Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:49:20.880><c> I'm</c><00:49:21.000><c> very</c><00:49:21.320><c> concerned</c><00:49:21.800><c
• <c> needs</c><00:49:23.840><c> to</c><00:49:23.960><c> be</c><00:49:24.120><c> defined</c><00:49:24.560
• defined and it needs<00:49:24.840><c> to</c><00:49:24.920><c> be</c><00:49:25.000><c> pure,</c><00:49
• :27.280><c> enough</c><00:49:27.560><c> so</c><00:49:27.680><c> when</c><00:49:27.880><c> we</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:36.920><c> Yeah,</c><00:49:37.160><c> because</c><00:49:37.480><c> in</c><00:49:37.600><c>

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:02.079><c> Again,</c><00:49:02.319><c> we</c><00:49:02.559><c> wouldn't</c><00:49:02.800><
• Now,<00:49:08.960><c> furthermore,</c><00:49:09.440><c> I'll</c><00:49:09.680><c> be</c><00:49:09.760
• /c><00:49:11.200><c> had</c><00:49:11.359><c> to</c><00:49:11.520><c> be</c><00:49:11.680><c> said.
• The people<00:49:12.960><c> need</c><00:49:13.119><c> to</c><00:49:13.280><c> know</c><00:49:13.440><
• </c><00:49:29.839><c> vote</c><00:49:30.079><c> on</c><00:49:30.240><c> this</c><00:49:30.960><c> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:03.839><c> to</c><00:49:04.000><c> visit,</c><00:49:04.400><c> KO</c><00:49:04.960><c> is<
• <00:49:06.559><c> and</c><00:49:06.800><c> a</c><00:49:06.960><c> very</c><00:49:07.200><c> inspiring
• </c><00:49:17.520><c> So</c><00:49:17.680><c> there's</c><00:49:18.000><c> a</c><00:49:18.160><c> lot
• </c><00:49:19.599><c> Um</c><00:49:19.920><c> and</c><00:49:20.160><c> the</c><00:49:20.319><c> city<
• <00:49:21.760><c> goal</c><00:49:22.000><c> of</c><00:49:22.240><c> net</c><00:49:22.559><c> zero</c>

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions<00:49:06.800><c> for</c><00:49:07.040><c> Senator</c><00:49:07.359><c> Elliot</c><00:49
• <00:49:09.040><c> I</c><00:49:09.280><c> have</c><00:49:09.359><c> a</c><00:49:09.520><c> motion.
• </c><00:49:09.839><c> I</c><00:49:10.000><c> have</c><00:49:10.079><c> a</c><00:49:10.240><c> second.
• All<00:49:10.640><c> in</c><00:49:10.800><c> favor</c><00:49:11.040><c> say</c><00:49:11.280><c> I.
• </c><00:49:21.760><c> Next</c><00:49:21.920><c> bill,</c><00:49:22.319><c> Miss</c><00:49:22.480><c>

Bills: HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312 , HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, judicial system, funding, state budget, Pickens County, local act, vehicle tag fee, registration fee, issuance fee, motor vehicle registration, license plate, replacement tag, transfer tag, renewal fee, county revenue, earmarked funds, ambulance service, emergency medical services, EMS

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:01.920><c> as</c><00:49:02.240><c> those</c><00:49:02.559><c> dollars</c><00:49:03.520><c> the
• ><c> and</c><00:49:05.520><c> when</c><00:49:05.680><c> we</c><00:49:05.760><c> get</c><00:49:05.839>
• 00:49:08.640><c> well</c><00:49:09.119><c> but</c><00:49:09.359><c> you</c><00:49:09.520><c> could</c
• /c><00:49:10.559><c> the</c><00:49:10.800><c> last</c><00:49:11.200><c> 20</c><00:49:11.440><c> to</c
• <00:49:18.800><c> it</c><00:49:19.040><c> would</c><00:49:19.119><c> be</c><00:49:19.280><c> a</c><00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission meeting focused on reviewing and correcting draft minutes and then working through a draft report on the cost of special education. Members made mostly clerical corrections, including clarifying references to Spalding, fixing acronyms such as LETRS, and cleaning up membership titles and appointee roles to match SB 57. The minutes were approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair also noted the commission’s deadline to complete findings and recommendations by July 1 and said the final report must be delivered to legislative leaders, the governor, the state librarian, and others. The main substantive discussion centered on the report’s findings about special education funding. Members agreed the report should emphasize that the commission was created to study the cost of special education and reduce reliance on local property taxes. One draft section described FY24 special education funding as coming from three primary state and federal sources totaling about $152 million, or roughly 15% of annual costs, with the remaining 85% paid by local school districts through property tax revenue, estimated at about $825 million. Members discussed adding historical or longitudinal data to show trends over time, and some suggested attaching charts or tables showing funding over the last 20 to 30 years. A second major topic was demographic data. The draft noted that statewide K-12 enrollment has declined since 2003 while the number and share of students with IEPs has increased. Members questioned whether the data compared like with like, especially given the growth of Education Freedom Accounts and charter school enrollment, and whether the figures included or excluded those students. Several members asked for clearer sourcing from the Department of Education and suggested keeping a list of unresolved questions, including the impact of the shift from ADMA to ADMR and the effect of the EFA program. The discussion ended with agreement to continue refining the report and to gather additional attachments and clarifications before finalizing recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> I</c><00:49:14.720><c> look</c><00:49:14.920><c> at</c><00:49:15.040><c> when</c><00:49:15.160><
• councils<00:49:22.520><c> you</c><00:49:22.560><c> know</c><00:49:22.880><c> those</c><00:49:23.200>
• ><00:49:25.240><c> can</c><00:49:25.400><c> encourage</c><00:49:25.960><c> parents</c><00:49:26.200><
• I'm<00:49:27.800><c> very</c><00:49:28.040><c> supportive</c><00:49:28.560><c> of</c><00:49:28.640><c
• </c><00:49:35.880><c> Now</c><00:49:36.600><c> again</c><00:49:37.080><c> to</c><00:49:37.200><c> the

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection. The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts. One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items. Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've and and<00:49:04.240><c> just</c><00:49:04.400><c> to</c><00:49:04.640><c> say</c><00:49:04.880>
• <00:49:08.400><c> representative</c><00:49:09.119><c> have</c><00:49:09.280><c> a</c><00:49:09.520><c
• department of<00:49:12.319><c> insurance</c><00:49:12.960><c> and</c><00:49:13.760><c> and</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:18.960><c> So</c><00:49:19.520><c> once</c><00:49:19.760><c> again</c><00:49:20.079><c> we
• But<00:49:40.480><c> it's</c><00:49:40.720><c> something</c><00:49:40.880><c> I</c><00:49:41.200><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee approved the November 7 minutes with three abstentions and then received status updates on several ongoing audits. Audit staff reported that the special education oversight audit was in report-writing, with 34 of 71 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The education freedom accounts audit had 22 of 41 observations completed, with a draft also expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The Doorway program audit had 5 of 13 observations completed, with a draft expected by the end of February and a final report by April or May. The committee then discussed possible new oversight topics, prompted by concerns about fraud in other states and the need to ensure New Hampshire programs are not vulnerable. Members suggested hearing from DHS officials, contract administrators, and possibly the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit about SNAP and other programs, as well as reviewing staffing levels in HHS contract management. There was also discussion of whether to revisit the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, though members noted that prior work on that area had been suspended because of litigation. A representative from HHS, Teresa Narrow, briefed the committee on the Bureau of Developmental Services. She said the state had been in compliance with CMS since July 1, 2023 after resolving issues tied to a system redesign and billing changes, and that provider-side billing problems had also been fixed. She also described three existing bodies involved in developmental disability housing oversight, including the Council on Housing Stability, the ABLE Housing Task Force, and a legislative study committee created by HB 168 in 2024. Committee members asked for her notes to be shared. The committee spent substantial time debating whether to pursue a new special education audit at the school-district level. Members discussed the need to examine why some districts have much higher special education rates and costs than others, and whether a statistically selected sample of schools could be used. Audit staff said no new audits could begin until about May or June and that only a couple of auditors would then be available. Members also noted that a legislative study committee is already working on special education and may issue a report later this year, and the committee appeared to leave the school-level audit idea as a potential future item rather than taking immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:49:00.800><c> all</c><00:49:00.960><c> those</c><00:49:01.119><c> in</c><00:49:01.280><c> favor
• Those opposed.<00:49:06.559><c> All</c><00:49:06.559><c> right,</c><00:49:06.800><c> that's</c><00:49
• So,<00:49:07.680><c> now</c><00:49:07.839><c> we're</c><00:49:07.920><c> on</c><00:49:08.079><c> the<
• </c><00:49:16.160><c> Motion</c><00:49:16.400><c> is</c><00:49:16.640><c> ought</c><00:49:16.720><c>
• , &gt;&gt; yes.<00:49:57.280><c> Motion</c><00:49:57.680><c> carries</c><00:49:58.079><c> 14</c><00:49

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there<01:49:45.119><c> should</c><01:49:45.280><c> be</c><01:49:45.440><c> a</c><01:49:45.600><c>
• ><c> will</c><01:49:47.920><c> restart</c><01:49:48.320><c> and</c><01:49:48.560><c> we</c><01:49:48.719
• we if we have<01:49:49.199><c> to</c><01:49:49.360><c> we</c><01:49:49.520><c> will</c><01:49:49.679>
• 49:55.520><c> refrain</c><01:49:55.840><c> from</c><01:49:56.000><c> any</c><01:49:56.400><c> prof</c
• :00.240><c> we</c><02:49:00.479><c> want</c><02:49:00.560><c> to</c><02:49:00.720><c> keep</c><02:49:

Bills: HB676

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees

Summary: The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language. HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments. HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> tell</c><00:49:01.640><c> you</c><00:49:02.520><c> that</c><00:49:02.880><c> at</c><00:49:03.160
• > ask</c><00:49:16.040><c> me</c><00:49:16.160><c> to</c><00:49:16.720><c> it</c><00:49:16.839><c> is
• </c><00:49:18.559><c> to</c><00:49:18.799><c> I</c><00:49:18.920><c> get</c><00:49:19.040><c> to</c><
• :49:24.680><c> I</c><00:49:25.319><c> out</c><00:49:25.559><c> of</c><00:49:26.000><c> um</c><00:49:26.240
• the</c><00:49:41.319><c> industry</c><00:49:42.200><c> as</c><00:49:42.359><c> to</c><00:49:42.680><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• species<00:49:02.720><c> communities</c><00:49:03.280><c> within</c><00:49:03.599><c> the</c><00:49:
• So, chair's<00:49:09.040><c> recommendation</c><00:49:09.440><c> is</c><00:49:09.680><c> to</c><00:49
• /c><00:49:15.760><c> two</c><00:49:16.440><c> between</c><00:49:17.440><c> line</c><00:49:17.839><c>
• 00:49:19.040><c> to</c><00:49:19.119><c> make</c><00:49:19.200><c> a</c><00:49:19.359><c> little</c>
• </c><00:49:19.680><c> changes</c><00:49:20.000><c> and</c><00:49:20.240><c> just</c><00:49:20.400><c>

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:06.079><c> going</c><00:49:06.240><c> to</c><00:49:06.480><c> be</c><00:49:06.640><c> done
• way,</c><00:49:07.520><c> we</c><00:49:07.760><c> would</c><00:49:07.920><c> have</c><00:49:08.079><c
• > accountant,</c><00:49:17.680><c> too,</c><00:49:18.160><c> and</c><00:49:18.960><c> that</c><00:49:
• </c><00:49:25.359><c> We're</c><00:49:25.680><c> looking</c><00:49:25.920><c> for</c><00:49:26.079><c
• And you know,<00:49:36.079><c> they</c><00:49:36.319><c> wouldn't</c><00:49:36.480><c> have</c><00:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240><c> and</c><02:49:00.399><c> I</c><02:49:00.640><c> think</c><02:49:00.720><c> they</c><02:49
• 02:49:07.760><c> not</c><02:49:08.399><c> deserved</c><02:49:08.960><c> and</c><02:49:09.120><c> and<
• says<02:49:27.520><c> how</c><02:49:27.840><c> wonderful</c><02:49:28.319><c> we</c><02:49:28.560><c
• we</c><02:49:34.240><c> should</c><02:49:34.479><c> waste</c><02:49:34.880><c> time</c><02:49:35.120
• :49:47.040><c> or</c><02:49:47.279><c> all</c><02:49:47.439><c> of</c><02:49:47.520><c> us</c><02:49:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:49:04.960><c> Well,</c><00:49:05.920><c> I'll</c><00:49:06.240><c> pitch</c><00:49:06.480><c> in
• I've<00:49:09.119><c> um</c><00:49:09.440><c> I've</c><00:49:09.760><c> asked</c><00:49:10.319><c> uh
• &gt;&gt; Very<00:49:19.599><c> good,</c><00:49:20.079><c> Senator</c><00:49:20.480><c> Pelton.
• 30.400><c> heck</c><00:49:30.559><c> out</c><00:49:30.720><c> of</c><00:49:30.880><c> here.
• I will be excused<00:49:33.040><c> Friday</c><00:49:33.359><c> the</c><00:49:33.680><c> 13th.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But uh<00:49:00.960><c> it</c><00:49:01.200><c> needs</c><00:49:01.440><c> to</c><00:49:01.520><c> be
• We see ourselves<00:49:06.800><c> as</c><00:49:07.200><c> a</c><00:49:07.839><c> a</c><00:49:08.400><
• </c><00:49:15.040><c> And</c><00:49:15.680><c> even</c><00:49:15.920><c> though</c><00:49:16.079><c>
• 00:49:17.200><c> that</c><00:49:17.599><c> fit</c><00:49:17.920><c> that</c><00:49:18.160><c> bill,</
• 00:49:23.359><c> that</c><00:49:23.760><c> one</c><00:49:24.000><c> person</c><00:49:24.400><c> is</c

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, March 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:49:10.720><c> uh</c><00:49:10.960><c> Teresa</c><00:49:11.359><c> has</c><00:49:11.599><c> been<
• us<00:49:20.480><c> to</c><00:49:20.720><c> follow</c><00:49:20.960><c> up</c><00:49:21.200><c> on</
• c><00:49:21.520><c> all</c><00:49:21.839><c> LBA</c><00:49:22.400><c> audits</c><00:49:22.800><c> and
• ><c> post</c><00:49:24.319><c> our</c><00:49:24.720><c> work</c><00:49:25.119><c> on</c><00:49:25.440
• 49:52.880><c> real</c><01:49:53.119><c> time</c><01:49:53.280><c> as</c><01:49:53.520><c> we</c><01:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Good<00:49:12.880><c> afternoon,</c><00:49:13.280><c> chair,</c><00:49:13.680><c> vice</c><00:49
• :17.599><c> you</c><00:49:17.760><c> gave</c><00:49:18.000><c> us</c><00:49:18.160><c> last</c><00:49
• She's the person<00:49:23.280><c> that's</c><00:49:23.520><c> going</c><00:49:23.599><c> to</c><00:49
• :49:55.520><c> H</c><00:49:55.520><c> H</c><00:49:55.520><c> H</c><00:49:55.520><c> H</c><00:49:55.520
• 49:55.599><c> H</c><00:49:55.599><c> H</c><00:49:55.599><c> H</c><00:49:55.599><c> H</c><00:49:55.599

Bills: HB20 , HB2612 , HB2404 , HB2459 , HB2194 , HB1880 , HB2284 , HB1969 , HB2458 , HB1546 , HB2161 , HB1721 , HB1641 , HB2137 , HB1782 , HB2360 , HB1965 , HB1897 , HB1513

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, mortgage, debt, secured transactions, real property, Hawaii Revised Statutes, cooperative associations, electric utility cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives, mutual help, food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 20, which would create a lava zone insurance subsidy/fund. The Insurance Division opposed the bill, arguing that lava zones 1 and 2 are the highest-risk areas, that a subsidy would not reduce the underlying risk or loss costs, that it could invite similar subsidy requests for other hazards, and that the bill may conflict with HICV by diverting funds from the CRF. Members discussed the lack of authorized homeowners insurance in those lava zones, the role of HPIA and the surplus market, and the difference between the proposed lava-zone subsidy and the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. The chair noted 37 submitted testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on HB 20 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2612, relating to mortgages, which would clarify that a mortgage does not exist independently of the debt it secures and is not independently enforceable from that debt. The Hawaii Credit Union League and Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill, while several individuals testified in support, arguing it would restore Hawaii’s long-standing lien-state rule and prevent so-called “zombie mortgages” after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s White decision. Supporters said the bill would protect borrowers from delayed foreclosures and predatory lending practices, while opponents and the Insurance Division emphasized that foreclosure actions still require proof of standing and possession of the note, and that lenders generally pursue foreclosure without seeking deficiency judgments. Committee members questioned the Insurance Division about how the current market works, whether lenders could wait out the statute of limitations and then foreclose only on the mortgage, and whether equitable tolling or later defaults could allow refiling. The division said it is still trying to attract authorized insurers back into the lava-zone market, but has seen little progress. No vote or final action on HB 2612 was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:01.920><c> we</c><00:49:02.040><c> were</c><00:49:02.200><c> at</c><00:49:02.640><c> 177,000</c><
• /c><00:49:06.920><c> you're</c><00:49:07.040><c> spending</c><00:49:07.480><c> that</c><00:49:07.680>
• on investments<00:49:10.799><c> because</c><00:49:11.400><c> then</c><00:49:11.599><c> you</c><00:49:
• 49:18.000><c> ghost</c><00:49:18.520><c> town</c><00:49:19.520><c> I</c><00:49:19.720><c> can</c> on
• context this<00:49:23.559><c> technology</c><00:49:24.240><c> is</c><00:49:24.400><c> used</c><00:49

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > occurring</c><00:49:15.200><c> um</c><00:49:15.440><c> sort</c><00:49:15.680><c> of</c><00:49:15.920
• other than<00:49:23.119><c> and</c><00:49:23.359><c> I</c><00:49:23.599><c> see</c><00:49:23.680><c>
• I<00:49:25.599><c> mean</c><00:49:25.680><c> because</c><00:49:26.000><c> we</c><00:49:26.240><c> want
• to</c><00:49:29.040><c> put</c><00:49:29.480><c> a</c><00:49:30.480><c> position</c><00:49:30.800><c
• ><c> up</c><00:49:47.760><c> having</c><00:49:48.079><c> to</c><00:49:48.240><c> be</c><00:49:48.480>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.

Transcript Highlights:

• reasons</c><00:49:04.640><c> for</c><00:49:04.880><c> that,</c><00:49:05.119><c> then</c><00:49:05.359
• ><c> you</c><00:49:06.079><c> to</c><00:49:06.240><c> look</c><00:49:06.400><c> to</c><00:49:06.559><
• </c><00:49:09.040><c> Thank</c><00:49:09.200><c> you</c><00:49:09.359><c> for</c><00:49:09.599><c> your
• </c><00:49:30.400><c> For</c><00:49:30.640><c> over</c><00:49:30.960><c> 25</c><00:49:31.440><c> years
• </c><00:49:35.119><c> I'm</c><00:49:35.440><c> here</c><00:49:35.599><c> today</c><00:49:35.839><c> to

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all