Video & Transcript Research : 'unauthorized practice'
Page 190 of 500
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- mentioned, these single-stair proposals in House Bills 5570 and 5571 are consistent with the best practices
- These bills represent a practical and targeted reform to help address that gap.
- Michigan has an opportunity to follow best practices and remove unnecessary barriers to housing production
- These bills represent a practical and targeted reform to help address that gap.
- Michigan has an opportunity to follow best practices and remove unnecessary barriers to housing production
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services met with a quorum, adopted the June 16, 2026 minutes, and then unanimously adopted S-1 substitutes for House Bills 5570 and 5571. The chair said the committee would take testimony and likely not move to final passage that day, in order to allow more discussion and questions. The bills, as substituted, would allow local governments to permit certain multifamily buildings up to four stories to be built or converted with a single staircase, subject to conditions such as limits on units per floor, floor size, and existing fire safety requirements. A sunset provision was described as ending the statute once LARA adopts corresponding building code rules.
Representatives Fairbairn and Wooden testified in support, saying the bills are intended to address Michigan’s housing shortage by making smaller infill and “missing middle” projects more feasible and less costly. They argued the current two-stair requirement drives up costs, makes land assembly harder, and limits development on narrow or irregular lots. Senators asked about stair width, emergency safety, the choice of four stories instead of six, and why the American Institute of Architects opposed the approach; the sponsors said the 48-inch stair width was intended to allow two-way movement, four stories was a compromise aligned with expected code changes, and the architects preferred rulemaking over statutory change.
Supportive testimony came from Pew Charitable Trusts, which said research from New York City, Seattle, and other places found fire death rates in modern single-stair buildings to be indistinguishable from other multifamily buildings, and that modern safety features such as sprinklers, alarms, and fire-rated construction make these buildings safe. A developer from Ann Arbor and the Michigan Home Builders Association said the reform would improve floor-plan efficiency, reduce wasted circulation space, lower construction costs, and help smaller projects pencil out. Abundant Housing Michigan also supported the bills, estimating they could reduce apartment construction costs by nearly 13%. The clerk read in numerous written cards in support from business, housing, municipal, and advocacy groups, while the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union were listed as neutral. The committee adjourned without further business.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- keep more folks who are clinical providers in community settings as opposed to going into private practice
- increasing the number of physicians with disabilities... ...and thinking about how to implement better practice
- The slides reference physicians, but for primary care, are you including advanced practice nursing that
- exist and some recommended strategies for increasing the pipeline and the sustainability of advanced practice
- clinicians, mostly nurse practitioners. ...the sustainability of advanced practice clinicians, mostly
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on workforce supports met with Chair Andrew Lerault presiding. Members completed roll call, approved the August 2025 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Amy Doyle, director of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Doyle described the center’s launch in September 2024 and its legislative mandate to study behavioral health payment rates, workforce needs, and licensure/certification barriers, with an emphasis on recruitment, retention, capacity building, diversity/equity, and sustainability. She also shared data on unmet behavioral health needs, ED boarding, workforce shortages, aging and turnover in nursing and direct care, and the need to improve data collection on non-licensed workers and populations such as people with developmental disabilities and autism.
Committee members asked questions about what provider types were included in the workforce data and whether DDS-related residential and direct support roles were captured. Doyle said the center is still working to define and measure the full behavioral health workforce, including non-licensed roles, and welcomed follow-up on missing data sources. Members suggested additional sources such as CHIA and the Association of Developmental Disability Providers’ workforce survey. Doyle noted that the center is working with CHIA and that new licensure renewal surveys for behavioral health and allied mental health professionals will begin in 2025, which should improve future workforce data.
The discussion also touched on the Health Policy Commission’s broader workforce findings, including nurse attrition, burnout, low wages, and the importance of career ladders and advanced training. Doyle said the center’s first policy recommendations will come from its rate study, expected in the next one to two months, and will likely focus on capacity building and sustainability. After the presentation, members thanked Doyle and discussed subcommittee leadership. Chair Lerault announced he was stepping down, and Chris White volunteered to serve as co-chair; the committee agreed to move forward with that arrangement and to revisit FY26 goals once new leadership is in place. The meeting then adjourned by motion and second.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- What should be done, or what can be done, or even what happens in practice?
- know when the numbers are not good what should be done or what can be done or even what happens in practice
- would be where the community would receive an entrance fee but not pay it, because that's not the practice
- comes up pretty naturally within our other discussions, but more explicitly, as well as advertising practices
- comes up pretty naturally within our other discussions, but more explicitly, as well as advertising practices
Summary:
The commission met at Brookhaven at Lexington to continue discussing continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with a focus on financial viability, entrance fees, refund policies, and how the industry is evolving. Speakers explained that nonprofit CCRCs have shifted away from building entirely new campuses since the 2008 financial crisis, and now more often grow through expansions, affiliations, mergers, or added home- and community-based services. They also noted that many newer CCRCs, especially nationwide, are being built without on-campus skilled nursing, relying instead on assisted living, memory care, or off-site arrangements, and that zoning and local approval can affect expansion plans.
A substantial portion of the discussion centered on financial health and consumer protection. Panelists said the most important indicators of a strong CCRC are high occupancy, strong liquidity, and reinvestment in the property, with low occupancy and declining days cash on hand cited as warning signs. They described how actuarial reviews are used to estimate health care utilization and set pricing, and said staffing shortages are often a bigger financial pressure than resident care utilization itself. On refunds, speakers said entrance-fee refunds are generally paid when a unit is resold and the new entrance fee is received, and that resident refunds are usually protected even in bankruptcy, though residents are unsecured creditors. Massachusetts examples such as Reed’s Landing and the Groves were cited as cases where residents remained in place and refunds were ultimately protected.
The group also discussed a pending disclosure bill on Beacon Hill related to entrance fees and refund transparency. LeadingAge Massachusetts said it supports clearer disclosure so residents understand refund provisions, and reported that among surveyed member CCRCs, the average time to provide an entrance-fee refund over the past two years was about 117 days. Participants emphasized the need to balance consumer protection with preserving the financial stability of the communities. The commission also reviewed upcoming dates: a virtual public hearing/listening session on June 16, the next commission meeting on June 23, and a later discussion planned on consumer rights, protections, and advertising practices. The meeting concluded with introductions of commission members and an invitation for attendees to tour the Brookhaven campus.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- that would probably be better able to explain that they do feel that it's within their scope of practice
- Do we feel confident that this is within their scope of practice? Are they accurately practicing?
- Do we feel confident that this is within their scope of practice? Are they accurately practicing?
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a part of our cultural practices to do um to kanu and so that uh so yes, of course, I believe that
- It's a part of our cultural practices to do um to kanu and so that uh so yes, of course, I believe that
- <00:10:33.680>
of <00:10:33.800>our <00:10:33.920>cultural <00:10:34.240>practices - <00:10:34.880>
to <00:10:35.040>do part of our cultural practices to do part of our - cultural practices to do um<00:10:36.600>
to <00:10:36.800>kanu <00:10:37.560>and
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met on April 14, 2026, to consider GM 644, the nomination of Kayla Curvelo to the Hawaii Island Burial Council, shifting her seat from the at-large/large landowner position to the Kona representative seat. Testimony in support came from SHPD Administrator Jessica Pap, who said Curvelo has served faithfully and has strong ties to the Kona community, and from OHA’s Leiloha Macouani, who noted Curvelo has served on the council since 2021 and as chair since August 2025.
Curvelo, appearing on Zoom, described her family’s deep roots in Kona and said her focus would be on supporting community and descendant voices in burial matters. In response to questions, she emphasized that burial council decisions should be handled case by case, especially in situations involving inadvertent discovery of iwi, preservation in place, or relocation. She said the council’s role is to listen to families, SHPD, and community needs, and to balance cultural practice, changing conditions, and respect for kupuna and ʻāina.
Members asked about her vision for the council and whether iwi could be moved when necessary. Curvelo said relocation can be appropriate when done properly, but there is no single rule; each situation depends on the family, the site, and conditions such as coastal erosion or high surf. After discussion, the chair recommended advise and consent. The committee voted to adopt that recommendation, with Chair Richards, Vice Chair, Senator Kealoha, and Senator Dela Cruz voting aye; Senator Ihara was excused. The nomination was forwarded to the full Senate for confirmation, and the meeting adjourned.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- In practice, that is not a strong protection.
- this bill does support municipalities who opt into a certification program with best management practices
- certification program with<00:12:17.080>
best <00:12:17.320>management <00:12:17.680>practices - <00:12:18.360>
for <00:12:18.600>that with best management practices for that with - best management practices for that salt<00:12:19.160>
reduction <00:12:20.160>with <00:12
Summary:
The House opened with a moment of silence and handled several bill referrals and procedural matters. House Bill 957, relating to amendments to the charter of the town of Williston, received first reading and was referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Senate Bill 255, establishing a pilot law enforcement government’s council in Windham County, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because it materially affects municipal revenue. The House also noted that Senate Bill 198, on regulation of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, had been reported favorably with amendment by Commerce and Economic Development.
The chamber then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 198 and committed it to the Committee on Human Services pending its entry on the notice calendar. The House also adopted in concurrence Joint Senate Resolution 49, setting weekend adjournment so that when the two houses adjourn on Friday, April 17, 2026, they must reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
During consideration of Senate Bill 218, relating to reducing chloride contamination of state waters, Representative Boutin offered a floor amendment aimed at strengthening municipal liability protections for towns participating in salt-reduction efforts. Supporters said the existing affirmative defense was too weak and could leave municipalities exposed to negligence claims despite their efforts to reduce salt use. Opponents, including members speaking for Judiciary and House Environment, argued the issue was legally complex, involved tort and insurance questions, and needed more vetting than a floor amendment; they also said the current bill already supports municipalities through certification and best-management-practices provisions. Both committees reported the amendment unfavorable, with Judiciary citing a 7-3-1 vote and House Environment a 10-1-0 vote.
The session ended with announcements recognizing guests in the gallery and a notice that House Democrats would caucus in Room 11, while Republicans and Progressives would not, followed by a recess until the gavel fell again.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/06/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- It's there's no practical reason to have a round chambered.
- There's no practical reason to have a round chambered.
- It's<00:48:18.079>
there's <00:48:18.400>no <00:48:18.720>practical <00:48:19.359 - >
reason <00:48:19.760>to <00:48:20.000>have It's there's no practical reason to - have It's there's no practical reason to have a<00:48:20.319>
round <00:48:20.560>chambered
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- So, just to kind of get some real-world experience before you actually say, 'I'm a CPA and I can practice
- I'm a CPA and before you actually say, "I'm a CPA and I<00:08:24.240>
can <00:08:24.800>practice - <00:08:26.240>
And <00:08:26.400>I <00:08:26.560>I I can practice and do my - And I I I can practice and do my thing."
- This bill will allow Alabama to give a multi-state agreement that led license for editions practice across
Bills:
HB150
Keywords:
improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, that's, that's what's been explained to, to us in practice.
- don't believe that there's any requirement, um, in law currently, but that's what's happening in practice
- This bill is about protecting children and making sure daycares have real emergency plans, they practice
- It adds consistent auditing, outside support and updates based on best practices research by the Texas
- Number 2, I want to point out, I've been practicing medicine for over 30 years.
Bills:
HB 660, HB 4845, HB 3902, HB 5396, HB 4615, HB 1825, HB 1403, HB 4336, HB 4585, HB 4371, HB 863, SB 1589, HB 5223, HB 3195, HB 2734
Keywords:
child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 9th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Although this sounds straightforward. practice.
- This confusion arises due to a historic practice that we see on the ground where the log is applied as
- House Bill 43. 94 simply says that our elected county attorneys, who usually handle deceptive trade practice
- responsive to what's going on locally and make sure that our people are protected from predatory practices
- serve as a prosecutor, and one of my duties and jobs as a prosecutor is to handle deceptive business practice
Bills:
HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175
Keywords:
Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JDC, JDC Public Hearings 04-02-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm also a practicing attorney.
- I'm also a practicing attorney.
- And, you know, as an attorney, as someone who has a lot of experience practicing law, that is the whole
- And, you know, as an attorney, as someone who has a lot of experience practicing law, that is the whole
- And, you know, as an attorney, as someone who has a lot of experience practicing law, that is the whole
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 158, which had been amended from an automatic voter registration-related request to a resolution urging the administration to follow the law and comply with federal court orders. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Hawaii women lawyers, and others. One witness spoke against automatic voter registration, warning it could be exploited by bad actors, though the chair clarified that the amended resolution was focused on court orders rather than AVR.
Members asked questions about whether states or Congress can enforce compliance with court orders and whether there were historical examples of presidents refusing to follow them. The response emphasized separation of powers, checks and balances, and the importance of state support for the rule of law. The committee then voted to accept the proposed SD1 for SCR 158; the measure passed with one no vote recorded from Senator Awa.
The committee also took up SCR 154, a resolution supporting implementation of applicable United Nations Human Rights Council universal periodic review recommendations. No testimony was received on that measure, and it was deferred. In a later decision-making agenda item, the committee considered a measure directing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to include circuit and district court facilities in planning new correctional centers and to establish a release procedure away from residential communities and public spaces; the committee recommended passage as amended, and the measure passed without objection.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires the department to adopt the best management practices which will guide how and where cultivated
- And that's the focus of my practice, is to give them guidance on how they can build their projects and
- Fish and Wildlife, and come up with best practices to make sure that we are designing these facilities
- to the extent that you could help us sort of laser in on what are some of the procedures and best practices
- , what are some best practices, yeah.
Keywords:
construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- contractor to study nursing home quality incentive payment systems in other states to look for best practices
- Best practices in terms of systems and methodologies that truly generate quality of care improvements
- We are seeking to codify the current practice of agreements between DCF and military installations to
- It is the current practice of DCF, but the goal is to codify that so that it's not discretionary in the
- It is the current practice of DCF, but the goal is to codify that so that it's not discretionary in the
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee met to review and advance the Senate’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposal for the committee’s portfolio. The presentation highlighted a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget, including full funding for Medicaid and KidCare, investments in IT modernization, Medicaid provider rate increases, mental health and substance use services, opioid treatment, foster care and guardian assistance, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, school nurse staffing, and other public health initiatives. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal to be reported to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 152 on surgical smoke protection required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; nurses testified in support, citing workplace and patient safety risks, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to provide educational materials to schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions; it was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home oversight added consumer satisfaction surveys, reporting requirements, quality incentive changes, and financial reporting penalties, with an amendment exempting state-operated homes and directing a study of best practices; it passed after questions about dementia, language access, and retaliation protections. CS/SB 738 modernized child care regulation by streamlining DCF processes and reducing obsolete requirements, and was reported favorably without opposition.
The committee also approved CS/SB 1356 creating the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics pilot to expand rare-disease screening and research, with support from members emphasizing early detection and data collection. SB 1370 separated ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute, with testimony that the change would better reflect the industry and help avoid burdensome regulation; it passed favorably. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1626 made a range of child welfare changes, including codifying DCF coordination with military installations, adjusting shelter certification, refining criminal-background exemptions, extending licensing compliance time, addressing room-and-board rate methodology, and clarifying missing-child procedures; after adopting three amendments and hearing both support and concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also recorded a member’s affirmative vote on SB 958 before adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- telehealth provider or telemedicine, you can opt out of certain things; it would follow that same practice
- Harmful e-cigarette marketing practices target young people and are creating a new generation of addicts
- With e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury, I have made it a point in my practice to ask about
- More recently, Texas settled a lawsuit for their marketing practices aimed at youth.
- Compliance is crucial; without it, this bill discussed today will have no practical impact.
Bills:
HB18, HB742, HB754, HB1644, HB2187, HB1887, HB 1275, HB37, HB1503, HB1699, HB1700, HB2735, HB1741, HB1731, HB1675, HB18, HB37
Keywords:
rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- I practice law in Moody, Alabama. Moody, Alabama is in St. Clair County, Alabama.
- For best practices, a water system... ...go?
- For best practices, a water system should replace their pipelines every hundred years.
- We're still on a 300 plus years replacement cycle, which is well beyond best practices that call for
Bills:
SB330
Keywords:
water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 1136, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony.
- It updates the Texas statute to align with FAA's language and current practices under the state block
- Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony.
- It updates the Texas statute to align with FAA's language and current practices under the state block
Keywords:
high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill maintains current practice and infrastructure simply removing the sunset allowing pharmacists
- AB 738 provides a simple and practical solution by offering a limited exemption to homeowners whose properties
- So in order to be practical, to be compassionate, save taxpayer money and resources, we urge the committee
- not sure that all those crimes are covered here, but I will point out again that it has been the practice
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- protecting homeowners, including condominium owners, especially condominium owners, from unfair practices
- had seen, in a given moment, because of this alternative sales procedure, that there were sales practices
- had given to you with regards to the investigation done by the Miami Herald, the bill stops the practice
- This legislation is modeled after legislation in Ohio and Illinois that's been a practice that's shown
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to review its proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, totaling about $7.6 billion. The chair highlighted funding for the Department of Corrections, including health services, food inflation, and prison population growth; the Department of Juvenile Justice for residential beds and higher food/medical costs; FDLE for a law enforcement apprenticeship program and officer wellness services; justice administration for court-appointed attorney rates and VOCA shortfalls; major IT projects; and court operations, including funding for 29 new judges. Members asked about where the new judgeships would go and whether staffing would accompany them, and staff said the judge positions would be listed later in a conforming bill and that associated court staff were included, but not additional state attorney or public defender staffing. Several members also asked whether the budget addressed pay and staffing shortages in state attorneys’ and public defenders’ offices, and staff said those decisions had not yet been finalized.
The committee then heard public testimony from several speakers who urged more funding for prison safety, medical care, and oversight. Speakers described personal experiences involving deaths or serious harm in correctional facilities and jails, alleging inadequate medical treatment, excessive force, isolation, and failures to investigate. One speaker said her son died after being beaten and denied timely medical care in a correctional facility; another said her son was not receiving adequate health care at Charlotte Correctional; and another described her brother’s death in the Marion County Jail after repeated tasing and pepper spraying. The committee adopted a motion allowing staff to make technical adjustments and then approved the committee’s budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee also took up CS for CS SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures and foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia offered an amendment to standardize judicial sales, increase transparency, limit preferences in bidding, preserve public notice requirements, restrict plaintiff credit bids to the amount of the judgment unless a deposit is posted, and prevent deviations from statutory timelines and procedures from being hidden in court orders. Garcia said the bill was intended to close loopholes and protect homeowners, especially condominium owners, from unfair foreclosure practices. A representative for Auction.com said similar laws have been used in other states and offered to provide data. After debate, the amendment was adopted, and the bill passed the committee favorably on a roll call vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- on a physician's office, but I've got 9,000 members and they've you've seen one family doctor's practice
- , you've seen one family doctor's practice.
- Iena. um you know who's in solo practice in east texas his cost structure might look like might look
- We are an FSC. that's focused on the independent practice of emergency medicine and we all Also have
Keywords:
health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-EDT DEFER, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-12-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- the Hawaii State Energy Office, as suggested by HSEO, and the working group shall focus on best practices
- out-of-state recycling options, and the feasibility of pursuing recycling options outside the U.S. on best practices
- for uh lithium ion EOL on best practices for uh lithium ion EOL lithium<00:05:35.440>
ion <00: - lithium-ion battery recycling program, and also environmental impact assessment of different management practices
Summary:
The committee met on February 12 in Room 224 and via videoconference to consider several measures. First, it heard Senate Bill 547 on water conservation, which would create an income tax credit for gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators, along with a rebate program and building code standards. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments from DOA and the Department of Health and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted unanimously by the members present.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1633, a Green Building tax credit measure tied to the use of Hawaii-grown hemp in primary structures, and also addressing hemp and cannabinoid product regulation, including age limits, packaging requirements, THC limits, and a separate hemp program within the Department of Health. The chair recommended passing the bill with DOA amendments and a further amendment allowing hemp processors to sell certain edible or beverage cannabinoid products with limited THC content, plus a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. The motion passed with five votes in favor.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 391 on recycling, which would expand the Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Act to cover certain lithium-ion batteries and require manufacturers to ensure their safe collection and recycling. The chair instead recommended amending the bill into a working group under the Hawaii State Energy Office to study battery end-of-life management, costs, safety, environmental impacts, in-state versus out-of-state recycling options, and related feasibility questions, with a report due before the 2026 regular session and dissolution on June 30, 2026. That amended approach was adopted unanimously, and the hearing concluded.