Transcript Highlights:

• develops and altars inside their bodies on their skin internally externally deep flesh wounds ultimately leading
• So the question I have is and you mentioned this is Florida leads.
• We lead as much as humanly possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• And number two is probably kind of a leading question, but you mentioned 2029, and it occurred to me
• </c><00:28:08.480><c> question,</c> is probably kind of a leading question, is probably kind of a leading
• It's the first leading cause of death for ages 10 to 14 in New Hampshire, and it's the second leading
• Hampshire, and it's the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 34.
• It's also the 10th leading cause of death overall for all age groups.

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, technically I'm like the lead, but I'm really not.
• Um, you know, technically I'm like the lead, but I'm really not.
• Um, you know, technically I'm like the lead, but I'm really not.
• Um, you know, technically I'm like the lead, but I'm really not.
• Um, you know, technically I'm like the lead, but I'm really not.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a certified trainer, course writer, and the public policy chair for Leading Care, the 501(
• I serve as a certified trainer, course writer, and the public policy chair for Leading Care, the 501(
• Article 7 as written is not supported by Leading Care. This is our livelihood.
• Leading Care. Leading Care.
• Leading Care would oppose Article 7 of the bill as written without amendments presented by providers

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So it made sense for the state to step forward, take the lead role in developing a tool.
• And, Doctor, how much lead time is there?
• How much lead time is there?
• That leads to another question. Can you sell land that is underwater?
• Yes, and I would be happy to be that lead contact and get this moving forward.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• During heavy storms, that extra water overwhelms the system, leading to equipment failures, emergency
• This water tower that they currently have was built in 1911 and is lead-lined.
• As Representative Bennett said, it was constructed in 1911 and contains confirmed lead-based coatings
• </c> confirmed lead-based coatings. confirmed lead-based coatings.
• for their work leading up to first<01:36:32.960><c> deadline.

Bills: HF4156 , HF3835 , HF3995 , HF4383 , HF4091 , HF4084 , HF4311 , HF198 , HF4486 , HF4302 , HF4309 , HF4032 , HF3855 , HF3673 , HF4265 , HF4012 , HF4339 , HF4298 , HF3852

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• the legislature previously appropriated money from the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund for lead
• groundwater trust drinking water and groundwater trust fund<00:29:55.919><c> for</c><00:29:56.799><c> lead
• </c> fund for lead fund for lead lead<00:29:59.279><c> um,</c><00:29:59.679><c> testing</c> lead um,
• testing lead um, testing for<00:30:01.440><c> the</c><00:30:01.520><c> lead</c><00:30:01.840><c> testing
• </c> for the lead testing and water. for the lead testing and water.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the bigger the project, the longer the lead time, and the more complicated it is.
• I’m the New Mexico lead campaigner and a certified optical gas imaging thermographer with Earthworks.
• For the past few years, Moms Clean Air Force has been glad to see New Mexico leading on climate policy
• New Mexico is first in so many important ways, and we could lead on climate change as well.
• This will lead to more informed decisions.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, lead us, please.
• Let's lead this charge together. Thank you. I am a 25-year U.S.
• Let's lead this charge together. Thank you. walk. And we don't just inspire, we walk.
• </c> preparing the next generation to lead preparing the next generation to lead them.<01:04:09.839><
• We know how to lead. We know how to direct. We are Black.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill will continue the Department of Information Resources and its mission to serve Texas by leading
• Most lead to an industry-based certificate, and some of those can articulate into an associate's degree
• Texas will lead on AI, ensuring that we're the number one place for innovation to occur in both AI and
• Sanders, when did you start leading Superior? And I became the CEO of the plan in January 2017.
• Lead us off, appreciate it. Thank you.

Bills: HB149 , HB252 , HB643 , HB1442 , HB1500 , HB1672 , HB1851 , HB1893 , HB2028 , HB2768 , HB2818 , HB149 , HB252

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• What absenteeism leads to is learning loss, and so we can have a classroom where we have really big gaps
• to is learning loss absenteeism leads to is learning loss and<00:14:40.519><c> so</c><00:14:40.759><
• across all ages, compared to the 11th leading cause of death nationally.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 14-year-olds and the third leading cause of death
• I lead with these facts because if things had turned out differently, I would not be sitting here in

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> an</c><01:10:29.440><c> adequate</c><01:10:29.840><c> reviewal</c><01:10:30.280><c> before</c> leads
• to an adequate reviewal before leads to an adequate reviewal before permits<01:10:30.760><c> were</c
• link finky on the on the list<01:20:12.679><c> here</c><01:20:12.880><c> but</c><01:20:13.120><c> lead
• </c><01:20:13.920><c> lead</c><01:20:14.239><c> oh</c><01:20:14.440><c> en</c><01:20:14.600><c> Hansen
• </c><01:20:14.920><c> too</c> list here but lead lead oh en Hansen too list here but lead lead oh en

Transcript Highlights:

• Harbor shelter housing and outreach grants; the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which leads
• 00:04:28.080><c> and</c><00:04:28.320><c> families</c><00:04:29.000><c> which</c><00:04:29.120><c> leads
• </c> children youth and families which leads children youth and families which leads the<00:04:29.520
• In addition, they may end up engaged with the criminal justice system as defendants, which can lead to
• In addition, they may end up engaged with the criminal justice system as defendants, which can lead to

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The other agencies mostly have their own IT lead.
• But the police standards and training wants to add an IT lead.
• But the police standards and training wants to add an IT lead.
• But the police standards and training wants to add an IT lead.
• But the police standards and training wants to add an IT lead.

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a kind of specific and general question that leads to a general question, and hopefully it'll
• I have a kind of specific and general question that leads to a general question, and hopefully it'll
• And I guess that leads to my question in terms of whether you're seeing any sort of unique challenges
• I have said repeatedly that the bar will lead the way in the area of Zoom.
• Fewer judges lead to greater delays, and in many ways, this is throwing sand in my gears.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:50.240><c> into</c><00:30:50.559><c> public</c> system that was leading into public system
• that was leading into public waters<00:30:52.000><c> was</c><00:30:52.640><c> uh</c><00:30:53.120><c
• This intersection will have updated pedestrian sidewalks that lead to our Washington County Environment
• > to</c><00:37:42.880><c> our</c><00:37:43.200><c> Washington</c><00:37:43.680><c> County</c> that lead
• to our Washington County that lead to our Washington County Environment<00:37:44.480><c> Center</c><

Bills: HF3700 , HF3982 , HF3927 , HF3933 , HF3949 , HF4238 , HF4275 , HF4476 , HF4504

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:46.560><c> You</c> field leading all of our crews. You field leading all of our crews.
• </c><01:00:35.080><c> So,</c><01:00:35.440><c> lead</c><01:00:35.840><c> lead</c> called.
• So, lead lead called. Is it LMC now?
• So, lead lead manage<01:00:36.480><c> contain,</c><01:00:37.160><c> where</c><01:00:37.360><c> they</
• We have an initiative that started late in 2024 called Lead Manage Contain.

Bills: HB1984 , HB1593 , HB2423 , HB1691 , HB2283 , HB2386 , HB1824 , HB1697 , HB2164 , HB2165

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:18.320><c> Uh</c><00:10:18.959><c> so</c><00:10:19.440><c> we're</c> What this leads to are
• of these low reimbursements.<00:10:40.800><c> What</c><00:10:41.120><c> this</c><00:10:41.279><c> leads
• What this leads to are reimbursements.
• What this leads to are longer<00:10:42.480><c> wait</c><00:10:42.800><c> times</c><00:10:43.200><c> where
• </c><01:23:43.440><c> on</c> not only stopped investigating leads on not only stopped investigating leads

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue lights can trigger a caution or alert response from drivers, leading to safer driver habits.
• Blue lights can trigger a caution or alert response from drivers, leading to safer driver habits.
• Blue lights can trigger a caution or alert response from drivers, leading to safer driver habits.
• Blue lights can trigger a caution or alert response from drivers, leading to safer driver habits.
• Blue lights can trigger a caution or alert response from drivers, leading to safer driver habits.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and across the United States there's a growing recognition that unbounded wildfire liability risk leads
• and across the United States there's a growing recognition that unbounded wildfire liability risk leads
• and across the United States there's a growing recognition that unbounded wildfire liability risk leads
• and across the United States there's a growing recognition that unbounded wildfire liability risk leads
• to dysfunction in the working group lead to dysfunction in the working group if<02:08:05.159><c> we<

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.