Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I think the legislation should consider an amendment with classifications of harmful to not harmful
• amendment<01:25:41.440> with consider an amendment with consider an amendment with classifications
• 42.480> of<01:25:42.800> harmful<01:25:43.280> to<01:25:43.600> not classifications
• of harmful to not classifications of harmful to not harmful<01:25:45.120> to<01:25:45.440>

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and he said he was willing to bring an amendment forward before we exec it that narrows that classification
• c> that<01:10:59.440> uh exec it that narrows that uh exec it that narrows that uh classification
• <01:11:01.679> I classification down even further. I classification down even further.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And even when we try to extend sentences, make mandatory minimums, or change the different classification
• mandatory minimums to change the make mandatory minimums to change the different<01:52:17.679> classification
• <01:52:18.480> of<01:52:19.280> time<01:52:19.679> served different classification
• of time served different classification of time served for<01:52:20.719> every<01:52:21.040><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• and health as a condition that would allow MMB to approve a salary rate above the maximum for a classification
• 01:52:22.239> maximum<01:52:22.800> for<01:52:23.119> a<01:52:23.400> classification
• above the maximum for a classification above the maximum for a classification when<01:52:24.639>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cannabis is only referred to as a classification of plant.
• referred<00:27:39.279> to<00:27:39.440> as<00:27:39.600> a<00:27:39.840> classification
• <00:27:40.480> of only referred to as a classification of only referred to as a classification

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kakaʻako Makai properties, Waiʻanae Falls Park, and so we have several different types of land classifications
• different types have a you know several different types of<02:08:40.760> land<02:08:41.320> classifications
• <02:08:42.320> I<02:08:42.679> having<02:08:42.880> an of land classifications
• I having an of land classifications I having an inventory<02:08:43.920> and<02:08:44.119>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline. DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly. Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, those premiums are going to be cut and as a result people are going to lose their health insurance
• <00:12:35.120> which Care Act uh subsidized premiums which Care Act uh subsidized premiums
• <00:12:38.399> Again,<00:12:38.800> those<00:12:39.040> premiums<00:12:39.519
• Again, those premiums are of Americans.
• Again, those premiums are going<00:12:39.839> to<00:12:40.000> be<00:12:40.160> cut<

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it pro se, I'd say a good percentage of them are in that, you know, high school graduate-only classification
• it pro se, I'd say a good percentage of them are in that, you know, high school graduate-only classification
• :35:56.400> um school graduate only um you know um school graduate only um you know um classification
• 57.599> I<00:35:57.760> guess<00:35:57.920> and<00:35:58.400> let's classification
• I guess and let's classification I guess and let's simplify<00:35:59.119> it<00:35:59.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fraud unit at DEED that was doing insurance fraud, where their funding comes from our insurance premiums
• where their funding comes from our where their funding comes from our insurance<00:35:03.040> premiums
• <00:35:04.160> They<00:35:04.400> merged<00:35:04.800> that insurance premiums
• They merged that insurance premiums.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• cities allocations on an ongoing program to lessen the disparity of state workers' compensation premiums
• cities allocations on an ongoing program to lessen the disparity of state workers' compensation premiums
• cities allocations on an ongoing program to lessen the disparity of state workers' compensation premiums
• cities allocations on an ongoing program to lessen the disparity of state workers' compensation premiums

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was kind of raised by someone else, but um you know, as we're looking at, child care spots are at a premium
• was kind of raised by someone else, but um you know, as we're looking at, child care spots are at a premium
• was kind of raised by someone else, but um you know, as we're looking at, child care spots are at a premium
• Know, child care spots are at a premium. And what is kind of the policy on a center?

Bills: HF2136, HF4195, HF4548, HF4432, HF4174, HF3024, HF4389, HF3773

Keywords: youth intervention, grants, community support, early intervention services, nonprofit, Minnesota human services, forecast adjustment, budget forecast, appropriations, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Health Care Access Fund, general fund, behavioral health, housing support, General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, MFIP, DWP, child care assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we're not going to do that, then who's going to pay for the premium as we're putting this moratorium
• 01.840> the do that then who's going to pay for the do that then who's going to pay for the premium
• we're<00:08:03.360> putting<00:08:03.599> this<00:08:03.759> moratorium premium
• as we're putting this moratorium premium as we're putting this moratorium on.<00:08:04.960> Uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Smoothing losses, carrying interest from premium payments made over time that are not paid out.
• Smoothing losses, carrying<01:32:35.120> interest<01:32:35.520> from<01:32:36.400> premium
• <01:32:36.800> payments carrying interest from premium payments carrying interest from premium

Bills: SB2045, SB2354

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• But a big reason for many states is that it can generate a premium tax.
• So, the premium tax is a source of revenue to the state.
• spenders uh because so many of them have other types of chronic health conditions, as So, the tax premium
• tax is a source of So, the tax premium tax is a source of revenue revenue revenue to<01:22:03.400>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The special entry rate and the locality premium that we were authorized to use had just went into place
• <00:48:37.160> and<00:48:37.280> the<00:48:37.359> locality<00:48:38.120> premium
• <00:48:38.640> that<00:48:38.800> we rate and the locality premium that we rate and
• the locality premium that we were<00:48:39.080> authorized<00:48:39.640> to<00:48:39.760

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a feature of a lot of child tax credits is that there's sort of a premium at the beginning.
• 00:48:41.599> a tax credits is that there's sort of a tax credits is that there's sort of a premium
• <00:48:44.160> Um,<00:48:44.480> so<00:48:44.640> that's premium at the beginning
• Um, so that's premium at the beginning.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• greater than or equal to 675% of the federal poverty guidelines are going to be required to pay a premium
• required<00:06:52.319> to<00:06:53.199> pay<00:06:53.759> a<00:06:54.560> premium
• ><00:06:54.960> in<00:06:55.120> order<00:06:55.280> to be required to pay a premium
• in order to be required to pay a premium in order to qualify<00:06:55.840> for<00:06:56.000><

Bills: HF2433, HF2434

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Senator Wiklund's bill relating to the health insurance premium.
• Those significantly higher expenses greatly outpace public program funding and overall premium collection
• There's no relief to those who ultimately pay the cost of these proposals, which is commercial premium
• There's no relief to those who ultimately pay the cost of these proposals, which is commercial premium

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• second change to the film credit is found in Article 3, section 6, and that relates to the insurance premium
• second change to the film credit is found in Article 3, section 6, and that relates to the insurance premium
• second change to the film credit is found in Article 3, section 6, and that relates to the insurance premium
• second change to the film credit is found in Article 3, section 6, and that relates to the insurance premium

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, this will increase the premium and still will not solve the problem that they are currently
• flexibility from insurance companies and could lead to unintended consequences, including higher premiums
• flexibility from insurance companies and could lead to unintended consequences, including higher premiums
• flexibility from insurance companies and could lead to unintended consequences, including higher premiums

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.