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:

• 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:

• 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:

• :54.880><c> the</c><01:02:55.119><c> FBI</c><01:02:55.599><c> criminal</c><01:02:55.920><c> justice</
• ><c> law</c><01:02:57.200><c> unit,</c><01:02:57.599><c> which</c><01:02:57.839><c> is</c><01:02:58.000
• :58.559><c> as</c><01:02:58.720><c> siloo,</c><01:02:59.920><c> must</c><01:03:00.240><c> review</c><
• </c> state statute and grants the authority. state statute and grants the authority.
• </c> until the statute is changed. Thank you. until the statute is changed. Thank you.

Bills: SB2275 , SB2390 , SB2540 , SB3142 , SB2414 , SB2340 , SB2848

Committee: House Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the ability of business and industry to compete in regional, national, and global markets. [00:02
• We are required by the LTA statutes to make that determination. And there are four factors.
• In the LTA statutes, that can be considered. Two? One more.
• In the LTA statutes, that can be considered.
• So this is straight from the statute.

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 and approved the minutes from its prior meeting before taking up the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff from DOTD explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including an aging 1964 vessel, reliability issues, maintenance and dry-docking needs, staffing challenges, and the lack of a spare vessel or backup terminal pair. They reviewed the procurement process, noting that after an unsolicited proposal from Labmar, LTA required a competitive solicitation, received only Labmar’s updated proposal, and then selected Labmar as the preferred proposer. Local input was also described: the Cameron Parish Police Jury issued a no-objection letter and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District gave written support, while no public comments were received at prior public comment opportunities. The board first voted that the privatization proposal serves a public purpose, based on statutory factors such as public need, compatibility with transportation plans, reasonable cost, and improved efficiency. It then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement, with members emphasizing that the final contract terms would still need to be negotiated. Discussion highlighted that Labmar currently operates New Orleans ferry routes with high uptime, and that the Cameron crossing is important for local travel, emergency response, evacuation, industry, and tourism. Members also stressed the need to respect and retain current DOTD staff as the transition is negotiated. Staff outlined next steps: negotiations are expected to continue through spring and early summer 2026, with a transition period over the summer and possible full Labmar operations in late summer if an agreement and funding are secured. Two new hybrid ferry vessels are under construction and expected in May and August 2026, temporary dock space and site improvements are underway, and training will include Labmar personnel. A feasibility study for terminal expansion found that adding and improving landing slips could cost roughly $30 million to $50 million, but current funding is insufficient; members asked for a phased, multi-year plan and budget breakdown for future consideration. The meeting ended with adjournment.

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:

• :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:

• 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:

• Texas and Minnesota are the only two states that strictly have just a prohibition, which restricts the
• Messaging a certain number of days before an election: in Texas, it's 30 days, and in Minnesota, it is
• of their likeness and voice, then I think we can put in protections without violating any other statutes
• That included statutes, regulations, any sort of opinions that the Ethics Commission had released.

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The Arizona House Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee met for an informational presentation from Adam Cook Hook of the National Conference of State Legislatures on recent AI policy trends across the states. He described how legislatures are creating AI-focused committees, task forces, inventories, and impact assessments, and how states are also using AI in government operations and procurement. He noted that all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and D.C. introduced AI bills in 2025, with NCSL tracking more than 1,200 measures and nearly 200 enactments across 45 states. Much of the discussion focused on deepfakes, elections, and synthetic media. Hook said 26 states have enacted laws regulating AI in political messaging, usually through disclosure requirements, while some states have prohibitions near elections. He also discussed laws addressing sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate images, and protections for performers’ name, image, and likeness. Members asked about the best state models for protecting AI-generated likenesses and how parody and satire affect such laws; Hook said courts have struck down some deepfake laws as overbroad, especially where they lacked parody exceptions or allowed broad private rights of action. Hook also highlighted broader AI legislation in healthcare, education, workforce training, and public-private innovation efforts, including regulatory sandboxes and state-run AI tools. He summarized comprehensive AI laws in Colorado, Utah, California, and Texas, and flagged legal issues such as privacy, copyright, bias, liability, and transparency. Committee members asked about the growth of AI policy, the role of NCSL, and practical uses of AI in government; Hook said interest has grown rapidly since public release of tools like ChatGPT and that NCSL is still adapting its internal AI work. No bills were heard or voted on, and the meeting ended with the chair thanking the presenter and adjourning.

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:

• 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:

• :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:

• </c><01:02:01.599><c> Chair,</c><01:02:01.920><c> and</c><01:02:02.160><c> thank</c><01:02:02.240><c>
• Uh, for the record,<01:02:04.880><c> my</c><01:02:05.040><c> name</c><01:02:05.200><c> is</c><01:02:05.520
• This<01:02:44.079><c> bill</c><01:02:44.480><c> removes</c><01:02:45.040><c> that</c><01:02:45.280><c
• HB 1024 protects<01:02:52.160><c> the</c><01:02:52.400><c> integrity</c><01:02:52.880><c> of</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:57.440><c> It</c><01:02:57.680><c> ensures</c><01:02:58.079><c> that</c><01:02:58.480><c>

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:02:02.719><c> those</c><02:02:02.960><c> opposed</c><02:02:03.280><c> say</c><02:02:03.800><c> nay
• <02:02:40.000><c> to</c><02:02:40.159><c> opt</c><02:02:40.360><c> in</c><02:02:40.560><c> the</c><02
• way</c><02:02:44.920><c> to</c><02:02:45.159><c> have</c><02:02:45.360><c> both</c><02:02:45.599><c>
• Local Buy in<02:02:46.440><c> as</c><02:02:46.560><c> well</c><02:02:46.679><c> as</c><02:02:46.800>
• <c> the</c><02:02:46.960><c> state</c><02:02:47.239><c> buyin</c><02:02:47.960><c> I</c><02:02:48.079

Committee: Senate Finance

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.

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:

• And that's what the board is charged to do under the election statutes.
• The election statutes.
• But it's not an eligibility statute; it's a pay statute.
• And that statute didn't... ...statute, and if it's construed otherwise, it would be a special law, and
• that statute didn't change anything that the Fair case did.

Summary: The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting to address several candidate contests and related procedural matters. After roll call and opening remarks, counsel explained the hearing procedures, burden of proof, and possible outcomes. Several cases were noted as resolved or withdrawn, including Timmons v. Jones, Banning v. Sutterfield, and Roberts v. Gaw. In Ranson v. Riley, the board accepted constructive service after the respondent did not appear, heard that Riley was not a registered voter in the required district for the required period, and voted 3-0 to sustain the petition and strike him from the ballot, with costs assessed to the petitioner. The board then heard Hasenbach v. Pugh, a contest challenging Senator Adam Pugh’s candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction under the Oklahoma Constitution’s emoluments ineligibility clause. The petitioner argued that Pugh was a sitting legislator whose office’s salary and benefits had increased during his term, relying on stipulated facts, a compensation commission order, and prior case law. The respondent argued the salary increase came from an independent commission that expressly excluded current legislators and that benefit changes were automatic under a preexisting statute, so no qualifying increase applied to Pugh. The board resolved several procedural issues first, including striking a reply brief as beyond the original petition and admitting joint stipulations into the record. After a recess and executive session, the board returned to open session and voted 3-0 to deny the petition in Hasenbach v. Pugh, retaining Pugh as a candidate on the ballot and assessing costs to the petitioner. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the secretary and a unanimous vote to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as some of you may remember, in 2019, the Safer Products for Washington statute established a five-year
• or reporting requirement for any use of the chemical in any product, like in other states, like Minnesota
• We called that additional cycle Cycle 1.5 because the due dates established in statute fell between the
• We called that additional cycle 1.5 because the due dates established in statute fell between the due
• I think, Chair, just looking at, and who knows anymore, what AI is telling me about Maine, Minnesota,

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• :55.000><c> with</c><01:02:55.119><c> an</c><01:02:55.240><c> increase</c><01:02:55.520><c> of</c><01
• :02:56.200><c> 15%</c><01:02:57.200><c> from</c><01:02:57.559><c> 2023</c> within with an increase of
• 15% from 2023 within with an increase of 15% from 2023 to<01:02:58.480><c> 2024</c><01:02:59.760><c>
• </c><01:20:36.760><c> says</c> yourself the definition in statute says yourself the definition in statute
• </c><01:21:29.320><c> practice</c> definition of Statute practice definition of Statute practice engineering

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration