Video & Transcript Research : 'consultation services'

Page 14 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are re-engineering our business models to integrate shared services, ensuring we emerge as a leaner
  • And it will allow for maintaining service.
  • shared services, ensuring we emerge<00:27:03.120><c> as</c><00:27:03.280><c> a</c><00:27:03.320><c>
  • Our children's education and service.
  • These claims arose after Meta claimed publicly and in congressional testimony that their services were
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses May 7th, 2026

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we really believe that the Enough Act will provide the wraparound services and the safety net that
  • I'm proud to run HZ day to day, providing cradle-to-career services to...
  • When people hear anti-poverty legislation, they only think about direct services.
  • Our service and advocacy approaches are based on every three year needs assessments and strategic service
  • Access to health and mental health services as needed.
Bills: S3022, H5187
Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business heard testimony on H. 5187 and S. 3022, the Enough Act, a bill creating the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Government, and Households Fund to support place-based, community-led anti-poverty work. Chairs Andy Vargas and Senator Adam Gómez opened the hearing by noting it was their final hearing of the session and emphasizing the committee’s focus on community development, early childhood, education, housing, health, and workforce pathways. Much of the testimony described the bill as a shift away from siloed programs toward coordinated, cradle-to-career strategies centered on neighborhoods with concentrated poverty. Supporters included educators, school leaders, higher education officials, philanthropy representatives, health care leaders, and nonprofit advocates. Speakers such as Strategies for Children, Chelsea Public Schools Superintendent Almei Abeyta, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Representative Antonio Cabral, and AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang argued that poverty affects learning and health long before children enter school and that schools alone cannot close opportunity gaps. They said the bill would help create backbone organizations, align services, and allow local communities to direct resources where they are most needed. Several speakers cited the Harlem Children’s Zone and similar models in Maryland, Boston, New Bedford, Springfield, Lowell, and other communities as evidence that place-based partnerships can improve outcomes and attract additional public and private investment. A large panel from the Harlem Children’s Zone, including CEO Kwame Owusukesi and Jeffrey Canada, described the model as a proven way to eliminate “luck” from children’s life chances by providing coordinated supports from birth through college and career. They stressed sustainability through long-term public-private funding, accountability, and community ownership. Other testimony from the Boston Foundation, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Eastern Bank Foundation, New Commonwealth Fund, Opportunity Boston, Cambridge Health Alliance, Boston Children’s Hospital, Blue Meridian, and the Greater Boston Food Bank echoed the need for cross-sector collaboration and community-led infrastructure. Committee members asked about how the bill would interact with existing efforts like community schools, the Student Opportunity Act, and McKinney-Vento, and witnesses said the Enough Act would complement those programs by providing the organizing structure and flexible funding to connect them. No votes were taken during the hearing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a registered nurse, health policy consultant, and president-elect for the American Organization for
  • My colleague, Denise Cohen, Red Cross RN Health Services Director, once again faced problems with the
  • <00:15:18.920><c> Health</c> Denise Cohen, Red Cross RN Health Denise Cohen, Red Cross RN Health Services
  • c> Director,</c><00:15:20.760><c> once</c><00:15:21.040><c> again</c><00:15:21.440><c> faced</c> Services
  • Director, once again faced Services Director, once again faced problems<00:15:22.280><c> with</c><00
Bills: SCR7, SCR59, SCR182
Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on three concurrent resolutions. SCR-7 would affirm that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care to pregnant people; supporters included the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, AAUW Hawaii, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, with two individuals in opposition. A member raised a wording concern about “pregnant people” versus “pregnant women,” and the chair agreed to note the comment in the committee report. The committee then recommended passage, and the measure was adopted by vote, with Representatives Alcos voting no and Garcia not voting. SCR-59 SD1 would ask the governor to establish procedures allowing certain health care professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii-issued license during a state of emergency. The Hawaii Organization of Nurse Leaders strongly supported the resolution, citing emergency response problems during Kona low storms and the Lahaina wildfires when out-of-state licensed providers were available but could not serve. The committee recommended passage as is, and the recommendation was adopted, with Representative Garcia voting with reservations. SCR-182 would request that the governor and Department of Health work with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military partners to explore a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen Hawaii’s trauma system. The Department of Health supported the measure, and a member suggested the title should reflect “Department of War,” while another member noted the federal department name has not changed; the chair said the comments would be noted in the report. The committee recommended passage, and the resolution was adopted without objection, with Representatives Martin and Olds excused.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:04:06.480><c> listed</c><00:04:06.799><c> on</c> we provide all of the services listed on we
  • provide all of the services listed on this<00:04:07.120><c> slide,</c><00:04:07.439><c> including</c>
  • And I'm here with Angela Youngerberg, a consultant for the Association of Minnesota Counties.
  • And I'm here with Angela Youngerberg, a consultant for the Association of Minnesota Counties.
  • He said he was glad to hear that Hennepin County had been consulted.
Bills: HF3439, HF3763
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Call the Oversight for Health and Human Services to order.
  • state to provide those services, it is the expectation that those services be provided.
  • Again, ...to provide those services, it is the expectation that those services be provided.
  • This would not extend to consults.
  • This would not extend to consults.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • state to provide those services, it is the expectation that those services be provided.
  • Again,... ...to provide those services, it is the expectation that those services be provided.
  • or other medical service.
  • This would not extend to consults.
  • This would not extend to consults.
Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then took up a series of health and human services bills, most of them moving forward on do-pass motions. Senate Bill 1645 would set audit procedures for Medicaid providers, with discussion focused on protecting providers from penalties for scrivener’s or typographical errors while still holding them accountable for fraud or failure to provide services. Senate Bills 1796 and 1806 addressed foster care, including a 72-hour cap on informal care and extending foster care to age 21 for youth continuing their education. Senate Bills 1423, 1425, and 1502 all repealed outdated advisory councils or programs that were no longer active or needed. SB 206, as amended, expanded licensed ambulance services as essential services to help them access more federal funding, and SB 500 sought to prevent pharmacy benefit managers from delaying payments to pharmacists. These measures were reported out with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1503, which would allow certain nonprofit pregnancy-support organizations without an Oklahoma physical address to apply for Choosing Childbirth grants. Members questioned whether state dollars could go to out-of-state personnel and how telehealth and reporting requirements would work. The bill was laid over for further amendment work. Senate Bill 1557 would place certified behavioral analysts under the State Board of Examiners of Psychology, and members raised questions about how it might interact with a separate bill affecting board authority; it passed after discussion. Senate Bill 1894 gave the podiatry board authority over continuing education, and SB 1984 was a cleanup bill for the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, including authority over certain licensure and telemedicine-related review issues; both passed after questions about scope and reciprocity. Later, the committee considered several pharmacy and insurance-related bills. SB 1344 created an insulin access and affordability program to partner with manufacturers of low-cost biosimilar insulin, and SB 1380 required Medicaid eligibility checks against death records, with an amendment discussed to protect long-term care facilities from retroactive nonpayment when eligibility is delayed. SB 1572 would commission a feasibility study on dissolving the Department of Mental Health and temporarily allow the Health Care Authority commissioner to oversee both agencies. SB 2007 required PBMs to reimburse pharmacists at actual acquisition cost when reimbursement falls below cost, with escalating fines for noncompliance. SB 2074 would impose a mandatory dispensing fee tied to the Medicaid rate; it drew extensive debate over whether costs would be shifted to employers, employees, or the state, and over the impact on pharmacy closures and rural access. The committee ultimately reported the bills out, with SB 2074 passing after lengthy discussion and a final vote.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 25th, 2026 at 02:30 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • 169 increases the annual amount of longevity payment awards to state employees by 50% across all service
  • contributions, which would include some form of cash, loan, guarantee, or other financial instrument or services
  • Senate Bill 182 allows the certified law enforcement officers of the Department of Human Services, Office
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 20th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will come to order again.
  • One was the service Oklahoma rules, which we've repealed now, and the second thing that that litigation
  • We will probably have another health and human services committee because we have exact norms, we do
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 20th, 2026

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will come to order.
  • One was the Service Oklahoma rules, which we've repealed now.
  • It updates the mentoring program to allow a broader range of mentoring service models.
  • We will probably have another Health and Human Services Committee because we have exec noms.
  • We will probably have another Health and Human Services Committee because we have exec noms.
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered the nomination of Christy D. Fisher to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Senator Stanridge presented her as a lay member with legal and paralegal experience, and Fisher spoke about her family’s experience with speech therapy and autism-related speech needs. After brief questions, the committee advanced the nomination on an 8-2 vote. The committee then heard several bills, including measures creating an Early Childhood Task Force (HB 1979), clarifying that Oklahoma has always prohibited sex-to-gender-identity amendments on birth certificates (HB 1225), and establishing a process for correcting death certificates after one year (HB 3931). Members also advanced a bill restricting edible medical marijuana products from being attractive to children (HB 4454), updating the mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents (HB 3849), and allowing juvenile safety plans to take effect if not acted on within 24 hours (HB 1746). Other bills addressed local food sales thresholds (HB 3720), allowing case managers and peer support specialists to work for cities and counties (HB 4275), DHS background-check and email-notice updates for child care centers (HB 4300), and a clarification that raising a child consistent with biological sex is not child abuse and that adoption cannot be denied solely over refusal to support a gender transition (HB 3586). The committee also advanced bills on Medicaid reimbursement for dementia cognitive assessments and care planning (HB 2268), juvenile detention medication funding (HB 3755), family resource centers including faith-based and workforce organizations (HB 4117), epilepsy insurance coverage protections (HB 4294), extending the managed care rate floor to July 1, 2028 with a carve-out for multi-state contracts (HB 3650), and child care reforms raising subsidy co-pays and directing DHS to set more flexible master-teacher ratios for certain facilities (HB 4298). Several bills were amended or worked from committee substitutes, and most passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with HB 1225, HB 3586, and HB 4294 drawing some opposition. The committee adjourned after noting it would likely meet again later for additional executive nominations.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 5/7/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • first biennium, $41.4 million in the second, and we put money into medical rates, which helps all services
  • We also did dementia services funding.
  • first biennium, $41.4 million in the second, and we put money into medical rates, which helps all services
  • We also did dementia services funding.
Bills: HF2436, HF2435
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> a</c><00:31:50.799><c> crisis,</c> If emergency services manage a crisis, If emergency services
  • </c> reduce services or close programs. reduce services or close programs.
  • </c> that uh requires the kind of service that uh requires the kind of service they're<00:41:27.760><
  • Without adequate funding, essential services fall away, and without services, families are much more
  • fall away, and without services fall away, and without services,<00:47:51.280><c> families</c><00:47
Bills: HF3425, HF3424, HF1385
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Veteran Affairs Apr 29th, 2025

Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, the Texas Armed Services Scholar Jim program was created in 2009, the vision of making Texas
  • the military academy programs to encourage the brightest students in our state to join the armed services
  • the military academy programs to encourage the brightest students in our state to join the armed services
  • As many of you know, men and women in uniform make extraordinary sacrifices in service to our nation.
  • Ultimately, this bill would better serve our service members and their spouses by making the process
Bills: HB102, HB300, SB2255
Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard three measures focused on military-connected students, service members, veterans, and their families. House Bill 102 would give eligible students in military-related university programs early registration privileges, similar to existing accommodations for expectant mothers and student athletes. House Bill 300 would modernize the Texas Armed Services Scholar program by increasing scholarship funding, clarifying the student employment agreement, and creating a scholarship coordinator at THECB to help students and families navigate the program. Senate Bill 2255 drew the most discussion and testimony. The bill would streamline occupational licensing for military members, spouses, and veterans by allowing Texas licensure based on an out-of-state license in good standing with a similar scope of practice, removing the Texas residency requirement, and shortening agency processing time from 30 days to 10 days in the committee substitute. Supporters from the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, the Texas Association of Business, the Institute for Justice, TDLR, and the VFW said the bill would reduce bureaucratic delays, improve employment opportunities, and help military families maintain income during relocations. TDLR also described current licensing confusion between state and federal rules and said the bill would improve alignment and data collection. No witnesses testified against any of the bills. After public testimony closed on each measure, HB 102, HB 300, and SB 2255 were left pending in committee. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • would be the management of the self-exclusion list that is run through or is collected through our service
  • </c><00:05:49.759><c> providers</c> collected through our service providers collected through our service
  • Those reports, we report about a—the service providers file taxes monthly, so they've not filed for the
  • All of our addiction clinicians can provide services for problem gambling, but we really support the
  • All of our addiction clinicians can provide services for problem gambling, but we really support the
Summary: The subcommittee heard an update from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation on sports wagering revenue allocations and problem gaming funding. KHRGC reported that in fiscal year 2024, about $34.4 million was deposited to the pension fund and about $931,000 to the problem gaming assistance fund; fiscal year 2025 to date, the totals were about $18.5 million and $556,000, respectively, bringing all-time problem gaming funding to about $1.48 million. Members also discussed wagering volume, with KHRGC stating Kentucky had about $3.5 billion in wagers from September 2023 through December 2024 and about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2025 to date. KHRGC explained that it tracks the funds sent to CHFS and the self-exclusion list, but does not track the number of people seeking help or the outcomes of those calls. The Division of Mental Health then described how the problem gambling assistance account is used. Patty Clark and Sarah Cooper said the fund supports education, counseling, public awareness, counselor certification, and treatment-related costs, with $50,000 reserved for administrative expenses. They said the department has spent the last 18 months establishing criteria, funding standards, performance measures, monitoring, and application procedures, and that it issued notices of funding opportunity in October. They reported about 1.49 million in the fund through the end of January, with awards including support for the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling conference, a public awareness campaign by Project Ricochet, and a youth-focused campaign by Shaunie Transformation Youth Coalition. Testimony also focused on the scope of problem gambling in Kentucky and how the helpline works. The department said fewer than 10 clinicians in Kentucky are specifically certified in problem gambling, though all addiction clinicians can provide services, and estimated about 165,000 adults show problem gambling behaviors, with 47,000 to 64,000 potentially meeting criteria for a gambling disorder. They said helpline calls rose to about 3,240 in 2024, but only about 25% were from people seeking help, with most callers seeking information about online wagering. Members asked about anonymity, follow-up, co-occurring alcohol or drug issues, and whether the fund should reimburse Medicaid or directly cover treatment costs. The presenters said calls are anonymous, outcomes are not tracked unless callers follow up, and the program is currently focused on building provider capacity and targeted outreach rather than direct reimbursement or a statewide campaign.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Indian Health Service has been doing this for decades. The U.S.
  • The Indian Health Service has been doing this for decades. The U.S.
  • There's still a great shortage of service needs.
  • </c> Health, Environmental Health Services Health, Environmental Health Services Division.
  • ,</c> ensuring access to health care services, ensuring access to health care services, as<01:29:28.800
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • When it comes to the cost of the Interior design, whether they're hiring consultants or adding things
  • It's purely based on years of service.
  • The checks are given out on their anniversary date, so it's based purely on years of service.
  • We're seeking to raise that to $10 per month per year of service.
  • They have to pay into the system when you're trying to buy back your years of Service.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Child Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is an easy bill that should prioritize efficiency and ease in how we get our services to our neighbors
  • This initiative is vital for sustaining and enhancing child care services in our rural communities.
  • the increasing number of young families has... ...intensified the demand for quality child care services
  • Members, during the first Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services established
  • It requires six hours of annual in-service training for those relatives.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is an easy bill we should prioritize—efficiency and ease in how we get our services to our neighbors
  • </c><00:21:41.760><c> currently</c> Quality child care services currently Quality child care services
  • as well as possibly even services as well as possibly even expanding<00:22:09.120><c> our</c><00:22:
  • He said it requires six hours of annual service training for those relatives.
  • </c> requires six hours of annual service requires six hours of annual service training<01:36:24.320>
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:25:46.880><c> So,</c> service offering uh to the region.
  • So, service offering uh to the region.
  • uh to uh juveniles in DJJ services uh to uh juveniles in DJJ custody.
  • </c><00:47:59.760><c> and</c> delivery of mental health services and delivery of mental health services
  • Um, and they're contracted through a staffing contract for medical services.
Summary: The interim Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary received an update on Northern Kentucky University’s capital project to house the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office and the Northern Kentucky Crime Lab in the former Highland Heights Civic Center building on NKU’s campus. NKU and Justice Cabinet staff described the project timeline: the building was identified in late 2022, lease terms were agreed to in early 2023, a pre-construction evaluation agreement was executed in May 2023, the General Assembly authorized $21 million in April 2024, and the lease and construction agreement were finalized in spring 2026. The project is now being prepared for bid, with construction expected to start in August and occupancy targeted for January 2028. About $1 million has been spent so far on design and related investigations. Testimony emphasized that the vacant building was structurally sound but required major upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, a generator, specialized mechanical systems, security, and geothermal work to meet the needs of two separate operations sharing one facility. NKU said it is contributing $3.7 million to the project. Committee members asked about the condition of the building, the urgency of the project, and why the process took so long. Justice Cabinet and real properties officials said the medical examiner’s office had been shut down since roughly late 2017 or 2018, that the state had first sought funding in the 2022 budget for staffing, a lease, and equipment, and that it took time to find a suitable leased location because the facility has highly specialized requirements. Members also asked about operating costs, annual lease costs, and the impact of the office’s absence on families and counties in Northern Kentucky. Officials said the lease cost is based on NKU’s expected maintenance-related expenses, while utilities and staffing are covered through the Office of the State Medical Examiner or Kentucky State Police, with seven medical examiner positions funded in House Bill 500 and two additional KSP positions requested for the crime lab. They explained that, until the new facility opens, bodies from Northern Kentucky are generally transported to Louisville for autopsy, with transportation costs borne by the coroner’s office. No votes were taken, but the committee requested follow-up information, including lease cost numbers and additional details on facility usage and timing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Legal service providers that I've consulted with have consistently raised Kelly Timi: This amended approach
  • Legal service providers that I've consulted with have consistently raised Good morning.
  • Legal service providers that I've<00:22:07.760><c> consulted</c><00:22:08.159><c> with,</c><00:22:08.400
  • </c><00:32:20.320><c> to</c> safe, reliable, efficient service to safe, reliable, efficient service to
  • </c> you were delayed delivering services. you were delayed delivering services.
Bills: SB3275, SB3105
Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection reconsidered two condominium bills and adopted recommendations to pass both with amendments. For SB 2433, members approved amendments clarifying that condominium unit owners’ interests are to be recognized and protected in educational and related programs by the Real Estate Commission and DCCA, while making technical changes and changing the effective date. For SB 2838, the committee replaced the bill’s broader substantive language with a narrower requirement that associations provide electronic copies of specified documents, including master leases, reserve studies, audited financial statements, contracts, leases, and other agreements, along with technical changes and an amended effective date. Both measures were adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator McKelvey excused. The committee then heard SB 2710 on animal issues, which would define and regulate dog breeders, set care standards, create county licensing authority, require records, and establish an animal abuser registry and related penalties. Testimony was mixed: the Public Defender and the American Kennel Club opposed the bill, arguing for stronger enforcement of existing laws rather than harsher penalties and warning that the bill would burden responsible breeders; the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill’s breeder regulation and registry provisions but urged removal of the hoarding section; and the committee noted 26 written testimonies in support, 14 in opposition, and four comments. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 2710 with amendments that blanked the license fee, deleted the animal abuser registry and shelter/pet store/breeder compliance checks, struck the hoarding provisions and proposed criminal penalty changes, and made technical changes with a deferred effective date. The committee also heard SB 2209 on rental discrimination, which would allow attorney’s fees to a prevailing party in source-of-income discrimination cases, and SB 2884, which would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for wind-resistant retrofits or hurricane shelters. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported SB 2209, and the committee later passed it with a deferred effective date. SB 2884 drew support from DCCA’s Insurance Division, the Department of Taxation, HEMA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and a public witness who urged hurricane preparedness; it was passed with the Department of Taxation’s proposed amendments and a deferred effective date. Finally, the committee heard SB 2922 on cooperative associations, which would create a general cooperative associations framework. DCCA offered comments, while the Hawaii Co-op Hui, Purple Maya Foundation, Enliven Cooperative, and Hawaii Farmers Union supported the measure and argued that current law is too limited for worker, producer, and multi-stakeholder co-ops. After discussion about using the existing chapter 421C structure rather than creating a new regulatory scheme, the committee passed SB 2922 with amendments adopting changes proposed in testimony from the Hawaii Farmers Union and deferred the effective date.