ABLE</c><00:35:22.960><c> plan</c><00:35:23.359><c> launched
• </c><00:35:23.760><c> back</c> New Hampshire's ABLE plan launched back New Hampshire's ABLE plan launched

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• hiring of an executive director and other staff, they ran into more barriers and were not able to launch
• /c><01:29:08.000><c> to</c> more barriers and were not able to more barriers and were not able to launch
• ><c> critical</c><01:29:09.960><c> agency</c><01:29:10.960><c> so</c><01:29:11.239><c> during</c> launch
• this critical agency so during launch this critical agency so during the<01:29:11.760><c> summer</c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• numbers on you know why this is going to finance, so I just want to know: the program in 2024, when it launched
• /c><00:29:25.799><c> 2024</c><00:29:26.760><c> when</c><00:29:26.880><c> it</c><00:29:27.039><c> launched
• </c><00:29:27.760><c> has</c> the program in 2024 when it launched has the program in 2024 when it launched

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• In April 2024, OGM launched a new grantee evaluation site where agencies are now required to upload performance
• ><00:09:04.040><c> April</c><00:09:04.560><c> 2024</c><00:09:05.560><c> ogm</c><00:09:06.120><c> launched
• </c><00:09:06.600><c> a</c> performance in April 2024 ogm launched a performance in April 2024 ogm launched

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• little place to go, and now it has been turned into a park where you can take a boat across from a launch
• :32.600><c> a</c> where you can take a boat across from a where you can take a boat across from a launch
• :34.720><c> Island</c><00:04:35.039><c> and</c><00:04:35.160><c> you</c><00:04:35.280><c> can</c> launch
• over to Coney Island and you can launch over to Coney Island and you can walk<00:04:36.199><c> around

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, this program was launched by Kahikina D.
• 01:28:04.719><c> this</c><01:28:04.960><c> program</c><01:28:05.280><c> was</c><01:28:05.440><c> launched
• </c><01:28:05.920><c> by</c> 2021 this program was launched by 2021 this program was launched by kahikina

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The county launched an expedited permitting system to assist residents in applying for disaster recovery
• 27.600><c> county</c> lifted within the next month the county lifted within the next month the county launched
• an</c><00:09:28.440><c> expedited</c><00:09:28.959><c> permitting</c><00:09:29.480><c> system</c> launched
• an expedited permitting system launched an expedited permitting system to<00:09:29.920><c> assist</c