Video & Transcript : 'skill based amusement games' :

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ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Apr 2nd, 2025 at 01:00 pm

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Rough Rider Industries provides necessary job skills training and an opportunity for incarcerated individuals
  • It really doesn't impact, especially this limit I just talked about, computer-based cryptocurrency, but
  • Computer-based cryptocurrency, but it does impact the kiosks.
  • You know, when you officiate a hockey game, whether it’s the little squirts or it’s to ban them... ..
  • .a hockey game, whether it’s the little squirts or it’s to ban them.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The North Dakota House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial veto message on Senate Bill 2261. The governor vetoed the bill creating a prison industries workforce development tax credit, citing dormant Commerce Clause concerns and arguing the tax credit would create an unfair market advantage and not meaningfully help Rough Rider Industries. The House agreed to place SB 2261 on the next day’s calendar for a possible veto override. The chamber also re-referred Senate Bill 2159 to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 2133 after the Senate refused to concur with House amendments. The House then took up a series of Senate amendments and final passage votes on several bills. It concurred in amendments and passed House Bill 1140 naming the Specialist John P. Fettig, Iraq Bridge; House Bill 1241 allowing funeral home vehicles to display flashing purple lights and clarifying emergency vehicle lamp rules; House Bill 1316 imposing additional penalties for repeated violations of temporary restricted licenses; House Bill 1127 expanding Department of Financial Institutions authority and data security provisions; House Bill 1564 on Indian child welfare; House Bill 1167 requiring AI disclosure statements in political communications; House Bill 1170 on state employee annual leave; House Bill 1447 regulating virtual currency kiosks; House Bill 1278 creating a cash management board for state treasury funds; House Bill 1024, the deficiency appropriation bill; House Bill 1205 on newborn safety devices; House Bill 1204 expanding false-information rules for political ads to text messages and telephone calls; House Bill 1001, the governor’s budget; House Bill 1206 increasing penalties for DUI offenses involving a minor; House Bill 1088 on insurance penalties and restitution; and House Bill 1515 on motor vehicle warranty work compensation. Most passed with strong margins, though HB 1170 and HB 1024 drew notable opposition, and HB 1447 and HB 1204 also had several nays. The most extended debate came on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008, which proposed a constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits from the current structure to four four-year terms and repeal a constitutional restriction on proposing such changes. Supporters argued the measure would preserve institutional knowledge, allow voters to reconsider the 2022 term-limit decision, and let the public decide on the ballot. Opponents said the people had already spoken, the measure was confusing or unnecessary, and it could distract from other ballot issues. After reconsideration was granted, the House passed SCR 4008 by a vote of 53 yeas to 39 nays. The session ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until April 3, 2025.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Ways & Means Apr 21st, 2025

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are basing our numbers. on $6 per notice for certified mail.
  • So currently at a 20% limit. based on the formula.
  • My husband and I run a cookware company based out of Thales.
  • Based on these facts, it looks like...
  • It is unclear to me based on the bill that we have in front of us.
Committee: House Ways & Means
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • an extra marker on my co-chair's note that today is also WooSox opening day, so at four o'clock the game
  • Thank you. ...of evidence-based health care to the trans community.
  • reactions based in fear.
  • . ...sort of hate-based things are coming from our own citizens.
  • And we estimate that roughly a quarter of a... 180,000 hospital-based harm events each year.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jul 1st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • It violates the clear recommendations of the reparations task force to keep reparations lineage-based
  • AI companies are using algorithms to set rent prices based on rents.
  • It was a very kind of East Coast type decision based on the continual flow of water.
  • It was a very kind of East Coast type decision based on the continual flow of water.
  • changes based on speculation and not evidence.
Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote. The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 4th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and included several member and gallery introductions, including recognition of the Doctor of the Day and family members of senators. The chamber then moved to floor business on several bills, with no major debate on most measures. Senate Bill 1465 extended the sunset date for the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors to 2031 and passed 43-2, including as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 2110, as amended, allowed the sale of ungraded eggs up to 150 dozen, with the author explaining it was requested by constituents to support rural economics and farmers markets. Senators asked about the need for the bill, the cap, and food safety; the author said the limit was a starting point and noted the eggs would be sold off-premises. The bill advanced and passed 44-2. Senate Bill 1771, which authorizes the Workforce Commission to obtain more complete information on workforce development funds and retain outside counsel, had a title-restoring amendment adopted and then passed 35-11. Senate Bill 206, making public EMS services eligible as essential for drawing down federal funds, passed 42-5 and was also declared an emergency measure. The Senate also heard acknowledgements, including congratulations to Senator Seifried on her first successful day presiding and recognition of Catoosa Day at the Capitol. Announcements followed on appropriations and Oklahoma Women’s Day at the Capitol, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 02-23-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

AK

Alaska 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Jun 12th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Alaska House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • real needs of the municipalities with the traffic and the population as a result of this project, so based
  • After the holiday, the project pays a tax based on how much gas is flowing through it, not at guessed
  • community in the corridor, recognizing realities around where people live and where people will be based
  • We know that our bases in Japan and Korea should not be tied to foreign energy.
  • And the numbers we chose were based on what other states were doing.
Keywords: 905, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 5th, 2026

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Who's ready for the basketball game? We get defender championship in our arms.
  • But I'm sure somebody will announce the specifics of the basketball game.
  • Only if you play in the game tonight. San Borrego to be the official photographer.
  • Only if you play in the game tonight. Okay, referee, okay. I'll take a bye as referee.
  • Is there a Lobo game? Is there a Lobo game Friday night by chance? Mr. Speaker, there's not.
Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HM2 , HM16
Summary: The House opened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and a series of announcements and recognitions tied to Gallup-McKinley County Day, including the presentation and passage of House Memorial 15 designating February 5, 2026, as Gallup-McKinley County Day. Members spoke at length in support of Gallup and McKinley County, its Native communities, cultural traditions, Route 66 heritage, economic development, and local schools and guests in the gallery. House Memorial 15 passed unanimously, 70-0. The chamber then took up House Memorial 3 recognizing nurses and other health care professionals. Several members and guests from labor and health care organizations spoke in support, emphasizing the dedication of frontline workers and the importance of honoring nurses. The memorial passed unanimously, 70-0. The House also passed House Bill 32, a counseling licensure compact, after adopting a technical amendment, by 63-0; House Bill 33, a psychologist compact, by 64-0; and House Bill 95, creating a fifth judge position in the Second Judicial District family court division, after a friendly amendment removing an appropriation because funding was already in the budget, by 65-0. During committee reports, the House adopted favorable reports on several measures, including House Bill 70 substitute, Senate Bill 3 as amended, House Bills 246, 254, 271, 276, 288, and House Joint Memorial 3. In introductions, the House referred several memorials and Senate bills, including measures on teacher workload study, detention facility reuse, health insurance affordability, gifted education endorsements, special education, and burglary definitions. The House also announced committee meetings, upcoming events, and the annual House-versus-Senate basketball game, then recessed until the next morning.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • way we think about society, the way we live our lives, the way we spend our time, have all changed based
  • Binary people seeking medically necessary, evidence-based care.
  • care. binary people seeking medically necessary evidence-based care.
  • I apologize for returning to my remarks, but I did want to mention that based on the suggestion of a
  • His skill and passion for his work was noticed by Governor John Volpe, who named him Deputy Director
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate first adopted three congratulatory resolutions recognizing the retirements of Dolores Hayes, Lisa Audet, and Kate Fitzpatrick. It then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to the Committee on Public Service and referring House petitions to their respective committees. The chamber also adopted a conference report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 session after remarks from Senators Creem, Tarr, Lovely, and Fattman emphasizing transparency, public access, recorded votes, longer notice for hearings and conference reports, remote participation, and periodic review of the rules. The report was accepted by a 40-0 roll call. The Senate then took up the bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2538, commonly described as Shield Act 2.0. Senator Friedman and others argued the bill was needed to protect reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state and federal interference, to limit disclosure of sensitive information, to create a state-level EMTALA-style protection for emergency care and active labor, and to strengthen privacy and licensing protections for providers and institutions. Senators Cyr, Lovely, and Fattman also spoke in support, framing the bill as a response to recent federal and state threats and as an extension of Massachusetts’ prior shield-law work. The chamber considered numerous amendments. Several were rejected, including amendments by Senators Finegold and Keenan and multiple Tarr amendments on topics such as medical records, consistency with existing law, and public health data collection. Some amendments were adopted, including a Montigny amendment on health-connected data disclosure, a Brownsberger amendment further protecting privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care, a Rauch amendment clarifying protections for patients in active labor, a Tarr amendment removing an exemption for data from personal tracking devices, and a Rodrigues corrective amendment. After the amendments, the Ways and Means substitute was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and it then passed to be engrossed by a 37-3 roll call. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a memorial adjournment in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Louis P. Bertinazi. The Governor also filed a message submitting a bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities, authorizing future capital spending for energy and environmental affairs, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 1 p.m. and adjourned.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Mar 23rd, 2026

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • councils, because if they just—if the money, the Treasurer just writes the money directly to these based
  • mean, I recognize that while I live in the library that I am now the director of, we have a good tax base
  • And a lot of the places where we have libraries, there's not even a huge tax base in order to get that
  • They are the gathering places of the communities, and any funding cut, because their normal tax base
  • And it's all about the long game.
Keywords: 959, house, all
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Most of that turnback is based on utilization use in the state, and we looked at that very carefully
  • However, they were getting ahead of the game, and the left hand wasn't knowing what the right hand was
  • They're highly skilled and highly trained. They're all over this.
  • They're highly skilled and highly trained. They're placed all over the state.
  • But, no, normally we just, we plan on sort of the next one in based on a discharge coming up. Okay.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Feb 11th, 2025

Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 1021 has been a huge game changer.
  • After that, we had to explain to people that all the cycles are based on the CO date.
  • I’ve had some questions on unsafe structure, and here is what I can tell people that is based on fact
  • And we know based on. Requiring updated appraisal every 36 months.
  • Well, 718-1-1 does allow them to share based off that model today.
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information. Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time. Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Mar 18th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Under their leadership, the players have broadened their knowledge of the game... ...broadened their
  • knowledge of the game, refined their skills in execution, and developed a tradition of superior play
  • Whereas, on a team full of exceptional athletes, defensive lineman Jordan Crawford excelled and earned game
  • case or the underlying facts of the case, rather, it is a petition to ask the judge to reconsider based
  • The courts use evidence-based programs. So what now? All right, go ahead, Senator. I just was...
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 02/10/25

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • He said the support helped mentally, physically, emotionally, and in relationship-based growth.
  • We started in 2017, and since then we've expanded into 26 states, but this is our home base.
  • </c><00:48:49.079><c> and</c> in suicide intervention skills and in suicide intervention skills and partner
  • And so, you know, the spouse is involved in the whole action, and they do have skin in the game.
  • </c><01:03:50.160><c> on</c> of what that number might be based on of what that number might be based
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 4th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, we ended up in a first-come, first-served situation based on the existing code.
  • in code that I referenced, the first-come, first-served method, we're proposing to codify a needs-based
  • like to add is that historically the first-come, first-served has been aptly described as the hunger games
  • I actually will speed up based on some of the testimony already.
  • I help educators reflect on their practice, and I help them build their instructional skills.
Committee: Senate Education
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 599, which would change the distribution of the Digital Content and Curriculum appropriation. Sponsors said the current first-come, first-served system exhausted the $1.6 million annual fund in minutes and left additional applications unfunded, so the bill would codify a needs-based rubric administered by the Department of Education. The proposal would prioritize districts serving economically disadvantaged, rural, or underserved students, projects tied to reading, math, or college and career readiness, alignment with improvement plans, strong implementation and evaluation, and applicants that did not receive prior funding. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to send HB 599 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 728, a broader rewrite of school funding definitions in Title 33. The sponsors said the bill was intended to clarify categories such as instructional staff, administrative staff, classified staff, and per-pupil staff, after an LSO review found a growing number of people being paid from instructional dollars even though they did not directly instruct students. They said the bill would create a new “instructional support staff” category for mentors, coaches, and similar roles, while preserving flexibility for rural districts and keeping current administrative flexibility language intact. Several senators questioned whether the bill would reclassify instructional coaches and mentors as administrators and whether that would affect funding or certification requirements. Public testimony on HB 728 was mixed. The Twin Falls superintendent said instructional coaches are essential in his district and asked that the bill be amended so those positions could still be funded through the instructional category. The Idaho Association of School Administrators opposed parts of the bill, saying the affected roles are instructional in nature and that the current funding formula does not leave room in the administrator allocation for additional positions. An instructional coach testified that coaches are not administrators and warned that reclassification could undermine trust with teachers. After debate, the sponsor asked that the bill be sent to the amending order with two proposed amendments, and the committee agreed by roll call vote. The committee also rejected a motion to hold the bill at the call of the chair. Before adjournment, the chair noted the committee had not finished its agenda and would meet again the following afternoon.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 4th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, we ended up in a first-come, first-served situation based on the existing code.
  • in code that I referenced, the first-come, first-served method, we're proposing to codify a needs-based
  • like to add is that historically the first-come, first-served has been aptly described as the hunger games
  • I actually will speed up based on some of the testimony already.
  • I help educators reflect on their practice, and I help them build their instructional skills.
Committee: Senate Education
Keywords: 989, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HHS-CPN, CPN-HWN, CPN-LBT Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • 11.200><c> people</c> &gt;&gt; Um based upon numerous people &gt;&gt; Um based upon numerous people testifying
  • should the taxpayers subsidize that game with preferential tax rate?
  • </c> Rental cars are just a cash flow game Rental cars are just a cash flow game that<01:24:18.080><c
  • </c> taxpayers subsidize that game taxpayers subsidize that game &gt;&gt; with<01:24:40.480><c> preferential
  • But that is one area that we don't have the proper skill set for. >> Okay. Thank you.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.