Transcript Highlights:

• what we were doing, how to make sure that the cuts we were making were protecting people and were smart
• c><02:17:51.519><c> people</c><02:17:52.399><c> and</c><02:17:52.800><c> were</c><02:17:53.120><c> smart
• </c> were protecting people and were smart were protecting people and were smart and<02:17:53.840><c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in the NCHRP report that I chair, very smart people from Iowa State and ITE and street light data
• that I the panel I chair, uh,<01:19:42.320><c> very</c><01:19:42.880><c> very</c><01:19:43.200><c> smart
• </c><01:19:43.760><c> people</c><01:19:44.160><c> from</c><01:19:44.400><c> Iowa</c> uh, very very smart
• people from Iowa uh, very very smart people from Iowa State<01:19:45.080><c> and</c><01:19:45.200><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the board, in my opinion, the board of this organization should be smart enough to be able to put
• 47:25.800><c> organization</c><00:47:27.080><c> should</c><00:47:27.320><c> be</c><00:47:27.480><c> smart
• </c><00:47:27.800><c> enough</c> this organization should be smart enough this organization should be
• smart enough to<00:47:28.280><c> be</c><00:47:28.440><c> able</c><00:47:28.680><c> to</c><00:47:28.800

Bills: HB1626, HB1643, HB1668, HB1550, HB1974, HB1858, HB1871, HB1966, HB1972, HB1973

Keywords: youth penalties, juvenile justice, community service, fees and fines, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, reform, court costs, cultural connection, pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacy audit, audit reform, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, recoupment, extrapolation, claims audit, pharmacy reimbursement, dispensing fee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody in here, they smart enough to know what I mean. It ain't going to happen.
• Everybody in here, they smart<00:27:32.240><c> enough</c><00:27:32.480><c> to</c><00:27:32.640><c> know
• </c> smart enough to know what what I mean. smart enough to know what what I mean.

Bills: SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB336, SB293, SB43, HB420, HB60, HB188, HB106, HB105, HB11, SB336, SB293, SB43, HB420, HB60, HB188, HB106, HB105, HB11

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Fininky touched on it a little, and maybe you can help me since you seem to be very smart
• seem</c><01:18:02.480><c> to</c><01:18:02.719><c> be</c><01:18:02.880><c> very</c><01:18:03.120><c> smart
• </c><01:18:04.159><c> Um,</c> you seem to be very smart in law.
• Um, you seem to be very smart in law.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• this report, were these fraud schemes primarily driven by sophisticated criminals who were just too smart
• </c><00:19:36.080><c> were</c><00:19:36.240><c> just</c><00:19:36.400><c> too</c><00:19:36.640><c> smart
• </c><00:19:36.880><c> for</c><00:19:37.200><c> us</c> criminals who were just too smart for us criminals
• who were just too smart for us or<00:19:37.919><c> were</c><00:19:38.160><c> the</c><00:19:38.320><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• changer because it really is going to help us meet the demonstrated community needs while leveraging smart
• demonstrated community needs while the demonstrated community needs while leveraging<00:18:46.960><c> smart
• </c> leveraging smart investment strategies. leveraging smart investment strategies.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a smart and needed investment for our present and future.
• It's a<01:32:18.960><c> smart</c><01:32:19.760><c> and</c><01:32:20.000><c> needed</c><01:32:20.400><
• c> investment</c><01:32:20.800><c> for</c><01:32:21.040><c> our</c> a smart and needed investment for
• our a smart and needed investment for our present<01:32:21.600><c> and</c><01:32:21.920><c> future.

Bills: HB2392, HB2462, HB2423, HB1771, HB2081, HB2334, HB2336, HB1666, HB2375, HB2415, HB2451, HB2373, HB1641, HB1694, HB1695, HB1986, HB1797, HB1879, HB2034

Keywords: transportation, tax credit, employer incentives, commuting, environmental impact, flexible work arrangements, carpooling, bicycling, public transportation, consumer protection, subscription services, motor vehicles, ownership expectations, transparency, biodiesel, renewable diesel, diesel blend, B5, blending mandate, clean energy

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 2356, relating to parking, drew support from the Office of Planning, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Appleseed Center, Realtors, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Members discussed the bill in the context of the planned stadium-area mixed-use development, with questions about whether parking would be built in structures rather than as large surface lots. Senators expressed support and noted the measure’s broader housing and parking-reduction goals, but no vote was taken during the hearing. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2699, which would create a fare-free youth transit program, a special fund, annual evaluations, and appropriations tied to the environmental, energy, and food security tax. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about whether the special fund met statutory requirements. The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the bill, as did the City and County of Honolulu DOT, Appleseed Center, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Hawaii Bicycling League, Our Children’s Trust, and numerous youth testifiers. Supporters emphasized reduced family transportation costs, better school attendance, improved health and mobility, and environmental benefits. One senator raised emergency-planning concerns about how children using free transit would be handled during events like tsunamis; DOT and DOE responded that emergency procedures are being developed. The chair said the committee would work on language changes, including a delayed effective date to July 2027, and defer decision-making until the 12th. The final measure discussed was SB 2470, which would require leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements at state-controlled intersections, and create a process for community requests for accessible pedestrian signals. Appleseed Center, the Hawaii Association of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Center supported the bill, citing pedestrian safety, reduced collisions, and the need for audible cues for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Testifiers urged a phased-in approach that prioritizes high-traffic intersections. The hearing ended with the bill still under consideration and no final vote announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this may have come out of Northern Pass and some other things, but that was a very smart move.
• :49.280><c> very</c> some other things, but that was a very some other things, but that was a very smart
• 50.160><c> other</c><00:43:50.400><c> states</c><00:43:50.640><c> have</c><00:43:50.880><c> now</c> smart
• move. and other states have now smart move. and other states have now followed<00:43:51.760><c> that

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe it's a smart, targeted opportunity to advance economic vitality, and for those reasons, the
• /c><01:33:15.360><c> believe</c><01:33:15.600><c> it's</c><01:33:15.840><c> a</c><01:33:16.080><c> smart
• We believe it's a smart our city.
• We believe it's a smart targeted<01:33:16.800><c> opportunity</c><01:33:17.360><c> to</c><01:33:17.679

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's really important that we come up with a comprehensive and smart solution.
• up with a important that we come up with a comprehensive<00:14:33.760><c> and</c><00:14:34.079><c> smart
• </c><00:14:35.279><c> So,</c> comprehensive and smart solution.
• So, comprehensive and smart solution.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they're smart. They can figure it out. They will figure it out.
• I mean, people are smart. We don't give people enough... ...bills here before.
• I mean, people are smart. We don't give people enough credit. They can vote with their feet.
• She would have had the mental capacity, total mental capacity, still a very smart woman when she died

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we as smart as we used to be? Are we more intelligent? What is the deal?
• Are</c><00:10:42.399><c> are</c><00:10:42.640><c> we</c><00:10:42.880><c> as</c><00:10:43.120><c> smart
• Are are we as smart as we measured it?
• Are are we as smart as we used<00:10:43.920><c> to</c><00:10:44.000><c> be?

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:

• Reconstructing these utilities in tandem with MnDOT’s scheduled highway work is not only smart governance
• highway work is with Mandot's scheduled highway work is not<00:27:54.159><c> only</c><00:27:54.399><c> smart
• </c><00:27:54.799><c> governance,</c><00:27:55.360><c> but</c><00:27:55.520><c> it's</c> not only smart
• governance, but it's not only smart governance, but it's financially<00:27:56.760><c> responsible.

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, couple of us have been on tours, and you're for Capital Investment, and uh, you're really smart because
• and uh uh for Capital Investment and uh and uh you're<01:21:25.920><c> really</c><01:21:26.159><c> smart
• because</c><01:21:27.600><c> um</c><01:21:27.679><c> you</c><01:21:27.920><c> close</c> you're really smart
• because um you close you're really smart because um you close the<01:21:28.400><c> windows</c><01:21

Bills: HF2411, HF2471, HF1440, HF1393, HF1631, HF1259, HF280, HF1281, HF1459

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislators from both parties agree that funding reinsurance through the industry fee is a smart way
• reassurance through the industry fee<00:30:22.960><c> is</c><00:30:23.080><c> a</c><00:30:23.240><c> smart
• > way</c><00:30:23.720><c> to</c><00:30:23.919><c> protect</c><00:30:24.519><c> their</c> fee is a smart
• way to protect their fee is a smart way to protect their general<00:30:25.120><c> fund</c><00:30:26.039

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a smart investment in the well-being of our veterans, and I urge your support of the previous
• barriers</c><00:42:35.720><c> this</c><00:42:35.880><c> is</c><00:42:36.000><c> a</c><00:42:36.160><c> smart
• </c> Financial barriers this is a smart Financial barriers this is a smart investment<00:42:37.119><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that I'm biased, but my kids are exceptional, smart, hilarious, and interesting.
• :42:49.200><c> kids</c><00:42:49.400><c> are</c><00:42:49.599><c> exceptional</c><00:42:50.319><c> smart
• </c> biased but my kids are exceptional smart biased but my kids are exceptional smart hilarious<00:42

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• questions of how this interacts with<00:16:15.639><c> our</c><00:16:16.399><c> carbon</c><00:16:16.720><c> smart
• </c><00:16:17.040><c> Land</c><00:16:17.279><c> Management</c> with our carbon smart Land Management
• with our carbon smart Land Management program program program Mah<00:16:20.839><c> thank</c><00:16:21.000
• duplicate</c> Further, SB 552 appears to be a duplicate of the objectives of the three-year Hawaii Carbon Smart

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Melrose, Lombardo of Billerica, Mahoney of Worcester, Rogers of Norwood, and Zlotnik of Gardner are locked

Summary: The House opened with routine procedural actions, including suspension of Joint Rule 12 for two petitions and suspension of Rule 7A to take up several bills immediately. Members advanced multiple Ways and Means bills to third reading, including measures on campaign finance reporting for statewide ballot questions, tax-free medical devices, fairness for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees, releasing land use restrictions in Revere, and authorizing a land taking in Norwood. Several engrossed local and special bills were then passed to be enacted, including measures affecting Boston police age waivers, the Hudson charter, Plymouth’s land acquisition account, Falmouth sewer-related costs, and Randolph’s charter. The House also considered Senate Bill 2916 on campaign finance reporting for ballot questions. Supporters said the bill would strengthen disclosure, close reporting loopholes, and improve transparency around ballot question committees and signature gathering, while also creating a commission to review the initiative petition process. Amendments were adopted, including changes to the commission’s membership and a separate amendment related to signature-gathering provisions. After debate, the bill passed to be engrossed by roll call vote 149-0. Members then took up the fiscal year 2027 budget conference report, House No. 5555, totaling about $63.4 billion. Supporters highlighted funding for Chapter 70 education aid, local aid, Fair Share investments in education and transportation, MBTA and regional transit support, housing and homelessness programs, food assistance, and immigration legal aid. The conference report was adopted by roll call 142-6, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the budget bill was passed to be enacted by the same vote. The House also declined concurrence on Senate Bill 3064, “to build resilience for Massachusetts communities,” and appointed a committee of conference, and later appointed a conference committee on House Bill 4646, enhancing child welfare protections. The session ended with a moment of silence for community figures and adjournment to the next day.