Transcript Highlights:

• automotive, two NCCER certifications, which is the National Center for Construction Education and Research
• automotive, two NCCR certifications, which is the National Center for Construction, Education, and Research
• For the last five years, I've been conducting a study researching Louisiana Parole Project and the reentry
• So I'm here to tell you a little bit about that research.
• We knew from the research literature that there were four critical areas for reentry success: stable

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• understand that the national standard is the 9%, but the rest of those kids, you know, we know from research
• LFC researchers also used longitudinal analysis to show that pre-kindergarten students eventually graduated
• This finding reinforces what national research has long shown that investing in quality pre-K improves
• Prior LFC research has shown that the bachelor's level preparation is correlated with improved student
• The National Institute for Early Education Research, or NIEER, found in 2024 that New Mexico meets 9

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Municipal Research and Services Center, MRSC, and here with Allegra Calder of Burke Consulting
• We’re going to talk about our research and key findings, our recommendations, and next steps.
• All right, so just to move on to the research and key findings, early on in our study, we worked with
• We also know from desk research and portfolio reviews that...
• We also know from desk research and portfolio reviews that other states have done that it can be particularly

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• and</c><00:28:28.080><c> other</c><00:28:28.399><c> clean</c> And it's helped to fund early-stage research
• Research indicates that seven years of land cover by solar panels significantly reduces the land's water
• </c><00:34:08.560><c> Research</c> the neighbors of that farm. Research the neighbors of that farm.
• Research indicates<00:34:09.440><c> that</c><00:34:09.760><c> seven</c><00:34:10.079><c> years</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And my staff's research is that amongst the other counties, Collin doesn't remove noncitizens from the
• Yes, TPPF did some research and they said that on average the Secretary of State Texas Public Policy
• They did some research and found that on average the Secretary of State's office gets about 600 a month
• I, this is, and I didn't do this research myself, so I always, I always.
• enforcement will take the time to do it because they'll spend, you know, you know, hours and hours researching

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• In December of 2024, after months of research and conversations with people living at the inner section
• Our research found that the lack of appropriate services for people with IDD particularly those with
• Only 6% of clinical... research studies include people with profound autism.
• This lack of research inhibits our ability... ...as a state and as a country to know how to support these
• Treatment Act passed in 1974, as originally designed, the Registry was merely a data-gathering and research

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• cannabis and cannabinoids and hemp and all that, and he'd probably want to consult with the health researcher
• cannabis and cannabinoids and hemp and all that, and he'd probably want to consult with the health researcher
• 00:24:35.600><c> with</c><00:24:35.720><c> the</c><00:24:35.880><c> health</c><00:24:36.640><c> researcher
• </c><00:24:37.320><c> so</c> to consult with the health researcher so to consult with the health researcher

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Through research that we've done in Human Rights for Kids, we've identified over 32,000 people who are
• I'd like to have time for the public defenders to do some research on this as well and get back to us
• defenders<01:01:24.160><c> to</c><01:01:24.760><c> do</c><01:01:24.920><c> some</c><01:01:25.119><c> research
• ><01:01:25.440><c> on</c><01:01:25.599><c> this</c><01:01:26.000><c> as</c> defenders to do some research
• on this as defenders to do some research on this as well<01:01:26.720><c> and</c><01:01:27.039><c> get

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it also may be a question for research, but I just don't know that we've really talked a lot about
• model only, and that we are a hybrid state that does both, and if there was any information that research
• both and if there was any information both and if there was any information that<00:29:50.320><c> research
• :51.240><c> or</c><00:29:51.519><c> if</c><00:29:52.000><c> uh</c><00:29:52.240><c> the</c> that research
• may have or if uh the that research may have or if uh the department<00:29:52.840><c> has</c><00:29:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have a different level of need, but one of the main levels of need that we're seeing that we need research
• We know cognitive behavioral therapy says that that is what research says impacts recidivism.
• the public and the regulated community, and it can support establishment of a Texas public safety research
• It is well tested in the research literature that extreme heat in prisons leads to increased violence
• A decision that conflicts with established research on what benefits youth, which are small � for them

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Extensive research documents the dangers of these products.
• Extensive research documents the dangers of these products.
• Research has shown that timely access to prenatal care results in better outcomes for both the mother
• Finally, I want to thank the many medical researchers and public health advocates who have worked in
• But when we've done our research and we found other... ...hospitals are suffering from the same exact

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard a series of bills focused on access to care, insurance coverage, and public health. AB 387 on youth sports AED access drew support from the author and safety advocates, but opposition from school, park, city, and county groups over liability, cost, and access concerns. The author said he would continue working on amendments to shift the bill toward requiring access to existing AEDs rather than mandating facility procurement. Committee members emphasized the life-saving purpose of the bill while also raising affordability and access concerns for youth sports programs. The committee also heard AB 1682, which would require health plans and insurers to cover FDA-cleared scalp cooling devices for chemotherapy patients. Supporters, including breast cancer survivors and health groups, described the emotional and quality-of-life benefits of preventing hair loss and said cost is the main barrier to access. There was no formal opposition, though one senator raised concerns about whether the mandate could exceed essential health benefits. The chair and members expressed support for the bill’s goals and said it would be taken up when quorum was established. AB 2093, a follow-up to the 988 crisis line law, sought to clarify statewide leadership, improve coordination among 988, 911, and mobile crisis teams, and create a more sustainable funding structure. Behavioral health organizations and crisis center representatives supported the bill, saying implementation challenges and demand growth require statutory fixes. Committee members generally supported the concept but noted the bill was a gut-and-amend and that additional work was needed with county and behavioral health stakeholders. The committee then heard AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment, AB 1629 on dental assignment of benefits, AB 2540 on community college access to medication abortion services, and AB 1929 on disclosure of health plan investments. AB 1843 had broad support from medical and public health groups but opposition from health plans, which argued it conflicted with the prior-authorization framework in SB 306 and could raise drug costs. AB 1629 was supported by dental and patient advocates but opposed by dental plans and insurers over concerns about network participation and out-of-pocket costs. AB 2540 drew strong support from reproductive health advocates and student representatives, while community college health services and some others opposed or were neutral pending amendments; the author said the bill was about equity and accepted amendments to reduce burdens. AB 1929 was backed by labor and immigrant rights groups as a transparency measure, but opposed by health plans and insurers who said Covered California was not the right entity to administer the disclosures and that the information was already publicly available. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly weighed public access and transparency against cost, administrative burden, and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Extensive research documents the dangers of these products.
• Extensive research documents the dangers of these products.
• Research has shown that timely access to prenatal care results in better outcomes for both the mother
• Finally, I want to thank the many medical researchers and public health advocates who have worked in
• I just did some quick research on the language in the bill, or the amendments actually that changed it

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then I started the research on this project and it seems like this is an ongoing thing around
• c><01:27:59.320><c> I</c><01:27:59.400><c> started</c><01:27:59.760><c> the</c><01:27:59.840><c> research
• </c><01:28:00.360><c> on</c> Um and then I started the research on Um and then I started the research
• So, I will have more research done on that, sir, and if... Okay.
• ><c> done</c><01:29:53.880><c> on</c><01:29:54.000><c> that,</c> will have more research done on that

Bills: HF2354 , HF3407 , HF4359 , HF4192 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF1597 , HF3155 , HF3871 , HF4437 , HF4446 , HF3990

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• The research that we've done, the firsthand accounts that we can present to you, and the three former
• :07.520><c> the</c><00:31:07.919><c> firsthand</c> research that we've done, the firsthand research that
• We are now past, well, we're still doing research.
• Obviously, research is always going to be important. We're now in the development phase.
• Obviously, research is always going to be important. We're now in the development phase.

Bills: HF3919 , HF3467 , HF3741

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, veterans affairs, food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, state resources, reporting requirements, agency initiatives, veterans, educational assistance, tuition waiver, spouses, children, military service, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• And that research was just that. It was just research.
• And then a young entrepreneur said, "Hey, I'm going to take this research and do something with it."
• Started out as research at the University of Wyoming. And that research was not just that.
• It was just research.
• And then a young entrepreneur said, "Hey, I'm going to take this research and do something with it."

Bills: HB0150

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would be able to do some research on that and get back to you. >> Thank you.
• </c><00:35:41.280><c> on</c> would be able to do some research on would be able to do some research on
• How many wines do you— because when I was researching it, it seemed like very few wines go over the 15%
• </c><00:36:14.079><c> it,</c><00:36:14.320><c> it</c><00:36:14.400><c> seemed</c> when I was researching
• it, it seemed when I was researching it, it seemed like<00:36:14.720><c> very</c><00:36:14.960><c> few

Bills: HB1991 , HB1776 , HB1897 , HB1900

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• meet the intent of the legislature in getting to on-the-ground projects that are doing important research
• for invasive species important research for invasive species management<00:11:36.640><c> as</c><00:11
• It moved to research. I wanted to double food production. Give me Nella to double food production.
• It moved to<01:19:47.280><c> research.
• I wanted to double food to research.

Bills: HB1601 , HB1828 , HB1616 , HB1603 , HB1606 , HB1604 , HB1605

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• I um I did notice as we were researching this one that KSU projected to end the fiscal year 2025 with
• I um I did notice as we were researching<00:26:43.520><c> this</c><00:26:43.760><c> one</c><00:26:44.000
• I did my due diligence and I did do some research.
• c> I</c><00:43:20.480><c> talked</c><00:43:20.640><c> to</c><00:43:20.800><c> my</c> did do some research
• I talked to my did do some research.

Keywords: This meeting will take place Upon Adjournment of both Chambers. An exact time is not given or known at this time., 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The research has exploded in the last five years, so we really don't have to rely on opinion, but you
• Um the research<00:36:35.520><c> has</c><00:36:35.839><c> exploded</c><00:36:36.480><c> in</c><00:36:
• five research has exploded in the last five years.<00:36:38.640><c> Um</c><00:36:39.119><c> so</c><00
• So a lot of the research was done right here in this neighborhood. Wow.
• So it was my... a lot of the research was done right a lot of the research was done right here<00:54:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards. Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• able to manage and, looking at population projections that are coming out, done by both the DOC research
• </c> out of done by the both the doc research out of done by the both the doc research as<00:42:38.160
• And that research is borne out.
• Um, and that research<01:08:27.679><c> is</c><01:08:27.839><c> is</c><01:08:28.159><c> borne</c><01:08
• So, we want to research is is borne out.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all