Transcript Highlights:

• Paul's United Methodist Church in Houston, for the leadership of Reverend Jim Bankston and from Reverend
• Today, we are honoring Shen Yun's 2025 season kickoff in Texas with performances in Houston, Austin,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• days a week, and we have trucks on the road 24 hours in major cities, you know, Dallas, Chicago, Houston
• days a week, and we have trucks in the road 24 hours in major cities, you know, Dallas, Chicago, Houston

Bills: SJR36, SB2

Summary: Texas senators, representatives, the Texas Trucking Association, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a Capitol press event focused on human trafficking awareness, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and argued that public awareness must expand beyond the common assumption that victims are only girls and women. Several participants described trafficking as modern-day slavery and stressed that it affects people across all backgrounds, including in border and highway communities. The event highlighted a new awareness campaign in partnership with the trucking industry, including decals and posters to be placed on trucks statewide to encourage drivers and the public to “see something, say something.” Texas Trucking Association leaders said the industry’s large statewide footprint gives it a major role in spotting suspicious activity and educating drivers. Bob Williams of Bob’s House of Hope said his organization opened the first U.S. safe house for sex-trafficked boys and young men and cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims, though the problem is underreported. Lawmakers and DPS officials said the state should continue giving law enforcement more tools to combat trafficking and praised the partnership with private industry and victim services. No formal vote or legislative action was taken at the event; the main action was the launch of the awareness campaign and the public rollout of the truck decals, with participants posing for photos with the first truck carrying the new messaging.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doug Houston, representing Save Mount Diablo. We're in support. Excellent. Thank you so much.
• Doug Houston, representing Save Mount Diablo. We're in support. Excellent. Thank you so much.
• Doug Houston on behalf of the Sierra Business Council, Sierra Consortium, and the Tahoe Water Partnership

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several natural resources and water-related bills. SB 224 by Senator Hurtado would require the Department of Water Resources to implement audit recommendations, improve climate-informed water supply forecasting, and provide annual updates to the Legislature; supporters emphasized the need for better transparency and more accurate water planning, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 556, also by Senator Hurtado, would fund floodplain restoration in the Tulare Basin to reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide habitat and other community benefits; local officials and conservation groups supported it, some initial concerns about Proposition 4 were resolved, and the bill passed as amended. SB 630 by Senator Allen would streamline State Parks and other state real property acquisitions by raising review thresholds and reducing duplicative approvals; conservation groups and park advocates supported the measure, while some members raised oversight and fiscal concerns, and it passed as amended. SB 718 by Senator Allen would reduce hunting and fishing license costs for low-income Californians, framed as helping subsistence users and disabled veterans and seniors, and it passed as amended. The committee also approved SB 427 by Senator Blakespear, which extends the sunset of the Habitat Conservation Fund from 2030 to 2035. Supporters said the fund has protected more than 1.2 million acres, leverages other funding, and supports habitat, recreation, and climate resilience; members highlighted its importance for areas like the Salton Sea and the need to protect the funding stream from future sweeps. SB 586 by Senator Jones, an e-moto off-highway vehicle bill, was taken up with little discussion and passed as amended. SB 639 by Senator Ashby would extend the deadline for Sacramento-area flood protection projects in the Natomas Basin and Beach Lake subareas from 2025 to 2030 to allow completion of remaining work and avoid delays to infill housing; city, county, and flood agency representatives supported it, and it passed as amended. Throughout the hearing, witnesses and members repeatedly emphasized water reliability, flood protection, conservation funding, and reducing bureaucratic delays. Several bills drew broad support from local governments, water agencies, tribes, and conservation organizations, and multiple members requested to be added as coauthors. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, generally with amendments and with some items left open for add-on votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legacy is located 45 miles northwest of Houston.
• the president and CEO of Legacy Precast in Brookshire Texas Legacy is located 45 miles northwest of Houston
• The overwhelming majority of our employed residents commute to employment centers in Houston and Harris

Bills: HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 3862, which would restrict social media app use for minors and limit smartphone/social media access in classrooms. Supporters, including representatives from Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media are linked to addiction, distraction, cyberbullying, and worsening youth mental health, and said the bill would help parents and schools protect children. After testimony, the committee left HB 3862 pending. Members then heard HB 3712, a construction retainage bill that would stop owners from withholding reserved funds on specially fabricated materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted, while still allowing retainage for labor and installation. Witnesses from the precast concrete industry said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk for subcontractors and suppliers. The bill was left pending after closing. The committee also heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for owners and independent repair providers, with carve-outs for medical devices, vehicles covered by existing repair agreements, trade secrets, and security protections. Support came from consumer, environmental, repair, and policy groups, while one witness from Safelite was neutral and urged removal of the MOU reference for auto manufacturers. HB 2963 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4308, which would create county industrial development districts to attract industrial employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and a board structure. Supporters, including the Fort Bend County commissioner, said the bill would help counties diversify tax bases and create jobs; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee took up several pending bills and voted to report HB 74, HB 112, HB 2214, HB 3016, HB 3133, HB 3173, HB 3807, HB 4063, HB 4115, HB 5008, and HB 2652 favorably to the full House, with some sent to the Local and Consent Calendars. The committee also heard HB 3874 on construction contract transparency and HB 4196 on creating a task force to modernize manufacturing, both of which were left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for re-roofing contractors; supporters said it would curb storm-chasing and protect homeowners, while one roofing contractor opposed it as too restrictive and argued existing fraud laws are sufficient. HB 3344 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The NRA annual meeting has been hosted in Texas multiple times in cities like Houston and Dallas.
• The 2022 event in Houston generated an economic impact of more than 23 million with over 13,000 rooms
• In addition to the economic impact numbers that was stated for Houston earlier, we do have some updated

Transcript Highlights:

• You wouldn't see folks under a bridge now, here in Austin, Texas, or in Houston, or wherever.
• Injury Prevention Research Center at UT Health Houston found that 88% of all survivors surveyed had experienced
• Voucher success rates are 70% in August, 64% in Austin, 64% in Houston, 57% in Fort Worth, 63% in Baltimore

Bills: HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam, thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
• Sam Evans Brown from Clean Energy New Hampshire is also in support of this bill.
• thank you Mr chairman members of the Sam thank you Mr chairman members of the committee<00:58:26.880
• > from<00:58:27.760> clean committee uh Sam Evans Brown from clean committee uh Sam Evans
• Uh, Sam, sorry. Um, I'll answer anything. Really, what was I thinking? Uh, so no further questions.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other original members of The Impressions: Curtis Mayfield, Sam
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other original members of The Impressions: Curtis Mayfield, Sam
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other original members of The Impressions: Curtis Mayfield, Sam
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other original members of The Impressions: Curtis Mayfield, Sam
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other original members of The Impressions: Curtis Mayfield, Sam

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair will now call Sam Evans Brown. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• I am Sam Evans Brown, executive director of Clean Energy New Hampshire.
• I live in Pum with my two sons, Ben and Sam, who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy. actually signed up
• who have duchan muscular Ben and Sam who have duchan muscular distrophy distrophy distrophy um<00:56
• Sam, welcome.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Anna and Sam, I think let's include the key. "Thank you, Senator Utke, the A2.
• So, Anna and Sam,<00:48:33.280> I<00:48:33.520> think<00:48:34.000> let's<00:48:
• 48:34.960> uh<00:48:35.200> include<00:48:35.680> the<00:48:36.480> the Sam
• , I think let's um uh include the the Sam, I think let's um uh include the the key.<00:48:37.599>
• Anna, Sam, opinions on—you think there's— >> Well, Mr.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Eric Harris-Bernstein, followed by Sam Erickson. Please introduce yourself as you get started.
• Um Eric Harris-Bernstein, followed by Sam Erickson.
• Um, up next, Sam Erickson, Dr. Abishek Thatikunta, and then Dr. Lexi Kent.
• Um, up next, Sam Erickson, Dr. Abishek Thatikunta, and then Dr. Lexi Kent.
• We're the union... >> [clears throat] My name is Sam Erickson.

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:28.560> those<00:14:28.959> individuals<00:14:29.560> are<00:14:29.880> Sam
• And those individuals are Sam Systems.
• And those individuals are Sam Christensen,<00:14:31.800> Patrick<00:14:32.440> McCulla,
• 00:15:12.520> of to the Senate that the appointment of to the Senate that the appointment of Sam
• Christensen, Patrick McCulla, Roger Sam Christensen, Patrick McCulla, Roger Thein,<00:15:17.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Sam Hawkins. Good afternoon, Chairman, members of the committee.
• My name is Sam Hawkins.
• <00:53:32.680> Hawkins to testify today my name is Sam Hawkins to testify today my name is
• Sam, thank you again, Chairman, members of the committee, for the opportunity to testify today.
• Again, for the record, my name is Sam Hawkins.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is John Houston. I'm the CEO at Frio Regional Hospital in Pearsall, Texas.
• Houston, you said that you deliver 110 babies a year.
• and you want to return to rural Texas versus someone that grew up in, say, Dallas or Fort Worth or Houston
• Houston, most of your physicians live where? Most of your physicians live where?
• I'm also a Houston-based neonatologist, and over the past 20-plus years have spent large amounts of time

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined by Sam Larson, our Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Legal Counsel at AIM.
• So you've probably all heard of a company called OpenAI, Sam Altman, it's in the news recently.
• And one of his researchers, Daria Amade, really disagreed with the way Sam was thinking about building
• With the way Sam was thinking about building OpenAI. And so he started a little tiny startup.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H. 5386, also referred to as the Mass Winds Act, focused on global investment, talent, innovation, housing, and business competitiveness. Governor Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz described the bill as a response to federal uncertainty and global competition, building on the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They highlighted proposed investments in a Global Mass initiative, including a $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for sites to help international companies locate or expand in Massachusetts, along with support for AI, quantum, robotics, defense innovation, climate tech, downtown revitalization, and creative/cultural economy projects. They also emphasized measures to lower business costs, including reducing the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, and streamlining housing and development rules. Committee members questioned the administration about non-compete reform, AI and data-center infrastructure, housing affordability, and whether the bill would help retain workers and companies in Massachusetts. The governor and secretaries argued that the non-compete changes would restore the original compromise by requiring any alternative to garden leave to be negotiated at separation, and they said the bill’s housing and workforce provisions are intended to help young workers stay in the state. They also said Massachusetts is already investing in AI training, an AI hub, and energy-related planning, while acknowledging that data-center growth will require careful attention to water, electricity, and ratepayer impacts. Several witnesses testified on specific sections. Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, saying experiential learning helps students gain jobs and remain in Massachusetts. The Latino Empowerment Advisory Council supported the waiver of redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses, saying it would speed entry into the workforce without lowering clinical standards. Russell Beck opposed the non-compete changes, arguing they would undermine the 2018 compromise and could reduce other forms of employee compensation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, citing revenue loss and fraud concerns. Municipal and regional groups, including the MMA and the Metro Mayors Coalition, supported site plan review codification and downtown/arts investments, while urging continued municipal input. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor protections if federal law changes, and business and industry witnesses generally supported the bill’s competitiveness and global investment provisions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with written testimony invited after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have a fairly large panel: Jennifer Vitelli, Sheila Gouch, Kathy Wickos, Sam Crowley, Aaron Kinney
• And then Sam, I think this is pretty awesome.
• My name is Sam Crowley. I'm from Wellesley.
• Sam, I hope you know how incredibly powerful you being here and sharing your journey is.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Sam Pastor. Morning, Sam. Good morning, guys. How are you? Doing well.
• Thank you, Sam, for your testimony. Next, we have Desi Forte. Hello, my name is Desi Forte.
• Thank you, Sam, for your testimony. Next, we have Desi Forte. Hello, my name is Desi 40.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sam Ventura, Vice Chair Aino, and members of the committee.
• Senator<00:44:37.040> Sam<00:44:37.440> Ventura,<00:44:38.000> Vice<00:44:38.240
• > Chair<00:44:38.400> Aino, Senator Sam Ventura, Vice Chair Aino, Senator Sam Ventura,

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered a series of Governor’s Message nominations, largely to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and one to the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances. Testifiers and agencies spoke in strong support of the nominees, emphasizing their advocacy, community involvement, and lived experience. The committee heard from nominees and supporters for John Paul Moses III, Cynthia Fowler, Joshua Eay, Alicia Kim, Raymond Mamea, Maria Christina Valenzuela, Eden Watabayashi, Sierra Whiteside, and Brandy Lynn Macallani Hayen. After hearing testimony, the committee voted to advise and consent on each nomination, with the votes adopted by the members present. The committee then took up SR 53 / SCR 69, which asks the Department of Health to convene a pharmacy benefit manager working group to improve transparency, fairness, and drug affordability. Supporters included the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, the University of Hawaii system, and several individuals, while the Department of Health said the issue is complex and may require additional support or a different structure. Members discussed whether the Department of Health should lead the effort or whether another entity, such as SHIPA with an appropriation, might be more workable; the Department of Health suggested a $100,000 appropriation could be sufficient. Next, SR 56 / SCR 73 proposed a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Wellness and Resilience supported the measure and asked for an extended deadline to the end of 2026, and several youth, mental health, and community organizations testified in support. The committee also heard SR 69 / STR 86 on creating an aeromedical services working group, with support from Air Methods, the Department of Health, and the Hawaii Medical Association, and SR 99 / STR 118 on studying the use of filtered catchment water for business activity, which drew support from the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association and comments from the Department of Health that the issue is complicated and should include the Department of Agriculture. No final votes on the resolutions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know there's citizens that are involved and they vet projects in a thoughtful way, like in Lard Sams
• thoughtful way like and and really in a thoughtful way like in<00:32:23.200> lard<00:32:24.120> Sams
• and<00:32:26.279> then<00:32:26.519> this<00:32:26.880> lccmr in lard Sams
• and uh and then this lccmr in lard Sams and uh and then this lccmr Comm<00:32:27.960> committee

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Sam Fieldman is back. We saw Sam a number of times last year. Mr.
• we saw Sam a number of times last year<00:26:23.600> Sam<00:26:23.880> has<00:26:24.039
• He thanked the committee and noted that Senator Sam Felman was still in the house.
• I am from Guilford, and like Sam said, I'm here representing WolfPAC.
• I am from Guilford, and like Sam said, I'm here representing WolfPAC.

Keywords: 1189, house, all