Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:45.600><c> or</c> professional scope of practice or professional scope of practice or proposals
• c> medical</c><00:21:22.080><c> systems,</c> practiced within major medical systems, practiced within
• </c><02:09:34.480><c> as</c> selection actually in my practice as selection actually in my practice as
• </c> opinions regarding the practice of that. opinions regarding the practice of that.
• </c> practice for us. practice for us. Senator<02:10:19.760><c> McQuade.</c> Senator McQuade.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know there are a couple of corporate media outlets who are definitely a huge part of and, while practicing
• /c><02:03:38.560><c> their</c><02:03:39.000><c> Amendment</c><02:03:39.560><c> rights</c> while practicing
• their Amendment rights while practicing their Amendment rights to<02:03:40.480><c> you</c><02:03:40.599
• Democracies die from a collaboration between the corrupt and the ignorant.
• between the corrupt and collaboration between the corrupt and the the the ignorant<04:18:57.279><c>

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB557 HB557 HB557 ends<01:44:14.080><c> that</c><01:44:14.400><c> practice</c><01:44:14.800><c> so</c
• so districts can rely ends that practice so districts can rely on<01:44:16.880><c> receiving</c><01:
• </c><02:21:14.319><c> with</c><02:21:14.479><c> the</c> ability to uh collaborate with the ability to
• uh collaborate with the schools<02:21:15.520><c> and</c><02:21:15.760><c> that's</c><02:21:16.000><c
• Yes, I believe it is best practice.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concern about the use of masks and identification, the bill establishes a path toward more consistent practice
• state regulation of federal law enforcement, particularly regarding identification and operational practices
• with respect to masking and practices with respect to masking and identification<00:39:40.480><c> are
• of some federal officers who practice of some federal officers who chose<00:41:28.560><c> who</c><00
• This amendment also takes a collaborative and practical approach by directing the Law Enforcement Advisory

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and behold, we're going to have high school girls flag football beginning this spring, and I think practices
• and behold, we're going to have high school girls flag football beginning this spring, and I think practices
• and tri outs have think practices and tri outs have already<00:21:19.159><c> started</c><00:21:19.520
• </c> uh looking at uh the scope of practice uh looking at uh the scope of practice making<00:42:09.359
• Therefore, TNC strongly supports any advancement of wastewater infrastructure and best practices.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just kind of thinking from a practical standpoint, you know, Representative Murphy brought up the fact
• <00:25:23.480><c> thinking</c><00:25:23.840><c> from</c><00:25:24.000><c> a</c><00:25:24.600><c> practical
• </c> just kind of thinking from a practical just kind of thinking from a practical standpoint<00:25:25.919
• In practice, what's happening with resource plans is because they are so extensive and they require so
• what's happening with resource practice what's happening with resource plans<01:32:41.920><c> is</c>

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think the work on deck for all of us collaboratively is to think about how who gets subsidy and
• </c> and Maryland in stopping this practice and Maryland in stopping this practice in<01:53:41.040><c
• And it's really predatory practices, which has a negative impact on the financial viability of people
• And it's really predatory practices, which has a negative impact on the financial viability of people
• And it's really predatory practices, which has a negative impact on the financial viability of people

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had to self-regulate and do my best to figure out best practices.
• Texans overwhelmingly support reasonable, practical regulation.
• The public and regulators could have a good collaborative effect to enforce.
• And it's something that we're slowly seeing into child practice as well.
• Texans deserve regulations rooted in evidence, practicality, and genuine desires.

Bills: HB 28 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service are typically from competitive grants, which are focused practices and lands where those
• 46.000><c> focused</c> competitive grants, which are focused competitive grants, which are focused practices
• 47.440><c> lands</c><00:10:48.160><c> where</c><00:10:48.399><c> those</c><00:10:48.640><c> funds</c> practices
• and lands where those funds practices and lands where those funds can<00:10:49.120><c> be</c><00:10:
• policies specifically saying we encourage private land owners, state and public land organizations to collaborate

Bills: HB0078 , HB0087 , SF0070 , SF0068 , SF0017 , SF0043

Committee: Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• We are incredibly grateful for the broad industry collaboration that makes this grassroots work possible
• incredibly grateful for the broad incredibly grateful for the broad industry<00:24:56.000><c> collaboration
• </c><00:24:56.559><c> that</c><00:24:56.799><c> makes</c><00:24:57.039><c> this</c> industry collaboration
• that makes this industry collaboration that makes this grassroots<00:24:57.840><c> work</c><00:24:58.159

Bills: HF3474 , HF3475 , HF3508

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Northern Lights is a collaborative and we serve 12 school districts.
• Northern<00:02:28.160><c> Lights</c><00:02:28.480><c> is</c><00:02:28.640><c> a</c><00:02:28.800><c> collaborative
• </c><00:02:29.360><c> and</c> Northern Lights is a collaborative and Northern Lights is a collaborative

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re strengthening our interdepartmental collaboration to facilitate data sharing, minimize redundancies
• <c> departmental</c> strengthening our inter departmental strengthening our inter departmental collaboration
• to</c><00:37:00.960><c> facilitate</c><00:37:01.480><c> data</c><00:37:01.720><c> sharing</c> collaboration
• to facilitate data sharing collaboration to facilitate data sharing minimize<00:37:03.280><c> redundancies

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The working session focused on the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s budget request and its recent work. Early discussion centered on a technical question about a statutory dedicated fund for donations: members asked why the budget did not show a line item for accepting donations, and DHHS CFO Nathan White explained that the statute already authorizes the fund, but because no revenue has been received yet, it does not appear in the budget. He said any future donations would go through the normal process under RSA 14:30-a, with fiscal committee and Governor and Council approval and a memo to the Department of Revenue Administration. The chair clarified that the account was not a prerequisite to soliciting donations, and White said the fund would supplement, not replace, General Fund support. Kirk Williamson, the board’s executive director, then presented the board’s mission and budget. He said the governor’s budget provides about $256,500 in the first year and slightly more in the second, all General Funds, and that the board had distributed a technical amendment to continue the executive director position. He described the board’s role as analyzing prescription drug costs, identifying savings opportunities, monitoring market trends, promoting transparency, and making recommendations to the legislature and public payers. He also emphasized that the board operates publicly, with live-streamed meetings and a stakeholder advisory council that includes unions, state agencies, Medicaid, corrections, higher education, and other stakeholders. A major topic was the board’s estimate of $6 million in potential savings, based on Medicare’s newly negotiated prices for 10 drugs. Williamson explained that the board used those federal negotiated prices as a benchmark to estimate what New Hampshire public payers might be missing by not having similar leverage, and said the board is trying to build evidence for future recommendations rather than directly setting prices. Members asked how those potential savings could become actual savings, and Williamson said the board is sharing findings through its advisory council and feedback loops, though it has not yet sent a formal recommendation letter to specific purchasers. He also discussed the difference between pharmacy-benefit spending, which relies heavily on PBM-negotiated rebates, and medical-benefit spending, which is administered differently and is being added to the board’s next report. Williamson highlighted other work, including a model on Humira and a pending legislative effort to improve biosimilar competition, plus a proposed state-backed pharmacy savings card that would be no cost to the state and could save users about $240 per prescription based on Connecticut’s experience. No votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are practical and reasonable things you can do.
• So<02:10:18.880><c> there</c><02:10:19.040><c> are</c><02:10:19.360><c> practical</c><02:10:19.840><c
• > and</c><02:10:20.079><c> reasonable</c> So there are practical and reasonable So there are practical
• practices for special education<03:14:31.520><c> services.
• And in the next sentence, the practices.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current practice, as I understood it, was that those students would just go to Winnwam School District
• As a practical matter, if the legislature decides that, you know, X is the funding level for an adequate
• spending because has no control over the spending because as<03:15:40.160><c> a</c><03:15:40.399><c> practical
• </c><03:15:40.880><c> matter,</c><03:15:41.680><c> if</c><03:15:41.920><c> the</c> as a practical matter
• , if the as a practical matter, if the legislature<03:15:42.800><c> decides</c><03:15:43.279><c> that

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there’s some practical benefits as well to the state and also to municipalities.
• So going hungry while practicing football would not have been a good idea for him.
• </c><03:27:24.640><c> football</c> so going hungry well practicing football so going hungry well practicing
• We must also end the practice of telling the child to tell his or her parents to pay the bill.
• /c><04:18:38.560><c> also</c><04:18:38.800><c> win</c><04:18:39.040><c> the</c><04:18:39.239><c> practice

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• not enemies in the collaborators not enemies in the education<01:52:27.079><c> process</c><01:52:28.079
• with two New Hampshire Supreme Court rulings regarding its inequitable public education funding practices
• rulings regarding its inequitable public education<02:50:41.960><c> funding</c><02:50:42.720><c> practices
• </c><02:50:43.720><c> thank</c><02:50:43.920><c> you</c> education funding practices thank you education
• funding practices thank you thank<02:50:44.960><c> you</c><02:50:45.120><c> very</c> Thank you very

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice Center has partnered with a nonprofit consultant to strengthen board engagement, increase collaboration
• I spoke earlier, due to the increased VOCA funding, as well as streamlining our operations in collaboration
• with a consultant. ...streamlining our operations in collaboration with a consultant.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• federal, military, state, county, and private sector critical infrastructure stakeholders to work collaboratively
• federal, military, state, county, and private sector critical infrastructure stakeholders to work collaboratively
• federal, military, state, county, and private sector critical infrastructure stakeholders to work collaboratively

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard advice-and-consent testimony on several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 644 for Steven Logan to serve as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense through December 7, 2026. Testimony from multiple state officials and others was strongly supportive, citing Logan’s military leadership, service during the COVID-19 period, and coordination during the fireworks-related patient transfer. Logan described his 44 years of military service, 22 years with the Honolulu Police Department, and his approach of “unity of effort,” including how he would help operationalize the Office of the State Fire Marshal by coordinating with county fire chiefs, the State Fire Council, and emergency management to pursue funding and implement recommendations. The committee then took up GM 621 and GM 623 for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Shante Asuda of Hawaii Correctional Industries supported both nominees and said the board is important for evaluating private-sector joint ventures that can provide work skills for incarcerated people. Carla Kashiwa said she wanted to help improve outcomes through public-private partnerships and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people reentering society. Lee Shinato, however, gave a less prepared presentation, offering broad ideas such as crafts, lunch wagons, and ukulele-making, and acknowledged he was not fully clear on the board’s scope or goals. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of preparation and clarity around the board’s mission, and the administrator later explained that the board’s role is to review business plans for viability, return on investment, sustainability, and whether they provide marketable skills for inmates. The final item discussed was GM 568 for Aris Banag to serve on the Advisory Board of Veteran Services. Supporters described him as community-minded and deeply committed to veterans. Banag said he has over 30 years of service, has worked as a mental health therapist and veterans resource coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and helped create the first veteran service center there. In response to questions about federal VA cutbacks and veterans nearing retirement, he said the board must be a strong independent voice for veterans, advocate against reductions in benefits, and help service members plan for post-military life, including disability benefits, retirement, and financial planning. No votes or final committee actions were stated in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know everybody's busy, but take advantage of this opportunity because it is a collaborative process

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House and Senate chairs opened the first organizational meeting of the special initiative commission created by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 to study the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card and the impacts on small businesses. They explained that no testimony would be taken at this meeting; instead, the commission would begin its work, introduce members, and prepare for future hearings and a final report with recommendations on credit cards and other payment methods. The chairs outlined the commission’s charge: to examine payment trends, cashless transactions, credit card fees, mobile payments, buy now, pay later financing, and the effects of section 28A of chapter 140D on small businesses. They said the commission would likely organize hearings around business and consumer impacts, the legal and regulatory landscape, and policy options such as transparency measures, reporting requirements, and possible limits. Members discussed the importance of hearing from retailers, restaurants, banks, small businesses, and possibly experts, and suggested considering cryptocurrency and whether hearings should be held outside the State House or include regional access. Several commissioners and stakeholders introduced themselves, including representatives from the Attorney General’s office, the House, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Commissioner of Banks, retail and restaurant associations, a banking representative, and two small business owners. The chairs said interested parties could sign up to testify or receive notices, written testimony would be accepted, and the first hearing was tentatively set for April 8 in Gardner Auditorium. The meeting ended with a motion to close, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• for school construction and our next steps for tax, we are grateful for we are grateful for the collaboration

Keywords: 926, house, all