Video & Transcript : 'prompt pay' :
Page 425 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Feb 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- include all health-related services at no additional cost to rental agreements in which the resident pays
- , enters into a residency agreement with a prospective resident, solicits a prospective resident to pay
- an individual or entity other than a patient who holds a legal or contractual responsibility for paying
- Secretary of Health, successfully complete an examination approved or administered by the Secretary, pay
- However, these communities are already paying for an actuarial report, which can be as high as $40,000
Summary:
The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a Friday morning hearing with several House bills and then took executive action on three measures. In executive session, the committee voted do pass on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2242, Substitute House Bill 2152, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2168, sending the first two to Rules and the overdose-mapping bill to Ways and Means. The committee also waived the five-day notice rule for several bills on the agenda.
Public hearings focused on hospital inspections, continuing care retirement communities, radiologic technologist supervision, music therapy licensure, nursing regulation, ambulance billing after motor vehicle accidents, and EMT recertification. Representative Macri presented HB 2577 to require hospital inspections at least every 18 months, allow limited pauses during emergencies, and clarify when CMS or accrediting-body surveys may substitute for state inspections; DOH supported the bill, citing JLARC recommendations, while many people signed in opposed. Macri also presented Second Substitute HB 2384, which would require actuarial analysis review for certain CCRCs; OIC supported the transparency goal, while CCRC representatives opposed the added cost, though residents and association witnesses argued the oversight would protect seniors and their life savings.
Representative Engel’s HB 2113 drew strong support from radiology, hospital, and provider groups for allowing virtual direct supervision for IV contrast procedures and aligning state law with CMS practice. Representative Ryu’s HB 1187 would bar ambulance services from sending motor-vehicle-accident medical debt to collections for 120 days; she described a personal experience with an ambulance collection issue, and the hearing was closed after no testifiers appeared. Representative Reed’s HB 2363 would let music therapy applicants practice under supervision for up to six months while exam results are processed; music therapy witnesses said it would prevent workforce gaps. Representative Simmons’ HB 2339 would update nursing title and transcript requirements and allow the board to issue interim permits directly, with the Board of Nursing and ARNP groups calling it a technical cleanup. HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals to six years for long-tenured EMTs, and firefighters supported it as an administrative simplification without changing training requirements.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Feb 19th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- Like, if you want, if you want to, like, if you expect everyone to pay for that development that's going
- What I'm saying is there shouldn't be an increase on top to pay for the abatement itself.
- million dollars a year in revenue, and they're abating that, say that that company doesn't have to pay
- it, that the city, That that company doesn't have to pay it, that the city has taken and raised the,
- We can do these for free because we're going to get someone else to pay for it.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Such an experience with fair pay should be accessible to every aspiring teacher, because while teaching
- is a Fair pay should be accessible to every aspiring teacher because while teaching is a work of heart
- So that to us is probably the best part about this bill, aside from indexing the pay.
- I just want people to be aware of this because it's for failure to pay at a toll booth in the state of
- So every 10 years, it's a $5,000 fee that they pay.
Committee:
Senate Senate Education
Keywords:
teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- We can say if you make x amount of dollars, you have to pay x amount of taxes regardless of where you
- On the other hand, we cannot say if you're a federal employee, you actually have to pay higher income
- of dollars, you if you make x amount of dollars, you have<00:12:39.600><c> to</c><00:12:39.760><c> pay
- x amount of taxes regardless have to pay x amount of taxes regardless of<00:12:41.760><c> where</c><
- </c> employee, you actually have to pay employee, you actually have to pay higher<00:12:47.120><c> income
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2443, creating the Armed Forces Reserve post-secondary education grant to help reservists pay
- For many of our students, the fear and reality of not being able to pay for college in their continued
- I believe that people who are non-religious and paying these taxes might not be aware of the fact that
- a fee and instead requires the private security company employing the applicant to pay the fee.
- So I just think that, or we just think that these security guards can pay for their own.
Summary:
The Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee held courtesy hearings on three bills before moving to executive session. House Bill 2443 would create an Armed Forces Reserve post-secondary education grant for members of the Armed Forces Reserve and their spouses or dependents, with repayment required unless the reservist serves one year for each year of benefit received. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to extend educational support similar to what Washington National Guard members already receive. Testimony was generally supportive, emphasizing military readiness, recruitment, and fairness to reservists; one clarification was made that the bill applies to Armed Forces Reserve members broadly, not just the Army Reserve.
House Bill 2567 would restore Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award amounts for students attending four-year private, not-for-profit institutions. The sponsor and many students, school leaders, and private college representatives argued the 2025 cuts were inequitable, harmed low-income and first-generation students, and limited student choice. Supporters said the state’s dedicated financial aid account has grown and that the cuts disproportionately affected students at private institutions. Opponents, including representatives from public universities, argued state dollars should prioritize public institutions and questioned whether aid should be shifted away from state schools. Testimony was mixed but heavily pro, with sign-ins reported at 1,584 total, including 1,572 in support.
House Bill 2498 would change nursing education oversight by limiting the Board of Nursing’s authority where programs are nationally accredited and by expediting approval for new programs. The sponsor and several community college leaders said the bill would reduce unnecessary barriers, speed program expansion, and help address the nursing shortage, especially in rural areas. The Board of Nursing, nursing educators, employers, and professional associations opposed the bill, arguing that state oversight is needed for public safety, Washington-specific workforce needs, and consistent standards, and that the board is already revising its rules through an open process. The committee then took executive action on two other bills: it passed Second Substitute House Bill 2363, allowing supervised music therapy practice for up to six months while exam results are verified, with an amendment delaying implementation to January 1, 2028; and it passed Substitute House Bill 2422, shifting private security guard license fees from applicants to employers and delaying implementation to November 1, 2026, by a 9-7 vote.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And we are now paying for the state public defender's office, created a whole new office.
- Bird, I guess if a board isn't in the red or isn't paying its expenses, then what?
- I guess if a board isn't is in the red or isn't paying its expenses, then what?
- But the question in my mind always is, if they're not paying their own freight, then somebody else may
- Who's paying the dues, typically? Mr.
Summary:
The committee first received a lengthy briefing from JFAC Chairman Grow and budget analyst Keith Bybee on the state’s fiscal outlook for fiscal years 2026-2028. They said revenues had been revised upward, but uncertainty remains around tax conformity, sales tax softness, and pending policy decisions that could affect the bottom line. Bybee explained structural balance, noted that ongoing revenues are projected to lag ongoing spending, and reviewed long-term growth in Medicaid, public schools, and other state programs, much of it driven by policy changes. Members asked about the Delaware model for research and development expensing, the use of one-time money versus budget cuts, the impact of tax cuts, reserve levels, bond ratings, and the effects of Medicaid expansion and prior recession-era cuts. Chairman Grow closed by emphasizing that the budget is not structurally balanced and that rainy-day funds are meant for temporary shocks, not recurring gaps.
The committee then approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and advanced several gubernatorial appointments with recommendations for confirmation: Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, and Dr. Karen Cabell to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Representative John Weber appeared for reappointment to the Idaho State Insurance Fund Board, and Robert Cuoio appeared virtually for reappointment to the Your Health Idaho board; both were thanked and told their appointments would likely be voted on at a later meeting.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to DOPL rule dockets. The committee approved fee-increase dockets for the Contractor Registration Board, the Board of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety, and the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board. DOPL representatives said the increases were needed to bring boards into compliance with statutory cash-balance requirements after consolidation costs, new licensing software, and other one-time expenses, and noted that the rules included “not to exceed” language. Several senators questioned whether the fee increases reflected broader inefficiencies within DOPL and argued that some boards were being asked to raise fees because of agency-wide costs. Despite those concerns, each docket was approved, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It clarifies that carriers have 30 calendar days after receiving all requested documents to pay or deny
- Families across Washington pay premiums, choose a plan, and expect coverage to be there when a loved
- Families across Washington pay premiums, choose a plan, and expect coverage to be there when a loved
- Families and employers pay premiums and promise behavioral health coverage, but when they try to use
- It helps ensure that the coverage people are already paying for actually works.
Summary:
The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee first met in executive session and advanced five bills out of committee. SB 5999, as amended by a substitute, would let rural counties under 100,000 population appoint an APRN or physician assistant as an acting local health officer; SB 5185 would create a pathway for international medical graduates to physician licensure through a Washington Medical Commission pilot; SB 5845 would revise timely payment rules for health carriers, including longer acknowledgment and payment timelines and clarifications on scope; SB 6071 would standardize overpayment recovery timelines for carriers; and SB 6258 would create a non-disciplinary pathway for relinquishing Washington Medical Commission licenses. Each bill received a due pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with the bills passed subject to signatures.
The committee then heard SB 6226, which would protect the clinical autonomy of audiologists and ensure hearing-instrument and communication-device rules are applied consistently across care modalities, including telehealth. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing access for rural and mobility-limited patients and the importance of teleaudiology, though one association cautioned the bill could affect broader regulatory authority. The hearing closed with 54 pro, zero con, and two other sign-ins.
Next, the committee heard SB 6305, the Truth in Mental Health Coverage Act, which would require carriers to submit standardized annual data to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on mental health and substance use disorder coverage, access, utilization, reimbursement, and network participation, with public posting in raw and dashboard form. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability without changing benefits, while opponents argued it could duplicate recent parity reforms and add administrative burden. The hearing closed with 396 pro, two con, and zero other sign-ins.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5924, a proposed substitute expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority for certain limited conditions and products, including some preventive and minor-illness treatments, and allowing limited diagnosis within defined bounds. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural and underserved areas, reduce administrative barriers from collaborative drug therapy agreements, and align with the sunrise review; opponents, including the medical association, said the bill went beyond the review and needed more time, while some testimony raised concerns about psychiatric prescribing. The hearing closed with 279 pro, six con, and four other sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after concluding its business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- are funds that will go to the unemployment account, the special revenue fund, and will go towards paying
- Struggling to pay teachers what they deserve.
- Many special education assistants are forced to find temporary work during that time, go without pay,
- Right now, if my district had to pay for unemployment insurance, it would make up less than one half
- This is due to high levels of burnout and low pay.
Bills:
HF1388
Committee:
House Education Finance
Keywords:
BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But as far as overall, it would be very small because they pay a higher rate if they pay out of country
- An out-of-state and an out-of-country student pay as compared to a Texas resident.
- Generally, it's more than double what an in-state Texas resident would pay. Okay. Thank you.
- That was a huge effort that we've made over the last few cycles, and I think it's starting to pay off
- So now you can actually get a primary care physician and pay them less to go into an urban area than
Bills:
HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125
Committee:
House Higher Education
Keywords:
higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 7th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Then she told me I had to pay, that MOPAC tolls were not exempt for disabled veterans and that I had
- to pay, but I was exempt from the other highways.
- Then she said, you have to pay.
- That's how they pay down the debt to construct the projects. OK. I, who, who incurs the debt?
- That was the whole concept around tolls is that they can be self-sustaining because they pay for, they
Bills:
HCR7
Committee:
House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- territories caused some financial blockers for these people because they don't have the funding to pay
- 20 years later... ...I'm still paying that debt.
- But I think if they can say, "Hey, I can make this a part of my plan, to pay off my debt, get a stepping
- To touch on what Amanda said about student loans, we both pay our student loans. loans.
- application. fee, students can apply to multiple nursing programs without the financial burden of paying
Bills:
HB173 , HB184 , HB484 , HB678 , HB 1211 , HB1507 , HB1705 , HB1868 , HB2290 , HB2851 , HB2856 , HB3041 , HB3204 , HB173 , HB184
Committee:
House Higher Education
Keywords:
foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You need to be able to pay for treatment and a lifetime of care.
- My family's paying some purpose, and I hope it doesn't end here. Thank you.
- The media outlets paying attention to some of the legislation that's been going on here.
- Taxpayers are paying for this. It is about time that we shift the burden away from the state.
- They have NDAs with their employees, especially when they leave or they'll lose their pay.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Will parents have to pay it? Will insurance cover it? Will Medicaid cover it?
- We don't pay for our own Medicaid. We have a managed Medicaid system.
- You just present us with an invoice and we have to pay it. I would prefer to have our own actuary.
- There's a ton of things that we pay for in here.
- And all of these individual companies are getting gobbled up, yet we've still spent... ...pay for in
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Summary:
The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably.
The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 28th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Physical maintenance of the building, paying the utilities and things like that.
- Um, entry, and on the worst day, it costs $10 to go see King Brown, and it's one of the highest-paying
- We had one individual who left for a higher paying job, and that may keep us in the black this fiscal
- We're currently paying our vets $220,000 a year just to attract them because there is a shortage. of
- They pay good money, right?
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/27/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that is the world we live in you all pay that is the world we live in you all pay into<00:14:43.000
- government is paying would be in the contract.
- government is paying would be in the contract.
- and then have been unable to pay and leave the treatment program.
- The DWI Court diversion program struggle with paying for the comp assessment.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day- REASSEMBLE Part 1 Jun 30th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to protect student data, keep humans in the loop, pay attention to bias, pay attention to accessibility
- If a tenant can pay what they owe, they should be able to stay in their home.
- Now, yeah, they could pay it eventually.
- So once the tenant pays, then they're able to stay.
- The tenant is paying to stay in the home.
Summary:
The House convened on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, and moments of silence for Gerlindy Lancelotti and Iva Durham. Members then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions, including consent calendar items and several measures related to agriculture, lottery reporting, health care, fire service membership standards, inmate work, telecommunications, rent increases, youth camp licensing, primary elections, respiratory care practice, and marriage equality. The chamber also heard extended debate on Senate Bill 233, concerning removal of snow and ice from vehicles, and on House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary while barring participation in both parties’ primaries.
Among the notable actions, House Concurrent Resolution 157 passed as amended, directing the State Lottery to report on options to support traditional lottery retailers. Senate Bill 53, preserving the Delaware Farm to Community Program if federal support declines, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 307, giving the Public Service Commission authority to designate eligible Lifeline carriers, and Senate Bill 339, clarifying advance health care directives, also passed. Senate Bill 235, removing a sunset on manufactured home rent increase calculations, passed, as did Senate Bill 325 after House Amendment 1 narrowed disqualifying offenses for fire service membership and adjusted related background-check rules. Senate Bill 309, discharging remaining incarceration-cost balances, and Senate Bill 324, addressing constable-related firearm permit provisions, both passed.
The chamber tabled Senate Bill 233 once to consider a proposed amendment for trucks and other hard-to-clear vehicles, but the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended by the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was tabled pending legal review. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry, passed after extensive floor debate and personal statements from members on both sides. Senate Bill 293, creating a licensure pathway for summer camps to participate in purchase-of-care, passed after House Amendment 1. House Bill 188 on open primary access for unaffiliated voters passed 22-17, and Senate Bill 94, concerning respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery, passed after House Amendment 2. The transcript ends as the House begins consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:13:44.360><c> the</c><00:13:44.480><c> projects</c><00:13:45.200><c> and</c> been raised to pay
- for the projects and been raised to pay for the projects and associated<00:13:46.120><c> costs.
- that they used to pay those bills in the first place.
- that they used to pay those bills in the first place.
- </c> to pay those bills in the first place. to pay those bills in the first place.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Four - Monday, March 9
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If you commit the crime, then, of course, you have to pay the consequences.
- You should absolutely pay for the crime.
- I mean, if they knowingly, I think the keyword is, to pay rent.
- You should absolutely pay for the crime.
- That's to pay for some water or a bag of chips.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by a 121-0 vote, and a brief suspension of business for the Speaker to sign HB 2014. Members also observed a moment of silence for Butler County Fire Protection District Sergeant Commander Jatin Warren, who died in the line of duty, and the chamber introduced several guest groups, including Missouri Council on Aging representatives and county clerks. A resolution was also presented honoring former state representative K. H. Steinmetz for her 18 years of service in the Missouri House.
The House then received committee reports recommending passage of HB 2934, HB 1800, and HB 1707. On third reading, HB 2974 passed 136-0 on telehealth and licensure reciprocity; HB 2934 passed 121-24 on consolidating St. Louis convention center governance; HB 2057 passed 137-10 on entertainment districts for Osage Beach and Chesterfield; the combined HB 1839/2921/3015 passed 120-19 on age verification for harmful online content; HB 1707 passed 149-0 to bar the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees; HB 2819 passed 145-0 to set rounding rules as the penny is phased out; and HB 2600 passed 148-0 to allow ambulance districts to combine resources for coverage.
HB 1800, which reduces the inflationary growth factor for certain taxing districts from 5% to 3% and adjusts assessment ranges, drew the most extended debate over its effect on schools, fire districts, and taxpayers; it ultimately passed 82-61. Members also perfected HB 2774, which bars state and local governments from restricting equipment sales or use based on fuel source, and HB 2383, a utility infrastructure protection bill adding wired/copper infrastructure to existing critical infrastructure protections and setting penalties for theft or damage; HB 2383 was amended to align with the Senate version and then perfected. Finally, the House began debate on a combined bill package including HB 1664, 1610, 1645, and 2182, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims while also shortening the general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to three; the child sexual abuse provisions drew broad support, while the tort-reform portion prompted sharp disagreement over access to justice versus business certainty.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And so this simply unmasks all of that to say, if we're going to be paying for care, we want to pay for
- If we're going to be paying for care, we want to pay for all of it, and that's it.
- We pay 100% of the money out of general revenues. A federal waiver must be granted.
- But the hard fact is that the electric utilities pay a tax when they provide...
- Electric utilities pay a tax when they provide the electricity to a charging station.
Bills:
S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Keywords:
child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics.
Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived.
The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAL/PBS Joint Public Hearing - Tue Mar 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, currently does HECO pay for all of this vegetation clearance? Yes.
- So who would pay for that? The ratepayers. Yeah, the ratepayers.
- </c> thank you so um currently does heo pay thank you so um currently does heo pay for<00:18:03.640><
- Please pay attention to HB 732.
- He shall pay for inspections and will face fines for non-compliance.
Summary:
The hearing opened with committee procedures and then took up SB 1, relating to vegetation management near utility lines. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it would shift rights, responsibilities, and liability onto the state and private landowners. Hawaiian Electric supported the measure with amendments, describing it as a first step to address wildfire risk and improve public safety and system reliability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and Command Schools both raised concerns that the bill could impose significant costs, liability, and access burdens on farmers, ranchers, and other landowners, especially where easements are old or unclear. Life of the Land argued the issue belongs before the Public Utilities Commission, and PUC staff explained that the commission is already reviewing Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation plan and vegetation management in a docket, with a decision expected by September and public meetings scheduled for April 23 and 24. Committee members questioned the need for legislation versus negotiated solutions, and witnesses said private parties could potentially renegotiate easements without statute.
The committee then heard HB 1296, relating to disaster recovery. DLNR and OPSD supported the bill, saying it would ease regulatory burdens in post-disaster rebuilding and help speed permit review. Testimony and member questions focused on the bill’s five-year rebuilding timeline, the role of the coastal zone/SMA process, and how long permit reviews typically take; OPSD said SMA major/use permits generally take about six months, while minor permits are faster. Members also discussed whether the bill would apply to existing structures damaged in disasters and whether the amendments from the Attorney General’s office and OPSD were acceptable; no objections were raised.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1170, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. HHFDC supported the bill, and testimony from a Maui affordable housing project said the measure is needed to rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments, a 63-unit affordable project in Lahaina, using insurance funds rather than government money. Members asked whether the bill would help existing affordable rental projects damaged before the enactment of related coastal rules, and the response was that the bill is aimed at existing structures damaged during events and intended to speed rebuilding of affordable housing.