Bills: HB34, HM7, HM8, HM17, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HM34, HB95, HB111, SB1, HJR1, HM4, HM22

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license

Transcript Highlights:

• request the concurrence of the Senate, Jeff Tackis, Clerk.
• concurrence of the Senate Jeff Tackis Clerk.
• has passed Senate Bill 606 with one amendment and request the concurrence of the Senate.
• request the concurrence of the Senate.
• Bill 184, with one amendment, and requests the concurrence of the Senate.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of member introductions recognizing interns, pages, and a retiring Senate employee. Leadership also announced that budget talks with the House were continuing and that senators should not plan to be in next week, with hopes of sharing more budget news soon. The chamber then moved to third reading and took up a major bill on citizen initiatives and constitutional amendments, with sponsors saying it was needed to address documented petition fraud and to protect the integrity of the process. That bill drew extensive debate. Supporters argued that recent investigations showed widespread fraud in petition gathering, that the measure would add reasonable guardrails, and that it would prevent taxpayer-funded government messaging from being used to influence ballot measures. Opponents said the bill would make it much harder for ordinary Floridians to place amendments on the ballot by adding costs, deadlines, registration requirements, fines, and felony exposure, and they warned it would chill grassroots participation and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed campaigns. After debate, the Senate passed the bill 28-10. The Senate then adopted several House amendments and concurred on a series of education and public-safety measures, including bills on stem cell therapy, student-athlete electrocardiograms, cardiac emergency planning in schools, school safety, Bright Futures and other education policy items, and educator preparation. Most of those measures passed unanimously or with overwhelming support, and the chamber also recognized additional interns and a long-serving education advocate before recessing and returning to continue with House messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• request the concurrence of the Senate, Jeff Tackis, Clerk.
• for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1768 with one amendment and request the concurrence of the Senate
• concurrence of the Senate, Jeff Tackis, Clerk.
• has passed Senate Bill 606 with one amendment and request the concurrence of the Senate.
• request the concurrence of the Senate.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF TESTERS, VENDORS WERE REQUIRED TO ADD RESOURCES TO IMPROVE DEFECT RESOLUTION
• SO 138.7 MILLION, AHS COVERS 22. YEAR 2022 THROUGH 2029. THAT CONTRACT IS 119 MILLION.
• , THAT WERE LEADING THE PACK, REALLY TAKING CHARGE AND SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AROUND DEFECT RESOLUTION
• TERMS OF EXPECTATIONS MOVING FORWARD, THEY ARE IN A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN WHERE THEY NEED TO SHOW RESOLUTION
• WHAT ARTIFACTS OR DOCUMENTATION OR RESOLUTION SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE LOOK TO TO SHOW THAT IS NO LONGER

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to move on to the next two measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 and SR25, encouraging
• Senator Chang is excused. Senator Decoy is excused. Uh, I vote aye, and Senator Favlla is excused.
• Senator Richards, aye. Senator Ko is excused. I'll vote yes. Senator W. Hi.
• Senator<00:32:51.919> Decoy<00:32:52.559> is Senator Decoy is Senator Decoy is excused.
• Senator Richards I. Chair votes yes. Senator Richards I.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on agriculture, invasive species, biodiversity, and clean energy finance. STR 34/SR 20 asked Hawaii’s congressional delegation to urge USDA to address unequal treatment of Hawaii in exporting agricultural goods; the Department of Agriculture supported the measure. STR 41/SR 25 encouraged each county to develop its own biosecurity plan, with testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supporting county-level planning and coordination. Testifiers emphasized the importance of local response capacity for invasive species, while also noting that quarantine authority should remain at the state level; one witness requested an amendment to include possible legislative changes needed at the state and county levels. STR 110/SR 91 requested a study on the feasibility of a state green bond program, with support testimony submitted by Coalition Earth and no oral testimony from the energy office. Members asked questions about how county biosecurity plans would interface with existing state efforts, and witnesses described current interagency work and county response plans already being developed for species such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frogs. The discussion also referenced a recent Oahu coqui detection on Sand Island and the need for flexible treatment options. For the green bond measure, members described it as a potential tool for renewable energy goals. No opposition testimony was presented on the measures discussed. On decision-making, the committees recommended passage of STR 34/SR 20 with technical non-substantive amendments, STR 41/SR 25 with the suggested amendment from CAPS, STR 56/SR 40 without amendment, and STR 110/SR 91 with technical non-substantive amendments. The recommendations were adopted by the committees, and the agenda concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mr.<00:22:03.120> Speaker,<00:22:04.080> I<00:22:04.320> rise<00:22:04.640> today
• On June<00:22:16.559> 24th,<00:22:17.280> 1985,<00:22:18.240> Mark<00:22:18.559>
• Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 489, I call up the bill Senate 331 and ask for its immediate consideration
• my resolution. my resolution.
• NPR's<05:22:03.360> own<05:22:03.840> CEO<05:22:04.638> testified<05:22:05.360><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do want to note that House Concurrent Resolution 101, concerning bingo, will be moved to Thursday
• <00:25:26.559> Resolution<00:25:27.200> 101 Concurrent Resolution 101 Concurrent Resolution
• > and<01:22:11.280> a<01:22:11.360> half<01:22:11.600> or<01:22:12.000>
• > The<01:22:13.840> bill<01:22:14.080> does<01:22:14.400> establish<01:22
• <01:22:38.400> Uh<01:22:38.960> I<01:22:39.199> am<01:22:39.360> pleased<

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Alvord, Senator Bergstrom, Senator Boren, Senator Brooks, Senator Bullard.
• Here, Senator Burns, Senator Coleman, Senator Daniels, Senator Dossett, Senator Fricks.
• Senator Guthrie, Senator Hall, Senator Hamilton, Senator Haste, Senator Hicks.
• Senator Heinz, Senator Howard, Senator Jett, Senator Kirn, Senator Kirt.
• President, members, I rise to present for your consideration Senate Concurrent Resolution 1f, which recognizes

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• in the House and the Senate. in the House and the Senate.
• house and now the Senate. house and now the Senate.
• Senate forthwith.
• The bill passed the Senate in concurrence with a proposal of amendment that is printed in today's calendar
• > in<00:51:16.720> concurrence bill passed the Senate in concurrence bill passed the Senate

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage. Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity. Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang: I. Senator Sanur: I. Senator W is excused. The recommendation is adopted.
• Senator Sanur I. Senator W is I. Senator Sanur I.
• Senator Gabbert is excused. Senator Chang: I. Senator Sanur: I. Senator W: excused.
• We do have one other hearing item, which is House Concurrent Resolution 55, requesting the judiciary
• Senator Chang: aye. Senator Sanventura: aye. Senator Wise is excused.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in a room change and first considered two judicial confirmations. It recommended consent for Governor’s Message 767, confirming Kanoi A.D. Jackson as circuit court judge for the Third Circuit (Hawaii County) for a 10-year term, and the motion was adopted with members voting aye and some members excused. The committee then recommended consent for Judicial Communication 28, confirming Sonia H. Toma as district family court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County) for a 6-year term. The chair noted prior concerns about the nominee, but said staff reviewed court records and found nothing problematic; the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously among those present. After a brief recess, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 55, which asks the judiciary to convene a working group to study the effectiveness of existing laws on domestic violence, temporary restraining orders, protective orders, and harassment by stalking in preventing continued abuse and harassment. Testimony was generally supportive. The Office of the Public Defender asked to be included on the working group and requested representation from the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence also supported including public defenders and said the effort needs funding to be effective. Other testimony emphasized survivor experiences, privacy concerns, and the need for broader research and protections for injured parties. The chair recommended passing HCR 55 with amendments to include the public defender and a representative from the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, to allow the judiciary authority to add other participants, and to make additional text changes including removing redundant language. The committee voted to adopt the amended recommendation, and the resolution passed with members voting aye and some excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dever, Senator Dossett, Senator Hicks, Senator Hiinz, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator
• Senator Devers, Senator Dossett, Senator Hicks, Senator Hiinz, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator
• Senator Dever, Senator Dossett, Senator Hicks, Senator Hiins, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator
• Senator Devers, Senator Dossett, Senator Hicks, Senator Hiins, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator
• Senator Devers, Senator Dossett Senator Hicks, Senator Hiinz, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator

Bills: HB1937, HB2153, HB3674, HB2978, HB3885, HB3671, HB3261, HB3021, HB3029, HB4274, HB3701, HB3076

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hicks. Senator Hines. Aye. Senator Mann. Senator Pederson. Senator Rader.
• Senator Devers. Senator Dossett. Senator Hicks. Senator Hicks. Senate.
• Senator Devers, Senator Dossett, Senator Hicks, Senator Hines, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator
• Senator Hines, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator Rader, Senator Reinhardt, Senator Sacchieri, Senator
• Senator Devers, Senator Dossett, Senator Hicks, Senator Hines, Senator Mann, Senator Peterson, Senator

Bills: HB1937, HB2153, HB3674, HB2978, HB3885, HB3671, HB3261, HB3021, HB3029, HB4274, HB3701, HB3076

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first considered a series of executive nominations, including Brian Bobeck to the State Board of Education, Jonathan Daniels to the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, Cody Swanee to OETA, Randy Squires to the Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents, Dwight Spencer to the Carl Albert State College Board of Regents, V. Lee to the Oklahoma Arts Council, Adisha Chapman to the Murray State College Board of Regents, Trevor Pemberton to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Jennifer Carlson and Melissa Yvonne to the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, Kevin Gross to the Tulsa Community College Board of Regents, and Barbara Myers to the Oklahoma Arts Council. Most nominees briefly described their backgrounds and reasons for serving, and the committee approved each nomination, with votes ranging from 8-1 to 10-0, sending them on to the full Senate or floor as applicable. The committee then took up several education bills. House Bill 1937, dealing with the Communications with Students Act, was amended to require corroborated evidence before immediate suspension and to narrow the definition of student; it passed 9-0. House Bill 2153, which would subject OSSAA meetings and hearings to the Open Meetings Act and repeal the statutory one-year sit-out rule for transfers, drew questions about recruitment and FERPA but passed 7-3. House Bill 3674, requiring school resource officer training on sexual assault and violence, annual continuing education, mandatory reporting, and closure of contractor loopholes, passed 9-0. House Bill 3885, setting a graduated discipline framework for third through fifth graders, prompted debate over classroom safety and student rights and passed 9-1. House Bill 3671, allowing a receiving district to accept a transferring teacher’s career status, passed 10-0. House Bill 3261, assigning employee numbers to school support staff such as coaches and bus drivers for tracking across districts, passed 10-0. Several other bills generated more extensive discussion. House Bill 2978, which would impose annual library audits, public online catalogs, a formal challenge process, and funding penalties for noncompliance, faced repeated questions about how it differed from existing policy and who could challenge materials; it failed 4-5. House Bill 3021, revising graduation requirements and preserving flexibility for applied math/science and local course approval while removing some language requirements, passed 8-2. House Bill 3029, requiring the Department of Education to develop a four-year plan, passed 9-1. House Bill 4274, expanding school choice options for military-dependent students living on base, passed 10-0. The committee also began consideration of House Bill 3076, which would clarify alternative teacher certification provider definitions and OEQA oversight, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• There still is a $62 million gap that we're hoping to resolve when we get to the Senate.
• So, the work when we get to the Senate.
• And if there's agreement on a different resolution, I'd be happy to hear it.
• <00:30:26.240> I'd a agreement on different resolution I'd a agreement on different resolution
• we are correctly identifying the Senate we are correctly identifying the Senate uh<00:39:32.400>

Bills: HF2431, HF2438, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Senate, there are none. Moving on to motions and resolutions.
• The resolution is adopted.
• Senate Bill 1 by Senator Weiner and others. Senate Bill 1 by Senator Weiner and others.
• Senate Bill 2 by Senator Weiner and others, an act relating to the state budget and making it appropriate
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 1 by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry relative to the final adjournment of

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She<00:22:00.799> was<00:22:00.880> born<00:22:01.120> in<00:22:01.280> the
• c><00:22:06.960> to<00:22:07.200> those<00:22:08.400> legislators<00:22:09.280><
• Our<00:22:13.120> colleague<00:22:13.919> moved<00:22:14.240> to<00:22:14.400>
• Her<00:22:27.200> good<00:22:27.520> character<00:22:28.640> is<00:22:29.039>
• :22:32.559> the<00:22:32.799> fires<00:22:33.200> of<00:22:33.440> daily

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened for the first day of session and first elected Delegate Luke Clippinger as Speaker Pro Tem. Members nominated and seconded him with remarks praising his leadership, work on Judiciary Committee issues, and ability to mentor colleagues. Nominations were then closed, the House voted by voice, and Clippinger was sworn in. The chamber then opened nominations for Speaker of the House. Multiple members spoke in support of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, highlighting her personal story, legal background, public service, and committee leadership. Speakers emphasized her work on major policy areas including education, police reform, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and support for historically Black colleges and universities. One member from the minority party also seconded the nomination, saying she had been inclusive and respectful in committee work and legislative process. After nominations were closed, the House voted by voice and elected Peña-Melnyk Speaker of the House of Delegates. She was sworn in and thanked members for their support, reflecting on the diversity in the chamber and the significance of the moment. In her remarks, she also praised outgoing Speaker Adrienne Jones and recognized family members, dignitaries, and colleagues in attendance.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate has appointed Senator Smith chair, Senator Love, and Senator West.
• chair, Senator Love, and Senator West. chair, Senator Love, and Senator West.
• Concurrence calendar number 21. The clerk will read the first bill in the Senate amendments.
• Next, we have concurrence calendar number 22.
• Concurrence calendar number 28. The clerk will read the first bill and the Senate amendments.

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session, opened with a prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through a long series of concurrence items and committee reports. Early on, the House rejected Senate amendments to House Bills 14 and 573 and sent messages asking the Senate to recede or appoint conference committees. It also entered conference on House Bill 907 (third degree assault) and on several other measures where the chambers disagreed, including Senate Bill 233 (cemeteries) and Senate Bill 626 (sex designation on birth certificates and IDs). House Bill 501, dealing with sexual offenses by a person in a position of authority, was concurred in and passed unanimously. The House then took up a large concurrence calendar and passed a number of bills with Senate amendments, including House Bill 613 on living shoreline waivers, House Bill 315 on income-based housing subsidies, House Bill 548 on development rights and the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, House Bill 571 on nonprofit housing corporation tax exemptions, House Bill 895 on predatory pricing and protected class data, House Bill 1430 on charter school facilities funding, House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting, House Bill 624 on hospital staffing committees and plans, House Bill 811 on aging-in-place and multi-generational third places, House Bill 939 on birth certificate filing time periods, House Bill 1151 on a Medicaid hospice reimbursement study, House Bill 1367 on the Commission on Reimagining Healthcare in Maryland, House Bill 828 on State Board of Education membership, House Bill 130 on deed fraud, House Bill 281 on child care provider background checks, House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives, House Bill 1326 on child abuse and neglect records, and House Bill 525 on phone-free schools. Several of these were briefly explained on the floor, including changes to shoreline waiver timing, housing and tax provisions, contraceptive access concerns, hospital staffing protections, and the school phone policy’s exemptions. The chamber also received committee reports that advanced additional bills for third reading, including House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 654 on the State Police Retirement System mandatory retirement age, Senate Bill 877 on Baltimore City stop sign monitoring systems, Senate Bill 940 on water quality testing, House Bill 44 on plain-language ballot questions, Senate Bill 215 on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, Senate Bill 627 designating Korean American Day, and Senate Bill 634 on county discrimination complaints. No final votes were taken on those reported bills in the portion provided; the report simply adopted favorable reports and ordered the bills printed for third reading.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2TIi5oFXnk, 2026-06-21T07:17:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 0:30 Senate Bill 16: 1:40 Votes on Senate Bill 16: 20:50 Senate Bill 157: 23:17 Votes on Senate Bill 157: 47:58 Adjournment: 51:43, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAyuDV2_rnU, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 Senate Bill 10: 02:02 Senate Bill 17: 10:36 Senate Bill 57: 16:20 Senate Bill 63: 26:19 House Bill 161: 28:00 Adjournment: 34:43, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so this<01:22:04.560> is<01:22:04.639> an<01:22:04.880> ask<01:22:05.360>
• uh<01:22:05.440> to<01:22:05.600> be<01:22:05.679> able<01:22:05.920> to<
• >> Oh,<01:22:07.920> but<01:22:08.080> you<01:22:08.400> some<01:22:08.639
• <01:22:09.760> It's<01:22:09.920> only<01:22:10.239> you're<01:22:10.400>
• Some<01:22:24.400> of<01:22:24.480> it<01:22:24.639> you<01:22:24.800> got.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Department of Health presented its supplemental budget requests and described several sources of uncertainty affecting federal funding, including policy changes, shutdown-related disruptions, and shifting appropriations proposals in Congress. Officials said some federal grants had been terminated and then restored, but the department still faces added administrative burden to access funds. They also said trust in public health institutions has declined, and outlined efforts to respond through community engagement, website cleanup, social media, and transparency dashboards. The department highlighted staffing and operations issues, noting a 29.7% vacancy rate and the success of its hiring pilot under Act 291, which has hired 38 candidates with an average 95-day hiring timeline. On the budget side, officials said the supplemental request includes increases in general, special, and revolving funds, and they walked through the first major general fund item for emergency medical services. After discussion, they said the EMS request was reduced from $8 million to $4.5 million to cover collective bargaining increases and keep contracts whole through August 2027. Behavioral health items included the payment crisis center in Ewa, which has connected more than 2,000 people to services, though roughly one-third remain unconnected or return frequently. Members questioned the quality of follow-up data and whether the program is reducing repeat use. The department also discussed state hospital decompression efforts, including use of the behavioral health crisis center, transfers to community hospitals, neighbor-island placements, and direct discharge to long-term care facilities; officials said the hospital is licensed for 292 beds and has seen census pressures rise again. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on Kalaupapa/Kalawao jurisdiction and preservation after patient care ends. Members pressed the department on the lack of a clear statewide plan, the roles of DOH, DNR, and DHHL, and what happens to land, buildings, and the cemetery after the last patient leaves. DOH said the current law is unclear on an end date, that the proposed bill would change the law, and that the landowners’ agreements with the National Park Service and each other will shape the transition. Officials said they would provide more information at a later hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I got one senator. senator. senator.
• Senator hi. Senator Richards, hi. Senator is excused.
• Senator hi. Senator Richards, hi. Senator is excused. Senator McKelie, yes. Senator Richards, hi.
• House Concurrent Resolution 811 makes three points which I'd like to address.
• House Concurrent Resolution 811 makes three points which I'd like to address.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate committees heard HB 108 HD2, which would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require liquor commissions to adopt rules. Most testimony came from craft brewers and distillers in support, who said the bill would help small and fragile producers reach customers, move limited or specialty products that wholesalers do not carry, and maintain relationships with visitors after they leave Hawaii. Supporters also argued that direct-to-consumer shipping would not meaningfully increase underage access because common carriers age-gate deliveries and require adult signatures, and that the measure would supplement rather than replace the three-tier system. Opposition came from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, which said the bill could create problems with minor access and tax revenue and would allow out-of-state manufacturers to ship directly to Hawaii households. Supporters responded that similar concerns were raised when wine direct shipping was adopted and said the existing shipping and reporting systems can track and tax these sales. Several witnesses, including Maui Brewing, Ola Brew, Koloa Rum, Hana Rum, Koulana Rumworks, Koval Distillery, and the Brewers Association, described their small-batch operations, limited distribution options, and the potential for direct shipping to expand sales and jobs. Committee members questioned witnesses about underage access, tax collection, and the impact on the three-tier system. One witness discussed efforts to protect and potentially scale the Hawaiian spirit Okolehao through geographic and sourcing rules. The transcript does not show a final vote or disposition on HB 108 HD2 in the excerpt provided.