Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning on page 19, Standing Committee Report No. 3851 for one day notice. So ordered.
• Standing Committee Report No. 3852 for adoption. Senator Wakai: Mr.
• President, I move for the adoption of Standing Committee Report No. 3852. Senator DeCourcy: Mr.
• If there are no objections from the members, we'll be taking advise and consent on Standing Committee
• :56.880><c> 3841</c> Standing Committee Report numbers 3841 Standing Committee Report numbers 3841 [music

Bills: SCR47 , SCR21 , SCR163 , SCR169 , SCR170 , SCR50 , SCR75 , SCR149 , HCR83 , HCR111 , HCR110 , HCR122 , HCR118 , HCR61 , HCR162 , HCR36 , HCR19 , HCR106 , HCR14 , HCR178 , SB3022 , SB3102 , SB3144

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stand for the prayer by Donna Kaffar, our legislative chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge
• Reports of standing committees: Without objection, reports of standing committees listed on the calendar
• Reports of standing committees listed on the calendar will not be read; the reports will be entered in
• You can stand up. And he is the mayor of I'm done. You can stand up. And he is the mayor of Kelvin.
• Please read the committee amendment. Thank you. Please read the committee amendment. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:35:43.920><c> Committee</c> see where you're standing. Committee see where you're standing.
• ><c> says</c> standing committee amendment that says standing committee amendment that says if<03:38:
• </c> standing committee amendments? standing committee amendments?
• ><c> one</c> standing committee amendment number one standing committee amendment number one to<03:39
• Standing committee opposed? No.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's important to note for the committee.
• Seeing none, without objection, these stand reviewed.
• Seeing none, this item stands reviewed.
• Seeing none, this item stands for review. Seeing none, this item stands reviewed without objection.
• Any other business before the committee? Seeing none, this meeting stands adjourned.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stand up, please. Thank you. Two people standing. What do you call in a division?
• All those against, please stand.
• is standing now.
• We had several people standing. We had some people standing up.
• We had several people standing up. We had some people standing up.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> add additional comments or you can stand add additional comments or you can stand on<00:01:23.720
• We talked about to the House Committee Committee Committee uh<00:03:15.880><c> on</c><00:03:16.040><c
• testimony,</c> Stand on the written testimony, Stand on the written testimony, commented.<00:04:57.040
• My name is Shane committee members.
• Stand on my testimony. Thank you. Thank Stand on my testimony. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on April 17, 2026, and heard testimony on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 18 would request the Department of Health to convene a hospice working group; the Department testified in opposition, saying its enforcement role created a conflict of interest and that the work exceeded its compliance-focused scope. The measure’s introducer proposed amendments to have a legislator, rather than DOH, chair the group and to remove a date restriction on hospices. The committee later recommended HCR 18 be passed with amendments. HCR 32 sought a plan to increase access to the Hawaii State Hospital for certain mentally ill criminal defendants. The Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration and the governor’s office indicated support or willingness to work on the issue, while the ACLU provided comments and OHA supported the measure. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HCR 35, on an audit of the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, drew broad support from medical, patient advocacy, and professional organizations, and a surgical oncologist testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of biomarker testing for cancer treatment. The committee recommended passage as is. HCR 105 asked the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile recommended safe patient staffing ratios and maintain a repository; the Center said it had already begun the work and was happy to continue, and the committee adopted an amendment changing the focus from “ratios” to “strategies and ratios” before recommending passage. HCR 173 urged Maui Health to work with stakeholders to establish a full-time medical residency program on Maui; testimony supported the idea as a way to formalize and expand an existing informal program and improve local health care access, including maternity care. The committee recommended HCR 173 pass with technical amendments. All recommendations were adopted without objection, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee? committee? All<00:22:37.040><c> right.
• I stand in support of of the committee.
• Jimmy Freeze, AI Fish. committee. Riley Yeo from the Department committee.
• I stand in strong support the committee.
• </c> those with the committee if requested. those with the committee if requested.

Bills: SB2908 , SB2671 , SB3085 , SB2907 , SB2353 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2057 , SB3251 , SB2354 , SB3001

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills, with most measures drawing broad support and a few generating significant opposition or policy questions. SB 2908 SD1 and SB 2671 SD1 were taken up first; both appeared to have majority support, with SB 2908 receiving seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, and SB 2671 receiving five in support and two comments. SB 3085 SD2, related to film industry operations, drew 11 supporters and no opposition. Georgia Skinner explained that the bill would streamline the approval timeline for productions by reducing delays tied to Land Board review, and she said DLNR supported the effort. Committee members asked about the need for the change and the relationship between the film studio, DLNR, and the approval process. The committee then discussed SB 2907 SD1, which would create an Office of Marine Affairs. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, HTDC, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, ocean industry representatives, and others. The governor’s office supported the bill’s intent but objected to placing the office within the Office of the Governor, urging instead that it be housed at HTDC. HTDC said it was willing and excited to take on the work and described ongoing stakeholder engagement. Members asked about the rationale for the placement and the long-term structure of the office. SB 2353 SD2, concerning the Aloha Stadium district and billboard/naming-rights issues, drew strong opposition overall, with four in support, 23 in opposition, and one comment. Andrew Pereira of the Stadium Authority argued the measure could generate revenue to help maintain and operate the stadium and said the district would remain self-contained; he also emphasized that the development would respect the character of the area. The committee then heard SB 2074 SD1, which had five in support and 26 in opposition; only one support testimony from the Carpenters was heard before the discussion moved on. Finally, SB 2360 SD1, an enterprise zones measure, received 14 supportive testimonies and two comments. Testimony focused on updating the program for modern business models, especially e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, while committee members questioned whether the program overlaps with higher tax burdens and whether businesses receiving subsidies should be monitored for job retention after graduation from the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calling the Health and Human Services Committee.
• Um, thank you, committee members.
• Um, thank you, committee members.
• We are standing on our testimony.
• I stand on my written testimony.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.

Transcript Highlights:

• And like to welcome you to this joint hearing of the House Committee on Health and the Committee on Consumer
• </c> members on to get to this committee. members on to get to this committee.
• Mahalo for this the committees.
• I'll largely stand in on our Havi.
• We stand on our written testimony.

Bills: SB2936 , SB2850 , SB2851 , SB2521

Committee: House Health

Summary: The joint hearing covered House Bill 251, which would require hospitals to report costs associated with Medicare and uninsured patients, and House Bill 1875, which would expand protections for gender-affirming health care services. On HB 251, the Department of Health said it supported the intent but described the bill as complicated and potentially impractical as drafted because the department lacks the expertise to produce the required analyses without outside help. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation echoed those concerns, while the Queen’s Health System said it was willing to work with the department to provide the information. In committee discussion, officials explained that hospital support in Hawaii includes public hospital appropriations and the provider tax program, which uses hospital and nursing home contributions to draw federal matching funds; a department witness estimated the net benefit at about $150 million for hospitals and $20 million for nursing facilities, though exact figures would be provided later. On HB 1875, the Insurance Division testified with concerns that the bill’s language on prohibited actions by malpractice insurers was broad and vague, and that a rate-increase prohibition could conflict with actuarially based insurance pricing. The division also noted it was not the primary enforcement agency for the statute. In contrast, many testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, PFLAG Oahu, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Democratic Party, and others. Supporters argued that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and protected by privacy and bodily autonomy principles, and that the bill would protect patients and providers from outside political interference. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So ordered, Madame Clerk. >> Standing Committee Report Nos. 2124 to 2145 for adoption.
• &gt;&gt; Standing<00:02:34.800><c> committee</c><00:02:35.120><c> report</c><00:02:35.519><c> numbers
• </c><00:02:35.920><c> 2124</c> &gt;&gt; Standing committee report numbers 2124 &gt;&gt; Standing committee
• President, I move for the adoption of<00:02:43.360><c> standing</c><00:02:43.680><c> committee</c><00
• :02:44.000><c> reports</c><00:02:44.319><c> numbers</c> of standing committee reports numbers of standing

Bills: SB2060 , SB2342 , SB2577 , SB2580 , SB2809 , SB2397 , SB2315 , SB2442 , SB2152 , SB2380 , SB2462 , SB2055 , SB2438 , SB2533 , SB2203 , SB2087 , SB768 , SB877 , SB1139 , SB787 , HB963 , SB277 , SB2663 , SB2555 , SB2140 , SB2115 , SB2761 , SB2198 , SB2032 , SB2579 , SB2671 , SB2835 , SB2356 , SB2095 , SB2093 , SB2318 , SB2323 , SB2485 , SB2309 , SB2321 , SB2405 , SB2153 , SB2129 , SB2170 , SB2259 , SB2578 , SB2544 , SB2701 , SB2861 , SB2108 , SB2089 , SB2106 , SB847 , SB3326 , SB2047 , SB2695 , SB2667 , SB2919 , SB2446 , SB2146 , SB2723 , SB2210 , SB2527 , SB2645 , SB3331

Transcript Highlights:

• First order, reports of standing committees. The Secretary will read.
• I move that the measures on today's reports of standing committees be referred to the committees as designated
• Reports of standing committees be referred to the committees as designated.
• Senator Ritchelley has moved that the measures on reports of standing committees be referred to the committees
• Hearing no objection, the Senate now stands adjourned.

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, presentation of colors by Senate pages, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer led by Reverend Rennell C. Jones of Tacoma. His daughter, Gabrielle Jones, then performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The chamber also recognized Girl Scout Troop 41752 from southeast Seattle later in the session. After approving the previous day’s journal and handling routine committee and referral motions, the Senate advanced engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5994 on biosimilar medicines to the floor calendar. It also received new introductions and referrals, including Senate Bill 6204, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation. No substantive debate occurred on those measures in this transcript. The main item of business was Senate Resolution 8661, recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and calling on Washingtonians to continue the work of justice, equity, and perseverance. Senator Nobles sponsored the resolution and several senators spoke in support, emphasizing Dr. King’s legacy, courage, nonviolence, and the need to keep working on issues such as racial justice, housing discrimination, and community investment. The Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote, and then adjourned until Tuesday, January 20 at 12:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning on page two, standing committee report numbers 2146 to 2205 for adoption. >> Senator Wakai.
• President, I move for the adoption of standing committee reports numbers 2146 to 2205. >> Senator Dort
• &gt;&gt; Beginning on page two, standing &gt;&gt; Beginning on page two, standing committee<00:03:43.840
• President, I move for the adoption of<00:03:51.120><c> standing</c><00:03:51.440><c> committee</c><00
• :03:51.760><c> reports</c><00:03:52.080><c> numbers</c> of standing committee reports numbers of standing

Bills: SB2169 , SB2263 , SB2360 , SB2359 , SB2031 , SB2796 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2120 , SB2593 , SB2751 , SB2135 , SB2024 , SB2872 , SB3179 , SB2308 , SB2392 , SB2470 , SB2398 , SB2902 , SB2841 , SB2436 , SB2806 , SB2691 , SB2824 , SB2645 , SB2384 , SB2697 , SB3153 , SB3156 , SB888 , SB2423 , SB2746

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to stand... ...going to do about it? We cannot sit this one out. We have to stand up.
• Stand with the Constitution. Stand with the voters who put that provision out there.
• Did you stand on the side of power? Will you stand on the side of power?
• Or would you stand on the side of the people? I'm voting no, because I'm standing with the people.
• and should stand and does stand.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you guys can stand up for me.
• Um, I have the the can stand up for me.
• </c><00:44:59.359><c> against</c> Colorado will continue to stand against Colorado will continue to stand
• We stand this betrayal of our values.
• We stand with Michael and of speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing and join us in the flag salute.
• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted.
• Today we stand to honor the extraordinary legacy of Dr.
• Today, we stand on the mantle of the work of Dr.
• We stand united against injustice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees—without objection, reports of standing committees as listed on the calendar
• Motion to go into committee of the whole representative willoughby motion to go into committee of the
• That's why we had a joint committee hearing of both the House and Senate tax committees yesterday.
• That's why we had a joint committee hearing of both the House and Senate tax committees yesterday.
• , in the Ways and Means Committee last night, in the Committee of the Whole this morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Aloha, chair, members of the committee. Aloha, chair, members of the committee.
• Uh, we stand in strong support, stand on our testimony.
• </c> strong support, stand on our testimony. strong support, stand on our testimony.
• this committee.
• </c><00:42:54.079><c> Stand</c> Shipa in support. Strong support. Stand Shipa in support.

Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stand. She is a Dava Watson. Please stand.
• Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee Report number 1209-26 as listed on page one and that
• Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee Report number 1209-26 as listed on page one and that
• Let's move on to item number seven, reports of standing committees. Representative Kahaloa.
• Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee Report numbers 1210-26 through 1214-26 as listed on

Bills: HR203 , SB2802 , SB3081 , SB2902 , SB2005 , SB3252 , SB2096 , SB2095 , SB2046 , SB2999 , SB3103 , SB83 , SB2041 , SB3234 , SB3156 , SB3154 , SB2146 , SB2053 , SB2010 , SB2009 , SB2667 , SB3215 , SB2698 , SB2363 , SB2372 , SB2673 , SB2948 , SB2277 , SB2057 , SB3085 , SB3025 , SB2761

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees: As this is on the calendar and will be read, the reports will be entered
• Committee of the Whole called to order.
• The Committee of the Whole is called to order.
• The Committee of the Whole is called to order.
• Please stand still. Okay, members, thank you.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and recognitions, including the Dr. of the Day, Korean community guests, students, local officials, and a proclamation honoring the future USS Arizona SSN-803 and the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation. The chamber also announced committee assignments and took up several procedural motions, including reconsideration motions on HB 4027 and HB 2444, both of which were granted and returned to third reading. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on Calendar Numbers One and Two. In Committee of the Whole, HB 4034, dealing with CTE-related issues, was amended and reported do pass after debate over concerns from Tempe Union High School District and EVIT, with supporters saying the bill clarified statute and reduced future disputes. HB 2444 was amended and reported do pass. HB 2992, a pilot program related to sexual abuse prevention, drew opposition over concerns about opt-out instruction, pilot status, and classroom burdens, but it passed Committee of the Whole on a 31-21 division vote after amendments. HB 4027, involving highway naming, was amended and reported do pass despite objections that the amendment still appeared to elevate Charlie Kirk over the existing Ed Pastor designation. On third reading, HB 293 passed 31-22 and HB 2502 passed 37-16. HB 2229, relating to maternal services and funding for pregnancy resource centers, generated extensive debate over abortion-related implications and was defeated 26-27, though a motion to reconsider later succeeded 27-21. HB 2533 failed on reconsideration, while HB 2750 passed 44-9 and HB 2999, a special taxing districts bill tied to housing affordability, passed 32-21 after supporters argued it would lower financing costs and help build more affordable homes. H.C.M. 2009, urging federal action to streamline access to minerals on federal land withdrawals, passed 31-22. The House adjourned until the next day after additional announcements and personal privilege remarks, including a proclamation for Sleep Apnea Awareness Month and a call for more efficient floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is your Committee on Education. Today's date is January 30th.
• The department stands on its written testimony and provides comments.
• </c><00:41:11.560><c> I</c> chair uh Leica and the committee I chair uh Leica and the committee I wanted
• </c><00:55:15.400><c> on</c> department the department stands on department the department stands on
• Aloha, Chair Woodson, Vice Chair, and members of the committee.

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.