Transcript Highlights:

• We do have concerns specifically with Section 2 of the bill, with the work requirements.
• So we just really implore you today to reconsider this section of the bill.
• First, in Section 8, the bill eliminates self-attestation for shelter and utility costs.
• Second, in Section 10, the requirement for photo identification on SNAP cards.
• Until these sections are amended, we must ask for a no vote. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Bills: S0036 , S0864 , S0268 , S0844 , S0514 , S1404 , S0914 , S1758

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records exemption for emergency physicians. Senator Rodriguez’s strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and testimony from an emergency physician described threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. Members then heard SB 514, creating the Dula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women affected by substance use disorder. Senator Osgood explained the pilot would provide non-medical doula support and data collection, and an amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and complement medical providers. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 36 on use of professional nursing titles after extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be allowed to use “doctor” in clinical settings, with concerns raised about patient confusion and the need for clearer identification. The bill was amended to align with the House version and then reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee next approved SB 864, a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data, after a technical amendment setting a July 1, 2026 effective date; Senator Sharif said the exemption is needed so the Department of Health can collect sensitive data for the related research bill. SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain licensed physicians and nurses, was also reported favorably after emotional testimony from patients and advocates describing delayed care and bias. Later, the committee approved SB 1404 on memory care, after a strike-all amendment creating a new memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities that advertise or provide specialized memory care services, while allowing optional supportive services without the new license. Supporters from the senior living industry backed the clarification. The committee then passed SB 914, which clarifies that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling, after an amendment adjusting supervision and continuing education language. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad Medicaid and SNAP reform bill that would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose Medicaid work requirements for certain able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services, modernize drug purchasing and prior authorization, and require SNAP fraud-reduction measures. Several amendments were adopted, and members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, EBT card photo identification, and due process concerns; debate continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you look at page two uh section<00:24:15.840><c> E,</c><00:24:16.080><c> I</c><00:24:16.240><c
• > think</c><00:24:16.480><c> the</c><00:24:16.799><c> community</c><00:24:17.520><c> the</c> section
• E, I think the community the section E, I think the community the Kentucky<00:24:18.240><c> community
• Uh, it is when you look at the bill, the first paragraph that's lined out, but it's restated in section
• two that uh it restated in uh section two that uh it shall<00:27:24.480><c> not</c><00:27:24.720><c>

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says it's section 85.071 and that's delivery of ballots to main polling place.
• 127.066 contravenes this section on page 11.
• Section 52.1175 has to do with exceptions to releasing personal data, including identifying information
• I think there may have been some confusion about which of the two sections applied, and I'm here for
• Now, I did like the continuum of care section of the bill, you know.

Bills: HB45 , SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list

Transcript Highlights:

• Section five, state and private lands within wilderness areas: in any case where the state-owned or privately
• c> State</c><00:01:06.479><c> and</c><00:01:06.760><c> private</c><00:01:07.080><c> lands</c> act section
• five State and private lands act section five State and private lands within<00:01:07.840><c> Wilderness
• Sections 16 and 36 were reserved for education, and across the southern half of Minnesota nearly all
• Forest Service and repeal Minnesota Statute section 92.82.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2268, Bridgewater Town Charter, Article 2, Legislative Branch, Section 2-13, annual stipend
• An act, Bridgewater Town Charter, Article 2, Legislative Branch, Section 2-13, annual stipend, House
• An act, Bridgewater Town Charter 2, Legislative Branch Section 2-2-1-13. 13.
• Bridgewater Town Charter 2, Legislative Branch, Section 2-13, Annual Stipend.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures on legal notices, charter changes for Chicopee, Bridgewater, Wellesley, Weston, Somerville, and Watertown, as well as bills on firefighter residency, a checkout bag fee in Sudbury, senior tax exemption eligibility in Williamstown, and liquor licenses in Lexington. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House also considered a Ways and Means report on H. 4257, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. The committee recommended an amendment in the form of a substitute bill, H. 4307, authorizing $1.185 billion in general obligation bonds. After suspension of the rules, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, during floor debate on H. 4307, members spoke in support of the bill as a major transportation funding package, emphasizing Chapter 90 aid, road mileage-based distribution, culvert and small bridge repairs, congestion relief projects, and the bill’s fiscal and credit-rating benefits. A roll call was ordered, and the bill passed to be engrossed 156-0. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. In addition, the House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and agreed to adjourn in memory of former Representative and Senator Matthew C. Patrick of Falmouth. The session included several guest introductions, including Mandela Fellows studying at Bridgewater State University, former legislator Vincent Dimacido, Bellingham Council on Aging guests, and interns in Representative Linsky’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board denied the request, arguing that judicial retirement allowances under General Law Chapter 32, Section
• Board denied the request, arguing that judicial retirement allowances under General Law Chapter 32, Section
• Board denied the request, arguing that judicial retirement allowances under General Law Chapter 32, Section
• Board denied the request, arguing that judicial retirement allowances under General Law Chapter 32, Section

Bills: S3044 , S3031 , S3017 , H5189 , H5246 , H5297 , H5248 , H5359

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: retirement benefits, teachers' retirement system, creditable service, public education, emergency law, sick leave bank, leave donation, personal days, vacation days, extended illness leave bank, public employee, county sheriff, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, personnel bill, employee leave, disability leave, illness leave, compassionate leave, Massachusetts public service, police recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• There's pending litigation on this code section, and the Ninth Circuit has held that the word 'recruiting
• There's pending litigation on this code section, and the Ninth Circuit has held that the word recruiting
• All we're doing is separating three laws or sections that were previously combined, and we're separating
• I don't have anyone signed up for this section of our agenda.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, on page one, section one, line five, it reads 2004-2005 has already exceeded by 8,517,768,399.
• And then on page five, section 7, line 9, we're changing that one amount.
• On page one, section one, line five, it reads 2004-2005 has already exceeded by 8,517,768,399.
• And then on page five, section 7, line 9, we're changing that one amount.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page two, line 30, the first sentence in section five.
• Page two, line 30, the first sentence in section five.
• And then the same on line 31 of page four, section five.
• Are you with your amendment section one.
• I was preserving sections two and three?

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:19.200><c> to</c><01:04:19.520><c> any</c> Mhm. this section applies to any Mhm. this section
• So, first, sections one and two are very concerning, and I think we understand the intent, but let me
• </c> property end quote as defined in section property end quote as defined in section three<01:21:20.960
• ><c> how</c><01:22:00.960><c> do</c><01:22:01.040><c> you</c><01:22:01.199><c> stop</c> sections one
• Section 4 also prevents municipalities from enforcing existing zoning ordinances that would be on the

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill affects mostly the North Shore of Oahu, with now the Traffic Violations Bureau, that section
• of the Judiciary being that section of the Judiciary being affected<00:21:58.799><c> District</c><00
• we owners uh in the under the to section we have<00:41:59.240><c> a</c><00:41:59.599><c> kind</c><00
• 291C-105 to the identification processing procedure outlined in section 846-2556, page 6, lines 4 to
• </c><01:03:53.640><c> 291</c><01:03:54.400><c> c-105</c> a new subsection e in section 291 c-105 a new

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and arts-related measures. HB 307 on special member plates drew written support from Protect Ohana, and HB 531 on a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center specialty plate received strong support from the Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society, both emphasizing cancer research, patient care, outreach, and public awareness. HB 706 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, and HB 1231 would expand red light photo enforcement; both drew support from transportation and safety advocates, while the Judiciary raised concerns about citation volume, staffing, manual processing, and the need for consultation and a phased rollout. The committee also discussed HB 54, which increases penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses; the Attorney General’s office supported the enforcement rationale and fingerprinting language, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it adds harsh penalties and jail time despite broader efforts to reduce excessive punishment. For the camera-enforcement bills, the Department of Transportation said the red-light and speed-camera programs would be expanded gradually, with existing intersections converted first and additional locations added over time, and noted that the system would require about $2 million and significant automation for the Judiciary. The Judiciary repeatedly asked for more time, public input on camera locations, and effective dates that would allow staffing and system changes. On HB 1166, which funds the automated speed enforcement program, DOT proposed technical amendments to make the citations non-moving violations and to align the statute with the red-light program; the Judiciary again said it had no position on the policy but needed time and consultation to absorb the workload. HB 235, a North Shore red-light imaging bill, drew similar Judiciary concerns and support from a testifier who said enforcement would improve compliance and reduce crashes. The committee also heard HB 1159 on commercial harbor evacuations, with Hawaii Emergency Management Agency supporting the bill as a way to give harbor masters enforceable authority to order vessels out during emergencies. The discussion focused on whether the measure would affect all commercial harbor users, including smaller fishing vessels, and whether it would conflict with Coast Guard authority; the bill’s proponents said it would let the state enforce orders already issued by the captain of the port and protect cargo lanes during crises. Finally, HB 17 on the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority was described by HCDA as a housekeeping and structural bill that would update its purposes, allow it to assist other agencies, and replace multiple county boards with a single program reporting to the 17-member board. DHHL supported the bill because of potential transit and infrastructure benefits for Kapolei and nearby homestead developments, and committee members discussed future financing tools such as improvement districts, TIF, and other mechanisms to fund infrastructure early in the development process.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:38:59.480><c> 134-1</c> the Hawaii Revised Statute Section 134-1 the Hawaii Revised Statute Section
• </c> would respectfully ask that that section would respectfully ask that that section be<02:23:01.080
• </c> section F. section F.
• </c><02:51:31.400><c> 11-356D,</c> um in sections 11-356D, um in sections 11-356D, E,<02:51:33.560><c
• <02:51:37.560><c> 11-393D</c> section 11-393D section 11-393D uh<02:51:40.280><c> for</c><02:51:40.440

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:00.879><c> 633</c> um what's currently in I section 633 um what's currently in I section 633
• So<00:09:06.320><c> section</c> So section So section Roman<00:09:08.480><c> five</c><00:09:08.800><c
• It puts it in the family access motion section. It puts it in the decision-making section.
• </c> So that language there is in the section So that language there is in the section on<01:13:01.120
• <01:17:01.360><c> of</c><01:17:01.679><c> 461A4</c> section of 461A4 section of 461A4 and<01:17:04.960

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> workers</c> Section seven allowing the workers Section seven allowing the workers compensation<00
• So, section 8 is particularly good.
• Section 10 is also a really good section.
• </c><00:19:41.200><c> Section</c><00:19:41.679><c> nine</c><00:19:42.080><c> talks</c> Section 9 talks
• Section 10 is also a really good section.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just so that we know, the first section that we will deal with in the jobs and economic section then
• Just so that we know, the first section that we will deal with in the jobs and economic section then
• Just so that we know, the first section that we will deal with in the jobs and economic section then
• Just so that we know, the first section that we will deal with in the jobs and economic section then
• Just so that we know, the first section that we will deal with in the jobs and economic section then

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:58.559><c> our</c> thought and public comment sections our thought and public comment sections
• </c><01:06:16.160><c> what</c> agencies to fine-tune that section what agencies to fine-tune that section
• </c> page 8 section page 8 section 7<02:05:32.440><c> if</c><02:05:32.599><c> this</c><02:05:32.800><
• in section three so or the timeline in section three so I<02:57:19.920><c> don't</c><02:57:20.040><c
• They have it now, and it's in section 4, subsection 2.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 302A-163 specifies that anyone who develops new residences in school
• </c> on page 38 uh Delete the the uh section on page 38 uh Delete the the uh section one<03:16:28.520
• So I want to add a new section, 132-H hard map. I provided this information to members.
• So I want to add a new section, 132-H hard map. I provided this information to members.
• </c> basis and then add one more uh section basis and then add one more uh section subsection<03:25:24.479

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , that section.
• Why don't you get that to us and where it actually says, we interpret section one, two, three, you know
• I draw attention to Section 16 of SB 2753, which is subsection 85.005 of the Election Code.
• The next legislative session, you can change Section 85.005 of the Election Code.
• The next legislative session, you can change Section 85.005 of the Election Code to limit Sunday voting

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what this is effectively section.
• section two.
• </c><00:43:24.560><c> one</c> and mainly it has to do with section one and mainly it has to do with section
• one and<00:43:24.960><c> section</c><00:43:25.359><c> two.
• So the um I'm going to and section two.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• shall clearly and conspicuously disclose the following statement in the manner described in this section
• So this is under the section of all 972.1, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative.
• I think you still do, because this does create a new section of law outside of the Pregnancy and Baby
• It's a new section, if I understand the amendments correctly.
• And so we made a new section, 972.2. I think the point of it applying to all centers is the point.

Bills: HB611 , HB897 , HB902 , HB931 , HB1030 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1118 , HB1138 , HB1143 , HB1160 , HB1185 , HB1216

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: pregnancy help centers, healthcare services, licensure, Department of Health, medical services, counseling, regulatory compliance, public health, healthcare data, privacy, pregnancy services, confidentiality, client rights, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, trauma-informed, child education, mental health, training program, adverse childhood events, religious instruction