Transcript Highlights:

• , Hawaii Children's Action Network, Pacific Government Relations, Kaumana Kapili Church, and individual
• 12:45.480> Cancer<00:12:45.880> Society<00:12:46.440> Action<00:12:46.800> Network
• , American Cancer Society Action Network, American Cancer Society Action Network, Hawaii<00:12:48.000
• > Children's<00:12:48.560> Action<00:12:48.920> Network, Hawaii Children's Action
• Network, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Pacific<00:12:50.080> Government<00:12:50.480>

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Chelsea Filer, on behalf of the Institutional Child Abuse and Advocacy Network.
• Chelsea Filer, on behalf of the Institutional Child Abuse and Advocacy Network, we strongly support this
• excluded from the program, even though it already serves families at scale throughout its existing network
• banks, including Feeding San Diego, who partner and diligently serve their communities through a network
• We both have agency networks, and our network is comprised of about 200 501(c)(3)s, with some overlap

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to be cognizant of what our transportation network can handle and the capabilities it has.
• They helped us analyze and identify where the gaps are in the state's transportation network.
• One of the things where we need significant improvement is our transportation network.
• One of the things where we need significant improvement is our transportation network.
• The UMake Network—Utah Maker Access and Knowledge ecosystem—is what UMake stands for.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have White Children's Action Network speaking, offering testimony and support.
• Next, we have White Children's Action Network speaking, offering testimony and support.
• <01:12:47.840> in Network in Network in support<01:12:50.280> Hawaii<01:12:50.679> Academy
• from the network, both in opposition.
• testimony and networks offering testimony and opposition<01:19:47.120> uh<01:19:47.280> to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and heard testimony on a series of education-related bills. HB 1200, which would codify teacher ratios in statute, drew support from the Department of Education, the Democratic Party of the Education Caucus, and 11 individuals; no opposition was noted and the committee moved on without questions. HB 1344, concerning mandatory FAFSA completion, received testimony from the Department of Education, Hawaii P20, and a University of Hawaiʻi student who cited unclaimed Pell Grant funds and low FAFSA completion rates as reasons to support the bill. Committee members asked about current outreach efforts, and DOE and P20 described FAFSA tracking data, hotlines, email support, school-based FAFSA nights, and coordination with counselors; members also raised concerns about federal education funding and Pell Grants. The committee then heard HB 1499, which would authorize staff and volunteers to administer certain medications. The Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing leadership, and the Hawaii State Center for Nursing all testified in support, along with several individuals and the Democratic Party Environmental Caucus. The next measure, HB 902 on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, was supported by DOE, the Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric, but it prompted extensive questioning from the Vice Chair about whether taxpayers should fund a study to help schools remain open during shutoffs. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would help DOE assess impacts in wildfire-risk areas and noted its wildfire safety strategy, outreach efforts, and potential community resource centers, while the Vice Chair argued the utility should bear more of the cost. The committee also heard HB 961, a bill on school libraries and a CASS pilot program, with DOE offering comments and HSTA and the Hawaii Library Association strongly supporting it. HSTA argued certified librarians are important for literacy, research, and digital literacy, and said many schools lack them because of cost; the association and 14 individuals testified in support. HB 962, a related bill on DOE libraries and the system, also drew support from DOE, HSTA, and the Hawaii Library Association, with 15 individuals in support. Finally, HB 730, concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Branch, received support from DOE, White Children’s Action Network, AAW of Hawaiʻi, and many individuals. Testifiers said the branch needs more resources and training and handles more than Title IX, including Title VI, Title VII, and ADA matters. A student plaintiff in a Title IX lawsuit described unequal treatment in athletics and facilities, and another supporter said the bill would help ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• inpatient out-of-network, outpatient in-network, outpatient out-of-network, emergency services, and pharmacy
• out-of-network, outpatient in-network, outpatient out-of-network, emergency services, and pharmacy.
• “Those being inpatient in-network, inpatient out-of-network, outpatient in-network, outpatient out-of-network
• necessarily for them to come in network necessarily for them to come in network um um um but<02:
• peers and Community Support Network peers and Community Support Network while<02:29:39.080> he

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Children's Action Network, Siobhan Clark, Malia Suchia, and John Paul Jason Cardenas.
• Hawaii Children's Action Network, Siobhan Clark, Malia Suchia, and John Paul Jason Cardenas.
• Hawaii Children's Action Network, Siobhan Clark, Malia Suchia, and John Paul Jason Cardenas.
• Hawaii Children's Action Network, Siobhan Clark, Malia Suchia, and John Paul Jason Cardenas.

Bills: HB2315, SB2471, HB306, HB1692, HB1842, HB2171, HB2207, HB2343, HB2296, HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097, HCR200, HCR144, HCR33, HCR154, HCR165, HCR186, HCR206, HCR166, HCR31, HCR85, HCR103, HCR117, HCR180, HCR112, HCR18, HCR105, HCR173, HCR137, HCR179, HCR32

Keywords: vacation payout, down payment assistance, state employee benefits, housing crisis, homeownership, Department of Health, SB2471, Hawaii, corporate powers, artificial persons, business entities, election spending, political spending, campaign finance, ballot measure, ballot issue, electioneering, corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC

Transcript Highlights:

• networks, co-ops, and partner organizations are included.
• <00:46:04.880> of<00:46:05.200> district and the statewide network of district and
• the statewide network of district and<00:46:05.839> school<00:46:06.160> leaders,<00:46
• :07.200> charter<00:46:07.599> networks, This is a multi-year focus.
• <00:46:36.800> is<00:46:37.119> 70 The reach of this leader network is 70 The reach

Bills: HF3489, HF3550

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• It does appear that the managed care organizations have adequate networks.
• the data is actually analyzed and looked at, but based on what we're seeing, each MCO has enough network
• Thank you. adequate networks. Well, are we looking adequate networks.
• 46:12.640> adequ seeing, each MCO um has enough adequ seeing, each MCO um has enough adequ network
• adequacy for the members network adequacy for the members enrolled<00:46:15.599> in<00:46:15.760

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for Representative McCool, who was absent due to a family death, then approved the April 14 minutes and noted the agenda contained 482 items totaling about $138.6 million. The first deferred item involved the Office of the Controller and a brokerage services contract. Senators questioned why the new contract was roughly $1 million a year when a prior vendor had been paid about $300,000 annually, why the procurement was rebid after years of no-bid arrangements, and why past performance was not heavily weighted. Agency witnesses said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the new RFP drew more competition, technical evaluators did not see cost until after technical scoring, and AON received the highest technical score despite being an out-of-state vendor with its closest office in Nashville. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action, and the contract advanced to the Finance Cabinet for final decision. The committee then considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment. Members asked what funding was being redirected to cover an increase of about $265,000. DCBS explained that reduced spending on interpreter services, due to more commonly used forms being translated into other languages, freed up funds to support the contract. The committee approved the item. Next, the committee reviewed an initial contract for the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists. The board explained that its small legal staff was handling 11 active cases and needed outside counsel with investigators and additional attorneys because of ongoing litigation and disciplinary changes tied to prior legislation and a recent LOIC report. Members asked whether the contract was a not-to-exceed amount and whether the board could afford it; the board said the $50,000 was a ceiling, not an expected spend, and that the board was fully funded through licensing fees and currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing recent reforms in Senate Bills 14 and 22 and the need to help the board work through corrective action. The committee approved the contract. The Board of Pharmacy item was then deferred at the agency’s request until the June 2025 meeting, and the committee approved that deferral.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:51:59.319> energy of geothermal and thermal energy of geothermal and thermal energy networks
• geothermal<00:52:01.559> and<00:52:02.040> thermal<00:52:02.400> energy networks
• geothermal and thermal energy networks geothermal and thermal energy networks<00:52:03.040> are
• are high efficiency High energy networks are high efficiency High reliability<00:54:11.520> means
• One of our key priorities has been to develop a large networked geothermal system in a neighborhood near

Bills: HF1013, HF1598, HF1656, HF2162

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a network of community health workers that we would put together to help people navigate.
• c> community<00:16:50.480> health have a network of community health have a network of community
• But its work is statewide, and its network stretches across the Pacific.
• Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network.
• our efforts as part of a larger network our efforts as part of a larger network of<01:03:36.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Across Santa Clara County, we are working to build a world-class multimodal transit network.
• SB 1287 is about making smart, targeted investments where they matter most in our transportation network
• None of them make up what you would consider a network, but we really operate from the border with Oregon
• Short-lines are the first mile and last mile of our freight rail network.
• In addition, short-line railroads connect disadvantaged communities to the National Freight Network.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Across Santa Clara County, we are working to build a world-class multimodal transit network.
• SB 1287 is about making smart, targeted investments where they matter most in our transportation network
• None of them make up what you would consider a network, but we really operate from the border with Oregon
• Short lines are the first mile and last mile of our freight rail network.
• In addition, short-line railroads connect disadvantaged communities to the National Freight Network.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several transportation, climate, and vehicle-related bills. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon proposed modernizing SB 375 regional planning by moving plans from a four-year to an eight-year cycle, clarifying agency roles, aligning funding programs with regional climate plans, and reducing duplicative process costs. Supporters from MPOs and environmental groups said it would improve efficiency and implementation; opponents warned it could weaken climate accountability, expand vehicle miles traveled concerns, and reduce public participation. SB 1315, also by Senator Cabaldon, would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner to build data for future policy; it drew no opposition. SB 1275 by Senator McNerney would replace the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a higher vehicle license fee to preserve a federal tax deduction and reduce money sent to Washington, with LAO providing technical testimony on the tax structure. The committee also heard SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado, which would create a tax credit to spur private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. Supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural economic development; there was no opposition. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road diesel vehicles, with supporters saying it would save time and costs and opponents asking for CARB analysis before taking a position. SB 1375 by Senator Cortese would streamline environmental review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive prior review, while preserving other environmental laws; it received broad support and no opposition. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog exemption for certain collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and historic display; classic car and lowrider supporters backed it, while air quality groups opposed it as likely to increase emissions and weaken smog-check accountability. After testimony, the committee took up motions and later completed roll calls once a quorum was established. SB 1213 was placed on the consent calendar and approved. SB 1087, SB 1315, SB 1275, SB 1287, SB 1423, SB 1064, SB 1375, and SB 1392 were all reported out of committee, generally to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with SB 1392 receiving the closest vote and some opposition from members. The committee also briefly discussed another bill on active transportation funding tied to SB 79 areas, and that measure was approved after amendments and a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also the central hub director of the newly formed STEM Innovation Network. And for myself,...
• Hub director of the newly formed STEM Innovation Network.
• I conclude by saying that R4, the central hub of the STEM Innovation Network, and myself strongly support
• I'm Ian Gates with the New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network.
• when I first gained employment. ...New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network when I first gained employment

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• It runs on internet protocols, networks, telecom carrier...
• Next Generation 911 runs on internet protocols, networks, telecom carrier backbones, data centers, and
• It will continuously monitor the health of the network, automatically detect outages, and reroute calls
• :28:03.279> telecom monitor threats to 911 and telecom monitor threats to 911 and telecom networks
• , share real-time cyber threat networks, share real-time cyber threat intelligence,<00:28:07.360>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Office of the Attorney General 00:00:58 Office of Homeland Security 00:17:39, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government heard presentations on several Attorney General and Homeland Security budget items. Amy Burke of the Department of Child Support Services said the program inherited a structural shortfall of more than $13 million after the transition from CHFS, including about $14 million in federal child support incentive funds that had been used to cover core operating costs and county attorney contracts. She explained that federal law requires incentive funds to supplement, not supplant, baseline services, and said the Attorney General’s budget request seeks general fund support to replace that gap and help balance the program going forward. Members asked for clarification on the misuse of the funds, the size of the shortfall, and whether the requested money would be unrestricted; staff said the intent is to use it as a contract offset for core services. Commissioner Rich Ferretti then presented the Department of Criminal Investigations’ request for additional staffing and a Western Kentucky Digital Forensics Lab. He said DCI wants one additional special victims unit investigator and one digital forensic examiner to handle increasingly digital cases involving child exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, and technology-facilitated abuse. He also described plans for a lab in Mayfield, co-located with the new Mayfield Police Department facility, to reduce travel time, speed forensic processing, and improve access for rural communities. Committee members responded positively and asked no substantive questions. Finally, the Office of Homeland Security outlined Kentucky’s Next Generation 911 project. Officials said the current 911 system was built for landlines, while most calls now come from mobile devices, and the upgrade will add precise location routing plus text, photo, and video capability. Shelley Clark described the funding model, including wireless subscriber fees and a dedicated tech fund, and reviewed progress on mapping, vendor selection, and migration to the new platform, with completion expected by July 2027. Members asked about local maintenance costs and the impact on rural areas; officials said maintenance is local but supported in part by collected funds, and implementation will not be delayed for rural localities. The meeting concluded with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• two employees to this budget, and one of those employees is associated with maintaining the SIRN network
• The second FTE is the highway information network.
• We added into that health information network the $3 million from the closing down of that loan fund.
• So between all of those three different transactions, we made the health information network have the
• They need to do that for the health information network to continue and be a viable thing.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are also building a juvenile services network using the CalAIM Justice and other behavioral health
• want them to go home to their communities, feeling welcomed and supported with a reliably funded network
• we want them to go home to their communities, feeling welcomed and supported with reliably funded network
• cohort, and we were able to obtain funding for our youth on the reservation, which allowed us to network
• there's something that may be suspicious in their school or in their life, and then creating this network

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety heard several items focused on youth safety and law enforcement resources. The committee first took up tribal youth diversion programs, with the Legislative Analyst’s Office describing the Tribal Youth Diversion Grant Program and its two cohorts of grantees funded through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Tribal representatives from the Yurok Tribe and San Pasqual Band of Indians testified that diversion, tribal courts, school partnerships, mentoring, and culturally grounded services helped reduce truancy and justice-system involvement, but that short-term funding interruptions and limited capacity prevented them from serving all youth in need. Committee members discussed the importance of early intervention, tribal-state court collaboration, and possible misidentification of Native youth in the justice system. The committee then heard the California Highway Patrol’s overview of surge operations supporting local crime suppression, including organized retail theft. CHP reported that its surge teams have been used in response to mutual aid requests and cited arrests, stolen vehicle recoveries, and firearm seizures in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. Members asked about demand for these operations and whether CHP could meet requests without affecting other duties; CHP said requests have increased and are accepted when resources allow. The committee also heard CHP’s request for a $5 million General Fund augmentation and 12 positions for its Computer Crimes Investigation Unit to make child sexual abuse material and human trafficking investigations a higher priority. CHP cited rising cybertip volumes, a case involving AI-generated CSAM, and the need for more investigators and forensic capacity. A larger portion of the hearing focused on the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and a separate $5 million ongoing General Fund proposal for Cal OES to continue the program. Task force commanders from Sacramento, San Diego, Silicon Valley, and Fresno described rapidly growing cybertip volumes, heavy caseloads, forensic backlogs, and the need for training and equipment for affiliate agencies statewide. They emphasized that the ICAC model relies on local partnerships, deconfliction, and subject-matter expertise to identify victims, execute warrants, and rescue children, and they gave examples of cases that led to arrests and child rescues. Members generally supported the work but raised questions about overlap between CHP and ICAC efforts, the need for broader statewide collaboration, and whether more resources should be directed to task forces and victim services. A public commenter also urged expansion of homeless youth exploitation services and the California Youth Crisis Line.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have these questions. significant need for us to have these questions, but the Games Route Network,
• I'm going to jump to: do any members want to comment on the Games Route Network? All right.
• What's the total funding needed to complete the network, including already appropriated funds?
• My name's Brian Chauve, and I'm with the California Climate and Agriculture Network. Hello, Chair.
• My name's Brian Schobe, but I'm with the California Climate and Agriculture Network.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate how engaged the AAA network and the C4A Association has been in this process.
• We appreciate how engaged the AAA network and the C4A Association has been in this process.
• speaking in support of $110 million for Cal Food and $16.5 million to the California Diaper Bank Network
• , speaking in support of $110 million for Cal Food and $16.5 million to the California Dibre Bank Network
• We thank you for supporting Californians served by the state's food bank network. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 247 deals with prohibiting network exclusion from pharmacies that refuse to dispense a prescription
• If they don't do that, they run the risk of being excluded and kicked out of the network. this bill will
• so if they're filling 100 network so if they're filling 100 prescriptions<00:49:14.240> in<00
• <00:49:25.440> Pro going to lose their Network Pro going to lose their Network Pro provisions
• uh Provisions the other their network uh Provisions the other thing<00:49:42.799> that<00:49:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just come back as soon as you can, and we'll try to fit you in in the event of a network failure.
• can, and we'll try to fit you in if we're still receiving testimony on the bill in the event of a network
• the<00:09:57.519> event<00:09:57.760> of<00:09:57.880> a<00:09:58.040> network
• so that we allows us to create a network so that we can<00:23:50.480> provide<00:23:50.840>
• from Hawaii children Action Network from Hawaii children Action Network speaks<01:03:51.160>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 302, which would repeal the requirement that a provider-patient relationship for medical cannabis certification be established in person first. The Department of Health said it supported the House Draft 2 version as a way to expand patient access, and several testifiers from the medical cannabis community and dispensary industry supported the bill, especially for patients on outer islands or those unable to travel. One witness asked that earlier language removed in committee be restored to further improve access. Representative Shimizu asked whether follow-up in-person visits would still occur, and DOH responded that this varies by provider, with some continuing in-person care and others moving to telehealth for chronic conditions. The committee then took up House Bill 712, relating to the federal 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. The Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office both said they supported the bill’s purpose but wanted it clarified and possibly moved into a standalone chapter rather than chapter 481B. Supporters, including Hawaii Pacific Health and the Queen’s Health Systems, said the bill is needed to protect safety-net funding and access to discounted drugs, citing large financial benefits from 340B and losses caused by manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies. PhRMA opposed the bill, arguing the issue is not access to discounts but accountability and transparency in how contract pharmacies distribute benefits, and said it was willing to discuss amendments. Members asked follow-up questions about whether there was data showing misuse; PhRMA said it did not have numbers, while hospital witnesses said the program is federally audited and used appropriately in Hawaii. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1482, HD1, which would tighten hemp and controlled-substance definitions to exclude Schedule I cannabinoids from manufactured hemp products and clarify the treatment of artificially derived cannabis. The Department of Health supported the measure, saying it adds clarity to existing prohibitions. Kūre Hawaii and other supporters said it would close loopholes involving Delta-8 and similar products. An individual testifier urged stronger language to also cover compounds such as HHC, THCA, THCP, and THCO. In response to questions about enforcement against mislabeled hemp products, DOH explained that THC percentages are relative to product weight, that some products can remain under the hemp threshold while still containing significant THC, and that hemp flower is already prohibited from direct retail sale, though enforcement can be complicated and involves both administrative and criminal authorities.