Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:39.600> Um<00:12:40.800> and<00:12:41.120> so<00:12:41.440> this
• :12:43.519> to<00:12:43.920> do<00:12:44.079> so.
• Uh<00:12:46.639> for<00:12:46.880> the<00:12:47.040> record,<00:12:47.600> you
• > lot<00:12:49.040> of<00:12:49.200> discussion<00:12:49.680> about<00:12
• 12:07.520> to<01:12:07.840> our<01:12:08.080> investor<01:12:08.640> and

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:10.720> But<00:12:10.800> if<00:12:11.040> the<00:12:11.279> bill<
• is<00:12:16.399> a<00:12:16.639> question<00:12:16.880> of<00:12:17.040>
• <00:12:18.959> that<00:12:19.440> if<00:12:19.760> available<00:12:20.160>
• ><00:12:26.320> have<00:12:26.480> access<00:12:26.720> to<00:12:26.880> it
• to it on a constraint<00:12:27.920> or<00:12:28.480> a<00:12:28.720> strain<00:12

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a large number of health-related measures, with the most extensive discussion on SB 2283, which would expand mail-order pharmacy access for prescription drugs. Supporters including HMSA, the Board of Pharmacy, and health plan groups said mail order could lower costs, improve adherence, and reduce hospitalizations, while independent pharmacies and rural neighbor-island providers warned it could harm local pharmacies, reduce access for patients who rely on face-to-face service, and create delivery and storage problems for medications. No vote was taken on SB 2283 during the excerpt, and the chair moved on after hearing testimony. The committee also heard SB 2855 on opioid antagonists, with the Insurance Division and HMSA noting that medically necessary opioid antagonists are already covered and suggesting the issue may be addressed through education or administrative fixes. Fentanyl and substance abuse groups supported the measure. SB 3045 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors drew broad support from diabetes and health organizations; HMSA said it had already expanded coverage for members on injectable insulin but raised concerns about supply constraints and said it had not yet seen an auditor study referenced in discussion. Members asked whether the bill would extend coverage beyond current policy. SB 2843 on domestic violence received support from the Public Defender’s Office, prosecutors, and victim-related organizations, who said the pilot program for misdemeanor domestic violence cases had reduced backlogs and improved court efficiency. A prosecutor also supported retaining coercive control as a petty misdemeanor tool in larger domestic violence cases. SB 2845 on healthcare facility access drew strong support from many health, legal, and advocacy groups, who said it would protect patients and staff from disruptive interference at healthcare facilities; one opponent argued it would chill lawful speech and protest and unfairly exempt labor demonstrations. The committee then heard SB 2854 and SB 3202, both healthcare-related measures, with testimony largely in support. SB 2854 drew comments from health and dental groups, and SB 3202 focused on workforce and licensing issues, including support for retired physicians volunteering, preceptor tax credits, and adding advanced midwifery and physician assistant-related provisions. The chair repeatedly enforced a one-minute testimony limit and moved through the agenda without recorded votes in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :44.520> um<02:12:44.679> who<02:12:44.800> was<02:12:44.920> born<02:12:
• 02:12:48.960> also<02:12:49.159> shared<02:12:49.480> a<02:12:49.639> story
• c> my<02:12:50.520> second<02:12:50.760> son<02:12:51.280> who<02:12:51.599>
• > premature<02:12:56.000> and<02:12:56.119> I<02:12:56.320> had<02:12:56.480
• c> this<04:12:39.680> is<04:12:39.920> so<04:12:40.279> good<04:12:40.960>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:12:00.800> But<01:12:00.880> what<01:12:01.120> I<01:12:01.280> did
• ><01:12:03.120> if<01:12:03.280> you're<01:12:03.520> not<01:12:03.679> a
• <01:12:05.520> if<01:12:05.760> you're<01:12:06.000> just<01:12:06.159> a
• These guys<01:12:11.840> are<01:12:12.000> the<01:12:12.239> most<01:12:12.400><
• > but<01:12:22.000> they<01:12:22.239> can<01:12:22.400> get<01:12:22.640

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> depending<00:12:45.880> on<00:12:46.040> the<00:12:46.400> the<00:12:46.480
• So,<00:12:47.120> we're<00:12:47.240> looking<00:12:47.560> to<00:12:47.720>
• And<00:12:53.360> so,<00:12:53.480> some<00:12:53.720> of<00:12:53.800> the
• /c><00:12:57.880> business<00:12:58.280> number<00:12:58.520> should<00:12:58.760
• So,<00:12:59.440> we<00:12:59.560> need<00:12:59.760> to<00:12:59.880> analyze

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.

Transcript Highlights:

• > according<00:12:19.320> to<00:12:19.480> the<00:12:19.680> Nei<00:12:20.160
• projected<00:12:46.839> to<00:12:46.959> go<00:12:47.160> for<00:12:47.399>
• billion<00:12:51.519> you're<00:12:51.800> and<00:12:51.920> you're<00:12:52.160
• > Wai<00:12:53.720> about<00:12:54.079> an<00:12:54.279> individual<00:12
• :56.040> more<00:12:57.000> than<00:12:57.639> uh<00:12:58.079> you<00:12

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 103, relating to electric vehicle batteries, and then moved to Senate Bill 995, relating to renewable fuel. On SB 103, the Department of Health and the State Energy Office supported the measure, and Redwood Materials said it supported the bill’s intent but requested an amendment to add a battery recycler to the commission. Other testimony on SB 103 included support from several individuals and organizations, with one opponent noted. A committee member also raised a possible deadline change requested by the Alliance of Automobile Innovation for future work on the measure. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 995, which would create tax incentives for sustainable aviation fuel and related renewable fuel production. Supporters included the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pono Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Tax Foundation, PAR Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel, and others. Supporters said the bill would help build a local SAF industry, encourage camelina and other feedstocks, and advance decarbonization goals. Several supporters also said they had proposed amendments or technical comments and stood on their written testimony. Opposition testimony argued the bill could allow toxic waste feedstocks, such as construction and demolition waste, into fuel production, and questioned whether the incentives would truly benefit Hawaii farmers or consumers. One opponent said the bill’s benefits could flow to the producer and to imported feedstocks rather than to local agriculture, and another questioned the scale of local land and water available for camelina production. Committee members pressed witnesses on acreage, water use, expected yields, the role of PAR Hawaii’s refinery investment, and whether the state would be subsidizing a business decision that might not produce significant local fuel. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:12:00.000> I'm<00:12:00.240> going<00:12:00.320> to<00:12:00.399> share<
• There we go.<00:12:23.120> I<00:12:23.279> got<00:12:23.360> to<00:12:23.519>
• <00:12:30.000> Now<00:12:30.160> I<00:12:30.240> got<00:12:30.320> to
• So,<00:12:41.760> uh,<00:12:41.920> as<00:12:42.480> as<00:12:43.120> the
• report<00:12:51.200> um,<00:12:51.360> that<00:12:51.519> we<00:12:51.760>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:06.519> Um,<00:12:07.519> Sebie<00:12:08.079> and Addie.
• And<00:12:10.480> with<00:12:10.800> them<00:12:11.040> is<00:12:11.440> my
• c><00:12:11.760> dad,<00:12:12.279> Andy,<00:12:13.279> my<00:12:13.519> mom,
• > and<00:12:15.040> my<00:12:15.279> fiance,<00:12:15.959> Anthony.
• Uh, welcome<00:12:17.680> to<00:12:17.839> the<00:12:18.160> Hawaii<00:12:18.560

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:12:01.960> by<00:12:02.080> the<00:12:02.200> way,<00:12:02.320> I've<
• can<00:12:04.200> occur<00:12:04.520> pretty<00:12:04.760> regularly<00:12:
• 56%<00:12:09.800> of<00:12:09.920> divorce<00:12:10.320> cases<00:12:10.760
• porn, 56%. porn, 56%. 12%<00:12:17.080> of<00:12:17.240> websites<00:12:17.880>
• websites. 2.5 billion emails<00:12:37.600> per<00:12:37.760> day<00:12:38.160> are<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > you<00:12:44.720> say<00:12:45.040> at<00:12:45.040> least<00:12:45.360
• <00:12:46.720> They<00:12:46.959> do<00:12:47.200> have<00:12:47.360> a
• > heard<00:12:51.120> on<00:12:51.360> this<00:12:51.680> and<00:12:52.399
• 12:54.560> consumer<00:12:54.959> groups<00:12:55.279> are<00:12:55.440> going
• > be<00:12:55.839> working<00:12:56.240> really<00:12:56.560> hard<00:12:56.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > there's<01:12:12.720> a<01:12:12.760> projection<01:12:13.240> of<01:12
• <01:12:28.000> 60,000<01:12:28.960> that<01:12:29.160> jumps<01:12:29.440>
• And<02:12:35.080> as<02:12:35.240> far<02:12:35.600> as<02:12:36.520> we<
• 02:12:36.640> know<02:12:36.760> when<02:12:36.880> we<02:12:37.000> hear
• words like<02:12:38.560> somebody's<02:12:38.920> making<02:12:39.200> a<02:12:

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support. Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs. The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• If<00:12:01.560> so,<00:12:01.800> all<00:12:01.920> in<00:12:02.000> favor
• The<00:12:05.600> eyes<00:12:05.880> have<00:12:06.120> it<00:12:06.240> and<
• Are<00:12:31.280> you<00:12:31.400> ready<00:12:31.640> for<00:12:31.760> the
• If<00:12:33.640> so,<00:12:33.880> all<00:12:34.040> in<00:12:34.120> favor
• The<00:12:37.720> eyes<00:12:37.960> have<00:12:38.240> it<00:12:38.360> and<

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > c<01:12:10.000> certain<01:12:10.239> amount<01:12:10.400> of<01:12:10.560
• 11.280> poll<01:12:11.520> books<01:12:11.760> are<01:12:12.000> are<01:12
• <01:12:16.239> connection<01:12:16.560> is<01:12:16.800> restored,<01:12:17.360
• >> So,<01:12:25.440> I'm<01:12:25.600> going<01:12:25.679> to<01:12:25.760
• There<01:12:35.920> is<01:12:36.159> no<01:12:36.400> connection<01:12:36.719>

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our<00:12:00.720> collective<00:12:01.080> goal<00:12:01.320> must<00:12:01.520>
• > 7,<00:12:12.520> and<00:12:12.640> 8<00:12:12.760> year<00:12:12.920>
• <00:12:21.400> Chair<00:12:21.600> and<00:12:21.720> committee<00:12:22.000>
• I'm<00:12:30.040> here<00:12:30.200> to<00:12:30.320> note<00:12:30.560> some
• :12:51.720> in<00:12:51.800> an<00:12:52.080> in<00:12:52.240> an<00:12:52.320

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We'll<00:12:07.519> stand<00:12:07.760> on<00:12:08.000> our<00:12:08.079
• and<00:12:13.680> one<00:12:14.000> individual<00:12:14.560> in<00:12:14.959
• Anyone online<00:12:16.399> or<00:12:16.800> in<00:12:17.040> person<00:12:17.519
• Seeing<00:12:23.360> none<00:12:24.800> members,<00:12:25.200> any<00:12:25.440>
• I<00:12:28.320> have<00:12:28.399> a<00:12:28.639> question<00:12:28.959> for

Bills: SB2190, SB2338, SB2424, SB2356, SB2981, SB3028, SB3187, SB2378, SB2398, SB2192, SB2155, SB3219, SB3218

Keywords: affordable housing, employment contracts, salary caps, housing finance, public housing authority, executive compensation, parking minimums, off-street parking, transit-oriented development, TOD, housing supply, smart growth, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, micro units, rail transit, public transit stations, county zoning, land use, urban planning

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure. SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing. SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system. The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :16.399> to<00:12:16.600> state<00:12:16.920> that<00:12:17.199> I<00:12:
• c><00:12:23.720> possible<00:12:24.720> um<00:12:25.000> and<00:12:25.480> um
• > go<00:12:27.360> accordingly<00:12:27.959> but<00:12:28.120> depend<00:12:
• :12:29.399> later<00:12:29.720> too<00:12:30.079> but<00:12:30.760> normally<
• <00:12:38.839> got<00:12:39.000> it<00:12:39.160> before<00:12:39.480> I<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• right<00:12:03.560> so<00:12:03.800> now<00:12:04.639> um<00:12:05.639><
• the uh chair<00:12:07.639> U<00:12:07.800> again<00:12:08.040> recognize<00:12:
• :09.760> for<00:12:10.200> motion<00:12:10.480> of<00:12:10.800> OTP<00:12
• :12:40.519> on<00:12:41.320> the<00:12:41.560> motion<00:12:42.639> uh<00
• 01:12:37.159> as<01:12:37.320> far<01:12:37.520> as<01:12:37.679> we<01:12

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had already been reported out unanimously. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by a 16-0 roll call and placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, concerning local records, was reopened because of a fiscal note amendment; the committee adopted Amendment 2025-0087 unanimously and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0. Because HB 164 goes to Finance, it will not go on consent, and the chair asked for the updated report that night. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. Representative Manos moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing the resolution overreached because disparate impact is a judicial doctrine and the legislature cannot bind the courts. Representative Cordelli also supported ITL, citing drafting problems and the need for substantial revision, including an outdated reference to the New Hampshire governor. The committee voted 15-2 to ITL the resolution, and it was placed on consent; the chair asked for the report by the end of the day and noted there would be no minority report. Finally, the committee discussed HB 111, which extends the right-to-know ombudsman position. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to address concerns raised in testimony about discouraging use of the office and shifting attorney-fee burdens; the amendment was adopted 16-1. The committee then voted 15-2 to ought to pass as amended. Supporters said the ombudsman saves money by reducing court filings and should be continued, while opponents argued the office needs restructuring and that additional funding was not justified. The bill will go to Finance, and the chair requested the report by the end of the day. The committee also began discussion of HB 66 and related bills on right-to-know access, with the chair outlining a proposed amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

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• <01:12:12.239> um<01:12:12.400> developing<01:12:12.920> both<01:12:13.440><
• > the<01:12:25.719> deployment<01:12:26.280> like<01:12:26.480> the<01:12
• 12:29.840> in<01:12:29.960> our<01:12:30.400> um<01:12:30.560> Hawaii<01:
• .<01:12:31.719> Ed<01:12:32.199> domain<01:12:33.000> we<01:12:33.239> were

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

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• :54.880> I'd<00:12:55.040> be<00:12:55.200> more<00:12:55.360> than<00:12
• And<00:12:56.560> I<00:12:56.800> I<00:12:57.200> think<00:12:57.440> too
• <00:12:57.760> that<00:12:58.079> as<00:12:58.320> we<00:12:58.480> move
• <01:12:06.560> Um<01:12:07.679> I'm<01:12:08.000> going<01:12:08.080> to<

Keywords: 0:00 – Meeting start/roll call 0:10 - Roll call/approval of minutes 1:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Medicaid Services 27:40 - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 55:54 - Board of Veterinary Examiners 1:33:15 - Testimony in support of 804 KAR 13:010E, 020E, 030E and 040E. 1:49:04 - Education Professional Standards Board 1:49:58 - Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief 1:52:18 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) 1:54:28 - Board of Nursing 1:56:44 - Board of Occupational Therapy 1:57:37 - Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 1:58:58 - Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 1:59:50 - Economic Development Finance Authority 2:01:34 - Department of Corrections 2:02:37 - Department of Juvenile Justice 2:04:02 - Department for Employment Services, Unemployment Insurance 2:04:57 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Public Health, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:02.120> 2023<00:12:02.800> legislation<00:12:03.800> and<00:12:04.000
• c><01:12:10.280> compressed<01:12:10.840> timeline<01:12:11.840> um<01:12:12.159
• time<01:12:16.520> it<01:12:16.679> is<01:12:16.920> is<01:12:17.320> is
• <01:12:17.520> valuable<01:12:18.199> um<01:12:18.280> in<01:12:18.400> terms
• > being<01:12:19.840> able<01:12:20.199> to<01:12:20.880> um<01:12:21.719

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house