Transcript Highlights:

• They're processed. They go to one of the units.
• Chair: ...that slows down the process and third is ask yourself anything in the process that you really
• Chair: ...process a renewal takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
• It’s the same process.
• Allowing online applications has changed the process completely.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that's been on fiscal review, anybody that's been, you know, pretty deep into the appropriations process
• And I think that can only be a good thing, can only be good for our process. Sure.
• It's good to go back and audit a situation to see if we were right or not, to see if modeling was off
• makes sense that the joint committee would draft a revision bill, since they're involved in that process

Summary: The Budget Committee met in executive session and took up Senate Bill 1470, as amended by a House committee substitute. The bill would update statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and its oversight functions. The chair and sponsor described several changes, including reducing the committee from 20 members to 12, adding chamber leadership and minority leaders, allowing electronic delivery of reports, updating references to public colleges and universities, and clarifying that the committee’s role is focused on revision bills rather than general bill drafting. A major point of discussion was a new provision allowing legislative oversight staff to access certain Department of Revenue tax-return information for fiscal note work, subject to confidentiality rules and criminal penalties for misuse. Supporters said this would let staff independently verify tax-policy assumptions and improve the accuracy of fiscal notes, citing past large errors in fiscal estimates. Members raised concerns about protecting taxpayer privacy and asked how the information would be used; the sponsor said only the director and authorized employees would have access, not committee members, and that existing confidentiality oaths and penalties would apply. The committee also discussed post-implementation fiscal notes, which would review whether earlier fiscal estimates matched actual results after two years. Members asked how those reports would be shared, and the sponsor said the bill leaves that to the committee to work out. Another section striking language about staff opposing or urging legislation was explained as cleanup, since the committee no longer drafts general legislation and would only draft revision bills. The committee adopted the House committee substitute and then voted the bill do pass by a roll call of 25 yes and 1 no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Public Examiners asked to be brought forward because of certain situations they found on audits
• So, uh, you know, here's the process. We take from employees' paychecks and put...
• Needs to address knowledge, intent, specific intent, something in there as it relates to the processing
• Of course, if they were never registered, they would have to go through that process. Mr.

Bills: SB210, SB176, SB167, SB244, SB218, SB9, SB153, SB9

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, DUI, driving under the influence, drunk driving, fatal crash, vehicular homicide, child support, survivor benefits, orphaned child, guardian death

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we have a process here.
• , and we have a process here.
• the AG's office has their own process the AG's office has their own process and<01:09:48.279>
• <01:09:50.359> as and then DHS has their own process as and then DHS has their own process
• Got the process wrong. apologize. Got the process wrong.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:02.280> and<00:54:02.400> during<00:54:02.720> audit<00:54:03.040> if<
• /c><00:54:03.160> we<00:54:03.280> see<00:54:03.520> that Audits and during audit
• if we see that Audits and during audit if we see that something<00:54:03.880> is<00:54:04.000
• Representative Davids responded that there is not targeting of certain areas; these are random audits
• A fiscal note has been requested for House Bill 4 with the 2A amendment, and it is in process right now

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Public Health Law in relation to the audit and review of medical assistance program
• So this bill would actually make it so that we would change the way that these audits are done.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were described as repeat measures previously passed by the Senate. Topics included expanding telehealth coverage, increasing Department of Health oversight of correctional health services, improving transparency for managed long-term care plans, requiring written consent for psychotropic medications in nursing homes and adult care facilities, extending Medicaid inpatient coverage for childbirth, expanding abortion travel funding eligibility for active-duty military families, simplifying Medicaid enrollment and recertification, adding certified recovery peer advocates to standard coverage, strengthening protections against sexual misconduct by medical providers, covering medically tailored meals and nutrition therapy, regulating retail clinics, requiring nurse representation on hospital governing boards, creating a blood clot and pulmonary embolism work group, testing potable water in parks, setting PFAS drinking water standards, improving lead service line identification, creating a quality incentive program for Medicaid managed care, expanding concussion information requirements to additional youth sports, setting a residency requirement for funeral director licensure, and changing Medicaid Inspector General audit practices. Most bills were briefly explained by sponsors or the chair, with limited debate. Several members asked clarifying questions on specific provisions, including the frequency of park water testing, how concussion information would be distributed, and details of the nurse representation requirement. The chair also noted pulling one correctional health bill from the agenda in favor of a more comprehensive measure, and one bill on correctional health was formally removed from consideration. The committee voted on each remaining bill, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support. Most measures were reported to either first reading or finance, while the bill on psychotropic medications was sent to aging. The correctional health bill that remained on the agenda was approved despite one opposition, and the bill on funeral director licensure was also advanced with one abstention. The meeting concluded after all listed bills were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• PROVIDES ALL ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE ANNUAL PROCEEDS FROM SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES SUBJECT TO SPECIFIED AUDIT
• THEY ARE AUDITED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FDOT, COMMISSION FOR TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To ensure everyone can view, process.
• competitive processes, grant processes. competitive processes, grant processes.
• Um there continues to be a this process.
• <00:59:16.880> to um that hadn't begun that process to um that hadn't begun that process to
• peer review process. peer review process. The<01:54:47.599> Mary<01:54:48.000> C.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the local warrant article process.
• So it works out, it's fine. then we went through the process with then we went through the process with
• <00:38:39.920> which turn into an opt out press process which turn into an opt out press process
• . processed. processed.
• plan proc plan process that we correct. plan proc plan process that we correct.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where is the disconnect there, and how does that process happen?
• Um, the de novo is in process of application review, and I think we're hopeful that that will join our
• We are<00:47:33.040> in<00:47:33.200> the<00:47:33.359> process<00:47:33.520>
• in the process of training some staff<00:47:34.720> and<00:47:34.880> we<00:47:35.040>
• So I look forward to this process, and that's kind of why we wanted to have you all come today so we

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue by simplifying the jury excusal process for our aging population.
• So as you can see, you know, the process is just not working.
• A responsive self-petition process can change that.
• That process can be used if CPS has not, or is not willing to, investigate the case.
• A child's unverified application alone triggers this process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with data, and there's a lot of other states in the country that are a bit further along in this process
• > and<00:08:00.800> I<00:08:00.960> think<00:08:01.039> it along in this process
• and I think it along in this process and I think it would<00:08:01.280> be<00:08:01.440> really
• the uh the... ...weren't even processing the applications, and this authority allows us to do that.
• We appreciate you for compliance audits.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we also just have our audit was done by the external firm that does it with again no findings
• Um and we also just have um our uh audit Um and we also just have um our uh audit was<01:01:38.960
• And so there's a trueing up process that takes place within a few months after the end of the state's
• And so there's a trueing up process<01:08:09.440> that<01:08:09.760> takes<01:08:10.000
• takes place within a few process that takes place within a few months<01:08:11.200> after<01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 155, which drew a lengthy debate over an amendment to delay implementation until tax year 2027. Supporters said the delay would give lawmakers time to see whether projected revenues materialize and to reconsider the policy if needed; opponents argued it would reduce money available to services and local governments at a time of tightening revenues. Members also discussed broader revenue trends, including tobacco, rooms-and-meals, real estate transfer, and lottery revenues, and disagreed over whether tax cuts tend to increase revenue. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2983H on an 11-9 vote, then voted 11-9 to report HB 155 ought to pass as amended. The bill was sent to the consent calendar, with a majority and minority report to be filed. The committee then considered HB 224, with members expressing concern that the bill would redirect money collected for one purpose to another and should receive more study. A motion for interim study was made and seconded, and the committee approved interim study unanimously, 20-0, sending HB 224 to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up SB 83, which the Lottery described as a vehicle for technical corrections to gaming law. The Lottery requested changes to remove a bond cap, reconcile inconsistent free-play/promotional-play language, redirect problem-gambling funds to the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention, and revise background-check language after the FBI declined to conduct checks under the existing wording. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2984 unanimously, 20-0, then voted 20-0 to report SB 83 ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began work on HB 524, a bill to repeal the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Representative Yuli said members had received many emails and calls both supporting and opposing the program and that he had questions about transparency and the dollars involved. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 524.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, we're not saying that they're not doing their jobs, but we see a hole in the process.
• Yeah, we're not saying that they're not doing their jobs, but we see a hole in the process.
• understand that there are some processes understand that there are some processes that<00:40:03.359
• What is the end result or the expected outcome as part of that process?
• Uh so I complete its rulemaking process.

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS WAS NOT AN EASY PROCESS AND THERE WERE MANY CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY.
• I SPENT TIME ON PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE FAR HARDER THAN MINE WHO HAVE THE THOUGHT PROCESS AND APPROACH
• WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR THE NEW MODERNIZATION OF THE SYSTEM THOUGHT PROCESS HAPPENING WITH THIS TASK
• AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AS FAR AS THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROCESS?
• YOUR VISION, THOUGHT PROCESS, WHY YOU WANT TO BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They would go through the very long... process that it takes actually for something to happen.
• We tried to streamline the process. this bill and make it more transparent.
• That's where we are in the process. And to elect better judges, we have to have candidates.
• So judicial pay plays into the democratic process and the true cure for our weakness in the judicial
• We do have some weakness in our judiciary is the democratic process.

Bills: SB260, SB263, SB293, SJR18

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• They would go through the very long process that it takes actually for something to happen.
• And so we participate in the political process.
• That's, that's where we are in the process.
• And so judicial pay plays into the democratic process and the true.
• Around then, you know, the electoral process around bail is already highly politicized.

Transcript Highlights:

• have uh reporting and auditing have uh reporting and auditing requirements<01:47:31.080> built
• Delay doesn't help the process.
• Delay doesn't help the process.
• Delay doesn't help the process.
• Delay doesn't help the process.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our processes and procedures.
• So what we do is they have to go through a little bit of a process. A registration process.
• Not only that, there were about 12 rule changes in that process.
• And that's all the processes of drawing the balls.
• It requires people to do auditing.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all