Transcript Highlights:

• We're also now investigating and looking at the discounts that we started as these discounts are maturing
• over time, we always knew that the insurance companies were first going to be hesitant to give big discounts

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Commissioner Ricardo Lara reporting on implementation progress and the state’s broader homeowners and commercial insurance crisis. He said the department has finalized major reforms, is reviewing catastrophe models, and expects insurers to begin submitting new rate filings in the coming weeks under the updated framework. Lara emphasized that the goal is to improve availability and stability in the admitted market, reduce reliance on the FAIR Plan, and better reward wildfire mitigation and home hardening. A major portion of the hearing focused on claims handling after the Los Angeles-area wildfires, including smoke-damage claims, underinsurance, and the FAIR Plan. Lara said the department has opened a formal market conduct examination of State Farm’s wildfire claims handling, is investigating FAIR Plan smoke-damage claims, and has helped more than 12,000 wildfire survivors while recovering more than $60 million on complaints. He also announced a new smoke claims and remediation task force to develop standards for smoke-damage cleanup and health protections, and said the department is working with other western states on underinsurance data and policy solutions. Members asked about implementation timelines, the impact on consumers, FAIR Plan costs, and the role of intervenors in rate cases. Lara said the department is tightening rules for intervener compensation and will no longer grant petitions unrelated to the actual rate application, while also clearing a backlog of compensation petitions. He said the FAIR Plan has begun publicly posting policy counts and financial information, and that further transparency measures may follow. Public commenters from the insurance, building, and broker industries generally supported SIS, saying it is needed to restore availability, improve rate timeliness, and stabilize the market. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded without formal committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And don't discount the quilting museum that you also have in Gilchrist, which is fine future.
• And don't discount the quilting museum that you also have in Gilchrist. Thank you, Commissioner.
• And don't discount the quilting museum that you also have in Gilchrist, which is fine future.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee began by postponing SB 1742 on condos until the following week, then took up SB 1298 on building construction. Senator Simon said the bill would require continued education for long-licensed building professionals, clarify interagency sharing of building officials, limit residential inspectors to one- and two-family homes, revive a paid internship for residential planning examiners, modernize permit signatures, and clarify contractor responsibility when work changes hands. The bill drew supportive waivers and was reported favorably. Members then considered SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms. A delete-everything amendment was adopted to target bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations, while preserving direct restaurant-platform relationships and requiring consumer contact information when reservations are made through noncontractual platforms. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the measure, and CS/SB 940 was reported favorably. SB 638 on home inspectors also passed after the sponsor explained it would raise education requirements from 120 to 200 hours, add instruction on building code, wind mitigation, four-point and insurance inspections, and require $300,000 in errors-and-omissions coverage; it was reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 960 on elevator accessibility, allowing additional shorter support rails while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was amended to address mRNA language and cosmetics safety standards, with the committee adopting amendments and then reporting the bill favorably. SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was amended to clarify the definition of heated tobacco products and exclude other forms such as hookah; it also passed favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. Finally, SB 1262 on construction contracting was amended to add contractor continuing-education topics, strengthen penalties for unlicensed activity, create a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and require timely refunds and project completion standards; it was reported favorably with support from the Florida Home Builders Association. SB 1304 on solar facilities was then approved after extensive testimony from rural county commissioners and local officials who argued that utility-scale solar on agricultural land has grown without sufficient local oversight and that decommissioning rules are needed to protect farmland and communities. The bill would repeal the current by-right treatment of solar facilities on ag land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances; it was reported favorably after a technical amendment.

Bills: HB3419 , HB4153 , HB3430 , HB3791 , HB3277 , HB4119 , HB4408 , HB3905 , HB3968 , HB3835 , HB3386 , HB2650 , HB3742 , HB3588 , HB3748 , HB4303 , HB4311 , HB3028 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4132 , HB1889 , HB3265 , HB1739 , HB4434 , HB3313 , HB3852 , HB4263 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3420 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB3625 , HB2939 , HB3721 , HB1823 , HB2425 , HB4440 , HJR1087 , HB4003 , HJR1077 , HB1770 , HB1675 , HB3627 , HB3891 , HJR1067 , HB3462 , HJR1053 , HJR1054 , HJR1044 , HB3472 , HB1225 , HJR1019 , HB4145 , HJR1081 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HJR1050 , HB1638 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3127 , HB4488 , HB2955 , HB3781 , HB3783 , HB3802 , HB2471 , HB2937 , SCR16 , HB2960 , HB3466 , HB3262 , HB3269 , HB3152 , HB4140 , HB4142 , HB3148 , HB3378

Keywords: corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law, public office, driver license, reading proficiency, minors, education requirements, alternative testing, attendance, remedial reading, public school, oath of enrollment, court financial obligations, cost hearing, payment plan, community service, court compliance program, debt relief

Transcript Highlights:

• In reconciliation, it doesn't make sense to me that something has a 10-year window. Right?
• if you heard my response earlier about how we were able to structure the tax component to give a discount

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there is a 20% discount for legislators available on the website.
• We have a million homes that are 10 years or older that could probably stand to have the Windows replaced

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And unlike most review decisions, this one has a 30-day window, but almost all the others are 90 days
• that targets customers that reside within disadvantaged communities, and they receive a subsidized discount

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utility bills. AB 1016, by Assembly Member Gonzales, would let certain counties with geothermal elements locally permit geothermal plants up to 150 megawatts through a five-year pilot program. Imperial County and other supporters said the bill would speed clean energy development, create jobs, and bring major tax revenue, while labor groups opposed it unless amended to preserve skilled-and-trained workforce standards. The author committed to continue working with labor, and the bill passed 10-0 to Natural Resources with the commitment to take amendments there. AB 1020, by Assembly Member Schiavo, would require investor-owned utilities to disclose taxpayer-funded loans and grants to the Public Utilities Commission and ensure the benefits are passed through to ratepayers. TURN supported the bill as a way to prevent utilities from “double dipping,” while PG&E said it already provides transparency and the bill was unnecessary. Wildfire survivors opposed it unless amended to direct any non-ratepayer funds first to victims. The bill passed 8-1 to Appropriations, with some members raising questions about the treatment of grants, loans, and ratepayer benefits. AB 881, by Assembly Member Wicks, would establish state safety standards for carbon dioxide pipelines to allow carbon capture and sequestration projects to move forward despite delays in federal rulemaking. Supporters, including SMUD and the Carbon Solutions Coalition, said the bill is needed to meet climate goals and access federal funding; environmental justice groups and local residents urged stronger protections and amendments. The bill passed 11-0 to Natural Resources with the commitment to take amendments there. AB 1156, by Assembly Member Wicks, would update the solar use easement program to allow solar development on water-constrained agricultural land; rural counties and farm groups remained opposed but said amendments moved the bill in the right direction. It passed 17-0 to Agriculture. AB 1222, by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would bar utilities from recovering the costs of challenging CPUC decisions from ratepayers and give greater weight to ALJ proposed decisions; utilities opposed it, citing delay and fairness concerns, while supporters said it would protect ratepayers. It passed 10-3 to Judiciary. The committee also began hearing AB 1260, by Assembly Member Ward, on community renewable energy, with supporters arguing it would improve access for renters and low-income households and correct the CPUC’s implementation of prior law.

Transcript Highlights:

• lifeline service, which is the low-income eligible program. program in the state that provides a discount
• fiber-to-home, simply because they had convinced their investor community that if they can give a 10-year window

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• mistake, which is, is, you know, and it's damaged, if you can't read it, then that vote would be discounted
• And then it's really a very small window where somebody might be able to come in.

Bills: HB429 , HB496 , HB640 , HB657 , HB665 , HB677 , HB952

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: Texas Election Code, elections, voting station, polling place, ballot marking, ballot reading, child accompaniment, minor, parental supervision, voter education, secretary of state, county election administrator, voter assistance, election administration, poll worker rules, ballot secrecy, HB 496, ballot option, none of the above, abstain from vote

Transcript Highlights:

• May be having to sell at a slight discount in order to move their product off the shelf and out of the
• And also, when does the window for the recreational trails tax open up again for local governments to

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• They did that, and there was a very quick data collection window in which they received all of these
• data or collection window in which they<01:03:05.760><c> received</c><01:03:06.160><c> all</c><01:03
• The actual narrow window of people for whom this would apply is very small.
• ><c> people</c><01:55:26.080><c> for</c><01:55:26.320><c> whom</c> actual narrow window of people for
• whom actual narrow window of people for whom this<01:55:26.800><c> would</c><01:55:26.960><c> apply<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• also used exclusive providers where you try to steer populations to in-network providers to get discounts
• On the employer side, we do also offer discounts on the premium for employers who are willing to take
• budget, we are assuming that the employer is taking part in this wellness program and earning that 1% discount
• and so forth, to encourage your employees to get up and live healthy lifestyles, you can earn a 1% discount
• And this is assuming the 1% discount for being on the wellness program that I had mentioned earlier as

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply requires a significant discount from new, but it clearly defines which new price is used for
• It simply requires a significant discount<00:23:52.799><c> from</c><00:23:53.039><c> new</c><00:23:53.600
• ><c> but</c><00:23:53.840><c> it</c><00:23:54.000><c> clearly</c><00:23:54.559><c> clearly</c> discount
• from new but it clearly clearly discount from new but it clearly clearly defines<00:23:55.360><c> which
• It simply requires a significant discount from new, but it clearly defines which new price is used for

Transcript Highlights:

• Those type of stovepipe arguments to put everyone and to label everybody, and, by the way, to discount
• men, that doesn't mean we should I assume, just because they're men, that doesn't mean we should discount
• Discounting an opinion based on your sex is sexism. That's what that is.
• But to discount an opinion because you're a man or a woman, there's no place for that.
• To discount and try to silence somebody because of that is wrong. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we continue to carry that discount across the next two years.
• We've negotiated years four and five at that fixed cost with that deep discount that we've already negotiated
• cost with four and five at that fixed cost with that<00:23:31.280><c> deep</c><00:23:31.520><c> discount
• </c><00:23:31.919><c> that</c><00:23:32.159><c> we've</c><00:23:32.400><c> already</c> that deep discount
• that we've already that deep discount that we've already negotiated<00:23:33.200><c> in</c><00:23:33.360

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance received a presentation from Jim Barnhard, CIO of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and David Carter, deputy CIO/CISO, on the state’s citizen identity management project. They said the project is intended to streamline citizen logins across agencies, reduce duplicated identity-management costs, improve security by centralizing authentication, and provide a flexible system that can scale with demand. The presenters described major implementation challenges, including integrating with diverse and legacy applications, and said the chosen software-as-a-service vendor was selected because it can connect to many systems and maintain the service in a federally certified cloud environment. The presenters emphasized that the project scope is limited to login, authentication, identity management, and identity proofing, while leaving authorization decisions to the individual applications and agencies. They said the work is being done in phases, beginning with discovery sessions with agencies, then selecting representative applications for onboarding rather than attempting a “big bang” rollout. They also said the vendor agreement includes professional services and knowledge transfer to reduce long-term dependence on outside support, and that the state has already begun outreach to agencies, including initial work with the Finance Cabinet and the Department of Revenue. Members asked about staffing, current spending, future costs, and whether existing systems or contracts could be reduced. The presenters said the project is being supported with existing staff, with no expectation of a large increase in positions, and that the vendor will carry most of the operational load. They said they did not have statewide spending figures with them but could try to gather them, and explained that the negotiated pricing is intended to be all-inclusive, with fixed costs for the first five years and capped increases in years six and seven. They said centralizing identity services should eventually allow the Commonwealth to stand down some duplicated agency-level licensing and reduce overall operational costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• then rather than judging the nominees on the skills and the acumen that they bring, you somehow discount
• then rather than judging the nominees on the skills and the acumen that they bring, you somehow discount
• the acumen that they bring,<00:41:41.680><c> you</c><00:41:42.000><c> somehow</c><00:41:42.720><c> discount
• </c><00:41:43.200><c> them</c><00:41:43.440><c> purely</c> bring, you somehow discount them purely bring
• , you somehow discount them purely because<00:41:44.160><c> they</c><00:41:44.480><c> made</c><00:41:

Summary: The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection. The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background. The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery. Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• there are between 30 and 32,000 households participating in the electric assistance program, and the discounts
• the electric assistance program<00:10:33.040><c> and</c><00:10:33.279><c> the</c><00:10:33.519><c> discounts
• /c><00:10:34.079><c> range</c><00:10:34.640><c> from</c><00:10:35.360><c> 5%</c> program and the discounts
• range from 5% program and the discounts range from 5% to to to 86%<00:10:38.480><c> depend</c><00:10
• for uh rec recovering their window for uh rec recovering their business<04:25:14.319><c> uh</c><04:25

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• that prohibits drug manufacturers' practice that limits safety net providers' access to 340B drug discounts
• written testimony in opposition to the measure, which carte blanche requires the providing of 340B discounted
• patient that does come to a contract pharmacy to purchase a drug is really qualified to receive the discount
• 24.799><c> where</c><00:30:25.039><c> the</c><00:30:25.760><c> alleged</c><00:30:26.559><c> um</c> discount
• So that's where the alleged um discount.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We could enforce the compliance of big pharma to abide by required discounted drug pricing for contract
• Members, after HCMC, 340B drug discount program enforcement is the number one need of our hospitals.
• </c> pharma to abide by required discounted pharma to abide by required discounted drug<00:53:31.839>
• 340B drug discount program enforcement is<00:53:41.440><c> the</c><00:53:41.680><c> number</c><00:53
• It would encourage more pharmaceutical companies to cut their discounts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should a single business be able to deny discounted medications to nearly 80% of the residents of Lānaʻi
• Should a single business be able to deny discounted medications to nearly 80% of the residents of Lānaʻi
• And if that was our pharmacy, that pharmacist would not be employed at Mokai Drugs. the 340B discount
• Thank you for the 340B discount program.
• The only way that they could continue to provide discounted medications on that island was that they

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A recent Consumer Reports discounts.
• Digital coupons, loyalty discounts, targeted promotions. These are not tools to raise prices.
• Fewer discounts, fewer promotions, less ability to adapt and find savings.
• </c><00:26:13.760><c> in</c><00:26:13.919><c> today's</c> prices and offer discounts in today's prices
• and offer discounts in today's competitive<00:26:15.120><c> market</c><00:26:15.919><c> uh</c><00:26

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection