Transcript Highlights:

• experienced testifiers coming up before you very shortly, but please allow me to simplify GIC with a small
• Uh, the highest is in a small utility in southern Minnesota, about 3%. >> Mr. Chair.
• Uh, the highest is in a small utility in southern Minnesota, about 3%.
• Uh, reality is a lot of those 1,600 are probably family farms that need the power or, you know, small
• Uh, and appreciate the opportunity to highlight some data. small problem today and I think that it small

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• town north of Bowling Green called small town north of Bowling Green called Beaverdam.<00:51:12.079>
• I was given a small test dose first to make sure there was no adverse reaction.
• I was given a small test withdrawal.
• So these studies have, so far, been done by private small groups.
• <01:46:03.280> groups far been done by private small groups far been done by private small

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00 2. Approval of Minutes – 00:01:32 3. Getting to Know the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky – 00:02:26 4. Healthy Kids Clinic – 00:26:58 5. Pharmacy Payment Parity – 00:56:36 6. Ibogaine – 01:17:37 7. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:53:05 8. Adjournment – 01:53:19, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized Eric Clark for his service, noting this may be his last meeting before he leaves state government. The main presentation was from Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who described the organization’s history, nonpartisan mission, and focus on health equity, prevention, and upstream policy solutions. She said Kentucky’s poor rankings in chronic disease, preventable hospitalizations, and life expectancy show the need to shift resources toward prevention and community-driven strategies rather than relying mainly on treatment after people become sick. Adams emphasized leading health indicators, arguing that lawmakers should track actionable measures such as quit attempts and smoke-free policies instead of only lagging indicators like disease rates and mortality. In response to questions, she said accountability should be shared across communities and systems, with possible incentives and disincentives tied to outcomes, and she supported creating a public data utility or dashboard, ideally with university partners, to help legislators and communities monitor progress. She also cited examples of accountable health community models and said Kentucky could adapt similar approaches. The committee then heard from Meade County Schools Superintendent Mark Martin and district health coordinator Karen Kotche about the Healthy Kids Clinic partnership with Cumberland Health. They described a seven-year effort that led to full implementation in the district, which now has a nurse in every school and a nurse practitioner, allowing services such as sports physicals and other clinic functions to be provided on campus. They said the program has been a strong investment for students and the community and began explaining how the district built the partnership after earlier efforts and delays, including the pandemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• So even something as small as a little savings card with privacy protections that aren't available to
• So even something as small as a little savings card with privacy protections that aren't available to
• So even something as small as a little savings card with privacy protections that aren't available to
• I know it is a small program.
• program I think there are only two small program I think there are only two congregate<01:15:20.400>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first recessed briefly, then took up HB 570, the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB). The chair and several members discussed the House amendment to repeal the board, which removed the fiscal note. The main concern raised was that the PDAB had not yet produced a clear business case showing value for the taxpayer investment, despite several years of work and four annual reports. Supporters of the repeal said the board’s recent report was largely redundant and that the board should either demonstrate a strong return on investment or be shut down; others cautioned against discarding the program too quickly and urged more time to refine the mission and legislative language. No vote was taken, and the committee appeared to agree to retain the bill for further work, with the possibility of revisiting it in a formal executive session on Tuesday. Members also shifted into discussion of HB 2, beginning with Section 85 on opioid abatement trust fund dollars for shelter programs. Department of Health and Human Services officials explained that the provision would provide $10 million from the opioid abatement trust fund, replacing general funds in the governor’s budget, while also noting an additional $2.5 million prioritized needs request for shelter care that was already fully funded. Committee members asked about shelter bed capacity, job placement efforts, and the remaining balance in the opioid fund; DHHS said there are 934 contracted beds and that case management includes help with housing and employment. Officials also said the current proposed budget includes another $1 million later in HB 2 from the opioid fund. The committee then began discussion of Sections 86 through 87, which would preserve the department’s ability to transfer funds between personnel lines. DHHS said the provision is operationally critical and that losing it would make it extremely difficult to manage the department, though it would not have a direct fiscal impact. The next item introduced was Section 88, extending a suspension related to eligibility for services until July 1, 2027; DHHS indicated that if the suspension were not continued, it would likely increase expenditures for Community Mental Health Centers and potentially others. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• by his home care nurse emergently and subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia, pancreatitis, sepsis, small
• These communities are limited in the food resources they have, typically only having a small grocery
• store or a small diner.
• of them being small Rural and hard-to-reach<01:31:27.239> communities<01:31:28.239> these<
• having a small sea store or a small having a small sea store or a small Diner<01:31:34.400> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, this is ours: small classes, one-on-one personalized attention.
• Well, this is ours: small classes, one-on-one personalized attention.
• Well, this is ours: small classes, one-on-one personalized attention.
• You can see, we offer small classes and a lot of one-on-one attention. That takes personnel.
• I mean, that's incredible, both with the small amount of staff and the small budget, and I hope lots

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are pretty small changes that I think would make a huge difference for our special ed teachers.
• education teachers to pretty small education teachers to pretty small changes<01:04:00.680> that
• So we'll be working to scoop up that small group of educators over the coming year.
• Spring Grove is a small rural district.
• <01:43:20.159> steps<01:43:20.560> forward to grow in those small steps forward to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:30.839> scale the fasta application on a small scale the fasta application on a small
• It has been shown to be pretty effective, but it's only been found effective in a small number of high
• It has been shown to be pretty effective, but it's only been found effective in a small number of high
• It has been shown to be pretty effective, but it's only been found effective in a small number of high
• It has been shown to be pretty effective, but it's only been found effective in a small number of high

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Office of Higher Education on college access efforts, with a focus on FAFSA outreach, the Get Ready program, and Direct Admissions Minnesota. Wendy Robinson said OHE’s role is to provide nonpartisan information, partner with K-12, colleges, and community groups, and use statewide programs to expand awareness of higher education options and financial aid. She highlighted outreach through brochures, virtual sessions, conferences, the State Fair, and events serving specific populations, as well as the Lumina-funded Connect College grant and the federally funded Get Ready program, which serves about 7,500 low-income students across 14 capacity-building schools and 28 additional schools with tutoring, college visits, application help, and financial aid support. A member asked for demographic data on Get Ready students, and staff said they would provide it later. Robinson also reviewed FAFSA outreach, noting that last year was especially difficult for students because of federal FAFSA problems. OHE’s Ready Set FAFSA sessions drew 1,300 unique registrations in October and 939 in January, and the agency continued training K-12 and college staff on state aid programs, FAFSA simplification, and implementation of North Star Promise. OHE said it also held FAFSA completion events with partners, including at the State Fair, and planned another financial aid event in Duluth. The bulk of the presentation covered Direct Admissions Minnesota. Robinson said the program is now in its fourth year, with 55 participating colleges and universities and 182 participating high schools in the third cohort, serving just over 32,000 students. She described the program as a broad, collaborative model that sends students letters listing colleges that would admit them based on junior-year performance, while preserving student choice and waiving application fees for participating schools. She said the program is intended to reduce anxiety about admissions, encourage FAFSA completion, and keep more Minnesota students in-state. Robinson previewed second-year data showing continued positive outcomes, including higher FAFSA completion, increased college enrollment, and more students staying in Minnesota. Participation increased among students eligible for free and reduced lunch, rising from 21% in the first year to 40% in the second year. She noted a continuing concern about American Indian and Alaska Native students, whose FAFSA completion declined and whose participation numbers were lower in the newest cohort, and said the agency would continue to study that data. She also said some of the increase in free-and-reduced-lunch participation may reflect the impact of North Star Promise and related financial aid messaging. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• in this project to serve producers and practitioners and meet those needs, particularly focused on small
• in this project to serve producers and practitioners and meet those needs, particularly focused on small
• <00:41:08.920> farmers indigenous practitioners small farmers indigenous practitioners small
• <01:32:00.760> businesses native o organizations small businesses native o organizations small
• are the monies that go out minus a small are the monies that go out minus a small administrative

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:15:31.880> adjustment Members, this makes a small adjustment Members, this makes a small
• <01:17:27.840> Small report. To the committee report. Small report.
• small change to the ledge deck. small change to the ledge deck.
• Senator Small Wilson. I'm sorry. Senator Small Wilson.
• small towns like I live in. small towns like I live in.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I took Representative Bixby's suggestion, where the small producer comes on page 2, line 15.
• His feeling was that they would cover it if you're going to exempt the small producers.
• you're going to exempt the small you're going to exempt the small producers.<00:48:56.800> I<
• <00:51:21.280> And exemption for small producers. And exemption for small producers.
• is that if we're going to exempt small is that if we're going to exempt small farmers<00:52:08.480

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environmental Policy Subcommittee took up HB 1621, which would require a baseline environmental impact study before development of certain manufacturing and storage facilities. Members said the concept had merit, but they could not resolve major drafting and implementation issues, including how to define covered facilities, what the study would require, and how enforcement would work at the municipal or county level. Several members expressed concern about unintended consequences and said the proposal was not ready; the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL), and the full committee later adopted that recommendation on a 16-0 roll call vote, placing the bill on consent. The committee then discussed HB 1053, involving electronically submitted pesticide use reports. Representative Comtois presented an amendment creating a department database and protecting confidential information, but said she still needed to check whether it was germane and to review administrative issues with the Department of Agriculture. After hearing from David Russo of the Division of Pesticide Control, the committee agreed to continue work on the amendment and took no action that day. The committee also reviewed HB 1186 on egg labeling and producer exemptions. Representative Comtois offered an amendment exempting small producers from most requirements except labeling, but Commissioner Sean Jasper asked for more time to review the impact and suggested the state might not need the existing egg law at all if federal USDA rules already cover the field. Members agreed to hold action until the following week. Finally, the committee began discussion of HB 1780 on penalties for violations involving seeds, plants, and nursery stock, focusing on labeling rules and germination-date requirements; testimony from industry and department representatives indicated they were working toward a compromise that would allow multiple relabelings, add production dates, and set a 36-month sale limit, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• suggestion uh where um the small suggestion uh where um the small producer producer producer uh<
• you're going to exempt the small you're going to exempt the small producers.<00:48:56.800> I<
• <00:51:21.280> And exemption for small producers. And exemption for small producers.
• And I protect our small farmers.
• is that if we're going to exempt small is that if we're going to exempt small farmers<00:52:08.480

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• shop where creative design meets small shop where creative design meets small business.<00:51:33.040
• This journey of becoming a small team.
• It makes permanent small relief. It makes permanent small business<00:52:26.960> deductions.
• <00:52:33.440> It double small business expensing. It double small business expensing.
• What he did was small tax break? No.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A<00:29:13.600> small<00:29:14.040> high-risk<00:29:14.600> subset<00:29:15.040>
• of<00:29:15.120> drivers, A small high-risk subset of drivers, A small high-risk subset
• A lot of our small cities, for small cities in the 1,100, 1,200 range, and even the larger cities, a
• a game changer in Minnesota for a lot be a game changer in Minnesota for a lot of<01:23:09.720> small
• cities and large cities of small cities and large cities to<01:23:11.840> help<01:23:12.680><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Well, it does happen with small landlords having four or five units. It does happen.
• >> Well, it does happen with small >> Well, it does happen with small landlords<00:20
• So this is a pro-small-business policy that DHCD administers.
• <00:54:52.960> businesses<00:54:53.359> and are Maryland based small businesses and
• are Maryland based small businesses and nonprofits<00:54:54.880> uh<00:54:54.960> who<

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 5, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 127 members present, heard a prayer, and then recognized 2025 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools and the Maryland Municipal League on its 90th anniversary. The Blue Ribbon resolution named Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Diamond Elementary School, Little Flower School, Meyersville Elementary School, St. Louis School, Stoneleigh Elementary School, and Wilson Whims Elementary School, with principals introduced from the gallery. The MML resolution honored the league’s service to Maryland’s cities and towns and invited members to meet municipal officials after the floor session. The clerk also noted a second printing of the 2026 rule book due to a table-of-contents error. The chamber then took up House Bill 80, the Residential Leases Fee Disclosures bill. Floor debate focused on what fees must be disclosed, what counts as a utility versus a fee, whether the bill applies to oral leases, and how the measure applies to landlords with four or more units. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure tenants know all upfront fees before signing and to create a clear enforcement pathway; opponents raised concerns about penalties, affordability, and the burden on landlords. The bill passed on third reading by a vote of 95-34. The House next considered House Bill 153, which requires air conditioning in newly constructed residential rental units and units undergoing specified substantial renovations, with the standard that habitable spaces be kept at 80 degrees or lower. Members asked whether window units would satisfy the requirement, how the bill interacts with older buildings and ongoing renovations, whether it applies retroactively, how enforcement would work, and whether it references federal refrigerant rules; the sponsor said it does not require central air and is prospective only. Supporters argued it reflects existing practice in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and clarifies habitability standards, while opponents cited costs and concerns about older homes. The transcript ends during debate on this bill, before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if part of our outcomes is to be able to fill that gap, however big or small, I would love to do
• plumbing business or your own small carpentry or cabinet shop and you can transition that way.
• plumbing business or your own small carpentry or cabinet shop and you can transition that way.
• plumbing business or your own small carpentry or cabinet shop and you can transition that way.
• plumbing business or your own small carpentry or cabinet shop and you can transition that way.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• While 1,500 members seems small, the economic impact on a division of Medicaid could be significant.
• 00:21:14.000> 1500<00:21:14.400> members<00:21:14.960> seems<00:21:15.360> small
• ,<00:21:16.080> the While 1500 members seems small, the While 1500 members seems small, the
• VNS therapy involves a minimally invasive outpatient procedure where a small device, much like this one
• Anybody looking at the small charts up there can tell that the decrease is actually hospital inpatient

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several Medicaid-related topics. First, a pharmacy representative discussed nonopioid pain medications as a way to reduce opioid dependence and overdose risk, emphasizing that options such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and topical diclofenac can be useful for pain management. She cautioned that nonopioids can still have risks and said any policy should avoid requiring patients to step through opioids before accessing safer alternatives, while still allowing reasonable step therapy among nonopioid options. The presenter said the goal is to keep patients from being pushed toward opioids by cost or insurance design. The committee also heard emotional testimony from parents of a child with Prader-Willi syndrome, who described the condition as a rare genetic disorder that causes severe, lifelong hyperphagia and requires rigid supervision and ongoing treatment. They argued that alternative funding programs can disrupt access to medically necessary drugs such as human growth hormone, forcing families into costly and uncertain coverage gaps. They asked lawmakers to ensure insurance coverage remains stable for rare disease patients and thanked Senator Blackwell for prior support of rare disease legislation. Next, a Livanova representative urged the committee to support higher Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulator surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy. He said inadequate hospital reimbursement has reduced access in Mississippi, causing patients to travel long distances or go without treatment, and argued that better reimbursement would improve outcomes and save money over time. He cited studies showing seizure reductions, lower ER use, and a projected $2.8 million in five-year savings for Medicaid based on 40 patients, and asked that hospitals be reimbursed at 100% of Medicare rates for the procedure codes. Finally, a Medicaid official gave a broad overview of hospital payment structure, including fee-for-service, managed care, MHAP, DSH, UPL, provider taxes, and related funding mechanisms. She explained that hospital payments are interrelated and have shifted over time, with major changes tied to managed care, MHAP/UPL increases, and provider taxes. At the end of the discussion, the committee was running short on time and asked her to skip ahead to the provider tax component; no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because these are so small and powerful, stopping them before they enter H-Power is one of our best
• ,<00:10:00.000> stopping<00:10:00.320> them so small and powerful, stopping them so
• small and powerful, stopping them before<00:10:00.800> they<00:10:01.040> enter<00:10:
• <00:18:45.200> craft and allow flexibility for small craft and allow flexibility for small
• And it also includes a small uh shop.

Bills: HB1924, HB2121, HB1928, HB1979, HB1650, HB1543, HB1981, HB1982

Keywords: mattress recycling, waste management, producer responsibility, environmental health, steafardship program, electronic cigarettes, disposable devices, environmental protection, plastic pollution, lithium batteries, pollution control, public health, deposit beverage container, bottle bill, container deposit law, container redemption, recycling refund, extended producer responsibility, EPR, deposit return system

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this is a small group of kids, but we have the worst gun laws ever and kids can't even go to
• Yes, it is a small portion of our Missourians. It's 6%.
• And again, it's almost all raised by small donations from bees and lesbians.
• So these are very, very small minorities.
• So the one out of 60,000 is an incredibly small number. Todd, you don't think that, man.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Small world can pay its own taxes just fine, plus they are a significant consumer of City resources and
• city property small world can pay<00:41:22.000> its<00:41:22.160> own<00:41:22.400>
• You know, reading this bill, it seems like it allow a small number of entities to operate these BLTs,
• this bill it seems like it allow a small this bill it seems like it allow a small number<00:59:31.200
• state to support it's unlike for a small state to support it's unlike almost<01:08:55.480> any

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So he went and broke a small window of a neighbor's house.
• They work with small groups, classrooms, and entire grade levels to implement curriculum and activities
• We believe there are about 400. $200,000 at a very small cost to the state. Thank you.
• This small investment will make a big impact.
• They're a small group, but they're doing a lot of training. We appreciate your consideration.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all