Transcript Highlights:

• here all<00:02:09.800><c> the</c><00:02:09.880><c> way</c><00:02:10.240><c> from</c><00:02:10.479><c
• Everyone,<00:02:17.600><c> please</c><00:02:17.920><c> make</c><00:02:18.120><c> them</c><00:02:18.320
• </c><00:02:20.240><c> Please</c><00:02:20.480><c> stand.
• Jason<00:02:54.080><c> Hal,</c><00:02:54.360><c> the</c><00:02:54.880><c> number</c><00:02:55.160><c>
• Uh<00:02:58.720><c> for</c><00:02:58.840><c> the</c><00:02:58.920><c> record,</c><00:02:59.280><c> Mike

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:04.240><c> I</c><00:02:04.320><c> think</c><00:02:04.520><c> you</c><00:02:04.880><c> you</c><
• 00:02:05.079><c> you</c><00:02:05.159><c> can</c><00:02:05.320><c> probably</c><00:02:05.560><c> get<
• ><c> all</c><00:02:06.079><c> that</c><00:02:06.240><c> you're</c><00:02:06.439><c> pretty</c><00:02:
• :07.360><c> doing</c><00:02:07.600><c> that</c><00:02:07.799><c> so</c><00:02:08.239><c> if</c><00:02
• 02:09.959><c> that</c><00:02:10.239><c> you</c><00:02:10.360><c> have</c><00:02:10.479><c> the</c><00

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met with a quorum still coming together and first handled roll call and minutes. The main presentation came from the Department for Medicaid Services, with Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beckle giving an overview of Kentucky Medicaid, its federal-state financing structure, and the department’s 1915(c) home- and community-based waiver programs. They explained FMAP funding levels for traditional Medicaid, administration, IT, expansion adults, and CHIP, and noted the size of the program, including more than 600,000 Kentucky children eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, about 485,000 expansion adults, over 69,000 enrolled providers, and $18.5 billion in 2024 expenditures. A major focus was the waiver system, including the acquired brain injury waivers, model waiver, independence waiver, Michelle P. waiver, and Supports for Community Living waiver. The department said these waivers are intended to keep people with physical or developmental disabilities in home and community settings rather than facilities, and that many services are not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance. Officials described participant-directed services, interagency administration, and eligibility rules, including that some waiver programs use the child’s income only rather than family income. They also reported an unduplicated waiver wait list of 13,930 people and said the General Assembly had added waiver slots in the last budget, including 650 ABI slots and 1,275 more to be allocated July 1, 2025. The department also discussed a waiver rate study conducted by Guidehouse, explaining that CMS requires a defensible rate methodology because there is no Medicare or commercial benchmark for many waiver services. They said the study used cost and wage surveys, provider and stakeholder input, and aimed to improve transparency, provider stability, and rate parity. Officials reviewed prior COVID-era Appendix K rate increases and budget-driven increases, and said the budget ultimately funded rates at about 70% of the benchmark study, while preserving higher existing rates where needed so no provider would be cut. They highlighted larger differences in behavioral support and case management rates, and said a public report is available. Members asked several questions about the potential impact of federal FMAP changes, especially possible reductions in the enhanced match for expansion adults and Medicaid IT/admin activities. DMS said any FMAP reduction would require more state general fund dollars, estimating about $75 million for each 1% drop in the expansion match, while impacts on administrative IT funding would depend on the systems being built or implemented in a given year. Members also pressed for clarification on waiver wait-list procedures, funded versus filled slots, and what happens when someone on the wait list is later found ineligible. DMS said people on the wait list may not yet have been assessed, can be reevaluated if conditions change, and are still eligible for regular Medicaid state-plan services if they qualify, even if they are waiting for waiver services.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:25.599><c> Motion</c><00:02:25.920><c> be</c><00:02:26.000><c> tossed</c><00:02:26.239><c> sufficient
• Motion be tossed sufficient to pass.<00:02:27.120><c> All</c><00:02:27.280><c> in</c><00:02:27.440><c
• </c><00:02:28.640><c> Any</c><00:02:28.959><c> oppose?</c><00:02:29.920><c> Motion</c> pass.
• Motion carries.<00:02:30.720><c> I</c><00:02:30.879><c> would</c><00:02:31.120><c> entertain</c><00:02
• Have<00:02:33.920><c> a</c><00:02:34.080><c> good</c><00:02:34.239><c> day.</c>

Committee: Joint Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• Any<00:02:02.600><c> uh</c><00:02:02.680><c> further</c><00:02:02.920><c> discussion</c><00:02:03.360
• calendar<00:02:04.040><c> for</c><00:02:04.200><c> the</c><00:02:04.320><c> day?
• Uh<00:02:06.280><c> seeing</c><00:02:06.520><c> none,</c><00:02:06.760><c> all</c><00:02:06.880><c> those
• none, all those in favor, please<00:02:07.880><c> say</c><00:02:08.160><c> I.
• </c><00:02:10.800><c> The</c><00:02:10.840><c> calendar</c><00:02:11.200><c> for</c><00:02:11.320><c>

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I'm<00:02:51.200><c> Lori</c><00:02:51.519><c> Gaffford</c><00:02:51.920><c> and</c><00:02:52.080
• ><c> community</c><01:02:24.720><c> to</c><01:02:24.960><c> have</c><01:02:25.119><c> buyin</c><01:02
• thank</c><01:02:27.839><c> you</c><01:02:28.000><c> all</c><01:02:28.160><c> for</c><01:02:28.319><c
• Um, my comment<01:02:40.480><c> is</c><01:02:41.200><c> um</c><01:02:41.760><c> as</c><01:02:42.000><
• :02:44.799><c> the</c><01:02:45.119><c> state</c><01:02:45.520><c> representative</c><01:02:46.079><c

Summary: The Joint Committee on Families and Children met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and received an update that the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements was 8,647 as of September 7, 2025. The first presentation was from Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit that provides a home-like setting for children on removal day so they do not have to wait in a state office. Speakers described the mission as reducing trauma for children, lightening the burden on case workers, and easing transitions to foster or kinship placements. They said the Kentucky home in Logan County opened on August 15 and had already served 10 children in its first six days. Committee members asked about logistics, including whether children placed with kinship caregivers would still come to the house, how long children can stay, who remains responsible for them, and how volunteers are screened. The presenters said children are brought to the house regardless of whether they are headed to kinship or foster placement, that 72 hours is not a hard cutoff, and that a case worker remains in charge at all times while volunteers provide support. They also said volunteers undergo background checks, trauma-informed training, confidentiality instruction, and annual continuing education. In response to questions about funding and expansion, they said Isaiah 117 House is community-funded without state or federal money, and that new homes are opened only when fully funded, with construction costs typically ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 and first-year budgets around $180,000. The committee then heard a presentation from Remy Eastep Homes on its Family Centered Integrated Healthcare and related services. Leaders described the organization’s history from its origins as separate orphanages in Boyd County to residential treatment, treatment foster care, prevention services, and outpatient behavioral health. They said the organization shifted about 15 years ago toward engaging families more directly because family involvement improves outcomes and helps keep children safely at home when possible. The presentation continued into program details, but no votes or formal actions were taken on either presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This<00:02:27.200><c> is</c><00:02:27.520><c> a</c><00:02:27.840><c> project</c><00:02:28.640><c> that
• Uh so got a<00:02:35.360><c> little</c><00:02:35.519><c> excited</c><00:02:35.920><c> that</c><00:02:
• <00:02:38.800><c> lab</c><00:02:40.000><c> uh</c><00:02:40.239><c> that's</c><00:02:40.560><c> meant<
• to serve<00:02:41.840><c> quite</c><00:02:42.080><c> a</c><00:02:42.319><c> number</c><00:02:42.480>
• So,<00:02:51.680><c> Northern</c><00:02:52.080><c> Kentucky</c><00:02:52.560><c> University</c><00:02

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the February meeting minutes and several information items. Those items covered university equipment purchases, school district and transportation-related debt issuances, Northern Kentucky University’s planned construction-manager/general-contractor delivery method for the medical examiner/crime lab relocation project, a lease-space advertisement, postsecondary asset preservation allocations, and lease-law compliance reports. Members then discussed the Northern Kentucky crime lab project in more detail; staff explained that the memorandum of agreement would cover the construction portion while the lease would cover operations, and members were told the project should move forward without procurement problems. The committee approved a Kentucky Community and Technical College System project to modify the fire academy maintenance building after the related dormitory project was set aside because of major cost overruns. KCTCS said the dormitory would be about $3 million over budget, so it would not be bid; instead, the maintenance building would be expanded to add showers and restroom/locker facilities, bringing that project from $2 million to about $3.2 million. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet project for the Hardin County I-65 southbound commercial motor vehicle station relocation, with members asking about the estimate, the lack of a direct prior example, and the fact that the loadometer equipment itself would be purchased separately and was not included in the construction estimate. Finance and Administration Cabinet lease items were then considered. The committee approved a Department of Public Advocacy lease in Christian County and a Transportation Cabinet vehicle regulation lease in Kenton County, both negotiated down from initial asking prices and both including utilities. Two lease modifications were reported without action: a Department of Revenue fit-up in Jefferson County and an expanded vehicle regulation lease in Adair County. Members also approved a package of Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including four loans and six Cleaner Water Program grant reallocations, covering sewer and water projects such as MSD’s Patty’s Run flood pumping station, Paducah-McCracken County’s wastewater treatment plant, Mount Washington’s lift station replacement, and Eminence’s wastewater plant expansion. Finally, the committee heard a batch of Kentucky Product Development Initiative economic development grants and approved the action items in one vote. The projects included due diligence and infrastructure work for industrial and site-development projects in multiple counties, with local match requirements and KEDFA approvals described for each. The committee also received three line-item water grants from House Bill 1 that required no action, and the meeting ended after the grant presentations and approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Food Coalition,<00:02:07.200><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:07.600><c> Military</c><00:02:08.000><c> Affairs</c
• Uh PA Hawaii opposes<00:02:30.640><c> uh</c><00:02:30.800><c> HB1</c><00:02:31.360><c> 1369,</c><00:02
• <00:02:49.840><c> Hawaii's</c><00:02:50.400><c> 2045</c><00:02:51.840><c> uh</c><00:02:51.920><c> energy
• By repealing<00:02:53.440><c> this</c><00:02:53.680><c> credit,</c><00:02:54.000><c> it</c><00:02:54.160
• c><00:02:56.879><c> bofuel</c><00:02:57.680><c> production</c><00:02:58.480><c> use</c><00:02:58.800>

Summary: The committee heard testimony and then took up House Bill 1369, which would repeal several tax credits and exemptions, including the renewable fuels production tax credit. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed: Hawaii Gas, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, and the Tax Foundation all raised concerns, with opponents arguing the renewable fuels credit has supported major local investment, cleaner fuel production, and energy resilience, while Hawaii Gas warned repeal would raise costs for customers. The Department of Taxation said it did not take a position but provided revenue estimates, saying the bill would increase revenues by about $33.8 million in FY 2026 and $121.7 million in FY 2027; DBEDT said it would follow up on broader economic impacts. The chair proposed a series of amendments that removed some repeals, added five-year sunsets to certain exemptions, narrowed or conditioned others, and tied the renewable fuels exemption to a dollar-for-dollar match for renewable fuel production certified by the state energy officer. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted with multiple members voting with reservations. The committee then moved through a series of other measures. HB 159, HB 244, HB 280, HB 316, HB 716, HB 1298, and HB 1295 were recommended for passage, with HB 1295 amended to change a date to 2050. HB 455 was amended to remove the Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program language and instead fund DBEDT contracting for startup financing and support, excluding businesses already eligible for the community-based economic development loan program. HB 504 was amended to add non-recurring appropriations for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, conditioned on formal commitments to purchase local products under the HRS 27-8 timeline; members discussed the cruise passenger tax and where the revenue would go, and the bill was passed with amendments. HB 606 was amended to recognize DHHL authority over mercantile projects licenses, remove some reporting requirements, and replace the appropriation with $25 million for mercantile projects and $25 million for repair and maintenance. HB 1378 was amended to allow the foundation to enter public-private partnerships, adjust appropriation language, and cap a proposed limit at $15 million, with the committee noting the changes addressed concerns raised in testimony from BNF and the attorney general. HB 974 was deferred indefinitely because the House had already passed SB 1501. Finally, HB 1007 was amended to rename the transit-oriented development infrastructure district program as the transit-oriented community improvement program, consolidate the boards into one, expand board membership, add conflict-of-interest provisions, and allow legislative designation of areas; after discussion about HCDA’s role and the stadium district, the measure was adopted with one reservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice<00:02:20.826><c> [clears throat]</c><00:02:21.000><c> Chair</c><00:02:21.360><c> Raymer.
• </c><00:02:43.760><c> all</c><00:02:43.960><c> that</c><00:02:44.120><c> was</c><00:02:44.280><c> going
• ,<00:02:45.480><c> we</c><00:02:45.760><c> had</c><00:02:46.200><c> a</c><00:02:46.320><c> House</c><
• :02:53.200><c> to</c><00:02:53.400><c> our</c><00:02:53.560><c> committee.
• No<00:02:56.280><c> fault</c><00:02:56.640><c> of</c><00:02:56.760><c> no</c><00:02:56.960><c> one's.

Committee: House State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:45.120><c> Our</c><00:02:45.519><c> lived</c><00:02:45.840><c> experience</c><00:02:46.400><c
• :02:54.640><c> experts</c><00:02:55.120><c> as</c><00:02:55.440><c> the</c><00:02:56.239><c> is</c> has
• :00.720><c> but</c><01:02:01.040><c> it</c><01:02:01.280><c> says</c><01:02:01.440><c> here</c><01:02
• </c><01:02:10.400><c> JC</c><01:02:10.960><c> Mulan</c><01:02:11.760><c> I</c><01:02:11.920><c> see</
• JC Mulan I see I he<01:02:12.799><c> was</c><01:02:13.040><c> here</c><01:02:13.599><c> for</c><01:02

Bills: SB3263 , SB3261

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:02.240><c> here</c><00:02:02.880><c> in</c><00:02:03.200><c> very</c><00:02:03.520><c> strong</c>
• 06.479><c> the</c><00:02:06.640><c> chief</c><00:02:06.880><c> judge</c><00:02:07.119><c> of</c><00:02
• Um, I have<00:02:09.599><c> submitted</c><00:02:10.080><c> my</c><00:02:10.239><c> letter,</c><00:02:
• :12.720><c> um,</c><00:02:12.879><c> I</c><00:02:13.120><c> first</c><00:02:13.280><c> met</c><00:02:
• c> and</c><00:02:24.879><c> just</c><00:02:25.120><c> being</c><00:02:25.280><c> so</c><00:02:25.520>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment. Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions. The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:48.000><c> Any</c><00:02:48.519><c> opposed?
• </c><00:02:49.519><c> House</c><00:02:49.760><c> file</c><00:02:50.080><c> 2440</c><00:02:50.800><c>
• :02:52.480><c> front</c><00:02:52.560><c> of</c><00:02:52.720><c> us.
• </c><00:02:55.680><c> Thank</c><00:02:55.760><c> you</c><00:02:55.840><c> so</c><00:02:55.920><c> much
• </c><00:02:57.840><c> uh</c><00:02:58.000><c> what</c><00:02:58.160><c> we've</c><00:02:58.400><c> just

Bills: HF2440

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

Transcript Highlights:

• :38.560><c> the</c><00:02:38.879><c> departments</c><00:02:39.440><c> required</c><00:02:39.920><c> to
• to identify that<00:02:41.680><c> particular</c><00:02:42.080><c> rule</c><00:02:43.120><c> any</c><
• and<00:02:49.200><c> and</c><00:02:49.599><c> but</c><00:02:49.920><c> we've</c><00:02:50.239><c> added
• </c><00:02:50.560><c> in</c><00:02:50.800><c> there</c><00:02:51.519><c> and</c><00:02:52.000><c> we<
• c> a</c><00:02:53.280><c> house</c><00:02:53.760><c> are</c><00:02:54.560><c> agreeable</c><00:02:55.200

Summary: The committee of conference met on HB 718, focusing on the Senate’s changes to the bill. Members discussed language requiring the Department of Education to report rules that exceed state or federal minimum requirements and, when fiscal impacts on local school districts are indeterminable, to identify the unfunded financial impact. The committee also reviewed added language related to the new Pasquani school district and its need to set a tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year. The chair explained a House amendment, 2725H, that would make two technical corrections: restoring the word “certified” in the provision directing the Department of Revenue Administration to expedite certified adjusted rate applications, and changing the bill’s effective date to “upon passage” so the new tax-rate provisions could take effect in time. A further clarification was proposed to specify July 1, 2025, in the tax-rate language. One member raised concern that the bill’s underlying special education fiscal effects were indeterminate and said they could not support it without a fiscal note, but the committee proceeded with the technical changes. A vote was taken among House conferees on the three changes, and the chair reported two yeses and one no, treating the result as effectively unanimous. The committee agreed to draft the report and indicated the bill would move forward, with the Pasquani school district language and the technical corrections included.

Transcript Highlights:

• clerk uh<00:02:26.480><c> clerk</c><00:02:26.879><c> staff</c><00:02:27.360><c> Reggie</c><00:02:27.840
• Chang,</c><00:02:30.720><c> please</c><00:02:30.959><c> stand</c><00:02:31.200><c> up</c><00:02:32.080
• </c><00:02:49.040><c> Welcome</c><00:02:49.280><c> to</c><00:02:49.360><c> the</c><00:02:49.440><c> Hawaii
• </c><00:02:50.319><c> Please</c><00:02:50.480><c> rise</c><00:02:50.640><c> and</c><00:02:50.879><c>
• be</c> welcomed.<00:02:56.239><c> Is</c><00:02:56.560><c> Alex's</c><00:02:57.280><c> guest</c><00:02

Summary: The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection. The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background. The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery. Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• be</c><00:02:03.360><c> doing</c><00:02:03.680><c> Senate</c><00:02:04.120><c> Bill</c><00:02:04.360>
• So, that<00:02:06.280><c> makes</c><00:02:06.600><c> our</c><00:02:07.080><c> agenda</c><00:02:07.520
• </c><00:02:09.320><c> first</c><00:02:09.600><c> I'd</c><00:02:09.679><c> like</c><00:02:09.880><c> to
• :49.640><c> we</c><00:02:49.760><c> have</c><00:02:49.880><c> a</c><00:02:49.920><c> motion</c><00:02
• Uh I understand<00:02:57.920><c> we</c><00:02:58.080><c> are</c><00:02:58.200><c> in</c><00:02:58.280

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Gary Yaco, and I'm the mayor of pretty Red Wing, Minnesota.
• My name is Gary Yaco, and I'm the mayor of pretty Red Wing, Minnesota.
• I appreciate you coming all the way from the dark side over there in Minnesota. Don't tell anybody.
• I appreciate you coming all the way from the dark side over there in Minnesota. Don't tell anybody.
• I'm glad that you got to hear from the mayor from Minnesota earlier today.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's we<01:02:01.040><c> don't</c><01:02:01.240><c> go</c><01:02:01.320><c> down</c><01:02:01.560><
• Who<01:02:02.720><c> Who</c><01:02:02.880><c> would</c><01:02:03.040><c> that</c><01:02:03.200><c> be
• Well, so<01:02:06.320><c> most</c><01:02:06.640><c> of</c><01:02:06.720><c> that</c><01:02:06.840><c>
• that's</c><01:02:07.040><c> why</c><01:02:07.160><c> most</c><01:02:07.440><c> of</c><01:02:07.520><
• that's why um so<01:02:14.560><c> like</c><01:02:14.760><c> even</c><01:02:15.080><c> so,</c><01:02:

Bills: HB1700

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is<00:02:02.320><c> there</c><00:02:02.440><c> any</c><00:02:02.560><c> discussion</c><00:02:03.080><
• </c><00:02:06.560><c> Chair,</c><00:02:07.080><c> I</c><00:02:07.200><c> believe</c><00:02:07.479><c>
• these</c><00:02:07.680><c> are</c><00:02:07.800><c> from</c> Uh Mr.
• Chair, I believe these are from yesterday<00:02:08.720><c> if</c><00:02:09.080><c> the</c><00:02:09.200
• ><c> calendar</c><00:02:09.600><c> is</c><00:02:09.720><c> correct</c><00:02:10.240><c> and</c> yesterday

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:04.759><c> Kenny</c><00:02:05.079><c> fin</c><00:02:05.399><c> director</c><00:02:05.680><c> fin<
• <00:02:13.599><c> in</c><00:02:13.800><c> support</c><00:02:14.680><c> Rod</c><00:02:15.000><c> Miley
• c><00:02:17.640><c> support</c><00:02:18.120><c> Marian</c><00:02:18.519><c> suji</c><00:02:19.440><c
• 02:35.640><c> havayi</c><00:02:36.360><c> and</c><00:02:36.480><c> we</c><00:02:36.599><c> are</c><00
• </c><00:02:41.720><c> in</c><00:02:41.840><c> Wy</c><00:02:42.319><c> Kei</c><00:02:42.560><c> and</c

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The committees met on February 19, 2025, to hear advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with GM 645/GM 650 for Mike Lambert as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state officials, community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and others, who praised Lambert’s collaboration with communities, communication skills, and practical approach to public safety. Several speakers highlighted his work on homelessness, game rooms, community policing, and his ability to work across public health and law enforcement lines. Lambert told the committee he has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including patrol, community policing, training, narcotics/vice, and work on fentanyl, internet crimes against children, and ghost guns, and said his priorities would include building community trust, improving training and discipline, and addressing fireworks and firearms enforcement. Senators asked about fireworks, federal collaboration, ports and airport screening, recruitment, pay parity, and whether the department should expand into a more formal state police force; Lambert said he would need time to learn the new port/shipping environment and would support a state police class and expanded enforcement capacity. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then heard GM 567 for Jean Dello Jr. as chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Supporters, including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice and Hawaii Paroling Authority staff, described him as honest, ethical, fair, and experienced in balancing public safety with rehabilitation and re-entry. Dello said he came out of retirement in 2021 to serve on the board, and that his background in federal probation and state corrections led him to favor evidence-based practices over simple compliance monitoring. He emphasized the need to weigh public safety with giving inmates a real opportunity to transition successfully back into the community. No final action or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:03.920><c> I</c><00:02:04.159><c> must</c><00:02:04.320><c> say</c><00:02:04.479><c> was</
• They're<00:02:06.560><c> they're</c><00:02:06.880><c> closed</c><00:02:07.200><c> on</c><00:02:07.360
• They're<00:02:08.080><c> they</c><00:02:08.319><c> work</c><00:02:08.479><c> with</c><00:02:08.640><c
• agencies<00:02:12.480><c> and</c><00:02:12.640><c> all</c><00:02:12.800><c> that</c><00:02:13.040><c
• </c><00:02:16.000><c> So</c><00:02:16.480><c> I</c><00:02:16.720><c> have</c><00:02:16.879><c> them</

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• :12.319><c> young</c><00:02:12.480><c> lady</c><00:02:12.800><c> I</c><00:02:12.959><c> said</c><00:02
• 00:02:15.440><c> does</c><00:02:15.599><c> she</c><00:02:15.760><c> want</c><00:02:15.920><c> me</c><
• <00:02:16.480><c> task</c><00:02:16.720><c> force</c><00:02:17.280><c> is</c><00:02:17.440><c> it</c>
• ><c> to</c><00:02:23.920><c> do</c><00:02:24.000><c> that</c><00:02:24.160><c> and</c><00:02:24.319><
• don't ask her so<00:02:27.200><c> she</c><00:02:27.520><c> called</c><00:02:27.760><c> me</c><00:02:

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.