Transcript Highlights:

• Additional Assembly Members Robert Smullen join us from the Assembly minority conference, with Sam Pirozzolo
• ADDITIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ROBERT SMULLEN JOIN US FROM THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER MINORITY CONFERENCE WITH SAM
• I'd like to introduce my colleague Sam Pirozzolo for a comment. >> Thank you very much.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee met to discuss budget priorities for SUNY, CUNY, community colleges, TAP, student aid, and capital funding. Chair Toby Ann Stavisky emphasized the need for increased operating and capital support, protection against enrollment-based funding losses, no tuition increases, a review of TAP because it has not kept pace with living costs, and action on student loan access and research funding cuts. Assembly Chair Alicia Hyndman outlined the Assembly’s higher education proposal, including $475.7 million to expand TAP eligibility, raising income thresholds for TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship, creating a graduate tuition assistance program, adding community college operating aid, expanding the Opportunity Promise Scholarship, forgiving SUNY hospital debt service, increasing CUNY operating support, restoring opportunity program funding, creating a $110 million student loan support program called New York Rises, and funding five-year capital plans for SUNY and CUNY plus additional ECAP grants. Members broadly supported making higher education more affordable and accessible, while highlighting district-specific needs. Senator May praised SUNY Reconnect, community college workforce programs, hospital debt service relief, and a five-year SUNY capital plan. Senator Gonzalez framed the budget as an investment in economic mobility. Senator Griffo supported affordability, operating and capital aid, and additional support for medical schools and hospitals. Assembly Members Walker, Colton, and Fall backed TAP expansion, opportunity programs, disability supports, SUNY Downstate’s transformation, and capital needs at CUNY and SUNY campuses. Assembly Member Smullen, speaking for the minority conference, urged a five-way budget process, said TAP has not kept pace with inflation, and called for a more stable long-term funding model for community colleges. He also stressed aligning higher education with workforce needs. Assembly Member Pirozzolo pointed to the College of Staten Island as an example of the benefits of investment and warned that employers recruiting students directly from high school could weaken higher education unless colleges continue strengthening trade and career training. The meeting ended with no vote on the budget items, and the chairs adjourned the conference committee after concluding remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• SAM recommendation is to um substance.
• As much as I appreciate Sam, I consider them the tenth man.
• As much as I appreciate Sam, I consider them the tenth man.
• Go ahead, Sam.
• <02:02:43.119> New Hi, Sue Hamola representing Sam New Hi, Sue Hamola representing Sam New

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And first, I want to say thank you to Sam O'Neal and Megan Malbach, who were both new to cannabis this
• And again, just huge shout-out to Sam O'Neal and Megan Mullen, Eric Anderson, uh, all the work you did
• And again, just huge shout-out to Sam O'Neal and Megan Mullen, Eric Anderson, uh, all the work you did
• And again, just huge shout out to Sam<00:40:47.760> O'Neal<00:40:48.240> and<00:40:48.400
• > Megan<00:40:48.720> Mullen,<00:40:49.359> Eric Sam O'Neal and Megan Mullen, Eric

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up Senate File 334, a bill to modernize county human services technology used to administer programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. The author and several members described the current systems as outdated “green screen” platforms that are slow, duplicative, and difficult for workers and applicants, and argued modernization would improve service, retention, and fraud prevention. The bill would create a technology modernization fund with about $90 million over time, capped at $50 million, route funds through Minute, establish an interagency group with county representation, create a legislative working group, and provide $15 million for Office of Inspector General technology. Members from several counties spoke in strong support, citing local system failures, cyberattacks, and the need for better tools; one member noted the bill was about 20 years overdue. The bill passed third reading by a vote of 134-0, and a title was agreed to. The House then considered Senate File 4401, the cannabis bill. The author described it as a maintenance and cleanup package developed with more than 80 stakeholders over months of meetings, including business owners, labor, tribal representatives, and medical cannabis interests. The bill was presented as making noncontroversial adjustments to support small businesses, clarify statutes, improve privacy protections, adjust event and transporter rules, address good-faith errors, strengthen enforcement against unlicensed operators, and support local governments and municipal cannabis dispensaries. It also included a first step toward a medical psilocybin program and changes intended to make the medical cannabis market more sustainable, including easing the grow-and-sale ratio issue. The transcript cuts off before final action on this bill, but members speaking in support emphasized collaboration and the need for practical regulatory fixes.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sam Goram, and I am an intern at the Hawaii State Council on Disabilities here on behalf of
• members of the committee my name is Sam members of the committee my name is Sam Goram<00:34:40.399
• > chair members of the committee my name chair members of the committee my name is<00:48:08.680> Sam
• 09.520> intern<00:48:10.040> on<00:48:10.160> behalf<00:48:10.440> of is Sam
• gorm I'm an intern on behalf of is Sam gorm I'm an intern on behalf of dentry<00:48:11.040> with<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Howard. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have...
• Our seven institutions include Texas State University. in San Marcos and Round Rock, Sam Houston State
• Sam Houston State, for example, launched two new colleges, including its high. successful College of
• Sam Houston's new Polytechnic College is an innovative workforce solution. intended to engage directly
• Lamar University, with over six. million dollars in R&D, and Sam Houston State, with over 12 million

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• King and members of the committee<00:05:27.520> uh<00:05:27.680> John<00:05:27.919> Sams
• 00:05:28.280> fman<00:05:28.600> County<00:05:28.880> judge committee uh John Sams
• fman County judge committee uh John Sams fman County judge executive<00:05:30.120> as<00:05:30.400

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 01:21 HB 552 Discussion 04:54 HB 552 Vote 07:12, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members and Vice Chair Susan Tyler Whitten, reviewed committee procedures, and introduced staff. Members also introduced several guests, including family members, interns, and visitors from Kenton County. The chair noted there were no minutes to approve because it was the first meeting. The committee then heard House Bill 552 from Judge Executive John Sims of Falmouth County, who said the bill is a joint effort supported by KLC and the County Judge/Executive Association. He explained that the measure makes minor wording changes, replacing references to “jurisdiction” with “county or city” and changing “chairman” to “chair,” with the goal of ensuring smaller communities retain representation on local tourist commissions. Chair King added that the bill would allow a mayor or judge executive to appoint a county resident to a tourism board even when the tax district or business ownership crosses city-county lines. After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the bill. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with members present voting yes and Representative Whitaker explaining his support by saying tourism is a team effort in the counties. House Bill 552 passed out of committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And first I want to say thank you to Sam O'Neill and Megan Mallonbach, who are both new to cannabis this
• I'm really looking forward to getting this going and again just huge shout out to Sam O'Neil and Megan
• I'm really looking forward to getting this going and again just huge shout out to Sam O'Neil and Megan
• I'm really looking forward to getting this going and again just huge shout out to Sam O'Neil and Megan

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Senate File 4401, a cannabis bill, was presented as a broad maintenance package developed through months of work with more than 80 stakeholders, including small businesses, labor, tribal representatives, medical licensees, and the Office of Cannabis Management. The author said it makes a series of technical and policy adjustments, including support for small businesses, hemp QR codes, privacy protections, event coordinator changes, clearer product definitions, investor and timeline changes, and a bridge for hemp businesses to enter cannabis. It also addresses medical cannabis access by renaming medical combination licenses as macro licenses, eliminating the grow-and-sale ratio, correcting canopy estimates, requiring key products to be stocked, and creating a first step toward a medical psilocybin program with a report and federal funding directive. Representative West supported the bill overall but criticized the canopy reduction for medical combination licenses, arguing it changes the rules midstream and could lead to litigation and taxpayer costs. He said the bill helps social equity applicants by allowing more outside investment and described the hemp provisions as a way to save that industry. The author responded that the bill right-sizes a temporary system and reflects stakeholder agreement on needed changes. After discussion, the author again urged a green vote and thanked staff and prior cannabis workers for their help. There were no amendments at the desk, the bill was given a third reading, and the House passed Senate File 4401 by a vote of 92 ayes to 42 nays, with the title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Thompson. Do we have more people in the Zoom? Oh, sorry. I didn't see that. I can't see.
• Sam Thompson. Sam, go ahead. Sorry. My name is Sam Thompson.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are moving forward with funding through USDA, and Sam will cover that.
• Our project has been accepted by USDA and is in underwriting right now, and Sam will cover some of that
• To Sam Fink. Welcome to the committee, Mr. Fink.
• Sam Fink with SCH. I'm the city engineer for the city of New Auburn.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to proudly recognize and welcome my outgoing intern in the rear of the chamber, Sam Sheckman
• During their free time, Sam is an avid reader, loves musical theater, and enjoys tutoring his three younger
• Members, please join me in thanking Sam for his service and offering best wishes for his future success
• Thank you for your service, Sam. You will be missed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have in attendance with me today David Stalen, the VFW commander, and also Allan Sam Crad, the adjutant
• c> stalen the VFW commander and uh also stalen the VFW commander and uh also Allan<00:04:08.360> Sam
• 10.560> adjudant<00:04:11.159> of<00:04:11.480> the<00:04:11.680> Moa Allan Sam
• crad the adjudant of the Moa Allan Sam crad the adjudant of the Moa Legion<00:04:12.560> Post

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam, Sam I am. Mr.
• Members, any questions for Sam? Seeing none. Thank you, Sam. This is my bill, so I'll speak to it.
• Members, any questions for Sam? Sign on? Do we have anybody sign it?
• With that, do you have any questions for Sam? Seeing none. Again, this is my bill.

Bills: SB1071, SB1315, SB1317, SB1416, SB1493, SB1537, SB1542, SB1584, SB1626, SB1740, SB1751, SB1804, SCR1047, SCR1049

Keywords: Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1071, which would repeal the statutory framework for the Arizona Rangers. The sponsor argued the bill was about accountability and transparency, citing concerns about missing training and firearms qualification records; Arizona Rangers representatives and several sheriffs opposed the bill, saying the Rangers provide valuable volunteer support and that the real issue was adding oversight rather than eliminating protections. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1071 a do pass recommendation, with members noting they expected amendments later. The committee then heard SB 1315, requiring school districts and charter schools to maintain interoperable emergency communications with law enforcement and to submit annual affidavits confirming testing and compliance. Testimony from school safety officials and sheriffs emphasized the value of real-time communication during emergencies and the need for secure sharing of campus maps and floor plans; concerns about cost and information security were addressed by supporters. The bill passed unanimously, 7-0. The committee also advanced SB 1317, which appropriates opioid settlement funds for county reentry planning programs; sheriffs and association representatives supported it, citing reduced recidivism and jail populations, and it passed 7-0. Several public safety and missing-children measures were considered next. SB 1416, as amended, revises missing child reporting requirements, adds runaway children back into reporting, requires faster photo and information sharing, and expands training requirements; advocates for missing children and law enforcement supported the compromise language, and the bill passed 7-0. SB 1740, which updates Turquoise Alert training and procedures, was also advanced 7-0 after discussion about statewide versus geographically targeted alerts and the need to keep alerts effective. Later, SB 1493, a strike-everything amendment affecting police officer termination appeals and fee shifting when an employer rejects a favorable administrative ruling, passed 5-2 despite opposition from chiefs’ representatives. SB 1537, renaming the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund and repealing its advisory commission, passed 5-2. The committee also approved SB 1751 and SCR 1049, which expand execution methods to include lethal gas and firing squad and make firing squad mandatory in certain cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer; opponents raised constitutional, ethical, and practical concerns, while supporters framed the measures as aligning Arizona with other states and providing additional options. Both measures passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1542, which would create a framework and funding for MDMA research and treatment for PTSD in first responders and peace officers contingent on FDA approval, was heard with testimony describing promising clinical trial results and the need for Arizona research; the bill was then moved forward, though the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• These groups that put these together, the parks and trails, the Lassard Sams, the outdoor clean water
• These groups that put these together, the parks and trails, the Lassard Sams, the outdoor clean water
• And then the heritage, the outdoor heritage, Lassard Sams, they do some great work to make sure that
• 20.160> outdoor<00:35:20.480> heritage,<00:35:20.720> Lassard<00:35:21.119> Sams
• ,<00:35:21.440> they the outdoor heritage, Lassard Sams, they the outdoor heritage, Lassard

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To testify in support of this bill, I'm here with Sam Sturgisich, an Eaton Fire survivor, and Joy Chen
• My name is Sam Sturgisich. I'm a senior and a survivor of the Eaton Fire. The fire Sturgisich.
• What you just heard from Sam is something that we noticed very early on.
• Sam Sturgisich, Eaton Fire survivor, and strong support of this bill.
• Sam Sturgisich, Eaton Fire Survivor, and strong support of this bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To testify in support of this bill, I'm here with Sam Sturgisich, an Eaton Fire survivor, and Joy Chen
• My name is Sam Sturgisich. I'm a senior and a survivor of the Eaton Fire.
• What you just heard from Sam is something that we noticed very early on.
• Sam Sturgisich, Eaton Fire survivor, and strong support of this bill.
• Sam Sturgisich, Eaton Fire Survivor, and strong support of this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Mal Ching was working for the former Senator Sam Slom for 15 years, so abundance of experience for
• Ching was working for the former And Mal Ching was working for the former Senator<00:27:25.880> Sam
• Slom for 15 years, so Senator Sam Slom for 15 years, so abundance<00:27:28.800> of<00:27:29.000
• Sam, don't do it. Don't do it, but I did it anyway. So, I want to thank him, you know, for that.
• Sam, don't do it. Don't do it, credit. Sam, don't do it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their wives, Akimi and Catherine, and grandmother to her three precious... ...grandchildren, Sophie, Sam
• Catherine Fredericks, of Brunswick, Maine; and their grandchildren, Sophie, Sam, and Lucy.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including recognition of the Munson Lions Club’s 70th anniversary, the town of Groveland’s 175th anniversary, and Power Forward, Inc. for addiction recovery services. It then took up a series of local and personnel bills, including a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Department of Transportation, dissolution of the Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, and a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges of the Department of Correction. The Senate accepted committee reports, including one recommending consolidation of the Carlos Borges bill with Senate bill 2562, and passed the relevant bills to be engrossed. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 several times to allow petitions and matters from the House to be considered forthwith and referred to the appropriate committees. Among the House measures, the Senate ordered to a third reading a bill establishing a charter for the City of Somerville. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday and dispense with printing a calendar. Before adjournment, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Jacqueline Ross Ankeles, with a detailed tribute describing her career in the performing arts, radio broadcasting, writing, and community service in the North Shore. A moment of silence was observed, and the Senate adjourned in her memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we got Sam first here.
• Okay, we got Sam first here.
• Okay, we got Sam first here.
• Okay, we got Sam first here.
• Okay, we got Sam first here.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• His name is President Sam Dillon. He's here with his wife, Alex, and it is our honor.
• Miranda, Senator Edwards, Senator DiDomenico, and the Boston delegation, we are honored to welcome Sam
• Senator Edwards, Senator DiDomenico, the Boston delegation, we are honored to welcome Sam and Alex to
• Our communications team: Sarah, Sam, Imani, Gray, and all of the interns that have been there and people

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met on the FY27 budget and began with several ceremonial introductions and brief amendment withdrawals. Senator Collins withdrew amendments related to restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay. The chamber then ruled a package of tax-related amendments offered by Senator Tarr out of order on constitutional grounds, finding they would create money-bill provisions that must originate in the House; the Senate upheld that ruling by a vote of 35-4. Senator Tarr later offered amendments on a gas tax suspension and related tax relief themes, but those were not adopted. The Senate considered and rejected several other amendments, including proposals on commemorating Commonwealth history, naming a bridge, repeat offenders, and no-cost calls. One amendment by Senator Fattman to extend domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, with 39 votes in favor and none opposed. The chamber also adopted an amendment creating a special commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after extended debate about inequities in municipal aid and local budget pressures. Members from across the chamber supported the commission, while some emphasized that adequacy of funding, not just redistribution, remains a concern. The Senate then took up Chapter 90, passing the municipal roads and bridges bill to be engrossed. It also adopted a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, then adopted the Ways and Means budget amendment as amended and ordered the underlying FY27 appropriations bill to a third reading. After lengthy closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and the Senate President praising the budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted 40-0 to pass the FY27 budget bill to be engrossed. The chamber then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was this past Christmas at Hickam Joint Air Force Base at a Christmas party at Admiral Sam Paparo's
• c><00:32:37.840> party<00:32:38.480> at<00:32:38.880> Admiral<00:32:39.760> Sam
• a Christmas party at Admiral Sam a Christmas party at Admiral Sam Parapoto's<00:32:40.960> home

Keywords: 910, house, all