Transcript Highlights:

• This is a modern way to sign documents and secure the process.
• This is a modern way to sign documents and secure the process.
• :04:50.720><c> administration</c> operations side and the administration operations side and the administration
• </c><03:57:40.000><c> uh</c> essentially uh as this uh center uh essentially uh as this uh center uh
• It could move into the Philbrook Center?

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:23.240><c> that</c> legislature uh passed to operate that legislature uh passed to operate
• This was despite her running her learning center and being involved on the neighborhood board.
• as well you know we the region as well you know we appreciate<00:32:44.840><c> your</c><00:32:45.200
• We've also received for GM 688 testimonies from Debed, the Friends of the Children's Justice Center,
• </c><00:35:14.680><c> uh</c><00:35:14.880><c> Paul</c> Justice Center uh Paul Justice Center uh Paul

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land opened with housekeeping remarks about testimony limits, video availability, and that decision-making would follow the hearing. The committee then heard and considered several SCRs authorizing long-term nonexclusive easements over state submerged lands for existing public or private infrastructure on Oahu, including stormwater outfalls, shoreline protection structures, concrete stairs, seawalls, and a rock revetment. DLNR supported each measure and generally requested only technical or clarifying amendments; for SCR 3, DLNR asked that the title be clarified to specify the easement would be granted to the City and County of Honolulu. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations, passing SCR 3 with amendments and SCRs 4, 6, and 7 unamended, while SCR 5 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. Senator Meli noted general concerns about seawalls and hardening but said he would support the measures because they involved repair of existing structures and public access, though he indicated a reservation on SCR 6. The committee then took up governor’s messages for HCDA appointments. For GM 58, Gerald Gordner was nominated to the Kalaeloa district seat; HCDA’s executive director and another supporter praised his urban planning, housing, zoning, GIS, and collaborative skills, and Gordner described his interim service and background in housing affordability and disaster recovery. Members also discussed a former military hangar in Kalaeloa and possible future uses, with Gordner noting he understood there had been restrictions that were later lifted, while the chair raised concerns about airport operations and modular housing use. The committee also heard support for GM 559, nominating Micki Lidstone as cultural specialist; HCDA said she had been an active and reliable board participant and cultural resource, and Lidstone said she valued learning from Native Hawaiian testimony and helping balance community perspectives. Finally, GM 688 nominated Deborah Kabibi to the Leeward Oahu/Maui district seat; HCDA said her community ties would be valuable for South Maui planning, and Kabibi said she had learned a lot from the board’s collaborative process and was eager to represent her community. The transcript ends during discussion of GM 688, before any vote on the nominations is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• While current law also allows the option of Social Security, this option is not always made available
• Restrictions in the bill provide that these sales be done through a fixed-pane security window and security
• Sales be done through a fixed-pane security window and security drawer and available for walk-in storefronts
• On behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association, I'll be brief.
• My name is Tweedo, with the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving a large consent calendar of bills on two unanimous-support motions. The committee then heard a series of individual bills, with authors and sponsors generally describing low or absorbable state costs and asking for aye votes. Topics included AI/digital safety education for students (AB 1792), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), retirement information for community college faculty (AB 2417), cannabis regulation changes including tribal commerce, drive-through sales, and beverage labeling (AB 2506, AB 2697, AB 2532), emergency equipment training for law enforcement volunteers (AB 1913), cannery law modernization (AB 2706), child care planning in local governments (AB 1914), EV charger permitting fees (AB 1820), election-record notice requirements (AB 1664), nursing home discharge notices (AB 2135), a San Diego energization-delay pilot (AB 2518), mental health training for school coaches (AB 1665), and education governance and oversight changes (AB 2117). Several bills were described as committee or sponsor measures with technical or clarifying changes, including AB 2780, AB 2615, AB 2121, and AB 2771. Testimony was largely supportive, often from sponsor groups, industry representatives, labor, or advocacy organizations. Notable support included TechNet for AB 1792, the California State Sheriffs’ Association for AB 1913, California Dairies and food manufacturers for AB 2706, the Low Income Investment Fund for AB 1914, EV and environmental groups for AB 1820, the Attorney General’s Office for AB 1664, long-term care ombudsman advocates for AB 2135, and the California State Association of Psychiatrists for the cannabis and mental-health-related bills. Some bills drew limited opposition or “opposed unless amended” positions, including AB 2350, AB 1820, and AB 2506, while AB 2697 and AB 2532 were presented as efforts to support the legal cannabis market and consumer safety. The committee also heard a presentation-only item, AB 2541, creating a lowrider specialty license plate, which drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and co-author requests from members. Most bills were reported out with due pass recommendations, many on roll call and several with specific members not voting or voting no. AB 1664 was reported out as due pass as amended and placed on call before later being moved out on a B roll call. AB 2350 and AB 1914 were also later reported out from call on B roll calls, with AB 1914 noted as passing despite some Republican no votes. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual action, and the meeting concluded after a brief public comment period in which members of the public voiced positions on unrelated bills, including support for AB 2497, AB 1729, AB 2189, AB 1575, AB 2170, and opposition to AB 1603, AB 2447, AB 2411, AB 2492, and AB 1952.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we operate one of the largest Medicaid programs across the state of Florida, taking care of the
• I think I have been there many times, but have really had some in-depth conversations with the Center
• I think I've been there many times, but have really had some in-depth conversations with the Center for
• I am active in my church and many volunteer opportunities in the area, including the regional American
• I'm an operations person, so really making sure that our resources are really focused on the student

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard two bills and then moved through a series of confirmations for university and college boards of trustees. Senate Bill 176, by Senator Polsky, would require public postsecondary institutions to have clear, publicly available safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. An amendment clarifying the bill’s scope was adopted without objection, there was no public testimony against it, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Members spoke in support, emphasizing campus safety and the need for clear reporting paths. The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, by Senator Bradley, which would establish the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to advance research, prevention, care, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes. Testimony included support from AARP and others, and members praised the institute’s research role and the growing public health importance of diabetes. The bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at FIU, UNF, UCF, USF, and Miami Dade College. Nominees and reappointees described their backgrounds and priorities, including student success, research growth, workforce development, engineering, health care, cybersecurity, and fiscal stewardship. Committee members asked several nominees about nursing NCLEX scores and university performance, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety. The committee then voted to report the confirmations favorably in a block and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• from every region of our state, we begin the 2026 legislative session with much of our good work from
• safety, resulting in 21 classes and nearly 600 new law enforcement officers graduating from our regional
• Enforcement officers graduating from our regional training academies since May of 2023.
• hearing a bill that will prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents operating
• We can make sure energy costs that data centers drive are not paid by Washington households.

Summary: The House convened for the opening day of the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature, with 96 members present. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a prayer, and a tribal welcome and blessing from Squaxin Island Tribe members, followed by the swearing-in of several representatives by retired Justice Mary Yu. The Speaker also recognized the deaths of Senator Bill Ramos, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, and Trooper Tara Marissa Gooding with a moment of silence. In opening remarks, the Speaker emphasized the impacts of federal actions on Washington, including tariffs, H.R. 1, health care costs, Medicaid and food assistance losses, climate and clean energy funding threats, immigration and civil rights concerns, and the need to protect food, health, shelter, and affordability. Representative Stokesbary responded for House Republicans, focusing on Washington’s high cost of living, opposing an income tax, and urging action on affordability, housing, and crime. Both sides framed the session as a difficult but important period for budget and policy decisions. The House adopted House Resolution 4665 to notify the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and adopted House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 to receive the governor’s address and establish the session’s cutoff dates. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, adopted permanent House rules, and approved several committee reassignments and appointments. A House delegation then reported back from a visit with Governor Ferguson, and the House adjourned until the next day, when it was scheduled to meet in pro forma session before the joint session for the governor’s State of the State address.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been very helpful in operating the program.
• We have two real complementary core functions between our development operations and our marketing operations
• Operating budget.
• the FY25 operating expenses.
• Boy, I'll tell you, you really run a smooth operation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thousands of men and women contributed to the training and combat operations of the Tuskegee Airmen,
• edited several textbooks on the subject of emergency medicine, and he led the creation of Boston's Regional
• May served as the Director of Medical Services at the Wrentham Development Center, a facility for people
• In 2009, he served as administrator of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, which he served until

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a special recognition of Dr. Harold May, an original Tuskegee Airman. The Majority Leader highlighted Dr. May’s military service and his later career in medicine, including graduating from Harvard Medical School, working in Haiti, helping develop Boston’s emergency medical services, and founding a children’s support organization. A citation from the Massachusetts Senate was presented, and the chamber briefly recessed for photos and signatures. The Senate then adopted a resolution recognizing the legacy of Senator Mock and Mr. Pachico. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to the appropriate committees. An order was adopted for the Senate to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Before adjournment, the Senate honored former State Representative Thomas S. Cahir, with remarks noting his long service in the Massachusetts House, leadership on transportation issues, work on commuter rail and other projects, and later service with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority. The Senate approved adjournment in his memory, observed a moment of silence, and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now we have the worst state employee health coverage of regional states.
• Speaker and gentlemen, independents are all over Bill Sponsor: the place and the Pew Research Center
• So again, with the way that our systems operate in order to be able to feed back the feedback loop to
• Speaker, I'm sorry, Madam Speaker and gentle lady, can a non-citizen person get a high-level security
• My husband has a high-level security, so it's a completely different process.

Transcript Highlights:

• , radiology center, or hospice.
• </c> security health plan of Wisconsin Inc. security health plan of Wisconsin Inc.
• We have not funds our operations.
• </c> operate in that capacity whatsoever. operate in that capacity whatsoever.
• </c> operations or anything of the sort. operations or anything of the sort.

Bills: HF3668 , HF2779 , HF2771

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration

Transcript Highlights:

• Center O'Malley. Center O'Malley votes yes. Center Padilla votes yes. Center Pinto.
• Center share. Center share votes no. Center Shendo. Center Shendo votes yes. Center Solz.
• Center Stewart votes yes center Thornton Center Thornton votes no center Tobison Center Tobison votes
• no center Townsend Center Townsend votes no Center Trujillo Center Trujillo votes yes center Wilson
• Center Wilson votes no Center Worth Center Worth votes yes Center Woods Center Woods votes no Senator

Bills: SB273 , SB37 , SB100

Keywords: SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services

Summary: The Senate convened on the 30th day of the 2026 session, established a quorum, heard an invocation from Chaplain Harry Eberts, and received several announcements and House messages. The chamber then took up multiple concurrence and third-reading items, including Senate Bill 273, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 100, Senate Bill 41, House Bill 34, House Bill 20, House Bill 43, House Bill 38, and House Bill 256. The body also heard that House Joint Memorial 2 was moved from the President’s table to the calendar, and later received messages from the House on several other Senate and House measures. The most contentious action was concurrence on Senate Bill 273, which concerns correction facility loss of revenue for counties affected by the loss of ICE detainees. Senators debated the economic impact on Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties, with supporters arguing the bill provided partial relief and critics saying it did not come close to replacing lost jobs and revenue. The Senate ultimately concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 22-18. On Senate Bill 100, which would have expanded burglary-related definitions to include an “extension of a dwelling,” several senators argued the House language was too broad and legally vague, and the Senate voted not to concur, sending the bill back to the House. Senate Bill 41, with a technical correction and addition of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, was concurred with by voice vote. Among the bills passed on third reading, House Bill 34 updated school nurse licensure rules and supervision pathways and passed 38-0. House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, clarified retirement and survivor-benefit provisions, and passed 39-0 after questions about whether it affected PERA’s unfunded liability; sponsors said it did not. House Bill 38 expanded insurance coverage for powered mobility devices and prosthetics, including coverage for batteries and in-state provider requirements, and passed 38-0. House Bill 256 expanded cardiac emergency response planning and AED requirements to athletic activities and schools, including private schools on a phased-in basis, and was debated over cost and scope before passing. House Bill 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and IDs, prompted extended discussion about tribal support, documentation, and possible profiling concerns; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> facility design capacity and operational facility design capacity and operational capacity<00:53
• HCC, which is a Hawaii Community Correctional Center on the Big Island, is at 134.5% of its operational
• new intake center as well.
• </c><00:55:05.760><c> as</c><00:55:05.920><c> well</c> center and a new intake Center as well center
• It is a minimum-security facility, and so security should be a little bit more lax, but it's also our

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On November 3, 2025, AHCA submitted the application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• I'm happy to share ...to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• ... ...performance requirements and require them to establish user-friendly operating procedures.
• With the requirements for how a scholarship funding organization will operate under the business plan
• I'll be very brief in saying, especially to those watching, all the operators that are out there, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Asmuth Renewables comes in and secures the land. They're an LLC.
• And what's that going to do to your property taxes and your counties where they need this money to operate
• I am a fourth-generation farmer, former Iowa state legislator, and I am currently the regional policy
• solar farms that you have in Warren County are strictly for when you were planning to put the data center

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed and then concluded a hearing on HB 2402 and HB 2816, both dealing with utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to testify for informational purposes where they supported some provisions but opposed others, and the discussion centered on setback distances, taxation, cropland conversion caps, local control, and decommissioning/oversight. Several witnesses described concerns about large solar projects encircling farms, impacts on neighbors, glare, fire risk, wetlands, and property values, while others emphasized the need for reasonable statewide standards and the importance of preserving Chapter 100 agreements and county flexibility. Testimony from landowners and advocacy groups largely urged stronger protections: higher setbacks, more local authority, lower caps on cropland conversion, and higher tax rates than the bill’s proposed $2,500 per megawatt. Some witnesses argued solar should be taxed as commercial property rather than agricultural land, while others raised constitutional concerns about changing agricultural assessment. A county commissioner described local regulations his county adopted, including road agreements, decommissioning bonds, hydraulic studies, and buffering, and said counties need clearer rules, especially where there is no zoning. Industry and utility representatives said the bills were generally workable but wanted further discussion on setbacks and tax treatment. They argued tax comparisons should account for the full package of taxes and incentives, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes can raise electricity costs for customers. Ameren Missouri said most of the bill was acceptable, but cautioned about how real property would be assessed and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The committee took no vote; after hearing the final witness, the chair closed testimony on HB 2402 and HB 2816 and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, prior independent forensic audits have found serious operational and financial...
• It was the medical marijuana treatment center bill that we did.
• In Trenton, that operation ended up being one of the biggest and most important military operations in
• They're helping them get to federally qualified health centers.
• They're helping them get to federally qualified health centers.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, page introductions, and recognition of guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy basketball team and a student intern. The chamber then took up executive appointment reports from the Ethics and Elections Committee and related committees, which covered a large slate of gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions. Senators were given the opportunity to separate nominees for individual votes, and several members spoke in support of or opposition to specific appointees based on qualifications, ideology, and prior public service. The first major confirmation vote covered most of the 186 appointments on the report, with debate centered on three nominees highlighted by Senator Polsky: Ilya Shapiro, Thomas Zachary Smith, and Dr. John Lattell. The report was adopted 31-0 after those objections, and Jeffrey Aaron was then considered separately for the Public Employee Relations Commission. Senators Smith and Polsky opposed Aaron’s confirmation, citing his role as legal counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and alleged involvement in the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds to political entities; Chair Gates defended Aaron as a lawyer representing a client and noted no disciplinary or law-enforcement action against him. Aaron was confirmed 26-10. The Senate next confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after debate focused on her prior leadership at the Department of Children and Families, Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage issues, Hope Florida-related concerns, and a women’s shelter inspection dispute. Supporters emphasized her work stabilizing Medicaid funding and her responsiveness to agency problems, while opponents argued she had overseen serious failures and lacked suitability. The confirmation passed 32-5. Taylor Hatch was then confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families after committee members noted serious operational concerns at DCF, including SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, forensic audit issues, and questions about Hope Florida, but also cited her commitment to child welfare and willingness to address problems; the vote was 33-4. After the confirmations, the Senate recessed and later returned for a lengthy tribute to outgoing Senate President Kathleen Pasadomo. Senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising her leadership, diligence, toughness in committee, mentorship, and resilience after personal loss, while also joking about her reputation as a strict rules chair and “bill killer.” The session concluded with the recognition of her service and presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2142, ADE school safety center programs — Education.
• HCR 2016, voting centers precinct voting.
• a detention center in Maryland, a defense contractor.
• center planned at Surprise, Arizona.
• So voting centers, they're very popular.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:33.759><c> On</c> Operating Adjustment. On Operating Adjustment.
• ,</c> required for owners, operators, required for owners, operators, employees<00:29:44.880><c> or</
• These sections extend the expiration of the exceptions for Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center and
• Funding the operating outcomes.
• Treatment Center.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to be managed by a contracted vendor connected to a continuously staffed operations center.
• operating and watching.
• center.
• They'll have to have that established domestic operation center that will immediately have a set of eyes
• So the operations center then gets the alert first before it would then, and they do another evaluation

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending Section 67-4717, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the regional and statewide grant
• But there still are regional health boards in all the different regions, which will handle whatever information
• When this bill came up, I had a big concern about the regional behavioral health boards.
• It was said in committee that many of those positions aren't filled, but I can tell you up in Region
• The court operations division supports the operations cost for, like I said, the third branch of government

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and received messages from the Senate, including enrolled Senate bills sent for the Speaker’s signature and Senate Bill 1326 filed for first reading. Committee reports advanced several bills, including House Bill 850 to Health and Welfare and multiple business, health, and state affairs measures to second reading. House Resolution 26, reviewing certain administrative rules, was sent to Judiciary, Rules and Administration for printing. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bill 1314, a budget rescission measure cutting regional behavioral health director positions and regional behavioral health boards; one member opposed it, warning of a disconnect between local communities and the state council. The House also passed House Bills 716, 648, 846, 825, 815, 717 as amended, 668 as amended, 750 as amended, 847, 848, 849, and 681. These bills addressed highway and local road funding, chemotherapy parity coverage, license plate fee changes tied to the Idaho Heritage Trust, school transportation reimbursement for a charter school, vehicle registration penalties, child custody interference enforcement, programmable money protections, judicial and legislative branch maintenance budgets, career ladder movement for CTE and pupil services staff, and elimination of the statute of limitations for certain child sexual abuse crimes. The House also adopted House Joint Memorial 17, which urges the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges; the memorial drew sharp debate over marriage, federalism, and LGBTQ rights and passed 44-26. House Concurrent Resolution 33, creating an interim effort involving education, the attorney general, and the 988 line to address sex torsion and youth protection, also passed by recorded vote. Several bills were held on the third reading calendar, and the House recessed and later reconvened to continue floor action and committee scheduling announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not hopefully, a larger health center not hopefully, a larger health center that's<00:09:11.560>
• Also on Zoom, Lois from Hawaii Disability Rights Center is not present.
• Center Center not<00:24:57.560><c> present.
• Sek from the Disability Rights Center trying to testify on SCR 75. Thank you.
• </c> Center trying to testify on SCR 75. Center trying to testify on SCR 75.

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Home Security Fund transfer...
• Model toxic control capital and model taxes control operating, 60 and 10.
• There are also four reentry centers that are closed and three reentry centers that are converted from
• contracted to state-operated.
• It does not include maintenance and operations funding with that figure.

Summary: The conference committee met on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the state operating budget, and received a detailed staff briefing on the proposed conference report. Staff explained how to read the comparison documents, the four-year balanced-budget outlook, and the main resource assumptions, including use of the March 2025 revenue forecast, exclusion of the statutory 4.5% growth assumption, revenue legislation totaling about $8.7 billion, numerous fund transfers, and reversion assumptions. They also noted the proposal does not include a temporary salary reduction or furloughs. The briefing highlighted major policy areas and their net five-year impacts, including increases for state and higher education employee compensation, K-12 education, long-term care and developmental disabilities, corrections, information technology, and other policy items. It also described net reductions in behavioral health, children/youth/families, higher education, natural resources, other human services, and health care/public health, with many of the changes tied to delayed programs, rate adjustments, fund shifts, and savings options from Governor Ferguson. The committee then heard member comments, with supporters emphasizing K-12 funding and fiscal responsibility, and Senator Gildon opposing the process and the closed-door nature of the budget development. A motion was made and seconded to recommend adoption of the conference report and pass the bill. The roll call showed one member voting do not recommend, one member excused, and the remaining members recommending adoption. By vote of the committee, the conference report was adopted, and the committee adjourned.