Transcript Highlights:

• And so my service has been as. a firefighter, paramedic, ER doc, and EMS doc.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Firefighter is kind of a whole different structure. >> Yes. >> Uh, system.
• </c> penalties as volunteer firefighters penalties as volunteer firefighters Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, &gt;&gt
• ; firefighter<02:51:19.760><c> is</c><02:51:20.080><c> kind</c><02:51:20.240><c> of</c><02:51:20.319>
• <c> a</c><02:51:20.479><c> whole</c><02:51:20.720><c> different</c> &gt;&gt; firefighter is kind of a
• whole different &gt;&gt; firefighter is kind of a whole different structure. structure. structure.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Firefighters recently saved the life of a local man while responding to a fire call.
• </c><08:09:56.240><c> Firefighter</c><08:09:56.958><c> and</c><08:09:57.200><c> EMT</c><08:09:57.840>
• Firefighter and EMT Tim cardiac arrest.
• Firefighter and EMT Tim Ilthorp,<08:09:59.440><c> Fire</c><08:09:59.760><c> Chief</c><08:10:00.240><c
• Memorial Weekend, let us Firefighters Memorial Weekend, let us celebrate<08:10:25.200><c> those</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• And really the key component with the Department of Defense is they provide the aircraft firefighting
• firefighting and Rescue Services<00:54:53.640><c> at</c><00:54:53.839><c> peas</c><00:54:54.680><c>
• Where do the employees at Pease, like all the firefighters and all that, where are they listed?
• and all that like all the firefighters and all that where<00:57:07.200><c> are</c><00:57:07.359><c>
• A few years ago, I remember something that sticks in my mind because we were hiring firefighters for

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's the first female Native Hawaiian to lead Catholic Charities, for her support in allowing me time
• .<01:44:41.560><c> She's</c><01:44:41.760><c> the</c><01:44:41.880><c> first</c><01:44:42.400><c> female
• She's the first female native Andrade.
• She's the first female native Hawaiian<01:44:43.400><c> to</c><01:44:43.560><c> lead</c><01:44:43.920

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The committee took up several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 640 for Juanita Rio Colón to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Public testimony and the nominee’s remarks strongly emphasized her water-system management background, Native Hawaiian stewardship values, and representation for Molokai. Committee members praised her qualifications and neighbor-island perspective, and also discussed broader concerns about reforming the Water Commission, including a separate bill to create a more independent authority and reduce politics in water decisions. Colón said she supported the restructuring effort and would serve with integrity and attention to constitutional water rights and climate resilience. The committee then heard GM 639 for Moses Haia III to the same commission. DLNR and OHA testified, and Haia described his long legal career, prior work on the Waihole contested case, and experience with Native Hawaiian rights and water law. Members asked about his ability to serve impartially given his advocacy background; Haia acknowledged that some may perceive a conflict from his prior work but said he did not believe it was a reasonable conflict and would follow the law and balance competing interests. The discussion again returned to the proposed Water Commission restructuring, which Haia said he supported as a way to provide independence and balance. Next, the committee considered GM 649 for Gilbert Coloma to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. DLNR and other testifiers explained that this was a new interstate commission created under the 2024 act, with Hawaii joining six U.S. states to address fisheries issues across state boundaries. Coloma, a commercial fisher from Hilo, said he brought more than 40 years of industry, cultural, and traditional experience and would represent Hawaii’s fishing communities. Members asked about the commission’s structure, meeting rotation, and funding, and were told the state covers dues through special funds. The committee also briefly took up GM 692 for Riley Smith’s reappointment to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported him, while Sierra Club Hui raised concerns about prior decisions affecting Native Hawaiian rights and public trust resources. Smith said he supported more residential uses in East Kapolei if the necessary planning and environmental review changes were made, and he began responding to questions about prior BLNR litigation before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our female soccer team, high school soccer team, brought home the state championship.
• activities that the extracurricular activities continued.<02:09:13.119><c> Our</c><02:09:14.000><c> female
• Our female soccer team, high continued.
• Our female soccer team, high school<02:09:15.840><c> soccer</c><02:09:16.159><c> team,</c><02:09:16.400

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing pretty much higher numbers for males versus females.
• Some of that is attributable to the increased prevalence in ASD among males versus females.
• In ASD among males versus females, but um as well as overrepresentation of males and females in the EBD

Transcript Highlights:

• harmed, but I don't know if it completely addresses it because there's been so many incidents where a female
• 01:09:38.960><c> incidents</c><01:09:39.839><c> where</c><01:09:40.560><c> a</c><01:09:41.040><c> female
• </c> been so many incidents where a female been so many incidents where a female sitting<01:09:42.000

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• averages rates across the 10 largest insurers in Minnesota, indicates that an unmarried 35-year-old female
• 21.920><c> an</c><01:57:22.080><c> unmarried</c><01:57:22.719><c> 35-year-old</c><01:57:23.520><c> female
• </c> that an unmarried 35-year-old female that an unmarried 35-year-old female driver<01:57:24.239><c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We see more female recruits coming through our doors. nonetheless uh even with 10 or 12 uh we nonetheless
• we</c><00:29:41.120><c> see</c><00:29:41.960><c> more</c><00:29:42.960><c> uh</c><00:29:43.159><c> female
• </c><00:29:44.000><c> uh</c> we we have U uh we see more uh female uh we we have U uh we see more uh
• female uh recruits<00:29:44.720><c> coming</c><00:29:44.960><c> through</c><00:29:45.120><c> our</c><

Summary: The Finance Division 2 hearing took testimony from the director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training on the agency’s budget request and operations. He described the agency’s role in setting hiring, education, certification, and discipline standards for police, corrections, probation and parole, and court security officers, and noted that the agency runs the full-time, part-time, corrections, and court security training programs. He also outlined the agency’s staffing, facility, and budget request for FY 2026-27, including a request to keep funding level with the governor’s recommendation while shifting funds to support an IT manager position by defunding a vacant administrative slot. The agency requested several statutory changes in Chapter 106, including clarifying the definition of police misconduct, allowing a temporary member on the Conduct Review Committee, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct allegations, and codifying the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The director also reviewed new responsibilities added in recent years, including crisis intervention training, statewide accreditation, the Conduct Review Committee, and increased annual in-service training requirements. He explained that crisis intervention funding is carried in a continuously appropriated, non-lapsing account and that some budget lines were reclassified, including software and janitorial services, to reflect actual spending needs. Members asked about national standards, the different academy tracks, crisis intervention funding, maintenance and contract changes, temporary positions, and the court security training program. The agency said it coordinates with national peers through IADLEST, that the part-time and corrections academies are longstanding programs, and that the new court security academy can be delivered either as a full academy or as in-service training depending on resources. The director also said the agency has been running extra full-time academies because of high vacancy rates, but expects to return to three full-time academies this year, with two corrections academies and one or possibly two part-time academies. He also explained the current approach to misconduct records and public disclosure, saying sustained findings under RSA 106-L are heard by the council and published, replacing the older, less standardized exculpatory list process.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also started sending some of our female youth in the Hō‘i Crial because we were overcrowded.
• <01:44:17.320><c> our</c> we also started sending some of our we also started sending some of our female
• 18.440><c> hoi</c><01:44:18.760><c> crial</c><01:44:19.719><c> because</c><01:44:20.000><c> we</c> female
• youth in the hoi crial because we female youth in the hoi crial because we were were were overcrowded

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• evidence, a desire from parents and surgeons to match genital cosmesis typically ascribed to male and female
• ascribed<01:07:20.359><c> to</c><01:07:20.520><c> male</c><01:07:20.760><c> and</c><01:07:20.920><c> female
• <01:07:21.440><c> bodies</c><01:07:22.440><c> and</c><01:07:22.599><c> a</c> ascribed to male and female
• bodies and a ascribed to male and female bodies and a parental<01:07:23.240><c> desire</c><01:07:23.880

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only is she one of the first Black female senators of this state, but she is also one of the most
• one of the district not only is she one of the first<01:27:14.520><c> black</c><01:27:14.760><c> female
• </c><01:27:15.119><c> senators</c><01:27:15.560><c> of</c><01:27:15.719><c> this</c> first black female
• senators of this first black female senators of this state<01:27:16.600><c> but</c><01:27:16.719><c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Buchanan has dedicated 25 years of distinguished service to the city of Lebanon as a paramedic and a firefighter
• 50.240><c> and</c><00:19:50.400><c> a</c> Lebanon as a paramedic and a Lebanon as a paramedic and a firefighter
• </c> firefighter. He was also a lieutenant. firefighter. He was also a lieutenant.

Transcript Highlights:

• statute lists first responders as people like law enforcement officers, police, sheriffs, and firefighters
• enforcement officers, so<00:10:11.560><c> police,</c><00:10:11.920><c> sheriff,</c><00:10:12.680><c> firefighters
• </c><00:10:14.080><c> Um</c><00:10:14.320><c> it</c> so police, sheriff, firefighters.
• Um it so police, sheriff, firefighters.

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• 198 is Representative Baumgartner's bill related to periodic occupational cancer screenings for firefighters
• Baumgartner, and I hope I don't mess it up, but it would require political subdivisions to offer firefighters
• Political subdivisions... ...would be required to provide these screenings to firefighters during the
• And the reason, as I understand this bill, is that firefighters have been shown to face a nine percent

Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223 , HB323 , HB524 , HB530 , HB636 , HB762 , HB21 , HB211 , HB223

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• joined together in 2009 to create the Cloquet Area Fire District, we have eliminated five large firefighting
• 42.840><c> eliminated</c><00:06:43.599><c> five</c><00:06:44.039><c> large</c><00:06:44.360><c> firefighting
• </c> have eliminated five large firefighting have eliminated five large firefighting apparatus<00:06:

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• most recent event that occurred on New Year's Day, and then, of course, the tragic loss of that firefighter
• of</c><00:37:08.400><c> that</c> course the tragic loss of that course the tragic loss of that firefighter
• > and</c><00:37:09.800><c> the</c><00:37:09.920><c> hospitalization</c><00:37:10.599><c> of</c> Firefighter
• and the hospitalization of the other injured firefighters, we see a real need to operationalize that

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier this year, I stood with members of the Senate and Assembly at the Firefighters Memorial to read

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier this year, I stood with members of the Senate and Assembly at the Firefighters Memorial to read

Committee: House Aging and Long-Term Care