Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Okay.<00:02:27.760><c> If</c><00:02:27.920><c> not,</c><00:02:28.160><c> members,</c><00:02:28.560
• Hey,<00:02:30.480><c> chair</c><00:02:30.720><c> does</c><00:02:30.959><c> have</c><00:02:31.040><c>
• &gt;&gt; Will<00:02:51.760><c> it</c><00:02:51.920><c> produce</c><00:02:52.160><c> a</c><00:02:52.400
• How many units<00:02:55.680><c> listing</c><00:02:56.080><c> how</c><00:02:56.239><c> many</c><00:02:
• </c><00:02:59.120><c> uh</c><00:02:59.200><c> we</c><00:02:59.519><c> are</c><00:02:59.680><c> working

Summary: The joint hearing covered several housing-related measures. On SB 2068, which would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study how to maximize housing on transit-oriented development and other state and county lands, testimony was mostly supportive from agencies and housing groups, with one opposition witness. In response to questions, OPSD said it was already working on a list of potential parcels but could not yet identify unit counts or a timeline, and estimated about $250,000 would be needed for staffing and contractual support. The committees also heard SB 2227 on rental assistance, which would require HPHA to make monthly rent supplement payments, prioritize certain tenants including kupuna, allow agreements with counties and nonprofits, and create a special fund supported by a transaction fee on recordings. HPHA supported the bill, and the Department of the Attorney General said it recommended amending the measure to describe the fee as a tax. Additional testimony included support from elder and community organizations and one opposition witness. For SB 2061, relating to residential condominiums and the 99-year leasehold program, HCDA and the project developer testified in support of amendments intended to preserve owner-occupant requirements while making the project more marketable and financially feasible. Members focused heavily on parking, affordability, and financing. HCDA and the developer said the parking stalls would be unbundled from the units, that the project would be a 99-year leasehold with 60% of units reserved for buyers at or below 140% AMI and 40% market-rate, and that the state’s $15 million equity contribution would cover only part of the parking garage and commercial component. The hearing then moved on to SB 3327, relating to HCDA and complete communities, but the transcript cuts off before that measure was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:36.719><c> that</c><02:02:36.960><c> advantage</c><02:02:37.360><c> and</c><02:02:37.520><c> I</c
• ability to utilize information<02:02:44.880><c> better</c><02:02:45.360><c> to</c><02:02:45.679><c>
• :49.840><c> and</c><02:02:51.040><c> and</c><02:02:51.360><c> again</c><02:02:51.679><c> but</c><02:02
• :02:55.440><c> know</c><02:02:55.520><c> there's</c><02:02:55.760><c> projects</c><02:02:56.000><c> for
• LFA there's<02:02:56.960><c> projects</c><02:02:57.199><c> for</c><02:02:57.599><c> long</c><02:02:57.760

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:02:33.680><c> being</c><00:02:33.840><c> the</c><00:02:34.080><c> boss</c><00:02:34.319><c> of<
• </c><00:02:41.440><c> I'd</c><00:02:41.599><c> like</c><00:02:41.760><c> to</c><00:02:41.920><c> make
• ><c> um</c><01:02:34.319><c> exceed</c><01:02:34.720><c> the</c><01:02:35.040><c> national</c><01:02:
• </c><01:02:41.839><c> Um,</c><01:02:42.480><c> so</c><01:02:42.720><c> I</c><01:02:43.040><c> think</
• :02:45.040><c> to</c><01:02:45.760><c> what</c><01:02:46.319><c> um</c><01:02:46.480><c> the</c> that

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• :24:15.650><c>the </c><02:24:16.021><c>still </c><02:24:16.392><c>have </c><02:24:16.763><c>it </c><02
• mrffler </c><02:24:21.398><c>please </c><02:24:22.344><c>addator </c><02:24:23.290><c>jud </c><02:24:
• ><c>very </c><02:24:29.872><c>special </c><02:24:30.060><c>guest </c><02:24:30.248><c>with </c><02:24
• <02:25:13.390><c>on </c><02:25:13.660><c>transportation </c><02:25:13.930><c>and </c><02:25:14.200><c
• be </c><02:25:17.940><c>amended </c><02:25:18.225><c>as </c><02:25:18.510><c>follows </c><02:25:18.795

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Schultz<00:02:40.720><c> sitting</c><00:02:41.040><c> in</c><00:02:41.200><c> for</c><00:02:41.440
• Um,<00:02:44.480><c> Allison</c><00:02:45.040><c> Murray</c><00:02:45.440><c> is</c><00:02:45.680><c>
• </c> Uh,<00:02:51.280><c> Rita</c><00:02:51.680><c> Madison</c><00:02:52.160><c> sitting</c><00:02:52.480
• /c><01:02:01.680><c> 500</c><01:02:02.160><c> million</c><01:02:02.880><c> which</c><01:02:03.119><c>
• Um,<01:02:10.799><c> so</c><01:02:11.040><c> with</c><01:02:11.200><c> that,</c><01:02:11.440><c> I</

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> current statute current statute throughout<00:44:33.720><c> the</c><00:44:33.800><c> bill.
• Again, this is alignment with statute, Again, this is alignment with statute, clarification,<00:47:04.080
• Sections of statute and reorganized—where did those other pieces come from? Is there a model?
• :55.640><c> to</c><01:02:55.720><c> move</c><01:02:55.960><c> forward</c><01:02:56.440><c> incrementally
• ><c> this</c><01:02:57.760><c> 30</c><01:02:58.080><c> million</c><01:02:58.400><c> dollar</c><01:02:

Transcript Highlights:

• We<00:02:01.320><c> had</c> We had We had a<00:02:02.960><c> lot</c><00:02:03.240><c> of</c><00:02:03.320
• </c><00:02:12.200><c> So</c><00:02:12.480><c> at</c><00:02:12.640><c> this</c><00:02:12.920><c> time<
• If you<00:02:19.920><c> all</c><00:02:20.040><c> could</c><00:02:20.200><c> make</c><00:02:20.440><c>
• </c><00:02:45.440><c> And</c><00:02:45.800><c> you</c><00:02:45.840><c> know</c><00:02:46.000><c> what
• :02:51.200><c> we</c><01:02:51.400><c> need</c><01:02:51.600><c> to</c><01:02:51.680><c> do</c><01:02

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• :18.680><c> uh</c><00:02:18.840><c> two</c><00:02:19.160><c> two</c><00:02:19.440><c> things</c><00:02
• ><00:02:23.160><c> significant</c><00:02:23.720><c> amount</c><00:02:24.200><c> of</c><00:02:24.440><
• </c><00:02:28.680><c> up</c><00:02:28.959><c> we</c><00:02:29.239><c> have</c><00:02:29.360><c> to</c
• ><c> this</c><00:02:36.120><c> is</c><00:02:36.280><c> an</c><00:02:36.519><c> area</c><00:02:37.040>
• um a a bigger<00:02:50.080><c> percentage</c><00:02:50.640><c> than</c><00:02:50.800><c> in</c><00:02

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• 45.239><c> why</c><04:02:45.399><c> this</c><04:02:45.600><c> procedure</c><04:02:46.080><c> has</c><
• procedure has to be done<04:02:46.880><c> and</c><04:02:47.000><c> that</c><04:02:47.120><c> is</c><
• done and that is entirely permissible within<04:02:49.159><c> the</c><04:02:49.279><c> bill</c><04:02
• :49.760><c> so</c><04:02:49.960><c> it</c><04:02:50.040><c> is</c><04:02:50.239><c> not</c><04:02:50.439
• > in</c><04:02:51.479><c> that</c><04:02:51.640><c> relationship</c><04:02:52.560><c> it</c><04:02:52.680

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:52.160><c> All</c><01:02:52.319><c> the</c><01:02:52.400><c> rest</c><01:02:52.559><c> of<
• <02:03:50.719><c> owe</c><02:03:50.880><c> us</c><02:03:51.280><c> a</c><02:03:51.520><c> lot</c><02:
• ><02:22:26.319><c> I</c><02:22:26.479><c> do</c><02:22:26.640><c> think</c><02:22:26.800><c> it</c><02
• 02:35:24.640><c> a</c><02:35:25.120><c> a</c><02:35:25.600><c> pretty</c><02:35:25.840><c> high</c><02
• :02:21.120><c> I</c><05:02:21.200><c> I</c><05:02:21.360><c> don't</c><05:02:21.440><c> know</c><05:02

Transcript Highlights:

• Serving<00:02:16.120><c> along</c><00:02:16.480><c> her</c><00:02:16.760><c> husband,</c><00:02:17.640
• And<00:02:32.760><c> if</c><00:02:32.920><c> I</c><00:02:33.040><c> may,</c><00:02:33.320><c> sir,</c
• </c><00:02:39.640><c> the</c><00:02:39.920><c> eight,</c><00:02:40.240><c> their</c><00:02:40.440><c>
• <c> uh</c><00:02:42.440><c> for</c><00:02:42.640><c> any</c><00:02:43.000><c> any</c><00:02:43.400><c
• ><c> at</c><00:02:48.400><c> least</c><00:02:48.640><c> two</c><00:02:48.840><c> of</c><00:02:49.000>

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill<00:02:17.280><c> affirms</c><00:02:17.680><c> the</c><00:02:17.920><c> inherent</c><00:02:18.319
• ><c> in</c><00:02:19.200><c> section</c><00:02:19.440><c> one</c><00:02:19.680><c> of</c><00:02:19.840
• <c> um</c><00:02:21.760><c> to</c><00:02:22.080><c> acquire</c><00:02:22.480><c> and</c><00:02:22.800
• while<00:02:26.640><c> also</c><00:02:26.959><c> upholding</c><00:02:27.440><c> the</c><00:02:27.599
• </c><00:02:30.480><c> section</c><00:02:30.800><c> 8</c><00:02:31.040><c> of</c><00:02:31.200><c> our

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• And<01:02:00.480><c> then</c><01:02:01.119><c> uh</c><01:02:01.839><c> on</c><01:02:02.319><c> line</
• c><01:02:02.720><c> 14</c><01:02:04.160><c> um</c><01:02:04.400><c> well</c><01:02:04.960><c> on</c><
• 255<01:02:06.240><c> on</c><01:02:06.480><c> page</c><01:02:06.799><c> 10</c><01:02:07.599><c> replaces
• It's<01:02:28.000><c> what</c><01:02:28.240><c> we</c><01:02:29.200><c> referenced</c><01:02:29.599><
• </c> &gt;&gt; I'm<01:02:35.760><c> good</c><01:02:35.920><c> with</c><01:02:36.079><c> the</c><01:02:

Transcript Highlights:

• official who has interfered with or usurped the parents' rights, and it outlines the civil liability statute
• HB 2138, Firefighters' Employment Status, defines firefighter in workers' compensation statutes that
• Chair Members, HB2138 Firefighters' Employment Status defines firefighter in worker compensation statutes
• HB 2043, felony murder unborn child, expands the first-degree felony murder statute to apply to the death
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2030, to provide some quick background, statute governing the Water

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:22.880><c> see</c><01:02:23.319><c> my</c><01:02:23.559><c> way</c><01:02:23.920><c> clear</c><01
• is<01:02:28.480><c> possible</c><01:02:29.480><c> and</c><01:02:29.760><c> that</c><01:02:30.039><c>
• under<01:02:34.839><c> the</c><01:02:34.960><c> narrow</c><01:02:35.359><c> circumstances</c><01:02:
• :36.839><c> this</c><01:02:37.079><c> bill</c><01:02:37.760><c> so</c><01:02:38.640><c> uh</c><01:02:
• 39.119><c> uh</c><01:02:39.319><c> it</c><01:02:39.599><c> I</c><01:02:39.880><c> I</c><01:02:40.079>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• > afternoon<00:02:07.680><c> so</c><00:02:08.160><c> uh</c><00:02:08.319><c> ala</c><00:02:08.759><c>
• chair</c><00:02:09.280><c> uh</c><00:02:09.399><c> my</c><00:02:09.520><c> name</c><00:02:09.679><c>
• ><c> weno</c><00:02:10.640><c> I'm</c><00:02:10.759><c> the</c><00:02:10.920><c> director</c><00:02:11.200
• c> I</c><00:02:13.840><c> I</c><00:02:14.000><c> stand</c><00:02:14.400><c> on</c><00:02:14.680><c> my
• :02:50.799><c> this</c><01:02:50.920><c> is</c><01:02:51.240><c> uh</c><01:02:51.359><c> the</c><01:02

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:

• :56.200><c> son,</c><00:02:56.480><c> our</c><00:02:56.600><c> Lord</c><00:02:56.840><c> and</c><00:02
• Mr.<01:02:42.800><c> President,</c><01:02:43.240><c> if</c><01:02:43.360><c> there</c><01:02:43.520><
• c> for</c><01:02:45.560><c> passage</c><01:02:46.080><c> of</c><01:02:46.200><c> 5</c><01:02:47.080><
• :47.520><c> 562</c><01:02:48.400><c> as</c><01:02:48.560><c> amended</c><01:02:48.920><c> by</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:53.480><c> 562</c><01:02:54.480><c> as</c><01:02:54.600><c> amended</c><01:02:54.960><c> by

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute says Cesar Chavez Day celebrates the growing Latino community in Minnesota, which continues
• </c> Minnesota right now in dire need. Minnesota right now in dire need.
• </c> Minnesota. Thank you, Mr. President. Minnesota. Thank you, Mr. President.
• </c> of Minnesota, and people are fed up. of Minnesota, and people are fed up.
• </c> Dakota versus Minnesota. Dakota versus Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:02:10.479><c> uh,</c><00:02:10.720><c> thank</c><00:02:10.879><c> you</c><00:02:11.039><c> all
• c> today</c><00:02:12.640><c> and</c><00:02:12.879><c> we</c><00:02:13.120><c> we</c><00:02:13.440><c
• ><c> know</c><00:02:20.720><c> you've</c><00:02:20.879><c> had</c><00:02:20.959><c> a</c><00:02:21.120
• c> Thursday's</c><00:02:24.400><c> uh</c><00:02:24.640><c> not</c><00:02:24.879><c> always</c><00:02:
• Appreciate<00:02:30.000><c> Chairman</c><00:02:30.400><c> Flannry</c><00:02:30.879><c> for</c><00:02:

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 21 minutes, and then heard a KO presentation focused on county jail funding pressures. KO leaders and county judges said jail costs have become a statewide crisis, noting that county general fund contributions to jail budgets have risen sharply since 2019. They said the organization’s sole legislative priority this session is to “reshape the shared responsibility” for county jails through three main proposals: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and changing the model for housing state inmates. On regional jails, KO proposed one-time state construction help for new or expanded regional facilities, allowing former county jails to become 96-hour holdover facilities, changing regional jail authority boards so each participating county jailer can serve, increasing the closed-jail supplement, and offering a one-time payment to counties that close a jail and join a regional plan. On pre-trial felony detainees, Judge Mosley argued counties bear the full cost for people held before trial, sometimes for years, and said counties should be reimbursed for time served credit when those inmates are later sentenced. On state inmates, KO said the current per diem of $35.34 is below the average daily county jail cost of $63.44, and proposed a new contract model requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs while counties provide agreed programming such as substance use treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academic programming. Members asked about the fiscal impact of the package, the feasibility of regional jail population thresholds, and whether the proposal could affect counties’ ability to house federal inmates. KO said regionalization should remain a local decision, that a bill draft and fiscal note were being developed, and that only certain jails are eligible to house federal inmates under existing agreements. Representative Maddox also asked about social media comments by Judge Mosley regarding homeschooling; Mosley said the remarks were unrelated to KO and apologized for any offense. Senator Mills asked what counties would do with savings from jail costs, and judges said the money would likely go to local services such as roads, ambulance service, senior programs, parks, economic development, infrastructure, broadband, and water projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><00:02:01.560><c> but</c><00:02:01.719><c> again</c><00:02:01.960><c> I</c><00:02:02.119><c>
• :03.039><c> to</c><00:02:03.920><c> reach</c><00:02:04.200><c> out</c><00:02:04.680><c> to</c><00:02:
• ><c> and</c><00:02:08.319><c> obviously</c><00:02:08.679><c> bills</c><00:02:08.959><c> that</c><00:02
• <c> bills</c><00:02:12.840><c> and</c><00:02:13.120><c> last</c><00:02:13.720><c> uh</c><00:02:13.840
• ><c> may</c><00:02:22.640><c> be</c><00:02:22.720><c> forced</c><00:02:23.080><c> to</c><00:02:23.200

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services opened with the chair welcoming several new members and outlining session rules: hearings would start and end on time, the committee would limit the number of bills heard each meeting, prioritize bills heard during the interim, and generally avoid using the consent calendar except in extreme circumstances. The committee then briefly considered administrative regulations, which were treated as approved if members had no questions. The main item was Senate Bill 14, a measure addressing the 340B drug discount program. The chair said the bill had already passed the Senate in a prior session and had been heard in interim, so he did not present it again. He described the bill as prohibiting drug manufacturers from discriminating against 340B covered entities by refusing 340B pricing when the same drug is offered at that price in the state. He also said the committee would not debate the federal 340B program itself, but would hear testimony on the bill. Hospital leaders and Kentucky Hospital Association representatives testified in support, arguing that 340B savings are essential to rural hospitals, oncology services, transportation support, chronic care, addiction recovery, and new service lines such as chemotherapy and hepatitis treatment. They said the program helps keep care close to home and that manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies have reduced access and cost hospitals millions. Opponents from BIO Kentucky and the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions argued the bill would expand federal law beyond Congress’s intent, create administrative burdens, and not lower patient out-of-pocket costs. The chair repeatedly pressed opponents to address why Kentucky should be denied the same 340B pricing available in other states. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.