Transcript Highlights:

• His story was so powerful that even one of our Republican colleagues mentioned switching their vote,
• giving sheriffs sole and exclusive jail operating authority in all counties that have not made the switch

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Delena, I want to switch gears for a second, if you don't mind.
• This is a flip-the-switch replacement system, and we need to know every possible vulnerability before

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 24 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, let me switch over to the use of the budget reserve trust fund.
• So, let me switch over to the use of the budget reserve trust fund.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• some of the utility companies have a very difficult time in prospectively purchasing distribution switch
• some of the utility companies have a very difficult time in prospectively purchasing distribution switch

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They would like to switch jobs in those circumstances.
• They would like to switch jobs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an orientation from University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Katherine Preventure and Senior Director of Government Relations Lauren Banker on the system’s enrollment, finances, workforce role, and academic programs. They described the system as consisting of UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State, with about 23,000 students, $928 million in FY24 operating expenses, a $3.7 billion economic impact, and UNH’s R1 research status. They emphasized the system’s role in graduating students into the New Hampshire workforce, its statewide Cooperative Extension and regional campus presence, and its alignment of degree offerings with top occupations identified by New Hampshire Employment Security. The presentation also highlighted partnerships with businesses, internships, and collaboration with the community college system, including 100 transfer pathways and a direct-admit program. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tuition, state support, and student costs. The chancellor said the state invested $95 million in FY25, with about $81 million used to reduce resident tuition and about $14 million for statutory programs such as Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. She said the state subsidy is about $7,300 per New Hampshire student, and that resident net tuition averages about $7,000, while nonresident net tuition averages about $16,600. She provided published tuition figures for UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State, and explained that resident tuition has been held flat for five years while financial aid has increased, reducing average net tuition and fees for New Hampshire students from about $10,500 in 2020 to $9,800. Members asked for clarification on how residency and workforce-retention percentages were calculated, and the chancellor said she would follow up. Members also asked about comparisons with peer institutions, housing and meal costs, research funding, and the reasons for declining enrollment and staffing reductions. The chancellor said peer comparisons were based on flagship universities for UNH and smaller regional publics for Plymouth and Keene, and noted that out-of-state tuition has risen about 2.5% annually. She said housing for a UNH double room is $8,536 and a meal plan is $5,100, and offered to provide a consolidated cost document. On research, she said the system’s direct research spending includes federal funding and that indirect costs were about $34 million last year, with a follow-up promised on the federal/state and direct/indirect split. She attributed enrollment declines largely to demographics and said the system is responding by reducing costs, selling buildings, exiting leases, moving the system office to NHTI, and implementing Workday. She also noted that Plymouth received approval for five three-year bachelor’s degree programs and that members praised the shorter, workforce-focused pathways, especially for manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, yesterday, just me myself, I purchased some fuel, which is sales tax exempt.
• ,<00:58:51.839><c> I</c><00:58:52.160><c> purchased</c><00:58:53.280><c> some</c><00:58:53.599><c> fuel
• ,</c><00:58:54.480><c> which</c><00:58:54.720><c> is</c> myself, I purchased some fuel, which is myself
• , I purchased some fuel, which is sales<00:58:55.200><c> tax</c><00:58:55.599><c> exempt.

Committee: Joint Revenue

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 649, Electric Vehicle Fuel Sold at Retail Equipment Requirements, Units of Measure and Fees
• 54:23.440><c> 649,</c><00:54:24.240><c> electric</c><00:54:24.640><c> vehicle</c><00:54:25.040><c> fuel
• </c><00:54:25.440><c> sold</c> &gt;&gt; Senate 649, electric vehicle fuel sold &gt;&gt; Senate 649, electric
• vehicle fuel sold at<00:54:26.000><c> retail</c><00:54:26.559><c> equipment</c><00:54:27.200><c> requirements

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• every day here in Maryland, sitting in traffic for hours, wasting time with their families, burning fuel
• /c> time in a car with their families, time in a car with their families, burning<01:07:54.600><c> fuel
• was</c><01:07:55.200><c> stuck</c><01:07:55.960><c> in</c><01:07:56.080><c> congestion,</c> burning fuel
• was stuck in congestion, burning fuel was stuck in congestion, and<01:07:57.280><c> dealing</c><01:07

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• companies up in that are relocating here up into the land of Campbell to fabricate tricone nuclear fuels
• Campbell to fabricate uh uh tricone of Campbell to fabricate uh uh tricone nuclear<02:14:03.040><c> fuels
• 04.000><c> we're</c><02:14:05.040><c> uh</c><02:14:05.360><c> many</c><02:14:05.599><c> of</c> nuclear fuels
• and why we're uh many of nuclear fuels and why we're uh many of the<02:14:05.920><c> other</c><02:14

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's part of what's fueling our state. I find it really interesting.
• And that's part of what's fueling our state. I find it really interesting.
• We're working timber sales, Union Pass Timber, Big Sandy, hazardous fuels project by Pinedale, Sled Runner
• We are working timber sales, Union Pass Timber, Big Sandy hazardous fuels project by Pinedale, Sled Runner

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grandfather lived with the visible and invisible impacts of his service and exposure to burn pits, JP4 jet fuel
• service and exposure to burn pits,<01:44:12.400><c> JP4</c><01:44:13.280><c> jet</c><01:44:13.600><c> fuel
• </c><01:44:15.520><c> But</c> pits, JP4 jet fuel and agent orange.
• But pits, JP4 jet fuel and agent orange.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It fuels innovation that leads to better treatment, more effective medications, and new medical technologies
• </c><00:15:20.320><c> It</c><00:15:20.560><c> fuels</c><00:15:21.040><c> innovation</c> genetic disorders
• It fuels innovation genetic disorders.
• It fuels innovation that<00:15:21.920><c> leads</c><00:15:22.240><c> to</c><00:15:22.399><c> better</

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• great big, uh, I don't know, Grateful Dead—no, that's not bad—no, um, but, you know, I hate fossil fuels
• , and you get the guys from fossil fuels and you get the guys from, uh, you know, something sitting on
• The Representative Steve rather than... fossil fuels and you get the guys from fossil fuels and you get

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• with what we were asked to do<01:58:54.080><c> when</c><01:58:54.320><c> we</c><01:58:54.480><c> switched
• > vote</c><01:58:55.119><c> by</c><01:58:55.280><c> mail</c><01:58:55.440><c> and</c> do when we switched
• to vote by mail and do when we switched to vote by mail and it<01:58:55.760><c> just,</c><01:58:56.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 49.199><c> to</c> order that's only for the pharmacist to order that's only for the pharmacist to switch
• 50.000><c> doctor's</c><03:47:50.680><c> order</c><03:47:51.680><c> to</c><03:47:51.920><c> a</c> switch
• from a doctor's order to a switch from a doctor's order to a standing<03:47:52.640><c> order</c><03:

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we're going to have a lot of conversation tomorrow about VRS services, about the dramatic switch
• I think we're going to have a lot of conversation tomorrow about VRS services, about the dramatic switch
• I think we're going to have a lot of conversation tomorrow about VRS services, about the dramatic switch

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

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are products that the FDA has evaluated and authorized for sale because they help adult smokers switch
• Adult smokers switch to a safer product, but crucially they don't appeal to youth.
• Adult smokers switch to a safer product, but crucially they don't appeal to youth.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh that is what has fueled that uh 75% increase several times uh since the storm uh to several times
• Uh that is<00:28:40.399><c> what</c><00:28:40.559><c> has</c><00:28:40.799><c> fueled</c><00:28:41.120

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• effective tool in treating PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorder, and other conditions that fuel
• effective tool in treating PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorder, and other conditions that fuel

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilities, rent, and fuel continue to rise.
• Utilities, rent, and fuel continue to rise.

Bills: HB1518 , HB1699 , HB1747 , HB1705 , HB1565 , HB1801 , HB1645 , HB2115 , HB2114

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.