Transcript Highlights:

• The answer to your question is yes. If I understand your question, the answer is yes.
• The answer to your question is yes.
• They may, you know, but this is to answer your answer to you is different from the answer to Senator
• on on your answer your the answer<03:36:44.160> to<03:36:44.319> you<03:36:44.479>
• has any questions, I'll try to answer has any questions, I'll try to answer them.<03:45:04.000><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Garl, you are recognized if you know the answer. I don't know the answer to that question.
• Senator Davis, I'm going to try to answer that.
• Even I could answer him to read the bill. I'm happy to answer that question briefly.
• Senator Martin, would you answer a question, or do you want to ask the question and he can answer it?
• Senator Martin, would you answer a question, or do you want to ask the question and he can answer it?

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. Sponsor Senator Grall explained an amendment that aligned the bill more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” allowing a 14-day extension, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several senators asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill applied post-mortem; Grall said the bill was limited to authorized access during the patient’s life. Testimony was largely opposed, with health information and provider groups warning that the bill could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with HIPAA and meaningful-use rules, burden facilities, and improperly broaden access to portals and sensitive records. Supporters argued it would improve patient access and speed. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote after debate on the bill as amended. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. Grall described provisions on synthetic turf, change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor scope, tall mass timber, pool and spa contractor scope, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and solar/energy storage inspections. Two amendments were adopted: one removed pool and spa contractor language and delayed the change-order provision until July 1, 2025; the other removed the tall mass timber section. Pool contractors testified against the scope expansion in the original bill, while others supported the remaining provisions. Senators raised concerns about the Florida Building Commission process and how the public-works language might affect small-business participation, but the bill as amended was ultimately reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. Grall said the bill would require parental consent for most minor health care decisions, allow parental access to records, restrict surveys/questionnaires, and limit use of biofeedback devices, while preserving certain exceptions such as emergency care and STD testing. An amendment clarified questionnaire opt-outs for K-12 students, added court-order exceptions, addressed DNA sampling for criminal investigations, refined biofeedback language, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions; it was adopted. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it restored parental authority and protected children from decisions they are not equipped to make, while opponents argued it would endanger minors seeking confidential STI, mental health, or abuse-related care, especially in unsafe homes. Senators also debated whether the bill would conflict with existing laws and whether it could leave some minors untreated. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• day and we'll have some answers. day and we'll have some answers.
• So, I hope that answers the question.
• Can someone answer that?
• <01:14:28.239> That the answer I think is clearly no.
• That the answer I think is clearly no.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today to testify in support and answer any technical questions is Ned McNeely and Kelly Mae Douglas
• Are your crisis prevention hotline attendees, the people who, the counselors who answer the calls, they
• higher education and the local labor partners and community stakeholders the opportunity to address key
• Compensation combined with structured mentorship are key. components to an apprenticeship program which
• for their tremendous expertise, FCMAT, and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence as key

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:25.200> Um, try to answer it. Um, try to answer it.
• Can I answer? Sure. Go ahead.
• . answer. answer.
• able to answer them. able to answer them.
• answer any questions. answer any questions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But key things I'll point out in funds.
• Be happy to answer your cheer act.
• And you probably already answered this and I just could not hear the answer, but is there model legislation
• So to answer your question, there's no limitation.
• I'll be happy to answer other questions there.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time, and I'm also happy to answer any questions. ...while also reducing paperwork
• Thank you for your time, and I'm also happy to answer any questions.
• Thank you for your time, and I'm also happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Ms.
• I know it's a complicated question, but the key question is: do we cut cost and reduce the number of
• it's a complicated question but the key it's a complicated question but the key question<00:53:27.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any questions they can attempt to answer before we change up? Yes, thank you.
• I don’t have an answer for that.” “So what I’m trying to figure out, you said that this...”
• particular contract, in fact, I...” “...them, so for this particular contract I can’t necessarily answer
• The suite of decision support tools that we provide has one key question that they answer at each point
• I don't think we know all the answers today, but I do think that it can change, and this is a two-year

Summary: The committee reviewed three DHS out-of-state service contracts: a $690,000-plus sole-source contract for DCFS with Evident Change for maintenance and operation of the Child Welfare Structured Decision-Making practice hub; a $1.2 million sole-source contract for County Operations with Sifter Solutions to support a SNAP waiver compliance solution; and a $156,000 contract for Developmental Disabilities with Samaritan Integrative Services for psychiatric services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. The chair and staff explained the contracts and noted that the Evident Change and Sifter contracts were sole-source due to the proprietary nature of the systems or services involved. Most of the discussion focused on the Evident Change contract. Members questioned DCFS about long-term dependence on the vendor, the lack of a competitive bid, the absence of a clear off-ramp, and whether the state was paying more overall as the work was split into multiple contracts. DCFS said the contract before the committee was only for maintenance and operations of a web-based platform used daily for safety assessments and case planning, while a separate Evident Change contract covers case reviews, CQI work, and data management. The vendor said it was continuing to reduce its role and had begun off-ramp discussions, but members remained concerned that the state was too reliant on the vendor. Staff said the contract had to be approved by May 31 or the system could be turned off. The committee also discussed the Sifter Solutions contract, which supports Arkansas’s SNAP waiver pilot by providing a dynamic list of excluded products and a consumer app that scans barcodes and provides nutrition information. DHS said the waiver is intended to improve the nutritional value of SNAP benefits, that the contract is funded with remaining federal SNAP Nutrition Education dollars that would otherwise be returned, and that the University of Pennsylvania will conduct the evaluation at no cost. Members asked about the benefit to Arkansas, whether the app would include nutrition and budgeting information, and whether the state would own the application or need future renewals. DHS said the two-year term was intentionally aligned with the waiver period and that future procurement options could change. After discussion, the committee noted the items as reviewed and adjourned without objections or votes recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can get into this three page or I'll try to answer any questions you might have and would like
• I'm Matt Hicks with Texas DPS testifying as a resource witness here to answer any questions that y'all
• I, I mean, for your answers. I appreciate you. Any other questions, members? Alright, Mr.
• Happy to answer any questions and members, any questions, we'll let you close.
• Happy to answer any of your questions. Representative Derazio, yes, uh, 11 question.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make, uh, emphasize a couple of absolutely key points.
• And the answer was nothing.
• And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Members' questions. Thank you.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify today, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
• Um, that is a really hard question to answer.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I'm happy to answer any questions. I reserve my right to close. Thank you.
• Chair, I respectfully reserve my right to close or answer any questions. Thank you.
• I reserve my right to close if there are any. answer any questions if there are any. Thank you.
• Members, I'll be glad to answer any questions.
• Happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Members, any questions? Just real quick.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's hard for me to give you an answer besides it depends.
• But sorry I couldn't be more specific to answer your question.
• With that, I'm happy to answer the questions.
• Happy to answer any questions. Oh, he beat the time. Mr.
• Chair, Representative Carter—the answer is yes.

Bills: HB2127, HB2257, HB2305, HB2573, HB2772, HB2941, HB2957

Keywords: special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement, safety fund, state funding, Arizona Revised Statutes, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• The answer to that is yes.
• answer any questions that you have. answer any questions that you have.
• This is the key structural change.
• This is the key structural change.
• Happy to answer questions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll be happy to answer any questions if you have any.
• Happy to answer any questions.
• I'm happy to answer any questions. Chairs. Thank you very much.
• Thank you for answering that. All right, members, any other questions?
• I can answer any questions if y'all have any. Members, any questions?

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: HB 195, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Schedule IV, controlled substances, mifepristone, misoprostol, carisoprodol, Health and Safety Code, drug scheduling, pharmacy regulation, prescription drugs, reproductive health, abortion medication, medication abortion, women's health, prescribing, dispensing, law enforcement, drug control, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to answer questions. I'm happy to answer questions.
• Please, answer.
• And the answer is no.
• And the answer is deducting it twice?
• And the reason the answer in my no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, as noted by both commissioners, we're happy to answer any questions.
• We're happy to answer any questions. Thank you to all of you.
• No, the short answer is no. Um we Doset. No, the short answer is no.
• <01:11:24.800> and session to get to the right answers and session to get to the right answers
• He said that is the trade-off, and he is happy to answer questions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I was kind of answers on that.
• priority and became one of our six key priority and became one of our six key initiative<00:29:47.440
• Have help them with this or answer that?
• So, that would be my answer.
• In my they all are looking for answers.

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:38.840> Thank happy to answer any questions. Thank happy to answer any questions.
• any questions you support and can answer any questions you have.
• I'll answer before I answer. Yes, sure. Go ahead.
• But can we ask Hawaiian Electric to answer before you answer?
• <00:34:02.360> any major concerns, but happy to answer any major concerns, but happy to answer

Bills: SB2960, SB2347, SB2272, SB3137, SB3132, SB2271, SB2804, SB2175, SB2487

Keywords: homeowners insurance, disaster recovery, replacement cost value, state of emergency, policyholder rights, insurance extensions, tenant rights, landlord obligations, housing crisis, eviction prevention, multilingual access, SB2272, Act 105, home health licensing, home health agency, home health services, Department of Health, DOH, CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• The press people call us up a lot to answer questions about population, population change.
• The press people call us up a lot to answer questions about population, population change.
• Okay, so that was a lot of information, and I'm here and happy to answer any questions.
• The key takeaway from this should be that each of these sources represents a subset of the addresses
• Thank you for your time today, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on September 22, 2025 focused on preparations for the 2030 census, with an emphasis on Massachusetts’ role in building a complete address list and improving local participation in census-related address review programs. Chair Brownsberger and witnesses from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, the UMass Donahue Institute, Watertown, and MassGIS described the importance of accurate address data for congressional apportionment, federal funding, and state and local planning. They also discussed the first major upcoming step, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and the later Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) process, both of which rely on municipalities reviewing and correcting census geography and address files. John Rosenberry of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said outreach to cities and towns is beginning now, with a likely December start for the block boundary process based on the 2020 cycle. He stressed that local officials, clerks, building inspectors, housing authorities, and GIS staff should be engaged early, especially to capture new development and conversions created under the state’s housing policies. Susan Strait of UMass Donahue explained that LUCA allows local governments to compare their address lists with the Census Bureau’s master address file, and that Massachusetts had very high participation in 2020; she cited examples where local review added hidden or newly built housing units and noted that Boston later corrected a group-quarters undercount of about 6,000 students through a post-census review program. In response to questions, she clarified that those corrections affected annual estimates and funding formulas, but not the 2020 apportionment count. Watertown City Manager George Proakis described how local address review is complicated by accessory dwelling units, single-family to two-family conversions, and large multifamily projects, and urged continued state support for local governments doing this work. Dan Marrier of MassGIS then outlined the Massachusetts Master Address Database, explaining that it combines multiple sources, including E911, assessor, voter, and municipal data, to create a standardized residential address repository used for census preparation and other state functions. He said the database has helped improve census accuracy, including by updating more than one million Census Bureau address-point locations before 2020, and noted that local municipalities remain the final authority on addresses even as MassGIS standardizes and reconciles variants across the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the key medical group, not some fringe group that does these surgeries.
• The key medical group, the American Not some fringe group that does these surgeries.
• The key medical group, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, has reversed itself.
• They'll never answer that question.
• They'll never answer that question.

Keywords: 1182, all