Transcript Highlights:

• through it, who are still going through it, and who have to live with the outcomes of our laws on a day-to-day
• “and who have to live with the outcomes of our laws on a day-to-day basis.
• We know how much you're going through, just how much on a day-to-day basis you are fighting just for
• It’s with you every day.
• I am today in health care. I work for VA Care Community Health in Los Angeles.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Benjamin Talmadge, who was Washington's chief of intelligence, wrote this: 'As the dawn of the next day
• So for every one child raised by kin in foster care, there are 18 being raised by kin outside of foster
• care.
• Raised by kin outside of foster care, which we know strengthens family relationships, that foundation
• , as well as a great cost reduction in our state to keep those kids out of foster care.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be very careful with the dollars that we spend.
• state financial aid calculator, and that they've had opportunities to access financial aid advising days
• Advising days, if that's appropriate.
• And you're going to see... ...with health care, AI, and a lot of these technology jobs that we've been
• Jake Fey just introduced it the other day.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills. SB 5841 would require students’ high school and beyond plans to show completion of at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or a parent/guardian opt-out. The sponsor and supporters said it would reduce barriers to postsecondary education, improve financial aid completion, and bring more students and federal dollars into the state. School groups opposed it, warning it would add an unfunded administrative burden and create verification challenges, especially for small districts and families with undocumented students. Senators discussed data-sharing from the Washington Student Achievement Council and noted the bill’s connection to existing FAFSA outreach efforts. The committee then took testimony on SB 5922, which would let districts petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds to other district uses if they reduce their fleet because of enrollment declines. The sponsor said the bill would free up unused bus funds for other pressing needs. Members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. The committee also heard SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. Supporters from OSPI, districts, school directors, and PTA said the program is essential for transporting students with disabilities, homelessness, or foster care needs, and that current funding is far below demonstrated need. No votes were taken on these bills. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would allow limited use of school impact fees for modernization and, in districts under binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight, for up to 25% of operations and maintenance. The sponsor and one superintendent argued it would help districts with aging buildings and new state mandates like safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Builders, business groups, and school coalition representatives opposed the bill, saying impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning it could worsen housing affordability and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the session’s budget constraints and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We file them in April, and that's very close to Census Day, April 1.
• And that's very close to Census Day, April 1.
• We have administrator lists from nursing facilities and long-term care facilities.
• We have administrator lists from nursing facilities and long-term care facilities.
• Nursing care facilities and correctional facilities, right.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, SP moving on to SP 1438, SD1, relating to home care agencies.
• Moving on to SB 1438 SD1, relating to home care agencies.
• </c> customers including the five health care customers including the five health care um<00:48:24.720
• limit or 20-day notice for cancellation notices to keep the non-renewal notice at 30 days.
• And for customer non-payment, the notice will remain at 10 days.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date. SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii. The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be visiting in the days ahead.
• We were there the first day and stayed until the last victim was pulled from the water. Mr.
• The folks that have the expertise, uh, in care, especially for a brain injury.
• Brain Injury Care uh into the settlement Brain Injury Care uh into the settlement process<01:06:34.599
• Chair, could you give us an indication of what your plans will be in the next 10 days?

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the end of the day, we're trying to take care of consumers, and if we're...
• I learned something every day.
• The national standard is 60 days.
• It is the day my first-born baby boy died.
• It's like Groundhog Day.

Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we had a long day yesterday. A long day. I mean, he was here till 7:30 last night.
• So we had a long day yesterday, but that's every day for those guys.
• I know the day that you went to Subway by yourself, I know the day that you went to Subway by yourself
• I needed a day or two to recover from each of y'all, but they're all in one day.
• Madam Leader, it's been a long day. It's been a long day.

Bills: HB1168

Summary: The Senate first came to order after repeated quorum calls, then devoted a long portion of the meeting to farewell remarks for Senator Darcy Jech. Jech reflected on his 12 years in the chamber, his rural district, campaign experiences, major events during his tenure, and the importance of relationships, compromise, and service. Numerous senators followed with personal tributes, praising his steadiness, humility, faith, work on devotions and the Rural Caucus, and his reputation as a thoughtful, respectful colleague and family man. After the farewell segment, the Senate moved to executive nominations. The chamber unanimously confirmed Sharon Shell Millington as Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Clayton Bullard as Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health, and Clayton Bullard as administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The Senate then approved a slate of Tier 2 nominations, including appointments to the Home Inspector Examiners Committee, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology board, the State Fire Marshal Commission, the State Board of Health, the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, the Forensic Review Board, the Oklahoma State Credit Union, the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Industry Committee, and the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. No debate or opposition was recorded on the nominations, and the votes were overwhelmingly or unanimously in favor. After announcements, the Senate agreed to recess and then adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the impairment while administering care. the impairment while administering care.
• </c> life and death decisions every day. life and death decisions every day.
• </c> My question is the care My question is the care that<01:03:02.680><c> any</c><01:03:02.880><c> of
• And because the half-life is 30 days.
• </c> to help them with the pain on the days to help them with the pain on the days that<01:06:42.840>

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, we thank you for the gift of this day.
• What we're talking about is for the instructional day for the...
• and then redistributed at the end of the school day.
• That is prohibited throughout the day, wherever it might be.
• ... they need to go for health care.

Bills: SB92 , HB9 , HB9

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• to 15 days.
• </c> 180-day clock? 180-day clock?
• and seersucker day cream social that day and seersucker day as<04:40:14.440><c> well.
• Memorial Day is the day that we honor those who have fallen.
• And in 1971, that day was designated as Memorial Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the last day of our final mandatory 5-day recess. Um, my name is Della Au Belatti.
• </c><00:19:09.440><c> and</c> accomplished through that one day and accomplished through that one day
• Take care of two people for 14 days. And we talk about all those things.
• You don't have to be a rocket scientist to build a kit, take care of two people for 14 days, and we talk
• </c> Hector. on Halloween day in 2004. Hector. on Halloween day in 2004.

Bills: HB2437 , HB1815 , HB1614 , HB1613 , HB1612 , HB2411 , HB2597 , HB2583 , HB2474 , HB1863 , HB2590 , HB1813 , HB1838 , HB2138 , HB1967 , HB1576 , HB2139 , HB1605 , HB2113 , HB812 , HB1831 , HB1707 , HB2561 , HB1805 , HB2469 , HB2472 , HB2387 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1664 , HB1859 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB1656 , HB2116 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2340 , HB2158 , HB2339 , HB2489 , HB2159 , HB2171 , HB2338 , HB2005 , HB1952 , HB1872 , HB1676 , HB2384 , HB2614 , HB20 , HB1776 , HB1565 , HB2310 , HB1975 , HB1801 , HB1668 , HB2114 , HB1972 , HB1546 , HB1518 , HB1131 , HB2208 , HB2156 , HB2268 , HB2622 , HB2581 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB1577 , HB2033 , HB2031 , HB2023 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2315 , HB2343 , HB2501 , HB2505 , HB816 , HB1562 , HB1591 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1871 , HB1965 , HB1966 , HB1537 , HB1541 , HB276 , HB2606 , HB2270 , HB1920 , HB1756 , HB1727 , HB1718 , HB1715 , HB1713 , HB1711

Transcript Highlights:

• It clearly says that a special election can be called 22 days after the first day of session.
• The first day of session is the 14th.
• </c> a special election can be called 22 days a special election can be called 22 days after<00:25:48.200
• ><c> session</c><00:25:49.600><c> first</c><00:25:49.880><c> day</c> after the first day of session first
• day after the first day of session first day of<00:25:50.120><c> session</c><00:25:50.360><c> is</c>

Summary: House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally. A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions. On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:26.079><c> and</c> martial arts back in the old days and martial arts back in the old days
• Would you care to with this amendment.
• So you have three days to get out.
• So you have three days to clean house.
• </c> day and nail those down. day and nail those down. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• rural areas, how much we care about affordability.
• That we care about each other.
• In Washington, D.C., it's almost impossible to do that these days.
• We say that today with a seven-day wait that is ruled unconstitutional.
• That is not careful policy.

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered an invocation, and handled several announcements and courtesy motions, including excusing some members and relaxing the dress code. The chamber then adopted committee reports on several bills, including Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 30, and Senate Bill 43. It then moved to third reading of Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act.” SB 17 was read at length and explained by Senator O’Malley and co-sponsor Senator Bergman as a gun crime prevention measure aimed at dealer security, employee training, recordkeeping, reporting requirements, inspections, and a ban on future dealer sales or transfers of certain firearms and accessories, including high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber rifles and cartridges, gas-operated semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines, and machine guns. Supporters argued the bill targets the retail-to-criminal pipeline, improves accountability, and would help reduce gun trafficking and violence. Opponents argued it infringes on constitutional rights, would not stop criminals from obtaining guns, and would burden law-abiding citizens and dealers. The chamber then debated Floor Amendment No. 1 by Senator Brantley, which would have struck Section 7, the portion banning certain weapons and devices. Supporters of the amendment said Section 7 was the most constitutionally vulnerable part of the bill and would likely be litigated, while opponents said the section was central to the bill’s purpose and consistent with Second Amendment case law. The amendment failed on a roll call vote, 15-22. A second amendment by Senator Block, which would have exempted certain under-21 employees from the bill’s age restriction if they were military members, veterans, or had completed hunter safety or 4-H programs, was then taken up and debated, with supporters emphasizing military training and youth firearms education as evidence of responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> each and every day. each and every day.
• It has since crept into stewardship, where you're taking care of the culture, taking care of our natural
• It has since crept into stewardship, where you're taking care of the culture, taking care of our natural
• </c><01:32:17.320><c> of</c><01:32:17.400><c> the</c> taking care of the taking care of the the<01:32
• </c> uh taking care of our natural resources. uh taking care of our natural resources.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard several governor’s message nominations to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s advisory board. The first nominee, Daniel O’Leary, received strong support from HTA leadership and Deputy Director James Kunane Tokioka, who praised his visitor-industry knowledge and work on brand marketing and tourism planning. O’Leary said he hoped to contribute his experience and strengthen the organization’s integrity. Joel Guy was also supported by HTA, Tokioka, and several community testifiers, who highlighted his long work in Hana, his film-industry background, and his role in community-focused tourism planning. During questioning, Guy said the advisory board should still have influence, especially on strategic planning and community concerns, even though its role is advisory rather than decision-making. The committee then considered Linda Wong’s nomination. HTA and Tokioka strongly supported her, citing her long community experience and familiarity with HTA work. Wong said the new advisory board was collaborative, had no conflicts so far, and was trying to balance resident concerns with attracting higher-value tourists. Senator Kim questioned her about the advisory structure, and Wong said she believed the Legislature had reduced HTA’s authority because of past conflicts but that the new board could help turn things around and possibly regain more authority in the future. The committee also heard testimony on Kimberly Algos and Terry Fisher. Algos was described by HTA and Tokioka as a strong leader and solid board member; Tokioka explained that she and another co-chair were selected because of their busy schedules and that the advisory board’s committees were created so members could contribute beyond the single statutory duty of selecting the chair, president, and CEO. Fisher was supported for his tour-operator experience and strategic planning work. In questioning, he endorsed performance-based contracting and accountability for contractors, while acknowledging that external events can affect results. He also said the convention center is critical infrastructure that should be repaired and used to help fill tourism lulls and attract major conferences. The hearing included supportive testimony from industry representatives, but no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pegging wages and health care pegging wages and health care to<00:15:51.400><c> the</c><00:15:51.520
• </c> taking care of them with this bill. taking care of them with this bill.
• </c> I don't think we have a health care I don't think we have a health care problem,<00:23:09.760><c
• </c> have to be sanitized every day? have to be sanitized every day? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
• In doing so, this bill risks pulling routine day-to-day workforce management decisions into a regulatory

Bills: HF3878 , HF4131 , HF3796 , HF4097

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• to day.
• Let's go to work. of the day. We all understand we're in a of the day.
• We cared about one another.
• So, the committees will meet as soon as we get this taken care of and then we can go on about our day
• </c> of and then we can go on about our day. of and then we can go on about our day.

Transcript Highlights:

• under 18, they don't have to be a qualified elector, just be residing in the state for at least 30 days
• How come it's not pulling the next day?
• One possible solution, if this were to go through, on line 24, changed the language of no duty to care
• to say... ...reasonable standard of care and send that on to a 14th order to get that amendment.
• You don't want to sit and watch a child not being cared for because a parent can't be located.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• As we wrap up the purpose and work of this special legislative study committee, we're going to take care
• Like, to this day, we can't get that year back. It bothers me.
• And it bothers me to this day that she got three years of varsity as opposed to four.
• I want us to take care of some housekeeping while we have our quorum here.
• We don’t even care about the sports part now. He just needs to be in school.”

Summary: The special legislative study committee met with seven members present, adopted the minutes from prior meetings, and heard public testimony from Terrell Butler and his father about a transfer-eligibility dispute affecting Terrell’s ability to play varsity sports after moving from Anacoco High School to Leesville High School in the same parish. They described the move as family-driven and in the student’s best interest, but said he was ruled ineligible for varsity athletics for a year despite strong grades and a positive adjustment to the new school. Several members responded that the current transfer rules can unfairly punish students for adult decisions and that the case illustrated broader concerns about student-athlete eligibility and consistency in enforcement. The committee then discussed and adopted factual findings about the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), with members criticizing inconsistent enforcement, lack of transparency, limited accountability, and the association’s absence from prior meetings. Members noted that LHSAA has previously argued in court that it is a private corporation, which limits the legislature’s direct authority. Despite that, the committee adopted three recommendations: a structured transfer-eligibility process allowing one one-time transfer through junior year; making the House and Senate representatives on the LHSAA executive committee voting members; and adding a governor-appointed voting member to the executive committee. The Speaker Pro Tem then presented broader policy options. The committee adopted a “Tier 2” recommendation calling for high school athletics to be managed through a cooperative endeavor agreement between the Louisiana Department of Education/BESE and a nonprofit administering organization, with legislative oversight, public-records compliance subject to privacy exceptions, audit authority, and the ability for nonpublic schools to opt in. The committee also included a “Tier 1” concept for a new state-run sanctioned athletics office under BESE, but only as a discussion item for future consideration, not as a committee recommendation. Staff was authorized to incorporate the adopted findings, recommendations, meeting details, technical corrections, and to send the final report to the House and Senate education committees and LHSAA. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair, staff, and one another, and then adjourning.