Transcript Highlights:

• If accommodations are needed for today's hearing or any hearing in the future, please communicate that
• reasons, including the compensation of our workers, the provision of their health care benefits, or accommodating
• reasons, including the compensation of our workers, the provision of their health care benefits, or accommodating
• reasons, including the compensation of our workers, the provision of their health care benefits, or accommodating
• reasons, including the compensation of our workers, the provision of their health care benefits, or accommodating

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy met to approve prior minutes and then take public testimony on the governor’s budget recommendations for human services. The chair explained the hearing format and noted that DHS declined to testify. Much of the testimony focused on proposed reductions or caps affecting disability waiver services, nursing homes, and elderly waiver programs, as well as related fee and tax changes in the budget. Representatives of ARM argued that the governor’s proposal would cap inflationary adjustments at 2%, limit rate exceptions, cap billable days, and restrict individualized home supports, which they said would worsen workforce shortages, reduce wages for direct support professionals, and destabilize disability services. They said the package would cut about $600 million over four years and could lead to group home closures, higher turnover, and families losing access to local homes and services. Committee members asked about real-world impacts and future rate adjustments, and ARM responded that providers have already planned around expected 2026 rates, so a cap would create immediate budget and staffing problems. Long-Term Care Imperative testified against nursing home-related cuts, saying the budget would cap future rate increases, limit health insurance costs in rate setting, phase out closure-related agreements and incentives, and fail to fully fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. They estimated the nursing home provisions could amount to a $218 million cut over four years, or roughly $350 million when combined with other underfunding, and said every nursing home and bed in Minnesota would be affected. They also criticized the lack of an inflation factor in Elderly Waiver, a proposed 54% increase in assisted living fees, and possible changes to provider-assessed fine and penalty funds. Members asked about staffing and bed availability, and the testifiers said reduced funding would likely force more beds out of service. A later testifier, Dan Andre of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, raised concerns about the DHS budget’s proposed increase in the HMO surcharge and about carving pharmacy and non-emergency medical transportation benefits out of managed care. He argued the tax increase would raise premiums for fully insured and Medicare supplement enrollees and that managed care coordination helps members access care and medications. The hearing also included one unrelated, disruptive testimony about the Minnesota Sex Offender Program and other agencies, which the chair redirected back to the human services budget. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the utilization of RIM, and in order to accommodate what it should be used for, which is to accommodate
• So the utilization of RIM, and in order to accommodate what it should be used for, which is to accommodate
• So the utilization of RIM, and in order to accommodate what it should be used for, which is to accommodate
• So the utilization of RIM, and in order to accommodate what it should be used for, which is to accommodate
• So the utilization of RIM, and in order to accommodate what it should be used for, which is to accommodate

Bills: SB2613, SB2147

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, please come see me, and the door's open and the attitude is certainly accommodating. Thank you.
• the doors open and the attitude is the doors open and the attitude is certainly<00:32:40.880> accommodating
• certainly accommodating. Thank you. certainly accommodating. Thank you.
• > to<00:34:41.760> where<00:34:41.919> we<00:34:42.079> don't to some accommodation
• to where we don't to some accommodation to where we don't hamstring<00:34:42.800> law<00:34:43.040

Bills: HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328, HB348, HB106, HB347, HB54, SB118, SB167, SB195, HB260, HB263, HB328

Keywords: bail reform, illegal aliens, violent offenses, pretrial detention, flight risk, court hearings, doxing, personal identifying information, harassment, online safety, law enforcement, public servants, penalties, consumer protection, illicit material, private rights, digital privacy, nonconsensual distribution, incarceration, pregnancy

Transcript Highlights:

• 26.559> simple<00:17:27.240> yet<00:17:27.600> impactful<00:17:28.280> accommodation
• the simple yet impactful accommodation the simple yet impactful accommodation which<00:17:29.760
• ><00:29:22.360> a how much can like an employer or a how much can like an employer or a accommodation
• c> or<00:29:23.440> government<00:29:23.760> entity<00:29:24.120> can accommodation
• or government entity can accommodation or government entity can pry<00:29:24.720> into<00:29:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for this accommodation so I can make another meeting.
• limit its flexibility to choose the most appropriate delivery method for each project and pivot to accommodate

Bills: SB35, SB1113, SB1365, SB1394, SB2243, SB2245, SB2589, SB2199, SB2200, SB 35

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• If an accommodation is needed, communicate with the sergeant staff.
• If an accommodation is needed, communicate with the sergeant staff.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As you've heard, to accommodate As you've heard, to accommodate involuntary<00:30:13.200> commitment
• we're going to be able to accommodate we're going to be able to accommodate everyone<04:03:51.040
• and accommodating as much as<04:03:56.399> we<04:03:56.560> can.
• > to<05:55:35.920> remove This was the accommodation to remove This was the accommodation
• > replaceable accommodation and the replaceable accommodation and the replaceable amendment<05

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People do less activities, tours, restaurants, and retail when they spend that much on accommodations
• you're going to make accommodations you're going to make accommodations<03:34:55.439> cost<03
• cost that much more I accommodations cost that much more I urge<03:34:57.600> you<03:34:58.160
• <03:45:27.439> Tax<03:45:28.199> in a Transient Accommodations Tax in a Transient Accommodations
• Tax is a means Transient Accommodations Tax is a means to<03:45:50.760> shift<03:45:51.120>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or just to be able to give the future next lieutenant governor also the room to be able to just accommodate
• Future next lieutenant governor also the room to be able to just accommodate, whether, you know, depending

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rates could not be raised quick enough to accommodate the rate need at the time.
• downward spiral that it was heading towards a crash rates could not be raised quick enough to to accommodate

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance convened with a quorum present, and Commissioner Michael Yaworsky of the Office of Insurance Regulation delivered a broad update on Florida’s property insurance market. He outlined the division of responsibilities between OIR and the Department of Financial Services, then reported market indicators including 7.61 million residential policies in force, an average premium of $2,755, 1.5 million Citizens takeout approvals, and recent negative trends in homeowners rate requests. He credited recent legislative reforms, especially tort reform and the Insurer Accountability Act, with improving market stability, increasing competition, and allowing the office to conduct more examinations and investigations, recover consumer restitution, and fine insurers for misconduct tied to recent hurricanes. Yaworsky emphasized that Citizens Property Insurance has been rapidly depopulating from its 2022 peak and may fall below 300,000 policies, while cautioning that over-depopulation could create residual-market risks and assessments if a major storm hits. He also discussed the distinction between admitted and surplus lines markets, the role of reinsurance in Florida pricing, and the effect of inflation on total insured values and premiums. He said Florida has seen comparatively modest property rate increases relative to other states and noted that recent hurricanes did not produce the kind of rate spikes seen in prior years, which he attributed to a more stable market and reduced fraud and litigation pressure. In response to a question from Senator Martin, Yaworsky explained that California’s wildfire crisis and regulatory structure are not a direct one-to-one comparison for Florida, but that California’s market problems can affect global reinsurance capacity and serve as a cautionary example of regulatory missteps. He also highlighted a recent Progressive auto insurance excess-profits refund of about $1 billion to policyholders, discussed possible federal changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, and urged greater home resiliency and code-plus adoption. The commissioner closed by calling for clearer consumer disclosures and responsible oversight of AI use in insurance filings. No bills were considered and no votes were taken; Senator Hooper moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you Speaker Craddock for this accommodation so I can make another meeting, um.
• agency's flexibility to choose the most appropriate delivery method for each project and pivot to accommodate

Bills: SB 35, SB 1113, SB 1365, SB 1394, SB 2243, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2199, SB 2200

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• To accommodate this continued growth is vital that Texas ports of entry are properly staffed and provide
• To ensure Texas accommodates the continued growth, it's required to support. bills like HB 4810.

Bills: HB2013, HB4163, HB4810

Keywords: property owners associations, chickens, urban farming, land use, homeowner rights, agriculture, municipal regulation, governmental requirements, farm management, inspections, border control, trade, state funding, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them on, and it's really the doors and making sure we have the appropriate square footage there to accommodate
• The appropriate square footage there to accommodate doors and alcoves with some of the specialty doors
• We did have to move some walls to accommodate those specialty doors. Next steps for us.
• , upgrading the walk-in vestibule around the generator, and increasing the rough-in conduits to accommodate

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• according to Sacramento Bee's own reporting and Tenuous reporting, more than 70 state offices could not accommodate
• Yet for many Californians, these observances continue to require special accommodations simply because
• religions we have in the U.S. and in the world, we have over 4,000 religions just worldwide, and to accommodate
• it general rather than specific and highlighting each one because we’re not going to be able to accommodate

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd stop around 6 p.m. to accommodate a school committee meeting just down the hall.
• They've been paid in full, so we pay with a flexible accommodation rate.
• That accommodation rate gets paid in the full amount regardless of the number of beds occupied, which
• A gap was identified or there was an emerging need that couldn't be accommodated in another way, and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• front of you is a $3.2 million request for 100% general funds so we can modify that construction to accommodate
• student lounge, and some community... student lounge, and some community attributes to our armory to accommodate
• This new addition will accommodate 20 veterans, and the construction is ongoing and expected to have
• At Troop B, we need to expand the impound lot to safely accommodate evidence and vehicle storage requirements

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have a rule for that, but we try to be as accommodating as possible.
• 22:35.720> as a rule for that, but we try to be as a rule for that, but we try to be as accommodating
• <00:22:37.880> Thank<00:22:38.040> you, accommodating as possible.
• Thank you, accommodating as possible.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, members, if there are no objections, the chair would like to take one item out of order to accommodate
• 17.280> to like to take one item out of order um to like to take one item out of order um to accommodate
• <00:01:19.880> Um accommodate the person's schedule.
• Um accommodate the person's schedule.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several gubernatorial nominations to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one nomination to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board. For GM 779, Mark Fong Su Wat said he would bring his experience as an electrician and labor community member to workforce development, and he committed to serving if confirmed. Testimony was unanimously supportive, with 10 in support and none opposed, and the committee voted to recommend advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted. For GM 792, Sheryl Cross sought a second term on the Workforce Development Council and described her work on employer engagement, military veteran affairs, and military spouse employment. In response to questions, she emphasized the need to better connect military spouses, underrepresented workers, and students pursuing trades or non-college pathways to jobs, including through school academies and online hiring initiatives. The item was held for later decision-making. For GM 793, Ashley Lohua, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council, said her focus would be helping people stay in Hawaii by improving job retention, listening to community concerns, and building pathways between sectors. Support testimony highlighted her work with marginalized communities and her empathy and leadership. She told the committee she would use her nonprofit and HR experience to help address vacancies and workforce barriers; the item was also held for later decision-making. For GM 774, Douglas Thomas Moore, nominated to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, said his first priority would be reducing the backlog. He proposed using informal conferences and mediation to speed workers’ compensation appeals and suggested recruiting more practitioners, especially younger ones, into the field. The committee noted 11 supportive testimonies and no opposition; no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, if you do require a reasonable accommodation, please speak with our sergeant staff for assistance
• However, if you do require a<00:01:13.440> reasonable<00:01:13.840> accommodation,<00:01
• :14.520> please<00:01:14.800> speak a reasonable accommodation, please speak a reasonable
• accommodation, please speak with<00:01:15.160> our<00:01:15.280> sergeant<00:01:15.720

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• external defibrillator devices that are installed and placed in service in certain places of public accommodation
• places and placed in service in certain places of<00:04:51.880> public<00:04:52.320> accommodation
• <00:04:53.720> located<00:04:54.160> in<00:04:54.280> the of public accommodation
• located in the of public accommodation located in the state. state. state.

Bills: HB1511, HB1535, HB1642, HB1753, HB1810, HB2282, HB2614

Keywords: consumer protection, unsolicited mail, unsolicited email, junk mail, spam email, deceptive marketing, misleading solicitation, high-pressure sales, vehicle warranty, auto warranty, service contract, home warranty, license renewal, registration renewal, government impersonation, affiliation disclosure, direct mail, email marketing, consumer fraud, refund

Summary: The committee heard several consumer-protection and insurance measures. HB 1511 HD2 would prohibit unsolicited mail or email using high-pressure tactics or falsely implying affiliation with another entity; it drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection, the DCCA Insurance Division, and the Service Contract Industry Council, with some written support and at least one opposition. HB 1535 HD2, concerning automated external defibrillators and a tax-related provision for devices installed in certain public accommodations, received comments from DOTAX and the Tax Foundation, with additional support from the Department of Health and other groups. HB 1642 HD1 would ban ownership or operation of digital financial asset transaction kiosks that accept U.S. currency; it was strongly supported by OCP, the Attorney General, and AARP, while kiosk operators and industry representatives opposed the ban and urged a regulatory approach instead, including licensing, transaction limits, refunds, and other safeguards. Members questioned whether federal action could preempt the bill and whether a licensure regime could be funded through a surcharge, but no action was taken during the discussion. The committee also took up HB 1753 on social media account deletion and permanent erasure of personal information, with OCP standing on its initial comments and TechNet and Will Caron in support. HB 1810 HD2 would impose prompt payment and financial reporting requirements on professional solicitors selling donated tangible property on behalf of charities; Goodwill Hawaii testified in strong support, emphasizing donor trust and transparency, and several nonprofit and business groups submitted supportive testimony. HB 2282 HD1, which would require explanations for premium increases and clarify insurance licensing and cancellation/non-renewal procedures, was supported by the Insurance Division and OCP; a vice chair asked for complaint data related to condo associations, and a member noted that the same agencies had previously opposed similar Senate bills. Finally, HB 2614 HD1 would require cosmetics merchants to accept returns of new or unopened goods within specified time frames and improve signage requirements; OCP said the bill addressed longstanding complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and no-return policies, citing over 180 complaints and survey results showing most complainants did not understand the policy and felt misled.