Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, because it is based off of Oregon, but it's not exactly This bill, because it is based off
• These include products with interactive gaming features or products that imitate a brand or a non-vapor
• and things that get people started, and we urge you to please support this practical and evidence-based
• Stores are right at the base of the bridge on the Oregon side where we pay no sales tax.
• This is an evidence-based policy recommended in the Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control Report

Bills: HB2439 , HB2483 , HB2400

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, data broker, registry, consumer protection, privacy, data regulation, social media, content creation, online platforms, digital marketing, user-generated content

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, you know, based on past experience, right?
• They gave us, as we asked for, projections based on the status quo, based on attendance, and if they
• I mean— ...based on the status quo, based on attendance, and if they went to enrollment.
• This is a simplistic model... ...based only on FTE.
• Gaming and things like that.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• So it isn't looking at a 49-page decision by a brand-new sheriff's deputy, a brand-new game warden.
• Maybe we can work that out with the game wardens and the landowner and, you know, whatever else.
• Maybe we can work that out with the game wardens and the landowner and, you know, whatever else.
• I did not recognize our Game and Fish Department.
• I did not recognize our Game and Fish Department.

Bills: HB0015 , HB0017 , HB0019

Committee: House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Investments in recruiting and sustaining either skilled crews or developing a contractor base are both
• Materials costs... ...crews are developing a contractor base, are both very difficult in this environment
• We're counting on you to transform the way we deliver community-based resources in Pierce County.
• adds needed simulation-based space for students in the health sciences to train at a time when clinical
• We are a Spokane-based nonprofit that serves Native families, including those from each of Washington's

Bills: HB2295

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Investments in recruiting and sustaining either skilled crews or developing a contractor base are both
• We're counting on you to transform the way we deliver community-based resources in Pierce County.
• This project adds needed simulation-based space for students in the health sciences to train...
• This project adds needed simulation-based space for students in the health sciences to train at a time
• We are a Spokane-based nonprofit that serves Native families, including those from each of Washington's

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on Proposed Substitute House Bill 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff said the proposal totals nearly $911 million, including about $400 million in bonds and $511 million from other state and federal sources, with much of the increase over the governor’s proposal coming from Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. Major spending areas include housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and CCA-funded clean energy, decarbonization, and habitat restoration projects. The chair said the committee would not take amendments at the hearing and planned to vote out the budget on Thursday, with a technical fix striker expected. Testimony was largely supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Housing advocates urged support for the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and projects such as Alliance Place, Cloverdale Cottages, Cherry Street Village, Somos, and the Thrive Center. Education and public facility witnesses backed investments in school seismic safety, small district modernization, Healthy Kids Healthy Schools, community college and university maintenance, and projects at Cascadia College, WSU, CWU, and UW. Health and human services testimony supported behavioral health, Tubman Center, HealthPoint, pregnant parenting treatment, and the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub. Natural resources, climate, and infrastructure witnesses praised funding for Flood Plains by Design, community forests, trust land transfer, salmon recovery, the Skokomish land purchase, and the Lower Columbia River dredging project. Several local governments and organizations requested additional support or Senate-level funding for specific projects, while Climate Solutions cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. The committee heard no votes during the hearing, and the chair closed by saying the budget would be executed on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, commuter trip reduction, or CTR, is an employer-based program designed to provide
• By way of background, commute trip reduction, or CTR, is an employer-based program designed to promote
• both Microsoft and Amazon have robust commute trip reduction programs and have shown how employer-based
• Based on historical information, there would be an indeterminate fiscal impact.
• And I hope we can get to a place where the sort of place-based decisions can be made.

Bills: HB2307 , HB2374 , HB2379 , HB1823 , HB2111

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing that you're speaking as a faith-based religious person. organization.
• How do you think this would change for... based on what you just said, a non-religious organization?
• They're amazingly skilled.
• And, of course, the committee continues to work on these bills and move them based on what we've heard
• A sister city agreement is a broad-based, long-term partnership that encapsulates municipal, business

Bills: HB128 , HB34 , HB 128 , HB621 , HB748 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB3113 , HB4749 , SB835

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• A SYSTEM IN WHICH THE STATE ATTORNEY AND COURT'S HANDS WERE TIED AS TO WHAT THEY COULD DO WITH HIM BASED
• ON THE CHARGES AND BASED ON HIS HISTORY.
• THE THREE-DAY WAIT WE'RE ALLOWING THEM TO WAIVE THE THREE-DAY WAIT PURCHASE BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCE
• ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, I THINK SOMETIMES IT SERVES TO EXPAND THE BASE OF PEOPLE BUT ALSO, IT AFFIRMS UP
• THOSE ARE THE STANDARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT ASKED TO FOLLOW BASED ON THE US CONSTITUTION.

Transcript Highlights:

• learned that Worcester farmers were not eligible for the same compensation as the traditional land based
• There was reimbursement program that was based on the percentage of your previous year's sales.
• fuel the locomotive comes a lot of the other funding programs cost share and other other incentive-based
• So that has been a program that we've we've also had incentive-based programs for farmers to try it and
• Those are involved with with implementing those specific bnp's based off of the commodity should. >>

Transcript Highlights:

• provides hands-on experience in agriculture and environmental sciences and equips students with the skills
• provides hands-on experience in agriculture and environmental sciences and equips students with the skills

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And during our pre meeting, we were talking about how we each have to step up our game to honor the legacy
• Speaking to the buyer, beware mentality and yet I guess I'm curious the based on the bill, the county

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, just based on the conversations and actually the agreement, is to limit it at least at...
• So, it was late in the game, but I think we've committed that you will... ...think we've committed that

Bills: HB441 , SB274

Committee: House Health

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, makeup application, blow-dry styling, cosmetology, licensing, regulation exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> partnering with community based partnering with community based providers.<01:04:34.400><c> Uh</
• </c> provision which is contractual based provision which is contractual based would<01:21:29.360><c>
• </c><01:56:50.719><c> on</c> and disproportionate um based on and disproportionate um based on geography
• 02:10:48.079><c> as</c><02:10:48.320><c> well</c> based on classroom observations as well based on classroom
• Um, the Chair's recommendation is based on the testimony.

Bills: HB1946 , HB1515 , HB1514 , HB1648 , HB1644 , HB1619 , HB1571 , HB1810 , HB2475 , HB1645 , HB2301 , HB1889 , HB1840

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I estimated, and this was based on conversations I had with providers. Give us the number.
• I estimated, and this was based on conversations I had with providers. Give us the number.
• Based on some input, the change was made to put in five days.
• on some input uh immediately um based on some input uh the<02:02:02.440><c> change</c><02:02:02.719>
• Um, based on the financials, I didn't see any reason to table it. All right?

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a fixed-based amount.
• This is a fixed-based amount.
• This is a fixed-based amount.
• This is a fixed-based amount.
• This is a fixed-based amount.

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill adds statutory definitions for cellular and tissue-based products, minimally manipulated, and
• By the way, the FDA currently regulates human cell, tissue, and cellular tissue-based products under
• public input and public hearings where elected officials and planning boards have to make findings based
• The amendment requires the Department of Children and Families and community-based care agencies to meet
• to perform moderate or highly complex testing, Who possess the skills to perform moderate or highly

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement and dedicated public servants, some of them lack court security training, and the skills
• that you need to be a police officer are much different than the skills that you need to be a court
• And they calculate that based on a 3 year rolling average, and whatever you appropriate they distribute
• We have to be able to prove our case based on their testimony.
• And, um, and so we're the ones that make that decision based on usually a one-page criminal complaint

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• nursing facility, I intern in a skilled nursing facility, I have<00:19:34.400><c> witnessed</c><00:19
• :13.360><c> Hawaii</c> students from Hawaii attending Hawaii students from Hawaii attending Hawaii based
• </c><00:30:16.159><c> It's</c> based institutions for PA school.
• It's based institutions for PA school.
• </c><00:54:13.280><c> on</c> that most of the opposition is based on that most of the opposition is based

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a large number of health-related measures, with the most extensive discussion on SB 2283, which would expand mail-order pharmacy access for prescription drugs. Supporters including HMSA, the Board of Pharmacy, and health plan groups said mail order could lower costs, improve adherence, and reduce hospitalizations, while independent pharmacies and rural neighbor-island providers warned it could harm local pharmacies, reduce access for patients who rely on face-to-face service, and create delivery and storage problems for medications. No vote was taken on SB 2283 during the excerpt, and the chair moved on after hearing testimony. The committee also heard SB 2855 on opioid antagonists, with the Insurance Division and HMSA noting that medically necessary opioid antagonists are already covered and suggesting the issue may be addressed through education or administrative fixes. Fentanyl and substance abuse groups supported the measure. SB 3045 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors drew broad support from diabetes and health organizations; HMSA said it had already expanded coverage for members on injectable insulin but raised concerns about supply constraints and said it had not yet seen an auditor study referenced in discussion. Members asked whether the bill would extend coverage beyond current policy. SB 2843 on domestic violence received support from the Public Defender’s Office, prosecutors, and victim-related organizations, who said the pilot program for misdemeanor domestic violence cases had reduced backlogs and improved court efficiency. A prosecutor also supported retaining coercive control as a petty misdemeanor tool in larger domestic violence cases. SB 2845 on healthcare facility access drew strong support from many health, legal, and advocacy groups, who said it would protect patients and staff from disruptive interference at healthcare facilities; one opponent argued it would chill lawful speech and protest and unfairly exempt labor demonstrations. The committee then heard SB 2854 and SB 3202, both healthcare-related measures, with testimony largely in support. SB 2854 drew comments from health and dental groups, and SB 3202 focused on workforce and licensing issues, including support for retired physicians volunteering, preceptor tax credits, and adding advanced midwifery and physician assistant-related provisions. The chair repeatedly enforced a one-minute testimony limit and moved through the agenda without recorded votes in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• as doing so will directly contribute to expanding access to higher education and fostering a more skilled
• as doing so will directly contribute to expanding access to higher education and fostering a more skilled
• They play a crucial role in fostering literacy, critical thinking, and research skills among students
• It should be based on a database schema by House and by the Senate, where you can get information and
• It should be based on a database schema by House and by the Senate, where you can get information and

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and heard testimony on a series of education-related bills. HB 1200, which would codify teacher ratios in statute, drew support from the Department of Education, the Democratic Party of the Education Caucus, and 11 individuals; no opposition was noted and the committee moved on without questions. HB 1344, concerning mandatory FAFSA completion, received testimony from the Department of Education, Hawaii P20, and a University of Hawaiʻi student who cited unclaimed Pell Grant funds and low FAFSA completion rates as reasons to support the bill. Committee members asked about current outreach efforts, and DOE and P20 described FAFSA tracking data, hotlines, email support, school-based FAFSA nights, and coordination with counselors; members also raised concerns about federal education funding and Pell Grants. The committee then heard HB 1499, which would authorize staff and volunteers to administer certain medications. The Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing leadership, and the Hawaii State Center for Nursing all testified in support, along with several individuals and the Democratic Party Environmental Caucus. The next measure, HB 902 on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, was supported by DOE, the Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric, but it prompted extensive questioning from the Vice Chair about whether taxpayers should fund a study to help schools remain open during shutoffs. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would help DOE assess impacts in wildfire-risk areas and noted its wildfire safety strategy, outreach efforts, and potential community resource centers, while the Vice Chair argued the utility should bear more of the cost. The committee also heard HB 961, a bill on school libraries and a CASS pilot program, with DOE offering comments and HSTA and the Hawaii Library Association strongly supporting it. HSTA argued certified librarians are important for literacy, research, and digital literacy, and said many schools lack them because of cost; the association and 14 individuals testified in support. HB 962, a related bill on DOE libraries and the system, also drew support from DOE, HSTA, and the Hawaii Library Association, with 15 individuals in support. Finally, HB 730, concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Branch, received support from DOE, White Children’s Action Network, AAW of Hawaiʻi, and many individuals. Testifiers said the branch needs more resources and training and handles more than Title IX, including Title VI, Title VII, and ADA matters. A student plaintiff in a Title IX lawsuit described unequal treatment in athletics and facilities, and another supporter said the bill would help ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that time, you demonstrated sound management of skills and kept a plumb mantle.
• Membership cards, but they are well-recognized based on tattoos and different...
• Based on my experience, yes, sir. That's what I'm saying. And do you have evidence of that claim?
• them has diminished, but rather based on his personal... personal agenda and political agenda.
• I'm lightly aware of that, uh, based on social media, or, I'm sorry, media reports.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: fentanyl crisis, DEA, drug trafficking, public safety, Judea Serrata, Terrence Cole, judicial security, social media, drug prevention

Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.