Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:07.319><c> any</c><00:40:07.599><c> nay</c> reservation any nay reservation any nay votes<00:40
• Are there any votes with reservation or nays?
• </c><00:43:48.240><c> or</c><00:43:48.400><c> nay</c> with reservation or nay with reservation or nay
• Are there any votes with reservation or nays?
• </c><00:55:56.319><c> or</c><00:55:56.440><c> n</c> votes with reservation or n votes with reservation

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> budget passed. budget passed.
• </c> debate the budget? debate the budget?
• Speaker. loaned from the previous budget. Um it's loaned from the previous budget.
• </c> over 5%, it goes to the reserve account. over 5%, it goes to the reserve account.
• </c> global reserve currency in the world. global reserve currency in the world.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Salivaria, Department of Budget and Finance, testified in person.
• </c> salaveria from the Department of budget salaveria from the Department of budget and<00:18:55.159
• Oda and any nos, any with reservations. Recommendation is adopted. Thank you.
• Oda and any nos, any with reservations. Recommendation is adopted. Thank you.
• R Oda any knows any with reservations R Oda any knows any with reservations recommendation<00:24:51.200

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 547 HD1, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and support spay/neuter services, funded in part through a tax return check-off and other sources. The Department of Taxation said it could implement the check-off; the Attorney General and Budget and Finance raised drafting and placement concerns about which department should house the fund; and the Hawaii Humane Society strongly supported the bill, emphasizing statewide need and the importance of distributing funds to areas of greatest need, including neighbor islands. The Tax Foundation opposed the measure on special-fund grounds, arguing there was no sufficient nexus between the bill’s purpose and the proposed revenue source. The committee later recommended HB 547 HD1 with technical amendments and sent it to Finance, with members voting aye and no objections noted. The committee also heard HB 925 HD1, relating to arts funding, which would impose a 1% fee on ticket sales from concerts at state venues and direct the proceeds to a dedicated arts fund. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the measure, while the Attorney General suggested defining “concerts” for clarity and Budget and Finance was available with comments. In discussion, the committee chair asked about how other states fund arts programs, and Director Ewald said many states use dedicated funding sources such as concert fees, bond funding, cultural trusts, and hotel lodging taxes. The committee recommended HB 925 HD1 with amendments, including a preamble, a new Performing Arts special fund, a definition of “concerts,” and a defective date, and the recommendation was adopted. Finally, the committee considered HB 1378, also related to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Based on the Attorney General’s testimony, the committee proposed deleting a section of the bill, creating a Performing Arts special fund, specifying revenue sources such as legislative appropriations, foundation charges, grants, gifts, and interest, and using the fund for coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The amendments also added a definition of Performing Arts, granting standards, and a defective date, while blanking out the appropriation amount for the committee report. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation on HB 1378 with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With reservations. Representative Ry Oda, reservations. So ordered.
• Representative Alos, reservations. So ordered.
• reservations reservations please<00:37:44.359><c> so</c><00:37:44.640><c> ordered</c><00:37:45.280><
• </c> 1724 representative Garcia reservations 1724 representative Garcia reservations so so so ordered
• Representative Matsumoto, reservations. So ordered. Representative Ry Oda, reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reservations, reservations, reservations for alcohol showing other reservations and Rep. Gedeon.
• Any reservations? Reservations. Reservations for Alcos. Any other reservations?
• Any reservations? Reservations. Reservations for Alcos. Any other reservations? And Gedeon.
• Any reservations reservations. Reservations. Any other reservations?
• No reservations. Reservations. Reservations for for first owner. Any other reservations?

Bills: HCR93 , HCR14 , HR85

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• operating reserves.
• You're not going to be able to expend 50% of your budget.
• Operating reserve and our appropriation contingency reserves are at zero.
• Operating reserves that we can pull money out of?
• reserves.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman reserves. reserves. reserves.
• </c> thank you and I reserve. thank you and I reserve. &gt;&gt; Gentleman<03:31:57.200><c> reserves.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I<05:02:23.920><c> reserve.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I reserve. &gt;&gt; I reserve.
• I reserve. reserve. reserve.

Bills: HB3317 , HCR75 , HR227 , HB7959 , HB8364 , HB6431 , HB6903 , HB5334 , HB2347 , HB5366 , HB6495 , HB7971 , HB6956 , HB4930

Keywords: gratuity, death benefit, civil servants, line of duty, federal employees, compensation, survivor benefits, emergency appropriations, Iran, military force, War Powers Resolution, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, Congress, national security, agriculture, National Agriculture Day, support, industry impact, celebration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with that I'm going with reservation with that I'm going with reservation thank<01:04:24.240><c>
• </c> chair goes I I vote with reservation chair goes I I vote with reservation Senator<01:04:45.920><
• </c><01:05:11.359><c> with</c><01:05:11.520><c> reservation</c> Meli reservation with reservation Meli
• reservation with reservation Senator<01:05:12.319><c> de</c><01:05:12.480><c> Court</c><01:05:13.039
• Yes, we understand there are short-term budget constraints, but a budget should also reflect the state

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of health trust is that the reserve of health trust is that the reserve level<00:57:44.640><c> has
• the reserves were too high that they should reduce their reserves, and that was the issue back in 2010
• It was reserves were too high, and so then they were using those reserves to help create a new entity
• /c><01:18:40.320><c> help</c> they were using that reserves to help they were using that reserves to
• . budget. budget.

Summary: The committee took up several insurance-related bills. Senate Bill 47, concerning health insurance policies related to the birth of the mother, was moved ought to pass with no amendments and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 121, dealing with Medicare Advantage plan notice requirements, was amended to reduce the required notice from 120 days to 90 days and to remove a federal citation; the department said the change was to avoid conflict with federal notice rules. After discussion about the stress caused when carriers leave the Medicare Advantage market, the committee voted ought to pass as amended, 7-0. The committee then heard a detailed explanation of the continuing care retirement communities bill, described by the Insurance Department as a rewrite of a 1989 law to modernize oversight, require quarterly financial reporting as an early warning system, create a bill of rights for residents, and clarify issues such as entrance fees and removal of dangerous residents. A member recalled the bill’s original purpose as protecting solvency because residents pay substantial upfront fees. The bill was moved ought to pass and approved unanimously, 7-0. The final major discussion concerned a pooled risk organizations bill. Members debated whether oversight should remain with the Secretary of State or be moved to the Insurance Department. Supporters of moving it argued the issue is solvency, citing concerns about reserve levels, prior insolvencies, and the Insurance Department’s expertise. Opponents said the Secretary of State’s office had historically overseen the entities and that the bill would fundamentally change how they operate. A straw vote favored an amendment, but the committee ultimately voted to retain the bill for further work, with plans to revisit it later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget reserve now stands at $3.4 billion.
• We've added $244 million to our budget reserve, bringing total cash flow and budget reserves to $3.8
• </c> We've added 244 million to our budget We've added 244 million to our budget reserve<00:04:12.319
• </c> budget reserves to $3.8 billion. budget reserves to $3.8 billion.
• and budget reserves have hit a record high of $3.8 billion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:46.080><c> reserve</c> amendment updates the budget reserve amendment updates the budget reserve
• </c> needs to check to ensure that the budget needs to check to ensure that the budget reserve<00:42:
• </c><00:43:13.160><c> reserve</c> In the budget reserve, probably about four years ago, with the amount
• that's currently in the budget reserve.
• for the growth in the general fund, as well as recognition that the budget reserve grows every couple

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• reserve fund.
• Uh contingency reserves are a reserves.
• ,</c><05:24:44.718><c> is</c><05:24:44.878><c> not</c> budget item on municipal budgets, is not budget
• </c> to get the reserves up? to get the reserves up?
• ><c> reserve</c> maintaining transparency in reserve maintaining transparency in reserve reporting.<05

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm prepared to close and continue to reserve. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman reserves.
• The gentleman reserves. The time. The gentleman reserves.
• </c> reserve the balance of my time. reserve the balance of my time.
• I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman reserves his time.
• Gentleman reserves his time. my time. Gentleman reserves his time.

Bills: HB6472 , HB6392 , HB4307 , HB4386 , SB723 , HB3692 , HR681 , HB1945 , HR755 , HB5419 , HB3903 , HB5910 , HB6365 , HCR38

Keywords: education, tuition, territorial residents, in-state tuition, higher education, human trafficking, labor training, employee education, Department of Labor, victim identification, law enforcement, trafficking prevention, motorcycle access, Federal Lands Recreation, America the Beautiful pass, recreation fees, national parks, Indian land, mortgage processing, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You're setting up budget priorities through the interim.
• You've got three big budget priorities that you've said in your budget guidelines, and that's reflected
• That was your budget guideline target, and this recommendation achieves that.
• and the non-recurring budget, leaving you with north of 30% reserves.
• Do you have a budget, Mr. Chairman? We have a budget framework, everybody. Okay, thanks, everyone.

Summary: The committee heard a final wrap-up presentation from Director So Lee on the Legislative Finance Committee’s budget framework for the upcoming session. He said the state remains in a strong fiscal position, though revenue estimates are lower than earlier projections and available nonrecurring funds have declined by more than $1 billion from the prior session. He emphasized that the recommendation still preserves reserves above 30 percent and supports targeted investments in the committee’s three priorities: increasing per capita earned income through education and workforce development, improving access to high-quality health care and behavioral health, and enhancing quality of life through infrastructure, water, parks, trails, and other community amenities. Director Lee highlighted several major funding areas, including a proposed expansion of the UNM medical education program, water projects, capital outlay for state agency assets, and use of a mix of severance tax bonds, general obligation bonds, and cash for capital needs. He also noted continued pressure from health insurance, liability, and compensation costs, and said the committee would keep using pilot programs for new initiatives. Members broadly praised the staff, interim travel, and budget analysis work. During member comments, Senator Woods focused on school funding stability, liability costs, and fraud or waste in state agencies, arguing the state should take more claims to court to establish precedent and better protect taxpayers. Other members thanked staff and leadership for their work and collaboration. The committee then adopted the catch-up cleanup items and the overall LFC budget framework, with Senator Woods recorded in opposition, and created a technical committee with members from both chambers to resolve any final technical issues before the January session.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and structural integrity reserve studies.
• , and structural integrity reserve studies.
• need to do the reserves.
• As condos are better maintained, they do have better financial reserves.
• There's only $250,000 in reserves.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information. Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time. Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> marketing budgets. marketing budgets.
• </c><05:09:49.040><c> period</c> reserves, not the 5-year reserve period reserves, not the 5-year reserve
• </c> model has too low reserves. model has too low reserves.
• </c> reserves are critical. reserves are critical.
• </c> from those reserves. from those reserves.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes it pretty hard to make a county budget work.
• We are elected officials that set budgets in our county.
• The reservation is bounded on two sides by the Columbia River, the east side and the south side, and
• the Colville Reservation boundary extends to the midpoint of the original Columbia River.
• Anyone can see the management that we do on the Colville Reservation. It’s pretty well-renowned.

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• and to maintain our reserves at 1%.
• So that will bring our operating reserve to $137 million. Even.
• Currently, that operating reserve sits at $91 million.
• because not all of it actually got spent in the agency's budgets.
• But that is already happening, and the budget, as you said, Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• First budget, his last budget of his tenure as well.
• The governor's recommended budget leaves $16.75 billion in reserves, and that's a combination of unallocated
• The first one here is The governor's recommended budget leaves $16.75 billion in reserves, and that's
• The governor's recommended budget leaves $16.75 billion in reserves, and that's a combination of unallocated
• Kelly, does the governor's proposed budget hold any money in reserve for impacts related to a potential

Bills: S7010

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Roth contributions, deferred compensation, retirement savings, Florida Statutes, tax benefits

Summary: The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The licensing and certification program fund started last budget year with $120 million in reserves and
• is expected to begin this budget year with $40 million in reserves that have not been appropriated yet
• expected to end next budget year with tens of millions in reserves.
• year with 120 million in reserves and is expected to begin this budget year with 40 million reserves
• expected to end next budget year with tens of millions in reserves.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittees held a joint hearing on older adults and long-term care supports and services, with members and witnesses focusing on the growing “forgotten/overlooked middle” of Californians who are too wealthy for Medi-Cal but unable to afford long-term services and supports (LTSS). Administration witnesses from DHCS and the Department of Aging described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role for low-income residents, and ongoing state work on LTSS financing, including a 2024 financing initiative and a final report due in 2026. Testimony emphasized rising costs, caregiver shortages, homelessness among older adults, and the need to preserve home- and community-based services to avoid more expensive institutional care. Several advocates urged immediate action, especially Medi-Cal share-of-cost reform, housing supports, and protection of HCBS funding. Members asked for the most urgent budget priorities and were told to focus on share-of-cost reform and assisted-living rate protections, along with broader system navigation and caregiver support. The committee also heard testimony on the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS serves about 42,000 participants through 304 centers, with demand generally stable but geographic gaps in some regions and staffing challenges after the pandemic. DHCS explained a rate-setting issue: a 10% CBAS rate increase had been mistakenly posted on the Medi-Cal fee schedule in 2024, and while Proposition 35 later made the targeted SB 159 rate increase inoperative, DHCS said any repayment by managed care plans would depend on contract terms and the department would not require clawbacks. CBAS providers and advocates warned that the program is in a financial crisis, with six center closures since June 2024, and requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close about half the gap between current reimbursement and costs. Members expressed concern that clawbacks could accelerate closures and noted the program’s role in preventing institutionalization and supporting family caregivers. In the final panel, CDSS presented on In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider recruitment and retention and on the AB 102 statewide bargaining report. CDSS said the IHSS Career Pathways program has concluded successfully, with more than 59,000 providers completing training, and that the AB 102 report—based on workgroup meetings and consultant analysis—will be sent to the Legislature shortly. The department said the workgroup viewed statewide bargaining as more viable than regional bargaining, but identified major issues around consumer participation, county fiscal impacts, administrative responsibilities, and the need to define bargaining scope in statute. CDSS estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Provider unions supported statewide bargaining, arguing it would improve wages, benefits, and workforce stability, while county representatives said any statewide model should preserve consumer focus, protect county finances and realignment funds, and keep core administrative functions with local public authorities. The hearing concluded without votes, with members requesting additional follow-up information and urging continued engagement ahead of the May revise.