Transcript Highlights:

• This initiative in the broader work of the Office of Special Education began with the executive order
• Following the executive order, the LESC, you will hear. Held listening sessions across the state.
• Secretary, I don't know if you got a chance to talk to Colonel Megan Cornett from the, she's the executive
• , executive director of the New Mexico Office of Military Based Planning and Support.
• orders, I guess, and whatever else was issued by uh the executive in DC.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we'll open public testimony and I'll call up Clay Taylor, Executive Director of the DPS Officers
• My name is Clay Taylor, I'm the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety Officers
• We have members; we have Amy Cardona, the Executive Director for the Pension Review Board, in case anyone
• Responsibility doesn't seem to know how they're going to execute a majority of this.
• office, including dozens of cases defending legislation passed by the Texas legislature or Texas executive

Bills: SB524, SB782, HB42, HB1056, HB2894, HB3033, HB3474, HB3594, HB4738, HB5246, HB42

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• Open the executive session on Senate Bill 97FN, relative to intradistrict public school transfers, and
• Open the executive session on Senate Bill 97FN, relative to intradistrict public school transfers, and
• Open the executive session on Noble.
• Open the executive session on Senate<00:39:23.840> Bill<00:39:24.400> 97FN.
• We'll conclude that executive session. Yeah, so that's the last bill that we'll deal with today.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 34, concerning parental consent for student participation in the Medicaid-to-schools program. Members said they were not comfortable with a suggested amendment and wanted more information from Health and Human Services about how the program and billing work. On motion by Representative Noble, seconded by Representative Freeman, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill, 18-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Supporters said the bill could help parents and teachers recognize warning signs early and could be life-saving in some cases. Opponents argued the material belonged on the Health and Human Services website rather than the DOE site, and some suggested a narrower link-only approach. After discussion, the committee voted 13-5 to ought to pass, with a minority report requested. The final major item was Senate Bill 97FN on intradistrict public school transfers. The committee first adopted an amendment that incorporated provisions from House Bill 68, required superintendents to approve best-interest transfer requests unless they failed to meet requirements, and revised language on capacity and accommodation. Supporters said the changes would help students, including those facing bullying, while opponents raised concerns about local control, capacity, and fairness to families who can transport children. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report requested. The chair then announced the next meetings would be on the 21st and 27th, and reminded members to watch the Senate calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• We show Fred Poston, Executive Director, TXMP. ...ADA 4 House Bill 4568.
• I am John Barham, Executive Director of the Noasis River Authority.
• Executive Director, Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society here for House Bill 5458. That's correct.
• I'm Matt Wagner, Executive Director of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
• The Chair recognizes Chris Patti, Executive Director of the Textile Association.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• President Trump has signed more than 125 executive orders in less than 100 days, and many of them apply
• As I said, many of which were in process of execution and for which we have, because of the way the system
• I stated, my name is Bcia Davenport, and I am the chief executive officer for Los Angeles County.
• I am the chief executive officer for Los Angeles County.
• Jack Anderson with the County Health Executives Association of California, representing our local health

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Scott Bingaman, and I'm the executive director of the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
• Bingaman, and I'm the executive director of the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
• . in his last administration and looking into the AATB through an executive order.
• I'm owner and executive director of Cadaver Lab S.A. in San Antonio, a bioskills facility, and I'm here
• firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement medics in emergency procedures that rely on flawless execution

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next is Yasmin Chain, Executive Director, Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women, in support
• Up next is Yasmin Chain, Executive Director, Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women, in support
• Hi, Yasmine Cheney, Executive Director for the Commission on the Status of Women.
• Next to testify, Christian Fern, Executive Director for OPA, in support, in person. Thank you.
• We also received testimony from the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaiʻi County Council District 2,

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our partner at Minnesota Sports and Events has an exceptional track record of planning and executing
• <00:09:48.720> of<00:09:48.959> planning<00:09:49.519> and<00:09:49.839> executing
• record of planning and executing record of planning and executing worldclass<00:09:50.959> sporting
• uplift the region's economy, reputation, and quality of life through the attraction, promotion, and execution
• uplift the region's economy, reputation, and quality of life through the attraction, promotion, and execution

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 107, a proposal by Representatives Norris and Witty to provide a $5 million grant through Explore Minnesota to help cover costs of hosting the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The authors and supporters described Minnesota’s hockey culture, the tournament’s international profile, and expected benefits, including about 250,000 spectators, a projected $75 million economic impact, and broader tourism and exposure for communities across the state. Testimony in support came from hockey legend Lou Nanne, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Wendy Blackshaw of Minnesota Sports and Events. Nanne called the tournament a major opportunity to showcase Minnesota and said it should be viewed as an income generator. Carter emphasized the event’s prestige and the chance to boost St. Paul’s economy and reputation as a hockey destination. Blackshaw said the funding would cover actual event expenses such as public safety, operations, venue costs, and transportation, and explained that without the grant, Minnesota Sports and Events would have to slow or pause bidding on future events such as gymnastics trials, NCAA wrestling, men’s basketball, the NFL draft, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and WWE events. Members asked questions about how much of the economic benefit would come from out-of-state visitors, how the $5 million figure was chosen, and what would happen if the grant were not approved. Blackshaw said the organization uses University of Minnesota economic studies and ticket-sales analysis to estimate visitor spending, and said the $5 million would pay for World Juniors expenses while ticket revenue would support future events. The chair noted the bill would be held over for further consideration, and no vote was taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got you as Rachel Naylor, executive director of T A H P E R D. Correct. All right.
• Including as the director of PE and health, and now the executive director of this incredible organization
• All right, and I'll show you as John McCourt, executive director of Texas Retailers Association, against
• I had this privilege of serving as the executive director of the Retailers Association here in Texas
• Um, I believe that California was done by executive order.

Bills: HB25, HB38

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, interest rate, ad valorem taxes, homesteads, property tax, tax deferral

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair then asked if he wished to hear from a registered maternal health nurse and executive director
• if the state wanted more strict requirements, that would be a legislative policy question, not an executive
• Representative Thomas said the issue is a legislative question, not an executive question.
• saying it's a legislative question not saying it's a legislative question not an<00:36:24.800> executive
• question so if we're going an executive question so if we're going to<00:36:26.560> have<00:36

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 16:20 HB 90 Discussion 17:00 HB 90 Vote 25:40 HB 398 Discussion 30:55 HB 398 Vote 38:52 HB 580 Discussion 40:10 HB 580 Vote 42:10 HB 87 Discussion 44:12 HB 87 Vote 44:54 HB 422 Discussion 46:00 HB 422 Vote 46:43 Adjournment 47:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 12, 2025, after waiting for the Senate to adjourn so the committee could officially convene. The committee first took up House Bill 90, which concerned freestanding birthing centers and related medical language. Testimony from Representative Jason Nemes, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky, and a representative from Kentucky Right to Life focused on clarifying what medical procedures are not abortions under Kentucky law, including miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to reduce confusion and barriers to care for physicians and patients, while Senator Armstrong and Senator Berg raised concerns about the late-arriving substitute, terminology, and whether the bill was being accurately described as supported by ACOG. The committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and House Bill 90 passed with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 398, relating to occupational safety and health. Representative Walker Thomas said the bill would prevent Kentucky from adopting or enforcing regulations stricter than federal OSHA standards, arguing it would create uniformity for businesses operating in multiple states while preserving worker safety. Senator Armstrong questioned what would happen if federal OSHA were eliminated and argued the bill could reduce Kentucky’s ability to address state-specific workplace hazards; Representative Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state-plan state and would retain the ability to act if needed, and that the measure was about administrative regulation rather than legislation. After a committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed 8-1, with Senator Armstrong voting no. House Bill 580, concerning alcohol and drug counselors and peer support specialists, was presented next. Representative Kim Moore and Elena Sweezy explained that the bill would add structure, training, and supervision requirements for peer support specialists, limit group settings to eight patients, shorten temporary peer support status to nine months, and require additional supervision hours so trainees can complete required training. The bill passed with favorable expression, with Senator Nemes voting no. House Bill 87, relating to employment and occupational licensing, followed; Representative Emily Callaway said it would reduce barriers for people with felony records and help “second chance” citizens enter the workforce. Several senators supported the goal but Senator McDaniel noted caution about substance-use billing and oversight, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 422, relating to administrative regulations, was described by Representative Derrick Lewis as a streamlining measure that would reduce paperwork and simplify the regulatory process. It also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raina LaTorna, who is Associate Professor in the USF College of Nursing and the founding executive director
• The culture is what's executing that.
• Audria Denker, who's the chief executive officer for Galen College of Nursing. Yes.
• Denker, who is the chief executive officer for Galen College of Nursing. Yes, thank you.
• So I think it's a matter also of educating our chief executive officers at our hospitals around the state

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to focus on nursing education funding, workforce supply, and Florida’s low NCLEX pass rates. The chair emphasized that Florida ranks last nationally in nursing exam pass rates and said the committee wants to use budget decisions and a forthcoming nursing bill to improve outcomes. The Florida Center for Nursing at USF presented preliminary workforce and education data showing RN supply is moving toward equilibrium with demand through 2037, while LPN shortages are projected to worsen, especially in some regions. The center also reported on enrollment, retention, faculty vacancies, and NCLEX trends, noting Florida still underperforms the national average but has shown some recent improvement, including higher RN pass rates in 2024 despite fewer test takers. The center highlighted that students who test sooner after graduation tend to pass at higher rates. A panel of nursing education leaders from public universities, state colleges, technical colleges, and private institutions described how prior state pipeline and line-item funding helped expand enrollment, simulation labs, faculty hiring, student support services, and partnerships with hospitals. UNF, Galen College, College of Central Florida, Keiser University, and Lorenzo Walker Technical College each reported strategies such as expanded simulation, mental health and social work support, test-prep and remediation, and efforts to grow faculty pipelines. Several speakers said faculty recruitment and retention remain major barriers because of salary competition with hospitals, faculty debt, and aging faculty. Technical college representatives also stressed the need to strengthen LPN pathways, English-language support, and LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Members asked for ideas to improve NCLEX outcomes and discussed possible policy options, including student loan forgiveness, critical shortage supplements for faculty, incentives for students to test soon after graduation, and possible changes to timing or regulation around NCLEX eligibility. Several witnesses supported more flexible or recurring funding, while noting that one-time line funding has been useful for simulation, scholarships, and faculty support but is harder to sustain. The committee adjourned after the discussion, with the chair saying the ideas would be considered in future funding and policy decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've reviewed them before they're approved, and then following up behind to make sure that they're executing
• We execute that faithfully.
• Our inspections team executed over 2,500 inspections last year, and across inspections and complaints
• We execute that faithfully.
• Our inspections team executed over 2,500 inspections last year, and across inspections and complaints

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met to receive oversight briefings on Florida’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and from the University of Florida’s Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research. OMMU Director Christopher Kimball outlined the program’s structure, including more than 900,000 active patients, nearly 7,000 caregivers, 27 MMTC licensees, 706 dispensing locations, and nine certified testing labs. He described the state’s pre-approval process for products and advertising, plain packaging requirements, seed-to-sale tracking, registry operations, and compliance efforts such as background checks, inspections, complaint investigations, and lab desk audits. He also said the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Jacksonville had been accredited to begin supporting testing. Members asked about telehealth, patient growth, product safety, advertising to children, inspections, and the status of MMTC licensure; Kimball said recertifications by telehealth now make up more than half of recertifications, that patient growth has slowed, and that ongoing litigation is delaying issuance of 22 new MMTC licenses. Kimball also discussed implementation of recent legislation and licensure changes, including licenses issued under HB 387 and SB 1582 to applicants from the original Pigford-related pool, with additional cure opportunities still ongoing. He said the department is monitoring diversion, inversion, and unapproved products, and that it coordinates with law enforcement when needed but does not itself have sworn authority. In response to questions, he said the department does not regulate physicians directly, but may refer concerns to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, and that caregiver and physician participation requirements are set by statute. Members raised concerns about edibles, child access, and continued use of child-attractive branding; Kimball said the department tries to catch issues through pre-approval and enforcement, and that complaints involving children are treated as serious and investigated using available records and camera footage. Dr. Almond Winterstein then presented the consortium’s research overview. He explained that the consortium was created by statute in 2019, includes 10 universities, and is funded by annual state appropriations. He said its work includes grants, a research repository, a clinical core, outreach, and evidence synthesis, including a recent FDA-supported review of cannabis evidence. He emphasized that the current evidence base is limited and often low quality, with the strongest signals for symptom relief in PTSD-related symptoms, nausea, and some pain outcomes, but with many studies inconclusive or mixed. He also described the consortium’s use of registry data linked to Medicaid, Medicare, death, fetal death, and birth records to study safety and outcomes, including children, pregnancy, driving safety, opioid-sparing effects, and adverse events. Winterstein said adverse event reporting is sparse and likely underreported, with most reports mild but some serious events noted, and he expressed concern about use among young adults because of uncertain benefit-risk and possible effects on the developing brain. The committee discussed the need for better surveillance, more robust adverse event reporting, and the possibility of using linked data to identify harms more quickly. At the end of the meeting, the committee rose without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam Emerson, Executive Director, Office of School Choice, and then Darren Norris, Vice Chancellor, Office
• Deputy Commissioner, Executive Director Emerson, you are recognized.
• Thank you, Deputy Commissioner, Executive Director Emerson, you were recognized.
• Commissioner, Chancellor, Executive Directors, thank you for your presentation. It was in-depth.
• And Commissioner, Executive Director, you talked about this number—524,000 students.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, just rulewise, you don't have to even call the executive session. You don't have to open it.
• have to even call the executive session. have to even call the executive session.
• >> we're going to open the executive >> we're going to open the executive session<03
• And with that, I'm going to close the executive session on House Resolution 38. >> All right.
• I'm going to close the executive session on CCR 23, and I believe that concludes our business.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• start by doing some education of members and of the public and of our sister agencies uh in the executive
• We'll be hearing from the executive officer of the Kentucky pre-trial services uh in the Kentucky Court
• Lynn has a great background and uh in in as an attorney, as a prosecutor, and she's now the executive
• we have Lynn Costales, the executive we have Lynn Costales, the executive director<00:14:55.600>
• director of the sex abuse executive director of the sex abuse treatment<00:15:11.600> center.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Director, thank you. Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, with comments.
• As executive director, De Minakami spoke.
• First, we have the Executive Office on Aging in support on Zoom.
• We have the Executive Office on Aging in support on Zoom, not present.
• My name is Brian McIher on behalf of the cabin Executive Director Kirby Shaw.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, do I have a motion to come out of executive session to save me?
• I printed the executive summary.
• printed the executive printed the executive summary<00:55:44.240> please<00:55:45.119>
• We will be going into executive session on 399. Right.
• All right, now it's executive session, right? Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DB is executive director for the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• > you<00:16:47.279> D<00:16:47.639> B<00:16:48.000> is<00:16:48.160> executive
• support thank you D B is executive support thank you D B is executive director<00:16:48.839>
• Liza Ryan Gil, Executive Director of the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
• I'll Bill 147, relating to attachment and execution of real property.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• the statewide EMS system as a whole, in addition to EMSRB operations prior to my arrival as its executive
• branch in the office of EMS executive branch in the office of EMS and<00:27:02.840> also<00:27
• <00:37:08.920> director<00:37:09.240> Ferguson that executive director Ferguson that
• executive director Ferguson referred<00:37:10.119> to<00:37:10.319> that<00:37:10.520>
• improve its oversight of the executive improve its oversight of the executive director<01:13:34.360

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, at this time I ask that we move to the posture of executive nominations.
• President, that concludes the executive nominations. Will there be debate?
• With a vote of 44 aye votes and one nay vote, I declare the executive nomination to have passed.

Bills: HCR1006, SB1226, SB1239, SB1309, SB2132, SB1189, SB1344, SB1295, SB1355, SB1998, SB1330, SB1297, SB1338, SB1546, SB1378, SB1859, SB1333, SB1341, SB1377, SB1990

Keywords: campaign finance, election spending, political spending, money in politics, constitutional amendment, Citizens United, free speech, ballot measures, elections, corruption, dark money, outside spending, foreign influence, special interests, corporations, unions, federalism, self-government, political equality, term limits