Transcript Highlights:

• If not, vice chair for the vote. vote. vote.
• Member Amato votes I. Member Hartsfield absent, excused. Member Marten votes I.
• Member Takayama votes I. Member Olds votes I.
• If not, vice chair for the vote. vote. vote.
• Any members voting? No. reservations? Any members voting? No.

Bills: HB1853 , HB1591 , HB1961 , HB1854 , HB1965 , HB1962 , HB1959 , HB2505 , HB2576 , HB1801 , HB1804 , HB1864 , HB2319 , HB2314 , HB2115

Committee: House Health

Keywords: HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to vote con to SB 5650.
• I need to remind us all that the vote is the vet. We the people do the vetting by our vote.
• SB 5974 would grant an unelected board the... overwhelmingly by the public to vote, by the public vote
• Please vote against this bill and send a clear message to large hospitals that engagement, Please vote
• We urge a yes vote on 6035.

Bills: SB6294 , SB6211 , SB5650 , SB6033 , SB6297 , SB6343 , SB6067 , SB6082 , SB6323 , SB6324 , SB5862 , SB5923 , SB6151

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Robbins votes no. Representative Acomb votes aye. Representative Baker votes no.
• Representative Kresha votes no. Representative Lillie votes aye. Representative Moller votes aye.
• Representative Nash votes no. Representative Noor votes yes. Representative Novotny votes no.
• Representative Pinto votes aye. Representative Olson votes no. Representative Schomacker votes no.
• Representative Scott votes no. Representative Swedzinski votes no. Representative Vang votes aye.

Bills: HF2433 , HF2434

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the voting in the voting locations<00:29:57.760><c> how</c><00:29:58.080><c> how</c><00:29:58.880
• </c><00:48:11.359><c> operations</c> funding for the voting operations funding for the voting operations
• </c> tabulating equipment assisted voting tabulating equipment assisted voting devices<00:54:15.799><
• </c><00:58:29.599><c> device</c> tabulator an uh assisted voting device tabulator an uh assisted voting
• </c> um voting booths that word uh voting um voting booths that word uh voting booths<01:03:08.480><c

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I guess I'm struggling with this vote here just a little, but having voted to avoid the rule or to
• So I guess I'm struggling with this vote here just a little, but having voted to avoid the rule or to
• I guess I'm struggling with this vote here just a little, but having voted to avoid the rule or to do
• The working group did not vote on any of these bills.
• I hope for a second and immediate vote. I'd hope for a second and immediate vote.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's consideration but I'm one vote.
• Chair, if I get their vote on the Mr.
• </c><01:07:43.600><c> I'm</c> going to get the votes anyway. I'm going to get the votes anyway.
• ><01:41:09.600><c> bill</c><01:41:09.880><c> as</c> voting [clears throat] on the bill as voting [clears
• Vote TP, Senator Lang. Senator Innis, I think I heard him first.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and then I would vote. and then I would vote.
• Chair votes yes. Mr.
• >> What was the vote again, Bob?
• </c> Chair votes yes.
• Chairman, by a vote Chair votes yes. Mr.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to vote on certain things.
• You remember a couple years ago we voted on levy districts in Iberville Parish?
• Y'all have passed laws and we want to vote on it.
• If the people wanted to vote on that, I wanted to give them a chance to vote on that, and it would be
• I mean, in October or November, when we typically vote.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1071, which creates a public records exception for certain aerospace facility and activity records, including blueprints, plans, technical data, operational documents, and security information tied to federally regulated work and contracts with the U.S. Department of War or intelligence agencies. The sponsor and several members emphasized protecting Louisiana aerospace and defense-related work, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 181, as amended, which authorizes the legislative auditor to review confidential income tax records to help LDH verify Medicaid eligibility, and, after amendment, SNAP eligibility as well. Supporters said the bill would help identify ineligible recipients, reduce fraud, and improve the state’s error rate to avoid federal penalties; opponents argued tax returns are outdated and unreliable for current eligibility, could create false flags, and might burden or discourage eligible low-income residents. After extensive debate, the committee adopted Amendment Set 2633 and reported HB 181 favorably by a 10-6 vote. Later, the committee considered HB 250, which removes the requirement that immediate family members of appointed board or commission members disclose certain employment information, while leaving existing ethics prohibitions in place. The Ethics Board said the bill would not change substantive conflict-of-interest rules, only the disclosure requirement, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 544, authorizing a citizen’s advisory referendum election, was briefly explained as a nonbinding, petition-driven local ballot question process, but the sponsor deferred it for further consideration and the committee deferred the bill. The committee also heard HB 1036, which clarifies when a group is considered a “committee” for campaign finance purposes by using a more objective spending threshold rather than the current “primary purpose” standard. Ethics officials said the change would give clearer investigative guidance without changing other disclosure rules, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 210 was amended to address retroactivity concerns in a prior ethics-related provision affecting school board and local governing authority members employed by entities with contracts or business before June 5, 2024; the amendment grandfathered earlier situations while requiring disclosures going forward, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to vote no.
• There'll be a roll call vote.
• There'll be a roll call vote.
• I request a roll call vote, please.” “I request a roll call vote, please.”
• Vote in your conscience.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , zero no votes, and zero pass votes, Senate Bill 125 is amended by the committee.
• Senate Bill votes, and zero pass votes.
• With eight yes votes, no no votes, and zero pass votes, Senate Joint Resolution 74 is passed and will
• With eight yes votes, no no votes, and zero pass votes, Senate Joint Resolution 74 is passed and will
• With eight yes votes, no no votes, and zero pass votes, Senate Joint Resolution 74 is passed and will

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Falkender off the floor at 115 as we go into our first vote on the floor.
• At this point, we would move to the vote.
• We have a vote on and so I'm gonna step out and go vote.
• Okay, well definitely my vote will be predicated on this.
• I just lost several votes there, by the way, so I'll move on.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• votes votes thank<00:37:58.359><c> you</c><00:37:59.079><c> uh</c><00:37:59.280><c> Vice</c><00:37:59.520
• uh Vice chair also votes I thank you uh Vice chair also votes I Senator<00:38:01.200><c> mckelvie</c>
• Chair votes aye. Thank you.
• Chair votes aye. Thank you.
• </c> the members present are there any voting the members present are there any voting with<00:40:35.040

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and reviewed several measures. SB 102 would restrict third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant; the Attorney General recommended amendments to strengthen the bill against First Amendment and Contracts Clause challenges, and the Hawaii Restaurant Association strongly supported it, saying restaurants should control who represents them. The committee also heard SB 137 on electric utility mergers and acquisitions, with support from Ulupono Initiative and IBW Local 1260. Supporters said the bill would preserve state policy protections, including renewable energy and rate-making goals, and protect workers; IBW also suggested amendments, including a severability clause. The committee discussed a possible alternative approach from the PUC involving solicitation of bids from non-investor-owned utilities, and Ulupono said it would consider that idea but was concerned about preserving time for co-op formation. Members then heard SB 142, which would require insurers paying claims by check to send them by certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt. The Insurance Division stood on its written testimony, while the Hawaiian Insurers Council, State Farm, NAMIC, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposed the bill. A senator questioned whether the measure was too prescriptive and could create problems for claimants displaced by disasters; the response was that insurers and claimants usually remain in contact and that other payment methods may already be available depending on the carrier. SB 157 would ban algorithmic price setting in Hawaii’s rental market and require a public education program; the committee noted written testimony in support and comment, but no oral testimony was taken before moving on. SB 158 would create a state-owned bank implementation board within DCCA; DCCA’s financial institutions division, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments, while the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed and the Hawaii Credit Union League commented. The committee also heard SB 318, which would require DCCA to adopt privacy rules for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and specify whether genetic information may be used for investigative genetic genealogy. The Office of Consumer Protection and Andrew Crossland opposed the bill, saying federal law and existing state protections already cover much of the area and that rulemaking would be a better way to address it; members raised concerns about federal changes and the need for state protections, but OCP said the bill was not the best approach. SB 332 would prohibit bundling foreclosed homes at public sale and delay finality of sales; L. Strong and written testimony supported it, citing Lahaina’s post-fire foreclosure risks and warning of investors profiting from the disaster. The final measure, SB 525, would require written notice and consent before mortuaries, cemeteries, or pre-need funeral authorities sell or recycle precious metals recovered after cremation. DCCA’s consumer protection and licensing divisions offered comments, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association opposed the bill, saying it was surprised by the measure and was unaware of current consumer problems in the industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 1939 be voted do pass. I move that House Bill 1939 be voted do pass.
• I now move that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 1939 be voted do pass.
• By your vote of 13 ayes and zero no, you have...
• By your vote of 13 ayes and zero no, you have voted do pass House Committee Substitute to House Bill

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, for the vote. Members voting on HB 133 HD2. Members voting on HB 133 HD2.
• Okay, Chair, for the vote.
• Okay, Chair, for the vote.
• Okay, Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 1437 HD1.
• </c> discussion okay Vice chair for the vote discussion okay Vice chair for the vote voting<02:05:07.719

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when we get a quorum here, we'll take motions, votes, all that good stuff. So what?
• When we get a quorum here, we'll take motions, votes, all that good stuff. So welcome.
• We request an I vote. Thank you very much, Mr. Antwey. The committee requests an aye vote.
• The current vote is five to zero. Senators Allen, aye. Blake Spear, Perez, Rubio.
• The current vote is 8 to 0. Please call the absent member. Senator Blake Spear? Aye.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, vice chair for the vote.
• Seeing none, vice chair for the vote.
• Seeing none, vice chair for the vote.
• Seeing none, vice chair for the vote.
• </c> chair for the vote. chair for the vote.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on April 17, 2026, and heard testimony on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 18 would request the Department of Health to convene a hospice working group; the Department testified in opposition, saying its enforcement role created a conflict of interest and that the work exceeded its compliance-focused scope. The measure’s introducer proposed amendments to have a legislator, rather than DOH, chair the group and to remove a date restriction on hospices. The committee later recommended HCR 18 be passed with amendments. HCR 32 sought a plan to increase access to the Hawaii State Hospital for certain mentally ill criminal defendants. The Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration and the governor’s office indicated support or willingness to work on the issue, while the ACLU provided comments and OHA supported the measure. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HCR 35, on an audit of the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, drew broad support from medical, patient advocacy, and professional organizations, and a surgical oncologist testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of biomarker testing for cancer treatment. The committee recommended passage as is. HCR 105 asked the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile recommended safe patient staffing ratios and maintain a repository; the Center said it had already begun the work and was happy to continue, and the committee adopted an amendment changing the focus from “ratios” to “strategies and ratios” before recommending passage. HCR 173 urged Maui Health to work with stakeholders to establish a full-time medical residency program on Maui; testimony supported the idea as a way to formalize and expand an existing informal program and improve local health care access, including maternity care. The committee recommended HCR 173 pass with technical amendments. All recommendations were adopted without objection, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask for your aye vote. Thank you so much. We ask for your aye vote. Thank you so much.
• And so for these reasons, I respectfully urge a no vote for AB 2531. Thank you. Thank you.
• Just when you have a quorum, respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• And respectfully request an I vote when we get a quorum. You might get one now.
• Five votes. Well, That bill is out by votes. We'll leave the roll open for absent members.

Summary: The Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard presentations on several bills, beginning without a quorum and later taking up the measures once a quorum was established. AB 2531 by Assemblymember Irwin would expand California’s uncompensated care grant program so veterans whose federal health coverage does not include abortion services can access abortion care, and would require CalVet to link to abortion.ca.gov. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Equality California, and Reproductive Freedom for All California, said the bill responds to federal restrictions on VA abortion care; opposition from the California Family Council argued it used taxpayer dollars to promote abortion and raised concerns about incomplete information and fraud. Committee members also questioned the bill’s use of “self-identify” for veteran status and the funding structure, with the author indicating openness to looking at proof-of-veteran options. AB 2054 by Assemblymember Gibson would update California’s paid family leave rules so relatives of military service members can qualify when those members are activated for state emergencies, disaster response, or other domestic duties, not just overseas deployment. The Department of Defense sponsored the bill, and Navy Region Southwest testified in support, saying it would improve stability for military families and reflect modern service demands. Members praised the bill and noted recent National Guard deployments for fires as an example of the gap it addresses. AB 2219, the Faster Service for Veterans Act, by Chair Schiavo, would require county veterans service officer vacancies to be filled within 12 months, set accreditation timelines, expand training and public awareness, create a statewide work queue, improve data collection, and require periodic reporting and a unified satisfaction survey. The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers supported the bill, saying it would improve timeliness, accountability, and resource planning. After discussion, the committee voted to pass all of the bills and move them to the next committees: the consent calendar bills AB 1702, AB 1765, AB 2203, and AB 2467 were approved 8-0; AB 2054 passed 8-0 and was re-referred to Insurance; AB 2219 passed 8-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations; and AB 2531 passed 6-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• To be recorded voting no? Present? Present? Present?
• Anyone wish to be recorded voting no? Seeing none, please record all present.
• Anyone wish to be recorded voting no? Seeing none, please record all present.
• Anyone wish to be recorded voting no? Seeing none, please record all present.
• I use morning roll call as voting aye, and it's passed. Senator Harkins.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 2 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 2863 be voted due pass. Is there any discussion?
• By your vote of 14-0, you have passed. We will now move to House Bill 2967.
• So I move that 2867 be voted due pass. Any discussion? Yes, Representative.
• So I now move the House Committee substitute for House Bill 2967 be voted due pass.
• Okay, I appreciate that, and I look forward to voting the bill.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. I want to wish everybody a happy Lunar New Year.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Senator Weber Pearson, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote. These celebrations, encourage you all to do the same.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Senator Wahab, you may close. Running to her microphone.
• I urge an aye vote. Now, Senator Wahab, you may close. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, offered a prayer and pledge, and welcomed several guest delegations, including Hubert Humphrey Fellows and Congressman Jim Clyburn. Members gave extended remarks honoring Clyburn’s civil rights and congressional leadership, as well as his work on rural issues, the Affordable Care Act, and bipartisan relationships. The chamber also announced a joint hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions to be held upon adjournment. The main floor action was on Senate Resolution 72 by Senator Wahab, celebrating Lunar New Year. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the holiday’s significance across Asian cultures, its themes of family, renewal, courage, and community, and California’s large Asian American population. Several members also noted the history of Chinese immigrants in California and the importance of recognizing and supporting Asian American communities amid ongoing concerns about anti-Asian hate. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of 37-0. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Becker honored Niles Telenius, a young climate and aviation advocate; Senator Gonzalez, joined by Senators Strickland, Laird, Cabaldon, and Umberg, honored former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster for his leadership in city government, energy policy, and public service; and Senator Wiener honored Terence Allen for his work in San Francisco’s cannabis, LGBTQ, small business, and nightlife communities. The Senate then announced it would reconvene on Thursday, February 19, at 9 a.m., with recess until 3:30 p.m. for adjournment proceedings.