Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:42.960><c> John</c> &gt;&gt; We'll move into the public hearing.
• John &gt;&gt; We'll move into the public hearing.
• You're not hearing them already.
• You're not hearing them already.
• </c> not s you're not hearing them already. not s you're not hearing them already.

Bills: HB303 , SB360 , SB325 , HB477 , SB329 , HB381 , SB330

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call to order our House Housing Committee hearing for Wednesday, February 18th, for our 10
• Such behavior may be grounds for removal from the hearing without the ability to rejoin.
• Um, this is our last hearing until after crossover.
• Um thank hearing until after crossover.
• This hearing is now few weeks. This hearing is now adjourned. >> Mhm.

Bills: HB1743 , HB2122 , HB1756 , HB1837 , HB1729 , HB2559

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintaining decorum and civility throughout this hearing.
• Signs and placards are not permitted in the hearing room.
• Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in removal from the hearing room.
• </c><00:03:33.920><c> governor's</c> hearing uh from the governor's hearing uh from the governor's appointees
• Did I hear that correctly? Yes, sir. You did. Okay.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad to hear his perspective. All right, Senator, we're going to turn now to fraud.
• I'm glad to hear his first question.
• So I think it's really important that the listeners hear from me that we take fraud very seriously.
• </c> important uh that the listeners hear important uh that the listeners hear from<00:10:44.480><c>
• But you have to log in to see hearings. But you have to log in to see the<00:18:39.600><c> updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will hear Senate Bill 241, the Healthcare Assistance Program Act, as amended. Mr.
• I am putting forward for you to make a motion to hear.
• To remove the bill and to hear the bill. Yeah, I don't know that we should hear it right.
• I think we should have a hearing, yeah. Okay. Brought off the table.
• I mean, at the end of the day, you heard it yesterday, you'll hear it again today.

Bills: SB241 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So it means it's a back-end schedule of bill hearings because they're all just they can't get a bill
• hearing scheduled until it's in the committee.
• </c> back-end schedule of bill hearings back-end schedule of bill hearings because<00:21:24.240><c> they're
• scheduled until it's in a bill hearing scheduled until it's in the<00:21:27.440><c> committee.
• </c><00:25:04.799><c> those</c> The chamber should expect to hear those The chamber should expect to

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you hearing, continue to hear that from these affordable housing developers, and what that might
• Hear you right. Whether it's a drag, we can drink over that one. Mr.
• And so I'm happy to hear your enthusiasm for trying to do that.
• And so I'm happy to hear your enthusiasm for trying to do that.
• I mean, those are just the things that I'm hearing.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hear again, as I said, I think we are all keenly aware.
• And if you hear somebody—if you're planning to speak and you hear somebody come up before you and say
• We hear a lot about parental rights in these debates.
• We hear a lot about parental rights in these debates.
• He has hearing loss.

Bills: S1082 , S1168 , S1756 , S1156 , S1480

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hear again, as I said, I think we are all keenly aware.
• And if you hear somebody, if you're planning to speak and you hear somebody come up before you and say
• And if you hear somebody, if you're planning to speak and you hear somebody come up before you and say
• We hear a lot about parental rights in these debates.
• He has hearing loss.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified access to the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, on background screenings, would centralize clearinghouse screening functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration; an amendment clarified that sealed and expunged records may be reviewed for eligibility determinations, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156, on ambulatory surgical centers, would move their regulation into a standalone section of law separate from the hospital-focused Chapter 395, and it was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1480 on temporary certificates for practice in areas of critical need. A strike-all amendment created a grandfathering process for current certificate holders with active primary care relationships if federal designation changes remove an area’s critical-need status. Supporters said it would protect patients and preserve access to care in underserved areas, and the bill was reported favorably. The most extensive debate was on SB 1756, the medical freedom bill. The sponsor said it would require vaccine educational materials and alternative schedules for parents, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that emergency treatment authority does not include mandatory vaccination, and allow pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter with written warnings. The committee adopted one amendment to extend liability protections to physicians as well as pharmacists, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required counseling for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with physicians, pediatricians, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that the bill would lower vaccination rates and increase risk to vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with no final vote taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Consumer Protection and Business Committee for Friday, January 23, 2026, and open the public hearing
• And you'll hear testimony in that this morning. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you very much.
• With that, we will close the public hearing on House Bill 2428 and open the public hearing on House Bill
• We hear that from complainants.
• With that, we're going to close the public hearing on House Bill 2399 and open the public hearing on

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills and then moved into a work session on insurance-related topics. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice of an impending lapse or cancellation, including notice to a designated third party, and to provide proof of delivery; it would also require applicants to be told they may designate such a third party. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for older or vulnerable policyholders, while the life insurance industry supported the concept but requested a delayed implementation date and a small technical amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 2399, which would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance. Staff and the prime sponsor described the practice as allowing contractors to step into the policyholder’s shoes and potentially take control of claims, litigation, and settlement, often to the consumer’s detriment. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all supported the bill, emphasizing consumer vulnerability after disasters and the risk of fraud or inflated claims. Members asked about steering by adjusters, alternative ways for homeowners to authorize others to help with claims, and the $50,000 per-violation penalty, which would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact a Washington Travel Insurance Act based on the NAIC model, creating a more detailed statutory framework for travel insurance licensing, travel retailers, travel administrators, disclosures, and prohibited sales practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choice and standardize rules, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the compromise language but raised a remaining concern about claims being adjusted by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office testified that the bill should not be read to supersede Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the sponsor said amendments were being worked on to address that concern. In the work session, OIC and Department of Natural Resources staff presented the wildfire mitigation and resiliency work group report. They said the group reached consensus on several areas, including the importance of community-level mitigation, better data sharing, improved transparency around wildfire-related nonrenewals and cancellations, and a voluntary grant program to help homeowners retrofit to IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. Members asked about leadership for the recommendations, overlap with existing programs, privacy concerns in data sharing, and how the proposals would fit with broader statewide wildfire planning. The committee also received a briefing on flood insurance markets and claims after the December atmospheric flooding event, with staff noting that private flood policies generally offer broader coverage than the federal NFIP, and that Washington had seen about 700 federal claims and roughly $18 million paid out so far.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll, of course, have another hearing during the legislative session.
• It's going to get a full committee hearing through the general session.
• Did we hear Senator Musselman as well? And you guys are? Yes, you did.
• So I'm assuming that the committee's hearing about them. We actively hear about them.
• I think that’s messages that I’m hearing from...”

Committee: Joint Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair hears none, and the bill is left pending. Thank you. Thank you.
• Chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.
• Chair hears none. The bill is left pending. Thank you.
• Chair hears no objection, so the bill is left pending.
• The chair hears none. The bill is left pending. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: HB178 , HB178 , HB1551 , HB1939 , HB2040 , HB2354 , HB2674 , HB3029 , HB3460 , HB3631 , HB3662 , HB5201 , HB5381

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the question is on the final passage of House Bill 1485.
• Hearing none, the question is on the final passage of House Bill 1018.
• Hearing none, the question is on the final passage of House Bill 1181.
• Hearing none, the question is on the final passage of House Bill 1144.
• Hearing none, the question is on the final passage of House Bill 1600.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved journal corrections and moved to elect Senator Kyle Davison as President Pro Tem. Davison was nominated, elected by unanimous ballot, escorted to the rostrum, sworn in, and gave remarks thanking his family, colleagues, and faith, emphasizing relationships, service, and stewardship. The chamber also recognized National Public Health Week with a floor statement honoring public health workers and training programs, and that statement was ordered printed in the journal. The Senate then considered several House bills, beginning with HB 1485, which increases the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in certain facilities by $15 per month and indexes it to inflation; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 46-1. HB 1018, the State Historical Society budget, was amended to adjust one-time and ongoing funding for museum exhibits, repatriation compliance, archives storage, local historic grants, and the military gallery project, then passed 42-0 with one senator excused from voting due to a conflict. HB 1181, defining gender in state code as an individual’s sex and removing a broader application section, passed 41-6. HB 1144, adding a penalty and enforcement mechanism related to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools, passed 40-7 with its emergency clause. The Senate also passed HB 1600, creating an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota School of Law and shifting its funding to the strategic investment and improvements fund, by 34-13. HB 1019, the Parks and Recreation budget, was amended to fund deferred maintenance, technology, sewer work, matching grants, and other park projects, add language requiring legislative approval for new or renamed state parks, and clarify use of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line of credit; a proposed amendment to remove funding for the International Peace Gardens cactus conservatory failed 20-27, and the bill then passed 39-8. HB 1417, dealing with parole/probation violations, court fees, and a study of criminal justice fees, passed 40-7 after amendments. The most extensive debate centered on HB 1450, which would require parent or guardian access to a minor’s medical exam room and notice of questions asked of the minor, with exceptions for emancipation and suspected abuse or trafficking. Supporters framed it as a parental rights and transparency measure, while opponents warned it could hinder screening for abuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and confidential care; multiple senators shared personal experiences on both sides. A proposed amendment to narrow the bill failed 21-26, and the transcript ends amid continued debate on the bill itself, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That hearing notice will be filed shortly, and before that hearing we'll circulate a HD1 for review.
• That hearing notice will be filed shortly, and before that hearing we'll circulate a HD1 for review.
• That hearing notice will be filed shortly, and before that hearing we'll circulate a HD1 for review.
• That hearing notice will be filed shortly, and before that hearing we'll circulate a HD1 for review.
• Seeing none, and there being no further business for today, this hearing is adjourned.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on March 14, 2025, and heard five University of Hawaii-related bills. SB 741 would create an external audit committee for the UH system and Board of Regents; UH and UHPA opposed it, saying existing internal and external audits already provide robust oversight, and the committee later recommended deferring the bill indefinitely as duplicative. SB 1252 SD2 would create a dementia training program for health care providers; the Alzheimer’s Association and other supporters said broader training is needed across the care workforce, while the university discussed using JABSOM as a coordinator. The committee deferred the bill to March 19 for an HD1 reflecting JABSOM’s suggestions and removing the appropriations/FTE language. SB 1502 SD1 would fund faculty positions, student programs, and facilities at UH Manoa and West Oahu for defense-sector workforce development. UH and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the measure, describing a pipeline for students into intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields, while one individual opposed it as too closely tied to military contracting and urged investment in other sectors instead. The committee amended the bill to remove FTE references and advanced it; the vote to pass with amendments was adopted, with several members voting aye and some excused. SB 1530 would require performance-based allocation of UH general funds and efficiency reporting. UH and the Attorney General’s office raised concerns, saying the bill’s metrics would apply across the entire general fund budget and were not practical as drafted; the committee also noted opposition from the Budget and Finance Department and individuals. SB 1624 SD1 would restrict RIM funds to renewing, improving, or modernizing existing facilities and require annual reports. UH opposed the bill and explained that RIM is a lump-sum approach used to address deferred maintenance and capital needs, with Board of Regents approval and quarterly reporting already in place; the Attorney General suggested constitutional amendments. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1624, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh the uh Commerce Committee<00:16:23.440><c> will</c><00:16:23.639><c> also</c><00:16:23.839><c> hear
• c><00:16:24.160><c> lot</c><00:16:24.279><c> of</c><00:16:24.399><c> these</c> Committee will also hear
• a lot of these Committee will also hear a lot of these bills<00:16:24.880><c> that</c><00:16:24.959>
• But the committee could also take an active interest in privacy issues and hear those bills as well.
• and then I'll be here more hearings and then I'll be here more regularly<00:20:49.679><c> toward</c>

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And I look forward to hearing the collective wisdom of everyone on this committee and also from the public
• This is something that I am hearing on every level at town hall meetings and talking with constituents
• And talking with teachers, I have two public high schools in my district, and I am hearing that over
• I run a company, so when I hear that attitude of we're going to be lean and mean this year, that often
• It’s refreshing to hear that you all truly care what you’re doing and helping with our children.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 587, Grayson, for their hearing today.
• Sing and hearing note.
• Sing and hearing note.
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, clerk will open the role.
• I didn't hear one. This bill is sponsored by the state water contractors.

Transcript Highlights:

• put in me in taking this role, and also all of you and your staff for meeting with me before this hearing
• That's a great job during the hearings.
• , and it was good to have the Cattlemen's Association come to the hearing also.
• from a legislator or you'll hear on some of the issues you've been asked about already.
• Work, of course, with the administration and elected officials to understand what you're hearing from

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider a series of gubernatorial appointments, bill referrals, and two Senate Rule 26 authorship-change requests. The committee first approved, on 4-0 votes held open for absent members, a slate of appointments not required to appear, including J. Bradshaw to the Transportation Commission, Kylie Bolser to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and several appointments to the Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, as well as Monique Moyer to the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority Board. The committee also approved bill referrals and, after a clarification that only authorship changes were before the committee, approved the Rule 26 requests involving former Assembly Member James Gallagher’s bills AB 2676 and AB 2700. After absent members arrived, those earlier actions were confirmed by 5-0 votes. The main hearing was on Megan Hurdle’s appointment as Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Hurdle emphasized a science-based, collaborative approach balancing conservation with the needs of farmers, ranchers, local governments, tribes, and communities. Senators focused on human-wildlife conflict, including wolves and mountain lions, the Western Joshua tree program and its costs for homeowners and local projects, invasive golden mussels, staffing shortages among wildlife officers, marine protected areas and 30x30, tribal co-management and land return, and oil spill prevention and response. Hurdle said the department is using data sharing, less-lethal tools, task forces, public education, and partnerships to address these issues, while also trying to improve permitting and reduce burdens where possible. The committee then heard from Caroline Thomas Jacobs, nominated to lead the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Jacobs highlighted her prior leadership roles in wildfire safety and her earlier service at Cal OES, and said her priorities include statewide preparedness, next-generation 911, recovery from the Los Angeles fires, and planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Senators questioned her about disaster debris clearance, public safety power shutoffs, governance for the 911 rollout, earthquake preparedness, mutual-aid equipment, and how Cal OES coordinates with local and out-of-state law enforcement for major events. Jacobs said Cal OES should show up quickly, coordinate clearly, and use lessons from past disasters to reduce delays and improve response. Both nominees received broad support from public witnesses, and each was advanced to the Senate floor by committee vote; Hurdle’s appointment was later confirmed 5-0, and Jacobs’s appointment was confirmed 5-0 after the committee reconvened.

Transcript Highlights:

• in me in taking this role, and also to all of you and your staff for meeting with me before this hearing
• That's a great job during the hearings.
• , and it was good to have the Cattlemen's Association come to the hearing also.
• from a legislator or you'll hear on some of the issues you've been asked about already.
• Work, of course, with the administration and elected officials to understand what you're hearing from

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• We have no Republican Assembly Members, so we have no ability to start a hearing.
• Weber Pierson, Ochoa Bogh, Niello, McGuire, or Richardson, we'll have a hearing.
• We'll have a hearing.
• We ensure we maintain order and run an efficient and fair hearing.
• With that, happy to start today's hearing, Senator Richardson. Thank you for joining us.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1312 by Senator Richardson on abandoned endowed-care cemeteries. Richardson described vandalism, theft, and neglect at abandoned cemeteries and said the bill would define abandonment, create a process for local governments to declare a cemetery abandoned, and allow the Bureau to act as conservator of endowment funds. Support came from Marin County, while county and special district groups opposed or had concerns, arguing the bill could shift burdens to local governments or public cemetery districts without enough safeguards. Members expressed general support but noted the need for further work; the bill was discussed but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 758 by Senator Umberg, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide to curb misuse. Supporters, including the League of California Cities, narcotic officers, counties, pediatricians, and other local governments and health groups, said easy access at smoke shops and convenience stores has fueled recreational abuse and health harms. There was no opposition testimony, and members voiced strong support for a statewide approach over city-by-city bans. The bill was well received, with the author closing in support. Dr. Weber-Pierson presented SB 1094, a health care affordability bill on biosimilars and biologic substitution. The bill would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars under certain conditions, require advance notice to providers and patients, and add reporting on savings; the author said amendments would strengthen provider notice and preserve the ability to mark prescriptions “do not substitute.” Supporters from health plans, insurers, pharmacies, labor, business, and some provider groups argued the bill would lower costs and expand access. Opponents, including dermatology and rheumatology groups and biotech interests, warned about non-medical switching, prior authorization delays, and patient harm. After extensive discussion, the committee voted 13-0 to pass SB 1094 to the Committee on Health. The committee also passed SB 849 by Dr. Weber-Pierson, which would bar reinstatement of physicians who surrendered their licenses while a sexual misconduct accusation was pending. The Medical Board and California Medical Association were generally supportive or neutral, and members praised the bill’s patient-protection focus. SB 993 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which limits routine disclosure of identifying information for mental health professionals in correctional and psychiatric settings while preserving complaint processes, also passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 1002 by Senator Niello, extending the David Hall Act to allow certain patients in remission to continue telehealth care with out-of-state specialists, drew strong patient support but opposition from the Medical Board and CMA over licensure and oversight concerns; the committee voted it out on a split roll with some members not voting. Finally, SB 1263 by Senator McGuire, aimed at protecting wildfire survivors and workers by requiring licensed, trained contractors for post-disaster residential debris removal, received support from labor and the Contractors State License Board, with contractors raising a narrower amendment concern about scope.