Transcript Highlights:

• from contracting with a rail carrier.
• from contracting with a rail carrier.
• under the terms of the contract, they would automatically be deemed an agent.
• So everything in between that's in a contract, regardless of the contract with the state, would be a
• The bill solves this by codifying that transit contractors acting within the scope of their contract

Summary: The Transportation Committee considered several bills and amendments. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of unrelated transportation provisions and added items including local authority to lower residential speed limits, clarification that certain license plate frames do not obscure plates, FDOT funding for eligible rural airport projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes to intersections with red-light cameras, revisions to private use of license plate readers, and rules for direct payments to first-tier subcontractors. The amendment and the bill both passed favorably. SB 1310, as amended, would direct FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report policy options to the governor and legislature; rail safety testimony supported the study while urging attention to interoperability and other safety concerns. The amendment and bill were adopted and reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 828 on extending sovereign immunity to private contractors providing public transit services. Supporters said it would reduce litigation costs, provide predictability, and help maintain affordable transit and paratransit service, especially in rural areas; opponents argued it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could affect employee rights and accountability. After an amendment narrowing the language to contractors providing services rather than operating transit and removing subcontractor references, the bill passed favorably. SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying abandoned-vehicle removal, penalties for unlawful plates or stickers, and vehicle seizure authority for fleeing and eluding, also passed favorably with support from law enforcement-related testimony. The committee then confirmed a slate of appointees in tab 6 by one vote, with no objections. SB 1562, dealing with motor vehicle dealers and limiting concentration of a brand’s sales among a single dealer group once the brand has a meaningful Florida presence, was presented as a competition and dealer-diversity measure and passed favorably. Members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several tabs, and the chair noted this was likely the committee’s last meeting of the year before adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• from contracting with a rail carrier.
• from contracting with a rail carrier.
• under the terms of the contract, they would automatically be deemed an agent.
• So everything in between that's in a contract, regardless of the contract with the state, would be a
• It provides predictability so that operators can price contracts accurately and fairly.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills. CS/SB 1274 (transportation) was amended to remove multiple unrelated provisions and instead address local residential speed limits, license plate frame rules, rural airport funding, yellow-light timing at red-light camera intersections, private use of license plate readers, and FDOT payment rules; it passed unanimously. CS/SB 1310 (railroad safety) was amended into a study bill directing FDOT to examine advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report policy options; it also passed unanimously after testimony from rail interests supporting a study but cautioning about interoperability and safety concerns. CS/SB 828 (sovereign immunity for public transit contractors) would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services for state and local governments. Supporters argued it would reduce costs, improve predictability, and help rural paratransit access, while opponents warned it would be a broad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under FELA. Despite opposition from some members and outside groups, the bill was reported favorably. SB 1378 (traffic enforcement) passed and would strengthen abandoned-vehicle removal, penalties for unlawful plates or stickers, and vehicle seizure authority for fleeing/eluding cases. The committee also confirmed a slate of appointees in one vote, then heard SB 1562 (motor vehicle dealers), which would limit manufacturers from concentrating sales with a single dealer group once a brand has a meaningful Florida presence and require broader dealer representation to promote competition. It received supportive testimony and was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on earlier bills, and the committee adjourned, with the chair noting it was likely the final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I can't speak to every contract because I don't read every contract.
• any other contract.
• Every contract is slightly different.
• They could contract with us right now.
• So, new contracts. So it applies to new contracts, renewals. So it is not retroactive.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249, a bipartisan version of Elijah’s Law, which would require child care facilities to receive training and guidance on recognizing and responding to food allergies and anaphylaxis. Sponsors described the bill as a response to the death of Elijah, whose daycare did not administer epinephrine quickly enough after a food exposure. Witnesses in support, including a parent and food allergy advocate, said the measure would improve preparedness and save lives. Committee members asked about whether the bill should use broader epinephrine terminology, whether the requirements could also be handled through child care licensing rules, and whether the bill was already included in a larger measure. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on those bills was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 1965, which would require insurers to reimburse athletic trainers for covered services and add athletic trainers to the practitioner definition for billing purposes. The sponsor and athletic training witnesses said the bill would recognize athletic trainers as licensed health care providers, improve access in rural and underserved areas, and allow reimbursement when trainers work in clinics, hospitals, or other non-school settings. Committee members raised repeated questions about the difference between athletic trainers and physical therapists, whether school-based services were already paid through contracts, whether the bill would increase costs or create double payment, and how diagnosis and billing would work under the current scope of practice. Opponents from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Missouri Insurance Coalition argued the bill would create a mandate, increase costs, and expand billing before clarifying the underlying scope of practice. No vote was taken in public hearing. The committee then moved into executive session and voted several bills do pass. A substitute was adopted for House Bill 1826 and the committee substitute for House Bills 1826, 2560, 2349, and 2194 passed 17-0. House Bill 1783 also passed 17-0. House Bill 2372, which incorporated multiple related provisions including changes to epinephrine terminology and other committee items, passed 17-1 after a substitute and amendment were adopted. House Bill 1827, the occupational therapy bill related to disabled placards and license plates, passed 18-0. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard House Bills 1941 and 2279, which would prohibit copay accumulator programs for fully insured plans so that third-party assistance counts toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Sponsors and a rheumatologist testified that the bills would prevent patients with serious illnesses from being forced to pay the same deductible twice and said similar laws have been enacted in many other states. Opponents from America’s Health Insurance Plans argued the measure would affect only a minority of plans, raise costs in the individual and small-group market, and could worsen affordability for remaining enrollees. The hearing ended without a vote on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that you're contracted, and I'll just say this: I know Southwest Laboratories is contracted with
• But what other MCOs are you contracted with now?
• As far as contracted, yeah, I can't answer that; my expert can.
• But you're contracted with TriCare to provide the courier service?
• Which is a contract. It's a contract. Okay. Thank you. I guess I'm trying to understand.

Summary: The House Health and Human Services Committee first heard House Bill 256, which would require school cardiac emergency response plans to address sudden cardiac arrest at school athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. The sponsor and an American Heart Association representative said the bill builds on last year’s law and is meant to improve implementation, not add new equipment costs. Members asked about funding, were told the AEDs are already in place, and the bill received a due pass with no opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 278 on Medicaid reimbursement for toxicology testing in substance use disorder treatment. The sponsor and Southwest Labs argued that current payer policies limit providers’ clinical judgment, that a new flat-rate code for unlimited analytes would improve care, keep Medicaid dollars in New Mexico, and support local laboratories. Several members raised concerns about whether the bill effectively rewrites bundled G-codes, whether it mainly benefits one company, how it affects MCO contracts, GRT/tax issues, and whether the fiscal estimates were realistic. After extensive questioning and conflicting views, a due-pass motion was made but the vote ended in a tie, so the bill did not advance. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 287 to create a permanent, full-time Health and Human Services Committee with a director and expanded membership, similar to other permanent legislative committees. Supporters from advocacy and policy groups said health care is too large and complex to be handled by a part-time interim committee and that year-round staffing would improve oversight and policymaking. Members discussed committee composition, staffing, subpoena power, and the proposed appropriation, and the sponsor said the bill is a starting point that could be refined later. The committee approved HB 287 on a do-pass motion and then adjourned until Monday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this does not affect any relationship where there is a contract.
• So how do you respond to the argument that you're basically going to open up contracts?
• And it's a contract, and now you're asking us to kind of just waive contract provisions.
• The contract would control.
• The contract will control.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would mean I have predictability, transparency, and a voice in my employment contract.
• If I may, so you consider contract employees right now?
• After all those years without a contract, that 3.5% did not begin to get us above water.
• Delays in contract funding make their situation even more precarious.
• It keeps the delay in funding our contracts down to a reasonable minimum.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement, municipal workforce, and public employee labor bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2749, a Plymouth home rule petition to classify Plymouth harbormaster employees as Group 4 for retirement purposes. Supporters, including local officials and retirement board representatives, argued the employees perform law-enforcement and rescue duties comparable to police and fire personnel, that the change would be fair, and that it would have little or no fiscal impact on the town. A separate harbormaster-related bill, H. 2743, was also introduced later in the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act (H. 56), including a temporary critical-shortage exemption allowing retired state or municipal employees to return to work in hard-to-fill positions, and a renewed OPEB commission to study retiree health care costs. Administration and municipal officials said the measures were needed to address staffing shortages and rising benefit liabilities, while emphasizing the shortage exemption would be time-limited and require proof of recruitment efforts. Related retirement bills drew support and caution: advocates for higher COLA bases and enhanced COLA benefits urged relief for retirees, but some asked the committee to wait for recommendations from the special COLA commission before acting. A major portion of the hearing concerned labor rights at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Union representatives and employees backed bills to extend just-cause protections, promotional rights, and collective bargaining rights to MWRA and CPCS workers, arguing they currently lack protections available to most other public employees. Testimony described unfair discipline, delayed promotions, and high turnover, and committee members indicated prior favorable action on similar MWRA bills and expressed support for addressing CPCS labor rights. The committee also heard from representatives of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and public higher education employees in support of H. 2820, which would require timely funding of ratified state employee contracts, with witnesses describing long delays in receiving negotiated raises and back pay. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and closed each panel after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><00:12:44.560><c> the</c> contracts were dictating that the contracts were dictating that the
• </c> to deal with a contract dispute. to deal with a contract dispute.
• </c> signatures on a public adjuster contract signatures on a public adjuster contract so<00:13:13.040
• </c> uh in the space backdate contracts uh in the space backdate contracts uh<00:14:03.160><c> to</c>
• </c> requirement that only paper contracts requirement that only paper contracts can<00:22:48.600><c>

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:02 Discussion HB 144 00:00:58 Vote HB 144 00:02:40 Discussion HB 169 00:03:21 Vote HB 169 00:05:02 Discussion HB 568 00:05:56 Vote HB 568 00:28:27 Discussion HB 627 00:32:26 Vote HB 627 01:00:26, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So contract inflation that needs to be negotiated.
• That's quite... ...adding an extra million dollars to these contracts every year.
• Now that one's in a lawsuit in regards to contracts.
• But how do you get those contracts written and get that done right?
• But how do you get those contracts written and get that done right?

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 2, 2026 minutes and then introduced RS 33180, the Prior Authorization Reform Act, sponsored by Representative Wheeler. Wheeler said the bill would set enforceable standards for insurer prior authorization, including public disclosure of criteria, electronic processes, decision timelines, specialty-appropriate reviews, and protections against retroactive denials. Members raised questions about whether the bill’s physician language could exclude advanced practice providers, and Wheeler said that language may need to be revisited before a full hearing. The bulk of the meeting was a wide-ranging budget discussion ahead of Health and Welfare’s budget presentation. Members debated possible Medicaid and department savings, including trimming optional services, reducing provider reimbursement cuts, using reserves, delaying or renegotiating contracts, expanding audits, and improving department efficiency. Several members argued against cutting disability, home- and community-based, and other vulnerable-population services, while others supported looking at Medicaid expansion, ResHab, and administrative overhead as places to find savings. There was also discussion of hospital rate reductions, work requirements, improper payments, and the use of Millennium Fund dollars. Representative Kaler presented specific ideas for the youth safety and permanency budget, including repealing the extended foster care expansion if participation remains low, reducing FTEs, and moderating benefit increases. Other members emphasized the need for evidence-based budgeting and stronger oversight of contracts and program integrity. No budget votes were taken; the committee mainly gathered ideas and directed members to provide more detailed numbers before the Health and Welfare budget hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this does not affect any relationship where there is a contract.
• So how do you respond to the argument that you're basically going to open up contracts?
• And it's a contract, and now you're asking us to kind of just waive contract provisions.
• The contract would control...
• The contract will control.

Bills: S0158 , S0314 , S0618 , S0684 , S0838 , S0990 , S1000 , S1082 , S1452 , S1494 , S1500 , S1568 , S1706

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: pet insurance, consumer protection, insurance regulation, policy disclosure, agent training, payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, workers compensation, Florida statute, commercial insurance, insurance board, electronic signatures, vehicle titles, insurance regulations, auditing, total loss vehicles

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard and advanced a wide range of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for emergency out-of-network claims. After extensive discussion about the relationship between the state and federal No Surprises Act processes, an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns about clarity and scope, but the bill itself was supported by providers and insurers and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels, CS/SB 158 on pet insurance consumer disclosures and agent education, SB 1494 expanding breast cancer screening coverage, CS/SB 314 on digital assets and stablecoin issuers, and CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate procedures and small-estate administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance was amended to raise the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ compensation policies from 10% to 20% and then reported favorably, with supporters saying it would help keep higher-risk employers in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin and limit the program to existing stablecoins, then passed. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 838 on electronic payment convenience fees for retail installment contracts, with the sponsor emphasizing that a fee-free payment option must still be offered. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it covered My Safe Florida Home administration, insurance and licensing changes, unclaimed property updates, and other DFS-related provisions. The committee also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting owner-occupied condominiums at or below 80% of area median income, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which supporters said would modernize Florida’s captive insurance laws and encourage more competition. The meeting ended with all listed bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What contract have you signed?
• Because the parents are signing the contract, right?
• Because minors in Louisiana, you don't have a right to sign a contract.
• So it doesn't put in any stringent requirements on the contracts.
• Maybe look at the issue with the term of the contracts as a really some minor, since we have both contracts

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The Civil Law and Procedure Committee met on May 18, 2026, and took up Senate Bill 389 by Senator Connick, which would update Louisiana’s athlete-agent law to cover NIL representation for high school and college athletes. The Attorney General’s office said the bill is needed because NIL agents are currently largely unregulated, especially as NIL activity has expanded into high school sports. Assistant Attorney General Olivia Nuss explained that the bill is based on the revised Uniform Athlete Agent Act and would create a state registry, require disclosure and background checks, and help protect student-athletes and families from unqualified or predatory agents. John Curtis, head of school and football coach at John Curtis Christian School, testified in support, saying schools are seeing more agents around practices and recruiting situations, often charging high fees and making misleading promises. He argued the bill would give parents and athletes a way to verify whether an agent is registered and qualified, and said the LHSAA could help distribute information to schools and families. Members asked about how the law would be implemented, whether the LHSAA or the Department of Justice would oversee it, and how the bill would interact with existing NIL disclosure legislation; the witnesses said DOJ would administer the registry while LHSAA would mainly help disseminate information. The committee adopted a technical amendment set, then Representative Edmondson moved to report SB 389 as amended. There was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 525 at the author’s request, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• companies because my same patients that I was contracted with at CHLA, I am not able to get contracted
• We've had to withdraw from or avoid applying to federally sourced contracts, including state contracts
• , I know that the way the contracts work, it's, or I've been told, is that contracts occur between a
• better contracting and maybe even, like, you know... ...or require better contracting and maybe even
• But I think in terms of the contracting, like, we want to be contracted with as many insurance plans

Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with opening remarks from the subcommittee chairs emphasizing the importance of protecting transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex Californians and asking for decorum during public comment. The first panel from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services described existing state protections, including nondiscrimination rules, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. State officials also outlined ongoing litigation against federal actions and against hospital decisions to end or restrict care, including the Rady Children’s case and challenges to federal proposed rules and declarations affecting Medicaid, Medicare, and provider participation. Members questioned state agencies about why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how network adequacy is measured, whether the state can track actual access to gender-affirming care, and what legislative changes might strengthen protections. DMHC said it monitors complaints and independent medical reviews but does not track gender-affirming care as a separate provider category or collect utilization data, while DHCS said Medi-Cal continues to cover medically necessary care and that the state is preparing for possible federal rule changes. Finance staff said the previously approved $15 million for gender-affirming care was still being implemented through Covered California. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, a parent, and a transgender teen describing how care is delivered and the effects of hospital closures and federal pressure. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy described the history and medical basis for gender-affirming care, said minors need parental consent for medical interventions, and argued that care should be individualized and supported by families. Providers and families testified that hospital closures and insurance barriers have disrupted continuity of care, forced patients to travel farther, and shifted demand to community clinics that lack sufficient funding and contracting support. Several witnesses asked the Legislature to provide new funding, strengthen insurance enforcement, and stabilize access to care for transgender youth and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• for three judicial circuits and their contract runs as I understand it through 2027.
• All those have been incorporated in this continuing base care contract we have.
• One of them, The agency did not renew their contract.
• Those passed the legislature and were incorporated into those contracts in all of our contracts as a
• Taylor Hatch: We have our contract monitoring team monitoring for that element.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reverse auction resulted in awarding a new independent PBM contract to our incumbent provider.
• That was probably going on, he said, throughout the various contracts we had previously, but that has
• He said that throughout the various contracts we had previously, but that has stopped now.
• We are being charged to the penny exactly what the contract allows. That's a new world for Iowa.
• Unfortunately, that's how legacy PBMs have set up their contracts.

Bills: SB511 , SB512 , HB591 , HB909 , HB938 , HB1154 , HB1187

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• This means that any service that we have contracted for, regardless of who provides it, has to be at
• provisions, which would allow us to try to contract with more folks.
• provisions, which would allow us to try to contract with more folks.
• provisions, which would allow us to try to try to, competitive contract provisions, which would allow
• us to try to contract with more folks.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our biggest gap is that it's one-year contracts, so we do not know from year to year if we can sustain
• Our program is funded partly by the ACH, partly by contracts with the hospitals.
• Our program is funded partly by the ACH, partly by contracts with the hospitals.
• State law and leading practices recommend that agencies adopt performance-based contracts, which is a
• type of contract that pays for the delivery of results rather than for specific services.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• You contract that's where we are today. You contract it<00:31:23.040><c> out.
• </c> contract money than staff money. contract money than staff money.
• So contracts are table 14.
• </c> &gt;&gt; 33 million in contract work. &gt;&gt; 33 million in contract work.
• </c> Whose contract is that? Whose contract is that?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contracts should this measure go forward contracts should this measure go forward um<00:05:21.360><c>
• And that contract amounts to how much?
• </c><00:22:55.880><c> execution</c> be a part of the the contract execution be a part of the the contract
• more is this contract with WT and and and um<00:32:23.000><c> Crawford</c> The current contract is open-ended
• </c> um I'm going to be keeping on a contract um I'm going to be keeping on a contract okay um<00:34:

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and Higher Education heard HB 1494, relating to sports facilities. Testimony was largely in opposition to the bill as drafted from the Stadium Authority, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with several other written comments also opposing; each asked that if the measure advances, Senate language from related stadium bills be incorporated instead. The University of Hawaiʻi testified in support of the Nāʻid project and said it wants the project delivered at Halawa so the university can have a football facility, though members pressed the university on whether it was effectively supporting both the project and the bill’s current approach. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on the stadium project’s financing, schedule, and oversight. DAGS and Public Works discussed a consultant contract that had grown to about $28 million and an audit that recovered $441,000 after improper travel and expense reimbursements, including first-class airfare and other personal expenses; officials said the audit exposed weak internal controls and led to revised reimbursement policies. Members questioned whether the problems would have been found without media reporting and whether stronger oversight should have been in place earlier. The committee also discussed the current Ching Field setup for UH football, with witnesses describing it as less than ideal and temporary until the new stadium is built. Stadium Authority representatives said the current preferred offeror is Aloha Halawa Development Partners, negotiations have recently accelerated, and the goal remains a contract this summer and a fall 2028 opening. They said the state is committed to $350 million in general obligation bonds, with the overall project expected to cost more, and that the developer is exploring other financing sources such as TIF or CFD while the state and city work to expedite permits and demolition. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I understand that the ICE contract with the government is very long, but the contract with CoreCivic
• Our contract is not brief with MTC.
• in violation of their contract or their?
• The beds are set per the The contract is both with ICE and the facility, and the contract I think you
• What we're talking about here is public Contracts at the state and local level.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill does state contracting.
• </c> insert section one, contracts. insert section one, contracts.
• </c> two and five do not apply to contracts two and five do not apply to contracts entered<01:01:44.680
• </c><01:03:11.680><c> that</c> aspects of the investment contract that aspects of the investment contract
• </c> amendments by a third party contracting amendments by a third party contracting with<01:03:50.520

Bills: HF1458 , HF2063 , HF2164 , HF1377 , HF927 , HF1059 , HF1910 , HF2232

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree

Transcript Highlights:

• These are by contract with DOE directly. It's an intergovernmental contract.
• These are by contract with DOE directly. It's an intergovernmental contract.
• These are by contract with DOE directly. It's an intergovernmental contract.
• These are by contract with DOE directly. It's an intergovernmental contract.
• These are by contract with DOE directly. It's an intergovernmental contract.

Keywords: 912, senate, all