Transcript Highlights:

• safety and being able to include that in what's already an adopted document, I think is important feedback

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you can choose other mechanisms to direct those funds. You can choose other routes.
• But you can choose other mechanisms to direct those funds. You can choose other routes.
• But you can choose other mechanisms to direct those funds. You can choose other routes.
• But you can choose other mechanisms to direct those funds. You can choose other routes.
• 00:29:25.760><c> which</c><00:29:25.919><c> the</c> mechanisms I think in which the mechanisms I think

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently today we have no reporting mechanism.
• This will require a reporting mechanism to start being collected by ALDOT beginning October 1 of this
• Currently today we have no reporting<00:06:28.800><c> mechanism.
• Um we don't know reporting mechanism.
• </c><00:06:36.320><c> to</c> will require a reporting mechanism to will require a reporting mechanism

Bills: HB542, HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• not only for the passengers, but for the mechanic as well.
• It sets the minimum requirement to be registered as an elevator mechanic.
• Yet for elevator mechanics.
• I'm an elevator mechanic in the DFW area.
• I represent mechanical materials, uh. I've been in the industry for 30 years now.

Transcript Highlights:

• The feedback we have received service. The feedback we have received service.
• The feedback we have received over the several years, some of those over the several years, some of those
• veterans, here in could charge a veterans, here in could charge a veterans, here in Alabama, we have no mechanism
• to enforce Alabama, we have no mechanism to enforce Alabama, we have no mechanism to enforce that.

Bills: HB 200, HB 541, HB 1803, HB 30, HB 175, HB 249, HB 721, HB 851, HB 897, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 1916, HB 5560, HB 3071, HB 5627, HB 5435, HB 3913, HB 2921, HB 2695, HB 2688, HB 3045, HB 3483, HB 3673, HB 4213, HB 4226, HB 783, HB 4373, HB 4735, HB 5155, HB 5057, HB 4984, HB 4944, HB 4813, HB 5339, HB 5196, HB 5033, HB 4853, HB 3486, HB 4211, HB 74, HB 4670, HB 4730, HB 4743, HB 4603, HB 4463, HB 3892, HB 4139, HB 4752, HB 4520, HB 4517, HB 4486, HB 4437, HB 4426, HB 4396, HB 4263, HB 3487, HB 3418, HB 2284, HB 2266, HB 2229, HB 4912, HB 2189, HB 4506, HB 5269, HB 5224, HB 5195, HB 3317, HB 4166, HB 3947, HB 3358, HB 3370, HB 4438, HB 3745, HB 3602, HB 3697, HB 2001, HB 1968, HB 3371, HB 3909, HCR 7, SB 1744, SB 1364, SB 1316, HB 2026, HB 3302, HB 3368, HB 1639, HB 5652, HB 4655, HB 5654, HB 5658, HB 5656, HB 4894, HB 4996, HB 5088, HB 5650, HB 4464, HB 3751, HB 5665, HB 5661, HB 1237, HB 2802, HB 5437, HB 2703, HB 5666, HB 5667, HCR 113, HCR 86, SB 2196, SB 463, SB 856, SB 1245, SB 1169, SB 509, SB 985, SB 305, SB 552, HB 1535, HB 123, HB 1804, HB 426, HB 1773, HB 1871, HB 2035, HB 2492, HB 1411, HB 4753, HB 4666, HB 4529, HB 1499, HB 1610, HB 2028, HB 1506, HB 886, HB 3546, HB 796, HB 223, HB 3556, HB 2448, HB 4638, HB 111, HB 180, HB 1027, HB 1178, HB 610, HB 1277, HB 1615, HB 1620, HB 5342, HB 4885, HB 4751, HB 4530, HB 4488, HB 2149, HB 2071, HB 2282, HB 2248, HB 2243, HB 2522, HB 2310, HB 2513, HB 2300, HB 1902, HB 1813, HB 3719, HB 4284, HB 3743, HB 3778, HB 5153, HB 5147, HB 4877, HB 4850, HB 3261, HB 3005, HB 3033, HB 2849, HB 2967, HB 3531, HB 1768, HB 333, HB 2914, HB 2613, HB 3717, HB 3704, HB 2697, HB 3801, HB 3099, HB 3488, HB 3477, HB 3466, HB 3396, HB 3469, HB 2594, HB 2776, HB 2564, HB 2298, HB 5331, HB 5646, HB 5247, HB 5323, HB 4384, HB 3896, HB 4014, HB 3627, HB 3594, HB 2524, HB 510, HB 561, HB 5111, HB 5446, HB 1181, HB 3963, HB 2785, HB 1661, HB 2460, HB 200, HB 541, HB 1803, HB 30, HB 175, HB 249, HB 721, HB 851, HB 897, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 1916, HB 5560, HB 3071, HB 5627, HB 5435, HB 3913, HB 2921, HB 2695, HB 2688, HB 3045, HB 3483, HB 3673, HB 4213, HB 4226, HB 783, HB 4373, HB 4735, HB 5155, HB 5057, HB 4984, HB 4944, HB 4813, HB 5339, HB 5196, HB 5033, HB 4853, HB 3486, HB 4211, HB 74, HB 4670, HB 4730, HB 4743, HB 4603, HB 4463, HB 3892, HB 4139, HB 4752, HB 4520, HB 4517, HB 4486, HB 4437, HB 4426, HB 4396, HB 4263, HB 3487, HB 3418, HB 2284, HB 2266, HB 2229, HB 4912, HB 2189, HB 4506, HB 5269, HB 5224, HB 5195, HB 3317, HB 4166, HB 3947, HB 3358, HB 3370, HB 4438, HB 3745, HB 3602, HB 3697, HB 2001, HB 1968, HB 3371, HB 3909, HCR 98, HCR 92, HCR 126, HCR 7

Keywords: juvenile offenders, parole eligibility, youth justice, criminal justice reform, inmate rehabilitation, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, dentist, dental hygienist, interstate practice, licensure, compact privilege, public health, military members, disaster relief, tax rates, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a mechanism to make sure there's no overlap?
• So we're not sure what the mechanism would be.
• Is there a mechanism so that the overlap on farm service agency, USDA's cost reimbursement mechanism,
• Is there a mechanism so that the overlap on Thank you, Senator DeCoite.
• So I don't know if there is a mechanism.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered three gubernatorial nominations. GM510, Faith Tui Pulotu to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, received strong support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, though the nominee was not present online. GM614, Mark Gordon to the Environmental Advisory Council, also drew unanimous support from state and private testifiers; Gordon described his environmental health and safety background and said he could commit the time needed. GM696, James Falconer to the Advisory Board on Pesticides, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Falconer discussed his long experience in coffee and sugar, including work responding to coffee leaf rust and the need for timely pesticide tools. All three nominations were recommended for advise and consent and were adopted by four-member votes. The committee then heard several agriculture bills. HB 1603 HD1 would allow the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend agricultural park leases without the current county-population restriction; supporters called it an equity measure and asked that it apply to all ag park leases, while the department gave standard testimony. HB 1707 HD1 would create a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program; supporters said transportation is a major production cost and suggested amendments to define “necessary supplies” and explicitly include honey. HB 2155 HD1 would establish an agricultural statistics program, with supporters emphasizing the need for better data to guide planning. HB 2594 HD1 would direct a study on insurance coverage for small producers, which supporters linked to recent storm damage and the lack of tailored insurance products. HB 2595 HD1 would create a regional agricultural feasibility and food systems production working group; supporters said it should consider markets as well as crop suitability and regional conditions. Members asked questions about lease competition, transportation reimbursement amounts and anti-double-dipping safeguards, the usefulness of agricultural data, and whether state or federal insurance models could be used as templates. Testifiers generally said the bills would help reduce costs, improve planning, and support small and neighbor-island producers, while noting that implementation details and funding levels would need further work. The committee then voted to pass all five bills with amendments, generally including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and in the case of HB 1707, the committee adopted the suggested amendments to define necessary supplies and add honey to the covered commodities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you elaborate and explain what that funding mechanism looks like?
• And so that's the funding mechanism for it, gentlemen. Okay, thank you very much.
• So, one, I appreciate that you've got a funding mechanism in your bill.
• None of the other bills had a funding mechanism attached to them.
• This bill, or 2535, at least provides some of that mechanism to spread that out across.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• inspections create an artificial demand for auto mechanics, leading to opportunities for unscrupulous
• It costs those mechanics $100 an hour.
• and get it fixed, and that’s how those mechanics make the money.
• So we drove, we bought the parts because my husband's a mechanic.
• I do yearly checks on my vehicle, having my husband as a mechanic.

Summary: The House first established a quorum, then took up a package of House Committee Substitutes for House Bills 1838, 1692, 1695, 1983, 2036, 2662, and 2743. The bills were described as eliminating mandatory vehicle safety inspections in Missouri, with supporters arguing the inspections are outdated, costly, inconvenient, and not clearly linked to fewer crashes or fatalities. They cited studies and examples from other states, and several members emphasized the burden on rural drivers and mechanics. Opponents argued inspections help catch tire, brake, and other equipment problems, and warned that removing them could increase risks to children, highway workers, and other motorists. Members debated specific provisions in the merged bill, including exemptions and requirements for street rods, custom vehicles, agricultural vehicles, interstate commerce vehicles, and vehicles involved in accidents or salvage situations. An amendment was offered to correct a drafting error involving commercial vehicles and was adopted. The sponsor repeatedly clarified that the bill would not make inspections illegal, only remove the state mandate, while opponents questioned the studies cited and raised concerns about fatality impacts and unsafe vehicles. The House then adopted the committee substitute as amended and perfected and printed the bill package. After the bill action, members made announcements, including a birthday recognition and committee meeting notices. The House was then adjourned until February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:37.320><c> you</c> doesn't seem to be any mechanism you doesn't seem to be any mechanism you
• </c> financial stability of that mechanism financial stability of that mechanism okay<00:46:39.000><c
• I’m fascinated about risk transfer mechanism.
• But the primary remains the reinsurance mechanism. The primary remains the reinsurance mechanism.
• </c><01:03:25.599><c> but</c> alternative risk transfer mechanisms but alternative risk transfer mechanisms

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my daughter, she's now a mechanical engineer, graduated with the highest honors in mechanical engineering
• So my daughter, she's now a mechanical engineer, graduated with the highest honors in mechanical engineering
• So, it provides a lot of different mechanisms.
• So it provides a lot of different mechanisms.
• And in fact, the bill adds accountability mechanisms for parents who are not doing the right thing and

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and passed HB 921, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5 and requires students to demonstrate proficiency by the end of fifth grade. The bill sponsor argued cursive is important for historical literacy, everyday signatures, and possible early identification of learning differences. Opponents and several members supported teaching cursive but objected to the testing/proficiency requirement, saying students and teachers are already overburdened and that reading cursive is not currently part of the standards. Some members also raised concerns about fairness to charter schools and the bill’s application only to public schools. Despite those concerns, the bill passed 21-0 and was reported favorable. The committee then took up PCS for HB 1405, a major rewrite of Florida’s juvenile prevention and truancy statutes in Chapter 984, covering children in need of services/families in need of services. The bill updates definitions and procedures, strengthens truancy intervention, requires earlier and more detailed school reporting, adds parent involvement through child study teams, allows virtual participation, and sets review timelines for shelter placement. Sponsors said the goal is prevention and family support rather than punishment, with court involvement only after school-based intervention. Members asked about school compliance, court capacity, parent accountability, and whether all counties have child study teams; the sponsors said the bill expects CSTs in every school and can escalate cases to court and, if needed, to prosecutors for noncompliant parents. Public testimony on the juvenile justice bill was supportive, including from the Department of Juvenile Justice, youth services groups, and juvenile justice advocates. In debate, members praised the modernization effort and the emphasis on early intervention and family participation, while also noting the bill’s size and suggesting further attention to attendance thresholds. The PCS for HB 1405 was then approved unanimously and reported favorable. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we use several different mechanisms.
• And so the PPS hospitals are under even a different payment mechanism.
• through how do the funding mechanisms work? What do we need to do to enhance patient care?
• And so we do have a mechanism that if a claim is, us do something that's not the letter of the law to
• And so we do have a mechanism that if a claim is, Every week.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Arkansas DHS hospital spending and reimbursement methods, with Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks explaining Medicaid hospital payments. They described fee-for-service per diem payments, cost settlements, and the upper payment limit (UPL) program, noting that SFY 2025 hospital payments included $688 million in inpatient/outpatient claims, $473 million in UPL payments, $248 million in cost settlements, and about $47 million in other payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked about why per diem rates vary, how cost settlements work, why UPL applies mainly to private hospitals, and how assessment fees are structured and funded. DHS said the hospital assessment fee is broad-based and uniform, used as the state share to draw federal funds, and that supplemental hospital payments after federal match totaled $548 million with no general revenue used. The Arkansas Hospital Association’s Jody Ann Tritt then gave a broader overview of the hospital landscape, explaining the different hospital types in the state, including critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals. She said Arkansas hospitals face financial strain, citing a negative 5.18% patient service margin statewide and lower reimbursement than surrounding states. She argued that Arkansas hospitals are paid less than hospitals in neighboring states for similar services, that commercial payer rates and administrative burdens are a major problem, and that Medicaid and Medicare rates remain below cost even with UPL support. She also said hospitals are the backbone of community care, provide emergency and public health functions, and are looking for ways to invest in technology and telehealth but often lack the revenue to do so. Members pressed for clearer data on hospital finances, reimbursement adequacy, and the impact of commercial insurers. Tritt said the association had just authorized a statewide survey to gather updated financial information from hospitals, which she said would take about a year to complete. She also explained that Medicaid pays weekly, Medicare and commercial plans can involve delays and denials, and that hospitals often spend significant resources on revenue cycle work. The discussion ended with a brief update on assisted living reimbursement: DHS said one facility, The Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, nine Living Choices waiver clients were being transitioned, and the updated rate study would be available after cost reports are collected, likely before the end of the fiscal year. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chairwoman Housley, I guess I would pipe in here and say um the mechanics of how the dollars are
• </c><01:03:59.840><c> human</c><01:04:00.160><c> services</c><01:04:00.680><c> world,</c> ...the mechanics
• c> pipe in here and say um pipe in here and say um the<01:04:24.800><c> the</c><01:04:24.920><c> mechanics
• of how the dollars are the the mechanics of how the dollars are available<01:04:27.720><c> is</c><01
• </c><01:50:11.320><c> And</c> We had negative feedback about the trivia contest.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Delays in inspections may also bring construction projects to a halt until the mechanical work is inspected
• </c><00:47:15.599><c> work</c><00:47:16.000><c> is</c> halt until the mechanical work is halt until the
• mechanical work is inspected.<00:47:17.359><c> Walls</c><00:47:17.680><c> and</c><00:47:17.920><c> floors
• the Minnesota Contractors of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the Minnesota Mechanical
• So, uh, it was based more on the feedback that, you know, we had been giving some of our organizations

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:46.520><c> following</c> adjustment mechanism following adjustment mechanism following gdpi
• </c> to actually establish these mechanisms to actually establish these mechanisms and<00:28:50.279><
• <c> or</c> you establish an automatic mechanism or you establish an automatic mechanism or you<00:30:
• </c><00:30:48.360><c> that</c> that we this is the mechanism that that we this is the mechanism that
• </c> sustainable we need to have a mechanism sustainable we need to have a mechanism in<00:32:05.519>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But unfortunately, without some mechanism requiring a net decrease in water use, I don't know.
• But unfortunately, without some mechanism requiring a net decrease in water use, I don't know.
• Without some mechanism requiring a net decrease in water use, we undermine the whole reason why we have
• So based on that, is there a mechanism for oversight of transactions?
• A mechanism for oversight of transactions?

Bills: SB1041, SB1176, SB1197, SB1198, SB1199, SCM1004

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, irrigation rights, water duty, water allocation, management areas, Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing

Transcript Highlights:

• in family court the criminal mechanism in family court it's<00:36:35.000><c> the</c><00:36:35.160><c
• There is a mechanism to allow Family Court intervention, and the acknowledgement is, as you've heard
• There is a mechanism to allow Family Court intervention, and the acknowledgement is, as you've heard
• There is a mechanism to allow Family Court intervention, and the acknowledgement is, as you've heard
• There is a mechanism to allow Family Court intervention, and the acknowledgement is, as you've heard

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• per diem rates are low compared to Medicare and commercial payers, so we use several different mechanisms
• That actually is an accounting mechanism that helps DHS when they are doing the cost settlements for
• Witness: And so the PPS hospitals are under even a different payment mechanism.
• And so the PPS hospitals are under even a different payment mechanism.
• And so we do have a mechanism that if a claim is, every week.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL CREATES AN EFFICIENT STATEWIDE MECHANISM TO RESOLVE PAYMENT DISPUTES BY ALLOWING EITHER PARTY
• IN PLACE THAN THE COMMERCIAL CLAIM SHOULD GO TO THE STATE MECHANISM AND SELF-INSURANCE CLAIMS PLACE
• THAN THE COMMERCIAL CLAIM SHOULD GO TO THE STATE MECHANISM AND SELF-INSURANCE CLAIMS GO TO THE FEDERAL
• MECHANISMS.
• THERE IS ABOUT 20 STATES DESIGNATED BUT THE ALTERNATE MECHANISM THE STATE MECHANISM.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, happy to take feedback and questions and suggestions, or to talk offline.
• So, happy to take feedback and questions and suggestions, or to talk offline.
• state agency not needing a law to be passed by the legislature to do the right thing, taking that feedback
• :34:19.679><c> thing,</c><01:34:20.239><c> taking</c><01:34:20.560><c> that</c><01:34:20.800><c> feedback
• </c><01:34:21.120><c> and</c> right thing, taking that feedback and right thing, taking that feedback

Bills: HF3635, HF3638

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's how we prioritized specific services that we targeted rates to, based on that feedback
• <01:20:19.120><c> that</c> targeted rates to um based on that targeted rates to um based on that feedback
• and also based on a a cost feedback and also based on a a cost analysis<01:20:22.320><c> of</c><01:20
• I'm not going to ask you your opinion on that here, but I just want to share the feedback that I've been
• I'm not going to ask you your opinion on that here, but I just want to share the feedback that I've been

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.