Transcript Highlights:

• Is providers willing?
• gt; provider.
• It is definitely providers are >> provider.
• Is providers that's a sticky spot. Is providers willing? willing? willing? >> Yes.
• </c> provide a little further insight. provide a little further insight.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on January 23, 2026, to approve prior minutes and receive an update from the Department of Health and Human Services. The main presentation focused on “Project Compass,” an internal cross-department effort to prepare for changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility. Department staff said the goal is to maintain continuous coverage for eligible people, align policy, operations, communications, legal, finance, and eligibility work, and use the new integrated New HEIGHTS system to streamline implementation. They emphasized outreach to beneficiaries, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners, and said temporary manual workarounds had already been used to stay in compliance with fast-moving SNAP changes. Members questioned how the department would avoid repeating the costly outreach effort used in a prior Medicaid work-requirement rollout. Department officials said they are focusing on ex parte processes, sharing eligibility information across programs, and using community partners to reduce duplicate contacts and paperwork. They also said the department is monitoring the SNAP error rate closely, expects automation and a planned system contract amendment to help reduce it, and noted that current error rates are trending downward and remain below the national average. Questions were also raised about possible future SNAP restrictions on certain foods; the department said it can implement whatever the legislature directs, but that defining and administering such restrictions would be complex. The commissioner and CFO then outlined the department’s budget reduction plan. They said the department has begun implementing required “back of the budget” reductions for fiscal year 2026, using contract savings and not cutting existing services where possible. Examples included dental and home-visitation contracts, where spending was adjusted based on utilization and projected need. Officials said they had already written down a little over $15 million in prior-year encumbrances, but that this one-time source will not be available next year, making fiscal year 2027 more difficult. They also explained the difference between legally required back-of-budget cuts and lapse, and said staffing remains a major challenge because vacancies have increased and customer-facing service levels are strained. Dr. Jonathan Ballard then began an update on opioid overdose fatalities, presenting the latest medical examiner data and describing the long-term rise in deaths after fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply, with a peak in 2017 and a later increase in 2022. The transcript cuts off before his full presentation and any further committee action beyond discussion of the minutes and receipt of the department updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will provide us an opportunity to strengthen our communities.
• There is no state funding provided for this.
• You know, there is no state funding provided for this.
• You know, what we’re trying to also provide here is certainty.
• provide.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of Minnesotans as provided in law. of Minnesotans as provided in law.
• </c> provide testimony. provide testimony. All<00:32:27.720><c> right.</c> All right. All right.
• </c> uh significant investment was provided uh significant investment was provided to<00:42:48.400><c
• </c> and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud. and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud.
• The only provided a great overview.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:20.000><c> these</c> We are required to provide these We are required to provide these services
• </c> obligation is effective and provides obligation is effective and provides strong<00:28:42.240><c
• Judge Ruof provided what he nurses.
• </c> quote resources necessary to provide quote resources necessary to provide essential<01:08:25.279
• Never once did the state ever provide any evidence that the amount of funding provided is enough.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this doesn’t actually provide more attorney advertising.
• But this doesn’t actually provide more attorney advertising.
• So we're providing them with consulting services.
• And again, we do not provide such services.
• That's what Section 3 provides for.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The internal investigations finding, and then providing written notice to the involved officer.
• But Chief Warner, maybe you can provide... ...I don't believe [it is] resolved here.
• But Chief Warner, maybe you can provide... ...and then if Chief Warner wants to provide additional information
• But Chief Warner, maybe you can provide... Mr. Chair, Senator Verbeten is correct.
• It's really up to them to be providing the records and providing the information.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> city</c><00:03:42.080><c> the</c> Subdivision 3 provides the city the Subdivision 3 provides the
• Subdivision 3A provides that the city authority provides the city the authority to issue bonds to finance
• </c><00:32:38.040><c> only</c><00:32:38.280><c> 25%</c> facility provides only 25% facility provides
• </c> And finally, the effective date provides And finally, the effective date provides that<00:42:33.840
• </c><00:54:04.080><c> $28.4</c> half-cent sales tax to provide $28.4 half-cent sales tax to provide $28.4

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the current model is designed to provide the current model is designed to provide more<00:38:12.720
• ><c> a</c><00:43:41.760><c> relatively</c> this does provide for a relatively this does provide for a
• c> a</c><00:44:53.839><c> distribution</c> this component provided a distribution this component provided
• </c> using air ambulance to try to provide using air ambulance to try to provide ambulatory<00:57:19.359
• </c> really working and digging in to provide really working and digging in to provide sustainable<01

Bills: HB0105 , HB0107 , SF0002

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program, and certainly having providers program, and certainly having providers take<00:25:53.760
• ,</c><00:26:40.320><c> and</c> think should go to the providers, and think should go to the providers
• </c> provided around the state. provided around the state.
• </c><00:40:09.360><c> over</c> the last year alone, we provided over the last year alone, we provided
• </c> specialty care providers in that region. specialty care providers in that region.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the July 15 minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood of the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville. The clinic serves people with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities through a transdisciplinary model that combines medical, dental, behavioral, psychiatric, therapy, and other services under one roof. The presenters argued that this population is large-cost but small in number, often receives little provider training, and is vulnerable to diagnostic overshadowing, overmedication, and missed medical or dental problems. The clinic reported that in Tennessee, payer data showed average costs of about $5,200 per member per month before clinic involvement, with a 44% reduction in overall health care spending after patients were seen, including lower emergency room use, inpatient admissions, and prescription use. They said those savings were measured by the payer, not the clinic, and that the savings accrued to Medicaid or managed care payers rather than the clinic itself. They also shared a case example of a patient who had been placed on hospice but improved after diagnosis and treatment at the clinic. Patient and parent satisfaction were described as very high, generally above 95%. The clinic asked for roughly $5 million to expand into Northern Kentucky, estimating 500 to 700 patients would use the new site and projecting annual savings of about $13 million to $19 million once mature. Members asked about the budget, startup and operating costs, where the savings go, and whether the clinic had considered taking full risk or another value-based model. Senator Meredith and others encouraged the clinic to explore an accountable care or risk-based arrangement, while the presenters said they were open to that discussion but had not pursued it yet. The exchange ended with follow-up questions about the clinic’s overall budget structure and public-private funding mix.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program will provide dedicated funding for sheriff's offices and municipalities.
• Were you able to provide? Questions. Thank you.
• Were you able to provide, were you able to provide any evidence of these letters being sent out, or did
• Leader Pizzo: Doesn't that law provide for that now? Senator Martin: Yes.
• I'd like to provide you an update on the budget and schedule.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• :05:05.040><c> uh</c> have also provided innovative uh have also provided innovative uh features<00:05
• </c> physician is available to provide physician is available to provide guidance<00:27:42.559><c> to
• </c><00:55:27.280><c> an</c> with writerine we we provide an with writerine we we provide an essential
• </c><01:26:37.280><c> those</c> alive and being able to provide those alive and being able to provide
• And so they're being provided.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:04.000><c> a</c> chair asked the gentoman to provide a chair asked the gentoman to provide
• /c><02:23:03.439><c> for</c> consideration of hjr 61 providing for consideration of hjr 61 providing
• </c><03:35:08.800><c> for</c> 177 resolution providing for 177 resolution providing for consideration
• </c><04:33:04.520><c> under</c> what services can be provided under what services can be provided under
• </c><04:34:40.080><c> in</c> observe proper decorum as provided in observe proper decorum as provided

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington would provide at that same carbon intensity.
• So providing a tax credit wouldn't necessarily be beneficial to them.
• So providing a tax credit wouldn't necessarily be beneficial to them.
• Also, again, just providing state operations with that first priority.
• SB 1 provides critical state funding through the local streets and roads program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rural health care provider.
• Healthcare providers. So Mr.
• Speaker and gentlelady, what my expert witness tells me is that the providers that provide those kinds
• The health exemption can be secured by consultation with a medical provider, and they usually provide
• be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we still provide a lot of assistance on. we still provide a lot of assistance on.
• We found at least 10 states provided appropriations and do not provide financing.
• </c> the cost of providing CT services. the cost of providing CT services.
• </c> providing for excess costs of programs. providing for excess costs of programs.
• </c> probable 4% cut in some provider rates. probable 4% cut in some provider rates.

Committee: Joint Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Budget Process 00:02:28 Allotment Process 00:10:30 School Facilities Construction Commission 00:29:10 Role of KDE in School Facilities Funding 00:47:00 Kentucky School Boards Association 01:13:25 Elementary and Secondary School Construction 01:20:40 Perkins V Funding 01:35:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are providing the steps to get them in and get it paid for. We're providing FAFSA assistance.
• ,</c><01:34:25.040><c> uh,</c> are provided, scoring materials, uh, are provided, scoring materials,
• </c> agreements with healthc care providers. agreements with healthc care providers.
• Uh, it just says provide funds.
• It says provide funds uh to funds.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• This specific services we provide.
• </c> funding for the program is not provided funding for the program is not provided this<00:38:15.079
• </c> insurance we provided. insurance we provided.
• </c> program that has helped provide program that has helped provide stability<01:11:15.120><c> in</c
• </c> Thank you for the opportunity to provide Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony<01:28

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for providing the opportunity to testify. Thank you all very much. Yes, hi. Hi.
• Together, they provide over 3,300 megawatts of generation to the region.
• Maybe that information could be provided to us.
• Competition, you think, can keep all the providers honest.
• So you indicate that technology can provide some tools here.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they had already provided.
• What was the material support they were planning to provide?
• Now, why might we wish to provide the standard that government-issued identification be provided with
• I'm here on behalf of the Motor Vehicle Providers Association.
• Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people that provided nothing.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee convened with roll call, member and staff introductions, and a review of amendment deadlines and decorum rules. Members also suspended the committee rule on late-distributed amendments to allow consideration of a Kolodin amendment. The chair then moved to the agenda bills, beginning with HCM 2001, a memorial urging Congress and the President to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and asking Arizona agencies to monitor related organizations. Testimony on HCM 2001 was sharply divided, with supporters arguing the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are linked to terrorism and Sharia law, and opponents calling the memorial discriminatory, unsupported by evidence, and an attack on Muslim civil rights organizations and free speech. The committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2001 out of committee. The committee then heard HCM 2002, which urges a federal review of CAIR for possible foreign terrorist organization designation and supports related congressional action. Testimony again split along similar lines: opponents, including CAIR representatives, a veteran, and community members, said the measure was scapegoating, lacked legal basis, and would stigmatize Muslim communities; supporters cited the Holy Land Foundation case, FBI concerns, and alleged ties between CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2002 out of committee. Following a brief recess, the committee took up HB 2009, which would prohibit committees primarily organized to influence constitutional amendments from accepting foreign national contributions and require disclosure of out-of-state funding. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve transparency and keep constitutional initiatives focused on Arizona voters; members discussed whether the measure should apply to all ballot initiatives and how donor verification would work. HB 2009 was also approved 4-3. The committee then began HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election procedures, including citizenship requirements for voting, limits on foreign contributions to candidate and ballot measure campaigns, government-issued ID requirements, and changes to early voting and mail ballot rules. The committee adopted a late amendment after procedural discussion, and the sponsor described the resolution as a broad election-security reform modeled on Florida. Members raised concerns that the proposal could reduce access, increase lines, and create confusion for mail voters, while the sponsor argued it would improve security and voter confidence. The transcript cuts off during this bill’s discussion, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll stand on our written testimony, providing comments, and I'm available for any questions.
• Sorry, uh, we also are asking for some amendments to make the bill provider-neutral, for providers that
• To be provider-neutral for providers that are already authorized to prescribe opioids under the Uniform
• determines that the injured worker is feasible to participate, then the provider can file.
• </c> is once a provider is once a provider deems<01:06:43.119><c> an</c><01:06:43.279><c> inel</c><01

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 117 on condominiums. Testifiers were split: reserve-study professionals and the Community Associations Institute opposed tying reserve requirements to assessed value, arguing reserve studies should be based on actual components and costs and that the bill could lead to over- or under-collection. Condominium owners and advocates supported the bill, saying some associations are not completing reserve studies or are failing to provide audits and adequate funding, and urging stronger fiduciary accountability. A member later asked about compliance rates, and a witness said he was not aware of any association that had failed to do a reserve study, estimating compliance at well over 95 percent, likely close to 100 percent. The committee then took testimony on HB 544 on pet insurance, which drew support from the Attorney General’s office and the Insurance Division with comments about contract-impairment issues, as well as support from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association and the Hawaiian Humane Society. Testifiers said the bill would help consumers understand and use pet insurance as veterinary costs rise. HB 983 on certified public accountants also drew mostly support, with the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants offering conditional support and proposed amendments. Public accountants said the bill could help address a shortage of CPAs and expand pathways into the profession, while some speakers cautioned that the language needed clarification and that public accounting experience should be tied to CPA-firm work. An instructor from UH West Oahu said students cannot afford the extra credits currently required and would benefit from a more accessible pathway. The committee also heard HB 1050 on Title 24, with DCCA supporting the measure and no opposition or questions. The discussion then moved to HB 256 HD1 on environmental protection and incinerator emissions. The Department of Health offered comments, while Energy Justice Network and Climate Protectors Hawaii supported strengthening the bill, warning that it could weaken existing standards at H-Power unless amended to preserve stricter state rules and require modern pollution controls. A member questioned the Department of Health about H-Power’s permits and whether additional controls would be required if federal rules change; the department said permits are reviewed every five years and that the facility currently meets state and federal requirements, while EPA rules remain in a public comment process. Finally, the committee heard HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, with support from the Consumer Advocate, State Energy Office, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaii Energy. The committee then heard HB 350 HD1 on energy, where the State Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray Corporation offered conditional comments urging any new mandated water-heating technology to meet the same efficiency level as existing solar thermal systems, and the Kauai Climate Action Coalition testified in support. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.