Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a frequency, such as getting a 90-day supply versus a 30-day supply?
• I need to check on the 90-day supply; I don't remember the answer to that, but we will get back to you
• include making more funds available to support ISS daily and operational needs, including classroom supplies

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• scale beyond Hawaii's limited local market, diversify revenue, and support jobs across the retail supply
• revenue, and support jobs across the revenue, and support jobs across the retail<00:22:11.520><c> supply
• </c><00:22:12.560><c> Aligning</c><00:22:13.000><c> trade</c> retail supply chain.
• Aligning trade retail supply chain.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, within the half hour I had, I contacted the private road litigator and supplied him with the memo
• access. contacted the um private road litigator, contacted the um private road litigator, and and and supplied
• </c><00:24:45.440><c> He</c><00:24:45.679><c> has</c><00:24:45.960><c> the</c> supplied him with the
• He has the supplied him with the memo. He has the memo. memo. memo.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they can provide patients who, in Arizona, fill a script, get an opportunity to have a payment for supplying
• have<00:23:36.120><c> a</c><00:23:36.200><c> payment</c><00:23:36.880><c> for</c><00:23:37.400><c> supplying
• </c><00:23:38.160><c> 340B</c><00:23:39.400><c> B</c> have a payment for supplying 340B B have a payment
• for supplying 340B B resource<00:23:40.480><c> to</c><00:23:40.600><c> those</c><00:23:40.840><c> patients

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• learned yesterday we have a 100,000-gallon water tower on campus at Oakley, which in the cold the supply
• learned yesterday we have a 100,000-gallon water tower on campus at Oakley, which in the cold the supply
• learned yesterday we have a 100,000-gallon water tower on campus at Oakley, which in the cold the supply
• I hope we can just fix the supply line; that's all the issue we have there.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not going to our teachers or classroom supplies. This is being utilized.
• :30.000><c> teachers</c><00:55:30.559><c> to</c><00:55:30.800><c> classroom</c><00:55:31.280><c> supplies
• </c><00:55:32.240><c> This</c> our teachers to classroom supplies.
• This our teachers to classroom supplies.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there certainly has not been an issue with supply and our funding related to it.
• So there certainly has not been an issue<00:19:31.679><c> with</c><00:19:31.840><c> supply</c><00:19:
• and</c><00:19:32.320><c> and</c><00:19:32.640><c> our</c><00:19:32.799><c> funding</c> issue with supply
• and and our funding issue with supply and and our funding related<00:19:33.360><c> to</c><00:19:33.440

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Great information that the executive branch is supplying us with.
• 40.960><c> is</c> information that the executive branch is information that the executive branch is supplying
• 19:43.679><c> and</c><01:19:43.920><c> then</c><01:19:44.800><c> just</c><01:19:45.040><c> so</c> supplying
• Um, and then just so supplying us with.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 State Health Insurance Plans 00:00:03 Executive Branch Salary Schedule Adjustments 00:29:15 Nutrition Program for the Elderly 00:34:52 Update on DORIS 01:05:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on November 5, 2025, and first approved the minutes after a moment of silence for the UPS airport tragedy. The main presentation was from the Personnel Cabinet on the state health insurance plans and executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Officials said the health plan covers roughly 265,000 active members and up to about 300,000 across all benefit offerings, including school board employees, retirees, and other eligible groups. They described rising claims and expenditures, especially from high-cost claimants and pharmacy spending, and said recent premium and benefit changes were intended to balance costs while preserving recruitment and retention efforts. They also explained that employee premiums had not increased for several years, while employer contributions rose sharply in recent years, and projected a 10% employer increase and 3% employee increase going forward based on actuarial analysis. Committee members asked about deductibles, GLP-1 drug costs, claims validation, and the causes of cost growth; officials said the plan uses multiple payment-integrity vendors and that the increases reflect utilization, drug trends, and high-cost cases rather than a change in coverage. The committee also discussed executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Personnel and budget officials explained that when the legislature approves annual pay increases, the salary schedule is adjusted by the same percentage through executive order so the minimum and midpoint stay aligned with approved compensation levels. They said the 2025 adjustment was a 3% match effective September 16 and that the change was costless because salaries had already been increased. Members raised concerns about salary compression, noting that new hires can sometimes be paid near the level of long-serving employees. Officials said the adjustment helps prevent compression from worsening but does not solve it, and they acknowledged prior RFP efforts to address the issue were unsuccessful because no qualified bidder met the requirements. After the health plan and salary discussions, the committee began a presentation from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on Kentucky’s senior meal program. Secretary Stack explained that the program is a federal-state-local partnership under the Older Americans Act, with area development districts helping deliver services. He outlined eligibility rules, noting that congregate meals at senior centers are available to people age 60 and older, with a spouse of any age allowed to join, and that home-delivered meals have additional homebound and assistance requirements. Members asked whether there was any means test for congregate meals, and the secretary said there is not; the only threshold is age for the center-based meals, while the home-delivered program has additional criteria.

Transcript Highlights:

• researching it, asking the question of whether or not they were going to buy Penachuck, which is our water supply
• researching it, asking the question of whether or not they were going to buy Penachuck, which is our water supply
• that could arise, such as, for example, a company that buys a bottling company next to our water supply
• that could arise, such as, for example, a company that buys a bottling company next to our water supply

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 297 and a new amendment, 2462, which combined the original Senate bill with the Carson amendment and added a proposed alternative regulatory system, RSA 420R. The chair and members discussed that the amendment was intended to give the Senate what it had asked for while also creating a dual system for public entity risk pools. Members asked whether the new structure would affect ownership or governance of health trusts, and the chair explained that 420R would be a separate regulatory statute while existing 420J-style arrangements could remain in place. The committee also noted that a paragraph had been accidentally deleted from the amendment and that another amendment would be prepared to correct it, with the subcommittee recessed while that was done. Public testimony focused on School Care, represented by Executive Director Lisa Ducette, who opposed the shift to Department of Insurance oversight under 420R. She argued that public entity risk pools are not insurance companies, that they are accountable to member entities and taxpayers, and that the proposed dual regulation would add unnecessary costs through examinations, higher reserves, and additional accounting requirements. She said the change could threaten tax-exempt status and create an uneven playing field, and she urged the committee to support SB 297 with the Carson amendment instead of moving to 420R. Committee members questioned whether the amendment would actually affect pools that stayed under the Secretary of State model, and one member cited support from the New Hampshire Municipal Association for the dual system. The discussion then shifted to amendment 245 on ambulance reimbursement and contracting timelines. Members reviewed a provision giving insurers 45 days and ambulance providers 60 days in the contracting process, and one member suggested making both periods 60 days. The chair and others said the current language was intentional and part of a broader compromise aimed at ending balance billing and forcing insurers to establish reimbursement rates. Members noted that the measure was unusual and that its effects would be reviewed over the next two years, with one member saying the bill would likely be difficult to roll back later. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They entered into the agreement with um uh deed in order to make sure that all the information supplied
• order to make sure that uh all the order to make sure that uh all the information<00:47:55.760><c> supplied
• uh</c><00:47:56.880><c> and</c><00:47:57.119><c> needed</c><00:47:57.920><c> they</c> information supplied
• uh and needed they information supplied uh and needed they were<00:47:58.319><c> the</c><00:47:59.119

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The supply of drugs for 340B has to be separated from the other drugs that are kept in inventory.
• among other implementing this program among other things<01:00:39.839><c> the</c><01:00:40.079><c> supply
• drugs</c><01:00:41.280><c> for</c><01:00:41.559><c> 340b</c><01:00:42.559><c> has</c> things the supply
• of drugs for 340b has things the supply of drugs for 340b has to<01:00:42.920><c> be</c><01:00:43.799

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1046 SD1 on condominiums. Testimony on that bill focused on reserve funding and enforcement of reserve study requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would create hardship, confusion, and be difficult to administer, while also urging stronger penalties for boards that fail to comply with reserve study rules. The Real Estate Commission offered comments, and one testifier spoke in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 532 SD2 HD1 relating to the Department of Education, which would improve access to pre-approved medications for students with health conditions at school and during off-campus activities. The Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing and medical programs, and the Department of Education all supported the measure, with DOH suggesting amendments to better identify the correct student and improve medication safety. Members had no questions, and the bill moved on. Next was SB 1245 SD2 HD1 relating to pharmacists, a bill to allow reimbursement for clinical services pharmacists are already trained and licensed to provide. The University of Hawaiʻi, Board of Pharmacy, Walgreens, Mikai Drugs, and the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association supported the bill, emphasizing improved access to care, recruitment and retention of pharmacists, and better chronic disease management. The Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association also discussed proposed amendments to prevent plans from denying coverage or network participation when pharmacists meet credentialing requirements. Members questioned whether insurers would actually use pharmacists and how the bill would affect pay and contracting; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 1279 SD2 HD1, another pharmacists bill focused on telepharmacy and 340B-related issues. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported it, saying telehealth could reduce costs and avoid travel for audits, while the Board of Pharmacy opposed it. Lānaʻi representatives opposed the bill and asked for an exemption, arguing the island already has close in-person access to a resident pharmacist and clinics. The Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association supported the measure, citing large patient savings from 340B pricing, while Mikai Drugs opposed it, arguing that mail-order and telepharmacy are not necessary on some islands and can create delivery and medication-safety problems. Members asked questions about insurer participation, scope of practice, and whether the bill would meaningfully change reimbursement; the transcript ends before any final action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• What it took away is car seats, clothing, diapers, supplies. I've been to them.
• :42.679><c> seats</c> car seats car seats clothing<01:40:45.480><c> diapers</c><01:40:46.440><c> supplies
• /c><01:40:47.360><c> I've</c><01:40:47.520><c> been</c><01:40:47.719><c> to</c> clothing diapers supplies
• I've been to clothing diapers supplies I've been to them<01:40:48.480><c> there's</c><01:40:48.800><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• uh on our organization focuses uh on developing<00:09:06.560><c> Enterprises</c><00:09:07.560><c> supply
• </c><00:09:07.959><c> chain</c><00:09:08.480><c> uh</c> developing Enterprises supply chain uh developing
• Enterprises supply chain uh markets<00:09:09.800><c> um</c><00:09:10.279><c> centered</c><00:09:10.640
• Our organization focuses on developing enterprises, supply chain markets centered on regenerative silvopasture

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got some COVID, some supply chain issues, hiring issues, and then in some cases we have flooding
• got some date of those projects so we've got some covid<00:19:57.720><c> some</c><00:19:57.960><c> supply
• /c><00:19:58.280><c> chain</c><00:19:58.880><c> issues</c><00:19:59.679><c> hiring</c> covid some supply
• chain issues hiring covid some supply chain issues hiring issues<00:20:01.400><c> and</c><00:20:01.520

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The office allowance, I think, is now $15,000 that is intended for office supplies, and then there's
• The office allowance, I think, is now $15,000 that is intended for office supplies, and then there's
• due to just the and that's really due to just the increase<01:33:18.719><c> in</c><01:33:18.960><c> supply
• > which</c><01:33:20.239><c> I</c><01:33:20.400><c> know</c><01:33:20.480><c> all</c> increase in supply
• cost which I know all increase in supply cost which I know all agencies<01:33:21.199><c> are</c><01:

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :56.560><c> in</c> and then um we estimated um $80,000 in and then um we estimated um $80,000 in supplies
• 57.520><c> of</c><00:46:57.680><c> the</c><00:46:57.839><c> buildings,</c><00:46:58.640><c> and</c> supplies
• to each of the buildings, and supplies to each of the buildings, and then<00:46:59.359><c> um</c><00
• Every agency in town has a tent, and kids go around and they get free school supplies.
• Every agency in town has a tent, and kids go around and they get free school supplies.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• point out is that the total number of filled prescriptions for stimulants, the total number of days' supply
• Supply for stimulant prescriptions, when you count them against the total number of people receiving
• 25.280><c> days</c> of prescriptions or the number of days of prescriptions or the number of days supply
• 27.159><c> shift</c><01:57:28.159><c> because</c><01:57:28.719><c> if</c><01:57:29.119><c> the</c> supply
• per person shift because if the supply per person shift because if the total<01:57:29.679><c> number

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Working Families Tax Act expanded savings for training and plumbing, electrical work, welding, and
• :18.079><c> plumbing,</c> savings for training and plumbing, savings for training and plumbing, electrical
• <02:07:19.040><c> work,</c><02:07:19.360><c> welding</c><02:07:19.760><c> and</c> electrical work, welding
• and electrical work, welding and cosmetology,<02:07:21.199><c> covering</c><02:07:21.599><c> expenses

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we have redirected those funds to electric vehicles and not to the roads as people understood it,
• 04:53:37.440><c> to</c> If we have redirected those funds to If we have redirected those funds to electric
• Unfortunately, over half the money was designated to projects related to green energy and electric vehicle
• Electric buses, decarbonization, emissions reductions, all the superstitions that, uh, your religion
• so that they can be brought here in the waning hours for the emotional appeal while programs like electric

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and certified to know that they have been reviewed by people before they start, you know, putting electricity
• You know, they're going to save money on their electric bill, so why should everybody else pay them to
• ><03:49:24.960><c> money</c><03:49:25.199><c> on</c><03:49:25.439><c> their</c><03:49:25.680><c> electric
• </c><03:49:26.080><c> bill,</c><03:49:26.720><c> so</c> to save money on their electric bill, so to save
• money on their electric bill, so why<03:49:27.120><c> should</c><03:49:27.359><c> everybody</c><03:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.