Transcript Highlights:

• that fit their needs.
• of the people who need it, right?
• that fit their needs.
• So I get the need for immediacy.
• care needs, which might explain the need to make sure that they have the funding that they need.

Transcript Highlights:

• that fit their needs.
• that fit their needs.
• So I get the need for immediacy.
• that need.
• care needs, which might explain the need to make sure that they have the funding that they need.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have talked, I think—no, I don't think; I know—consistently about the need to focus on affordability
• We have talked, I think—no, I don't think; I know—consistently about the need to focus on affordability
• a variety of industries where that’s going to be detrimental, but probably chief among them is the need
• And we hear time and again, we just need a tax to fix this, but it never...
• It speaks to so many issues, and we hear time and again, well, we just need a tax to fix this, but it

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus on affordability and to criticize the Democratic majority’s newly released income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun and Drew Stokesbary argued the plan would raise costs, harm small and medium-sized businesses, and fail to deliver meaningful tax relief elsewhere. They said the bill’s marriage penalty, lack of loss carryforward, and treatment of pass-through entities were especially problematic, and they warned it could eventually expand beyond high earners. They also cited other pending measures they said would increase costs, including taxes or fees affecting insurance, tires, clothing, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. A major portion of the discussion centered on Republican-hosted listening sessions on the initiatives, which they said were intended to provide balanced public testimony after Democrats declined to advance hearings. House Republicans said they invited speakers both for and against the initiatives, including a wide range of opponents, and emphasized that the sessions were meant to show the public a fair debate. They also discussed several policy bills they oppose, including housing and homelessness measures they said would limit local control near schools and parks, and a bill creating a regulatory framework for automated license plate readers, which they said still raises concerns for cities and law enforcement despite some improvements. In response to questions, Republicans said they support funding for public defense but believe it should be handled within existing budget priorities rather than through an income tax. They also said they are watching bills on government fraud oversight, SNAP restrictions on unhealthy foods, and public safety, including measures related to sexually violent predators and child safety. Throughout the event, leaders repeatedly framed their agenda as protecting affordability and public safety while opposing what they described as tax increases and regulations that would make life more expensive in Washington.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:28.240><c> what</c><00:22:28.480><c> training</c><00:22:28.880><c> needs</c> needs to be built
• , what training needs needs to be built, what training needs to<00:22:29.280><c> happen.
• </c> Everyone is different and we might need Everyone is different and we might need different<00:27:
• </c> &gt;&gt; They really need Jesus. &gt;&gt; They really need Jesus.
• needs a lot of fixing. Any comments, needs a lot of fixing.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• answer that prompt, but I told him he doesn't have to think back a decade because he was probably in diapers
• And I need to continue to complete my English classes. So it was the first step where they...
• And then my sister said that you don't need to stop in one position in your life because it's new.
• And here, you need growing up. And she said, you need to apply for another job. And I did.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:39.360><c> I</c> I needed to know. Thank you. I I needed to know. Thank you.
• You need some data on efficacy.
• </c> treatments to patients who need them. treatments to patients who need them.
• Yeah, I need a pink card. One &gt;&gt; Uh okay. Yeah, I need a pink card.
• Uh, I need to get CMS to reimburse my stuff. I need to pay my investors.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• He laid out some suggestions, sales tax holiday, the diapers.
• Do you need to accept those changes? We're happy to have his ideas in the mix.
• So the need is far greater than the resources we currently have.
• So, didn't need to interrupt you.
• There was, I think, more work that will need to be done before that...

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders said they were pleased with progress before cutoff, highlighting work on immigration/federal-overreach protections and affordability measures. They cited bills such as restrictions on ICE activity in private spaces, employer notice requirements for ICE worksite actions, housing expansion in commercial and mixed-use zones, limits on medical debt interest, senior property tax relief, grocery-store covenant restrictions, preventive health care access, energy relief for low-income households, and the proposed millionaire’s tax, which they said would support tax credits and long-term fiscal sustainability. They also noted strong bipartisan movement on many bills and said they were now focused on processing House bills in the Senate and vice versa. Several stalled or controversial measures were discussed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance in the House because it lacked votes, though support had grown and stakeholder engagement continued. Child welfare and controlled-substance/endangerment bills were described as still under discussion, with lawmakers saying there were differing views on the best way to protect children and that some proposals were paused for further work. The Senate-side transmission and cultural resources package also ran into procedural and timing problems, with one bill ultimately not moving after a request for a full reading delayed the plan. The governor’s comments on the millionaire’s tax and the updated revenue forecast were a major topic. Democrats said they welcomed the governor’s tax ideas, were aiming to balance meaningful tax relief with a sustainable budget, and saw the forecast as providing some breathing room and more reserve capacity, though much of the new revenue would be absorbed by caseload growth and maintenance costs. They also discussed a proposed employer assessment tied to Medicaid-funded health coverage, saying it was intended to address federal cuts and shifting costs, while acknowledging concerns from employers and nonprofits. Other items included the tort-liability/survivor claims bill, which leaders said would preserve jury trials and damages while creating a claims process, the 0.05 BAC impaired-driving bill, and a pension-related proposal to terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1, with some related transfer ideas still unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think this $19.6 million is what we need to get through FY25. This is FY25.
• looking at the needs for this year for a supplemental right now.
• These funds are absolutely needed. They're overdue.
• We absolutely need transition plans for these kinds of programs.
• So $19.6 million is what they need to finish out FY25. So with that, Mr. President, I yield.

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284 , SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778 , SB1327 , SB1372 , SB1403 , SB1937 , SB277 , SB2131 , SB1749 , SB1348 , SB1469 , SB2018 , SB1931 , SB1530 , SB2155 , SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618 , SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619 , SCR15 , HB2786 , HB2787 , SB1525 , SB2011 , SB2159

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the nurse of the day, Michelle Bradshaw, along with several gallery guests and pages. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, recognizing February 24 as World Spay Day to highlight pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs; the resolution was adopted without debate. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2786, a supplemental appropriation of $19,660,770 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to close out FY25 and cover statutory and contractual obligations, including Medicaid/Title 19-related payments. Senator Kurt raised repeated concerns that the supplemental did not restore funding for substance use providers, uncompensated care, or crisis services that had been cut or left unpaid, while Senator Rosino argued the bill only covered amounts the state was legally required to pay and reflected the department’s verified needs. The Joint Committee report was adopted, and HB 2786 passed 38-10 and was then passed as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Bill 2787, a supplemental for the State Department of Health tied to legacy contracts associated with “Choosing Childbirth,” despite criticism from Senator Kurt that the money could have gone to direct mental health services. The chamber then advanced and passed Senate Bill 1525, raising the threshold for the Tourism and Recreation Department to contract with private entities for a tourism conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and Senate Bill 2011, adding contracted employees of county detention facilities to a protected class list. Senate Bill 2159, designating wheat as the official state crop, also passed. The Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I have, you know, I need $20 for groceries, or I need $30 for gas, or something like that.
• Can I have, you know, I need $20 for groceries, or I need $30 for gas, or something like that.
• <01:02:55.279><c> um</c> diapers um diapers um so<01:02:57.359><c> and</c><01:02:57.640><c> without</
• So we built the platform that we needed, the reporting structure we needed.
• </c> needed the reporting structure we needed needed the reporting structure we needed um<01:37:48.199

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> student buckets and uh the federal needs student buckets and uh the federal needs analysis<00:42
• I need to delve into that.
• Uh, I will note that the need to.
• Those are important for the students that need their basic needs met, our most neediest students, and
• . need. need.

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee reviewed differences among the Governor’s, House, and Senate proposals for state grant parameter changes and their effects on state grant spending, North Star Promise spending, and average student awards. Nonpartisan staff explained that the proposals use different combinations of parameter changes, with the Governor’s and Senate plans modeled to avoid or minimize rationing, while the House plan would require rationing to balance the program. Staff reported projected biennium balances of a positive $29.836 million for the Governor’s proposal, a negative $60.758 million for the House proposal without rationing, a positive $994,000 for the House proposal with rationing, and a positive $3.623 million for the Senate proposal; North Star Promise balances also varied, with the Senate showing a positive balance and the Governor and House with rationing showing negative balances. Staff also said the Senate proposal would extend availability of the state grant appropriation and suspend surplus procedures through fiscal year 2029, allowing the balance to carry forward. The committee then focused on the House-only tuition and fee cap provision, which would limit the tuition recognized for state grant purposes for four-year programs to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities level, with 1% annual increases in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. House members said the cap was intended to address rising tuition, especially at the University of Minnesota, and to produce savings in the state grant program. The governor’s office confirmed the provision was not included in the Governor’s bill. Representatives from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Private College Council opposed the cap, arguing it would reduce awards for low-income students and shift costs to students rather than address underlying tuition pressures; they also said it could discourage enrollment at higher-cost institutions. Supporters from Minnesota State argued the cap would improve fairness because students at lower-tuition institutions are effectively capped lower, while students at more expensive institutions receive larger awards, and they said the legislature should intervene in a variable that has grown substantially over time. Committee members questioned how the cap would work and whether it was tied to the Twin Cities campus rate. Testifiers clarified that the state grant formula is tied to the University of Minnesota level, but because Minnesota State institutions are below that level, the cap effectively limits their students to their own lower tuition while allowing higher awards at the University of Minnesota and private colleges. No formal vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue with item-by-item review of the remaining parameter changes and hear additional testimony from agencies and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We raised funds for groceries, diapers, and more, anything they needed so they didn't have to obtain
• food and diapers.
• </c><01:09:45.560><c> to</c><01:09:45.640><c> do</c> they need to do and when they need to do they need
• And so clearly this is needed.
• </c> this is needed. this is needed.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• to, but we need to think about them.
• People that are housebound and need to drive to a location need to have the ability to get their needs
• We need more flexibility.'”
• I mean, you're talking about maybe a single mother that needs diapers for a child, and you know that
• I need to ask you to wrap up.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We need that we strive to do the best that we can here on this world and create her.
• communities, who are doing everything right but still struggle to afford the basic essentials like diapers
• Dandy steps in to help those needs in a practical and immediate way.
• directly to families—no unnecessary barriers, no long delays, just real help getting people what they need
• And you've got to be in pretty good shape to do it because when you're in zero gravity and you need to

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups in the gallery, including the Dandy Project, Arizona Right to Life, Red State Reform, Reproductive Freedom for All, Somerton elected officials, Apache County Supervisor Alton Joe Shepard, and the family of the late Brad Brower. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2053 honoring Brower’s life and service, followed by a moment of respectful silence and remarks from members about his community leadership. The House considered several Senate bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1020, relating to the Arizona Space Commission and a specialty license plate, drew debate over a proposed Villegas floor amendment to add a community college access and success plate; the amendment failed on a recorded division vote, and SB 1020 was then approved. SB 1127 and SB 1181 also received do-pass recommendations without controversy. The House later held an additional Committee of the Whole on SB 1426, adopted a floor amendment, and reported the bill as amended with a do-pass recommendation. On third reading, the House passed SB 1125 on child safety by a vote of 43-4 and SB 1415 on insurance adjusters by a vote of 46-1. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, with a separate motion to include the defeated Villegas amendment in SB 1020 failing 19-28. The chamber announced upcoming committee meetings, made several brief personal and ceremonial announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need that we strive to do the best that we can here on this war and create her.
• communities, who are doing everything right but still struggle to afford the basic essentials like diapers
• Dandy steps in to help those needs in a practical and immediate way.
• directly to families—no unnecessary barriers, no long delays, just real help getting people what they need
• You need to exercise; it becomes quite a challenge.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have talked, I think—no, I know—consistently about the need to focus on affordability for the people
• those who can least afford to pay them, like sales tax or targeting exemptions like sales tax on diapers
• a variety of industries where that's going to be detrimental, but probably chief among them is the need
• And we hear time and again, we just need a tax to fix this. But it never stops.
• It speaks to so many issues, and we hear time and again, well, we just need a tax to fix this, but it

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus heavily on affordability and to criticize a newly unveiled Democratic income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun, Drew Stokesbary, and others argued the bill would function as a broader income tax, harm small and medium-sized businesses, include a marriage penalty, deny loss carryforwards, and ultimately raise costs for Washington residents. They also said the proposal would do little to offset regressive taxes and would not meaningfully improve affordability. In response to questions, they said the bill was a non-starter for Republicans and warned it could contribute to business and household outmigration. Republicans also highlighted a range of other bills they said would increase costs or worsen public safety, including proposals related to insurance, tires and 6PPD, textiles, local taxes, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. They criticized housing-related bills on homelessness and camping near schools and parks, saying they could limit local control and expose cities to lawsuits. On public safety, they said Democratic leaders were not advancing Republican-backed bills on sexually violent predators, family safety, and related issues. Braun also said his bill on oversight of NGOs and suspected fraud had a good hearing and remained a priority, while Republicans said they were watching fraud-related bills and a SNAP-related bill on restricting purchases of unhealthy foods. The leaders said they were holding listening sessions on the initiatives because they believe the legislature must give them precedence, and they said they invited both supporters and opponents to participate. They also discussed Senate Bill 602 on automated license plate readers, saying it had bipartisan support in committee but still faced concerns from cities, counties, and law enforcement. On the governor’s statement that he could not support the income tax proposal as written, Republicans said it showed there may be room for negotiation within the Democratic side, but they doubted Republicans would be included in those talks. No votes were taken during the media availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• and needed to improve processes.
• I know I would need at least one megawatt generator to do what you need to do in the other bill.
• You're still not going to need your life safety in your critical branch, because you need redundancy.
• I think if somebody does something wrong, when they harm a child, they need to go to jail, they need
• I think the problem with that is when you need it the most, you don't know when you need it the most.

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if the senator was in front of me, I would ask her how many pairs of diapers did this baby
• I'm willing to talk about this further and look at changes if we need to make some.
• </c><00:35:38.640><c> to</c> uh and look at changes if we need to uh and look at changes if we need to
• Anything else you need to tell us? No, I don't have anything further.
• First, I need a motion to adopt the sub. Can I get that, please? So moved. Thank you.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to lower the cost on providers.
• it the most, the kids that need it the most.
• They need to make the money that they need to have operational, profitable, and quality child care.
• You don't come in with what you actually need; you come up with what is more than you need.
• And just see the investments we need. We have other systems... We need to continue to upgrade.

Bills: HF2436 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some senators that need to be present and need to present bills in other committees, so we will
• Go back and forth as needed. Thank you.
• But we need to get a handle on what's happening.
• But we need to get a handle on what's happening.
• We need to address it. and I think this to get a handle on what's happening. We need to address it.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1286 by Sen. Wright. That bill expanded the state recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, created a DFS grant review panel, and established a PTSD institute within DFS for first-responder behavioral health. Fire chiefs, the Florida League of Cities, and others supported the measure, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks by Sen. Rousan. A substitute amendment was adopted that clarified daily transaction limits, registration requirements, expiration rules, and OFR authority to deny registrations. Testimony focused on protecting seniors from crypto-ATM scams while giving the industry regulatory certainty. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 198. Members next approved CS/SB 772, which allows portable electronics limited licensees to sell eyewear insurance, and CS/SB 1504, which updates insurance customer representative licensing pathways by allowing a high school insurance and personal finance course to count toward pre-licensure education. The committee also favorably reported Sen. Gruters’ CS/SB 1038 and CS/SB 1040, which together create the Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and its trust fund framework, and CS/SB 1440, which expands public records exemptions and cybersecurity-related protections for financial institutions, loan originators, money service businesses, and credit unions. Sen. Burton’s SB 1668 on the NICA program drew extensive testimony from a NICA board member and family advocate, who urged stronger funding to preserve lifelong care for catastrophically injured children; the bill was reported favorably despite concerns from the Florida Justice Association about benefit restrictions and retroactivity. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 570, creating a DFS task force on payment scams, after an amendment reduced FDLE’s required representation. At the end of the meeting, Sen. Burton requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1286, and Sen. Passidomo requested affirmative votes on tabs 3, 5, and 9; the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree, we need this codified.
• It is needed.
• to I need to allot money for this.
• I'm here to answer any questions but that's all I have unless you need me. Thank you.
• I did the sub last time, so I was told you didn't need it. Do you have the notebook?

Bills: SB387 , SB1650 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1923 , SB1940 , SB2052

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence