Transcript Highlights:

• already have it developed but not already have it developed but not necessarily<00:28:07.279>
• <00:50:55.359> Uh inter uh state agreements we have.
• Uh inter uh state agreements we have.
• <02:55:40.000> upon in collective bargaining agreements upon in collective bargaining agreements
• :16.319> bill comprehensive education funding bill comprehensive education funding bill we've<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:24:45.320> update professional development update professional development update Community
• > just teacher training and development it just teacher training and development it just was<01:39
• <01:40:40.480> the are the ones who will be developing the are the ones who will be developing
• The limit is stated in the agreement that may differ from what's in this.
• <02:31:21.560> which collective bargaining agreement which collective bargaining agreement

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects. Representative Cahill, the prime sponsor, said the bill would raise the annual minimum from $50 million to $60 million and help address a long backlog of school construction and renovation needs after years of a moratorium on applications. He argued that districts forced to build during the moratorium were left to shoulder costs through local property taxes, and he cited examples such as Londonderry, Claremont, and other communities with aging or inadequate facilities. He also said the current aid structure, including paying 80% upfront and 20% at completion, concentrates too much spending at once and limits how many projects can be funded. Several committee members asked about the fairness and structure of the program. Representative Maguire questioned whether aid should be distributed more broadly to all districts rather than only a few selected projects, and Representative Luneau noted that the committee would also be considering related bills on catastrophic aid, special education aid, and the school foundation formula. Cahill responded that building aid has historically been targeted to property-poor communities and that the state should be a reliable partner in school construction. He also said the bill includes a small retroactive component for communities that built during the moratorium, which he described as a compromise. Testimony in support came from Representative Cluder, who described Claremont’s Stevens High School project as a case where a bond issue narrowly failed and the city later had to fund renovations without state aid, contributing to high property taxes. He said the bill would help property-poor communities and urged passage. Tony Weinstein of New Market also supported the bill, saying his community had serious facility and safety needs, had moved forward with scaled-back renovations during the moratorium, and still faced debt-service burdens without state participation. Robert Thompson, superintendent in Hampstead, testified that his district needs an addition for overcrowding, safety, and special education space, and said building aid would help reduce out-of-district placements and transportation costs. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, we might be able to find some agreement on some of this.
• So, um, we might be able to find some agreement on some of this.
• So, um, we might be able to find some agreement on some of this.
• making sure that we have comprehension making sure that we have comprehension for<00:52:58.559><
• governments on joint powers agreements governments on joint powers agreements or<01:12:53.840>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They nullified the loan agreement pretty much.
• We have the same setup at State Economic Development.
• A comprehensible list here or a full list, if you will.
• Is it economic development? Is it both?
• We would put all of that in a side agreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are meeting our mission of enhancing economic development.
• So we definitely all of this emphasizing what we are doing with economic development.
• have an agreement with them, and then the agreement with the University of Louisville.
• There is an an agreement Louisville?
• the agreement with the University then the agreement with the University of<01:13:32.000> Louisville

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Separate from that performance-based agreement, there is a management agreement that the school and the
• performance-based agreement is an agreement that they would enter into that they have five years to
• Will that portion of the agreement be regulated by the DOE and its creation of the overall Agreement,
• agreement.
• Beyond the performance-based agreement, they have that management agreement that they're entering into

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also in agreement with some of the amendments that were made from the DHS, including an extended
• <00:25:45.520> So collaborative practice agreement. So collaborative practice agreement.
• :25:49.679> the<00:25:49.760> amendments agreement with some of the amendments agreement
• We also stand in agreement with the unanimous opposition vote by the Hawaii Board of Pharmacy.
• Jack Leuen, Hawaii State Health Planning and Development. exist? So, thank you so much.

Keywords: 910, house, all

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:

• CARE PLANS AND THAT REALLY IS A UNIQUE CONCEPT IN THAT THESE INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS DEVELOP THE CARE
• PLAN TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY BASED ALTERNATIVES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
• AND BASICALLY IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE PACE HAS OPENED IN FLORIDA AND IS A THREE WAY AGREEMENT.
• YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE RETURN AND THE THREE PARTY AGREEMENT.
• THEY ARE USED IN THE RATE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then um I also always sort of come back to um somebody an economic development person told me one
• And so, uh, how are we looking at that as economic development.
• Finally, uh, a couple more items in the Department of Economic Development.
• Uh, very much want to, uh, acknowledge and appreciate the very comprehensive list.
• And how do we think about that when our rural communities get to that point of development.

Transcript Highlights:

• performance-based agreement is an agreement that they would enter into that they have five years to
• Will that portion of the agreement be regulated by the DOE and its creation of the overall agreement,
• agreement.
• agreement.
• Beyond the performance-based agreement, they have that management agreement that they're entering into

Summary: The House took up a series of Senate messages and concurred in several amendments before passing multiple bills. Early actions included unanimous passage of CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after removing a Senate-added trust-account provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties in business ownership after trimming registration requirements. The chamber also insisted on its housing amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 after the Senate refused to concur. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation. The House adopted an amendment restoring two teacher-prep courses, preserving the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College in partnership with USF, and modifying the teacher candidate testing framework and mentor qualifications. Supporters said it reduced barriers while keeping standards; opponents raised concerns about the remaining “identity politics” language and other provisions. The bill then passed 91-22. The House also passed HB 1101 on out-of-network providers after adopting a House amendment that kept the original bill’s notice and referral provisions with a good-cause exemption, despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. Later, the chamber approved CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, with members highlighting debris management, emergency planning, crane safety, and hurricane recovery provisions; it passed unanimously. The House then rejected concurrence in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration, and later spent substantial time debating CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, especially Schools of Hope, expanded co-location authority, funding, transportation, and school-district agreement terms. Critics argued the language was added late and could disadvantage traditional public schools, while supporters said it would expand options for students; the debate continued with the bill still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is not a new development, right?
• And it does have to be comprehensive, in that we're seeing leakage.
• Sometimes it's 10, 20 solutions, sometimes a comprehensive solution.
• So that's an investment strategy that our hospitals have developed.
• There should be comprehensive reform.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget agreement includes $180 million for universal free school meals, ensuring all students in
• The budget agreement includes $180 million for universal free school meals, ensuring all students in
• Amid continual uncertainty from Washington, the budget agreement maintains access to comprehensive health
• That fee agreements worked out between a landlord and a broker are not passed on to tenants.
• Again, it is unprecedented times when the consensus revenue agreement was reached in general.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up and passed several House bills establishing sick leave banks, including House 4182 for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and House 1590 for Eric J. Awaniak. It also advanced and then enacted House 4237, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill providing interim funding before final action on the general appropriations act. During the session, Senator Collins also recognized Chaplain Clementina Cherry of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute as a distinguished guest, with remarks entered into the record. The main business was the conference committee report on the fiscal year 2026 state budget, House 4001/House 4240. Senate Ways and Means leadership described the budget as balanced, on time, and fiscally responsible, with $61.01 billion in spending, no new taxes or fees, and a $33 million deposit to the stabilization fund. They highlighted major investments in Chapter 70 school aid, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, unrestricted local aid, MassEducate, universal free school meals, MBTA and regional transit funding, MassHealth, food security, and mental health services. The report also included policy items such as broker fee responsibility, fare-free regional transit, housing studies, a gold star family annuity provision, and a crumbling concrete commission. Minority leader Senator Tarr and others questioned the spending reductions, use of one-time funds, and the treatment of excess capital gains, arguing for greater fiscal caution and concern about future federal actions and long-term spending growth. Supporters responded that the reductions reflected revenue uncertainty, federal policy risks, and the need to preserve budget stability, while using some one-time sources to balance the plan. The conference report was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-2, the emergency preamble for House 4240 was approved by standing vote, and the FY26 general appropriations bill was then enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to dispense with printing a calendar for the next session and adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board of Regents to fund a comprehensive Board of Regents to fund a comprehensive study<00:02:13.280
• This study is energy development.
• With the and business development.
• innovation and economic development. innovation and economic development.
• Beyond its environmental development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost to develop and implement community benefit agreements and mitigation activities are not known
• <01:06:18.640> of of all to weigh in on the development of of all to weigh in on the development
• The city and county development.
• <01:36:45.840> review simplified, more comprehensive review simplified, more comprehensive
• providing accurate and comprehensive providing accurate and comprehensive reports<01:36:51.280><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an SMR Nuclear development.
• And it's very comprehensive.
• with developing these solar and wind developers, build the project and then transfer them at the end
• agreements to enable this power to be provided. ...purchase agreements as well as other types of agreements
• And so to date, in terms of our power agreements, we've made a lot of agreements with different customers

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT CLARIFIES WHICH JURISDICTIONS CAN SHARE BUILDING OFFICIALS INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS, AND SMALL RURAL
• WE HAVE THIS AGREEMENT AND WHAT WE HAVE CHANGED IN THE BILL THAT BASICALLY WE ARE SAYING IF THERE IS
• ORIGINALLY THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN IS IT HAD A HARD CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT AND THEN WE TRIED TO CHANGE
• WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BOTS ARE THERE JUST BUYING THE RESERVATION AND THERE IS NO CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT
• TIMBER IS OBVIOUSLY SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to hear House Bill 1387, State Economic Development Contract by Rep. Overdorf.
• But before that, we'll go to House Bill 399, Land Use and Development Regulations.
• Representative Borrero: So when they review, approve or deny a development application, developers and
• So they can't base review costs based Representative Borrero: On percentage of the development, the development
• And then it also requires a study on urban development boundaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Force in terms of developing a task force for a school nurse orientation.
• District policies exist, but policies are not the same as a comprehensive structured orientation that
• A comprehensive orientation isn't just helpful. It is critical. So thank you for your time.
• That does speak to that comprehensively in other parts of the bill. Yes, sir.
• That does speak to that comprehensively in other parts of the bill. Yes, sir.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first advanced SB 1224, which requires DCFS to look into cases where a child under 17 is involved in a pregnancy, with added oversight for children under 12; it was reported favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 1100, described as repealing an outdated statute. White Coat Day remarks welcomed physicians to the Capitol and thanked them for their service, including efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and physician licensure, was reported favorably. HB 1231 clarified that Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring applies to insulin-dependent patients, including those with gestational diabetes, and was also reported favorably. HB 198, which sets reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures such as colonoscopies, eye, ENT, and gastroenterology services, passed favorably. HB 1160, creating a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical graduates, prompted a lengthy exchange about delayed rulemaking and whether the board had added requirements beyond statute; despite concerns, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced several resolutions and oversight measures. HCR 67, prompted by a personal family experience with a special-needs child’s acute care needs, creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children; it was amended and reported favorably. HCR 27, calling for a statewide evaluation of autism services by LDH and the Department of Education, was reported favorably. HB 223, which recreates DCFS, was amended to shorten the sunset date and require law enforcement reporting through a secure web platform, then reported favorably. HCR 28, creating a task force on school nurse orientation and training for new graduates, was reported favorably after testimony from school nurses about the lack of standardized orientation and the risks of placing inexperienced nurses alone in schools. The committee also took up HB 469, which would allow pharmacy license renewal applicants to designate a portion of fees to eligible schools including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy; after opposition from Senator Cloud and a roll call, the bill was deferred. HB 1182, a cleanup bill changing the occupational therapy certifying entity and adjusting fees, and HB 1076, eliminating one of two sunset provisions for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, were both reported favorably. HB 1216, a major rewrite of clinical laboratory personnel rules, was deferred after concerns that it would restrict existing phlebotomy and lab functions in ways that could conflict with recent law. Finally, HB 457 and HB 616, both by Representative Knox and focused on homelessness, drew extensive testimony: HB 457 established minimum standards for shelters and similar facilities and was reported favorably as amended, while HB 616 would allow audits of homelessness-related funding and databases; after debate over privacy, federal funding oversight, and accountability, the committee adopted an amendment changing enforcement language from "may" to "shall" and continued hearing testimony from opponents and supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that comprehensive report. Yes, Mr.
• There's a lease purchase agreement that is for the land only.
• The lease purchase agreement is valued at about 8.8 million. It's a 20-acre tract of land.
• There's a lease purchase agreement that is for the land only.
• The lease purchase agreement is valued at about 8.8 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop and submit to the
• legislature an annual comprehensive marketing, branding, and tourism management plan.
• It requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop and submit to the
• legislature an annual comprehensive marketing, branding, and tourism management plan.
• It requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop and submit to the

Bills: SB2278, SB2908, SB2987

Keywords: light pollution, outdoor lighting, fully shielded, Hawaii Revised Statutes, environmental protection, night sky, lighting fixtures, local control, exemptions, athletic facilities, wildlife conservation, Hawaiian culture, 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology heard several measures on February 12, 2026. HB 1950 would dedicate 15% of transit accommodations tax revenue to a new state-led marketing and branding special fund and require an annual tourism management plan. HTA and DBEDT supported the bill as providing predictable funding for marketing and tourism management, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special fund structure as limiting legislative flexibility. Members discussed the size of the allocation and whether a tourism emergency fund would still be needed; the bill later advanced with amendments that removed some provisions and blanked out the 15% figure for further discussion, and it passed with amendments. HB 2268 would add film production marketing and promotion to HTA’s powers. The governor’s office, HTA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, and several industry groups supported the measure, arguing that film and TV exposure drives tourism and generates significant spending and tax revenue, while one individual testified in opposition. In questions, HTA said it would use existing staff and did not have a separate cost estimate. The committee amended the bill to specify that film productions are primarily filmed in Hawaii and deferred the date to continue discussion; it then passed with amendments. The committee also heard HB 2156, which would raise filing thresholds for general excise tax and transit accommodations tax filers. The Department of Taxation said the change could increase administrative burden if more filers shift from mandatory electronic filing to paper filing, while the Tax Foundation noted the filing threshold issue is separate from e-filing requirements. The bill was moved forward with a deferred date. HB 1946, concerning time-share registration renewals and amendments, drew support from ARDA and other industry testimony, with no opposition noted; DCCA was said to be in talks with the industry. It was also advanced with technical amendments and a deferred date.