Transcript Highlights:

• and there are various things in there, including our 2025 annual report with the drone flying on the cover
• and there are various things in there, including our 2025 annual report with the drone flying on the cover
• and there are various things in there, including our 2025 annual report with the drone flying on the cover
• here that can help produce um you entity here that can help produce um you know<01:01:44.079><c> the
• Dexter Wakefield, who is the dean, and he'll cover pages 1 through 6. >> Thank you. >> Good evening.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Changes to it in that it names the entities there who will provide someone to be on the council rather
• Changes to it in that it names the<00:50:45.680><c> uh</c><00:50:45.839><c> entities</c><00:50:46.480
• there who will um the uh entities there who will um provide<00:50:49.280><c> someone</c><00:50:49.599
• Um, but we don't need to appropriate additional funds to cover this loss of revenue.
• </c> funds to cover this loss of revenue. funds to cover this loss of revenue.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot be supervised by the entity that is paying for those services. So, I’m glad that we did.
• You cannot be supervised by the entity that is paying for those services.
• You cannot be supervised by the entity that is paying for those services. So, I’m glad that we did.
• You cannot be supervised by the entity that is paying for those services. So, I’m glad that we did.
• But that's our challenge, and we've got some resources to make sure that we're covered as far as the

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• kuna</c><00:19:17.760><c> if</c> will cover, cover about 280 kuna if will cover, cover about 280 kuna
• </c> covered by um other financial resources? covered by um other financial resources?
• Now, that medication, if we were to cover it, would be covered by the federal Medicaid agency as well
• Now that medication, if we were to cover it, would be covered by the federal Medicaid agency as well.
• Medicaid agencies are required to cover these medications, and we are therefore covering, and we have

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be the only entity in the state of Minnesota where somebody with a degree in social work but
• I don't know what the barriers are to getting it, but maybe you could speak to that and help cover that
• I don't know what the barriers are to getting it, but maybe you could speak to that and help cover that
• Those are the three regulatory agencies that cover our program and just hazardous waste in general, and
• If you have questions on the science of this, by the way, we won't be able to cover this as much as we'd

Bills: HF3454 , HF3917 , HF2906 , HF3832 , HF3769

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: social work, licensure, employment titles, health occupations, professional standards, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances, psilocybin, psilocin, psychedelic, psychedelic medicine, hallucinogen, mushrooms, magic mushrooms, therapeutic use

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to go to the second slide, that's just kind of a summary of everything that I just covered
• That's just kind of a summary of everything that I just covered.
• Certainly there's other pathologic entities that pathologists diagnose, but cancer is a huge part of
• We covered a lot of ground today.
• We covered a lot of ground today.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology held a hearing on California’s medical technology landscape, with opening remarks emphasizing the sector’s size, economic impact, and role in jobs and innovation. The first panel contrasted MedTech with biopharma, describing MedTech as hardware- and manufacturing-oriented, more incremental in development, and more dependent on supply chains, land use, and mid-skilled workforce pipelines. Witnesses argued California is the epicenter for MedTech because of its mix of engineering, software, hospitals, and manufacturing ecosystems, and cited clusters in places like Irvine, Fremont, Carlsbad, and the Bay Area. They also highlighted examples such as Penumbra and Vyaire Medical Systems to show how local manufacturing, community college training, and reshoring can support growth. The panel discussed cybersecurity, trade relations, supply chain disruptions, and the need for better coordination with hospitals and regulators, while AdvaMed stressed that medical devices are already heavily regulated by the FDA and should generally be exempt from broader state laws that could create a patchwork of requirements. Members also discussed AI in MedTech, workforce training, and the possible effects of federal NIH funding cuts, with witnesses saying MedTech is less dependent on NIH than biopharma but still benefits from a strong innovation ecosystem. Committee members then asked about AI, affordability, patient satisfaction, women’s health, and the R&D tax credit. Witnesses said AI is helping reduce errors, redundant testing, and imaging time, while keeping clinicians in the loop, and that digital pathology and robotic surgery are improving diagnosis and treatment. They also noted that packaging, plastics, and recycling can affect FDA approvals, and that FemTech is an active and growing area for investment and acquisition. Several members raised concerns about California’s regulatory and incentive environment, including the loss of the R&D tax credit, and witnesses said the absence of tax incentives has made it harder to keep companies and jobs in the state. The second panel featured company representatives from Lyca Biosystems, Intuitive, Saravia Neurosciences, and Newman. Dr. Monroe described digital pathology as a way to digitize tissue slides, improve access to subspecialty review, and enable AI-assisted diagnosis, especially for cancer care and rural areas. Intuitive highlighted robotic-assisted surgery, including the da Vinci system and the Ion bronchoscopy platform, and said its technologies improve precision, reduce complications, and support clinician-led care. Saravia Neurosciences presented an early-stage neurotechnology for dementia that uses MRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation and AI-driven personalization, and argued California needs a state translational fund to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Newman, a startup working on home diagnostics, said California’s permitting, zoning, and manufacturing rules make it difficult to scale advanced manufacturing locally and urged streamlining, reduced red tape, and incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in-state. Committee members again focused on tax credits and asked how the state could better support manufacturing, translational funding, and the retention of high-paying MedTech jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The organization also covers the Luskin Conference Center, the banquet operations, the campus catering
• about 20% to go to lean in heavily on more sustainable options, but again, in our world, we try to cover
• In our world, we try to cover that increased cost through efficiency and scale and volume, and it’s been
• Procurement from government entities, some of the things that were alluded to on the previous panel,
• I'm sorry I'm late, but I've been covering the trial of Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old UC Berkeley undergrad

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• entities entities that<00:25:32.240><c> step</c><00:25:32.560><c> into</c><00:25:32.840><c> the</c><
• I don't have quite as much to say as Elizabeth, because she did such a good job covering most of it for
• most of it for such a good job covering most of it for me,<00:53:20.640><c> but</c><00:53:20.840><c>
• And so, I didn't change the policy decision of naming those three entities.
• </c> decision of naming those three entities. decision of naming those three entities.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:01.040><c> covered</c><00:42:01.359><c> a</c> Meredith has already covered covered a Meredith
• has already covered covered a lot<00:42:01.599><c> of</c><00:42:01.760><c> ground.
• And so one covers a variety of things.
• Are these services covered by any other contract that we will see, OT and PT?
• Are these services covered by any other contract that we will see, OT and PT?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Bills: HR209 , SB3131 , SB2494 , SB2447 , SB2727 , SB2145 , SB2143 , HR22 , HCR22 , HR97 , HCR105 , HR138 , HCR146 , HCR16 , HCR35 , HCR40 , HR3 , HCR4 , HR161 , HCR171 , HR109 , HCR117 , HR33 , HCR33 , HR141 , HCR149 , HR190 , HCR200 , HR193 , HCR203 , HR194 , HCR204 , HR196 , HCR206 , HR197 , HCR207 , HR191 , HCR201 , HR12 , HCR10 , HR148 , HCR157 , HR184 , HCR194 , HR195 , HCR205 , HR192 , HCR202 , HR173 , HCR183 , HR179 , HCR189 , HR181 , HCR191 , HR21 , HCR21 , HR23 , HCR24 , HR60 , HCR66 , HR113 , HCR121 , HR145 , HCR153 , HR74 , HCR82 , HR77 , HCR85 , HR90 , HCR98 , HR27 , HCR36 , HR165 , HCR175 , HR187 , HCR197 , HR5 , HCR6 , SB2054

Keywords: entertainment, comedy, youth wellness, cultural identity, Hawaiian culture, mental health, public service, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, bribery, corruption, statute of limitations, public servant, criminal justice, campaign finance

Transcript Highlights:

• following bill on Tuesday, April 15, at 8 a.m. in E1.0: Senate Bill 2410, relating to governmental entities

Bills: SJR27 , SJR39 , SB22 , SB33 , SB34 , SB37 , SB209 , SB310 , SB326 , SB505 , SB605 , SB618 , SB732 , SB762 , SB769 , SB783 , SB819 , SB825 , SB870 , SB964 , SB1030 , SB1080 , SB1085 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1233 , SB1314 , SB1320 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1405 , SB1541 , SB1567 , SB1596 , SB1598 , SB1625 , SB1646 , SB1662 , SB1750 , SB1758 , SB1791 , SB1804 , SB1810 , SB1818 , SB1838 , SB1855 , SB1869 , SB1951 , SB2024 , SB2077 , SB2078 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2368 , SB2411 , SB2420 , SB2425 , SB2569

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, veto override, legislature power, governor, Texas Constitution, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department

Transcript Highlights:

• So if it's a paper flag it would not be covered? If it is a flag... it would be covered.
• If it's a flag, it's covered. see how this might be confusing. It might be.
• It would not be covered by your bill. Is it displayed?
• Campbell. when we were talking just a bit ago you were open to offering the amendment so that it would cover
• They are not covered by AFT. They have looked and said, that's okay, that's legal.

Bills: SJR27 , SJR39 , SB22 , SB33 , SB34 , SB37 , SB209 , SB310 , SB326 , SB505 , SB605 , SB618 , SB732 , SB762 , SB769 , SB783 , SB819 , SB825 , SB870 , SB964 , SB1030 , SB1080 , SB1085 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1233 , SB1314 , SB1320 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1405 , SB1541 , SB1567 , SB1596 , SB1598 , SB1625 , SB1646 , SB1662 , SB1750 , SB1758 , SB1791 , SB1804 , SB1810 , SB1818 , SB1838 , SB1855 , SB1869 , SB1951 , SB2024 , SB2077 , SB2078 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2368 , SB2411 , SB2420 , SB2425 , SB2569

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, veto override, legislature power, governor, Texas Constitution, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department

Transcript Highlights:

• So the $35,000 would cover what?
• , even before I got to be the representative in the district that I live, I've always covered all of
• ,</c><01:43:28.159><c> even</c><01:43:28.480><c> before</c> always noticed, cuz I cover, even before
• all of those polling places to covered all of those polling places to make<01:43:37.360><c> sure</c>
• down here at the given a couple entities down here at the given time<02:38:12.960><c> that</c><02:38

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:27.280><c> that</c> mortgage that was able to cover that mortgage that was able to cover that
• </c> are not necessarily commercial entities. are not necessarily commercial entities.
• </c><01:32:26.639><c> My</c> definitely not a commercial entity.
• My definitely not a commercial entity.
• </c><05:00:41.040><c> by</c> or double time and frequently covered by or double time and frequently covered

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are hitting record marks in terms of referrals to the various entities that will actually do the
• </c><00:19:30.480><c> that</c> referrals to the various entities that referrals to the various entities
• certain entities for certain things<00:20:52.799><c> on</c><00:20:53.640><c> a</c><00:20:53.799><c>
• The general operating expenses is 7%, which covers postage, utilities, building maintenance, and also
• The general operating expenses is 7%, which covers postage, utilities, building maintenance, and also

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• We confess that sometimes we are tempted to hide our light under the cover of fear, insecurity, or the
• definitions; HB 2584, public monies to an execution prohibition; HB 2750, McMilland Valley eligible entities
• HB 2750, McMilland Valley eligible entities groundwater; HB 2877, 10 share of salesperson's licensure
• The board of supervisors is the closest thing to a policymaking entity that exists at the county level
• Then there are county codes that also cover this.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of</c><00:27:37.279><c> be</c><00:27:37.440><c> its</c><00:27:37.760><c> own</c><00:27:38.240><c> entity
• </c> used to just sort of be its own entity used to just sort of be its own entity though<00:27:39.520
• The required cannabis and fentanyl information is covered by the proposed health standards.
• So, I'm covered. Okay.
• So, I'm um have<01:27:54.159><c> it</c><01:27:54.320><c> covered.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Cover.
• owner the right to conduct his business in his home and make the choice rather than a government entity
• Without obstruction or interference from the state or any state political subdivision or government entity
• therefore, this bill helps rectify those violations and makes a stronger penalty for those government entities

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the original bill, HB 670, helped to expand the definition of employees and covered employees
• for affordable housing development on land owned by religious organizations and certain nonprofit entities
• for affordable housing development on land owned by religious organizations and certain nonprofit entities
• for affordable housing development on land owned by religious organizations and certain nonprofit entities

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill aligns the funding with the appropriate ownership entities so the projects can proceed in compliance
• This bill aligns the funding with the appropriate ownership entities so the projects can proceed in compliance
• The Metro Flood Diversion Authority, along with its member entities, the city of Moorhead, Clay County
• Watershed, support the DNR's preliminary agency request for $45 million and would recommend even more to cover

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all