Transcript Highlights:

• That's a separate section. This is under the emergency response.
• So that is a separate section that is not in this section.
• That's what this section allows for under the emergency management definition.
• I have enjoyed getting to know a great cross-section of Nebraska leaders.
• the obituary section of the Unicameral Update.

Bills: LR509 , LR510 , LR511

Keywords: congratulations, Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame, Deloris Marshall Adamson, recognition, achievement, service, retirement, Nebraska Legislature, public service, legislature, Nebraska, 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look on section one on page four, we added number four.
• </c><00:18:19.039><c> one</c><00:18:19.760><c> on</c> And so, if you look on section one on And so, if
• you look on section one on page<00:18:20.400><c> four,</c><00:18:20.799><c> we</c><00:18:21.039><c>
• And I'd like to point out three things on page five, section 3.1.
• </c> things on um page five, section 3.1. things on um page five, section 3.1.

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some uh counties with much more sophisticated um computer technology sections can track down the drone
• :12.600><c> down</c><00:05:12.759><c> the</c><00:05:12.880><c> Drone</c><00:05:13.479><c> in</c> sections
• can track down the Drone in sections can track down the Drone in North<00:05:13.840><c> Carolina</c>
• </c> addition to amending the HRS HRS section addition to amending the HRS HRS section 1996-2<00:37:09.680
• </c><00:37:11.680><c> 291</c> 1996-2 um also amending HRS section 291 1996-2 um also amending HRS section

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 282 would increase penalties for using an uncrewed aircraft, or drone, in the commission of a felony. The Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney strongly supported the bill, saying drones are being used to facilitate crimes such as burglaries, sex offender registration violations, and even murders, and that the measure would create a stronger deterrent and address sentencing issues. Members discussed how drone use could be investigated and noted that a prior Uncrewed Aircraft Offenses Act already covers a range of drone-related offenses. Testimony also included support from a Kauaʻi County Council member and the Office of the Public Defender, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. The committee also heard SB 1032 on campaign finance, which would amend restrictions on foreign nationals and foreign corporations making contributions and expenditures. Testimony was listed in support from labor, civic, and advocacy groups, with some opposition, but the measure was not debated further in the portion provided. SB 1160, a consumer protection bill on ticket resale, drew support from venues and event groups and opposition from the Chamber of Progress, which argued the bill should target scalpers and deceptive practices rather than legitimate resale platforms. The Attorney General suggested an amendment to limit the bill’s scope to Hawaiʻi events, citing Commerce Clause concerns. On SB 344, requiring skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported the measure. SB 106, which would let pedestrians cross outside marked crosswalks when a reasonably careful pedestrian would see no immediate danger, drew mixed testimony: public health and equity advocates supported it as a safety and anti-profiling measure, while others opposed it, warning it could increase danger on wider, faster roads. Committee members questioned whether Hawaiʻi’s current law is more dangerous because pedestrians must step into the roadway before drivers are required to stop, and the discussion continued at length without a final vote in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 10009 on accessible parking fines, with DCAB and DAGS supporting the intent; a member asked that any new fine revenue go to the state parking revolving fund. SB 820, shortening the vehicle title transfer deadline from 30 days to 14 days, drew opposition from the Public Defender and Honolulu Customer Services, who said the current deadline is reasonable and the bill did not clearly solve a problem. Later measures included SB 1095 on license plate decal restrictions, SB 215 on towing and immobilization fees, and SB 1117 on electric mobility rebates and age/helmet rules, which received support from transportation and safety groups, though the transcript cuts off before any final actions or votes on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several sections have been in response to heart-wrenching stories that we continually hear of violent
• First, with the proposed language at Section 8 updating the statute concerning fourth-degree assault
• Second, with regard to the proposed language at Section 10 concerning fleeing in a motor vehicle, as
• First, with the proposed language at Section 8 updating the statute concerning fourth-degree assault
• I'll start on page five, subdivision or section three, subdivision 6A.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mile up to one mile and on what sections mile up to one mile and on what sections and<00:09:12.839
• So I believe this is section, page 6.
• For one RSA section 151... okay, it's between the other two. There is more than one section one.
• </c><05:17:33.280><c> one</c> for one RSA what section one for one RSA what section one um<05:17:36.040
• ><c> 51</c> um section 151 yeah one 51 um section 151 yeah one 51 okay<05:17:42.558><c> it's</c><05:17

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language. The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process. Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they on section three partaking.
• who house the facility workforce development section, oversight, and enforcement section, which are
• </c> so basically there's a the next section so basically there's a the next section on<04:12:15.840>
• and enforcement section oversight and enforcement section<04:12:38.239><c> which</c><04:12:38.560><c
• </c><04:12:40.560><c> Um</c> section which are fairly slight. Um section which are fairly slight.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is 170 pages long right now, so I will not do a section-by-section, unless you all want to be
• so I will<00:09:31.720><c> not</c><00:09:31.920><c> do</c><00:09:32.040><c> a</c><00:09:32.120><c> section-by-section
• ,</c> will not do a section-by-section, will not do a section-by-section, um,<00:09:33.920><c> unless
• The section, or Article 8, is on all the public pension plans. These are administrative changes.
• </c> noted that there's a conflict in section noted that there's a conflict in section 429.00011 429.00011

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section E, anyone has the right to file a complaint with the department, which is DCFS.
• So this is under the section of all 972.1, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative.
• It's a new section if I understand the amendments correctly.
• And so we made a new section, 972.2. Keeping it in there was not exactly what I was looking for.
• And so we made a new section 972.2. I think the point of it applying to all centers is the point.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 611 by Rep. Freeman, which would require pregnancy-related service centers that provide health care services to be licensed or, as amended, to clearly disclose that they are not a licensed medical facility regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health. Rep. Freeman and supporting witnesses argued the bill was prompted by a legislative auditor report and concerns that some centers provide ultrasounds, STI testing, pregnancy tests, and related services without clear medical oversight. The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners’ executive director testified that interpreting ultrasounds and performing certain tests can constitute the practice of medicine, while opponents argued the centers already operate under medical directors and that the disclosure requirement was unconstitutional under the NIFLA case. The committee adopted an amendment, but after debate on the amended bill, a motion to report favorably failed on a roll call vote, and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 902 by Rep. Marcelle, which directs the Louisiana Department of Health to develop trauma-informed training. Supporters said the bill grew out of a task force on student behavior, mental health, and discipline, and that educators need a more consistent, evidence-based trauma-informed curriculum than what is currently available online. Some members raised concerns about cost and whether the bill would mandate new school obligations, while a witness from the Louisiana Baptist Convention opposed the measure as mission creep and argued trauma-informed care is too specialized for general teacher training. Other members supported the bill as a way to help educators identify and respond to children facing trauma. The bill was amended with technical changes and then discussed further, but the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 902 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in Section 2, there are two minor scrivener changes concerning non-substantive words.
• business law section, 600-page bills, which were really important, but we don't get much discussion
• The legislation provides necessary updates to the existing agricultural enclaves section.
• that they go to in terms of these economic development agreements: Section 288.075.
• So this is the section that they go to for a lot of these large economic development agreements.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A public school that violates this section is not immune from suit or liability for the violation.
• And so just take me through that section on what you're allowing the person that feels there through
• T-21 has its own code and has its own part in Section 2 that says nothing in this section shall prohibit
• T-21 has its own code and has its own part in Section 2 that says nothing in this section shall prohibit
• So I’m, you had a section on tax abatement in there and how that works.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it sounds like plan review is a section or only a portion of scope of work that an engineer is
• </c><00:37:00.160><c> with</c> align the pay transparency section with align the pay transparency section
• She added that section 2 of the bill appears to provide an administrative and decision-making process
• However, we are officially opposed to the subsequent section regarding disclosure and objection 2.
• </c> clause confirming amended sections clause confirming amended sections 1-28.5 1-28.5 1-28.5 HRS<01

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Loveless Hospital is not doing C-sections when they are indicated because when they keep those C-section
• I know those babies keep dying. ...who are actually telling Loveless, don't do C-sections.
• So when the person that I represented came in and needed an emergency C-section to save the baby, who
• And they didn't have a physician there who could perform a C-section.
• Midwives can't perform C-sections.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection. The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight. The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was determined in the House that a very small section of SB 9 was not germane, so there was a request
• , Section D, Chapter 2306 of the Government Code?”
• “Developments that receive financial assistance and, hopefully, you know this section, Section D, Chapter
• Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1359 establishes the Wise Regional Water District under Section 56,
• The section contains multiple obvious transcription errors in bill numbers and repeated fragments.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill amends Section 395.3011 of Florida statute to extend protections from extraordinary collection
• This bill amends Section 395.3011 of Florida statute to extend protections from extraordinary collection
• Section 60 This bill amends Section 395.301 of Florida statute to extend protections from extraordinary
• Article 7, Section 18, not statute, the Florida Constitution requires that any county or municipality
• Also, it does not contain the section regarding enhanced penalties for crimes committed while using a

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Section 6 gives sentencing judges discretion to reduce the amount of...
• Or is that in some other section? Because it's...
• The bill sponsor may want to reconsider some of the language choices in Amendment Section 2.b.
• Because they have issues in Section 2.b and Section 3.a.2. 2.b and Section 3.a.2, and a specific GTA
• And then just a suggestion in Section 2, and I'm trying to look at you go to HEC next...

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:45.720><c> eight</c> in section eight in section eight I<00:32:47.040><c> I</c><00:32:47.160
• </c><00:32:57.080><c> Section</c><00:32:57.480><c> seven</c> deleting section seven.
• Section seven deleting section seven.
• Section seven and<00:32:57.920><c> section</c><00:32:58.320><c> eight.
• </c><01:35:46.720><c> 609.7615,</c> in this section 609.7615, in this section 609.7615, which<01:35:49.480

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:41.760><c> 185,</c> on House Bill 2, page 70, section 185, on House Bill 2, page 70, section
• "So, again, is that under section 186?
• That section is being repealed out of HB 2 from 25.
• That section is being repealed out of HB 2 from 25. So, yep.
• And then the next section you see on slide 16 is...

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, that would be sections two and three of the bill.
• Chair and members, that would be sections two and three of the bill.
• The Iron Range has, instead of mile-square sections, triangular sections, and it has rhombuses and it
• </c><01:17:10.000><c> section</c><01:17:10.360><c> five</c> years uh the final section section five years
• uh the final section section five of<01:17:10.639><c> the</c><01:17:10.719><c> bill</c><01:17:11.000

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that it is referenced in another section that it is referenced in another section or<00:11:37.080
• So<00:24:13.960><c> section</c> So section So section section<00:24:15.680><c> 38</c><00:24:16.240><c
• > of</c><00:24:16.320><c> the</c><00:24:16.440><c> bill</c> section 38 of the bill section 38 of the
• Perfect. second section section that provides second section section that provides that<03:28:39.640>
• Which goes back to the section on fees, but then that section will send you back to the definition of

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> rules 1137 in the applicability section rules 1137 in the applicability section of<01:02:37.599>
• </c><02:06:16.119><c> 4</c> State Constitution Article 1 Section 4 State Constitution Article 1 Section
• No citizen in Section 8 shall be disenfranchised or deprived of their rights.
• , including sections 286, 327, and 325-21.
• , including sections 286, 327, and 325-21.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility. The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost. The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.