Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of things I would note on this slide.
• I've noted these projects in the funded phase.
• I've noted these projects in the funded phase.
• And I think that's important to note.
• So there’s just a couple of upcoming items to note.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Subcommittee 4 of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will come to order.
• year, including one full fiscal year of M&O.
• And we're abiding by those fiscal year estimates.
• Do you anticipate they will be done in the upcoming fiscal year or completed?
• Do you anticipate that it will be done in the upcoming fiscal year or completed? The roofs, no.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget item on vehicle license fee backfill funding, where the Department of Finance said the administration was not proposing the requested $119 million for San Mateo County, Alpine, and Mono, arguing the payment is discretionary and that existing excess ERAF formulas should remain unchanged. Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier testified that the money is owed under the VLF swap arrangement and that San Mateo County faces major service cuts without the backfill; Senator Cabaldon raised broader policy questions about county boundaries and the structure of the formula. The chair held the item open after public comment. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department requested funding for SB 851 implementation, including additional duties related to election litigation notice, voting system standards, and vendor reporting, with $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software. Members asked about election security, federal HAVA funding, staffing, and implementation timing; the department said current federal funds are expected to run out in 2027-28 and that it hopes to hire quickly once funded. The item was held open. The Secretary of State also presented the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), seeking $11.8 million General Fund to finish the project and begin operations, and the notary automation replacement project, seeking $9.795 million in Business Fees Fund for continued development of the outdated notary system. Members focused on project delays, stakeholder input, and whether the funding requests matched prior plans; the department said both projects were still on their original funding tracks but had shifted timelines due to planning needs and election-related workload. Both items were held open. CalVet presented its department overview and then discussed the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility at Yountville, which is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building. Members asked about the future of Holderman, other campus capital projects, and a payroll/fringe-benefit issue affecting some employees; CalVet said Holderman will continue to house some functions, the roofing and steam projects remain in progress, and the tax issue has been addressed with new procedures and repayment arrangements. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant positions under Control Section 4.12, with CalVet saying the positions were long-vacant CNA and related jobs and the LAO noting the Legislature had not concurred; Senator Cabaldon said he had no objection, and the item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an overview of its work and its cultural districts program, describing grants and technical assistance in all 58 counties and citing examples of local impact. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas strongly supported additional funding, including a proposed $50 million General Fund investment and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts, arguing the program supports economic development, preservation, and community identity; council staff said the program is currently unfunded and has only been able to designate a fraction of applicants. Senator Cabaldon noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural districts and urged broader geographic representation. The item was informational and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $615 million in each fiscal year of the biennium, totaling $1.23 billion.
• If you look at page 1 here of the handout, you've got the fiscal year and of course the fiscal year is
• And so there was no. fiscal note necessarily associated with whatever the legislation number was that
• Yes, to TRS. 1.1 billion for fiscal year 26. Is there any rule of thumb that we could use? No.
• I added up the fiscal note on it and through 2030 looks like billion dollars that is basically a money

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to make sure that the fiscal note attached, Senate Bill 1576, is actually what we're hearing
• Senate Bill 1576, and the numbers match on the fiscal note. But that is interesting.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Commerce Committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 1020, which was amended and then reported do pass unanimously. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute that combined several provisions, including changes related to vehicle inspections, salvage titles, electronic document options for license offices, a three-year registration option, removal of a Montana LLC-related provision, and language preserving highway patrol authority to stop unsafe vehicles. Members briefly discussed how troopers would determine unsafe conditions, and the chair noted the authority already exists but was not codified. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1576, sponsored by Senator Fitzwater, which would reestablish a Missouri-Ireland commission. Fitzwater said the commission would cost nothing, with appointments split among the governor, Senate, and House, and would study ways to strengthen Missouri’s relationship with Ireland and support economic development. Members expressed support, with questions focused on whether the bill was the correct measure and on potential economic benefits; Fitzwater said the bill was intended to enhance partnerships rather than address a specific loss. After the hearing, the committee moved back into executive session and voted Senate Bill 1576 do pass unanimously, 8-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I just will say, on a serious note, today is Holocaust Remembrance Day here in Maryland, which
• Uh, we have Christopher Kellaher, the fiscal and energy environmental policy analyst.
• Uh we have Christopher Kellaher,<00:01:18.400> the<00:01:18.560> fiscal<00:01:18.960>
• > and<00:01:19.200> energy Kellaher, the fiscal and energy Kellaher, the fiscal and energy

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate held a brief pro forma session with a quorum present. The presiding officer noted Holocaust Remembrance Day in Maryland and emphasized the importance of anti-hate efforts, and also welcomed representatives from the Council of State Governments who were visiting despite the snow. The chamber processed one bill introduction, Senate Bill 368 by Senator Bailey concerning living shorelines and non-structural shoreline stabilization measures, and referred it to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. One bond initiative, sponsored by Senators Hettleman, Ishivas, Torres, and Simcha, was also read and sent to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. During announcements, the Majority Leader invited members to a Council of State Governments reception at Harry Brown’s at 6 p.m. The Senate then completed a quorum call and adjourned, with notice that another pro forma session would be held the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she was a little surprised this didn't come through with a fiscal note on it, honestly, because
• She said she was a little surprised this didn't come through with a fiscal note on it, honestly, because
• She said she was a little surprised this didn't come through with a fiscal note on it, honestly, because
• And this is creating a report, a very costly report with a bill with no fiscal note.
• <02:47:46.399> note with no fiscal note with no fiscal note fur<02:47:49.640> the<02

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscally constrained. Thank you so much.
• Fiscally constrained. Thank you so much.
• We’re wanting to know and be able to predict fiscally so that we are financially healthy.
• No notes. Senator Sharif: One 96.
• this in fiscal policy, I want to make sure folks understand who I am.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of tax, fiscal policy, and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence.
• There doesn't appear to be a fiscal note accompanying this bill, but there would need to be one because
• <00:51:23.600> note There doesn't appear to be a fiscal note There doesn't appear to be a
• fiscal note accompanying<00:51:24.200> this<00:51:24.360> bill,<00:51:24.640> but

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, So noted, any other no votes?
• <01:09:34.400> ordinary final reading of the non-fiscal ordinary final reading of the non-fiscal
• Final of the fiscal consent calendar.
• <01:43:59.840> Senate<01:44:00.239> Bill fiscal consent calendar from Senate Bill fiscal
• Um, the fiscal final reading of the fiscal ordinary calendar, Conference Committee Report No. 40, final

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair notes an error and returns to item 245 for second reading.
• Side note, if you ever wondered how to treat an individual with disabilities, Side note, if you ever
• person-first language, it didn't change the intent of the statute, primarily, that it didn't have any fiscal
• To study the issue of spouses as caregivers and put forward fiscal recommendations and a fiscal analysis

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of several resolutions, such as congratulations to the Williamsburg Grange on its 125th anniversary and to Fire Captain Melissa Blodgett on her retirement. The chamber also concurred in a Senate petition to establish a sick leave bank for a Bristol County Sheriff’s Department employee and suspended Joint Rule 12 to advance local petitions, including one involving the Dalton Fire District and another renaming a Chelmsford bridge. The main floor action centered on several Ways and Means bills. The House advanced a bill amending laws relative to individuals with disabilities, replacing outdated and offensive terminology in the General Laws with person-first language; members spoke at length in support, emphasizing dignity, inclusion, and the bill’s non-substantive nature. The bill was engrossed by a roll call vote, 152-0. The House also took up and engrossed a bill to improve Massachusetts home care, which would create a licensing and oversight framework for private-pay home care agencies, establish standards for contracts, background checks, training, insurance, and consumer protections, and create advisory committees to guide implementation. An amendment establishing a Family Caregiver Commission was adopted 154-0, and the bill itself was then engrossed 153-1. In addition, the House passed or engrossed several other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to land in Sharon, a sick leave bank bill for a Trial Court employee, a Marblehead parking fines bill, a Hingham municipal property bill for a center for active living, and a Taunton bill allowing continued employment of Police Chief Edward J. Walsh. The chamber also handled numerous calendar items, holding or passing over many while advancing a few. The session ended with a special adjournment in memory of former Representative George L. Sacco Jr., and the House adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, House Bill 1868 would direct the Coordinating Board to study the feasibility, fiscal, and
• There is no fiscal note attached to this bill, and it will not increase our authority, contract rights
• It's important to note that youth who are adopted from foster care also do not face the same age restrictions
• We'd have to look at the fiscal note, as there's no way to estimate it.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am just noting that in the section where the roll call votes are listed for section D of the chair's
• <00:27:22.159> fiscal elimination of seclusion um, i.e. fiscal elimination of seclusion um
• , i.e. fiscal holds holds holds and<00:27:24.240> all<00:27:24.400> these<00:27:24.799>
• Those two things just came about very differently, and I just like that noted in the report.
• I wouldn't have any objection to noting I wouldn't have any objection to noting that<00:47:42.960

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Seclusion Working Group met for its final meeting on January 28 and first approved the prior meeting minutes after correcting two roll-call vote errors involving Miss Woodward. The chair then gave an extended recap of the history of seclusion policy, including the pre-2023 emergency-only framework, the 2023 ban on seclusion for children birth through grade 3, the 2025 introduction of SF 1830 to restore prior law, and the compromise amendment that allowed limited seclusion in grades 1 through 3 with added safeguards. The chair also reviewed the working group’s timeline, noting it had met from August 2025 through January 2026 and was required to submit findings by January 30, 2026. The main substantive discussion focused on the chair’s proposed timeline for eliminating seclusion and an alternative proposal from Mace. Several members criticized a Minnesota Department of Education letter that opposed parts of the working group’s recommendations, arguing it mischaracterized district practices, questioned informed consent and mental health professional provisions, and did not reflect the realities faced by schools. Members supporting the current use of seclusion said districts already use MTSS, PBIS, Ukeru, and other interventions, but still need seclusion in limited emergency situations. They also said the department’s comments felt inflammatory or unsupportive. On the timeline issue, Mace proposed allowing limited seclusion for students in grades 1 through 12 receiving certain special education services until July 1, 2036, with data collection on outcomes and related interventions. Some members supported a “runway” toward elimination, saying it would allow time to build alternatives and avoid an abrupt ban, while others said they could not support including grades 1 through 3 in any extended timeline and preferred elimination sooner. Members also questioned whether MDE currently collects enough data on law enforcement interventions and related outcomes. The meeting ended with continued discussion of the timeline proposal, but no final vote or report approval was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• A few housekeeping notes, today's hearing is an informational hearing and is intended to last for no
• As is noted, and you can see, we have a full house today and want to get to not only members' questions
• And I am, you know, trying to come in a bubble and in a very robust and positive fiscal year.
• When you're looking at your $1.07 in return, you're looking at that entire fiscal output.
• It was noted that there is polling that shows people support this, but you must do more.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the member from Sherburn, Representative Na Noatne. the budget shortfall for fiscal year
• I will note that both of these facilities are now over a hundred years old.
• Um, I<00:20:57.520> will<00:20:57.760> note<00:20:58.159> that<00:20:58.480>
• both<00:20:58.720> of<00:20:58.880> these I will note that both of these I will note
• how crucial the um just want to note how crucial the passage<00:21:12.000> of<00:21:12.159>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important to note here that no new dollars will be allocated today, only shifted to support the
• In addition, Representative Bonner noted that there's no monetary effect to the state.
• And the other thing that Chair Cleaborn here asked me to note, since I have the floor, is the online
• Chair [Eric] (questionable) said, "I noticed we don't have a fiscal note, but I have some data from 2023
• Savory, Chair and members, as memory serves me, a fiscal note has been...

Transcript Highlights:

• notes. That makes you a superhero. notes. That makes you a superhero.
• Noting that all members with amendments. Noting that all members are<01:52:10.239> present.
• Noting that all members are present. Also noting the no vote from Representative Shimizu.
• <01:56:20.800> um fiscal fiscal fiscal how<01:56:25.679> should<01:56:25.840> I<
• On that note, we are adjourned.

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would allow the commissioner of highways to transfer an additional $3 million in any fiscal
• County or municipality from spending more than $800,000 of unmatched funds in any one fiscal year.
• In our bill, Senate Bill 141, there were five fiscal years of cash injections of $850,000 each.
• Those opposed to note, the opinion of the a chair of the ayes have it.
• Those opposed note. Motion carries. We're adjourned.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill gives our children a real chance to succeed while having no fiscal impact on the state budget
• I'd also like to note that the House companion to SB 36 has already passed all three committees unanimously
• you that have read the bill analysis will know that it says the bill has an indiscriminate positive fiscal
• and work, participate in the community, and achieve a degree of independence that not having the fiscal
• So again, I'm just one example of the many, many people that this could help, and I have to on that note

Bills: S0006, S0036, S0560, S0778, S0844, S0864, S1002, S1016, S1022, S1030, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've generally brought forward a fiscal note of between seven or eight FTEs to fully fund that division
• We've generally brought forward a fiscal note of between seven or eight FTEs to fully fund that that
• So I think we've got a long track record of conservative and fiscally responsible management of our agency
• We've got a long track record of conservative and fiscally responsible management of our agency.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:33.280> that commissioner and um we just note that commissioner and um we just note
• Uh, members noting all with amendments. Uh, members noting all members<02:38:14.399> present.
• amendments, noting all members present. amendments, noting all members present.
• Noting all to pass with amendments.
• amendments noting all members present. amendments noting all members present.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1969, which would provide state funding for colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured residents. The Department of Human Services said it supports the goal of early screening but would need new administrative capacity, including a program manager and claim pre-screening, to run the program. The Department of Health supported the measure and cited low screening rates in Hawaii, noting an educational campaign to encourage screening. The Insurance Division raised concerns about reliance on federal FAQs, warning that guidance can change and may create state cost exposure. Supporters including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Hawaii Medical Association argued the bill would close a preventive-care gap, reduce late-stage diagnoses, and save long-term costs; the committee also discussed implementation costs, estimated by DHS at roughly $1.4 million to $2 million annually plus administrative expenses, and a 6-month to 1-year timeline to establish the program. The committee then took up House Bill 1965, which would require health carriers to spend at least 6% of total medical expenditures on primary care providers. The Insurance Division said several provisions raise technical and legal concerns, including the premium freeze, the medical loss ratio language, the lack of an existing external review process for downcoding claims, and a new mandate for medically necessary inter-island transportation that could trigger an ACA defrayal. The Department of Human Services supported the intent but suggested broader language to include primary care supports and services, and noted that QUEST integration plans already invested at least 9% of total medical expenditures in primary care in 2024, with additional spending on supports and low-value care reductions. State health planning officials strongly supported the bill as an investment in primary care, saying it could improve outcomes and lower long-term costs, though they acknowledged a possible temporary premium increase during the transition. Testimony in support emphasized Hawaii’s physician shortage, especially on Maui, the Big Island, and other neighbor islands, and warned that clinics are under financial strain and may close without higher primary care reimbursement. The Hawaii Healthcare Task Force, AARP Hawaii, and other supporters said the bill would help retain providers, improve access for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and prevent downstream costs from emergency room use and avoidable hospitalizations. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.