Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Well,<00:02:28.319><c> you</c><00:02:28.480><c> have</c><00:02:28.560><c> three</c><00:02:28.720
• </c><00:02:30.080><c> You</c><00:02:30.160><c> know,</c><00:02:30.319><c> the</c><00:02:30.480><c> odds
• </c><00:02:36.640><c> This</c><00:02:37.120><c> um</c><00:02:38.400><c> anyway,</c><00:02:38.879><c>
• c><00:02:44.000><c> um</c><00:02:44.239><c> adds</c><00:02:44.800><c> um</c><00:02:45.760><c> um</c><
• :02:55.519><c> chairman</c><00:02:56.000><c> of</c><00:02:56.400><c> state</c><00:02:56.560><c> and</

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:05 Attendance Roll Call: 00:10 SB 70 Discussion: 00:58 SB 70 Vote: 04:36 SB 80 Discussion: 05:16 SB 80 Vote: 31:45 SB 127 Discussion: 32:30 SB 127 Vote: 39:38 SB 154 Discussion: 41:25 SB 154 Vote: Adjournment: 47:14, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> reported</c><01:02:03.599><c> uh</c><01:02:03.760><c> by</c><01:02:04.359><c> 78</c><01:02:04.960>
• </c><01:02:09.640><c> by</c><01:02:09.799><c> 2%</c><01:02:10.480><c> or</c><01:02:10.680><c> less</c
• <01:02:13.960><c> uh</c><01:02:14.079><c> and</c><01:02:14.200><c> another</c><01:02:14.440><c> area<
• </c><01:02:37.279><c> programs</c><01:02:37.720><c> for</c><01:02:38.640><c> uh</c><01:02:38.799><c>
• <01:02:42.480><c> Veterans</c><01:02:43.480><c> um</c><01:02:43.839><c> in</c><01:02:44.039><c> 2024<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on February 2 and first approved the draft minutes from the prior meeting, with minor corrections to the meeting date and attendance notation. DHHS Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly then gave a department update, describing the current uncertainty around federal priorities and funding, and provided two substantive reports: progress on the new Hampstead Youth Development Center and an update on the department’s review of an ALS registry proposal. She said the YDC project is underway with tree clearing, fencing, stormwater and site-prep work, and remains on track for completion by June 30, 2026 and operation by August 30, 2026. The center currently has 12 youth, and the new design is intended to provide flexibility for fluctuating census levels. On ALS, Tilly explained that HB 576 had prompted the department to examine whether a registry could be built, but the estimated cost of a HIPAA-compliant system was about $750,000. She said DHHS is reviewing whether existing data sources, such as hospital discharge data and CHIS claims data, could provide useful information, but noted both are incomplete for registry purposes. Committee members discussed whether the Rare Disease Advisory Council, Dartmouth, or existing cancer registry infrastructure could help reduce costs. DHHS said it is neutral and willing to continue exploring alternatives, while members emphasized the value of a registry and the need to consider shared infrastructure and funding. The committee also heard from Jenny Horan of the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented the subcommittee’s report on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She said the subcommittee spent the past year gathering information on dementia care, abuse and exploitation issues, caregiver strain, and available services, and is now moving into a second phase focused on identifying gaps and developing a state plan. Members asked about geriatric psychiatric capacity and long-term care availability; Horan said the state has limited capacity and that the plan will help clarify where needs are greatest. She offered to return for follow-up questions at a later meeting. Finally, Olivia May of DHHS presented the quarterly report on the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension. She said New Hampshire implemented the extension after federal and state action, and the first claims data are still emerging because of reporting lags. In the initial cohort studied, 95% received some medical services during the extended period, 52.4% received mental health or substance use disorder treatment, 26.7% received preventive visits, and 3.2% received heart or hypertension services. Members asked about return on investment and whether higher federal matching rates are being used appropriately; DHHS said it claims the highest possible match based on eligibility group and will return with more data over time. The committee then heard the annual therapeutic cannabis program report from Michael Holt, who said the program had 1,475 registered patients as of June 30, 2024 and that growth has slowed, with New Hampshire having the lowest per-capita medical cannabis enrollment nationally.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:02:37.239><c> you</c><00:02:37.400><c> a</c><00:02:37.560><c> minute</c><00:02:37.920><c> or</c
• </c><00:02:40.120><c> vote</c><00:02:40.360><c> to</c><00:02:40.599><c> approve</c><00:02:41.599><c>
• 00:02:47.879><c> do</c><00:02:48.040><c> we</c><00:02:48.159><c> have</c><00:02:48.280><c> a</c><00:02
• ><c> it</c><01:02:21.359><c> but</c><01:02:21.520><c> I</c><01:02:21.680><c> really</c><01:02:21.920>
• 02:29.359><c> look</c><01:02:29.480><c> up</c><01:02:29.640><c> my</c><01:02:29.799><c> legislative</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled organizational business, electing Representative Mark Pearson as chair for the coming term, appointing Representative Lucy Weber as clerk, and approving the November 22 minutes with abstentions from members who were absent. Members also noted excused absences for Senator Avard and Representative Jessica Lontine. After the vote, the committee moved to the DHHS commissioners’ update. DHHS associate commissioners Patricia Tilly and Chris Santinello described a process-improvement effort to improve transitions for youth moving from DCF care into adult developmental services and Medicaid. They said the old process was fragmented, dependent on personal relationships, and not sustainable, so staff from DCF, the Bureau of Family Assistance, Developmental Services, and public health used a Kaizen/Lean event to map the workflow, identify bottlenecks, clarify roles, and create a more consistent playbook. Members asked about IT support and whether the process would create new bureaucracy; DHHS said current systems are antiquated, especially DCF’s CWIS, but the goal is to streamline coordination, not add bureaucracy, and future systems like Granite Families may help with reminders and age-based ticklers. Several members praised the work, including a CASA volunteer who said the added attention has improved services for vulnerable youth. The committee then received the annual healthcare-associated infections update from Ctin Hansen of the Division of Public Health Services. Hansen reported that New Hampshire’s HAI program, created by statute, tracks infections in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, and long-term care facilities. For 2023, hospitals reported fewer infections than predicted nationally, with 135 infections statewide and 174 C. diff infections also below national rates; hospital influenza vaccination was 89.9%. Ambulatory surgery centers reported low infection counts and an 80.1% staff flu vaccination rate; dialysis centers reported fewer infections overall than the prior year but higher local access-site infections, with staff vaccination at 52.6%; and long-term care facilities reported a 50.1% flu vaccination rate, up from 37.8%. Hansen also said the program conducted over 100 investigations, handled 84 antibiotic-resistant organism reports, completed 20 infection-prevention assessments, and operated on a budget of about $348,000 plus grant funding, including an Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity Grant that was later reduced.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's<01:02:11.680><c> exactly</c><01:02:12.240><c> the</c><01:02:12.400><c> same</c><01:02:13.400><c
• ><01:02:16.039><c> one</c><01:02:16.200><c> for</c><01:02:16.480><c> group</c><01:02:16.880><c> and</
• ><c> Care</c><01:02:21.960><c> um</c><01:02:22.160><c> so</c><01:02:22.960><c> just</c><01:02:23.079>
• :41.799><c> on</c><01:02:41.960><c> the</c><01:02:42.160><c> data</c><01:02:42.559><c> that</c><01:02
• 02:47.200><c> from</c><01:02:47.359><c> the</c><01:02:47.480><c> folks</c><01:02:47.799><c> behind</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> under</c><02:38:04.000><c> the</c><02:38:04.160><c> statute</c><02:38:04.479><c> limitation</c>
• that we're under the statute limitation that we're under the statute limitation so<02:38:05.080><c> we
• the committee is by yeah going forward the committee is by Statute<02:55:10.120><c> yes</c><02:55:10.359
• ><c> that's</c><02:55:10.720><c> correct</c><02:55:11.720><c> yeah</c><02:55:12.200><c> I'm</c> Statute
• yes that's correct yeah I'm Statute yes that's correct yeah I'm almost<02:55:12.520><c> think</c><02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:28.400><c> and</c><01:02:28.559><c> it</c><01:02:28.680><c> moved</c><01:02:29.000><c> things</c>
• <02:06:06.040><c> 238</c><02:06:06.679><c> and</c><02:06:06.840><c> 239</c><02:06:07.520><c> of</c><02
• <c> is</c><02:26:37.920><c> quite</c> statute on provider Contracting is quite statute on provider Contracting
• 02:44:30.920><c> uh</c><02:44:31.080><c> we</c><02:44:31.240><c> can't</c><02:44:31.439><c> go</c><02
• <02:55:21.600><c> you</c><02:55:21.800><c> to</c><02:55:22.319><c> vote</c><02:55:22.600><c> it</c><02

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:12.560><c> them</c><02:02:12.920><c> thank</c><02:02:13.079><c> you</c><02:02:13.800><c> thank
• :02:27.800><c> this</c><02:02:28.239><c> bill</c><02:02:29.320><c> uh</c><02:02:30.320><c> I</c><02:02
• 02:34.000><c> my</c><02:02:34.159><c> wife</c><02:02:34.320><c> and</c><02:02:34.440><c> I</c><02:02:
• </c><02:23:06.120><c> statute</c><02:23:06.680><c> HRS</c><02:23:07.600><c> 132</c> Uh current statute
• HRS 132 Uh current statute HRS 132 d-5<02:23:10.240><c> uh</c><02:23:10.439><c> has</c><02:23:10.720

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered House Bill 279 and House Bill 392, both relating to firearms. HB 279 would restrict carrying or possessing firearm parts except at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container, define firearm parts and prohibited persons, and increase penalties for violations. The Department of Law Enforcement strongly supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole involving disassembled or “ghost gun” parts and help law enforcement charge people who carry weapons in pieces. Most public testimony opposed the measure, with speakers arguing it was unconstitutional, vague, hard to enforce, and would burden lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and firearm dealers; several also said existing laws already cover the conduct. One supporter, Dennis Dunn, said additional firearm security could reduce theft and suicides. The chair noted the committee had received 270 testimonies on HB 279, with 39 in support, 234 in opposition, and one comment. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for using a ghost gun in a felony. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported the bill, saying unserialized firearms are difficult to trace and that prosecutors need clear laws to address them. Supporters argued the measure would help prevent untraceable weapons from circulating and align penalties with other firearm offenses. Opponents, including several gun owners and association representatives, said the bill was unnecessary because existing state and federal laws already prohibit unserialized firearms, and warned it could create confusion, criminalize lawful owners of antique or self-built firearms, and be difficult to administer. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:02.080><c> how</c><02:02:02.320><c> we</c><02:02:02.560><c> do</c><02:02:02.719><c> things
• > 40</c><02:13:39.360><c> different</c><02:13:39.599><c> statutes</c> like 30 or 40 different statutes
• like 30 or 40 different statutes to<02:13:41.360><c> actually</c><02:13:41.599><c> define</c><02:13:
• pages</c><02:24:31.920><c> of</c><02:24:32.080><c> statute</c> Read through their 94 pages of statute
• Read through their 94 pages of statute and<02:24:32.800><c> start</c><02:24:32.960><c> there.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but as I noted this morning,<02:02:50.560><c> uh,</c><02:02:50.719><c> happy</c><02:02:51.040><c>
• Arbor</c><02:02:51.440><c> Day,</c><02:02:52.320><c> uh,</c><02:02:52.480><c> to</c><02:02:52.719><c
• :02:54.719><c> Uh,</c><02:02:54.960><c> my</c><02:02:55.119><c> name</c><02:02:55.199><c> is</c><02:02
• ><c> statute</c><02:04:15.440><c> supposed</c><02:04:15.760><c> to</c><02:04:15.920><c> be</c> entity
• is by statute supposed to be entity is by statute supposed to be funded<02:04:16.400><c> from</c><02

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> fix</c><00:02:29.720><c> an</c><00:02:29.800><c> issue</c><00:02:30.320><c> that</c><00:02:30.920>
• ><c> to</c><00:02:31.400><c> my</c><00:02:31.520><c> attention</c><00:02:31.960><c> by</c><00:02:32.120
• 00:02:40.840><c> come</c><00:02:41.040><c> and</c><00:02:41.120><c> explain.
• So,<00:02:41.880><c> good</c><00:02:42.000><c> morning,</c><00:02:42.280><c> sir,</c><00:02:42.480><c
• But we added<01:02:24.960><c> it</c><01:02:25.160><c> in</c><01:02:25.320><c> between</c><01:02:25.920

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's<01:02:49.040><c> Appointments</c><01:02:49.599><c> Consideration</c> Governor's Appointments
• </c><01:02:51.040><c> Will</c><01:02:51.200><c> the</c><01:02:51.359><c> clerk</c><01:02:51.599><c> please
• Will the clerk please read<01:02:51.920><c> the</c><01:02:52.079><c> appointments</c><01:02:52.480><c
• > listed</c><01:02:52.799><c> on</c><01:02:52.960><c> the</c> read the appointments listed on the read
• the appointments listed on the consent<01:02:53.520><c> calendar?

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the February 23, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports. Education recommended Senate Bill 67 be amended and sent to Appropriations, and Judiciary recommended Senate Bill 70 be amended and sent to Appropriations. The Education Committee also recommended confirmation of several Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board appointments, and later the chamber confirmed a consent calendar of governor’s appointments, including members of the GOCO Trust Fund board, the Colorado Agriculture Development Authority, and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed several bills. Senate Bill 85 and Senate Bill 25, both on the consent calendar, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 5, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement, passed on a 20-11 vote after a brief reconsideration mix-up and was then repassed. Senate Bill 18, concerning legal protections for a minor and sealing a related name-change record, passed 20-11. Senate Bill 31, concerning lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I controlled substance, passed 29-2. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and took up Senate Bill 46, a property tax administration cleanup bill. After a Finance Committee report and adoption of amendment L003, the bill passed second reading and was ordered engrossed. The committee also laid over Senate Bills 53, 43, and 84 until February 25. Later, the Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 52, concerning coal transition communities and just transition money, and then repassed it. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and recessed until 11:00 a.m. after announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and Musical Therapist Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:02:19.520><c> be</c><00:02:19.680><c> able</c><00:02:19.840><c> to</c><00:02:19.920><c
• </c><00:02:21.680><c> be</c><00:02:21.760><c> able</c><00:02:21.920><c> to</c><00:02:22.000><c> sit</
• <01:02:07.520><c> to</c><01:02:07.760><c> care</c><01:02:08.000><c> as</c><01:02:08.240><c> usual.
• The most<01:02:30.640><c> of</c><01:02:30.799><c> those</c><01:02:31.040><c> guys,</c><01:02:31.440><
• </c><01:02:40.240><c> uh</c><01:02:40.400><c> to</c><01:02:40.720><c> a</c><01:02:40.960><c> person.

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, all<00:02:29.840><c> this</c><00:02:30.080><c> bill</c><00:02:30.400><c> does</c><00:02:30.879><c
• ><c> the</c><00:02:36.640><c> time</c><00:02:36.800><c> those</c><00:02:37.120><c> payraises</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:38.560><c> And</c><00:02:38.720><c> it</c><00:02:38.879><c> captures</c><00:02:39.280><c>
• ><c> retired</c><00:02:44.720><c> from</c><00:02:44.959><c> the</c><00:02:45.120><c> court</c><00:02:
• &gt;&gt; Well,<00:02:53.599><c> I</c><00:02:53.760><c> I</c><00:02:54.080><c> will</c><00:02:54.239><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 Legislative Proposal: Representative Blanton: 01:12 • House Bill 220 Approval of Minutes: 10:07 Legislative Proposal: Senator Nunn: 10:24 • Sick Leave Flexibility for School District Employees Adjournment: 34:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Representative John Blanton’s bill on pension spiking and Kentucky Public Pension Authority administration. Blanton said the measure would make a prior court-related pension-spiking fix retroactive to July 1, 2022, so employees who retired between that date and the court ruling would be treated the same as those covered by the earlier legislation. KPPPA staff said they did not think the bill would go beyond the Court of Appeals ruling, but noted it could prompt requests from people who retired before July 1, 2022. Members asked about how many retirees might be affected, whether the language was narrow enough, and whether the bill could open the door to additional claims; Blanton estimated roughly 1,000 retirees would need review, with fewer actually impacted. No vote was taken on the bill in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senator Matt Nunn and Scott County Schools Superintendent Billy Parker present a proposal allowing school districts to offer teachers and other employees a voluntary payout for unused sick days. Supporters said the idea could improve attendance, reduce substitute costs and classroom disruptions, help retain younger teachers, and potentially lower long-term retirement-related costs because the payout would not count toward pension compensation. They emphasized the program would be optional for districts and employees, would require teachers to keep at least 15 sick days in reserve, and would be district-funded rather than a state cost. Members raised questions about budget impact, tax treatment, pension effects, and whether the incentive would actually change behavior; the bill sponsor and witnesses said the payout would be taxed like other compensation and would not affect TRS or CERS benefits. One member requested reporting on how the program would be used, and the sponsor said he would be open to adding that. The sponsor also noted a later committee-substitute change would allow use of accumulated sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise on the school calendar, with a personal statement from the employee.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03.040><c> So</c><02:02:03.280><c> they</c><02:02:03.599><c> are</c><02:02:03.840><c> not</c><02:02:
• , you wouldn't be<02:02:08.239><c> it</c><02:02:08.400><c> would</c><02:02:08.560><c> help</c><02:02:
• I that's<02:02:10.320><c> good</c><02:02:10.480><c> to</c><02:02:10.639><c> know,</c><02:02:10.880><c
• not</c><02:02:14.800><c> either</c><02:02:15.280><c> know</c><02:02:15.599><c> of</c><02:02:15.840><c
• 02:02:22.800><c> update</c><02:02:23.199><c> their</c><02:02:23.520><c> status</c><02:02:23.920><c> and

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:03.920><c> given</c><01:02:04.200><c> moment</c><01:02:04.599><c> we</c><01:02:04.760><c> have</c>
• /c><01:02:05.680><c> five</c><01:02:05.960><c> other</c><01:02:06.359><c> states</c><01:02:07.359><c>
• to<01:02:21.039><c> move</c><01:02:21.319><c> forward</c><01:02:21.760><c> with</c><01:02:21.920><c>
• it</c><01:02:22.880><c> um</c><01:02:23.279><c> we</c><01:02:23.520><c> passed</c><01:02:23.799><c>
• </c><01:02:28.680><c> other</c><01:02:28.960><c> states</c><01:02:29.680><c> you</c><01:02:29.799><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 451, which would create a postconsumer paint stewardship program in New Hampshire. Prime sponsor Representative Karen Ebel described the bill as a bipartisan, broadly supported model based on PaintCare programs used in other states. She said consumers and businesses could drop off leftover paint at participating retailers or municipal household hazardous waste sites, with the paint then collected and recycled by the stewardship organization. She emphasized that the program is intended to reduce landfill disposal, improper dumping, and contamination of groundwater and soil, while also helping municipalities save on hazardous waste handling costs. Members asked several questions about how the program would work and how it would be funded. Ebel explained that the program would be financed by a small fee charged at the point of sale on paint products, not a general sales tax, and that retailers could either list it separately or roll it into the price. She said the fee would cover the Department of Environmental Services’ administrative costs, which were described as minimal, and that the program’s structure was developed with DES and industry input. Questions also addressed whether cans would be recycled and how collected paint would be processed; Ebel said the ACA and PaintCare representatives could provide more detail, but that the paint and containers would be handled through recycling or other approved disposal methods rather than landfilled. Representative Judy Aron, a co-sponsor and chair of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, testified in support, saying the bill had been developed over several years with stakeholders and would keep toxic paint out of landfills while saving municipalities and taxpayers money. Representative Peter Bixby, the ranking member of Environment and Agriculture, also supported the bill, saying his committee had heard it many times and that it had strong bipartisan enthusiasm. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<01:02:12.040><c> however,</c><01:02:12.840><c> um</c><01:02:13.520><c> while</c><01:02:13.960><c>
• <c> that</c><01:02:16.160><c> this</c><01:02:16.440><c> bill</c><01:02:17.360><c> um</c><01:02:17.840
• On<02:01:59.480><c> page</c><02:01:59.920><c> 16,</c><02:02:00.880><c> Stand</c><02:02:01.200><c> Com
• Health Care Act chapter 393, Hawaii<02:53:48.840><c> Revised</c><02:53:49.360><c> Statutes,</c> Hawaii
• Revised Statutes, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which<02:53:51.000><c> is</c><02:53:51.120><c> also</c><02

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> with</c><01:02:13.599><c> feral</c><01:02:14.000><c> pig</c><01:02:14.319><c> control</c><01:02:
• <c> basis</c><01:02:19.200><c> so</c><01:02:19.440><c> that</c><01:02:19.839><c> USDA</c><01:02:21.119
• :22.400><c> work</c><01:02:22.640><c> on</c><01:02:22.880><c> feral</c><01:02:23.280><c> hog</c><01:02
• ><c> be</c><01:02:26.640><c> putting</c><01:02:26.880><c> a</c><01:02:27.200><c> tremendous</c><01:02
• :28.720><c> in</c><01:02:28.960><c> the</c><01:02:29.119><c> tool</c><01:02:29.440><c> pouch</c><01:02

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.279><c> me</c><01:02:00.440><c> to</c><01:02:00.640><c> feel</c><01:02:01.119><c> that</c><01:02:
• 01:02:07.599><c> wasn't</c><01:02:07.799><c> even</c><01:02:08.079><c> there</c><01:02:08.200><c> I</
• <c> and</c><01:02:12.440><c> it</c><01:02:12.559><c> just</c><01:02:12.760><c> you</c><01:02:12.880><
• <01:02:14.680><c> me</c><01:02:14.799><c> to</c><01:02:15.359><c> makes</c><01:02:15.520><c> you</c><
• </c><01:02:18.599><c> sitting</c><01:02:18.880><c> next</c><01:02:19.119><c> to</c><01:02:19.599><c>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.839><c> leave</c><01:02:08.520><c> uh</c><01:02:08.640><c> the</c><01:02:08.720><c> language</c><
• 01:02:09.079><c> as</c><01:02:09.279><c> is</c><01:02:09.400><c> is</c><01:02:09.559><c> the</c> to leave
• </c><01:02:17.359><c> 914</c><01:02:18.240><c> chair's</c><01:02:18.640><c> recommendation</c> voting
• 01:02:19.599><c> pass</c><01:02:19.799><c> with</c><01:02:20.039><c> amendments</c><01:02:20.880><c>
• 01:02:23.400><c> any</c><01:02:23.680><c> with</c><01:02:24.200><c> reservations</c> ...members, any

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive<00:02:24.879><c> Office</c><00:02:25.080><c> on</c><00:02:25.239><c> Aging</c><00:02:25.560
• :38.840><c> and</c><00:02:38.959><c> we</c><00:02:39.080><c> also</c><00:02:39.239><c> got</c><00:02:
• <00:02:45.400><c> thank</c><00:02:45.519><c> you</c><00:02:45.800><c> sorry</c><00:02:46.519><c> Tes<
• ><c> Kathy</c><00:02:48.040><c> Cher</c><00:02:48.360><c> s</c><00:02:49.000><c> and</c><00:02:49.159
• :02:52.080><c> other</c><00:02:52.280><c> options</c><00:02:52.640><c> to</c><00:02:52.760><c> get</c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.