Transcript Highlights:

• . $97,000 to the Quad Cities ATV Club to engineer, survey, test, and design a new trailhead facility.
• The Lumberjack to Brookton Trail. $97,000 to the Quad Cities ATV Club to engineer, survey, test, and
• </c><00:47:01.160><c> fire</c><00:47:01.480><c> possibly</c> um we have one more test fire possibly um
• We test to those standards.
• We test to those standards.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• would<00:45:40.720><c> proceed</c><00:45:41.079><c> to</c><00:45:41.280><c> the</c><00:45:41.400><c> test
• 00:45:41.720><c> fires</c><00:45:42.000><c> table</c><00:45:42.359><c> we</c> would proceed to the test
• fires table we would proceed to the test fires table we will<00:45:43.280><c> uh</c><00:45:43.400><c
• This bill is little more than a trial balloon for those hoping to test how far they can push austerity
• This bill is little more than a trial balloon for those hoping to test how far they can push austerity

Bills: HF10

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> Chiropractic associations and the Chiropractic associations and the national<00:26:25.799><c> testing
• /c><00:26:26.520><c> organizations</c><00:26:27.520><c> as</c><00:26:27.640><c> well</c> national testing
• organizations as well national testing organizations as well as<00:26:27.880><c> a</c><00:26:27.960>
• uh thank you binur and go ahead please uh thank you for<01:17:24.360><c> your</c><01:17:24.520><c> test
• </c> for your test for your test very<01:17:25.520><c> helpful</c><01:17:25.880><c> today</c><01:17:26.719

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• carry extra stressors that were evolved around staffing shortages, limited resources, additional testing
• carry extra stressors that were evolved around staffing shortages, limited resources, additional testing
• carry extra stressors that were evolved around staffing shortages, limited resources, additional testing
• carry extra stressors that were evolved around staffing shortages, limited resources, additional testing
• </c> limited resources additional testing limited resources additional testing isolation<01:06:45.160

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> professional engineering uh tests professional engineering uh tests because<00:56:19.559><c> I</
• </c><01:36:59.400><c> fires</c> this out I'm going to let the test fires this out I'm going to let the
• test fires that<01:36:59.719><c> have</c><01:36:59.920><c> driven</c><01:37:00.239><c> all</c><01:37
• going</c><01:37:09.159><c> to</c><01:37:09.280><c> go</c><01:37:09.360><c> to</c><01:37:09.560><c> test
• fires so that we're going to go to test fires so that you<01:37:10.840><c> can</c><01:37:10.960><c>

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator from Chittenden, I have been made aware that that was a test and it appears you're the only
• </c><00:07:40.000><c> and</c><00:07:40.160><c> it</c> made aware that that was a test and it made aware
• that that was a test and it appears<00:07:40.639><c> you're</c><00:07:40.960><c> the</c><00:07:41.120
• It's xylazine and fentanyl strips for testing. It's wound care and education for folks.
• It's xylazine and fentanyl strips for testing. It's wound care and education for folks.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't had a real good test run of it to see the impact.
• This change was made intentionally to better align with the national testing opportunities.
• This change was made intentionally to better align with the national testing opportunities.
• Eighty-five, ninety percent of our time is operational testing.
• And less than a third of those reviewed even did test out credits like AP KLEP type credits.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So like I'm saying, you test Devil's Lake. I'm guessing every spring before...
• So like I'm saying, you test Devil's Lake. I'm guessing every spring before.
• Yeah, so we do test it every spring. Yep. Has it changed in fluctuation? No.
• And so, like you said, yes, we are testing it all, you know, throughout the whole season.
• The Supreme Court focused on the navigability for title test.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• you've pulled this together in three years, that you take into consideration just the extra amount of testing
• you've pulled this together in three years, that you take into consideration just the extra amount of testing
• you've pulled this together in three years, that you take into consideration just the extra amount of testing
• </c><01:07:17.680><c> amount</c><01:07:18.079><c> of</c><01:07:18.559><c> uh</c><01:07:18.799><c> testing
• </c> uh just the extra amount of uh testing uh just the extra amount of uh testing and<01:07:19.520><

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two: thoroughly test and audit the technology before launch. MEnure?
• failed because technology testing was inadequate.
• Number three: run an extensive beta test with state employees before full implementation.
• After many tests, a brain surgery, a biopsy, we learned that it was a glioblastoma, an inoperable version
• After many tests, a brain surgery, a biopsy, we learned that it was a glioblastoma, an inoperable version

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's 54% higher test scores in AI-enhanced programs, 13 times more learner talk time, and 16 times
• The SAT is an aptitude test used to compare states in regard to college applications.
• So hopefully, it's a step to eliminate the SAT in regard to our aptitude testing. So good job.
• This bill requires health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing.
• The test is supported by medical and scientific evidence.

Summary: The House convened on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, and moments of silence for Gerlindy Lancelotti and Iva Durham. Members then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions, including consent calendar items and several measures related to agriculture, lottery reporting, health care, fire service membership standards, inmate work, telecommunications, rent increases, youth camp licensing, primary elections, respiratory care practice, and marriage equality. The chamber also heard extended debate on Senate Bill 233, concerning removal of snow and ice from vehicles, and on House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary while barring participation in both parties’ primaries. Among the notable actions, House Concurrent Resolution 157 passed as amended, directing the State Lottery to report on options to support traditional lottery retailers. Senate Bill 53, preserving the Delaware Farm to Community Program if federal support declines, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 307, giving the Public Service Commission authority to designate eligible Lifeline carriers, and Senate Bill 339, clarifying advance health care directives, also passed. Senate Bill 235, removing a sunset on manufactured home rent increase calculations, passed, as did Senate Bill 325 after House Amendment 1 narrowed disqualifying offenses for fire service membership and adjusted related background-check rules. Senate Bill 309, discharging remaining incarceration-cost balances, and Senate Bill 324, addressing constable-related firearm permit provisions, both passed. The chamber tabled Senate Bill 233 once to consider a proposed amendment for trucks and other hard-to-clear vehicles, but the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended by the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was tabled pending legal review. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry, passed after extensive floor debate and personal statements from members on both sides. Senate Bill 293, creating a licensure pathway for summer camps to participate in purchase-of-care, passed after House Amendment 1. House Bill 188 on open primary access for unaffiliated voters passed 22-17, and Senate Bill 94, concerning respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery, passed after House Amendment 2. The transcript ends as the House begins consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to go to drug tests at a specific time.
• They have to go to drug tests at a specific time.
• I need to work, but I have to go to a drug test at a specific time.
• Secure buildings, surveillance, substance use testing, and regular searches.
• Secure buildings, surveillance, substance use testing, and regular searches.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission on correctional consolidation and collaboration heard testimony focused on how Massachusetts uses custody levels, staffing, programming, and medical release tools, with Prisoners’ Legal Services arguing that the system is overusing expensive high-security settings and underusing step-down options. Dave Rainey said the incarcerated population has dropped substantially over the last several years, but spending and staffing have not fallen in proportion. He argued that DOC overclassifies people into medium and maximum security, relies too heavily on behavioral assessment units that function like segregation, and keeps people in restrictive settings such as Souza-Baranowski and Shattuck Hospital longer than necessary. He also said medical parole is underused and that many people with serious chronic illness or advanced age pose little public-safety risk and should be released through existing legal pathways. Sheriffs and other commission members pushed back on some of those points, emphasizing that staffing needs are driven by the acuity of the current population, that corrections is not overstaffed, and that classification decisions involve serious public-safety judgments. They also stressed that some high-cost medical placements are necessary because people remain under sentence and require care, and that furloughs and other release tools can create security risks if contraband or substance use is involved. The discussion also covered the role of county sheriffs versus DOC in reentry, with several members saying county systems tend to do more day-to-day step-down and release planning, while DOC has more difficulty moving people through lower-security settings before release. Ben Foreman of MassINC offered a more systemwide, data-focused perspective, praising the state’s transparency and arguing that Massachusetts has made major progress in reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. He said the state still has an opportunity to improve by right-sizing facilities, investing in community-based mental health treatment, and using the commission to better understand the capital and operating costs of the current system. In response to questions, he said he was aware of DOC studies on programs like furlough but had not reviewed recent ones, and he noted that total-control facilities like Souza-Baranowski have long been criticized in the research literature for poor outcomes. Nora Wassel of the Women and Incarceration Project then testified that the commission should issue an interim report and scrutinize the planned new women’s prison, which she said is not justified by current population trends or available data. She argued that women are overclassified under DOC’s own tools, that reentry beds and minimum-security placements are underused, and that the system may be failing to account for women’s distinct medical and reentry needs. The meeting ended with continued discussion of reentry, furloughs, day reporting, and whether consolidation should mean fewer facilities, better step-down pathways, or both.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would exempt that income from means testing for the purposes of various means-tested state benefits
• 30.600><c> means</c> It would exempt that income from means It would exempt that income from means testing
• 31.560><c> the</c><00:07:31.720><c> purposes</c><00:07:32.280><c> of</c><00:07:32.400><c> various</c> testing
• for the purposes of various testing for the purposes of various means<00:07:33.280><c> tested</c><00
• </c> means tested state benefits. means tested state benefits.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the crux of it is that these laws have already been tested in different jurisdictions, like I said
• 00:10:43.360><c> have</c><00:10:43.680><c> already</c><00:10:44.000><c> been</c><00:10:44.240><c> tested
• </c><00:10:44.800><c> in</c> these laws have already been tested in these laws have already been tested
• It's really good because we get a chance to test the technology.
• Johns: It's really good because we get a chance to test the technology.

Bills: HF3458 , HF3777 , HF3778 , HF3912

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Transcript Highlights:

• What do we get out of referring back to something that's already been tested? Well, we get clarity.
• President Lincoln said, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character
• was constitutionally, well, it was unconstitutional, but we still have hesitation about requiring a test
• It fails all three of those critical tests.
• It fails all three of those critical tests.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• What do we get out of referring back to something that's already been tested? Well, we get clarity.
• President Lincoln said, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character
• But if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
• It fails all three of those critical tests.
• It fails all three of those critical tests.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, a bill modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, volunteers, youth cadets, and related law enforcement roles. Members first considered a striking amendment and then a series of floor amendments, with debate repeatedly focusing on sheriffs as elected constitutional officers, the scope of state authority over local law enforcement, and whether the bill would create unfunded mandates or practical problems for counties. Supporters of the bill and many amendments argued for clarifying language, local flexibility, and state payment for new requirements; opponents generally warned the bill would weaken elected sheriffs, impose costs on counties, or overreach into local control. Amendment 2343, which would have added intent language emphasizing that sheriffs are directly accountable to the electorate, was debated at length and defeated on a roll call vote, 41 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2373, shifting background-check costs to the state through the Washington State Patrol, was also defeated, 44 yeas to 53 nays. Amendment 2374, narrowing provisions affecting private security and specially commissioned officers, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2369, clarifying rules for volunteers and youth cadets, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2371, limiting surveillance-related provisions to situations requiring a warrant, failed 42 to 55. Amendment 2372, clarifying that only non-public information would be restricted from disclosure, also failed 41 to 56. Later, Amendment 2370, which would have aligned the bill’s definition of volunteer law enforcement officers with existing statute, was defeated 42 to 55. Finally, Amendment 2352, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s new decertification rules, was debated as a protection against changing the rules midstream but was opposed on the grounds that the bill already grandfathered in the one sheriff who did not meet the new experience requirement; the amendment’s vote was not completed in the excerpt provided. The transcript also begins with the Speaker signing several bills, including Substitute House Bill 1570 and Substitute Senate Bill 6248.

Transcript Highlights:

• to defer that pending a sunrise analysis with concurrent resolution for coverage of the biomarker testing
• And I understand that a number of states have allowed for biomarker testing specifically only for cancer
• We want to see of the biomarker testing.
• > specifically</c><01:14:37.520><c> only</c><01:14:37.840><c> for</c><01:14:38.159><c> cancer</c> testing
• specifically only for cancer testing specifically only for cancer patients.<01:14:40.000><c> So</c><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a large number of health-related measures, with the most extensive discussion on SB 2283, which would expand mail-order pharmacy access for prescription drugs. Supporters including HMSA, the Board of Pharmacy, and health plan groups said mail order could lower costs, improve adherence, and reduce hospitalizations, while independent pharmacies and rural neighbor-island providers warned it could harm local pharmacies, reduce access for patients who rely on face-to-face service, and create delivery and storage problems for medications. No vote was taken on SB 2283 during the excerpt, and the chair moved on after hearing testimony. The committee also heard SB 2855 on opioid antagonists, with the Insurance Division and HMSA noting that medically necessary opioid antagonists are already covered and suggesting the issue may be addressed through education or administrative fixes. Fentanyl and substance abuse groups supported the measure. SB 3045 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors drew broad support from diabetes and health organizations; HMSA said it had already expanded coverage for members on injectable insulin but raised concerns about supply constraints and said it had not yet seen an auditor study referenced in discussion. Members asked whether the bill would extend coverage beyond current policy. SB 2843 on domestic violence received support from the Public Defender’s Office, prosecutors, and victim-related organizations, who said the pilot program for misdemeanor domestic violence cases had reduced backlogs and improved court efficiency. A prosecutor also supported retaining coercive control as a petty misdemeanor tool in larger domestic violence cases. SB 2845 on healthcare facility access drew strong support from many health, legal, and advocacy groups, who said it would protect patients and staff from disruptive interference at healthcare facilities; one opponent argued it would chill lawful speech and protest and unfairly exempt labor demonstrations. The committee then heard SB 2854 and SB 3202, both healthcare-related measures, with testimony largely in support. SB 2854 drew comments from health and dental groups, and SB 3202 focused on workforce and licensing issues, including support for retired physicians volunteering, preceptor tax credits, and adding advanced midwifery and physician assistant-related provisions. The chair repeatedly enforced a one-minute testimony limit and moved through the agenda without recorded votes in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The most important part of that process, and by statute, is if a person gets means-tested income, they
• The vast majority of our cases are going to be means-tested income, and the other part is for the court
• 01:12:45.520><c> person</c><01:12:45.960><c> gets</c><01:12:46.159><c> means</c><01:12:46.560><c> tested
• </c> Statute is if a person gets means tested Statute is if a person gets means tested income<01:12:47.719
• </c> cases are going to be means tested cases are going to be means tested income<01:12:57.639><c> and

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :11:39.880><c> now</c><01:11:40.760><c> where</c><01:11:40.960><c> it's</c><01:11:41.320><c> a</c> test
• pilot right now where it's a test pilot right now where it's a OnDemand<01:11:43.159><c> ride</c><01
• /c><01:22:14.120><c> new</c><01:22:14.360><c> things</c><01:22:14.600><c> and</c><01:22:14.800><c> test
• c><01:22:15.080><c> out</c><01:22:15.360><c> new</c><01:22:16.239><c> um</c> and do new things and test
• out new um and do new things and test out new um programs<01:22:17.159><c> and</c><01:22:17.400><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on Kupuna Care funding, distribution, utilization, and the status of program rules. The Office of Aging explained that state Kupuna Care funds are distributed using the same federally approved interstate funding formula used for Older Americans Act funds, with eight weighted factors tailored to Hawaii’s conditions: older adults, greatest economic need, low-income minority status, disability, language barriers, geographic isolation, inverse population density, and older adults living alone in poverty. The department said the formula is based on census and American Community Survey data, with current county shares listed as Kauai 7.45%, Honolulu 69.61%, Maui 11.7%, and Hawaii County 17.88%. Officials said the formula is being reviewed with current data and will need federal approval and then public hearing before final adoption. Members questioned how the program works in practice, noting that the statute and eligibility language can sound like direct individual benefits even though services are delivered through area agencies on aging, ADRCs, and contracted providers such as meal and adult day care programs. The Office of Aging said ADRCs determine eligibility and then refer clients to authorized providers, who must meet service standards in their contracts. The chair pressed repeatedly for long-delayed rules, saying the Legislature had expected them years earlier and that clear rules are needed to ensure funds are spent properly and to avoid conflicts of interest. The department acknowledged the delay, said draft rules were written in 2023 after earlier commitments to finish sooner, and said it paused while federal Older Americans Act rules were being updated; it now expects to send the rules to the Deputy Attorney General, then out for public hearing, with a goal of completion in 2025. The department also reported utilization data for the last two fiscal years. In 2023, it expended about 93% of its allocation and served 5,473 older adults at an average annual cost of $1,358; in 2024, it expended about 97% and served 5,520 older adults, with the average cost down by about $200, which officials said may indicate fewer services per person. Eligibility was described as age 60 or older, U.S. citizen or qualified alien, with cognitive impairment or disability and functional deficits, and the statewide profile showed many participants were homebound, living alone, or below poverty. The most-used services were transportation, case management, and home-delivered meals. The chair also asked about the former Kupuna caregiver program; officials said the programs are now combined under Kupuna Care, with most funding going to adult day care to provide respite for working caregivers. County representatives then described local conditions, especially on Hawaii Island. Hawaii County officials said the county covers about 5,000 square miles, has about 208,000 residents, and roughly 24% are age 65 or older. They identified three main challenges: staffing shortages and retention problems among providers, shortages within the county department itself, and the loss of adult day care capacity, with only one center remaining on the island and none on the west side. They said these constraints limit service delivery even as demand grows. At the same time, they highlighted successes such as serving people in the community before they need higher levels of care, providing caregiver counseling and training through adult day care, serving 467 individuals locally, and ensuring the Resource Center answers calls from caregivers seeking help.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the most extreme example: I had to request the required testing, which is supposed to go home
• And the testing proved that I was right about the disability.
• But test scores and literacy rates have dropped nationwide. Learning feels shallower overall.
• Taking photos of tests and sending them to friends about to take the same test.
• When asked to place phones at the front of the room before a test, students leave ...a dummy phone and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.