Transcript Highlights:

• In the United States, nine out of 10 prescriptions filled are for generic drugs.
• nor those patients who take brand-name drugs without therapeutic competition, because rebates are generally
• Alexis Moderex with the Nevada Chapter Associated General Contractors.
• could go out, even if it's not a declared natural disaster or emergency, to be able to provide that assistance
• It wasn't a declared emergency, but our guys were out there assisting.

Bills: AB93, AB204, AB414, AB504, AB598

Keywords: public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, medical debt, collection agency, healthcare, consumer protection, financial assistance, occupational safety, air quality, greenhouse gases, employee monitoring, safety program, hemp, hemp products, cannabidiol, CBD, cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh but cooperate and assist with that.
• I think DCCA is funded through the fees that are generated from registration.
• So, this tax credit sandwich generation.
• Um so as we know child care in general.
• Oh yeah, Lindsay Hostetter, talking from the Department of the Attorney General.

Bills: HB2410, HB2235, HB1904, HB2201, HB2349, HB1972, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2391, HB2575

Keywords: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, economic diversification, small business, innovation, manufacturing assistance, grants, technology programs, advanced manufacturing, military, community relations, economic development, defense-related programs, workforce development, local business readiness, in-state manufacturing, federal investment, space operations, orbital sustainability, aerospace, space traffic management

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 2410 relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testifiers from HTDC and the Hawaii Food Industry Association stood on written testimony, and members discussed the funding request, which was described as $1 million each for three programs, for a total of $3 million. The measure appeared to have broad support, with no opposition noted. The committee then took up HB 2235 HD1 on the military and community relations office, where Lori Moore of MACC asked for additional funding to support local businesses and education-to-career initiatives statewide. Members asked about the amount, and the request was identified as $1.3 million total. HB 904 on space operations followed, with three supporters and one opponent, though no substantive testimony was captured beyond the vote counts. HB 2201 on state enterprise zones drew testimony from Georgia Skinner of DBEDT’s Creative Industries division, who said the measure would build on a well-run enterprise zone program and help make Hawaii’s film industry more competitive. Tom Yamashita of the Tax Foundation also provided comments. The committee then considered HB 2349 relating to DCCA and DBEDT coordination; DCCA explained it already provides links and information to DBEDT programs, while DBEDT argued that direct data sharing would allow more proactive outreach. Members raised privacy and cost concerns, and DBEDT said it would consider opt-in collection and acknowledged system changes and possible funding needs. The committee also heard two tax credit bills. HB 1972 HD1, on a caregiver tax credit, received strong support from AARP, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, who described caregivers as an “invisible workforce” and argued the credit would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce financial strain. The Tax Foundation suggested a grant or subsidy program might be more efficient than a tax credit and raised concerns about debarment provisions. HB 20007 HD1, on the household and dependent care services tax credit, also drew strong support from public health and family advocacy groups, who said Hawaii families face some of the nation’s highest child care costs and that the bill would better reflect current expenses; the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and debarment. Members asked about fiscal impacts, and testimony indicated the current credit costs about $6 million, with the bill expected to increase that amount. The committee then moved on to HB 2385 HD1 on housing, where the Deputy Attorney General began presenting written comments on whether the bill limits county authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• general register. general register.
• for medication-assisted treatment. for medication-assisted treatment.
• placed on the general register. placed on the general register.
• <00:52:25.000> assistant the 2024 Medicaid assistance assistant the 2024 Medicaid assistance
• General Register. General Register.

Bills: HF4493, HF3133, HF4595, HF4143, HF4142, HF3756, HF4289, HF1724, HF2291, HF4568, HF4547

Keywords: opioid use disorder, OUD, medication-assisted treatment, MAT, pharmacist prescribing, pharmacy practice, controlled substances, Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule V, DEA registration, Board of Pharmacy, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, buprenorphine, naltrexone, harm reduction, prescription authority, pharmacist intern, Minnesota pharmacy law

Transcript Highlights:

• That is in here and caught assistance.
• <00:05:26.040> fund that has an other than general fund that has an other than general fund
• <00:12:59.040> with regarding third-party assistance with regarding third-party assistance
• fraud, provides the Attorney General fraud, provides the Attorney General with<00:20:33.840>
• for all medical assistance enrollees. for all medical assistance enrollees.

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• , assistance, assistance, housing<00:04:30.360> support<00:04:30.760> services<00:04:31.320
• they have utilized these funds to assist they have utilized these funds to assist families<00:09
• It can be used for rental assistance, utility assistance, eviction prevention and move-in support.
• assistance Unfortunately, emergency assistance sometimes<00:40:49.840> doesn't<00:40:50.080><
• , and other basic assistance.

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• through 1.11, and that's just making sure that the appropriate numbers are in place for the Attorney General
• Our request for these additional funds will generate a significant return on investment.
• Representative Craft is integrating the transit assistant program into the Minnesota business web portal

Bills: HF2783

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:

• General Contingent Accounts are on line 10.19.
• Section 7 deals with medical assistance fraud and other theft.
• Demand for the agency's general fund services has grown over time.
• Additionally, I hope you will include policy language to assist.
• assistance and processing refunds and payments.

Bills: HF2783

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:

• This bill would require that the Attorney General be notified and would give the Attorney General two
• Three, that the Attorney General can...
• The Attorney General can waive that once they're ready to go, and also the Attorney General should designate
• The bill says that the court will notify the Attorney General.
• And so he would be able to participate in the hearing, obviously through an assistant attorney general

Bills: HB304, HB401, HB556, HB1475, HB1489, HB2259, HB2424, HB2773, HB2811, HB3323, HB304

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's just making sure that the appropriate numbers are in place for the attorney general and the
• <00:01:46.960> and<00:01:47.200> the place for the attorney general and the place for
• the attorney general and the Minnesota<00:01:47.840> Historical<00:01:48.680> Society.
• Our request for these additional funds will generate a significant return on investment for the state
• integrating the transit assistant integrating the transit assistant program<00:09:42.959> into

Bills: HF2783

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:

• Um general contingent accounts 10.14.
• with medical assistance fraud. with medical assistance fraud.
• assistance and processing refunds and payments.
• 41.039> million types generate over 6 million types generate over 6 million transactions<00:21
• <00:21:46.640> and providing taxpayers assistance and providing taxpayers assistance and processing

Bills: HF2783

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:

• Beyond tuition assistance, the bill also focuses on boosting college access and completion with FAST
• Cloud who's the assistant dean at our new medical school campus, and I'm going to channel her.
• Assistant Dean Emily Lawrence, Chief of Staff, has been deeply involved in that work.
• <01:37:12.440> program state Soldier assistance program state Soldier assistance program becoming
• would assist assistance program I would assist assistance program I would Envision<01:37:25.560>

Bills: HF2090, HF982, HF2229

Keywords: higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:10.720> like there might be programs to assist like there might be programs to assist
• If we looked, you know, a gener<01:10:01.040> generation<01:10:01.520> ago<01:10:01.840
• > or<01:10:02.080> two<01:10:02.320> generations gener generation ago or two generations
• gener generation ago or two generations ago,<01:10:04.000> um<01:10:04.159> we<01:10:04.480
• again, Attorney General again, Attorney General and<01:53:43.360> Horuchi, followed<01:53

Bills: HB2185, HB2621, HB2179, HB2534, HB2168, HB2427, HB2560, HB2565, HB2172, HB2298, HB2304

Keywords: sports officials, referees, umpires, athletic directors, school administrators, league administrators, coaches, assault, first-degree assault, substantial bodily injury, temporary restraining order, TRO, private counsel, Department of Education, DOE, sports safety, school sports, amateur athletics, professional sports, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 220 is the change to the general fund total for the whole bill in 2026.
• Line 222 is the change to the general fund number in 2026 to the central office.
• Losing that actually changes the total amount of general fund money in the bill. Thank you, Mr.
• Many of my committees I have often frankly complained about, but really, generally, I have not in this
• Thank you, Senator Vice Chair Nelson, for also assisting on that, because it's important.

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 220 is the change to the general fund total for the whole bill in 2026.
• Line 222 is the change to the general fund number in 2026 to the central office.
• Line 220 is the change to the general fund total for the whole bill in 2026.
• Line 222 is the change to the general Line 222 is the change to the general fund<00:35:11.359>
• <00:37:04.320> fund changes the total amount of general fund changes the total amount of general

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• communities, often across generations. communities, often across generations.
• Department of the Attorney General. Department of the Attorney General.
• The department General Derek Peterson.
• <01:18:58.960> are indemnification clauses generally are indemnification clauses generally
• the Department of Accounting and General the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Bills: HB1518, HB1699, HB1747, HB1705, HB1565, HB1801, HB1645, HB2115, HB2114

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's established in case law, and that's a generally accepted concept for care in organizations.
• Text, call, or chat 988 if you're looking for assistance. Thank you all for discussing this.
• I am now a teacher assistant, and I am now the face. Of my committee of SAC at The Link.
• The Chief of General Pediatrics at Children's Minnesota.
• Requiring medical assistance to cover this service at a sustainable rate is critical.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, my mother-in-law just moved into an assisted living.
• And to be able to assisted living.
• Text, call, or chat 988 if you're looking for assistance. Thank you all.
• Um, I am now a teacher assistant and I Um, I am now a teacher assistant and I am<01:26:23.920> now
• Gigi Chala, and I'm the chief of general pediatrics at Children's Minnesota.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Bills: HB205, HB464, HB1361, HB2546, HB3229, HB205

Keywords: alternative fueling, grants, environment, public accessibility, transit authorities, scrap tires, tire dumping, illegal dumping, waste tire cleanup, environmental remediation, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, county grants, public education, enforcement, prosecution, right-of-way, coastal waters, inland waters, solid waste

Transcript Highlights:

• TANIF does has uh assistance programs.
• build the next wave of clean generation. build the next wave of clean generation.
• uh modernized thermal generation uh modernized thermal generation and<01:09:11.199> how<01
• the current marginal cost of generation the current marginal cost of generation is. is. is.
• Zoom attorney general on Zoom attorney general on Zoom with<02:13:01.679> comments.

Bills: HB2284

Keywords: energy assistance, low-income households, electricity costs, Hawaii home energy assistance program, energy efficiency, 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing covered House Bill 2284, which would create the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program in the Department of Human Services to help qualifying households pay energy bills and direct the Public Utilities Commission’s public benefits fee administrator to provide information and assistance to recipients. Testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, DHS, and the Public Utilities Commission was in support. A committee member asked about how the program would interact with existing TANF-related energy assistance and whether rules could be adjusted to avoid duplicative benefits; DHS said logistics would need to be worked out and that the agencies would make the rules. The committees noted the bill’s $1.5 million appropriation and moved it forward with amendments, including blanking out amounts and noting them in the committee report. Both committees voted to pass HB 2284 with amendments, with the recommendation adopted. The committee then heard House Bill 2486, relating to plug-in or balcony solar. DCCA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission stood on prior testimony in support of the bill’s intent. Multiple advocates and organizations, including Carbon Cashback Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Bright Saver, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, testified in support, arguing that plug-in solar would lower electricity bills, expand access for renters and condo residents, and reduce emissions. Several speakers urged the committee to remove or avoid registration, reporting, feed-in tariff, interconnection fee, and other requirements they said would create barriers. Bright Saver testified that the systems are safe and would not back-feed during outages. No vote was taken on HB 2486 during the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1568, which would prohibit the importation or storage of LNG in the state and the construction of related infrastructure. State agencies including the Consumer Advocate, Hawaii State Energy Office, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill, with the Energy Office arguing LNG would perpetuate oil use on Oahu and expose the state to price volatility. Supporters included Life of the Land, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Earthjustice, Our Hawaii, and others, who argued LNG would lock Hawaii into another fossil fuel dependency, create major infrastructure costs and safety risks, and undermine the state’s renewable energy goals. Several testifiers cited climate and affordability concerns and urged the committee to reject LNG. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1568, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a nursing assistant.
• I was a nursing assistant.
• I was a nursing assistant.
• there's a small business assistance there's a small business assistance partnership<00:38:52.000
• Workforce and builds the next generation Workforce and builds the next generation of<00:57:25.640

Bills: HF339, HF1272, HF2121, HF2122, HF1216, HF1003, HF2319

Keywords: HF339, Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, nursing homes, long-term care, elder care, workforce standards, certified worker organizations, labor funding, general fund appropriation, worker grants, Minnesota labor law, nursing home staffing, caregiver workforce, section 181.214, HF1272, nursing home, boarding care home, nursing home workers, labor standards, Medicaid-certified facility