Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Discussion to the bill. Discussion to the bill. I<00:21:35.760><c> recognize.
• :24:25.600><c> the</c> uh had a good discussion through uh the uh had a good discussion through uh the
• Uh but and discussed very hard for that.
• All those in No further discussion.
• Further discussion to the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Further discussion.
• Chair: Further discussion.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Discussion on the amendment. &gt;&gt; Discussion on the amendment.
• Further discussion on the on the bill. Further discussion on the bill. bill. bill.
• </c> discussion on the bill. Questions? discussion on the bill. Questions?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:43:35.840><c> members</c> discussion members discussion members any<01:43:38.040><c> no</c><01:43
• :38.320><c> discussion</c><01:43:39.080><c> chair</c> any no discussion chair any no discussion chair
• Any discussion?
• Any discussion? Hearing none. Four members present, any discussion? No votes. Measure adopted.
• </c> four members present any discussion any four members present any discussion any no<01:49:24.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a discussion? Committee, we have a motion to introduce RS 32873.
• So at the end of last year, ISP called me to discuss my security during the session.
• This is the RS that we discussed yesterday.
• Is there discussion on that motion or further questions?
• Is there discussion on that motion or further questions?

Committee: State Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several RS introductions and acted on each one. RS 32873, brought by Rep. Alfieri, would prohibit bulk purchasing of Idaho lottery tickets, which he said allows LLCs and corporations to corner top prizes and deprives Idahoans of winnings. He cited examples of out-of-state entities winning large prizes after buying tickets in Idaho and said the bill would let lottery law enforcement investigate and deny payment for coordinated purchases over $5,000 in 24 hours. The committee voted to introduce the RS. Rep. Redmond presented RS 32864, a DOPL cleanup measure that consolidates roughly 100 disciplinary provisions scattered across practice acts into one uniform procedure in Title 67. He said it was a procedural consolidation only and would not change substantive practice standards or grounds for discipline. The committee voted to introduce the RS. Rep. Church presented RS 33012, a resolution focused on political violence and legislative/public safety, describing personal concerns about security and urging support for civility and mutual respect in politics. Rep. Alfieri voiced strong support, and the committee voted to introduce the resolution. Rep. Mitchell then presented a revised RS 33016, explaining that references to planting trees in an endowment had been removed after concerns from the prior day; the committee voted to introduce it and send it to second reading. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further discussion? Not all those in favor say aye. Opposed, no. The motion fails.
• c><00:03:01.959><c> is</c><00:03:02.120><c> there</c><00:03:02.400><c> any</c><00:03:03.280><c> discussion
• </c><00:03:04.280><c> any</c> and seconded is there any discussion any and seconded is there any discussion
• </c> and seconded is there any discussion and seconded is there any discussion Senator<00:03:30.319><
• not all those in favor say discussion not all those in favor say I<00:03:57.400><c> oppose</c><00:03

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As previously discussed at with dignity.
• Uh, especially on SGU bill, as you know, we discussed over the weekend.
• </c><00:44:21.280><c> You</c> know we discussed over the weekend.
• You know we discussed over the weekend.
• </c><00:47:33.920><c> but</c> we don't have heated discussions but we don't have heated discussions but

Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We had that discussion, right?
• We had that discussion, right?
• We had that discussion, right?
• We had that discussion, right?
• We had that discussion, right?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh the ones you haven't discussed yet. uh the ones you haven't discussed yet.
• This line is simply the discussion.
• </c> date a later discussion on that date. date a later discussion on that date.
• </c> discuss that one when it comes up also. discuss that one when it comes up also.
• So, we will discuss it on Tuesday.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 met to review revenue estimates and begin working through a side-by-side of the budget. New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre testified that lottery revenues are outperforming prior estimates, projecting a $27 million return to the state this year, up $7 million, and $200 million per year in the next biennium, up $6.5 million per year. He attributed the increase to stronger scratch ticket sales, no negative impact from Massachusetts sports betting, and overall better performance. Members questioned the assumptions behind the higher numbers, including the proposed $50 scratch tickets, the effect of inflation, and whether the projections were conservative enough. McIntyre said the $50 ticket could produce modest growth and that the estimates were intentionally cautious. The discussion also covered gaming revenue assumptions for historical horse racing and video lottery terminals, with McIntyre saying the state market is not yet saturated and that future conversions from HHR to VLTs should be net positive for the state. Members also discussed differences between House and Senate revenue numbers for gaming, including machine counts, daily revenue assumptions, and the tax split. The Senate version used higher machine counts and a 31.25% tax rate, with a quarter-point reserved for responsible gaming and the remainder split between charities and the state. The House had used a 30% rate with a different distribution. McIntyre and committee members also reviewed House Bill 2 items affecting Kino hours and local option games of chance, with McIntyre explaining that the bill would expand playing hours and shift towns to an opt-out model. No votes were taken during the lottery discussion, but the committee indicated it would continue refining the revenue model and circulate the spreadsheet used for the estimates. The committee then moved through the HB 1 detail change sheet, accepting several Senate positions and holding others for later. It agreed to a zero-cost realignment in the Department of Safety moving the international fuel tax agreement function from administration to motor vehicles, and it restored eight passenger motor vehicle inspection positions for later discussion in HB 2. The Department of Corrections reorganization was set aside for a later, more detailed discussion. The committee also accepted no-change positions for the Department of Employment Security and agreed to a technical footnote fix in the Judicial Council section. It discussed a new HB 2 item moving contract counsel for involuntary mental health admissions from the judicial branch to the Judicial Council, funded at $100,000 per year, and noted that the public defender funding issue would be revisited when the overall budget picture is clearer. The meeting ended with the committee continuing its review of the remaining pages of the detail change sheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it was an interesting discussion way.
• Any discussion or questions?
• &gt;&gt; Any<00:34:08.159><c> discussion?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Any discussion? All in favor say I. &gt;&gt; Any discussion? All in favor say I.
• Any discussion? Chestnut. Any discussion?

Bills: HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390

Committee: Ways and Means Education

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is there any discussion on the A2 since it's a little longer?
• Um, is there any discussion on the A2 since it's a little longer?
• </c> bounds for our eventual um discussion. bounds for our eventual um discussion.
• </c><00:50:34.440><c> with</c><00:50:34.560><c> their</c> serious discussions with their serious discussions
• </c> Are is there any further discussion Are is there any further discussion questions?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The second amendment has more depth to it, and we will discuss that before we take a vote, so just rest
• Any discussion to the A3? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed by the same sign.
• Clearly, um, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the amendment before we vote on it.
• </c> the chair and why that wasn't discussed the chair and why that wasn't discussed a<00:30:12.360><
• Representative Heintzeman, thank you for the discussion.

Committee: Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the first draft of the final report.
• The PowerPoint was created in order to facilitate a focused discussion of the content.
• The PowerPoint was created in order to facilitate a focused discussion of the content proposed to be
• That we received from the public or from commissioners that was discussed at those meetings.
• Discussion of what they are and the evidence behind them. Uh, Chair Doc, you are muted.

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine convened a public meeting to review and discuss the first draft of its final report, approve prior minutes, and gather feedback for revisions. The commission first approved the December 11 minutes by roll call vote, then reviewed the report structure, which will include a commission overview, working group findings and recommendations, and appendices with public meeting materials and public resources. Staff explained the report’s framing of xylazine as both a licensed veterinary drug and an illicit drug supply contaminant, and members discussed the distinction between legal animal use and illicit importation/adulteration, with several commissioners emphasizing that people who use drugs do not intentionally seek xylazine. The commission then walked through draft findings and recommendations for best practices in oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, and education and training. Members discussed whether xylazine should be further scheduled or instead addressed through other public health and enforcement measures, with the draft leaning toward maintaining the current Schedule 6 status while strengthening public health responses, surveillance, drug checking, and targeted enforcement against illicit production and distribution. Commissioners also proposed stronger coordination among public safety, law enforcement, and public health, including real-time alerts, centralized data sharing, and possibly a DPH task force on emerging drug supply threats. The outreach and treatment section focused on existing harm reduction, wound care, naloxone, and mobile/low-threshold services, while noting gaps such as lack of an FDA-approved human reversal agent, geographic access barriers, insurance issues, and limited provider familiarity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on education and training for first responders, clinicians, non-clinicians, and people who use drugs and their families. Commissioners supported tailored, stigma-free materials that cover xylazine basics, signs and symptoms, wound care, withdrawal, harm reduction, and when to seek medical care, with repeated emphasis on including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and other first responders in definitions and training. Members also stressed the need for consistent, centralized, and up-to-date public health data, better communication of emerging contaminants beyond xylazine, and practical guidance to prevent people with xylazine-related wounds from being turned away from care or recovery settings. The meeting ended with agreement to incorporate the feedback into a revised draft to be circulated by March 2, with another meeting scheduled for March 9 and a backup meeting later in March if needed; the commission then adjourned by unanimous motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? I'm seeing no discussion. Please call the roll. Chair Taylor? Yes. Call the roll.
• Any further discussion? All right. Stand by one second.
• Let's discuss it. It'd be a good utilization of our time. Absolutely. Let's discuss it.
• Any other discussions before we vote?
• Any discussion? Bill 2178 be voted due pass. Any discussion? Seeing none, please call the roll.

Committee: Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• transportation at the end of all of our discussions with funding.
• And that, with the discussion we had, that was very difficult.
• Of course, there's a lot of discussion on that.
• Yeah, I don't know if it was really discussed, Mr. Chairman. I know it was discussed. Oh, okay.
• Is there any other discussion on this amendment or proposed amendment?

Committee: Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript. The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education. House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as we had discussed, I was one of the people who was impacted by the storm.
• And that is part of the ongoing discussion. Hello? And that is part of the ongoing discussion.
• But it is a point that we continue to discuss. You’re recognized for follow-up? Okay.
• Number one, and that is thank you for the discussion for bringing up.
• We don't often see this type of a robust discussion where there are concerns discussed where we actually

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance- and trust-related bills. CS/HB 265, relating to post-judgment execution proceedings involving terrorism, was presented as a measure to help victims enforce long-standing judgments against terrorist assets; it received no opposition in testimony and was reported favorably. CS/HB 1173, concerning the Florida Trust Code, clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; members discussed that it was intended to resolve ambiguity identified by a court decision, and it also passed favorably. The committee then took up PCS/HB 643 on residual market insurers. The bill would remove the “diligent effort” requirement for surplus lines placements, revise surplus lines eligibility, and let Citizens policyholders elect arbitration through DOAH or the courts at renewal or issuance. The sponsor argued the changes would reduce red tape and give consumers more options, while an opponent from the Florida Justice Association warned that removing diligent-search protections could push more policyholders into higher-cost, less-regulated surplus lines coverage and that arbitration could favor insurers. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of premium credits for arbitration, the effect on Citizens, and the loss of consumer protections, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, PCS/HB 1047 on insurance regulation generated extensive debate. The bill would reduce pre-licensure hours for general lines agents from 200 to 60, clarify restrictions on public adjuster conduct, require claims-handling manuals only for active residential property insurers, and define “sufficient evidence” for bad-faith claims with examples and a 10-day objection/response process. Supporters said it would streamline claims handling and clarify timelines; opponents and several members argued it could burden policyholders, especially after disasters, and might make it easier for insurers to delay or deny claims. There was also concern about the reduced training hours for new agents and the lack of detail on what constitutes sufficient evidence or a specific objection. After a divided debate, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-6 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so before we dive into our discussion, commissioners will vote to approve the minutes from our
• The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the final draft of the report, which must be submitted to the
• In other words, if there are changes recommended by commissioners that we discuss and reach consensus
• For example, But it doesn't necessarily require a discussion, for example, folks' titles.
• I want to thank everyone for their thorough work and participation in today's discussion.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Keenan’s absence due to National Guard deployment, approved the prior meeting minutes, and explained the process for incorporating final edits and late votes into appendices. Commissioners then voted to allow staff to make agreed-upon language changes after the meeting, and later voted on the final report itself. Staff walked commissioners through the report’s redlines and substantive updates. Changes included clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than simply a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or revising references to “hotspots” in favor of more accurate language about local trends, and refining language on wound care to refer to medical consequences and financial costs. The report also added or strengthened discussion of harm reduction measures such as drug checking, mobile health services, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation and airway support during overdose response, and the importance of naloxone remaining available while recognizing its limits for xylazine exposure. Commissioners also discussed data collection, legal protections for drug checking, and the role of the Attorney General in guidance and coordination on emerging drug threats. The commission then took a final vote, with the members present voting to approve the report. A letter from Senator Velis, who was also absent due to active duty orders, was read into the record expressing support for the report and its recommendations. In closing comments, commissioners and staff thanked one another for the collaborative work and described the report as a useful public health resource. Chair Domb adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m., noting that the final report would be submitted and posted online for public access.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're here for the purpose of discussing numerous measures.
• I know we discussed it with your staff, but in the Senate bill, uh, we put in a House Draft that would
• I know we discussed it with your staff, but in the Senate bill, uh, we put in a House Draft that would
• I know we discussed it with your staff, but in the Senate bill, uh, we put in a House Draft that would
• </c><00:29:09.000><c> that</c> Obviously this is a discussion that Obviously this is a discussion that

Bills: HB389, HB469, HB1510, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1946, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so before we dive into our discussion, commissioners will vote to approve the minutes from our
• The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the final draft of the report, which must be submitted to the
• , for example, But it doesn't necessarily require a discussion, for example, folks' titles.
• Opening the floor for a discussion.
• I want to thank everyone for their thorough work and participation in today's discussion.

Summary: The special commission on xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and finalize its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Velis was absent due to National Guard deployment, and the commission approved the minutes from the February 9 meeting. Staff then walked commissioners through the final draft, focusing on edits since the prior review and on appendices that would be completed after the meeting. Commissioners discussed several substantive wording changes, including clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or softening references to “hotspots,” and refining language about medical consequences and financial costs of delayed wound care. They also discussed adding or strengthening references to harm reduction measures, drug checking, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation, airway positioning, naloxone use, and language access considerations in educational materials. The report’s main findings and recommendations centered on best practices for oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, emergency response, and education/training for first responders, medical providers, non-clinical staff, people who use drugs, and people in recovery. Commissioners emphasized the need for timely, accessible, and tailored training; better data collection and public health surveillance; stronger legal protections for drug checking; and coordination among public health, public safety, and legal stakeholders to address xylazine and emerging adulterants. There was also discussion of a recommendation for the Attorney General to compile guidance for law enforcement in consultation with experts, though staff clarified that this would not be the sole function of the broader public body envisioned in the report. After reviewing the final language, the commission voted unanimously among members present to approve the final report, with one abstention on the earlier minutes vote and absent members to submit written votes within 24 hours for inclusion in Appendix A. Chair Domb then read a letter from Senator Velis expressing support for the report and its recommendations despite his inability to vote in person. Commissioners offered closing remarks thanking staff and one another for the collaborative work, and the meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m., with staff to submit the report to the clerks and post it online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so before we dive into our discussion, commissioners will vote to approve the minutes from our
• The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the final draft of the report, which must be submitted to the
• In other words, if there are changes recommended by commissioners that we discuss and reach consensus
• For example, But it doesn't necessarily require a discussion, for example, folks' titles.
• I want to thank everyone for their thorough work and participation in today's discussion.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Xylazine held its final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Velis’s absence due to National Guard deployment, and the commission approved the minutes from the February 9 meeting. Staff then walked commissioners through the report’s redline changes, which were mostly technical or clarifying edits, along with several substantive updates on xylazine’s public health effects, state and federal actions, harm reduction, emergency response, wound care, and education and training. Commissioners discussed several language changes, including clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” and revising references to “hotspots” to better reflect the limits of available data. They also refined recommendations to emphasize oxygenation and ventilation in overdose response, continued naloxone use, referrals to harm reduction services, language access in wound care materials, and clearer discussion of medical consequences and financial costs related to delayed wound treatment. Staff also described the appendices, including a letter from Senator Velis supporting the report and noting he could not vote because of active duty service. The commission then voted to approve the final report, with members present voting in favor and Deputy Director Sarah Ruiz abstaining on the earlier minutes vote. After the report vote, commissioners offered brief remarks thanking staff and one another for the collaborative work and the quality of the final product. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 11:11 a.m., and staff said the final report would be submitted to the clerks and posted online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, further discussion. All right, well, further discussion. Excellent. Representative Parker.
• Further discussion. Seeing none, all those in favor? Further discussion.
• Any discussion?
• Discussion. Discussion. Seeing none.
• Any other discussion?

Committee: Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233. Members adopted several amendments, including language allowing the Boards of Therapeutic Massage and Chiropractors to seek emergency suspension of licenses when there are criminal indictments or charges that could harm citizens; extending the RX CARES for Missouri prescription drug abuse prevention program by removing its sunset; updating pharmacy distributor licensing language to reflect national licensing practices; clarifying pharmacist immunization authority, including RSV immunizations and board oversight for future immunizations; allowing certain long-term care facility employees to administer additional subcutaneous medications; and adopting agreed-upon language related to interior designers. The committee then rolled those amendments into a committee substitute and voted the bill do pass by a 16-1 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bills 2618 and 2644, which would join Missouri to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The bill sponsors said the compact would improve licensure portability for respiratory therapists, help address workforce shortages, and allow Missouri to be among the first states shaping the compact’s commission. Supporters, including respiratory therapists, a hospital association representative, a student and military spouse, and a nursing association representative, said the compact would speed access to qualified therapists, aid rural and hospital care, help during emergencies like COVID-19, and benefit military families. Several witnesses emphasized that participating states would still retain their own licensing standards and scope-of-practice authority. Opponents argued that the compact would surrender state sovereignty to an unformed commission, create a “blank check” before the rules are written, and potentially allow rules to supersede state law. They also raised constitutional concerns about interstate compacts and questioned whether a reciprocal licensing approach would be preferable. Committee members asked about sovereignty, the legal basis for compacts, and whether Missouri could preserve its standards; sponsors and supporters responded that the compact would not remove state authority and that Missouri could still require its own standards. The hearing concluded without a vote on the respiratory compact bills.