Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think if they're going to be used, would you think it's fair, following up on what Senator Al
• up<01:28:51.920> on<01:28:52.000> what<01:28:52.239> Senator<01:28:52.480> Al
• 01:28:52.719> Schiller<01:28:53.120> just<01:28:53.360> said up on what Senator Al
• Schiller just said up on what Senator Al Schiller just said to<01:28:54.719> and<01:28:54.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About 2006, when my older grandson was about a year old, I watched Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and
• c><01:09:26.600> be<01:09:27.000> sunsetted<01:09:28.000> has<01:09:28.239> Al
• is proposed to be sunsetted has Al is proposed to be sunsetted has Al already<01:09:29.159> addressed

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They administer our Family Caregivers Support Program throughout the state, and ALS also.
• throughout the<00:35:55.800> state<00:35:56.800> um<00:35:57.240> and<00:35:57.400> ALS
• also<00:35:58.560> um<00:35:58.760> they<00:35:58.880> were the state um and ALS
• also um they were the state um and ALS also um they were given<00:36:00.280> U<00:36:00.440><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Al, Chair, Vice Chair, Representative Russo. Brian Modo, Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• :21:20.919> have<00:21:21.200> Hawaii<00:21:21.600> Farm buau<00:21:26.960> Al
• chair<00:21:27.679> Vice<00:21:27.880> chair<00:21:28.080> representative buau Al
• chair Vice chair representative buau Al chair Vice chair representative ruso<00:21:28.919> Bri

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > chair<01:07:48.520> recognized<01:07:48.960> representative<01:07:49.559> Al
• vote chair recognized representative Al vote chair recognized representative Al Alexander<01:07:
• Al? Marco? up or down. Representative Marco, up or down?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator abis yes Senator Ganon yes yes Senator abis yes Senator Ganon yes Senator<00:25:43.120> Al
• sheller<00:25:44.360> yes<00:25:45.360> Senator<00:25:45.799> Carson Senator Al
• sheller yes Senator Carson Senator Al sheller yes Senator Carson yes<00:25:47.000> 23<00:25:48.000
• further pass on Bill 20 is there any further discussion<00:43:00.040> Senator<00:43:00.440> Al

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 21.440> includes fences people break in that includes fences people break in that includes your Al
• 25.640> but<00:41:25.760> there's<00:41:25.880> a<00:41:26.040> crossover Al
• has funing but there's a crossover Al has funing but there's a crossover between<00:41:26.680> Forest
• It's because the AL is creating ones, and then now we want to push them up to the CRE 3 salary.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Al Brandano from Kensington, New Hampshire. It's 1784.
• Um,<04:49:51.200> next<04:49:51.440> up<04:49:51.680> is<04:49:52.000> Al
• <04:50:02.240> Uh,<04:50:02.480> Al<04:50:02.798> Brandeno<04:50:03.360>
• Uh, Al Brandeno from Thank you.
• Uh, Al Brandeno from Kensington,<04:50:04.080> New<04:50:04.160> Hampshire.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al, that I know, but I'll stop there. Representative McKay, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> but high population density, but high population density, but interestingly<00:39:34.720> al
• > also<00:39:35.520> see<00:39:36.000> high<00:39:36.560> uh interestingly al
• we also see high uh interestingly al we also see high uh concentrations<00:39:37.280> of<00:39

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on April 17 and approved the prior meeting minutes, then set its next meeting for May 29 at 9:30 a.m. Members also discussed a New Futures effort to collect questions about Medicaid changes and post answers as an FAQ, with a preference that the FAQ live on New Futures’ website rather than the state website. The commissioner’s office said it would coordinate responses and that the issue is still evolving. The main presentation was an HHS update focused on the state public health laboratory and its work during Public Health Lab Week. Officials reviewed the lab’s history, its biosafety functions, and its role in disease prevention, food safety, preparedness, and response. They highlighted mosquito surveillance for eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus, noting that the lab tested more than a quarter million mosquitoes last year and that mosquito testing helps provide early warning for local public health decisions. They also discussed rabies testing, saying New Hampshire’s lab is the only one in the state that performs it, that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, and that the work is preventable through early prophylaxis. Members asked about federal funding cuts, water testing, and whether CDC changes to rabies testing would affect New Hampshire. The department said it had been affected by an $80 million federal clawback but was managing through other funds and staff reassignments; for the water lab, temporary staff had been hired to continue swimming-area testing. Officials said the state remains able to handle rabies testing and that federal changes would mainly affect areas without similar services. They also answered questions on Jamestown Canyon virus, saying New Hampshire had one human case in 2025 and three in 2024, compared with zero West Nile cases in 2025 and one in 2024, and that weather and protective measures influence mosquito-borne disease levels. Additional questions covered biosafety levels, cyanobacteria coordination with the Department of Environmental Services, and the Brown Building flood mitigation, which was described as about halfway complete with a hoped-for reopening of the west side by June.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think<00:52:32.000> that<00:52:32.360> al-<00:52:32.680> almost<00:52:33.040
• > is<00:52:33.200> more<00:52:33.480> important think that al- almost is more important
• think that al- almost is more important with<00:52:34.040> this<00:52:34.240> bill<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Beck et al. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Matt, thanks for the presentation.
• Senator Beck et al. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Matt, thanks for the presentation.
• Senator Beck et al. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Dwayne, for being here.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al-<01:31:46.240> the<01:31:46.360> same<01:31:46.640> kind<01:31:46.840> of<
• /c><01:31:46.920> security<01:31:47.320> that Al- the same kind of security that Al- the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Beck et al. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I bet you're glad I showed up today, aren't you?
• Senator Beck et al. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I bet you're glad I showed up today, aren't you?
• Two of Senator Beck et al. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Shulkin, for being here.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Magnum and committee members, Senator Beck et al., Dave, would you state your name for the record
• Chair Magnum and committee members, Senator Beck et al., Dave, would you state your name for the record
• Chair Magnum and Senator Beck et al., committee members, there needs to be communication of when that

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:18:12.080> role<00:18:12.400> with<00:18:12.720> Senator<00:18:13.039> Al
• >> So um previous role with Senator Al >> So um previous role with Senator Al Senator

Bills: SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB336, SB293, SB43, HB420, HB60, HB188, HB106, HB105, HB11

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm al<00:43:28.480> also<00:43:28.720> the<00:43:28.960> project<00:43:29.200><
• c> manager<00:43:29.599> for<00:43:29.760> the al also the project manager for the
• al also the project manager for the study<00:43:30.800> um<00:43:30.880> that<00:43:31.119

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:28:31.279> Uh<00:28:31.600> it<00:28:31.919> is<00:28:32.159> al<00:
• Uh it is al also only required if lines.
• Uh it is al also only required if you<00:28:34.000> state<00:28:34.320> the<00:28:34.480

Bills: HB1991, HB1776, HB1897, HB1900

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:

• know on the same uh platform same<03:39:01.040> level<03:39:02.080> and<03:39:02.960> al
• although<03:39:03.680> I<03:39:03.920> agree<03:39:04.160> that same level and al
• although I agree that same level and al although I agree that you<03:39:04.560> know<03:39:04.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• know on the same uh platform same<03:39:01.040> level<03:39:02.080> and<03:39:02.960> al
• although<03:39:03.680> I<03:39:03.920> agree<03:39:04.160> that same level and al
• although I agree that same level and al although I agree that you<03:39:04.560> know<03:39:04.800

Keywords: 1189, house, all