Transcript Highlights:

• Nonetheless, all state employees should report suspected waste, fraud, and abuse to the Department of
• ><00:19:47.280><c> timing</c><00:19:47.600><c> issue</c><00:19:48.559><c> and</c><00:19:48.880><c> waste
• </c> process or a timing issue and waste process or a timing issue and waste fraud<00:19:49.440><c> and
• :09.679><c> should</c><00:20:10.000><c> report</c><00:20:10.400><c> suspected</c><00:20:10.960><c> waste
• ,</c> employees should report suspected waste, employees should report suspected waste, fraud,<00:20:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a band-aid that then was wasted, and now we've come to terms with that we need to fix the whole
• it because it is necessary, because it is a dangerous exit, then you're basically removing it was wasted
• It was a band-aid that then<01:24:45.120><c> was</c><01:24:45.360><c> wasted</c><01:24:45.760><c> and
• <c> now</c><01:24:46.159><c> we've</c><01:24:46.400><c> come</c><01:24:46.560><c> to</c> then was wasted
• So for the taxpayers, I do wasted money.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused first on SP 492, a bill intended to give the New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services authority to lease or license property for housing and related uses. Major General David Mikolitis testified that the bill is aimed at addressing affordable housing for junior enlisted service members, especially those assigned to Pease Air National Guard Base who currently face long commutes because of the Seacoast housing shortage. He said the most likely uses would be converting limited barracks space in Pembroke or Stratford into apartment-style or extended-stay housing, and possibly allowing office/co-op space for federal civilians, though he emphasized the primary purpose is housing for junior ranks. He also said any development would likely be done by a private developer through an RFP, with costs borne by the developer rather than the department. Committee members asked about whether the bill could apply to commercial uses, how taxes would work, whether revenues would go into the general fund, and whether the concept could be expanded statewide. Mikolitis said the intent was housing only, not commercial development like a Starbucks, and that any developed property would be taxable locally rather than remain tax-exempt. He said revenues would go into a dedicated Veteran Services Property Fund and be used for facilities, not the general fund. He also explained that the department has about 20 armories statewide but sees only a few viable locations for this concept, mainly Pembroke, Stratford, and possibly one other site, because the goal is to serve personnel within roughly a 45-minute drive of Pease. He noted that a proposed seven-acre parcel near Pease had already been approved by the Pease Development Authority but still needed FAA approval, and he was not optimistic about using that land for housing because of contamination and redevelopment costs. Committee discussion ended with members indicating support for OTP, but the chair said the vote would have to wait until 11 o'clock and then closed the work session on SP 492. The committee then opened a work session on SP 627 and heard testimony from Jim Jelbert, owner of CJ Bus Lines and chair of the legislature’s transportation council, who spoke in support of the bill. Jelbert argued that the measure would allow New Hampshire to raise tolls and generate significant revenue for the 10-year highway plan without directly taxing citizens, and said the money could address congestion and safety problems, including work on I-93 in Manchester and other statewide projects. He estimated the bill could generate substantial revenue over time and said toll credits could help leverage federal matching funds. He also said improved roads would benefit businesses like his by reducing vehicle wear and improving efficiency. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SP 627 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a band-aid that then was wasted, and now we've come to terms with that we need to fix the whole
• it because it is necessary, because it is a dangerous exit, then you're basically removing it was wasted
• It was a band-aid that then<01:24:45.120><c> was</c><01:24:45.360><c> wasted</c><01:24:45.760><c> and
• <c> now</c><01:24:46.159><c> we've</c><01:24:46.400><c> come</c><01:24:46.560><c> to</c> then was wasted
• So for the taxpayers, I do wasted money.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And similarly, a waste of resources when DHS has that expanded authority, when the AG's office has to
• think um it's bill to travel, but I do think um it's just<00:34:45.520><c> a</c><00:34:45.600><c> waste
• of resources for the just a waste of resources for the Attorney<00:34:47.280><c> General's</c><00:34
• And similarly, a waste of is conducting.
• And similarly, a waste of resources<00:34:59.920><c> when</c><00:35:00.160><c> DHS</c><00:35:00.800><

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their decision caused harm and wasted countless hours of families' time as they were left to figure this
• decision Their decision caused<00:04:57.720><c> harm</c><00:04:58.320><c> and</c><00:04:58.520><c> wasted
• </c><00:04:59.000><c> countless</c><00:04:59.440><c> hours</c> caused harm and wasted countless hours
• caused harm and wasted countless hours of<00:04:59.920><c> families'</c><00:05:00.320><c> time</c><00
• whole process of wasting their time, resources,<01:24:28.840><c> and</c><01:24:28.960><c> going</c><

Bills: HF3794 , HF4472 , HF4410 , HF4347 , HF4412 , HF4398 , HF4397 , HF4201 , HF4199 , HF4203 , HF3706 , HF4071 , HF4120 , HF4175 , HF4188

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• with grant provisions and state policies, grant outcomes, and considerations for fraud, abuse, and waste
• and considerations for fraud,<00:13:55.160><c> abuse,</c><00:13:55.640><c> and</c><00:13:55.800><c> waste
• ,</c><00:30:29.640><c> and</c> conflicts of interest, fraud, waste, and conflicts of interest, fraud,
• And why should the taxpayers trust that you are going to stop the fraud and the waste and abuse when
• And why should the taxpayers trust that you are going to stop the fraud and the waste and abuse when

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is money in here that we are wasting.
• </c><01:04:07.039><c> And</c> that we should that we are wasting.
• And that we should that we are wasting.
• c><01:04:10.960><c> we're</c><01:04:11.119><c> just</c><01:04:11.280><c> not</c><01:04:11.440><c> wasting
• </c> that a project we're just not wasting that a project we're just not wasting the<01:04:11.920><c>

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 69, sponsored by water, waste and storm water infrastructure study, an act relating to water
• and</c><00:04:56.479><c> storm</c><00:04:56.720><c> water</c><00:04:57.040><c> infrastructure</c> waste
• and storm water infrastructure waste and storm water infrastructure study,<00:04:58.000><c> an</c><00
• file<00:05:05.280><c> 69</c><00:05:05.759><c> and</c><00:05:05.919><c> gross</c><00:05:06.560><c> waste
• and storm water file 69 and gross waste and storm water infrastructure<00:05:08.320><c> study</c><00

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• actually these specific situations, particularly with behavioral health cases, where we are seeing waste
• reported that prior authorizations resulted in increased use of health care resources, leading to waste
• This distinction is crucial, as it raises significant concerns regarding potential waste, fraud, and
• And, you know, if there's waste, fraud, and abuse, then there are other laws that go after that.
• It ensures medical necessity, upholds provider accountability, protects against fraud, waste, and abuse

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I mean I'm pretty well I think that most of them know who I am if not I've wasted a lot of money
• 2,000 tons of oyster shells from nearly 40 partners. in the Houston and Galveston area. not go to waste
• Increased production and royalty. payments, generate new severance and local tax revenue, reduce waste
• Well at the time it was municipal reuse on on waste water, we were hoping that we could incentivize that
• Water, solid waste, police and fire services. have to have those.

Bills: HB19 , HB30 , HB851 , HB1663 , HB1681 , HB1769 , HB1937 , HB1979 , HB2428 , HB2433 , HB2825 , HB3159 , HB3424 , HB3486 , HB3487 , HB3504 , HB3605 , HB3879 , HB3994 , HB4382 , HB4752 , HB5444 , HB5446 , HB5447 , HB3199 , HB4847 , HB19

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I’m spitting you here, but I just didn’t want you to waste your time testifying on something that
• You can’t move any of the green waste out, please, until we can get this under control.”
• </c> here but I just didn't want you to waste here but I just didn't want you to waste your<01:51:09.719
• </c><01:51:47.840><c> out</c><01:51:48.599><c> please</c> move any of the green waste out please move
• any of the green waste out please um<01:51:49.400><c> until</c><01:51:49.639><c> we</c><01:51:49.719

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• that there had been overwhelming community support at the House chambers, and that the bill was a waste
• She said the bill is a waste of time and not going to pass, but that it challenges people and reminds
• She said the bill is a waste of time and not going to pass, but that it challenges people and reminds
• </c><00:40:09.680><c> of</c><00:40:09.839><c> time</c> up we know this bill is a waste of time up we
• know this bill is a waste of time and<00:40:10.119><c> it's</c><00:40:10.240><c> not</c><00:40:10.400

Bills: HF1233

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: women's athletics, gender, sports competition, Human Rights Act, biological sex, participation limits, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:07.039><c> and</c><00:19:07.280><c> abuse</c><00:19:08.280><c> and</c> potential fraud waste
• and abuse and potential fraud waste and abuse and state<00:19:08.760><c> statute</c><00:19:09.240><c
• So, Madam Chair, is this a serious proposal that you're actually going to think about, or should we waste
• 43.080><c> have</c><00:24:43.200><c> a</c><00:24:43.279><c> lot</c><00:24:43.399><c> of</c> should we waste
• any time I have a lot of should we waste any time I have a lot of thoughts<00:24:43.720><c> on</c><00

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investments related to additional compliance and oversight work to alleviate the potential for fraud, waste
• 00:06:32.479><c> potential</c><00:06:32.880><c> for</c><00:06:33.080><c> fraud</c><00:06:33.479><c> waste
• </c> alleviate the potential for fraud waste alleviate the potential for fraud waste and<00:06:34.000
• 09:25.880><c> seems</c><01:09:26.080><c> like</c><01:09:26.199><c> in</c><01:09:26.279><c> the</c> waste
• and abuse it seems like in the waste and abuse it seems like in the statutory<01:09:27.080><c> scheme

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HF 100's proposed full exemption of Social Security benefits is a sham and a waste of money that can
• > a</c><00:28:16.279><c> sham</c><00:28:17.000><c> and</c><00:28:17.159><c> a</c><00:28:17.360><c> waste
• </c><00:28:17.640><c> of</c><00:28:17.840><c> money</c> benefits is a sham and a waste of money benefits
• is a sham and a waste of money that<00:28:18.679><c> can</c><00:28:18.840><c> be</c><00:28:19.080><c
• in the state of Minnesota that we wasted in the state of Minnesota that we can<00:47:31.240><c> use<

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When I worked on the state level through a grant, I noticed a lot of waste, especially at the end of
• just dispose of, or you got fined, and it would cost us more money not to use the money, and it was wasteful
• </c> through a grant I noticed a lot of waste through a grant I noticed a lot of waste especially<00:
• ><c> think</c><00:07:14.479><c> that</c><00:07:14.720><c> the</c><00:07:15.199><c> taxpayers</c> wasteful
• and I think that the taxpayers wasteful and I think that the taxpayers deserve<00:07:16.599><c> to</

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, it authorizes the county commission to allow the sale of commodities created by solid waste collection

Bills: SB334

Committee: Senate Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: SB334, Lauderdale County, Florence, Shoals Economic Development Fund, sales tax, use tax, local tax, economic development, county commission, municipal revenue, tax proceeds, special revenue fund, Colbert County, local legislation, Alabama Code 45-39-245.47, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And instead, they're wasting our time.
• It's been suggested that all of this water is wasted out to the ocean for fish.
• And then he pretended to open a magic spigot and he dumped and wasted a whole bunch of water a couple
• It's been suggested that all of this water is wasted out to the ocean for fish.
• It's been suggested that all of this water is wasted out to the ocean for fish.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was STG, so I couldn't go out to a lot of programs, and so I basically wasted two or three years up
• I was STG, so I couldn't go out to a lot of programs, and so I basically wasted two or three years up
• I was STG, so I couldn't go out to a lot of programs, and so I basically wasted two or three years up
• I'm not looking to waste over a hundred hours in the two-year period and come away with nothing, but
• bear fruit and... ...but it's not wasteful, and I think it will bear fruit.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve prior minutes and then heard extensive testimony from people incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in county and state facilities, along with a few family/community perspectives. Much of the testimony focused on how county sheriff programs, reentry services, and step-down placements helped people obtain education, treatment, work experience, housing, IDs, and support for sobriety and family reunification. Witnesses from Hampshire, Barnstable, Hampden, and Franklin counties repeatedly described these programs as life-changing and credited staff with treating them with dignity, helping them prepare for release, and connecting them to community resources. Several witnesses contrasted county programming favorably with their experiences in DOC custody, saying DOC facilities often had overcrowding, limited access to programs, long waits, and little individualized reentry planning. Some said their sentence length or classification status made them ineligible for needed programs, while others described county facilities as more responsive and rehabilitative. A few witnesses also highlighted the value of culturally specific programming, educational blocks, restorative justice, and employment training. One witness from Hampden County described All-Exclusive Support Services as pivotal to her recovery and later employment with the sheriff’s office; another from Franklin County said the reentry center’s outside location made it easier to access help after release. Not all testimony was uniformly positive. A witness from Framingham described serious mental health needs that were not adequately addressed, saying she was offered superficial coping tools instead of counseling and that visitation restrictions for family members worsened her mental health. Another witness, a juvenile lifer, said long sentences and classification barriers limited access to meaningful programming and delayed preparation for release. Commissioners asked follow-up questions about DOC programming access, reentry preparation, visitation policies, and whether people were ready to benefit from services. No formal votes or policy actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes and moving through the testimony agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I'm not going to sit here and waste my time talking about...
• It is a waste of your time, not only my time. I mean, I've been here since 9 o'clock this morning.
• The president does not seem to care about wasting taxpayer money to promote... ...his own agenda.
• Stop wasting our time and taxpayer money just because the DOJ asked you to. ...does not mean you have
• That is what's going on in my district, and we are wasting time here today.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all