Transcript Highlights:

• trustees and confirmed by the Senate to monitor the SBA's processes for financial reporting, internal controls
• entities doing business in Israel. ...or persons or entities doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled
• to inflict economic harm on Israel or persons or entities doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled
• claims, disabled servicemen, neurodegenerative diseases, resources to protect our children from substance
• Chairman—I would ask that our speaker keeps the message to the substance of this bill only.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up two bills and one presentation. Senate Bill 108, on administrative procedures, was presented by Senator Burgess on behalf of Senator Grall. The bill would require agencies to systematically review rules over five years old, submit annual regulatory plans and reports, and take action on reviewed rules; it also would speed publication of proposed rules after new rulemaking authority and expand transparency for incorporated materials and rule histories. Americans for Prosperity appeared in support, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer on implementation of statutory investment restrictions affecting state funds. He reviewed the SBA’s structure and fiduciary duties, said the agency must maximize financial return using only pecuniary factors, and described the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions involving Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He noted recent changes, including expanded Iran restrictions after the October 7 attacks, the addition of China-related divestment requirements, and the SBA’s move to eliminate China and Hong Kong from its global equity benchmarks; he said the agency is ahead of schedule on required divestment and in compliance with the law. Senate Bill 100, on display of flags by governmental entities, was then presented by Chair Fine. The bill would prohibit political flags on government buildings and allow active-duty service members and veterans to use reasonable force to stop flag desecration. The committee heard extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing government buildings should not display political messages and opponents raising First Amendment, vagueness, and enforcement concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ-related flags and school settings. Senators also questioned the bill’s definitions and the reasonable-force provision. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 100 favorably, with Senators Arrington and Polsky voting no and Senators Brodeur, McClain, Rodriguez, Fine, and Chair DeSiglie voting yes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Rodriguez was recorded as voting yes on SB 108, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• suggesting or proposing this be required by way of compact to establish the process through internal controls
• suggesting or proposing this be required by way of compact to establish the process through internal controls
• This is the sum and substance of their amendments. The sum and substance of their amendments.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee focused on proposed amendments to the tribal-state gaming compacts for the Tulalip Tribes and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact approval process under IGRA and said the parties had reached tentative agreement; the commission and ex officio members will take public comment and vote at an August 28 special meeting on whether to forward the compacts to the governor or return them for further negotiation. Tulalip Chairman Hazen Chappell described the tribe’s long history of gaming in Washington and emphasized that gaming revenues support governmental services, jobs, charitable giving, and community support. Commission advisor Johnny Bray said the Tulalip restated compact consolidates 12 prior amendments, reorganizes and updates appendices, removes some outdated provisions, and includes higher wager limits, jackpot sharing, and the option to increase player terminal allocation in stages. Chappell also noted the tribe’s ongoing responsible gaming efforts and community support, including aid for wildfire-affected families. For the Cowlitz Tribe, Chairman William Ayala and Ilani Casino President Kara Fox LaRose described the tribe’s history, community programs, and the resort’s growth. The proposed sixth amendment would raise gaming station wager limits up to $1,000, create a special higher-limit player process with financial suitability and anti-money-laundering checks, strengthen responsible gaming signage and marketing requirements, allow temporary gaming areas, and adjust TLS ticket pricing through the most favored nation process. Committee members asked about self-exclusion and credit practices; Cowlitz gaming officials said hundreds of people have used the self-exclusion program and that higher-limit play is tied to substantial credit/front-money requirements. No votes were taken at the hearing, and the meeting ended with closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many complex medications including controlled substances and medications that carry a black box warning
• Bipolar, a major depressive disorder. 22 1% require to control 2 stimulant, which I cannot prescribe
• that's focused on psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology and ongoing treatment, mental health and substance

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for substance use disorder screening of all misdemeanor DUI offenders.
• same sentence with no regard for whether the behavior was caused by an underlying mental health or substance
• , the results showed over 51 percent of them had been diagnosed with either a mental health or a substance
• Our job in the Department of Correction is care, custody, and control.
• Our job is to make that as best as possible for the people that we are in control of and responsible

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred House Bill 517. The committee then heard and passed several bills focused on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, gaming promo play, child protection, and criminal penalties related to sexual exploitation and worship-service interference. Senate Bill 118 would require substance use disorder screening for all misdemeanor DUI offenders, with supporters arguing early screening could identify treatment needs and reduce repeat offenses; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 125 increased the wrongful conviction compensation cap from 10 to 15 years and from $400,000 to $600,000, with testimony emphasizing the hardship faced by people who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades; it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 294 allowed gaming operators to allocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite one opposition card. The committee also approved Senate Bill 87, which clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity to address conflicts in child sex trafficking statutes and better reach online solicitation and related conduct. Senate Bill 93 established minimum bond amounts for certain child sex abuse material offenses, and Chair Villio offered an amendment expanding related bail and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm offenses; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 98 added certain school employees, including school resource officers and security guards, to the definition of educator for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it passed favorably. Senate Bill 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity and required sex offender registration; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 333, which would require the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home or offense location. The author argued this would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, district attorneys, and DOC representatives opposed it as impractical given limited bed space, security needs, and existing placement criteria; the bill was not moved. House Bill 828 would create an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate deaths in custody, but law enforcement and corrections witnesses warned it could interfere with homicide investigations and duplicate existing coroner and agency reviews; the author asked for voluntary deferral, which the committee granted. House Bill 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish sports wagering election, was heard but received no motion and remained in committee. The committee also approved Senate Bill 277, expanding concealed-carry exemptions for certain statewide elected officials in the State Capitol, and Senate Bill 306, creating the crime of obstructing worship services in a church or other place of worship; SB 306 was amended to reduce a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500 after concerns about jury-trial implications. The meeting ended with adjournment after all remaining items were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• It shouldn't just be the state mandating and controlling, um, the privacy of this child.
• been the victim of some of these lost emails out in cyberspace, um, And then if so, it's a quality control
• This bill protects statements made by a parent. parent during substance abuse treatment, therapy, or
• We think they should have a substance abuse assessment.
• Can I tell you to go be honest with your therapist, to be honest with your substance abuse evaluator?

Transcript Highlights:

• the Minnesota police ution control the Minnesota police ution control agency<00:16:01.279> uh
• Pollution Control Pollution Control agency<00:36:31.720> they<00:36:31.880> continued<
• with the Minnesota Pollution Control with the Minnesota Pollution Control agency<00:48:31.760>
• <01:14:54.679> use for those substances use for those substances use Auto<01:14:56.080>
• area the Minnesota Pollution Control area the Minnesota Pollution Control agency<01:21:43.040>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And in thinking about Senator Townsend's comments about other substances, you know, we on the Senate
• including actions by many states to do mid-cycle redistricting for the express purpose of partisan control
• So the bottom line, uniform federal standards for congressional redistricting respect state control over
• political body to do something that's not in their best interest, whether it's Republican or Democrat control
• decided to come together as ours and knees for Sandoval County. 2010, when the Democrats were in control

Bills: SR1, SM1, SM6

Keywords: alcohol consumption, Senate rules, legislative conduct, ethics, New Mexico Senate, redistricting, gerrymandering, election integrity, Congress, voter rights, political polarization, Nancy Lopez, Roswell bypass, US Highway 285, U.S. Highway 285, Highway 285 bypass, road naming, highway naming, memorial, transportation department

Transcript Highlights:

• MODIFICATION AND ESTABLISHING ALSO A CLEAR PROHIBITION ON THE INJECTION RELEASE OR DISBURSEMENT OF SUBSTANCES
• A LOT OF TALLAHASSEE LOCALS HAVE CONCERNS OR THEORIES THAT IT CONTROLS THE WEATHER HERE.
• I WILL CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF RAY IS THAT THE SUN IS REFLECTING IN A PARTICULAR AREA.
• THIS YEAR, IF THAT IS SET THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERALLY, THEN WE WOULD LOSE CONTROL
• OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERALLY, THEN WE WOULD LOSE CONTROL OVER THE WEATHER TO CHINA.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Think about CASPER for reporting prescriptions for controlled substances.
• <00:09:12.080> substances.
• prescriptions for controlled substances. prescriptions for controlled substances.
• <02:30:28.080> There's of a substance use disorder. There's of a substance use disorder.
• families with substance use disorders. families with substance use disorders.

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:17 - Approval of June 18, 2025 Minutes 00:02:33 - Introductions and Discussion on Priorities 00:07:27 - Health Data Discussion-KY Health Information Exchange (KHIE) 00:34:02 - Health Data Discussion-Public Health Data 01:19:24 - Health Data Discussion-Other Health Data Platforms 01:42:40 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations (Except 201 KAR 005:010) 01:44:48 - Discussion of Optometry Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 02:25:29 - Hearing on Unified Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Application for FFY 2026 - 2027 Funds 02:33:40 - Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 Vote Clarification 02:34:03 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action. Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions. Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• struggling with behavioral<00:03:15.120> health<00:03:15.360> and<00:03:15.599> substance
• <00:03:16.000> use behavioral health and substance use behavioral health and substance use
• The controller of the House may continue to deduct from the check of any legislator or employee a sum
• The<01:00:25.520> controller<01:00:26.000> of<01:00:26.160> the<01:00:26.319>
• The controller of the House may continue to<01:00:27.359> deduct<01:00:27.760> from<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a list of members with questions, but in Section 2.5, it states that the state controller shall
• for parking lot improvements, which is a security issue, and then also to address other erosion, control
• question, I have a list of members with questions, but in Section 2.5, it states that the state controller
• The bill also requires coverage of medication administration to treat substance use disorder.
• I'm sorry, $750,000 to the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies at the University

Bills: SB6, SB62, SB74, SB90, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB133, SB135, SB182, SB185, SB193, SB207, SB217, SB229, SB233, SB260, SB262, SB280, SB281, SB300, SB306, SB378, SB382, SB393, SB403, SB422, SB427, SB431, SB434, SB442, SB452, SB456, SB468, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB6

Keywords: cloud seeding, Nevada, water conservation, agriculture, Desert Research Institute, victim compensation, hate crimes, property remediation, criminal justice, vulnerable persons, elections, voter registration, mail ballots, candidate eligibility, cybersecurity, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• The administration itself is requesting that Control Section 90 be added to authorize the Department
• These augmentations will be within the cumulative total of the $2.5 billion authorized in Control Sections
• then just on the reporting requirements that the LAO recommended for Section 90 and then also for Control
• funding through 2027-28 for the design and construction of critical fire alarm replacements at the Substance
• It's led by the Department of Cannabis Control, but since BSC administers the grant, it's in their finance

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think those are state laws that we control.
• Things are happening that we have little control over, and it's just what can we control?
• So I really appreciate the opportunity... ...have little control over, and it's just what can we control
• substance.
• , and control both their adult and child victims.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors. The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Diana Ferguson, Florida Animal Control Association, who waves in support.
• We recognize the awful problem that substances like xylazine pose to our communities.
• We recognize the awful problem that substances like xylazine pose to our communities.
• specific to xylazine, possession-based trafficking laws fail to distinguish between people who use substances
• Individuals struggling with substance use disorder are subjected to lengthy prison terms intended for

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of bills on inmate medical billing, court-order transmission, animal abandonment during disasters, first responder peer support, firearm purchase waiting periods, capital felony aggravators, domestic violence protections, boating safety, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, xylazine trafficking, and offenses against law enforcement officers. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with some opposition or caution raised on the xylazine bill, the boating safety bill, and parts of the law-enforcement-officer bill. Several measures were presented as responses to specific tragedies, including the Martin County jail medical billing bill, the Baker Act transmission bill, Trooper’s Law for restrained dogs, the Jason Rayner Act, and Lucy’s Law. HB 407 would cap certain emergency medical charges for Martin County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates, mirroring Department of Corrections practice; it passed 15-0. HB 513 would require faster electronic transmission of certain court orders, including Baker Act orders, to law enforcement within six hours; it passed 15-0. HB 205, Trooper’s Law, creates a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster; it passed 15-0. HB 421, as amended, expands peer support for first responders to certain support personnel involved in crime scene work or evidence handling; it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 383 would let law enforcement, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and active military service members bypass the three-day handgun waiting period without a concealed carry permit; it passed 18-0. HB 693 adds an aggravating factor in capital cases when the victim was gathered with others for a school, religious, or public government meeting; it passed 17-1 after opposition testimony from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. PCS for HB 19 and HB 41, the Haven Act, would expand domestic and dating violence protections, including a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system and confidentiality/public-records protections for victims; both passed 18-0. PCS for HB 289, Lucy’s Law, would align boating penalties with driving offenses and expand boating safety card requirements; it passed 18-0 despite concerns from one witness that the bill should go further. HB 479 would allow courts to order restitution in leaving-the-scene property-damage cases; an amendment changing mandatory to discretionary restitution was adopted, and the bill passed 18-0. PCS for HB 57 would regulate xylazine, add trafficking penalties, and include veterinary-use exceptions; it passed 17-0 after one witness opposed mandatory minimums. HB 175, the Jason Rayner Act, clarifies that officers are protected when acting within the scope of their duties and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring life imprisonment; it passed 17-0 after debate over self-defense and unlawful police conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• abuse disorder, yet just 25% of those inmates engaged in substance abuse treatment, and of those who
• <00:07:04.840> abuse those inmates engaged in substance abuse those inmates engaged in substance
• abuse disorder, yet just 25% of those inmates engaged in substance abuse treatment, and of those who
• substance crimes where the offender is not eligible for release until serving the full sentence.
• Reports indicate that up to 87% of those under correctional control are under community supervision and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1620 addresses mental health and substance abuse disorders by Senator Rouson.
• The bill implements several recommendations made by the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use
• will legally allow them to keep people in a cycle of low-wage temp work indefinitely under their control
• misinformed by my case worker and told that no matter what option I chose, I remained under state control
• Let's take up Tab 9, CS for SB 1140, on Criminal Offenders: Substance Abuse.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There can be rigidity, anger, abuse, neglect, or substance problems.
• There can be rigidity, anger, abuse, neglect, or substance problems.
• There can be rigidity, anger, abuse, neglect, or substance problems.
• This is simply an extension of fear and control. Teachers' jobs are hard enough.
• <02:28:47.279> that performance enhancing substances that performance enhancing substances

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That could be anything from substance abuse, mental health, employment, education, etc.
• <01:44:48.159> abuse could be anything from substance abuse could be anything from substance
• <01:48:06.159> abuse health and substance abuse health and substance abuse challenges<01:48
• <01:48:23.679> abuse to mental health and substance abuse to mental health and substance abuse
• targeted interventions such as substance targeted interventions such as substance abuse<01:53:20.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the substance of this bill.
• It that's the substance of this bill.
• So that's the substance of the bill. So that's the substance of the bill.
• inert substance inert substance uh<00:24:53.360> after<00:24:53.720> it<00:24:53.880
• premium in terms of what you can control premium in terms of what you can control what<01:56:58.880

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:23.120> has<00:16:23.400> the<00:16:23.520> full<00:16:23.760> control
• ,<00:16:24.560> and<00:16:24.760> it's So CMS has the full control, and it's not just
• First up, Uniform Controlled Substance Act drug paraphernalia relating to health.
• First<00:18:12.880> up,<00:18:13.120> Uniform<00:18:13.960> Controlled<00:18:14.480
• > Substance First up, Uniform Controlled Substance First up, Uniform Controlled Substance Act<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.