Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:01.040><c> a</c><01:02:01.200><c> ratio</c><01:02:01.599><c> to</c><01:02:01.760><c> money
• is to<01:02:02.720><c> outcomes</c><01:02:03.200><c> and</c><01:02:03.440><c> those</c><01:02:03.680
• So I<01:02:05.119><c> think</c><01:02:05.200><c> that's</c><01:02:05.359><c> what</c><01:02:05.520><c
• &gt;&gt; Sure.<01:02:17.200><c> To</c><01:02:17.440><c> address</c><01:02:17.599><c> that,</c><01:02:
• </c><01:02:23.200><c> The</c><01:02:23.440><c> department</c><01:02:23.760><c> has</c><01:02:24.000><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><01:02:01.200><c> people</c><01:02:01.359><c> to</c><01:02:01.599><c> be</c><01:02:01.760
• </c><01:02:05.440><c> Um</c><01:02:05.760><c> it</c><01:02:05.920><c> goes</c><01:02:06.079><c> back<
• :02:07.440><c> think</c><01:02:07.520><c> this</c><01:02:07.680><c> is</c><01:02:07.839><c> one</c><01
• </c><01:02:16.400><c> the</c><01:02:16.559><c> boat</c><01:02:16.720><c> ramp</c><01:02:17.119><c> but
• but you know<01:02:17.839><c> they</c><01:02:18.000><c> they</c><01:02:18.559><c> uh</c><01:02:18.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2. Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles. Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I reside in Pull<00:02:48.320><c> it</c><00:02:48.400><c> closer,</c><00:02:48.760><c> please,</c><00
• We're having<00:02:49.520><c> a</c><00:02:49.560><c> little</c><00:02:49.720><c> difficulty</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:51.560><c> I</c><00:02:51.720><c> reside</c><00:02:52.280><c> in</c><00:02:52.440><c> Brandon
• I've been<00:02:53.320><c> in</c><00:02:53.400><c> Brandon</c><00:02:53.920><c> for</c><00:02:54.720>
• I<00:02:57.320><c> come</c><00:02:57.520><c> into</c><00:02:57.680><c> this</c><00:02:57.920><c> position

Committee: Joint Corrections

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:10.840><c> theoretically</c><02:02:11.320><c> show</c><02:02:11.599><c> up</c><02:02:12.440><c> do
• <02:02:13.400><c> records</c><02:02:13.800><c> there</c><02:02:14.000><c> that</c><02:02:14.159><c> they
• could use<02:02:14.920><c> to</c><02:02:15.079><c> trace</c><02:02:15.400><c> back</c><02:02:15.599>
• ><c> do</c><02:02:18.599><c> maintain</c><02:02:19.079><c> those</c><02:02:19.320><c> records</c><02:
• :02:20.079><c> think</c><02:02:20.239><c> we</c><02:02:20.360><c> would</c><02:02:20.639><c> be</c><02

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second handout is labeled 370312-02.
• Chairman, so Administrator, I'm..." [02:02:05] Representative Britt Raybould continued: "...I totally
• [02:02:30] Ms. Lodge responded: "I can point to the quagga mussel mobilization.
• There's a lot of back and forth in that instance, and that wasn't a true emergency..." [02:02:55] Ms.
• So if..." [02:04:35] Ms. Laude responded: "Mr.

Summary: The committee first waited for a quorum, then heard presentations from North Idaho irrigation districts on water management challenges. Brandon Rose of Hayden Lake Irrigation District described rapid growth, groundwater pumping, a new reservoir and main replacement project, and concerns about aquifer and lake impacts. Barney Metz of Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District discussed the Palouse Basin aquifer decline, LOID’s mixed domestic and irrigation system, ESA and tribal issues, a proposed water exchange, and problems caused by urban encroachment and fiber installation damaging water infrastructure. Ron Wilson of East Green Acres Irrigation District described aging infrastructure, grant-funded upgrades, workforce training, aquifer coordination through the Idaho-Washington Aquifer Collaborative, and similar damage from broadband construction. Members raised concerns about “do-not-dig” enforcement and liability for utility damage, but no formal action was taken on the presentations. The committee then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 119, which Representative Van der Woude said highlighted water needs in Region 2 and growth-related recharge issues in the Treasure Valley. The committee moved the resolution to the floor with a due pass recommendation. After that, the committee considered several Idaho Department of Water Resources fee rules. It approved the Shoshone-Bannock Water Bank rule docket and the Water District 34 rule docket after brief questions, but held the stream channel alteration rule docket at the call of the chair after members raised concerns about revised definitions, especially the “100-year flood” language, fish habitat terminology, and whether the edits were clearer or more restrictive. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 746, which would expand Idaho Department of Lands deficiency warrants to cover reimbursable non-fire emergency uses of fire resources, such as flooding response, pumps, incident command support, and prescribed fire or fuels work. Testimony from the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association and the Department of Lands said the bill would improve flexibility, keep Idaho resources available for mutual aid, and not create non-reimbursable obligations, though it could temporarily affect spending authority until reimbursement is received. Members questioned definitions, reimbursement timing, budget impacts, and whether existing agreements could address the issue. No final vote on the bill was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><02:08:54.079><c> that</c> statute we're just concerned that that statute we're just concerned
• :20:33.200><c> statute</c><02:20:33.600><c> that</c><02:20:33.720><c> this</c> we address it in the statute
• that this we address it in the statute that this is<02:20:33.920><c> for</c><02:20:34.120><c> infrastructure
• imprisonment in the penal code boy imprisonment in the penal code boy revised<02:42:59.359><c> statutes
• and</c><02:43:02.520><c> 706</c> revised statutes section 76- 663 and 706 revised statutes section 76

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes,<01:02:35.080><c> JBC</c><01:02:35.600><c> will</c><01:02:35.720><c> be</c><01:02:35.840><c> meeting
• :02:38.160><c> adjournment</c><01:02:38.680><c> of</c><01:02:38.800><c> the</c><01:02:38.920><c> house
• We will be recessing<01:02:49.680><c> as</c><01:02:49.800><c> we</c><01:02:49.960><c> need</c><01:02:
• </c><01:02:51.120><c> There</c><01:02:51.240><c> is</c><01:02:51.320><c> no</c><01:02:51.440><c> need
• </c><01:02:52.840><c> President,</c><01:02:53.280><c> I</c><01:02:53.360><c> move</c><01:02:53.520><c

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, suspended Rule 1B to allow a non-senator to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a special guest introduction before approving the March 2, 2026 journal. The chamber then received committee reports and messages from the House and revisor, including action on several bills and appointments, and briefly moved out of order for personal privileges recognizing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the challenges facing that community amid budget pressures. The Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 1018, designating State Highway 86 through Elbert County as the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor, after lengthy remarks describing the route, local communities, and scenic and historic features. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed the consent-calendar bills on third reading: SB 59, SB 50, SB 51, SB 110, SB 61, and SB 26, with several senators recording no votes on SB 59, SB 50, and SB 51. SB 21, concerning the clean fleet enterprise and replacement of high-emitting trucks and fleets, also passed 33-2. The Senate confirmed governor’s appointments to the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors on the consent calendar, including Lisa Augustin, Carolyn Glover, Megan Letham, George Keriannac, and Lisa Boyer, all by a 35-0 vote. It also laid over general orders, second reading of bills, until March 4, 2026. The meeting ended with announcements about committee meetings, Read Across America Week, and a Colorado Optometrist Association reception, followed by a motion to recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:40.599><c> that</c><02:02:41.000><c> year</c><02:02:41.599><c> that</c><02:02:41.800><c> Governor
• :46.040><c> governor</c><02:02:46.480><c> sonunu</c><02:02:47.480><c> uh</c><02:02:47.679><c> I</c><02
• </c><02:02:58.679><c> as</c><02:02:59.119><c> one</c><02:02:59.360><c> that</c><02:02:59.560><c> could
• :34.399><c> the</c><02:35:34.600><c> statute</c> model was built in light of the statute model was built
• in light of the statute including<02:35:35.399><c> that</c><02:35:35.680><c> pu</c><02:35:36.160><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:15.280><c> I</c><00:02:15.520><c> am</c><00:02:15.599><c> a</c><00:02:15.760><c> state</c>
• /c><00:02:24.160><c> nurses</c><00:02:24.640><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:25.040><c> ANA</c><00:02:25.520><c>
• </c><00:02:30.959><c> uh</c><00:02:31.120><c> full</c><00:02:31.680><c> testimony</c><00:02:32.720><c
• ><c> more</c><00:02:33.680><c> facts</c><00:02:34.000><c> and</c><00:02:34.239><c> details</c><00:02:
• our</c><00:02:58.640><c> state</c><00:02:59.040><c> statute</c><00:02:59.920><c> by</c> closes a gap

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several public safety and emergency-related measures. SB 3192, on emergency healthcare license waivers, drew support from nursing and healthcare advocates who said automatic emergency licensure during a governor-declared emergency would help avoid delays in bringing qualified clinicians to disaster areas, citing the Lahaina wildfire response. The committee reported 13 supportive testimonies, none in opposition, and one comment. It later recommended passage of SB 3192 with technical non-substantive amendments and a defective effective date, and the recommendation was adopted by vote. SB 2121, requiring ASL interpretation and visible picture-in-picture display during official emergency announcements, received supportive testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters. DAP demonstrated why captions alone are not sufficient and why an interpreter on screen improves effective communication. Broadcasters supported the bill’s intent but raised practical concerns about implementation and staffing, suggesting amendments. SB 3239, which would appropriate funds to HMA for bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English proficiency, was supported by legal aid and immigrant-rights advocates who emphasized the need for language access during disasters and noted the large LEP population in Hawaii. After discussion, the chair proposed folding the sign-language and multilingual access concepts into SB 21109, a broader emergency preparedness communications bill, and the committee deferred SB 2121 and SB 3239. The committee also heard SB 2645 on fire prevention and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire marshal supported the bill’s provisions to modernize the office, create cross-certified assistant fire marshals, shift inspections to a risk-based schedule, establish the state fire code as the baseline, and create a special fund, but DLNR opposed the section changing the marshal selection process from a council-based appointment to gubernatorial appointment. The chair ultimately recommended passage of the proposed SD2 with blank appropriation amounts and committee-report concerns, and the recommendation was adopted. The committee then passed SB 21109 with amendments, incorporating the deferred sign-language and language-access ideas into the broader emergency communications framework. It also later took up measures from the prior day’s agenda, passing SB 2882, SB 3191, and SB 2339 with amendments, including changes to the state buildings, water safety/drowning prevention, and building code council measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:16.400><c> we</c><02:02:16.719><c> we</c><02:02:16.880><c> route</c><02:02:17.159><c> it</c><02:02
• <c> we</c><02:02:19.840><c> we</c><02:02:19.920><c> don't</c><02:02:20.119><c> do</c><02:02:20.360><c
• > a</c><02:02:23.239><c> door</c><02:02:24.119><c> fix</c><02:02:24.280><c> a</c><02:02:24.440><c> lighting
• light switch<02:02:25.560><c> those</c><02:02:25.679><c> kind</c><02:02:25.800><c> of</c><02:02:25.920
• </c><02:02:28.040><c> yeah</c><02:02:28.400><c> thanks</c><02:02:28.639><c> so</c><02:02:28.840><c> much

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><02:02:29.679><c> has</c><02:02:30.000><c> been</c><02:02:30.159><c> spent.
• It<02:02:32.000><c> is</c><02:02:32.159><c> why</c><02:02:32.400><c> that</c><02:02:32.800><c> the</c
• c> further</c><02:02:35.679><c> money</c><02:02:36.080><c> in</c><02:02:36.400><c> this</c><02:02:36.880
• </c> So<02:02:43.040><c> if</c><02:02:43.280><c> that</c><02:02:43.599><c> money</c><02:02:43.920><c>
• been established<02:03:50.880><c> in</c><02:03:51.199><c> statute</c><02:03:52.000><c> as</c><02:03:

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:02:17.920><c> it's</c><00:02:18.160><c> very</c><00:02:18.480><c> specific</c><00:02:19.040><
• <00:02:23.040><c> in</c><00:02:23.520><c> line</c><00:02:24.000><c> 104</c><00:02:25.360><c> of</c><00
• the bill<00:02:26.080><c> in</c><00:02:26.239><c> front</c><00:02:26.400><c> of</c><00:02:26.480><c>
• or apparatus<00:02:38.879><c> within</c><00:02:39.200><c> the</c><00:02:39.360><c> borders</c><00:02
• Um, I'll be<00:02:54.239><c> candid</c><00:02:54.640><c> and</c><00:02:54.879><c> say</c><00:02:55.280

Committee: Joint Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res

Keywords: Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 3:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:49.280><c> No,</c><00:02:49.599><c> I'm</c><00:02:49.840><c> not</c><00:02:50.000><c> that
• Um,<00:02:51.840><c> I</c><00:02:52.080><c> used</c><00:02:52.319><c> to</c><00:02:52.400><c> be</c><
• :02:56.400><c> I</c><00:02:56.560><c> was</c><00:02:56.640><c> pretty</c><00:02:56.800><c> good.
• > this</c><02:23:03.359><c> statute.
• </c><02:23:03.920><c> And</c><02:23:04.160><c> so</c><02:23:04.319><c> when</c> department in this statute

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:02:02.320><c> um</c><05:02:02.480><c> that</c><05:02:02.718><c> have</c><05:02:03.600><c> uh<
• ><c> on</c><05:02:04.320><c> to</c><05:02:04.560><c> develop</c><05:02:05.600><c> u</c><05:02:06.240>
• ><c> to</c><05:02:16.320><c> be</c><05:02:16.480><c> online</c><05:02:16.878><c> the</c><05:02:17.120
• And so<05:02:23.280><c> it's</c><05:02:23.600><c> important</c><05:02:23.920><c> to</c><05:02:24.160>
• > just</c><05:02:28.638><c> as</c><05:02:28.798><c> we</c><05:02:28.958><c> would</c><05:02:29.520><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 146, which would remove the requirement that a medical examiner physically view a body before issuing a cremation certificate. The prime sponsor, Sen. Suprentice, and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jenny Duval explained that the bill would not change the death certificate process or the existing waiting period before cremation; it would only eliminate the in-person viewing step. They said the current review of death certificates already catches the vast majority of cases that should be reported to the medical examiner, and that the physical view changes outcomes in less than 1% of cremation cases. The witnesses emphasized that the bill is intended to improve efficiency and reduce delays for families and funeral homes, while freeing deputy medical examiners to focus on homicides, suicides, accidents, and unexpected natural deaths. Dr. Duval cited an example where review of a death certificate, not the body, uncovered a long-ago strangulation-related homicide, arguing that the key safeguard is review of records and cause of death, not the physical view. She also said the change would save travel time and some costs for the department. Committee members asked about how death certificates list primary and contributing causes of death, whether the low percentage of findings means the current process has a deterrent effect, why cremation is treated differently from burial, and whether identification concerns are adequately addressed. The sponsors responded that identification is handled earlier by hospitals, families, and funeral directors, and that any questionable identification would already fall under medical examiner jurisdiction. They also said the bill would not alter the two-day cremation delay or other existing safeguards. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> be</c><04:02:06.000><c> built</c><04:02:06.319><c> on</c><04:02:06.720><c> any</c><04:02:07.040><c
• ><c> the</c><04:02:09.040><c> one</c><04:02:09.279><c> of</c><04:02:09.359><c> the</c><04:02:09.439><
• ><c> talked</c><04:02:10.239><c> about</c><04:02:10.399><c> they</c><04:02:10.560><c> were</c><04:02:
• </c><04:02:14.640><c> And</c><04:02:14.880><c> so</c><04:02:15.359><c> could</c><04:02:15.600><c> a</
• 04:02:16.640><c> on</c><04:02:16.800><c> a</c><04:02:17.199><c> half</c><04:02:17.359><c> on</c><04:02

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Statute requires that this report be submitted to the legislature no later than February 1st, and to
• Quite frankly, we have a lot of reporting requirements in state statute that simply aren't followed,
• Quite frankly, we have a lot of reporting requirements in state statute that simply aren't followed,
• I believe Minnesota and Illinois do this—don't 100% quote me on that, but if I do recall correctly, the
• know, there's been no internal assessment of the viability of that program, but I would say that Minnesota

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> look</c><01:02:04.720><c> at</c><01:02:04.840><c> it</c><01:02:04.960><c> again</c><01:02:05.360
• how<01:02:10.480><c> much</c><01:02:10.760><c> information</c><01:02:12.040><c> we</c><01:02:12.320>
• 01:02:19.920><c> when</c><01:02:20.280><c> more</c><01:02:21.280><c> members</c><01:02:21.880><c> of<
• <01:02:22.840><c> system</c><01:02:23.640><c> showed</c><01:02:24.120><c> up</c><01:02:24.480><c> to<
• Um they<01:02:29.480><c> were</c><01:02:30.240><c> super</c><01:02:31.080><c> super</c><01:02:31.640>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<01:02:02.680><c> if</c><01:02:02.840><c> the</c><01:02:02.960><c> intent</c><01:02:03.400><c> was<
• ><c> be</c><01:02:05.600><c> licensure,</c><01:02:06.440><c> then</c><01:02:06.600><c> I</c><01:02:06.640
• </c><01:02:11.480><c> area</c><01:02:11.720><c> of</c><01:02:11.840><c> psychology</c><01:02:12.560><
• /c><01:02:16.320><c> meant</c><01:02:16.480><c> by</c><01:02:16.600><c> this</c><01:02:16.840><c> rule
• Staff<01:02:18.680><c> com-</c><01:02:19.040><c> uh</c><01:02:19.080><c> agency</c><01:02:19.440><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:02:01.520><c> we</c><00:02:01.840><c> followed</c><00:02:02.320><c> the</c><00:02:03.439><c> uh
• </c><00:02:04.079><c> statutes</c><00:02:04.640><c> from</c><00:02:04.880><c> the</c> Um we followed
• the uh statutes from the Um we followed the uh statutes from the um<00:02:06.799><c> the</c><00:02:07.119
• ><c> monetary</c><00:02:07.759><c> rules</c><00:02:08.000><c> that</c><00:02:08.239><c> are</c><00:02
• We had<00:02:10.720><c> a</c><00:02:11.039><c> slight</c><00:02:11.360><c> error</c><00:02:11.599><c>

Bills: HB0075 , HB0128

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H77 H77 &gt;&gt; to<00:02:32.080><c> government</c><00:02:32.560><c> operations</c><00:02:33.200><c>
• H79 &gt;&gt; to<00:02:41.599><c> general</c><00:02:41.920><c> and</c><00:02:42.160><c> housing.
• 02:45.680><c> digital</c><00:02:46.080><c> infrastructure.
• &gt;&gt; H711 &gt;&gt; H711 &gt;&gt; H711 to<00:02:49.040><c> Ways</c><00:02:49.360><c> and</c><00:02
• <c> general</c><00:02:55.840><c> and</c><00:02:56.080><c> housing</c><00:02:56.800><c> H714</c> &gt;&

Keywords: 926, house, all