Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure that we're putting good practices in place, keeping in mind that we've got several
• So with that, they used current industry standards and practices along with the actual data provided
• There's just more of those standard business practices that would be enforced with a new rollout.
• So what's their community of practice? What is their licensing model?
• It has served us well for really since 2002 and is now nearing the end of its practical life cycle.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my personal opinion, we have submitted a letter signed by the emergency physicians and advanced practice
• the emergency physicians<00:24:40.080><c> and</c><00:24:40.320><c> advanced</c><00:24:40.720><c> practice
• </c> physicians and advanced practice physicians and advanced practice providers<00:24:41.919><c> of<
• Rifles, whether for hunting, target practice, or what you call an assault weapon, were used in three
• , or what you call an assault practice, or what you call an assault weapon,<00:37:38.720><c> were</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Or is that a practice that we have as this committee?
• /c><00:42:40.280><c> a</c><00:42:40.320><c> very</c><00:42:40.600><c> niche</c><00:42:40.960><c> practice
• This is a very niche practice. councils. This is a very niche practice.
• Jackie Horn in Lexington and she's a fine attorney, and Jackie does a good job in this field of practice
• Jackie Horn in Lexington and she's a fine attorney, and Jackie does a good job in this field of practice

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all I'm saying is that particular practice does not produce the result that we want, and it further
• And all I'm saying is if you remove that practice, what we've seen is that compliance doesn't get any
• I'm available for any questions about my experience practice. Thank you for your testimony.
• At the end of the day, I think this is a practical measure. We are being responsible.
• We are reducing it in a narrowly... ...is a practical measure. We are being responsible.

Bills: HB1455 , HB1777 , HB2101 , HB2136 , HB2609 , HB3142 , HB3552 , HB3846 , HB4155 , HB4514 , HB4879 , HB4995 , HB5014 , HB5139 , HB5228 , HB5436 , HCR40

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several bills, generally leaving them pending after testimony. HB 4995 would create a training/certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would protect tactical medical staff and improve emergency care; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the OmniBase/failure-to-appear-or-pay license hold program; the author and supporters argued it unfairly compounds debt and traps drivers in noncompliance, while judges and municipal court representatives said it is an effective, voluntary tool that prompts court appearances and reduces warrants. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/THC substances, and HB 5436 would allow licensed auto recyclers to purchase certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shop activity; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would place a discrete sex-offender designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for registrants under Chapter 62. The author said the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and cited other states and research in support, while opponents argued it would function as a scarlet letter, increase harassment, and punish people who are already complying with the law. HB 4155 would create a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study risk factors, coordinate agencies, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, TCFV, and a survivor testified in support, emphasizing the number of family violence homicides and the need for coordinated, data-driven prevention, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 4514 would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and confidentiality protections, to help businesses verify identities and combat fraud. Supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce losses from fake IDs and organized theft, while the author stressed privacy safeguards and limited, consent-based use. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are times when that's just not practical for me.
• </c><00:38:53.240><c> for</c> times when that's just not practical for times when that's just not practical
• Yet very few AI companies currently have good practices to develop child-safe AI.
• have good practices to develop Child<01:02:53.279><c> Safe</c><01:02:53.680><c> AI</c><01:02:54.680>
• that by arbitrary age limits I practice that word<01:15:19.880><c> sheriffs</c><01:15:20.320><c> are

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 252 by Representative Jasson, to urge and request the Attorney General to study inconsistent practices
• by Representative Owen, to create a task force on residential construction costs and inspection practices
• So I don't know why we're not discussing this further, but at least from a practical perspective, it
• From a practical perspective, it deserves more debate. Thank you. Rep.
• The bill does not expand CRNA's scope of practice in any way, and Senator Myers worked with insurance

Bills: HR257 , HR258 , HR259 , HR260 , HR261 , HR262 , HR263 , HCR105 , HCR106 , HR252 , HR253 , HR254 , HR255 , HR256 , HCR103 , HCR104 , SB83 , SB143 , SB155 , SB228 , SB283 , SB295 , SB338 , SB388 , SB408 , SB431 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , HB302 , HB597 , HB819 , HB1257 , HB1258 , SCR24 , SB45 , SB58 , SB71 , SB81 , SB92 , SB100 , SB109 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB204 , SB205 , SB207 , SB213 , SB214 , SB216 , SB229 , SB257 , SB274 , SB290 , SB304 , SB374 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB429 , SB479 , SB522 , SB357 , SB406 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , HR37 , HCR64 , HR170 , HR191 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HR217 , HCR11 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR66 , HCR68 , HR9 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR50 , HCR62 , HCR67 , HCR71 , HCR78 , HCR81 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , HCR6 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB258 , HB633 , HB801 , HB61 , HB98 , HB102 , HB139 , HB142 , HB170 , HB185 , HB194 , HB199 , HB231 , HB247 , HB294 , HB336 , HB474 , HB661 , HB842 , HB852 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB79 , HB251 , HB625 , HB769 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB1011 , HB1057 , HB1155 , HB1186 , HB1224 , HB1245 , HB1247 , HB1253 , HB1254 , HB1255 , HB1256 , SB41 , SB44 , SB64 , SB84 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB107 , SB118 , SB142 , SB192 , SB195 , SB199 , SB219 , SB222 , SB234 , SB241 , SB255 , SB275 , SB277 , SB292 , SB294 , SB306 , SB314 , SB482 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , HB646 , HB824 , HB341 , HB682 , HB766 , HB926 , HB998 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1201 , HB1223 , HB603 , HB940 , HB1191 , SB47 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: condolences, memorial resolution, House Resolution, Shreveport, children, tragedy, sympathy, bereavement, tribute, mourning, schoolchildren, public charter school, elementary school, Head Start, family loss, Louisiana House of Representatives, condolence resolution, House resolution, victims, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• commercial insurance, self-fund, or use a hybrid approach consistent with sound risk management practices
• </c> risk management practices. risk management practices.
• You follow the practice, you follow the tradition, you've got the guarantee association guarantee fund
• ><00:13:33.360><c> You</c><00:13:33.480><c> follow</c><00:13:33.800><c> the</c><00:13:33.920><c> practice
• You follow the practice, a no-brainer.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you knew this late in fiscal 25 and we're practically at fiscal 27, I guess I'm just confused
• Um, this is, again, in alignment with historical practice.
• </c><00:20:26.880><c> at</c><00:20:27.360><c> fiscal</c><00:20:28.000><c> 27</c> and we're practically
• at fiscal 27 and we're practically at fiscal 27 I<00:20:30.920><c> guess</c><00:20:31.240><c> I'm</c
• </c> line alignment with historical practice. line alignment with historical practice.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 20 minutes and then adopted the remainder of the consent calendar, after removing two items for separate discussion. On item 26071, members questioned a $95,000 DoubleTree Manchester contract for a two-day conference. Department staff said the hotel was the only bidder, the conference typically draws more than 500 attendees, most of the cost is food offset by registration fees, and attendees pay their own lodging except for presenters. The committee then approved the item. On item 26068, members asked for clearer reporting on remaining federal funds in continuing items. DHHS said about $10.3 million remained as of February 28, 2026, and agreed to provide the original award amounts and a reconciliation later. The committee approved the item. The committee then took up a DHHS transfer item for the developmental disability system, where officials said projected costs had risen because of delayed pandemic-era billings, new individuals entering the system, and higher individual service budgets. They said the budget was built on older assumptions, that carryforward funds had fallen from about $94 million to $72 million, and that the transfer would not affect lapse because it shifts general funds while federal Medicaid funds are accepted in return. The item was adopted. The committee also approved a hiring request and then a late Corrections item tied to overtime and recruitment. Corrections officials said the department is about 50% staffed for corrections officers, typical overtime is an eight-hour shift, inmate populations are beginning to rise again, and the department is using academy blitzes, out-of-state recruiting, targeted advertising, and a $10,000 sign-on bonus paid after academy completion and one year of service. Senator Gray said the late item was intended to help reduce a larger request expected in June, and the committee adopted the item. Finally, members questioned DHHS item 26074 on the New Hampshire Care Connection system and its interoperability with provider and managed care systems. DHHS said the system already has SMART on FHIR integration, single sign-on, and deeper integration options, and that managed care organizations are working with the contractor on use cases and data exchange. Officials said the project has been multi-phase, including the 988 crisis-response migration, privacy/security work, a provider network of more than 100 organizations, and a searchable resource portal managed by Granite United Way. They said the closed-referral solution is funded largely with Medicaid federal funds and is planned to continue in the base budget, not the rural health grant. The discussion ended without further action noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And too often, it looks good on paper while doing very little in practice.
• And too often, it looks good on paper while doing very little in practice.
• In their view, teaching young people to critically evaluate content and understand data practices is
• becoming the solution to that: you can only talk to your friends for five minutes between soccer practice
• But something is just not actively working in practice right now, or there's not enough check in there

Summary: The hearing focused on online safety controls and whether parental controls are sufficient to protect children on social media and other digital platforms. The chair and several members framed the issue as a child safety and public health problem, not just a technology issue, and said the goal was to understand what parental controls do, where they fail, and what policy solutions might be needed. Opening remarks also emphasized that California should lead on safer online spaces for children. Victoria and Paul Hinks gave emotional testimony about the death of their daughter, Alexandra, saying that despite using screen time limits, content filters, app restrictions, and other parental controls, their daughter was still exposed to harmful content and found ways around the settings. Researchers and advocates from Stanford, Children Now, and other organizations said parents face major challenges because digital parenting is complicated, platforms and apps change constantly, children can bypass controls, and many tools are costly or inaccessible. They argued that parental controls are often incomplete, hard to use, and not enough on their own to prevent harms such as cyberbullying, self-harm content, eating disorder content, and exploitation. Witnesses also discussed broader risks in digital spaces, including mental health harms, addiction, fentanyl-related contact through social media, and concerns about AI chatbots. Several speakers said safety should be built into products from the start, with stronger age assurance, clearer reporting systems, independent standards, and corporate accountability. Members asked about what “safe” means, whether other countries’ restrictions are effective, and which features are most harmful. There was broad agreement that no single tool is enough and that multiple layers of protection are needed. The final panel featured representatives from Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Roblox, who described their companies’ teen safety features and parental tools. They pointed to default protections for minors, content limits, bedtime and screen-time tools, age assurance efforts, and new parent notifications for certain self-harm searches. They also supported legislation on age assurance and app-store parental approval. Members pressed the companies on whether their tools are truly effective, and several witnesses acknowledged that current systems still have gaps and that more work is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assisting agencies in developing and executing sustainability plans and sharing tools and best practices
• It requires energy and water benchmarking and goals, which is also a best practice in commercial real
• </c><00:14:58.399><c> to</c> work um and implement best practices to work um and implement best practices
• </c><00:15:33.920><c> also</c><00:15:34.160><c> a</c><00:15:34.320><c> best</c><00:15:34.560><c> practice
• </c><00:15:34.959><c> in</c> which is also a best practice in which is also a best practice in commercial

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm CEO of Cowry, which is an advisory practice that works on compliant domestic structuring options
• that works on compliant practice that works on compliant domestic<00:02:49.920><c> structuring</c><00
• We have a large area of practice in advising our clients about selection of entities and use of entities
• Uh we uh have a um large area of practice<00:08:47.680><c> in</c><00:08:48.640><c> uh</c><00:08:48.880
• practice in uh advising our clients about<00:08:50.720><c> selection</c><00:08:51.279><c> of</c><00:

Bills: HB0086

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Martinez, the Arizona Cardinals are building a headquarters facility there and a practice
• So I don't, generally speaking, coming into the role, there are processes in place, practices in place
• We continue kind of how things have been done. ...in place, practices in place.
• You can go practice shooting. Madam Chair, I’m sorry that it’s incorrect.
• Madam Chair, so this sort of codifies the existing practice, it sounds like.

Bills: HB2150 , HB2262 , HB2267 , HB2268 , HB2351 , HB2425 , HB2426 , HB2427 , HB2755 , HB2781 , HB2913 , HB2943 , HB2956 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB4009

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, not fighting wars, not fire in a crowded theater but that free speech has many practical benefits
• Free speech has practical benefits. If I'm wrong, I want to know. I want to know about it.
• And Jim actually is, you know, you all have said pretty much the best practices for the other schools
• act to protect free speech, like what does that practically look like when you're measuring where you
• One centers on outcomes and performance. other codifies governance and accountability practices that

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2221 by Hull, relating to certain trade practices related to life insurance annuity contracts and
• Well, I don’t think that that’s the way that this would work in practicality.
• I think in practicality someone would actually review the materials and determine whether or not it fit
• SB 2695 by Colecourse, relating to education to enable certain students to practice medicine in certain
• rural counties, and to physician delegation of certain medical acts and advanced practice registered

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no evidence-based best practices mentioned in here. So would you support?
• </c> evidence-based best practices mentioned evidence-based best practices mentioned in<00:48:18.160>
• But I mean, best practice is really give Benadryl first before you use epinephrine. That's...
• But I mean, best practice is really give Benadryl first before you use epinephrine. That's...
• But I mean, best practice is really give Benadryl first before you use epinephrine. That's...

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I realize that there are times when something is wanted by a school; however, it is not practical given
• I realize that there are times when something is wanted by a school; however, it is not practical given
• I realize that there are times when something is wanted by a school; however, it is not practical given
• I realize that there are times when something is wanted by a school; however, it is not practical given
• When something is wanted by a school, however, it is not practical given the budgeting for it to occur

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the owner and changes to the asset distribution, would undermine the program to the point of practically
• concern at that time, and I had given multiple examples because it was a time when I was still practicing
• /c><00:11:05.519><c> I</c><00:11:05.760><c> was</c><00:11:06.399><c> still</c><00:11:06.720><c> practicing
• </c> was a time when I was still practicing was a time when I was still practicing law<00:11:08.240><
• geographical restrictions and consider the ability for the individual to access individual and cultural practices

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 126, which would change civil asset forfeiture law. The Attorney General’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, and county prosecutors opposed the bill’s proposed SD1, arguing that requiring a criminal conviction and changing how forfeiture proceeds are distributed would weaken or effectively end the tool, create fiscal and law enforcement problems, and make it harder to address organized crime or cases where an owner cannot be identified. The Public Defender’s Office, Community Alliance on Prisons, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters argued the measure would improve transparency and accountability, protect property rights, and reduce abuses that disproportionately affect low-income people. The chair questioned law enforcement about fairness, storage of seized property, and access to counsel, and the discussion focused heavily on whether forfeiture should depend on a conviction. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 280, which would make the Community Outreach Court permanent and appropriate funds for it as a division of the First Circuit district court. The Department of the Attorney General and Judiciary supported the concept and described the court’s success in helping people resolve cases, clear license stoppers, recall bench warrants, and access services, but suggested amendments to remove the Attorney General from the bill’s definition and funding mechanism. The Public Defender, Department of Human Services, mental health and substance use advocates, neighborhood and community groups, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing its benefits for people facing housing instability, behavioral health issues, and transportation barriers. No opposition was voiced, and no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 370, which would increase partial public campaign financing for elective offices. The Campaign Spending Commission supported the original bill and asked the committee to restore the original percentage amounts, keep the proposed funding increases, and reinstate funding for two additional full-time staff positions. Supporters said the public financing system has not kept pace with inflation and needs modernization to be viable; a few testifiers opposed the measure. The committee reported 30 in support, two opposed, and one comment, and then moved on without a vote. Finally, HB 371 was heard, a campaign contribution bill that would bar state and county contractors, grantees, and certain related persons from contributing during the contract period. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is intended to address pay-to-play concerns and false-name contributions, while the State Procurement Office raised concerns about the burden of requiring agencies to provide contract information for all contracts regardless of dollar value. The testimony ended with the commission saying it was working with procurement and the Attorney General on implementation details; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that 30-day time frame, as a practical matter, simply might not be workable.
• It is the department's experience and our practice that if it is a larger district, such as Manchester
• It is the department's experience and our practice that if it is a larger district, such as Manchester
• It is the department's experience and our practice that if it is a larger district, such as Manchester
• How much experience do they have in a clinical practice of young children?

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll give you an example. as to why practice changes are so profoundly important. and not the same as
• practices are the wrong practices.
• We are. providing, when someone calls, our practice and We are very careful not to appear as if we're
• Along with that, the extra money, there was a number of best practices that came along with that.
• So in addition to this legacy payment, the state adopted the best practice of a closed funding period

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paramedics who practice under the licensed physician's director would be more appropriate than EMTs to
• uh I witnessed veterans in my practice uh I witnessed firsthand<00:55:11.480><c> the</c><00:55:11.599
• I don't know if I agree with all the practices.
• I don't know if I agree with all the practices.
• I don't know if I agree with all the practices.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.