Transcript Highlights:

• And uh I guess what I want to make clear to everyone at home, you know, this is not a silver bullet.
• And uh I guess what I want to make clear to everyone at home, you know, this is not a silver bullet.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 SB 172 Discussion 00:10 SB 172 Roll Call Vote 06:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider Senate Bill 172, which would address utility fuel adjustment charges and include an emergency clause. The sponsor, Senator Philip Wheeler, explained that the bill is intended to give the Public Service Commission another tool to help consumers by allowing fuel costs from recent winter storm spikes to be spread over several months instead of being collected all at once. He emphasized that the bill does not eliminate the fuel adjustment clause or reduce the total amount owed, but is meant to ease the immediate burden on households facing large charges. Members asked about how the bill would work and whether other entities, such as the PSC or Attorney General, could already do something similar. Wheeler said utilities have sometimes done this in the past, but the bill would make the process clearer and more usable, especially for investor-owned utilities, and the emergency clause is needed so utilities can request the relief in time for the current situation. Representative Fugate clarified for the public that the bill would not raise rates, but would simply spread a charge like $100 over multiple months. Representative Smith raised a separate issue about a different co-op charge, and Wheeler said that was outside the scope of the bill but reflected a broader need to give the PSC consumer-friendly tools. The committee then took a roll call vote and reported the bill favorably for passage on the House floor. The motion passed with broad support, with Representative Chester-Burton passing and Representative Watkins voting present. The chair also announced that the committee would not meet again that Thursday and would have no further meetings that week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Silver City deserves it, and the students of Western deserve it.
• Folks in Silver City and Cobra districts, they are some of the best districts in the state using it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up that stuff the other day was mullet and getting bait, keeping those little small silver fish they
• is working with Mississippi State University to find a way, trying to work out something, find a silver

Bills: HB55, HB212

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR

Transcript Highlights:

• And Representative Gilman, we are going to move on right to you, to House File 942 for the city of Silver
• And now that Silver Lake is in front of us, you'll stop twisting our arms for a committee hearing.
• My name is Don Gilman, and I'm very happy to have testifiers here today from Silver Lake.
• actually have a $33 million of infrastructure improvements that are needed throughout the city of Silver
• needed throughout the city of Silver needed throughout the city of Silver Lake.<00:05:12.320>

Bills: HF2178, HF942, HF2470, HF1043, HF1287, HF1229, HF1230, HF424, HF571, HF404, HF910, HF1055, HF318, HF319, HF401, HF609, HF306, HF1599, HF1881

Keywords: HF2178, Cohasset, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, public infrastructure, water tower, water infrastructure, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, Public Facilities Authority, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, local government aid, utility infrastructure, public works, infrastructure, stormwater

Transcript Highlights:

• for SB1822 relates to the use of artificial intelligence in health policy utilization reviews.", "alert
• rule for SB1822, which relates to AI-based algorithms and utilization reviews in health plans.", "alert
• prepared for third reading and final passage, addressing the use of AI in health benefit plans.", "alert
• suspend the regular order of business to consider the committee substitute for Senate Bill 699.", "alert
• But I wanted to alert the chamber and my fellow members to the effect of this bill.

Bills: SJR4, SJR40, SJR81, SCR37, SCR39, SB22, SB32, SB33, SB36, SB38, SB95, SB209, SB249, SB311, SB326, SB365, SB458, SB609, SB660, SB664, SB693, SB732, SB745, SB760, SB762, SB779, SB783, SB785, SB868, SB871, SB883, SB921, SB955, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1057, SB1067, SB1151, SB1171, SB1210, SB1255, SB1265, SB1267, SB1271, SB1307, SB1313, SB1316, SB1318, SB1321, SB1332, SB1365, SB1426, SB1470, SB1484, SB1494, SB1559, SB1592, SB1596, SB1598, SB1637, SB1677, SB1706, SB1758, SB1762, SB1786, SB1809, SB1818, SB1822, SB1841, SB1871, SB1967, SB2064, SB2077, SB2112, SB2148, SB2320, SB2406, SB2407, SJR36, SJR81, SJR50, SJR4, SJR40, SJR27, SCR22, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR37, SB921, SB609, SB660, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB304, SB1023, SB204, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB955, SB957, SB541, SB266, SB1415, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB1062, SB711, SB746, SB1404, SB1448, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB667, SB1059, SB1567, SB310, SB311, SB505, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB1350, SB462, SB827, SB1585, SB1484, SB1273, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1841, SB1008, SB2016, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB860, SB993, SB693, SB1537, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB984, SB619, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1877, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB731, SB268, SB1822, SB1589, SB397, SB1058, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB508, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719, SB287, SB2143, SB1245, SB261, SB1247, SB2406, SB2407, SB1882, SB618, SB38, SB393, SB1371, SB1365, SB2243, SB2226, SB2039, SB1919, SB1895, SB1598, SB1493, SB1810, SB1791, SB1706, SB1644, SB1238, SB783, SB458, SB22, SB651, SB897, SB1809, SB1080, SB745, SB826, SB989, SB1320, SB1437, SB2320, SB2289, SB1171, SB664, SB1637, SB2064, SB868, SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1851, SB1879, SB2237, SB1257, SB2034, SB1522, SB883, SB249, SB1318, SB1151, SB596, SB1191, SB226, SB570, SB870, SB991, SB60, SB365, SB1067, SB1786, SB326, SB1401, SB1592, SB1728, SB1265, SB586, SB529, SB217, SB209, SB1923, SB1559, SB1839, SB387, SB1874, SB1872, SB1873, SB1921, SB1883, SB1677, SB95, SB1620, SB1838, SB2024, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB2166, SB871, SB510, SB33, SB2420, SB1860, SB1541, SB1316, SB1314, SB1313, SB1426, SB1398, SB1869, SB1750, SB1871, SB36, SB855, SB1233, SB760, SB2425, SB2037, SB1758, SB1759, SB2365, SB1924, SB762, SB1271, SB1818, SB605, SB1405, SB1762, SB1968, SB1977, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB1967, SB1662, SB1663, SB2124, SB2204, SB1855, SB863, SB37, SJR39, SCR1, SCR27, SCR32, SCR42, SCR6, SB2232, SB819, SB2078, SB2252, SB1962, SB2253, SB825, SB1577, SB1184, SB2018, SB2206, SB1901, SB1030, SB2368, SB1963, SB1960, SB1643, SB1625, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB231, SB2411, SB1085, SB2431, SB2231, SB1490, SB530, SB34, SB1261

Keywords: economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security, emergency powers, legislative authority, governor powers, disaster management, tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, SCR 37, Senate Concurrent Resolution, Panama Canal, Texas ports, port infrastructure, maritime trade, shipping lanes

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, my first thought was Amber Alerts, right? Um, my first thought was Amber Alerts, right?
• So, it I I see Alert. Right. Right.
• let's just say that an an Amber alert let's just say that an Amber<01:12:27.520> Alert<01:12:
• Amber Alert Amber Alert um<01:17:26.560> uh<01:17:26.640> the<01:17:26.800> Amber
• <01:17:27.199> Alert<01:17:28.640> um um uh the Amber Alert um um uh the Amber Alert

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Deming Luna County Silver Spikes legislative reception is at La Fonda Lumpkins Ballroom from 5:30
• It is Silver Spikes Day today, so we have a bunch of people from Luna.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the state alert coordinator for Amber Alerts and Shanti Alerts, as well. >> I remember you very
• coordinator for uh Amber the uh alert coordinator for uh Amber Alerts<04:06:25.520> and<04:06
• Alerts and Shanti Alerts, as well. Alerts and Shanti Alerts, as well.
• Ashanti alert. Ashanti alert.
• alert um for the state. alert um for the state.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Silver was around $5 back then.
• , I mean, just can you imagine if the state of North Dakota would have put some money in gold and silver
• North Dakota would have put some money in gold and silver back then, what the value would be now.
• really look at this closer, and I think we should pass this, and keep looking at, I mean, gold and silver

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Bronson Silver for the Democratic Party of Hawaii in support, followed by Amy Monk in support
• next<00:14:33.560> up<00:14:33.680> is<00:14:33.839> Bronson<00:14:34.240> silver
• <00:14:34.600> for<00:14:34.800> the next up is Bronson silver for the next up is Bronson
• silver for the Democratic<00:14:35.360> party<00:14:35.560> of<00:14:35.720> Hawaii

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills covering criminal justice, elections, and wildfire-related settlement funding. HB 103 would raise the age cutoff for life-without-parole eligibility from 18 to 21; supporters included the Public Defender and others, while prosecutors and some others opposed it. HB 11 would allow civil claims against people or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking; it drew mostly support but was not ready for a vote and was deferred for further questions. HB 132 would expand a state-initiated expungement pilot to include possession of any Schedule V substance; the Public Defender, ACLU, and oversight groups supported it, with one opponent, and committee questions focused on what substances and how many cases would be affected. HB 145 would require the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit expungement orders to the Judiciary to implement Act 159; the Judiciary and Public Defender supported it, and members discussed technical issues involving multiple defendants and multiple charges. HB 369, a campaign finance housekeeping bill on excess cash contributions, and HB 408, which aligns voter registration-by-mail deadlines with current law, both received support and no opposition of note. The committee also heard HB 1175, which creates appropriations and a trust fund for Maui wildfire settlement claims; the Attorney General’s office, Maui County Council, and Tax Foundation supported it, while one senator said he would vote no because of concerns about House leadership. HB 386, which conforms drug possession thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine, was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. HB 134 would require electronic filing of nomination papers; the Elections Office supported it but asked that any convenience fee be authorized in statute, while one witness opposed it over security and cost concerns. After testimony and questions, the committee took up decision-making and passed HB 103 with amendments, deferred HB 11, and passed HB 132, HB 145, HB 369, HB 408, HB 1175, HB 386, and HB 134, with HB 134 amended to clarify no additional charge for electronic filing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , applications from providing an alert, applications from providing an alert, indication,<01:08:27.040
• Second, the enforcement of this bill would be a significant challenge because alerts are generated in
• not clear if prohibiting alerts not clear if prohibiting alerts specifically<01:09:22.560> to
• because alerts are generated in<01:09:35.440> real<01:09:35.759> time<01:09:36.640>
• I I don't alerted where these folks are.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several vehicle and traffic safety measures. HB 2347, which would require the director of transportation to adopt rules allowing mobile vehicle safety inspections, drew support from DOT and individual testifiers who said it would add convenience and efficiency for passenger vehicle owners. Committee members questioned how home or driveway inspections would handle safety standards such as headlight checks and whether added convenience would come with higher costs; DOT also said it would follow up on inspection fees and audit procedures. HB 182, which would exempt motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections, received opposition from DOT, the Hawaii Police Department, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, with Grassroot Institute in support. HB 2022, which would equalize county and state annual vehicle registration fees, was opposed by the Hawaii Transportation Association because it would raise costs that would likely be passed on to consumers. The committee also took testimony on HB 1708, which would make operating a vehicle under the influence at a high intoxication level a class C felony and add probation requirements. Prosecutors, police, DOT, and the Honolulu customer services department supported the bill, while the Public Defender’s Office opposed it, arguing that it would increase court workload, require more defense resources, and create collateral consequences, including possible immigration impacts. Several witnesses and members discussed a proposed HD1 that would change the bill to a graduated penalty structure, making a first offense a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony, while also addressing deferred pleas and DUI deferrals. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill’s intent but warned that Oahu lacks a reliable electronic or telephonic warrant system, which could lead to more refusals and additional court impacts. HB 2086, which would amend negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, received support from DOT, county prosecutors, police, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Honolulu’s prosecutor supported the bill but recommended against the attached HD1, saying the current drafting better preserves negligent injury as a lesser included offense and avoids blending it with a separate statutory scheme. HB 2154, which would create a framework for intelligent speed assist technology and require a report to the legislature, was supported by DOT, county police, Smart Start LLC, AAA Hawaii, and others, with the Alliance for Automobile Innovation offering comments and proposed amendments. A testifier described the bill as a way to prevent repeat speeding by limiting vehicles from accelerating beyond the speed limit. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• their pets, and whatever few mementos they can frantically grab in the moments after the evacuation alert
• their pets, and whatever few mementos they can frantically grab in the moments after the evacuation alert
• Wildfire evacuations, missing child alerts, winter storm warnings, which are pretty common in Maine.
• Wildfire evacuations, missing child alerts, winter storm warnings, which are pretty common in Maine.
• Wildfire evacuations, missing child alerts, winter storm warnings, which are pretty common in Maine.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:54.799> systems their uh their uh their alerting systems their uh their uh their alerting
• So one of the things that comes with the system is an alerting system.
• I haven't got to the alerting system. When a patient's discharged, they alert the AI to them.
• <00:52:13.200> I<00:52:13.440> haven't system is an alerting system.
• I haven't system is an alerting system.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: A presenter from Fast Health Corporation described a proposed Kentucky Health Command System tied to Senate Bill 175, which would create a state-sanctioned AI platform for rural hospitals and telehealth. The company said the system would help rural residents get health information remotely, triage minor issues, and escalate more serious cases to Kentucky providers, with use cases including blood pressure, diabetes, maternity care, smoking cessation, and other preventive-care topics. The presenter argued the system would help rural hospitals compete with out-of-state telehealth companies and keep patients connected to local care. The presentation also emphasized a commercial model the sponsor said would generate new revenue through ads and branded interactions, with the bill reportedly directing 80% of that revenue to rural hospitals and 20% to the state to maintain the system. The presenter said the technology would augment, not replace, doctors and nurses, and claimed it could improve access and convenience in underserved areas. Committee members raised concerns about liability, whether the AI could provide medical advice, and whether there was evidence it had reduced emergency room visits; the presenter said the system could not give medical advice and acknowledged the technology is still very new. The sponsor of the bill said the goal was to help transform rural health care, reduce unnecessary ER use, and capture revenue that would otherwise go to commercial search engines and out-of-state companies. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion ended with questions about branding, loyalty, and the legal limits of the AI system.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE INSTITUTION USING FUNDS BY WHICH WE WILL BE APPROPRIATING THROUGH THIS IT WILL INCLUDE A RAPID ALERT
• THERE ARE SOME THINGS I DO APPRECIATE IN THIS BILL, SCHOOL FOR JEWISH AND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, ALERT SYSTEM
• ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS OF THIS BILL WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DOORS CAN LOCK AND MAKE SURE THERE IS AN ALERT
• ALERT SYSTEMS.
• ALERT SYSTEMS ARE ALSO IN THERE BUT MEMBERS, WE DID NOT CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS IN THE

Transcript Highlights:

• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of
• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of
• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a silver tsunami.
• We have a silver tsunami. It's expensive to take care of our aging parents.
• We have a silver tsunami. It's expensive to take care of our aging parents.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, this June we will be starting our 25th year anniversary, our silver anniversary.
• Actually, this June we will be starting our 25th year anniversary, our silver anniversary.
• We will be starting our 25th year anniversary, our silver anniversary.

Keywords: 00:00 Meeting Start 00:45 Attendance Roll Call 01:50 Introduction of New Members 07:10 Discussion of HB 24 09:36 Roll Call Vote 12:20 Discussion of HB 216 19:25 Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with the new chair opening the meeting, confirming a quorum, announcing the House’s 24-hour rule for committee substitutes and amendments, and welcoming several guests and new committee members. The chair also emphasized agriculture’s importance to Kentucky’s economy, citing crop revenue and the broader economic impact of the sector. The committee first considered House Bill 24, which would raise the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1 million. Supporters said the bill updates an outdated threshold and helps reduce the burden of costly audits amid inflation. The bill received a motion and second, no opposition was raised, and it passed by roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 216, presented by the vice chair and Brandon Reed of the Kentucky Office of Policy. The bill would allow certain Department of Agriculture employees to apply for grants or loans while preserving the existing prohibition for employees who oversee those programs. Testimony explained that the office’s funding comes from tobacco master settlement dollars, with a formula that directs money to agriculture and other purposes, and members discussed the importance of keeping those funds in Kentucky. The bill passed with favorable expression by roll call vote. Before adjournment, members made additional welcoming remarks for local officials and guests, and the chair noted the National Farm Machinery Show and tractor pull as a major event for Kentucky agriculture. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR PRESENTERS ARE JOHN SILVER THE DIRECTOR OF THE PANHANDLE AREA OF CONSORTIUM.
• OUR PRESENTERS ARE JOHN SILVER THE DIRECTOR OF THE PANHANDLE AREA OF CONSORTIUM.
• CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE MY NAME IS JOHN SILVER AND I AM THE CHAIR LOCATED OUT IN SHIPLEY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• one of my responsibilities was to create the impression that high deductible plans were the latest silver
• High deductible plans were the latest silver bullet.
• and it did have some perverse incentives, as many other things we've talked about, that's not the silver
• I don't think when we find this, we're saying is something a silver bullet?
• , essentially taking a position that in the calculation of CSR—what we would commonly refer to as silver

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, my name is Shay Silver. I'm with the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• Hi, my name is Shay Silver. I'm with the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• <00:08:00.240> name<00:08:00.400> is<00:08:00.520> Shay<00:08:00.640> Silver
• ><00:08:01.040> I'm<00:08:01.160> with<00:08:01.320> the Hi, my name is Shay Silver
• I'm with the Hi, my name is Shay Silver.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.