Transcript Highlights:

• Dibble doubled down in an interview on kicking out Representative Brad Tabke.
• doubled<00:04:04.360> down<00:04:04.879> in<00:04:05.040> an<00:04:05.200> interview
• leader dth doubled down in an interview leader dth doubled down in an interview on<00:04:06.079>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: On January 27, 2025, Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman and Representative D. Dibble said they had resumed negotiations after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum in the House is 68. They said the ruling brought Republicans back to the table and clarified that actions taken by Republicans between January 14 and January 24 had no legal effect because the House was not validly organized. Both said they had spent several hours over the weekend and that talks were making gradual progress, though no final agreement had been reached. The main issue remained power-sharing in a tied House. Hortman said the DFL wants Republicans to run the chamber only until the House returns to a 67-67 tie, at which point the parties would implement the previously negotiated shared-governance agreement with co-chairs, equal committee membership, and a co-speaker. She said Republicans instead want to continue operating as if they had a majority. Hortman also said the DFL was looking for ways to make the interim Republican-majority period meaningful, including possible permanent committee arrangements, while still preserving the principle of shared power once the tie is restored. A second major topic was the GOP effort to remove Representative Brad Tabke. Hortman and Dibble said Tabke had won his seat three times—on Election Day, in a recount, and in court—and argued that removing him would be an undemocratic precedent. They also said the Supreme Court’s ruling confirmed that Secretary of State Steve Simon was properly presiding over the House under the quorum rules. In response to questions about pay for absent members, Hortman said legislative pay is set by the Constitution and statute and that no action without a quorum could change it. They said they had exchanged roughly 10 written offers since January 13 and hoped to reach an agreement soon, possibly by the end of the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department also conducted a literature review interview, the Committee Transportation Association
• And we we did looked at literature as well as interview transit agencies.
• bit more challenging are important to me when it comes to 88 related trips, agencies that we've interviewed
• And we also interviewed to transit agency lead send for his ability to make sure that, you know, my feet

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She loved sharing music from Mozart to Motown with her listeners and interviewing so many musicians she
• Beyond the music, Jackie conducted hundreds of interviews in healthcare, education, politics, and social

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including recognition of the Munson Lions Club’s 70th anniversary, the town of Groveland’s 175th anniversary, and Power Forward, Inc. for addiction recovery services. It then took up a series of local and personnel bills, including a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Department of Transportation, dissolution of the Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, and a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges of the Department of Correction. The Senate accepted committee reports, including one recommending consolidation of the Carlos Borges bill with Senate bill 2562, and passed the relevant bills to be engrossed. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 several times to allow petitions and matters from the House to be considered forthwith and referred to the appropriate committees. Among the House measures, the Senate ordered to a third reading a bill establishing a charter for the City of Somerville. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday and dispense with printing a calendar. Before adjournment, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Jacqueline Ross Ankeles, with a detailed tribute describing her career in the performing arts, radio broadcasting, writing, and community service in the North Shore. A moment of silence was observed, and the Senate adjourned in her memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• or spending a third of my money on transportation to and from an interview for a job I'm not likely
• the choice between missing an interview the choice between missing an interview or<00:21:10.240>
• transportation to and from an interview transportation to and from an interview for<00:21:14.000
• Not just in the cases of getting to an interview, picking up a medication, or going to the doctor.
• Not just in the cases of getting to an interview, picking up a medication, or going to the doctor.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 5313, a bipartisan bill to create a statewide framework for autonomous vehicles in Minnesota. The author said the bill is intended to improve safety, provide regulatory clarity, avoid a patchwork of local rules, and support economic development and mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. The bill was described as a work in progress, and the committee adopted three author amendments: A12, a technical correction; A15, which states MDOT and Public Safety can absorb the bill’s incidental costs within existing resources; and A14, which added clarifying airport-related language requested by the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport/MAC. The Minnesota Department of Transportation testified in support of continued discussion but said the bill needs more work in several areas, including an annual MDOT permitting process for AV operators, defining operational design domains, adding stronger enforcement authority, clarifying remote assistance roles, and requiring fully automated vehicles to be registered with Public Safety. MDOT said it has worked with the governor’s connected and automated vehicles council and more than 70 stakeholders on recommendations. Industry and transit witnesses strongly supported the bill, citing existing AV deployments and safety benefits. Southwest Transit’s CEO said its Eden Prairie AV service has carried 27,000 riders over 112,000 miles with no accidents, strong customer satisfaction, and increased ridership. A Whimo representative said the bill would create regulatory certainty and help expand AV deployment. Several public witnesses emphasized accessibility and safety. A disability advocate described how autonomous vehicles could improve independence for people who cannot drive, including those with epilepsy and other disabilities, and urged passage of the bill. A former 911 dispatcher and state patrol employee said AVs could reduce crashes and protect drivers, pedestrians, and officers, contrasting a dangerous human ride-share experience with a safer autonomous ride. Another disability advocate and blind Minnesotan testified that AVs could help address transportation barriers, though he also noted ongoing discrimination problems with ride-hailing services for blind riders with guide dogs. After the amendments were adopted, the bill was moved to the Commerce Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• CACs also provide specialized, neutral fact-finding forensic interviews.
• These interviews are crucial in gathering accurate information from children, ensuring that they are
• <01:01:52.000> these<01:01:52.200> interviews<01:01:52.799> are forensic interviews
• these interviews are forensic interviews these interviews are crucial<01:01:53.480> in<01:01:
• <01:04:00.480> recording our forensic interview recording our forensic interview recording

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, new pieces are coming out of the PJPs and interviews. So, in addition to...
• PJPs and interviews.
• We also spoke with the WDE food service director and then conducted several different interviews with
• Several different interviews with district food service staff representing a range of districts to hear
• And that's in part based on feedback during interviews that we heard; that's what at least one district

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nomination of Nolan, I spent a considerable amount of time reviewing Dresser's file and testimony, interviewing
• reviewing Dresser's file and of time reviewing Dresser's file and testimony,<00:13:29.440> interviewing
• <00:13:30.160> him,<00:13:30.959> reading testimony, interviewing him, reading testimony
• , interviewing him, reading relevant<00:13:31.839> court<00:13:32.160> proceedings,<00:
• senator, and the people that supported Mosen Madawi when he was detained during a tricked citizenship interview

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The lead author of Common Core, Jason Zimba, was interviewed by NPR, where he described having to tutor
• The lead author of Common Core, Jason Zimba, was interviewed by NPR, where he described having to tutor
• <04:06:48.479> At<04:06:48.720> best,<04:06:49.040> it's these interviews.
• At best, it's these interviews.
• <04:07:09.279> to balance by allowing these interviews to balance by allowing these interviews

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:50.880> and<01:11:51.199> screening spend um interviewing and screening spend
• um interviewing and screening candidates<01:11:52.239> and<01:11:52.560> making<01:11:
• What happened next is that clinic no-shows increased exponentially.
• What happened next<02:03:33.119> is<02:03:33.280> that<02:03:33.520> clinic<02:03
• :33.920> no-shows<02:03:34.560> increased next is that clinic no-shows increased next is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They did over 6,947 interviews last year alone.
• They conducted over 6,947 interviews last year alone and provided over 20,000 counseling sessions for

Bills: HB493

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to guess that between policy analysts and program evaluators, Shannon's probably interviewed
• I think she still has some interviews scheduled.
• We get very few applicants, and it's been, well, I don't think we've interviewed anybody since we hired
• We haven't, I don't think we've interviewed anybody since we hired our last person probably.
• I think we might have one offer out, and Andrea did interview more people this week, so we're hoping

Summary: The Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The committee first considered and adopted a Joint Rule 211 change clarifying the deadline and statutory references for bill drafts involving health insurance mandates, after discussion that the process is still somewhat cumbersome but improved by the clarification. The committee then reviewed a revised draft addressing confidentiality protections for certain legislators and candidates, but members expressed concerns about the breadth, enforceability, and transparency implications of the proposal, and the committee chose not to advance it at this time. The committee received an informational update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is applying for the grant, which could provide about $200 per legislator for home security or related safety expenses, subject to Emergency Commission approval and reimbursement procedures. Members asked about eligible expenses, administrative burden, and whether new legislators would be covered; staff said guidance would be provided if funding is approved. The committee also approved the 2027 timing for the State of the Judiciary, tribal-state relationship message, and State of the State address on January 5, and set the Commerce Department and agricultural commodity reports for January 13 and 14, respectively, as required by statute. A major portion of the meeting focused on legislative staffing and organizational planning. The committee approved a recommendation for 36 Senate staff positions and 41 House staff positions, along with a 3% compensation increase for session staff. Discussion centered on replacing some procedural clerk duties with permanent policy analyst staff, retaining quality assurance roles for now, and adding or repurposing positions in IT, program evaluation, legal, and administration. Members also discussed expanding program evaluation capacity and the need for clearer oversight of new programs, with staff noting upcoming training and model-sharing with other states. Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed new legislator orientation day on November 30 and broader organizational session training changes, including mock committee and floor sessions, security training, and more robust budget/appropriations instruction, but took no final action on the agenda items and adjourned after completing the budget-related recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And seeing this on the inside, the amount of time that it took to interview people, the coordination,
• And seeing this on the inside, the amount of time that it took to interview people, the coordination,
• And seeing this on the inside, the amount of time that it took to interview people, the coordination,
• So, yeah, the process is that there'll be a commission set up this fall, a commission that will interview
• They will interview candidates and then make a recommendation to the next governor, who will then hopefully

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• He quickly had an interview with me, you know, seeing where my mind space, my head space, he didn't just
• He quickly had an interview with me, you know, seeing where my mind space, my head space, he didn't just
• 43.760> an gave me an opportunity he quickly had an gave me an opportunity he quickly had an interview
• 44.959> know<00:09:45.120> seen<00:09:45.399> where<00:09:45.600> my interview
• with me you know seen where my interview with me you know seen where my mind<00:09:46.120> space<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• collect their health records and review records about the death, we develop an abstract and conduct interviews
• c><00:41:58.599> conduct develop an abstract and conduct develop an abstract and conduct interviews
• 59.720> those<00:42:00.000> involved<00:42:00.880> and<00:42:01.000> we interviews
• with those involved and we interviews with those involved and we write<00:42:01.400> a<00:42:
• prohibits health professionals or students or residents participating in a course of instruction, clinical

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them say pending list interviews and progress, pending redescription interviews in progress.
• , that's because we have a list and we are interviewing.
• list interviews and progress pending<01:01:53.559> redescription<01:01:54.559> interviews<
• /c><01:01:55.000> in pending redescription interviews in pending redescription interviews in progress
• <01:02:43.680> I 10242 I believe they are interviewing I 10242 I believe they are interviewing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• diversion programs for the same purpose, child advocacy centers and advocacy sessions for forensic interviews
• diversion programs for the same purpose, child advocacy centers and advocacy sessions for forensic interviews
• :18:30.800> forensic advocacy uh sessions for forensic advocacy uh sessions for forensic interviews
• :33.040> All<01:18:33.280> of<01:18:33.440> these<01:18:33.760> are interviews
• All of these are interviews and such.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• In section three, regarding clinical rotations that providers had to have before licensure, we had had
• We had previously had nine different clinical rotations.
• <04:18:00.440> with<04:18:00.640> the<04:18:00.720> state a lengthy interview
• with the state a lengthy interview with the state literacy<04:18:01.600> director<04:18:02.160
• ,<04:18:09.600> but things stood out in the interview, but things stood out in the interview

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Tiffany Lumley focused on lessons from horses and horsemanship, using the imagery to encourage legislators to lead, listen, stay patient, and remain attentive to constituents outside the chamber. The chamber then welcomed newly appointed Representative Kevin Scully of Burlington, who was sworn in and assigned to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Members took up several procedural items and resolutions. Senate Bill 239, relating to a child abuse and neglect reporting working group and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 157, relating to recovery residence certification and affecting state revenue, was referred to Ways and Means after a favorable report with amendment from Human Services. The House also read and adopted concurrent resolutions honoring the federal TRIO programs in Vermont, recognizing tourism economy day and the importance of the visitor economy, and honoring former Representative John Killacky of South Burlington for his artistic and legislative contributions. Multiple members offered personal remarks about John Killacky/Colacci, his arts career, activism, and service in the House, and guests connected to the resolutions were welcomed from the gallery. The House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 237, which would allow certain doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe medications. The committee explained the Senate’s changes, including revised training and rotation requirements, a later effective date, and a future OPR report, and said the bill was intended as one tool to address mental health provider shortages; the House agreed by voice vote. The chamber next began second reading of House Bill 955, a major education reform bill titled “next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system,” with the Education Committee describing mandatory cooperative education service areas, merger study committees, and related changes intended to improve efficiency, support local voice, and strengthen public education. No final action on H.955 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the interview, I actually spent a little more time with Jessica than I've had time interviewing
• uh I actually spent a little interview uh I actually spent a little more<00:34:46.639> time<00
• <00:34:51.159> the<00:34:51.320> rest<00:34:51.639> of had time with interviewing
• the rest of had time with interviewing the rest of all<00:34:52.040> of<00:34:52.240> you<
• I did personally the interviews for that CIA, so I talked to the Kona, like Auntie Shirley ... in Kapolei

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard confirmation nominations for several DLNR-related boards and commissions, including GM 530 for Karen Ono to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, GM 582 for Jay Kenan to the Natural Area Reserves System Commission, and GM 584 for Adrien Trulock to the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board. The chair repeatedly noted the volunteer nature of these positions and said the committee would take up decision-making after hearing all nominees. Testimony and comments for each nominee were generally supportive, with agency representatives praising their preparation, experience, and willingness to serve. For Karen Ono, DLNR and several supporters from Kauai testified in favor, describing her as highly prepared and effective on the board. Senators questioned her about DLNR land use, especially state lands near rail stations and whether they should be used for affordable housing rather than commercial development. Ono said she had not taken a board position on those specific proposals because they had not yet come before the board, but she acknowledged the importance of housing and infrastructure. She also responded to questions about DLNR’s management of transferred agricultural lands, saying concerns about the department’s ability to manage such lands had been raised before and remain relevant. One senator expressed strong reservations about the nomination based on the land-use answers. For Jay Kenan, the NARS Commission testimony focused on the commission’s role in advising on land management and conservation policy. Kenan said he hoped to continue helping evaluate properties and policies, and he identified funding and staffing as the main challenge. DLNR staff explained that the position supporting NARS had been abolished and that the department had limited capacity to restore it because other priorities, such as fire-related positions, were taking precedence. The committee also discussed a separate bill affecting Legacy Lands funding through conveyance tax revenues, with members and agency staff expressing concern that the measure could reduce support for land संरक्षण efforts. For Adrien Trulock, SHPD and DLNR staff strongly supported the nomination, citing her preservation background and experience with historic properties. Members discussed the importance of her expertise for reviewing nominations and appeals and for helping with preservation planning. The committee also raised broader concerns about delays in historic-place designations and the difference between state and federal review processes; SHPD explained that board approval places a property on the state register, while federal National Register review can still require revisions and cause delays. No final votes or confirmations were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• particular, not sure of the thinking, but they added a requirement on there that said you had to do 100 interviews
• Nobody does 100 interviews. So we just said, look, let's give them some clarity.
• Nobody does 100 interviews. So we just said, look, let's give them some clarity.

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and heard four bills. CS/HB 1145 on workforce education clarified that public charter schools may receive CAP grant funds, expanded the number of college system money-back programs from three to six, and standardized eligibility rules while allowing institutions some flexibility. Supporters said it would help students access career training without adding new funding in the bill. The committee also heard CS/HB 1079, which expands dropout retrieval program eligibility to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and is not engaged in education, while resolving statutory conflicts about program structure; some members raised concerns about FERPA, student privacy, and third-party funding, but the bill was reported favorably despite one no vote from Rep. Valdes. The committee then considered HB 251, which would designate January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a response to rising antisemitism and emphasized education, remembrance, and opposition to hate. Testimony came from a Miami-Dade school board member, a student, and other supporters, and members spoke strongly in favor of the measure. The bill was reported favorably with no opposition. Finally, the committee heard CS/HB 261 on middle and high school start times. The bill revises the earlier mandated later-start-time law by allowing districts to comply through a report to DOE detailing start times, planning efforts, public input, and impacts, rather than requiring immediate uniform implementation. Supporters from small school districts, Miami-Dade, PTA, and other organizations said the change preserves the health goal while giving districts flexibility to address transportation, dual enrollment, athletics, and staffing constraints. Members debated the need for parental involvement and detailed reporting, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably on a unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, this may increase the ability to have more trainees in clinics in the rural clinics, for
• more trainees in clinics in the rural<00:21:50.960> clinics,<00:21:51.360> for<00:21:51.360
• <00:21:52.720> Um<00:21:53.840> but rural clinics, for example.
• Um but rural clinics, for example.
• <01:03:21.760> practitioners as well as other clinical practitioners as well as other clinical

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

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.