Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:02.040><c> most</c><00:14:02.279><c> part</c><00:14:02.519><c> at</c><00:14:02.680><c> any</
• on to House Bill 29 and House Concurrent Resolution 20, and Senator Adams is going to be presenting
• And this one is on Concurrent Resolution 20, and HCR 2 is kind of a companion to House Bill 219 that
• Again, this concurrent resolution passes unanimously, and in the future I'm going to be asking Senator
• </c> Meredith I again this uh has concurrent Meredith I again this uh has concurrent resolution<00:45

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 28...
• Why a House concurrent resolution and not an actual bill?
• So I thought a House concurrent resolution was a better approach to go for that.
• So that was kind of my vision for a concurrent resolution versus a House bill. Okay.
• I will be supporting your House concurrent resolution. I've also co-sponsored it.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House committee substitute combining House Bills 1850 and 1975, which was then voted do pass by a 16-0 roll call. The substitute was described as incorporating federal PBM-related transparency and audit provisions, including requirements intended to ensure fair audits, greater transparency for employers and patients, and protections for pharmacies so they are not reimbursed below drug cost and receive a fair fee. Members said the package was a compromise and a needed step because pharmacies are closing. The committee then heard House Bills 2318 and 2368, related to artificial intelligence and mental health. The sponsors said the bills are aimed at truth in advertising, barring AI platforms from marketing themselves as mental health professionals or therapy providers, while not banning AI use in health care generally. Testimony from supporters emphasized concerns about minors and adults relying on chatbots for mental health guidance and the need to protect consumers from misleading claims. The committee adopted an amendment adding social workers to the bill string, rolled it into a substitute, and voted the combined House committee substitute do pass 14-0. Next, House Bill 3313, described as an AOT bill from the prior week, was voted do pass 14-0 without discussion. House Bill 2745 was then amended and passed 14-0; the sponsor explained the changes would require a prompt physical exam for children entering foster care, allow a physician or nurse practitioner to perform it, try to continue existing developmental, behavioral, or emotional care when possible, and require biological parental consent before updating vaccines at the initial visit. House Bill 2463 also received a substitute to close a loophole involving referral payments when a prospective resident or legal representative cancels a contract, and the committee voted the substitute do pass 14-0. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 28, which would designate the last full week of April as Infertility Awareness Week in Missouri. The sponsor linked the resolution to broader efforts to expand fertility access, and supporters, including a patient sharing her infertility experience, spoke about the emotional and physical toll of infertility and the value of awareness. Finally, House Bill 2979, the Rural Missouri Rural Doctors Act, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued it would limit physician non-compete agreements to one year and five miles for nonprofit employers to improve rural access and physician mobility, while opponents from hospitals and health systems said the bill would weaken recruitment, hurt financially stressed rural hospitals, and create uneven treatment between nonprofit and for-profit employers. No vote was taken on HB 2979 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• File items 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, that brings us to file item number 17, Assembly Joint Resolution 3 by
• That brings us to file item number 25, Assembly Concurrent Resolution.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 65 by Assembly Member Ward, the clerk will read.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 65 by Assembly Member Ward, relative to California Tourism Moth.
• House Resolution I assembly member Solache and others, relative to Harvey Milkday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution</c><00:04:31.360><c> 66</c> and Senate Concurrent Resolution 66 and Senate Concurrent Resolution
• House Joint Resolution 81 should pass to rules with House Committee Substitute 1, a joint resolution
• </c><00:12:09.440><c> Chair</c> House Joint Resolution 81. Chair House Joint Resolution 81.
• ><00:14:38.639><c> to</c><00:14:38.800><c> House</c> &gt;&gt; House committee substitute one to House
• House Joint Resolution 86.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House asks the concurrence of the Senate: Senate Bill 223, relative to valid photo identification
• The ayes have it by a vote of 14 to 8. The Senate concurs with the House.
• By a vote of 14 to 8, the Senate concurs with the House. Thank you.
• By a vote of 14 to 8, the Senate concurs with the House. The Senate concurs with the House.
• ><c> with</c><01:14:42.320><c> the</c><01:14:42.480><c> House.

Bills: HF2199 , HSB509 , HF826 , HF81 , HF2253 , HSB501 , HF2521 , HF2157 , HF2515 , HSB617 , HF917 , HF632

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Keywords: HF 2199, House File 2199, Acts Chapter 1170, Iowa law enforcement, Level II academy, police academy, law enforcement training, certification, short course of study, criminal justice, police science, peace officer, academy applicants, recruitment, hiring deadline, public safety, Iowa Code 80B.11D, Iowa Code 80B.11H, law enforcement, training programs

Bills: HF117 , HF392 , HF703 , HF393 , HF269 , HF865 , HF870 , HF189 , SF176 , SF277 , SF288

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: National Guard, scholarship, education, military service, professional qualification, year-round calendar, school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, Department of Education, student loans, financial aid, college affordability, Direct PLUS loan, federal student loans, state supplemental loans, college family loan, partnership loan, Iowa College Aid, Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation, APR

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whitman, members, House Concurrent Resolution, 2005 is a constitutional amendment that directs
• Madam Whip and members, subject to voter approval, House Concurrent Resolution 2004 prohibits the use
• Madam Whip and members, House Resolution 2003 asserts that the members of the House of Representatives
• Yes, Madam Whip and members, House Concurrent Resolution 2047 recognizes the historical and legal legitimacy
• Madam Wippen, members, House concurrent resolution 2047 recognizes the historical, and legal legitimacy

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of bills, mostly in health, education, commerce, federalism, and government. In health, members discussed radiology technology updates (HB 2050), a tribal Medicaid waiver/drawdown measure with no state cost (HB 2177), an emergency medicine study committee (HB 2183), fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements (HB 2184), a physician assistant licensure compact (HB 2190), dementia care telemonitoring funding (HB 2202), SNAP error-rate reduction and fraud/eligibility oversight bills (HB 2206, HB 2442, HB 2797), child welfare protections like credit freezes and recorded interviews (HB 2321, HB 2322), and podiatric licensure compacts (HB 2438). Several of these were described as consent-calendar items, while HB 2206 and the SNAP-related measures drew discussion about fraud reduction, administrative burden, and work requirements. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendors and local permits (HB 2118), earned wage access services with fee caps and disclosure rules (HB 2309), CPA licensure changes (HB 2476), cash acceptance for retail purchases under $100 (HB 2555), drone delivery and unmanned aircraft guardrails (HB 2875), timeshare salesperson licensing (HB 2877), and a prohibition on state-mandated social credit scoring in lending decisions (HB 2903). The tax and retirement-related items included 529 plan conformity and Roth IRA transfer rules (HB 2477), annual tax conformity to the Internal Revenue Code (HB 2785), ASRS technical and disability-related changes (HB 2089, HB 2090, HB 2092), and a bill on employee health insurance definitions (HB 2089). The Arizona Commerce Authority bill (HB 2754) would add legislative members to the board and shift more control over trade offices and Arizona Competes Fund spending to the legislature. The education section focused heavily on school governance and finance. Bills included patriotic youth group presentations in schools (HB 2312), school board term limits (HB 2318), mandatory training for governing board members (HB 2379), independent municipal advisors for bond elections (HB 2320), restrictions on districts buying operating charter/private school sites to game enrollment formulas (HB 2376), conflict-of-interest limits for school facilities board architects and engineers (HB 2378), public meeting and travel transparency rules for districts (HB 2380), limits on long-term school property leases and reporting requirements (HB 2384), tighter bidding rules for school construction job orders using Building Renewal Grant funds (HB 2482), and a voluntary computer science proficiency seal (HB 2764). Sponsors repeatedly framed these as transparency, accountability, and anti-abuse measures, while some opposition centered on local flexibility, housing use, and existing training providers. In federalism and government, the committee heard bills to give counties more time to mail sample ballots (HB 2006), require courts to identify veterans at first appearance for possible veterans court referral (HB 2226), study veterans’ awareness of benefits (HB 2406), broaden military leave protections (HB 2663), require SAVE verification for voter registration and certain state services (HB 2806), require U.S.-sourced voting machine components by 2029 (HB 2901), affirm the Electoral College (HB 2902), and establish due process protections for justice of the peace courts against outside administrative action (HB 2976). Government committee items included a later deadline for library trustees’ annual reports (HB 2129), a two-year limit on certain adult protective services reports to the Attorney General (HB 2228), and an exemption for public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ spa rules (HB 2439). Several bills were reported as consent-calendar items, and a number of sponsors noted committee votes, fiscal neutrality, or favorable testimony in support of the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, House Concurrent Resolution 2005 is a constitutional amendment that directs the
• Madam Whip, members, subject to voter approval, House Concurrent Resolution 2004 prohibits the use of
• Yes, Madam Whip, members, House Concurrent Resolution 2047 recognizes the historical, biblical, and legal
• Yes, Madam Whip, members, House Concurrent Resolution 2047 recognizes the historical, biblical, and legal
• Madam Wippen, members, House concurrent resolution 2047 recognizes the historical, and legal legitimacy

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of House bills across health, commerce, education, elections, government, and veterans issues, with many measures described as consent-calendar items. In health and human services, members discussed updates to radiology technology standards, a tribal Medicaid waiver bill, an emergency medicine study committee, fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements, a physician assistant licensure compact, dementia care telemonitoring funding, and SNAP error-rate reduction and eligibility oversight. Sponsors generally framed these bills as technical updates, workforce or access improvements, cost savings, or support for families and vulnerable populations, while some bills drew brief questions about implementation or opposition. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendor licensing, earned wage access services, CPA certification, cash acceptance by retail businesses, unmanned aircraft regulation, timeshare salesperson licensing, social credit score restrictions for lending, and a ban on state assistance to the International Criminal Court. Sponsors emphasized reduced regulation, consumer protections, transparency, and state sovereignty. The committee also considered tax and retirement-related measures, including conformity with the Internal Revenue Code, ASRS technical changes, and a 529 plan update that also addressed Roth IRA rollovers. Education and school governance bills focused heavily on school district oversight and transparency. Members discussed patriotic youth group presentations in schools, school board term limits and mandatory training, bond-advisor requirements, restrictions on school districts buying operating charter or private schools to affect funding formulas, conflicts of interest on the School Facilities Oversight Board, public meeting and travel disclosure rules, limits on long-term school property leases, job-order contracting caps, and a computer science proficiency seal. Sponsors repeatedly argued these bills would improve accountability, prevent misuse of public funds, and increase public access to school board decisions. The meeting also included elections, veterans, government, and other administrative measures. These included changes to sample-ballot mailing deadlines, a requirement that courts ask about veteran status at first appearance, a veterans awareness study, broader military leave protections, SAVE database verification for voter registration and licensing, U.S.-sourced election equipment requirements, Electoral College affirmation, justice court due-process protections, library trustee reporting deadlines, adult protective services reporting cleanup, and procurement transparency. No final floor votes were taken in the excerpt, and most items were presented for questions or moved through consent with brief sponsor explanations and occasional opposition noted in committee testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study access
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the decline
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 10, requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the decline
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 10, requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:06.839><c> House</c><00:14:07.120><c> Bill</c><00:14:07.360><c> having</c><00:14:07.600><c
• ><c> in</c><00:14:26.480><c> favor</c><00:14:26.920><c> say</c><00:14:27.480><c> I</c><00:14:28.480><
• Yes, Madam Speaker, we have one floor presentation today: House Resolution 212, commending and honoring
• resolutions and House concurrent resolutions be referred to their designated committees.
• resolutions and House concurrent resolutions be adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• has passed CS for CS for House Bill 1299 with one amendment and request the concurrence of the House
• One amendment and requests the concurrence of the House.
• By Representative Garrison, House Concurrent Resolution 1631, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025
• By Representative Garrison, House Concurrent Resolution 1631, a...
• By Representative Garrison, House Concurrent Resolution 1631, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• word 'sentences' and just say 'concurrent.'
• She's on House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary.
• This is a proposed House committee resolution.
• Through this House resolution that you're going to propose over 18 months, what is the cost of this,
• Any other programs that are housed that would be specifically housed within state government agencies

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And the<00:14:40.720><c> food</c><00:14:40.880><c> there</c><00:14:41.040><c> is</c><00:14:41.279><c>
• And my kids are<00:14:50.480><c> a</c><00:14:50.560><c> big</c><00:14:50.720><c> fan</c><00:14:50.800
• And finally,<00:14:52.320><c> the</c><00:14:52.560><c> nonprofit</c><00:14:53.040><c> award</c><00:14
• ><c> the</c><02:14:50.159><c> house.
• </c><02:14:50.719><c> One</c> Asking consent to address the house.

Bills: HR1286 , HR1263 , HB1578 , HR1364 , HB2201 , HB1823 , HB1815 , HR1147 , HR217 , HB1701 , HB1453 , HR1223

Keywords: trade policy, tariffs, trade enforcement, workers rights, labor standards, environmental standards, Buy America, domestic content, offshoring, manufacturing jobs, factory closures, family farmers, small business, supply chains, dumping, countervailing duties, antidumping, trade agreements, USMCA, investor-state dispute settlement

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, House Concurrent Resolution 2001 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would be
• Chair, members, House Concurrent Resolution of 2001 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would
• Chairman, I move that House Concurrent Resolution 2001 as amended be returned with a do pass recommendation
• The motion before you is that House Concurrent Resolution 2001 as amended be returned with a do pass
• House Concurrent Memorial 2004 urges the United States Congress to enact House Resolution 55 and repeal

Bills: HB2009 , HB2022 , HCM2001 , HCM2002 , HCM2004 , HCR2001 , HM2001 , HM2004

Committees: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections , House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Keywords: campaign contributions, foreign contributions, constitutional amendments, public disclosure, Arizona Revised Statutes, elections, voter registration, provisional ballots, primary election, voter participation, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress, Arizona, domestic security, CAIR, terrorist organization

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 2043, applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention
• House Concurrent Resolution 2043.
• You have heard the third read of House Concurrent Resolution 2043; those in favor will vote aye, those
• You have passed House Concurrent Resolution 2043.
• Signed in open session, the clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrences and Senate amendments, file item 14, we're going to pass and retain.
• So I rise to present Assembly Concurrent Resolution 151, recognizing March 25, two days from now, as
• The clerk will read: Assembly Concurrent Resolution 146 by Assembly Member Ransom relative to Bleeding
• The clerk will read: Assembly Concurrent Resolution 140 by Assembly Member Patel relative to Women in
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 140 by Assembly Member Patel relative to women in STEM Day.

Summary: The Assembly met, established a quorum after a roll call, and handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor items. Members recognized several guests and student groups, then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items, Senate amendments, and the consent calendar, which was adopted 54-0. The chamber also adopted ACR 151 recognizing March 25 as Greek Independence Day, with 59 co-authors added, and ACR 146 designating March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, with 61 co-authors added; both resolutions were adopted by voice vote. ACR 140, proclaiming March 21 as Women in STEM Day, also passed with 56 co-authors added and was adopted by voice vote. The most substantial debate centered on AB 2156, which renames Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Workers’ Day and declares an urgency clause. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry and several members spoke in support, emphasizing recognition of farm workers’ collective contributions and, in light of recent revelations about Cesar Chavez, the need to honor the broader movement rather than one individual. Other members echoed support while discussing farmworker history, accountability, and the importance of acknowledging survivors. Assembly Member DeMaio supported the bill but criticized state policies affecting agriculture and argued for broader recognition of Latino Californians and farmworker policy reforms. The bill passed with 67 votes and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. Later, the Assembly recessed for the Joint Convention and heard the 26th State of the Judiciary address from Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. She focused on judicial independence, threats to judges, remote proceedings, CARE Act implementation, trial court funding and judgeship shortages, AI use in courts, immigration-related courthouse concerns, State Bar reforms after the February 2025 bar exam problems, and judicial salaries. She also highlighted the judiciary’s centennial, the importance of collaboration with the Legislature and Governor Newsom, and the need to preserve equal access to justice. After the address was ordered printed in the Journal, the joint convention adjourned and the Assembly later adjourned until Thursday, March 26 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• To require that the director of finance must receive approval from the legislature by concurrent resolution
• <00:02:15.680><c> resolution</c><00:02:16.239><c> prior</c><00:02:16.560><c> to</c> concurrent resolution
• prior to concurrent resolution prior to transferring<00:02:17.120><c> the</c><00:02:17.280><c> funds
• > to</c><00:14:03.199><c> happen,</c><00:14:04.320><c> it</c><00:14:04.560><c> it</c><00:14:05.279><c
• 14:12.639><c> many</c><00:14:12.880><c> thousands</c><00:14:13.440><c> of</c><00:14:13.680><c> people

Bills: SB99 , SB585 , SB2060 , SB2069 , SB2110 , SB2115 , SB2152 , SB2211 , SB2259 , SB2315 , SB2342 , SB2382 , SB2442 , SB2446 , SB2485 , SB2544 , SB2577 , SB2580 , SB2861 , SB2919 , SB3326

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The Committee on Ways and Means met for decision-making only and adopted recommendations on a long list of Senate bills, with no oral testimony taken. Early actions included SB 99 to pass unamended, SB 585 to pass with a date correction to 2015, SB 2060 to pass with amendments involving public project lists, legislative approval for fund transfers, and removal of certain appropriations, and SB 2069 to pass with amendments extending a sunset date and requiring transit-oriented development zoning. The committee also advanced several other measures, including SB 2110, SB 215, SB 2259, SB 2382, SB 2442, and SB 2485 unamended, while SB 2152, SB 2315, SB 2446, SB 2919, SB 2577, SB 2580, and SB 2861 were moved with various amendments, mostly date changes, appropriation blanks, or technical clarifications. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 2211, where Department of Human Services officials explained how the department was covering costs by using restricted funds and shifting Med-QUEST funding, and noted a need for $14 million plus support for $16.5 million in ACA enhanced tax credit subsidies. The chair indicated the bill would move forward with amendments, including blanking the appropriation pending more information on lapses, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2544 was also amended to remove a specific appropriation and replace it with a blank cap on funds from DUR, and SB 2342 was amended to require projects to be in transit-oriented development zones and to reflect prior committee concurrence. The most extended debate was on SB 3326, which would address utility restructuring. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it could raise rates, worsen reliability issues, and disrupt an existing utility without a clear plan, especially given island-specific conditions. Supporters argued the bill would separate generation from transmission and distribution, create competition, protect union jobs, and respond to aging infrastructure and financial weakness in the utility sector. After recesses and discussion of the Public Utilities Commission’s role, the chair changed the recommendation from pass unamended to pass with amendments requiring the PUC to conduct a study, provide an interim report before the next session, and a final report the following session. That amended recommendation was adopted, and the meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:14:14.640><c> The</c><01:14:14.880><c> Committee</c><01:14:15.120><c> on</c> House Bill 560.
• on Health and Human Services, House<01:14:21.040><c> Bill</c> House Bill House Bill 63.<01:14:23.199
• </c><01:14:39.840><c> Bill</c> Bill 701 and House Bill Bill 701 and House Bill 712.<01:14:41.840><c>
• , House Bill uh 188, and Transportation, House Bill Bill Bill 612.<01:14:50.960><c> Without</c><01:14
• House Bill uh 14-9.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> seven,</c><00:14:49.280><c> House</c><00:14:49.560><c> Bill</c> &gt;&gt; Next item is number seven
• , House Bill &gt;&gt; Next item is number seven, House Bill 4134.<00:14:50.920><c> Call</c><00:14:51.080
• ><c> it</c><00:14:51.160><c> up,</c><00:14:51.280><c> make</c><00:14:51.400><c> the</c><00:14:51.480>
• &gt;&gt; Gentleman<00:14:52.520><c> calls</c><00:14:52.720><c> the</c><00:14:52.800><c> bill</c><00:14
• ><c> engrossed,</c><00:14:55.440><c> read</c><00:14:55.640><c> a</c><00:14:55.680><c> third</c><00:14