Transcript Highlights:

• and I think it's an example where the groups can work together on how to figure out some way to accommodate
• 37.880><c> the</c><00:15:38.080><c> value</c><00:15:38.520><c> of</c><00:15:38.680><c> each</c> accommodate
• the value of each accommodate the value of each uh<00:15:39.920><c> makes</c><00:15:40.200><c> some<
• 00:57:40.560><c> really</c><00:57:40.960><c> tried</c><00:57:41.320><c> to</c><00:57:41.520><c> accommodate
• </c><00:57:42.280><c> all</c> um that really tried to accommodate all um that really tried to accommodate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is their chosen vendor, it does not allow for accommodations to be made for those types of situations
• I know we've had to start at 9:00 to accommodate them, but you all been very cooperative and appreciate
• I know we've had to start at 9:00<01:49:06.239><c> to</c><01:49:06.480><c> accommodate</c><01:49:07.040
• c> them,</c><01:49:07.280><c> but</c><01:49:07.600><c> you</c><01:49:07.840><c> all</c> 9:00 to accommodate
• them, but you all 9:00 to accommodate them, but you all been<01:49:08.239><c> very</c><01:49:08.480>

Bills: SB2275, SB2390, SB2540, SB3142, SB2414, SB2340, SB2848

Keywords: Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• get land for new school construction if the project generates more students than the schools can accommodate
• schools</c><00:33:47.840><c> can</c> students than the schools can students than the schools can accommodate
• . accommodate. accommodate.
• :34:46.879><c> we</c><00:34:47.040><c> go</c><00:34:47.119><c> back</c><00:34:47.200><c> to</c> accommodate
• So then we go back to accommodate. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• 11 prisons with a combined bed capacity of 9,522, though that number reflects double bunking to accommodate
• that number reflex uh double<00:33:23.240><c> bunking</c><00:33:23.919><c> to</c><00:33:24.440><c> accommodate
• </c> double bunking to accommodate double bunking to accommodate accommodate<00:33:25.679><c> a</c><00
• :33:25.840><c> larger</c><00:33:26.760><c> population</c> accommodate a larger population accommodate
• You should also note that on Friday, February 7th, to accommodate a specific need from the Commissioner

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ruthless efficiency, but not on the battlefield, in our schools, our grocery stores, our concerts, our workplaces
• ruthless efficiency, but not on the battlefield, in our schools, our grocery stores, our concerts, our workplaces

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, for the record, Kelly's staff to the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee
• generally, I'll remind the committee that the underlying substitute recommended by the Labor and Workplace

Bills: HB1073, HB1128, HB1316, HB1408, HB1591, HB1592, HB1634, HB1906, HB1960, HB2073, HB2145, HB2248, HB2266, HB2301, HB2333, HB2365, HB2401, HB2416, HB2421, HB2438, HB2474, HB2475, HB2515, HB2517, HB2523, HB2548, HB2597, HB2637, HB2640, HB2660, HB2675, HB2685, HB2720, HB1742, HB2104, HB2186, HB2405, HB2557, HB2593, HB2636

Keywords: national guard, military support, defense, state security, veteran services, child care, workforce standards, education, child development, training requirements, postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, community preservation, development authorities, funding, local governance, state resources

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill applies broadly to public spaces, including businesses, schools, workplaces, and health care
• well-being, AB 1113 will help expand access to care, improve health outcomes, and create safer, fair workplaces

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the support of this committee, we increased our access to our workplace readiness program, which
• With the support of this committee, we increased our access to our workplace readiness program, which

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies used to use that as, you know, the employee identifier for your workplace, things like that
• Companies used to use that as, you know, the employee identifier for your workplace, things like that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1343, which would amend quorum requirements for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. The board chair testified in support, saying it has been difficult to fill all seats and that using active seats for quorum would help the board function more effectively. No opposition or questions were raised, and the committee moved on. The committee then heard SB 1578, which drew mixed testimony. DBEDT supported the measure and the Attorney General suggested inserting preamble language from HB 1025 to provide historical context on the East-West Center. Austin Martin of the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it could invite improper behavior, create loosely regulated satellite offices, increase foreign influence, and add competition for land ownership. The committee took no vote during the hearing. The bulk of the meeting focused on SB 1641, a measure to establish a Hawaiʻi film commission/authority and related funding and governance structure. DBEDT supported the intent and offered friendly amendments to clarify the distinction between film and media industries, while the Honolulu Film Office and labor representatives from IATSE, Teamsters, and Pride at Work supported the bill but urged changes. Their concerns centered on conflicts of interest, especially having producers on the commission, and they asked for more labor representation and clearer oversight rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional and special-fund concerns, saying the grant standards and special-fund language needed work. Committee members discussed renaming the entity as a Hawaiʻi Film Authority, broadening its scope beyond cultural production, adjusting the commission makeup, and clarifying funding sources, including the existing film and creative industries fund and the 0.2% rebate contribution. No final vote was taken in the portion provided, but members indicated the bill would need substantial revisions and an HD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're facing a mental health and substance abuse crisis. that affects families, schools, workplaces across
• Also, Senate Bill 240 required the establishment of workplace violence and prevention programs and healthcare

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking for testimony to be limited to two minutes in order to accommodate more than two dozen
• </c><00:09:15.920><c> more</c> two minutes in order to accommodate more two minutes in order to accommodate
• Cooperatives can still accommodate most residential members who are wanting to install solar systems
• </c><00:59:35.400><c> most</c> cooperatives can still accommodate most cooperatives can still accommodate
• </c><01:30:24.239><c> situations</c> drafted does not accommodate situations drafted does not accommodate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's let the proceeding finish out, and then we can always come back in the next session and make accommodation
• Work from an Inclusive State Workplace. >> House Bill 1248 is on third reading, final passage.
• Delegate Wool work from an<03:09:43.920><c> inclusive</c><03:09:44.319><c> state</c><03:09:44.560><c> workplace
• </c> an inclusive state workplace. an inclusive state workplace.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• executive session on House Bill 1370 relative to the reporting requirements for the identification and accommodation
• Hampshire currently, as I stated, does not have a single law that clearly outlines teachers' basic workplace
• clearly outlines single law that clearly outlines teachers<03:13:25.680><c> basic</c><03:13:26.080><c> workplace
• </c><03:13:26.720><c> rights</c><03:13:27.120><c> in</c><03:13:27.359><c> one</c> teachers basic workplace
• rights in one teachers basic workplace rights in one place.<03:13:28.239><c> Instead,</c><03:13:28.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a long-standing commitment to providing accommodations that ensure access to our courts.
• We have a long-standing commitment to providing accommodations that ensure access to our courts.
• We have a long-standing commitment to providing accommodations that ensure access to our courts.
• We have a long-standing commitment to providing accommodations that ensure access to our courts.
• </c> commitment to providing accommodations commitment to providing accommodations that<00:21:15.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• inspection program mirroring Maine's and Vermont's and developing it as between these states to accommodate
• inspection program mirroring Maine's and Vermont's and developing it as between these states to accommodate
• inspection program mirroring Maine's and Vermont's and developing it as between these states to accommodate
• inspection program mirroring Maine's and Vermont's and developing it as between these states to accommodate
• inspection program mirroring Maine's and Vermont's and developing it as between these states to accommodate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a work session and then executive session on HB 396, which would allow processing of beef cows, swine, sheep, and goats at facilities not certified by USDA. Representative Comtois presented a revised amendment after prior drafting issues were corrected. The changes narrowed the bill to cuts of meat rather than meat food products, clarified labeling for amenable and non-amenable species, removed an exemption from federal law, struck a seasonal date range at Representative Bixby’s request, and reinstated a previously removed section. Supporters said the amendment now had clearer language and better safeguards, while some members still expressed reservations about the underlying policy. Testimony from DHHS food safety officials emphasized that the department does not inspect custom-exempt facilities and would have little oversight unless there were a complaint or foodborne outbreak. They noted concerns about removing the September 1 to April 30 date range, explaining it had been included in the original bill because of temperature and storage concerns for large animals, and they also said the amendment appeared to focus documentation requirements on bison, elk, and red deer. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the proposal would create food safety risks, whether farmers should instead be educated and helped to aggregate processing capacity, and whether the bill would expose farmers, retailers, and restaurants to federal enforcement risk. Rob Johnson of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau said the organization had recently voted down a policy opposing state regulations that would allow uninspected meat sales at retail, and he said he needed to consult further with Farm Bureau leadership before taking a position on HB 396. He suggested the bill should use the broader term “dairy and beef cattle” rather than “beef cows” for consistency. Supporters argued the bill would help small farmers, expand local food access, and reflect an intrastate policy choice despite conflict with federal law. The committee then moved into executive session and voted to approve amendment 2025-3090H, with members stating they would likely have different views on the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• conversations about the mental health of some of our kids, we've talked about the home and hospital accommodation
• conversations about the mental health of some of our kids, we've talked about the home and hospital accommodation
• think, you know, what we've been working with the council, the CPE, is trying to find a way to accommodate
• find</c><01:03:30.319><c> a</c><01:03:30.559><c> way</c><01:03:30.720><c> to</c><01:03:30.880><c> accommodate
• </c><01:03:31.760><c> uh</c> trying to find a way to accommodate uh trying to find a way to accommodate

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 History of SEEK 00:02:15 Summary of On-Behalf Payments 00:12:40 Discussion on Collection of University Debt Department of Revenue 00:32:40 Northern Kentucky University 00:57:10, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the September 17 meeting, and heard a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education staff on SEEK school funding and KDE on-behalf payments. KDE explained recent SEEK changes, including the guaranteed base per-pupil amount, attendance-based calculations, second-month and January growth, the 2022 change funding kindergarten at 100% instead of 50%, and the existing add-ons for at-risk students, exceptional children, limited English learners, home/hospital instruction, and transportation. Staff also reviewed tier one funding, noting the 2024 increase from 15% to 17.5% and explaining that eligibility depends on local tax effort and property wealth. They also described Senate Bill 6 from the 2025 session as a reporting proposal to include on-behalf costs in education spending totals. KDE staff then outlined on-behalf payments made for districts, including roughly $458 million for Teachers Retirement System contributions, $942 million for health insurance, about $12 million for technology costs, and additional SFCC debt service outside KDE’s appropriation, for a total of about $1.5 billion. Members asked how a future Senate Bill 6 would affect local contributions and whether folding on-behalf payments into SEEK would shift costs among districts. KDE and Senator Gibbons clarified that the bill was intended only as a reporting mechanism and would not change local contribution or district payments; it would simply present a broader total of state education investment. The discussion also noted that Kentucky’s reported SEEK amount alone does not capture all state education spending. Members raised questions about home and hospital instruction data, saying local concerns suggest growth in some communities even if statewide numbers appear stable. KDE said the statewide figure has been relatively consistent but offered to provide district-level trend data. Co-Chair Petrie also asked about the accuracy of SEEK projections and on-behalf calculations, referencing prior concerns from the Office of Education Accountability. KDE responded that it works with the state budget director’s office in a consensus forecasting process and has been reviewing demographic and property-assessment data, including exceptional child counts, to improve forecast accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• says we could go up to a total of 3 million megawatt hours, which would be more than enough to accommodate
• says we could go up to a total of 3 million megawatt hours, which would be more than enough to accommodate
• says we could go up to a total of 3 million megawatt hours, which would be more than enough to accommodate
• says we could go up to a total of 3 million megawatt hours, which would be more than enough to accommodate
• says we could go up to a total of 3 million megawatt hours, which would be more than enough to accommodate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is to accommodate just general increases in operating costs. Thank you.
• And this is to accommodate just general increases in operating costs. Thank you.
• </c><00:42:53.359><c> um</c><00:42:53.839><c> just</c> and this is to accommodate um just and this is
• Thank you for your accommodations. Happy to answer any questions now or later.
• Thank you for your accommodations. Happy to answer any questions now or later.

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• will add it is looking to put in a hangar in Danvers the size of a football field, and it is to accommodate
• the The size of a football field, and it is to accommodate private jet traffic.
• for students with disabilities whose individual education plans require unique transportation accommodations

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses. The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications. Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The heart of what I'm trying to get at, Assemblymember, is reasonable accommodations—to know when is
• as ongoing conversations with the Chair and the committee consultants, to provide reasonable accommodations—reasonable
• consultant, student, the CSU... ...committee consultant, student, the CSU, to improve reasonable accommodations

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a policy hearing on several higher education bills. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a California approval process for short-term workforce Pell Grant programs; supporters said it would expand access to job training with consumer protections, while a neutral witness urged more work on implementation. Members raised concerns about the bill’s $4,000 tuition cap, but the measure passed 5-1 with an urgency clause and was sent to Labor and Employment. AB 1831 (Irwin) would cap compensation for certain CSU administrators, bar raises in years when tuition rises, and repeal a 2025 executive pay resolution; the author said she would amend the bill to remove retroactive repeal, narrow the scope, and clarify that it applies to base salary and non-represented managers. CFA, students, and labor groups supported the bill as an accountability measure, while CSU opposed it, arguing the cap would hurt recruitment and retention. The committee approved the bill 4-1-3 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also advanced AB 1555 (Hadwick), which would allow up to 200 students to qualify for in-state tuition at College of the Siskiyous under a cross-border regional arrangement; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 1552 (Jackson), requiring the community colleges and CSU and requesting UC to report recommendations on civic engagement and democracy education, also passed to Appropriations after some members objected that such programs could be used for partisan activity. AB 1829, which expands CalWORKs student-parent support by allowing more direct aid and waiving a 25% work-study employer match at the colleges’ discretion, passed 8-1 and was re-referred to Human Services. The committee later added on consent items and adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.