Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill does not have consensus support from those as proponents claim.
• consensus support from those<03:26:01.120><c> as</c><03:26:02.000><c> proponents</c><03:26:02.560><c> claim
• ><03:26:02.880><c> And</c><03:26:03.120><c> again,</c><03:26:03.359><c> as</c> those as proponents claim
• And again, as those as proponents claim.
• The EDA's various funding opportunities, like the public works and economic adjustment assistance program

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in 2010 we had to help the health department adjust their denominators for rates because
• had undercounts in a number of places for example in 2010 where we had a help the health department adjust
• because I think there's some options we could look at to say, okay, as a legislative matter, let's adjust
• and I'm working with a team of people to get a better response rate, return rate, as we call it, adjusted

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census met on December 8 at 9:32 a.m. to examine the dynamics that drive census undercounts and overcounts, with testimony first from Joseph Salvo and then from Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute. Salvo explained the Census Bureau’s two main evaluation tools: demographic analysis, which uses vital records, migration estimates, and Medicare data to produce a national benchmark, and the post-enumeration survey (PES), which compares a separate sample-based count to the census. He said the 2020 census showed a small national net undercount, but larger age- and race-based disparities, including the highest undercount among children ages 0 to 4, higher undercounts for men, substantial undercounts for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and overcounts among some older and college-age groups. He also described how self-response, non-response follow-up, administrative records, proxy responses, and imputation affected data quality, arguing that proxies and imputation were especially weak and that outreach remains critical for 2030. Committee members asked Salvo to clarify the methods and error bands, the role of international migration estimates, and how the PES differs from the census address list and LUCA. He explained that PES is based on a separate sample of blocks and can add units within sampled blocks, but it does not measure units missed entirely from the original address list; LUCA matters because it improves that list before enumeration. He also discussed age heaping, duplicate responses among older adults, and why group quarters and COVID-related disruptions complicated the 2020 count. Senator Driscoll briefly interrupted to describe Randolph’s successful appeal of its 2020 count after an undercount in disability care homes, and Salvo noted that the post-census group quarters review helped correct some missed facilities. Susan Strait then focused on Massachusetts-specific results. She said Massachusetts’ 2020 count was strong overall, with population growth above the national average and a PES-based finding that the state was overcounted by 2.24 percent, though she emphasized that this did not mean all areas were accurately counted. Using demographic analysis, she said Massachusetts had an estimated 4.15 percent undercount of children ages 0 to 4, with the largest county-level undercounts in Hampden, Suffolk, and Essex, and she linked higher child undercounts to lower educational attainment and female-headed households. Strait also reviewed operational metrics showing that Massachusetts had relatively strong internet self-response, but that non-response follow-up relied heavily on household interviews, administrative records, proxies, and imputation in different counties. She highlighted higher proxy use in college-heavy counties such as Hampshire and Suffolk, and said counties with more minority residents were more likely to have population-count-only cases and other indicators of harder-to-count populations. The hearing ended with discussion of how these findings could inform outreach and census planning for 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I went to see what we could adjust here in statute, and this is the only thing that we can really
• adjust in that whole process: by removing their exemption from not having to be a part of the fee settlement
• We're going to pause and give time for the room to adjust its composition if people want to try to come
• We're going to pause and give time for the room to adjust its composition if people want to try to come

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then adjust from 80 families exactly to up to 80 families to give them a little bit of grace.
• And<00:44:55.320><c> then</c><00:44:55.600><c> adjust</c><00:44:56.160><c> from</c><00:44:56.480><c>
• 80</c><00:44:56.760><c> families</c><00:44:57.400><c> exactly</c> And then adjust from 80 families exactly
• And then adjust from 80 families exactly to<00:44:58.240><c> up</c><00:44:58.440><c> to</c><00:44:58.640

Bills: SB2479 , SB2557 , SB2861 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB3325

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: criminal procedure, family violence, dating violence, child abuse, evidence admissibility, reduced sentencing, homelessness, reporting requirements, statewide office, housing solutions, kauhale projects, public oversight, SB2861, Hawaii, Office of Wellness and Resilience, OWR, Department of Human Services, DHS, Kakou Pilot Program, Kakou

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill. For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date. The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.

Transcript Highlights:

• upon, uh, between talks with us and the Appropriations and Revenue Committee was a 12% tax on the adjusted
• 12%</c><00:21:06.520><c> tax</c><00:21:07.520><c> on</c><00:21:07.720><c> the</c><00:21:07.920><c> adjusted
• </c><00:21:08.720><c> gross</c><00:21:09.440><c> revenue</c> a 12% tax on the adjusted gross revenue
• a 12% tax on the adjusted gross revenue of<00:21:10.920><c> a</c><00:21:11.000><c> fantasy</c><00:21:

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Keywords: 00:00 CALL TO ORDER 00:05 ROLL CALL 01:03 HB 566 DISCUSSION 03:05 HB 566 VOTE 05:10 HB 885 DISCUSSION 08:03 HB 885 VOTE 09:55 HB 904 DISCUSSION 33:10 HB 904 VOTE 34:28 ADJOURNMENT, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then obviously we'll have to adjust it when the federal government finally does do something.
• /c><00:22:13.600><c> we'll</c><00:22:13.679><c> have</c><00:22:13.800><c> to</c><00:22:13.880><c> adjust
• </c><00:22:14.240><c> it</c> then obviously we'll have to adjust it then obviously we'll have to adjust

Committee: Senate Licensing & Occupations

Keywords: The livestream event for this meeting cut off shortly after the meeting began. This is the complete copy pulled from back ups., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's adjusted per person and for inflation, and that is, again, adjusted with the consumer price
• Just to reiterate, when adjusted for population and inflation, our budgets have grown less than 2% in
• And when adjusted for population and inflation, our budgets have grown less than 2% in 20 years.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's important to note for this cap is that it's not adjusted for inflation, which means that over
• And what's important to note for this cap is that it's not adjusted for inflation, which means that over
• So it is a bit uncertain, but the primary mechanisms in place are to adjust how many programs get an
• So it is a bit uncertain, but the primary mechanisms in place are to adjust how many programs get an

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a hearing focused first on the impact of H.R. 1 on medical student financing and physician access, then on state residency-support programs. The chair framed the discussion around expected federal Medicaid and student loan changes, warning that higher borrowing barriers could reduce access to medical school for lower-income students and worsen physician shortages, especially in underserved regions. The LAO explained that H.R. 1 would cap federal loans for professional students, eliminate Grad PLUS for new borrowers, and likely shift more students toward private loans with less favorable terms; it said the bigger concern may be who can afford to attend medical school rather than a sharp drop in enrollment. HCAI described three physician loan repayment programs—the State Loan Repayment Program, the Stephen M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program, and the County Medical Services Program loan repayment program—and said retention data show many awardees remain in California and in underserved or safety-net settings after service obligations end. University of California and UCSF witnesses described California’s physician workforce shortages, especially on the Central Coast and in rural and agricultural communities, and said affordability, limited medical school capacity, and burnout are pushing some doctors into concierge practice or out of underserved areas. They emphasized that students from low-income backgrounds and underrepresented communities are more likely to be affected by loan limits and that residency location strongly influences where physicians ultimately practice. Members asked about medical school capacity, out-of-state students, residency retention, and whether the state could expand slots or better target aid to keep physicians in California and in high-need communities. Public commenters urged the Legislature to consider shortages in anesthesia, pediatric subspecialties, midwifery, and culturally concordant care, and to support broader workforce pathways and public-service loan programs. The second panel reviewed graduate medical education programs, especially CalMedForce, CalMedForce Plus, and Song-Brown. UC and HCAI said CalMedForce has supported new residency slots since 2018, while Song-Brown funds primary care residency training and has recently supported new programs in rural areas such as Del Norte County. The LAO said the state should decide whether residency support should remain a budget priority, whether these competitive grant programs are the best mechanism, and whether their structures are too rigid or duplicative. It noted that most awardees receive funding more than once and that the programs overlap substantially, suggesting possible coordination or consolidation. A family physician from the California Academy of Family Physicians argued that stable funding for primary care residencies is essential, that many California-trained physicians stay where they train, and that future funding should be more deliberately directed to primary care and high-need communities. The hearing ended with discussion of emergency room crowding, geographic inequities in residency distribution, and HCAI’s plan to develop supply-and-demand models to guide future funding decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2001 they adjusted them slightly. Nothing's been done for 24 years...
• They adjusted them slightly. Nothing's been done for 24 years.
• So if there's adjustment there, or even looking at the formula and how the counties receive funding..
• If there's a tweaking in that formula that maybe we can use to adjust to make some accommodations to

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2957, which would prohibit cities, towns, counties, and districts from requiring a digital or mobile driver license for government identification purposes and would require physical licenses to be accepted. The sponsor argued the bill preserves choice, privacy, and state control over identification, and several supporters said it protects informed consent and limits biometric data use. Some members raised concerns about travel requirements and proof of legal status, but the sponsor said the bill would not eliminate Real ID or change federal travel rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard HB 2941, which would make certain unsafe motorcycle lane-splitting or lane-sharing behavior subject to reckless driving penalties. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address dangerous conduct and close a gap in enforcement, while a motorcycle rights advocate explained the difference between lane filtering, which is legal under Arizona law in limited circumstances, and lane splitting, which is not. Testimony emphasized public safety and education for riders. The committee approved the bill with a do pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. Next, the committee considered HB 2305, as amended, dealing with private property towing. The bill would make towing rates a matter of statewide concern, tie charges to DPS tow service agreements, require documentation and notice requirements, and standardize rules for private towing carriers. Supporters said the measure would reduce confusion and predatory towing by creating uniform statewide standards, while opponents from the trucking industry argued the DPS rate structure was designed for emergency towing and that more stakeholder work was needed. After adopting an amendment clarifying the bill applies only to motor vehicles towed from private property, the committee passed the bill 7-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 2257, a strike-everything amendment changing how watercraft fee revenue is distributed between the watercraft licensing fund, the State Lake Improvement Fund, and boating safety/law enforcement purposes, while also requiring an annual expenditure report. Supporters said the change would help Mohave County and other local agencies that are covering more water patrol duties as Game and Fish resources are stretched, but Game and Fish warned the shift would create a significant fiscal impact and said the department is already operating with tight budgets. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we had to go back in and get the program to adjust and be rebuilt to be able to handle the new accounting
• So, we had to go back in and get the program to adjust and be rebuilt to be able to handle the new accounting
• My first time to speak before a committee that I formerly chaired. the program to adjust and be rebuilt
• to the program to adjust and be rebuilt to be<00:25:37.679><c> able</c><00:25:37.840><c> to</c><00:25

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Between 3, 7, and 8, we did adjust our policy procedure to inform those pharmacies sooner if they're
• reporting, so we get zero reporting as well in our database, and so we cut it down from 10 to 24 hours, adjusted
• Between 3, 7, and 8, we did adjust our policy procedure to inform those pharmacies sooner if they're
• reporting, so we get zero reporting as well in our database, and so we cut it down from 10 to 24 hours, adjusted

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as a Joint Health and Human Services Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and performance audit findings for several health-related boards. The first action taken was on the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. The Auditor General reported that while the board met some licensing deadlines, it had significant problems enforcing controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements, timely investigating complaints, and documenting fee analyses and other compliance items. The board director said the agency had implemented some recommendations, was seeking legislative help on CSPMP enforcement and data issues, and described staffing and vendor challenges. A public member testified that the board was generally efficient but that statutory gaps limited its effectiveness. The committee then voted 13-0, with six not voting, to continue the Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, with statutory changes to improve its operations. The committee next reviewed the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The Auditor General found the board timely processed licenses but continued to resolve too many complaints late, with a large and growing backlog of open cases, and identified additional issues in oversight, accounting, public records, and conflict-of-interest practices. The executive director said the board had been under-resourced as nursing volume and complaints increased, requested 28 additional investigative positions, and described efforts to triage cases and improve tracking. The Arizona Nurses Association supported the board’s role and said it was working on a bill, House Bill 2408, to improve accountability, prioritization, and fairness in the disciplinary process. A nurse attorney testified that changes to complaint notice, the scope of investigations, and triage could shorten delays. The committee approved continuation of the Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2030, by a 14-0 vote with five not voting. The committee then heard the sunset review for the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. The Auditor General reported that the board generally met licensing timelines but had documentation problems verifying fingerprint clearance cards or criminal history checks, and it failed to act promptly on a renewal application involving serious sex-trafficking-related charges. The board said it had accepted all recommendations, had implemented most of them, had moved to a new licensing platform, and had hired help to address rulemaking delays. Members asked about fingerprint verification and the handling of the serious criminal charges. The committee voted 16-0 to continue the board for four years until July 1, 2030, with statutory changes to improve its performance. Finally, the committee began the review of the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General found the board had met some licensing and enforcement requirements but lacked adequate executive oversight, accountability, and tracking systems, and it had very high complaint-resolution delays. The report also criticized the board’s incentive pay structure, which paid all staff based on measures unrelated to complaint timeliness. The new executive director said the board had created formal investigative timelines, improved reporting, sought additional support staff, and was updating IT and incentive metrics; she also explained that the board is a shared agency with the Medical Board. The transcript ends during this presentation, before any vote on the physician assistant board is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We recently implemented a new budget adjustment request tracking system.
• Smaller ones made any minimal change that we can adjust later on?
• The economy is doing that, and we got to make the adjustments.
• I would recommend that we, as a body, consider that adjustment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that's pretty much the best case scenario you can get in terms of misstatements or any adjustments
• um get in terms of misstatements or can um get in terms of misstatements or any<00:08:52.240><c> adjustments
• </c> any adjustments. any adjustments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuous improvement allows us to make adjustments in real time.
• Analytics, which provides an in-depth look at our data so that we can monitor our progress and make adjustments
• We've done those adjustments to make sure that our transportation, as far as getting kids to and from
• incorporated a process where every year we would look at where we could potentially make micro-adjustments

Transcript Highlights:

• carried in the Judiciary omnibus, which will go to Finance, and there would be the opportunity there to adjust
• </c><00:30:20.320><c> I</c><00:30:20.720><c> adjust</c><00:30:20.960><c> that</c><00:30:21.120><c> number
• I adjust that number. All right. Fine. I adjust that number.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got some proposed adjustments to that as well. And I've got an amendment A7.
• Uh we've got uh some proposed<00:14:38.800><c> uh</c><00:14:38.959><c> adjustments</c><00:14:39.600><
• </c> proposed uh adjustments to that as well. proposed uh adjustments to that as well.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are who they claim to be, even though there's no proof, no documentation.
• earlier this week, and I quote, "Everything argued here is premised on the certifiable fact that claims
• of widespread voting fraud, be it claims of widespread voting fraud, be it absentee<01:52:00.600><c>
• You know, it really is amazing when I can find information that disproves what an egregious claim is
• </c><03:53:52.600><c> to</c> giving him the power that he claims to giving him the power that he claims

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's
• It would protect law enforcement against false claims of misconduct because it's on the record, it's

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1827 by Assembly Member Chen, an act relating to small claims court.
• Small Claims Court was designed to provide a fast and affordable way to resolve routine disputes.
• Small businesses regularly face unpaid invoices, contract disputes, and other claims that exceed this
• allowing businesses to file up to three claims per year.
• People claiming otherwise, quite simply, and in my view, are acting in bad faith.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• getting emails from people who drive Uber, you know, all of the GrubHub and all of those, and they claim
• c><00:07:54.000><c> those,</c><00:07:54.160><c> and</c><00:07:54.879><c> they</c><00:07:55.440><c> claim
• </c> GrubHub and all of those, and they claim GrubHub and all of those, and they claim that<00:07:56.080
• Um, we did have an exemption for projects that were claiming less than a million dollars, or I think
• less than a million dollars um claiming less than a million dollars um or<00:43:53.920><c> I</c><00:

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard seven bills on consumer protection, DBEDT-related matters, and tourism/creative industry issues. On SB 2031, DCCA supported aligning state law with the FTC’s 2025 rule on hidden fees and pricing misrepresentations in live event ticketing and short-term lodging; hotel and financial industry witnesses also testified, and senators asked for complaint and enforcement data. On SB 2129, DBEDT and business groups supported a study of minimum wage impacts, with testimony emphasizing effects on hours, employment, prices, and business viability; a senator asked whether the study could also examine the gig economy and business closures, and DBEDT said that may be possible but would require more research and data access. On SB 2259, which would promote dementia-friendly businesses, DBEDT said the measure fit better with another agency and lacked the department’s expertise, while the Executive Office on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association supported the intent and offered to help with curriculum, branding, and training. Testifiers described dementia as a spectrum and said businesses should be trained to communicate effectively with customers and employees living with the disease; suggested amendments included changing the branding language and requiring at least 85% of employees to complete training rather than all employees. A senator also raised concerns about stigma and whether early-stage dementia should affect a person’s ability to function, and the witness responded that people can often function well in early stages. The committee also heard SB 2577 on sports tourism, which DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported as a way to better understand which events draw visitors and economic benefits. SB 2578, creating a film commission, drew broad support from DBEDT, Creative Industries, SAG-AFTRA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, the Hawaii Film Office, and others, but several witnesses urged changes to the commission’s composition and authority, including more labor representation and limits on the commission’s ability to adjust the production cap. Senators questioned staffing, costs, and whether current film office employees should transfer to the new commission, and one senator proposed a friendly amendment to add musicians, SAG, IATSE, and Teamsters, though the department cautioned that too many members could make the commission difficult to manage. The transcript ends during discussion of the film bill, with no final votes or committee actions stated for the measures heard.