Transcript Highlights:

• The next measure is SB 49, relating to prior authorization of health care services.
• 57.919><c> is</c><00:07:58.159><c> sb4</c> 229 uh the next measure is sb4 229 uh the next measure is sb4 49
• 01.240><c> to</c><00:08:01.479><c> prior</c><00:08:01.800><c> authorization</c><00:08:02.440><c> of</c> 49
• relating to prior authorization of 49 relating to prior authorization of health<00:08:03.000><c> care

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met in decision-making session and took up a series of previously heard bills. SB 21 on water carriers was passed with amendments to make the inflationary cost-indexed adjustment mechanism permissive rather than required, along with technical changes and a non-defective effective date. SB 133 on energy was passed with amendments adopting PUC recommendations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 391 on recycling, creating an end-of-life lithium-ion battery management working group, was passed unamended. SB 532 on DOE medication administration in public schools was passed with amendments incorporating Hawaii State Center for Nursing proposals and a defective effective date. SB 230 on wild game meat donations was passed with technical amendments and a July 1, 2050 defective date. SB 1279 on pharmacists and telehealth supervision under the 340B program was also passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 1494 on optional hearing aid coverage was passed with technical amendments and a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. The committee deferred action on SB 588, which would allow self-certification for certain behind-the-meter solar systems and exempt them from FEA no-rise/no-impact declarations, citing the testimony submitted. It also deferred SB 281 on telehealth conformity with federal Medicare rules and SB 49 on prior authorization data reporting, both until Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room 229. SB 838 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors was passed with amendments adopting technical changes and Department of Human Services proposals, plus a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; one member noted support but urged future consideration of including Medicaid managed care. All measures acted on were adopted without objections or reservations, with Senator Richards excused from voting on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blanc is an act to amend Title 49 relative to the Department of Public Safety, including provisions for
• House Concurrent Resolution No. 49 by Representative Fisher is a concurrent resolution to memorialize
• House Concurrent Resolution No. 49 by Representative Fisher is a concurrent resolution to memorialize
• House Bill 290 by Representative McFarlane is an act to be Title 49 relative to the Department of the
• House Bill 908, by Representative Minas, is an act to amend Title 49 relative to fees charged by the

Bills: SR113 , SR114 , SCR64 , SCR65 , SCR66 , SCR67 , SCR12 , HB59 , HB66 , HB79 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB895 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1011 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1057 , HB1080 , HB1084 , HB1155 , HB1215 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1234 , HB1251 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB1256 , HB221 , HCR11 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HCR60 , HCR64 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR68 , HCR78 , HCR81 , HCR58 , SB25 , SB250 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB316 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB511 , HB514 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB896 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB424 , SCR9 , SB132 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR26 , HCR45 , HCR31 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB166 , HB211 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759

Keywords: condolence resolution, memorial resolution, sympathy, tribute, Martha Elizabeth Odom, Louisiana Senate, bereavement, obituary, student recognition, ballet, dance, softball, soccer, tennis, creative writing, theater, high school honors, Ascension Episcopal School, University of the South, Sewanee

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, moving on to SB 49, relating to terminal illness.
• Anybody else wishing to testify on SB 49?
• </c> questions okay see none moving on SB 49 questions okay see none moving on SB 49 relating<00:13:09.240
• okay seeing none moving on sb53 49 okay seeing none moving on sb53 relating<00:13:34.000><c> to</c><
• Okay, for SB 49, chair's going to pass that with amendments.

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date. The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date. The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year. Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 49 reported favorably.
• House Bill 9 by Representative Walters is an act on Title 49 relative to state symbols to provide that
• House Bill 9 by Representative Walters is an act on Title 49 relative to state symbols to provide that
• Blanc is an act in Title 49 relative to the Department of Public Safety, including provisions to provide
• House Bill 908 by Representative Meena is an act in Title 49 relative to fees charged by the Secretary

Bills: SR134 , SR135 , SR136 , SR137 , SR140 , SR141 , SR142 , SCR75 , SCR77 , SCR12 , HB75 , HB1199 , HB221 , HCR89 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , HCR58 , HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB198 , HB202 , HB223 , HB225 , HB387 , HB398 , HB457 , HB459 , HB540 , HB591 , HB616 , HB766 , HB775 , HB783 , HB797 , HB895 , HB906 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1028 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1076 , HB1100 , HB1139 , HB1155 , HB1160 , HB1182 , HB1186 , HB1220 , HB1222 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1231 , HB1245 , HB1256 , SCR3 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB426 , SB435 , SB487 , SB488 , SB523 , SB56 , SB163 , SB341 , SB504 , SB322 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR72 , HCR31 , HCR47 , HCR41 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB386 , HB392 , HB431 , HB441 , HB559 , HB664 , HB685 , HB715 , HB741 , HB822 , HB856 , HB908 , HB980 , HB990 , HB999 , HB1010 , HB1243 , HB54 , HB137 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB321 , HB396 , HB512 , HB552 , HB578 , HB638 , HB663 , HB708 , HB717 , HB718 , HB1009 , HB1082 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1198 , HB1246 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , HB316 , HB511 , HB799 , HB1039 , HB12 , HB66 , HB145 , HB167 , HB196 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB256 , HB291 , HB326 , HB352 , HB401 , HB430 , HB433 , HB434 , HB448 , HB456 , HB476 , HB481 , HB487 , HB492 , HB549 , HB579 , HB608 , HB621 , HB624 , HB626 , HB632 , HB637 , HB656 , HB722 , HB745 , HB804 , HB818 , HB821 , HB833 , HB864 , HB867 , HB874 , HB893 , HB909 , HB951 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB979 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1005 , HB1007 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1038 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1059 , HB1077 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1112 , HB1153 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1193 , HB1204 , HB1218 , HB1242 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB17 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB126 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB271 , HB324 , HB337 , HB351 , HB399 , HB571 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB750 , HB759 , HB844 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1036 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB441 , SB449 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB149

Keywords: SR134, Senate Resolution 134, Isaac Herzenberg, Metairie Park Country Day School, Country Day, javelin, track and field, Class 2A, state championship, high school athletics, student athlete, Louisiana Senate commendation, honorary resolution, sports recognition, University of Nebraska, Baton Rouge, LSU Bernie Moore Track Stadium, sportsmanship, collegiate athletics, condolence resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Now back<00:49:00.400><c> to</c><00:49:00.640><c> the</c><00:49:00.800><c> Department</c><00:49:01.200
• ><c> of</c><00:49:01.559><c> Justice.
• </c><00:49:02.559><c> We</c> back to the Department of Justice.
• We took<00:49:02.960><c> that</c><00:49:03.200><c> out.

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on SB 148 and competing amendments dealing with forfeiture and civil recovery in murder cases. Members compared the “Lynn” and “Burge” amendments and narrowed the remaining disputes to two issues: whether the bill should apply only to first-degree murder or also to second-degree murder and related federal offenses, and whether any civil action could be brought before criminal charges or conviction. The group concluded that the pre-conviction approach created serious practical and constitutional problems, including Fifth Amendment concerns and uncertainty over how a civil case would proceed while a criminal investigation was pending. The discussion then shifted toward limiting the bill to post-conviction remedies. Members agreed that the Department of Justice pre-charge stay language should be removed, that the bill should not try to define “victim” in a way that included the person convicted of the murder, and that the definition should be revised to mean the estate of the victim or the victim’s immediate family, excluding the convicted person. They also agreed to delete language about “after right to appeal has been exhausted,” to correct a typo on page one, and to remove a section dealing with pre-conviction probate-style procedures and third-party notice issues. The committee also discussed how to handle third parties such as insurers, publishers, and innocent purchasers. Members concluded that third parties acting in good faith should not be liable if they make payments or transfer property without notice, but if they receive notice they should not disburse funds. They noted that existing post-conviction civil recovery language already allows victims to sue within three years, making the earlier pre-conviction mechanism unnecessary. The meeting ended with the members saying they had reached a deal on the revised language and would bring the updated amendment forward for further processing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:00.079><c> So,</c><00:49:00.319><c> we</c><00:49:00.559><c> see</c><00:49:00.720><c> the</
• So, we see the importance of<00:49:01.440><c> that</c><00:49:01.599><c> and</c><00:49:01.839><c> we're
• </c><00:49:02.079><c> also</c><00:49:02.400><c> expanding</c><00:49:02.960><c> that</c><00:49:03.200>
• We<00:49:05.040><c> also</c><00:49:05.440><c> have</c><00:49:05.680><c> several</c><00:49:06.160><c>
• and detectives<00:49:07.839><c> that</c><00:49:08.240><c> are</c><00:49:08.720><c> uh</c><00:49:09.119

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.079><c> back</c><00:49:00.400><c> and</c><00:49:00.640><c> then</c><00:49:00.880><c> we</c> and that
• </c><00:49:02.000><c> it.
• </c><00:49:02.640><c> And</c><00:49:02.800><c> so</c><00:49:03.119><c> that's</c><00:49:03.359><c> a<
• And so that's a very important<00:49:04.240><c> aspect</c><00:49:04.640><c> for</c><00:49:04.880><c>
• Again,<00:49:06.720><c> 19</c><00:49:07.040><c> loans</c><00:49:07.440><c> out</c><00:49:07.599><c> the

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.360><c> and</c><01:49:01.520><c> Koki</c><01:49:02.800><c> the</c><01:49:03.199><c> most</c><01:49
• :03.360><c> of</c><01:49:03.520><c> their</c><01:49:03.679><c> work</c><01:49:03.840><c> is</c> LFA and
• /c><01:49:04.639><c> prevent</c><01:49:05.119><c> uh</c><01:49:05.280><c> inter</c> So, you know, for
• c> it</c><01:49:57.199><c> tells</c><01:49:57.360><c> you</c><01:49:57.520><c> it's</c><01:49:57.760>
• <c> there</c><01:49:58.000><c> you</c><01:49:58.159><c> know</c><01:49:59.199><c> so</c> that it tells

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need<00:49:00.800><c> to</c><00:49:00.960><c> do</c><00:49:01.040><c> it</c><00:49:01.200><c> for<
• /c><00:49:01.440><c> all</c><00:49:01.599><c> of</c><00:49:01.760><c> the</c><00:49:01.920><c> children
• </c><00:49:04.800><c> Thank</c><00:49:04.960><c> you</c><00:49:05.119><c> for</c><00:49:05.280><c> your
• Thank you for your time.<00:49:06.079><c> Um,</c><00:49:06.400><c> we</c><00:49:06.640><c> have</c><00
• :49:07.119><c> Alexis</c><00:49:08.280><c> Borguson.

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• issue comes in a lot of times<00:49:00.599><c> I'll</c><00:49:00.760><c> speak</c><00:49:00.920><c>
• to</c><00:49:01.040><c> the</c><00:49:01.119><c> skilled</c><00:49:01.440><c> nursing</c> times I'll
• </c><00:49:02.640><c> just</c><00:49:02.760><c> don't</c><00:49:03.040><c> have</c><00:49:03.200><c>
• > to</c><00:49:03.880><c> support</c><00:49:04.200><c> all</c><00:49:04.319><c> of</c><00:49:04.440><
• c> the</c><00:49:04.520><c> beds</c><00:49:04.760><c> that</c> Staff to support all of the beds that

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:49:01.080><c> if</c><00:49:01.240><c> we</c><00:49:01.400><c> can</c><00:49:01.600><c> make</c
• ><00:49:02.000><c> them</c><00:49:02.680><c> shoulder</c> And if we can make them shoulder And if we
• </c> the officer the officer uh<01:49:50.640><c> was</c><01:49:50.840><c> killed</c><01:49:51.240><c>
• 2</c><01:49:51.680><c> 2</c><01:49:51.840><c> years</c><01:49:52.120><c> ago.
• </c> All<01:49:56.200><c> right.</c> All right. All right. Other<01:49:57.200><c> questions?

Bills: HB0098 , HB0075 , HB0041 , HB0101

Committee: House Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• uh the cost um as Mr Brooksby mentioned uh the the<00:49:02.599><c> rental</c><00:49:02.920><c> fee<
• /c><00:49:03.319><c> so</c><00:49:03.760><c> again</c><00:49:03.920><c> $100</c><00:49:04.880><c> as<
• /c><00:49:05.000><c> a</c><00:49:05.160><c> limit</c> the rental fee so again $100 as a limit the rental
• fee so again $100 as a limit on<00:49:05.559><c> a</c><00:49:05.920><c> uh</c><00:49:06.119><c> in</
• c><00:49:06.280><c> il</c><00:49:06.440><c> legal</c><00:49:06.799><c> rental</c><00:49:07.799><c> with

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• President, there are 49 yeas, zero nays. Have you received a constitutional majority.
• President, there are 49 yeas, zero nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, zero nays.
• President, there are 49 ayes, zero nays.
• President, there are 49, yay, zero name.

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several bills, many of them after moving substitutes and suspending the rules to advance them directly to final passage. Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, dealing with access to voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, was described as a civic engagement measure that would require county auditors and the Secretary of State to work with federally recognized tribes and explore a secure voting portal. Supporters emphasized outreach, access, and helping overseas and disabled voters; opponents raised concerns about online voting security, paper ballot integrity, and emerging technologies. The bill passed 38-19. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, which statutorily establishes the Governor’s Office on Indian Affairs, passed unanimously 49-0 after supporters said it would formally anchor an office that has existed for decades and better reflect the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6247, on school district financial management and training, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was adopted to delay implementation and clarify funding for training. Supporters said the bill would help school boards, superintendents, and ESDs identify districts sliding toward financial distress and improve fiscal oversight. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 5922, giving school districts more flexibility to transfer unused school bus depreciation funds when declining enrollment means replacement buses may not be needed, and Senate Bill 6278, requiring ongoing review of teacher and principal preparation programs so training better matches classroom needs; both passed with broad support. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6246, concerning emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act, drew the most extended debate and passed 27-22 after a striking amendment was adopted and a proposed reporting amendment was rejected. Supporters said it creates a framework for future emissions allowance reductions while protecting jobs and competitiveness; opponents warned it would drive mills and other industrial employers out of Washington. The Senate also passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5906, the SAFE Act limiting ICE access to non-public areas of schools, colleges, health care facilities, daycares, and similar sites without a warrant, after adopting amendments related to model policies and union notification; supporters framed it as a safety and due process measure, while opponents called it an attempt to obstruct federal law enforcement. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5905, addressing PERS membership for certain port workers in federal railroad retirement plans, passed 49-0 as a technical pension fix.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were recognized in statute in their individual statute, which today is Article 6 of Chapter 49.
• Passing more general bills of application, and so what is now 49-1, the land-grant general provisions
• Chair. becoming a viable political subdivision under the statutes of Chapter 49.
• part of this process to take us on the correct course of becoming a viable land grant under Chapter 49
• Chair, under Chapter 49. I'm not trying to be kind of. Mero Chingon here.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. 46 47 48 49 Thank you for watching. 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68
• Considering that the U.S. agriculture trade deficit is projected to reach a record $49 billion this year
• this year, the U.S. agricultural trade deficit, as you mentioned, is. projected to reach a record $49
• The Biden administration left us with a $49 billion agricultural trade deficit.
• plan to go into my office on day one, should I be confirmed. this role and put the number negative 49

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:49:18.160><c> I</c><02:49:18.200><c> know</c><02:49:18.360><c> that</c><02:49:18.600><c> earlier
• :49:19.920><c> asking</c><02:49:20.240><c> for</c><02:49:20.360><c> a</c><02:49:20.400><c> little</c>
• </c><02:49:21.520><c> the</c><02:49:21.600><c> body,</c><02:49:22.000><c> but</c><02:49:22.720><c> so
• for the body, but so we earlier we<02:49:24.000><c> passed</c><02:49:24.480><c> the</c><02:49:25.240
• the the 287G repeal for<02:49:28.280><c> cooperation</c><02:49:29.040><c> with</c><02:49:29.640><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.440><c> a</c><00:49:00.480><c> little</c><00:49:00.680><c> bit.
• Is that Am<00:49:02.120><c> I</c> Am I Am I representing<00:49:03.560><c> that</c><00:49:03.760><c> correctly
• Senator,<00:49:06.120><c> you</c><00:49:06.440><c> um</c> Senator, you um Senator, you um I<00:49:08.000
• ><c> understand</c><00:49:08.360><c> your</c><00:49:08.440><c> question</c><00:49:08.920><c> and</c><
• 00:49:09.720><c> I</c><00:49:09.880><c> I</c><00:49:10.000><c> think</c> I understand your question and

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding. The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays. The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, Senate Bill 24 by Senator Connick designates Interstate 49 as Senator Jay Bennett
• Naming Interstate 49 to honor Senator Johnson is particularly meaningful because the north-south highway
• that ultimately became I-49 was one of the defining priorities of his entire public career.
• highway, connecting Lafayette, Alexandria, Natchitoches, and Trefort, began long before Interstate 49
• transportation funding supported the development of the corridor that would ultimately become Interstate 49

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, and took up a series of Senate bills and resolutions, most of them memorial highway designations or prestige license plate measures. The committee first adopted amendments and reported Senate Bill 122, which directs the Department of Transportation and Development to plan, maintain, and report on bridge conditions statewide, with a focus on proactive bridge maintenance and public reporting. Members also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon, SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver licensing privileges compared with neighboring states, and SB 50 naming the Bayou DeLarge Basque Bridge as the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge. The committee then approved several memorial and honorary measures, including SB 70 for Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige license plate, SB 460 naming a highway for Hayden Lane Mangum, SB 24 designating Interstate 49 as the Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 101 naming highways for Daniel Edward Didillo and Bill Blue Evans, SB 160 naming the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 naming the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law, SB 103 and SB 159 naming Franklin Parish highways, SB 412 naming a portion of Highway 13 for Roy Chaffin, SB 182 naming a highway for Mayor Billy Cobb, SB 104 naming the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 naming the Falcons Band Highway. Most of these items were reported favorably without objection after brief testimony from authors, family members, or supporters. One measure drew more discussion: SB 19, which changes the name and design of the state employee retired prestige license plate and redirects proceeds to a private nonprofit associated with retired state employees. Representative Schlegelhorn objected, but after testimony that the organization is a tax-exempt nonprofit funding scholarships and that no money had previously gone to LASERS from the plate, the committee adopted a motion to report the bill favorably by a 13-1 vote. The committee also adopted amendments to HCR 69, which urges DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish with attention to drainage, flood risk, and evacuation resilience, and then reported it favorably. HCR 63, creating a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel can operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without civilian licenses, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after the agenda was cleared and a motion to adjourn was made.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Defense Committee, is an act relating to the Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, amending Section 49
• by the Transportation and Defense Committee, is an act relating to license plates, amending Section 49
• regarding the expiration of license plates and to make technical corrections, and amending Section 49
• So we could weary the body going back and forth through all their 49 states and saying why it's... ..
• .weary the body going back and forth through all their 49 states and saying why it's like this or not

Transcript Highlights:

• followed by<01:49:08.360><c> Boyd</c> hagy<01:49:12.080><c> and</c><01:49:12.239><c> I</c><01:49:12.400
• ><c> apologize</c><01:49:12.920><c> if</c><01:49:13.080><c> I</c><01:49:13.560><c> don't</c><01:49:13.800
• ><c> I'm</c><02:49:39.000><c> here</c><02:49:39.200><c> in</c><02:49:39.399><c> opposition</c><02:49:
• :40.720><c> 148</c><02:49:41.720><c> as</c><02:49:41.840><c> a</c><02:49:41.960><c> mental</c><02:49:
• 47.800><c> to</c><02:49:47.880><c> you</c><02:49:48.000><c> from</c><02:49:48.120><c> both</c><02:49:

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude. Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored. Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.