Transcript Highlights:

• Um, no, thank you for bringing, uh, this bill and for, uh, Chairman Cook for bringing this bill.
• So thank you so much for hearing this, uh, very heavy subject matter, but I appreciate it and I hope
• And so this was something for us that became, um, really a high priority.
• We are a 501c3 organization devoted to rescue, restore freedom, and provide hope for the future for recovered
• Are you for the bill? I am for the bill. OK. Yes. Thank you. Yes, I'm 100% for the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that is not the case across the board and at high numbers.
• I hope that is not the case across the board and at high numbers.
• I hope that is not the case across the board and at high numbers.
• I hope that is not the case across the board and at high numbers.
• ><c> to</c> are you hoping for like a dollar to are you hoping for like a dollar to dollar<00:41:05.839

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House-Senate higher education briefing focused on how the University of Hawaii athletics department plans to remain competitive in the NIL era, especially as the House settlement and related changes allow new forms of athlete compensation. Chair and Senator Kim opened by framing the issue as balancing competitiveness, sustainability, compliance, and UH’s educational mission. Coaches Laura Beeman and Timmy Chang described how NIL and the transfer portal are already affecting recruiting and retention, with Beeman saying women’s basketball has lost six to 10 recruits because UH cannot yet match offers, and Chang citing examples of players being courted with large sums and the need to retain proven local and out-of-state athletes. Both emphasized that student-athletes should still prioritize education, culture, and team values, while also receiving support that helps them stay at UH. Athletic Director Matt Elliott then outlined UH’s broader strategy. He said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the highest level of the Mountain West, and strengthen the bond with the community. He described NIL as having moved from a largely unregulated period to a new phase in which institutions can directly control some NIL payments, while outside deals still must be reviewed for fair market value. Elliott said UH wants to use NIL to help athletes cover basic needs and build financial stability, while also keeping them academically on track. He noted the department is pursuing fundraising, including a “Boost the Bose” account, corporate sponsorships, and licensing deals, to support NIL opportunities. In response to questions from Senator Kim, Elliott clarified that UH’s approach involves both institution-controlled payments and outside NIL deals: internal payments can be structured at the department’s discretion within the cap, while external sponsor deals must go through NIL Go and meet market-value standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when it comes time for you to sort of sit down and talk to your constituents, I would hope that you
• I mean that for industry and for businesses and also for AB 617 communities.
• They're considered a high emitter because they produce these products for us.
• And so the hope of, you know, fast EV infrastructure is quite a number of years away for us, if not decades
• What Assembly member did you work for? I worked for Jose Medina for three years. Yeah.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several Governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Indira Cameron Banks to the Civil Rights Council, Sonar Loma Lee to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and C. Don Clay and Joshua Pertula to the UC College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors. It also approved references to bills in two committees and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The main substantive hearing was on the appointments of Linda Hopkins and Patricia Locke Dawson to the Air Resources Board. Both nominees emphasized climate action, public engagement, and balancing environmental protection with economic impacts. Senators pressed them on cap-and-trade, leakage and job loss, agricultural costs, warehouse and truck traffic impacts, emergency vehicle and school bus electrification, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis and better communication with affected communities. Public commenters largely supported both nominees. The committee advanced Hopkins 4-0 and Lock Dawson 5-0 to the full Senate. The committee then heard Andrew Rakestra’s appointment as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. He described his background in climate diplomacy and regulatory work and said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and responsiveness to both regulated entities and disproportionately burdened communities. Senators questioned him about DTSC reform, community engagement in places like Moss Landing and the Exide cleanup, the hazardous waste management plan, fee-setting, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Council. After supportive public testimony, the committee approved his nomination to the Senate floor on a 3-0 vote, with two members not voting or abstaining. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, for accounting for where they are in their policy.
• for the most part.
• Chairman, for a question. Mr. Thomas, thank you for being here.
• And I was hopeful that you would just describe for me, as I read this letter, your association is a little
• Thank you for your time, and sorry for your experience.

Summary: The committee first introduced RS 33403, a follow-on podiatry bill that would merge podiatry with the Board of Medicine and move certain rules into statute. Representative Ehlers explained it was a replacement for prior legislation, and the committee voted to introduce it without objection. The committee then heard House Bill 713 on copay accumulator policies. Representative Cannon and co-sponsor Representative Furman argued the bill would stop insurers from refusing to count third-party copay assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, especially for patients with expensive specialty drugs. Supporters, including patients and advocates, described serious financial hardship and treatment adherence problems caused by accumulators. Opponents, including the Idaho Association of Health Plans, argued the bill would raise costs and premiums, could conflict with Idaho’s anti-kickback law, and might interfere with private plan design. After debate, the committee voted 7-8 against the motion to send HB 713 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. Next, the committee took up House Bill 655 and its related RS 33527, a pilot program to incentivize preceptorships by giving certain Medicaid providers a 12-month exemption from prior authorization requirements. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce administrative burden and increase training opportunities in rural areas and in family practice, psychiatry, and OB-GYN, with caps on participation and expansion to advanced practice providers and PAs in the RS. The committee first voted to hold HB 655 in committee, then approved RS 33527 for introduction and second reading. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 723 on children’s residential facilities. Representative Erickson said the bill would add quality-of-care oversight, annual unannounced inspections, resident and staff interviews, a youth bill of rights, and critical incident reporting, based on an OPE study and prior testimony about abuse and gaps in oversight. Testifiers, including parents and former residents, described abuse, isolation, and lack of reporting mechanisms in facilities and supported the bill. The committee discussed whether the bill created enforceable rights, but the sponsor said existing child protection and corrective action processes would apply. The bill was moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> our</c><00:01:58.280><c> isnet</c> And I'd have one question for the high school pages: how many
• for what what the exemption is for for what what period<00:13:57.839><c> of</c><00:13:58.000><c> time
• So Medicaid is a lifeline for our people, for me, my family, and the people I care for.
• </c> open for those who depend on them for open for those who depend on them for services<00:47:24.480
• for the losses for we have to prepare for the losses for funding<00:48:14.680><c> we</c><00:48:14.839

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> thank you to care for you to you for thank you to care for you to you for carrying<00:20:47.679><c
• </c> thank you for your for your testimony. thank you for your for your testimony.
• a significant role in helping us achieve these high benchmarks for our young learners.
• PAC Charter School is a K-12 multi-site institution that has provided high-quality education for 30 years
• Yet, the range of increase for other districts is as high as 48%.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For these reasons, we ask for your no vote on SB 1016. Thank you. Thank you.
• for grave disability.
• And they're begging for the state to do more, for counties to do more, for us, the system, not to fail
• Thank you very much, and thank you for being here today for your advocacy.
• For these reasons, I urge your support for SB 1371. Thank you. Hello, Mr.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stands for Get Out and Love Someone. stands for Get Out and Love Someone.
• month for his sobriety.
• </c> are there any resolutions for action? are there any resolutions for action?
• clothes for the annual YWCA Dress for Success drive.
• And for those who are not, I hope your staff will still stick around and enjoy the evening.

Bills: SCR48 , SCR28 , SCR74 , SCR62 , SCR60 , SCR89 , SCR147 , SCR179 , SCR182 , SCR59 , SCR54 , SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spent my career caring for women, many in high-risk situations, and I've seen how quickly complications
• And I hope maybe this will be a great model for them also to help until they can get their hospitals
• I hope that none of you find yourselves in that position, but if you do, be prepared for a mountain of
• profit versus for care for individuals.
• I am grateful to the chair and the sponsors for the multiple iterations of the language, and I hope..

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a graduate of Jack Gates High School, and before you begin, I'm sorry. ...for interrupting you.
• Thank you for all that you do for the community. Thank you for testifying.
• Owen Lee, who fought side by side with her for those same values: for justice, for freedom, for opportunity
• They were standing up for themselves, and I thank them. I hope that we don't get to this point.
• only, for Trump's uncalled-for redemption.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For many—oh, for many—Jesus on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. Thank you. One second.
• people who are high risk, ...to use artificial intelligence to target resources for people who are high
• And for over 100 years in this country, safety for...
• Thank you for your concern and just for...
• Thank you for your concern. and just for...

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 1892 on HOA/Davis-Stirling Act cleanup provisions. The author and sponsor said the bill would clarify HOA responsibilities for utility service repairs in common areas, align election notice timelines, and require electronic voting ballots to be sent at least 30 days before an election. No opposition was presented, and the bill was set aside to be taken up later when a quorum was available. The committee then heard AB 1708, which would revise the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program to give smaller cities a clearer role in regional homelessness planning and access to funding. Mayors and city representatives from Bellflower, Paramount, and other cities testified that smaller jurisdictions are spending significant local funds on shelters and services but lack direct access to HHAP dollars. Some larger-city and housing advocates opposed or were opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could add administrative burden, but committee members broadly supported the goal of including smaller cities in regional responses. Members also heard AB 2058 on factory-built housing, AB 2576 on historic-resource protections under SB 79, AB 1751 on missing-middle townhomes, AB 1924 on homelessness prevention, AB 2626 on waiving certain monitoring fees for at-risk affordable housing developments, and AB 2089 on welfare-exemption and recertification procedures for affordable housing. Testimony generally emphasized reducing duplicative local permitting for factory-built housing, protecting state and national historic resources while still allowing housing near transit, expanding ministerial approval for townhomes, creating a statewide homelessness-prevention strategy with accountability measures, giving HCD flexibility to waive fees to preserve financially stressed affordable housing, and streamlining property-tax exemption recertification. Several bills were voted out of committee, including AB 1751 and AB 2626, both passing on 8-0 and 7-0 votes respectively, while other measures were discussed with motions pending or held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• CoreCivic refused to give my mom her medications for high blood pressure, asthma, pre-diabetes, prescription
• CoreCivic refused to give my mom her medications for high blood pressure, asthma, pre-diabetes, prescription
• So thank you for coming. Thank you for sharing, for being vulnerable enough to tell your story.
• So I respectfully ask for your aye vote for SB 1089.
• Courts were forced to quickly identify alternative placements for high-risk individuals, often without

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• His addiction began in high school when he was prescribed opiates for pain after oral surgery and an
• Our program, designed for middle and high school students, features our locally produced documentary,
• The hope here is to lay this over for possible inclusion because of the work everybody's doing on it.
• The hope here is to lay this over for possible inclusion because of the work everybody's doing on it.
• </c> the Hope here is to lay this over for the Hope here is to lay this over for possible<00:24:36.559

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really a pleasure for me to be here for the first time.
• Most police actions occurred in high school. High schools lack the training for de-escalation.
• While my son still deals with school aversion, there is still hope for other children younger than him
• us, again, this is a new issue for me, being able to— I don't— for us, again, this is a new issue for
• Archibek was my home visitor for my child, for my baby.

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement

Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions for Katie? Thank you. For Director Cam Gandhi.
• 51 high-risk complaints.
• I intend to request again for fiscal year 2028, and I'm hopeful that based on some of the changes we're
• for ineligible clients.
• For our fourth and...

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The nominees for 24 eyes. Thank you.
• No vote for Senator Awa and votes? No vote for Senator Awa and Senator<00:13:49.519><c> Dort.
• No vote for Senator Decort. votes? No vote for Senator Decort. Senator<00:14:12.160><c> Awa.
• So for my community, superintendent.
• </c><00:18:36.320><c> Thank</c> hope to clear his name. Mahalo. Thank hope to clear his name.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:18:40.520><c> OLA</c><00:18:41.160><c> and</c> for two people for the OLA and for two people for
• </c> would stand for questions. would stand for questions.
• They cannot find subs for subs. For subs. They can't.
• </c> subs for subs. subs for subs. For<01:10:18.160><c> subs.</c> For subs. For subs.
• And I hope we get serious about reforming what you call paid family medical leave for all.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for it.
• , and Every 15 Minutes for high school students, talking about DUI and the importance of staying away
• communities and every 15 minutes for high school students talking about DUI and their importance of Spanish-speaking
• communities and every 15 minutes for high school students talking about DUI and their importance of
• for arresting them for the DUI?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Martini, thank you, Inspector General, for being back for us.
• So, yeah, that's really what we're looking for, for guidance on that.
• Thank you both for your time and for the time of your team.
• Thank you both for your time and for the time of your team.
• Under Chapter 268A with our codes of conduct for state employees, for conflicts of interests, for unwarranted

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The committee met to review MassDOT’s failed service plaza procurement and the Inspector General’s findings. Chair Montigny opened with a broad critique of procurement culture, conflict-of-interest risks, and the need for stronger oversight, saying the committee’s role is bipartisan and investigative and that subpoenas would be used if necessary. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro then summarized his investigatory letter, saying MassDOT had created procedures that could have supported a fair process but did not follow them. He identified eight major problems, including inadequate conflict-of-interest disclosures, undisclosed relationships and communications with Applegreen and Suffolk Construction, violations of contact rules, inconsistent weighting of evaluation subfactors, weak documentation of scoring, unclear information-sharing with subject matter experts, live roll-call scoring that increased perceived bias, and insufficient board/committee review before approval. He recommended clearer disclosure forms, stronger training, better documentation, sealed scoring, clearer rules for internal communications, and more public board involvement. Committee members pressed the Inspector General on whether the conduct violated law, how to define and police “appearance” of conflicts, whether employees should be held accountable, and whether prior evaluators should be excluded from the new process. Shapiro said his report did not conclude that laws were violated, but that the process was seriously flawed and that accountability should be handled within agencies. He also said he would provide additional written recommendations on broader procurement standards and noted that some oversight functions may need clearer definitions and better recordkeeping across agencies and quasi-public entities. The chair and members emphasized that the problems appeared systemic rather than limited to one administration or one contract. MassDOT Interim Secretary Phil Ting and Undersecretary Jonathan Gulliver then described the new procurement approach. They said the prior process had been a failure, but that the new effort is a complete reset with no one from the prior evaluation participating. MassDOT plans to split the plazas into three geographic packages, use a design-build/public-private partnership framework, and create a P3 Commission with appointments from the governor, legislative leaders, and treasurer, plus review by the Inspector General and Attorney General. They said the new scoring will be more objective, with financial scoring set at 60% and based on a guaranteed maximum price and other mathematical measures rather than projected revenues, and that technical and financial evaluations will be separated in a double-blind process. Members signaled cautious support for the changes but continued to question whether the new structure and oversight will be enough to prevent a repeat of the earlier procurement failures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have included school safety for all students, with the hope that we can increase protections for
• that we can increase with the hope that we can increase protections<00:01:01.360><c> for</c><00:01:01.520
• So I want to thank Senator Rarick for bringing this and I hope that using this money that's not being
• So I want to thank Senator Rarick for bringing this and I hope that using this money that's not being
• I thank you for bringing this and I do hope that we, going into the future, can find ways to provide

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all