Transcript Highlights:

• :32:05.679><c> I</c><00:32:06.200><c> I</c><00:32:06.399><c> think</c><00:32:06.840><c> that</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:09.519><c> I'd</c><00:32:09.679><c> be</c><00:32:09.799><c> a</c><00:32:09.880><c> little<
• ><c> back</c><00:32:12.480><c> uh</c><00:32:12.600><c> to</c><00:32:12.840><c> the</c><00:32:13.279><
• <00:32:15.559><c> and</c><00:32:16.159><c> you</c><00:32:16.279><c> know</c><00:32:16.440><c> there's
• citizens that<00:32:17.320><c> are</c><00:32:17.519><c> involved</c><00:32:18.519><c> and</c><00:32:

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• uh</c><00:32:04.480><c> the</c><00:32:04.720><c> volume</c><00:32:05.039><c> of</c><00:32:05.279><c>
• </c><00:32:10.000><c> Of</c><00:32:10.320><c> note</c><00:32:10.960><c> though,</c><00:32:11.200><c>
• <c> so</c><00:32:20.960><c> we</c><00:32:21.120><c> did</c><00:32:21.279><c> call</c><00:32:21.440><c
• </c><00:32:23.279><c> We</c><00:32:23.519><c> also</c><00:32:23.840><c> want</c><00:32:24.000><c> to<
• 00:32:32.880><c> for</c><00:32:33.440><c> the</c><00:32:33.760><c> department</c><00:32:34.080><c> of

Bills: HB1751 , HB1752 , HB1531 , HB1577

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: Hawaii National Guard, tuition assistance, graduate degrees, education, military personnel, funding, school districts, state budget, performance metrics, emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, Smart911, 911, 911 Board, emergency response, public safety answering point, PSAP

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held its first hearing and began with House Bill 1531, which would require the governor or county mayor to provide an ASL interpreter during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and require news outlets to show the interpreter in a picture-in-picture window. Testimony was strongly supportive from disability advocates, who said live captions can be inaccurate and that ASL access is critical during emergencies, but broadcasters raised practical concerns that the bill as drafted could require extra camera crews and reduce coverage. Members discussed possible alternatives such as government-provided pool feeds and interpreter placement, and the chair recommended deferring decision-making on the bill to the following Wednesday to allow time for amendment language. The committee then heard House Bill 1751, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel. The Hawaii Army National Guard, the Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii representatives supported the measure as a recruiting, retention, and professionalization tool. A member asked about funding, and the response was that the program is funded through a state appropriation currently set at $250,000 and was described as sufficient at present. The bill drew no opposition in the hearing. Next, House Bill 1752 was taken up. This measure would remove the Adjutant General as a nonvoting ex officio member of the HAIMA advisory committee and add the HAIMA administrator as a nonvoting ex officio member of the MSAC. The Department of Defense and Department of Health supported the bill, with the Department of Health asking that it be aligned with other EMS modernization provisions in the governor’s package so the related measures remain consistent. No objections were raised. The committee also heard House Bill 1577 on 911 services, which would require the 911 Board to establish a statewide emergency safety profile system for residents to voluntarily store emergency-relevant personal information. The Department of Health, disability advocates, the 911 Board, and others supported the concept, saying it could improve emergency response for people with disabilities, kūpuna, families, and others with functional needs. Testimony also raised concerns about funding, system integration, confidentiality, advanced directives, and liability protections if information does not reach responders in time. Members discussed statewide coordination and existing county systems, and the hearing continued with those issues unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:00.720><c> decline</c><00:32:01.039><c> it</c><00:32:01.200><c> and</c><00:32:01.519><c> she</c>
• </c><00:32:03.279><c> So</c><00:32:03.919><c> I</c><00:32:04.240><c> get</c><00:32:04.399><c> the</c>
• c><00:32:07.760><c> to</c><00:32:08.000><c> go</c><00:32:08.159><c> in,</c><00:32:09.039><c> I</c><00
• still<00:32:09.600><c> go</c><00:32:09.760><c> in</c><00:32:09.919><c> and</c><00:32:10.080><c> set<
• 00:32:12.080><c> don't</c><00:32:12.240><c> have</c><00:32:12.320><c> to</c><00:32:12.480><c> opt</c>

Bills: HB161 , HB161

Committee: Senate Children and Youth Health

Keywords: building codes, standardization, commercial construction, architectural services, energy conservation, federal compliance, local governance, consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:32:02.960><c> their</c><00:32:03.120><c> families</c><00:32:03.519><c> affected</c><00:32:04.000
• Minnesota has long<00:32:12.399><c> been</c><00:32:12.559><c> a</c><00:32:12.720><c> leader</c><00:32
• I am grateful<00:32:19.200><c> to</c><00:32:19.440><c> each</c><00:32:19.919><c> of</c><00:32:20.159>
• <c> you</c><00:32:20.399><c> for</c><00:32:20.640><c> your</c><00:32:20.799><c> work</c><00:32:21.120
• Um welcome<00:32:39.120><c> back</c><00:32:39.279><c> to</c><00:32:39.360><c> the</c><00:32:39.519><c

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:02.720><c> you</c><00:32:03.720><c> well</c><00:32:03.840><c> I</c><00:32:03.919><c> did</c><00
• have a<00:32:04.320><c> CIP</c><00:32:04.840><c> question</c><00:32:05.080><c> or</c><00:32:05.279><c
• > two</c><00:32:05.760><c> um</c><00:32:06.720><c> the</c><00:32:07.320><c> it's</c><00:32:07.720><c>
• ><c> in</c><00:32:08.320><c> District</c><00:32:08.639><c> 13</c><00:32:09.000><c> I</c><00:32:09.080
• </c><00:32:10.519><c> 12</c><00:32:11.519><c> uh</c><00:32:11.880><c> the</c><00:32:12.000><c> courts

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• And</c><00:32:03.279><c> so</c><00:32:03.440><c> whether</c><00:32:03.679><c> it's</c><00:32:03.840><
• ><c> something</c><00:32:06.720><c> else,</c><00:32:07.200><c> I</c><00:32:07.440><c> just</c><00:32:
• :08.000><c> like</c><00:32:08.159><c> we</c><00:32:08.399><c> need</c><00:32:08.480><c> to</c><00:32:
• ><c> the</c><00:32:11.760><c> the</c><00:32:11.919><c> the</c><00:32:12.799><c> the</c><00:32:13.440>
• 00:32:25.440><c> the</c><00:32:26.240><c> board</c><00:32:26.480><c> of</c><00:32:26.640><c> regents<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee reviewed differences among the Governor’s, House, and Senate proposals for state grant parameter changes and their effects on state grant spending, North Star Promise spending, and average student awards. Nonpartisan staff explained that the proposals use different combinations of parameter changes, with the Governor’s and Senate plans modeled to avoid or minimize rationing, while the House plan would require rationing to balance the program. Staff reported projected biennium balances of a positive $29.836 million for the Governor’s proposal, a negative $60.758 million for the House proposal without rationing, a positive $994,000 for the House proposal with rationing, and a positive $3.623 million for the Senate proposal; North Star Promise balances also varied, with the Senate showing a positive balance and the Governor and House with rationing showing negative balances. Staff also said the Senate proposal would extend availability of the state grant appropriation and suspend surplus procedures through fiscal year 2029, allowing the balance to carry forward. The committee then focused on the House-only tuition and fee cap provision, which would limit the tuition recognized for state grant purposes for four-year programs to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities level, with 1% annual increases in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. House members said the cap was intended to address rising tuition, especially at the University of Minnesota, and to produce savings in the state grant program. The governor’s office confirmed the provision was not included in the Governor’s bill. Representatives from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Private College Council opposed the cap, arguing it would reduce awards for low-income students and shift costs to students rather than address underlying tuition pressures; they also said it could discourage enrollment at higher-cost institutions. Supporters from Minnesota State argued the cap would improve fairness because students at lower-tuition institutions are effectively capped lower, while students at more expensive institutions receive larger awards, and they said the legislature should intervene in a variable that has grown substantially over time. Committee members questioned how the cap would work and whether it was tied to the Twin Cities campus rate. Testifiers clarified that the state grant formula is tied to the University of Minnesota level, but because Minnesota State institutions are below that level, the cap effectively limits their students to their own lower tuition while allowing higher awards at the University of Minnesota and private colleges. No formal vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue with item-by-item review of the remaining parameter changes and hear additional testimony from agencies and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.200><c> There</c><00:32:01.360><c> is</c><00:32:01.560><c> plenty</c><00:32:02.080><c>
• </c><00:32:14.840><c> And</c><00:32:15.080><c> for</c><00:32:15.280><c> us</c><00:32:15.440><c> to</c
• 32:45.000><c> look</c><00:32:45.240><c> at</c><00:32:45.360><c> Europe,</c><00:32:45.760><c> some</c>
• :32:52.440><c> for</c><00:32:52.600><c> our</c><00:32:52.720><c> farms,</c><00:32:53.520><c> our</c>
• > and</c><00:32:54.600><c> our</c><00:32:54.720><c> citizens</c><00:32:55.520><c> at</c><00:32:55.640

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• madam</c><00:32:02.159><c> chair</c><00:32:02.480><c> yes</c><00:32:02.679><c> we</c><00:32:02.760><
• </c><00:32:04.840><c> bit</c><00:32:04.960><c> more</c><00:32:05.080><c> clearly</c><00:32:05.480><c>
• 00:32:14.600><c> thank</c><00:32:14.799><c> you</c><00:32:15.679><c> Vice</c><00:32:16.000><c> chair<
• </c><00:32:20.799><c> your</c><00:32:20.919><c> title</c><00:32:21.200><c> what's</c><00:32:21.360><c
• 00:32:29.760><c> the</c><00:32:29.880><c> money</c><00:32:30.120><c> coming</c><00:32:30.360><c> in</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:05.279><c> and</c><00:32:05.360><c> we</c><00:32:05.440><c> had</c><00:32:05.600><c> line</c> &gt
• </c><00:32:08.399><c> Of</c><00:32:08.559><c> course,</c><00:32:08.720><c> they</c><00:32:08.960><c>
• </c><00:32:14.640><c> And</c><00:32:15.039><c> uh</c><00:32:15.200><c> I</c><00:32:15.519><c> think</
• 32:13.760><c> to</c><01:32:14.000><c> do</c><01:32:14.159><c> it.
• :32:44.000><c> And</c><01:32:44.159><c> in</c><01:32:44.320><c> the</c><01:32:44.560><c> 40</c><01:32

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.320><c> had</c><00:32:01.440><c> to</c><00:32:01.600><c> set</c><00:32:01.840><c> aside
• other yeah<00:32:06.639><c> represent</c><00:32:07.080><c> wont</c><00:32:07.639><c> chair</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:09.440><c> chair</c><00:32:09.799><c> thank</c><00:32:09.960><c> you</c><00:32:10.039><c>
• what I<00:32:12.360><c> was</c><00:32:12.519><c> looking</c><00:32:13.039><c> for</c><00:32:14.039><
• c> now</c><00:32:14.240><c> I</c><00:32:14.360><c> want</c><00:32:14.480><c> to</c><00:32:14.760><c>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.720><c> all</c><00:32:03.880><c> the</c><00:32:04.039><c> records</c><00:32:04.559><c> and<
• :14.919><c> like</c><00:32:15.480><c> can</c><00:32:15.679><c> we</c><00:32:15.880><c> just</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:17.559><c> we</c><00:32:17.840><c> ju</c><00:32:18.240><c> can</c><00:32:18.399><c> we</c>
• like</c><00:32:21.120><c> that</c><00:32:21.360><c> that's</c><00:32:21.519><c> what</c><00:32:21.679
• :22.399><c> like</c><00:32:22.600><c> and</c><00:32:22.760><c> so</c><00:32:23.279><c> it's</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fund<00:32:02.640><c> that</c><00:32:02.799><c> current</c><00:32:03.039><c> law</c><00:32:03.360><c
• :32:08.240><c> same</c><00:32:08.960><c> just</c><00:32:09.200><c> to</c><00:32:09.519><c> provide</c
• </c><00:32:13.919><c> Uh,</c><00:32:15.039><c> BTLA</c><00:32:16.000><c> g</c><00:32:16.320><c> Oh,</
• </c><00:32:20.960><c> But</c><00:32:21.120><c> if</c><00:32:21.279><c> I</c><00:32:21.440><c> go</c><
• So tax<00:32:24.559><c> amnesty</c><00:32:25.200><c> program</c><00:32:25.440><c> is</c><00:32:25.600

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Assistant staff presented an overview of the Senate changes to the House-passed budget, focusing on revenue estimates, appropriations, and ending balances across the general fund and education trust fund. The presentation emphasized that the Senate’s budget reflected higher revenue assumptions than the House, driven in part by updated April revenue figures, changes to business, tobacco, and real estate transfer tax splits, and different assumptions about video lottery terminal revenue. The Senate also adjusted lapse estimates upward, especially for HHS, after receiving updated information that lapses could be much larger than originally assumed. The presenter walked through the major differences in the surplus statements for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. Compared with the House, the Senate budget generally showed higher revenues, lower or different appropriations in some areas, and larger balances carried forward, including a larger education trust fund balance and a different rainy day fund transfer. The Senate’s approach also changed several policy assumptions, such as maintaining liquor revenue dedication, removing the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap, changing the treatment of unique revenue, and altering the process for meeting a targeted revenue amount by giving the governor more flexibility. On the appropriations side, the Senate removed or modified several House reductions and added funding or adjustments in areas including the judicial branch, corrections, HHS, the Human Rights Commission, and certain settlement costs. The presenter also highlighted Senate changes in House Bill 2 and related budget provisions, including a new arts tax credit, a nursing home bed fee, changes to Medicaid premium assumptions, and differences in how motor vehicle inspection repeal and BLT-related revenue are handled. No votes were taken in the portion shown; the discussion was informational and comparative, aimed at explaining the Senate budget changes before conference committee negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:02.159><c> our</c><00:32:02.320><c> n</c><00:32:02.559><c> of</c><00:32:02.720><c> our</c><
• And this<00:32:12.159><c> is</c><00:32:12.320><c> only</c><00:32:12.559><c> the</c><00:32:12.720><c>
• And<00:32:16.880><c> I</c><00:32:17.120><c> want</c><00:32:17.200><c> to</c><00:32:17.360><c> thank</
• </c><00:32:28.720><c> It</c><00:32:28.960><c> is</c><00:32:29.120><c> time</c><00:32:29.360><c> that<
• :32:54.080><c> Durand,</c><00:32:54.559><c> I</c><00:32:54.640><c> agree</c><00:32:54.880><c> with</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:03.760><c> that,</c><00:32:04.159><c> I</c><00:32:04.480><c> will</c><00:32:05.360><c> um<
• Oh,<00:32:15.039><c> thank</c><00:32:15.120><c> you,</c><00:32:15.279><c> Chair</c><00:32:15.519><c>
• I'm proud<00:32:18.000><c> to</c><00:32:18.159><c> serve</c><00:32:18.399><c> as</c><00:32:18.559><c>
• <00:32:22.000><c> the</c><00:32:22.240><c> table</c><00:32:22.720><c> with</c><00:32:22.960><c> me</c
• c> I</c><00:32:25.600><c> guess,</c><00:32:25.760><c> but</c><00:32:25.919><c> Nikki</c><00:32:26.159

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:13.120><c> and</c><00:32:13.279><c> and</c><00:32:13.600><c> we</c><00:32:13.840><c> can</
• us</c><00:32:15.840><c> um</c><00:32:16.159><c> think</c><00:32:16.559><c> think</c><00:32:16.880><c
• </c><00:32:31.519><c> there</c><00:32:32.080><c> that's</c><00:32:32.600><c> easy</c><00:32:33.600><c
• > are</c><00:32:42.080><c> are</c><00:32:42.399><c> the</c><00:32:42.880><c> um</c><00:32:43.440><c>
• :44.640><c> are</c><00:32:44.799><c> they</c><00:32:44.960><c> all</c><00:32:45.120><c> in</c><00:32:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee organized itself by electing Representative Griffin as chair and a senator as vice chair, then approved the prior meeting minutes. Director Young then gave status updates on several ongoing performance audits. The New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights audit was reported complete, with presentations already made to the fiscal committee and House Judiciary. The special education oversight audit is still in progress, with 17 observations already sent to the department, responses received on 14, partial concurrence on 12, and a full draft report expected in late summer or early fall. The education freedom accounts audit is also underway, with fieldwork focused on eligibility controls and expenses; staffing shortages at the department have slowed the work, and a draft report is hoped for in the fall. The Doorway program audit is in the planning phase, with a report targeted for the end of the year. Members then discussed whether the committee should do more follow-up on completed audits. Several members said audits often identify issues that remain unresolved for years, and suggested a more active review process, similar to the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee, where agencies would return to report on what audit findings have been fixed and what remains outstanding. Staff noted that any such follow-up would take time away from new audit work, but said they were willing to consider the committee’s direction. Members also discussed using Transparency New Hampshire updates and agency self-reporting to help track progress, and there was general agreement to move toward a system of periodic follow-up on recent audits. The committee also reviewed suspended and potential audit topics. Two Department of Health and Human Services audits, involving the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services and out-of-date placements, remain suspended because of ongoing litigation. Two other DHS topics, contract management and the Bureau of Developmental Services, remain on the potential audit list. A member raised a possible Fish and Game topic based on constituent concerns, but agreed to wait after speaking with the new director. The committee concluded by agreeing that the audit division should compile a list of audits completed in the last 10 years, with members to identify which ones they want to revisit first.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:23.080><c> CER</c><00:32:24.000><c> we</c><00:32:24.120><c> do</c><00:32:24.279><c> have</
• :32:37.080><c> my</c><00:32:37.240><c> vote</c><00:32:38.120><c> yes</c><00:32:38.279><c> please</c><
• </c><00:32:41.600><c> points</c><00:32:41.960><c> that</c><00:32:42.320><c> that</c><00:32:42.600><c>
• that you brought<00:32:43.080><c> up</c><00:32:43.360><c> and</c><00:32:44.240><c> Senator</c><00:32
• :32:45.880><c> you</c><00:32:46.240><c> and</c><00:32:46.679><c> and</c><00:32:47.240><c> the</c><00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

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• in the 90s<00:32:05.240><c> you</c><00:32:05.360><c> know</c><00:32:05.480><c> the</c><00:32:05.559><
• /c><00:32:20.159><c> be</c><00:32:20.320><c> looking</c><00:32:20.639><c> at</c><00:32:21.080><c> you
• :32:24.039><c> greater</c><00:32:24.519><c> than</c><00:32:24.679><c> it</c><00:32:24.960><c> was</c>
• :30.799><c> to</c><00:32:30.960><c> look</c><00:32:31.080><c> at</c><00:32:31.240><c> when</c><00:32:

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several transportation and public safety measures on March 28, 2025. SB 1195 would prohibit parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, direct parking fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund, and remove the need for signs or curb markings in some cases. The Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Ulupono Initiative supported the bill, emphasizing improved visibility, pedestrian safety, and funding for school-route improvements; written testimony included both support and one opposition. No vote was taken during the hearing segment provided. The committee also heard SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit chief, which would set term-based appointment provisions for the airport division’s fire chief. DOT supported the measure, saying it would give the director flexibility to select leadership and adapt to changing needs, while a member asked about current removal procedures for underperforming employees. The bill was presented as a management and leadership measure, with no action taken in the excerpt. SB 1216, addressing noisy mufflers and safety inspection requirements, drew DOT support in principle but concern that existing rules already cover inspection standards and that enforcement after inspection remains difficult; DOT also described a planned noise-detection camera pilot on Oʻahu. Testimony included support from neighborhood and advocacy groups and opposition from three individuals. For SB 30, which would require helmets for moped riders under 21, DOT and HPD supported the bill, citing crash data and injury prevention; testimony was evenly split overall, with six in support and six in opposition. SB 344 would require helmets for skateboard users under 18; DOT supported it, and a DOT witness explained current helmet rules for other devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. SB 1095, increasing decal size limits for special number plates, drew DOT concerns that larger decals could interfere with plate readability and automated enforcement. SB 1522 would make proof of filing required vehicle-transfer notice forms a complete defense to actions arising from the vehicle’s later use or abandonment; the Judiciary said it had no position on the bill’s merits but objected to language requiring new court forms and raised access and legal-advice concerns, while Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services supported the measure. The committee then heard SB 597, extending the deadline for the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office to issue written review decisions. The Attorney General and DOT supported the extension, citing limited toxicology capacity and shipping delays for testing, and several law enforcement and public health entities also supported it. In contrast, the ADLRO hearing officer testified with serious concerns about due process, warning that eliminating or delaying the review process could create constitutional problems, disproportionately burden people without attorneys, and jeopardize thousands of cases. Finally, SB 1285 proposed a tiered revocation system for DUI arrests; ADLRO strongly opposed it on due process grounds, while DOT supported it as a safety measure and the Hawaii Public Health Institute commented that evidence is lacking for standalone mandatory revocation and suggested stronger impaired-driving standards instead. The committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

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• I'm I'm<00:32:04.000><c> looking</c><00:32:04.240><c> ahead</c><00:32:04.559><c> to</c><00:32:04.720>
• > I</c><00:32:07.120><c> want</c><00:32:07.279><c> to</c><00:32:07.440><c> make</c><00:32:07.600><c>
• </c><00:32:17.679><c> So</c><00:32:17.919><c> to</c><00:32:18.159><c> that</c><00:32:18.320><c> end,<
• trying</c><00:32:29.200><c> to</c><00:32:29.360><c> meet</c><00:32:29.519><c> with</c><00:32:29.679><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:06.000><c> to</c><00:32:06.120><c> be</c><00:32:06.240><c> on</c><00:32:06.320><c> the</c><00:
• :32:08.440><c> to</c><00:32:08.600><c> the</c><00:32:08.760><c> people</c><00:32:09.240><c> of</c><00
• <00:32:13.639><c> be</c><00:32:14.080><c> best-in</c><00:32:14.600><c> class</c><00:32:15.039><c> and
• <00:32:18.760><c> States</c><00:32:19.480><c> I</c><00:32:19.600><c> believe</c><00:32:19.919><c> my<
• 00:32:49.880><c> Mor</c><00:32:50.600><c> hi</c><00:32:50.760><c> Mr</c><00:32:51.039><c> Al</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

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• :32:10.480><c> to</c><00:32:10.679><c> get</c><00:32:10.799><c> it</c><00:32:11.039><c> right</c><00:
• </c><00:32:13.039><c> the</c><00:32:13.200><c> logic</c><00:32:13.519><c> behind</c><00:32:13.799><c>
• talking<00:32:22.600><c> about</c><00:32:22.840><c> because</c><00:32:23.120><c> I</c><00:32:23.279>
• 32:33.399><c> a</c><00:32:33.559><c> month</c><00:32:34.559><c> uh</c><00:32:34.639><c> to</c><00:32:

Bills: HF11

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement