Transcript Highlights:

• Since many of you may be hearing from folks around Social Security benefits, we do have a part of that
• Since many of you may be hearing from folks around Social Security benefits, we do have a part of that
• </c> Security benefits um we do have a part Security benefits um we do have a part of<00:20:23.720><c
• Row, this was not part of the published report with the IPS.
• ><c> State</c> they're an integral part of our State they're an integral part of our State Workforce<

Bills: HF1538, HF1965, HF2251, HF2838

Keywords: teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district, cooperative unit, teacher pipeline, alternative licensure, apprenticeship program, labor and industry, union representation

Transcript Highlights:

• parts of our<00:05:19.280><c> day.
• I'm guessing as long as it helps part of Minnesota, but I'm wondering, Senator France, is this part of
• Um, this is not part of the governor's budget, but it's been part of MDA's budget in the past years.
• Um this is not part of the 2027.
• But in part through the health.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other parts in here.
• a car manufacturer, as we've heard, with thousands of parts?
• a car manufacturer, as we've heard, with thousands of parts?
• And I think part &gt;&gt; assistant commissioner.
• </c> about the currently unavoidable use part about the currently unavoidable use part of<01:24:21.120

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Wilder Research part of the Amherst H. Wilder Research part of the Amherst H.
• </c> 50% if they're part-time in a school. 50% if they're part-time in a school.
• And 64% teach how to they're part-time.
• Our goal as 79% if they're part-time.
• been part of our training<01:25:25.840><c> and</c><01:25:26.159><c> part</c><01:25:26.400><c> of</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding had different various individuals a part of that.
• Representative Truitt, 89th House District, representing Jackson, Lee, part of Laurel, and part of Madison
• We are the sum of all our parts, good, bad, or indifferent.
• We are the sum of all our parts, good, bad, or indifferent.
• We are the sum of all our parts, good, bad, or indifferent.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing I want to just highlight is some of the financial part.
• The other thing I want to just highlight is some of the financial part.
• The other thing I want to just highlight is some of the financial part.
• The other thing I want to just highlight is some of the financial part.
• The other thing I want to just highlight is some of the financial part.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that one on what it is on what that part that one on what it is on what that part that<00:19:05.200
• </c><00:24:25.320><c> of</c> that loose batteries are only part of that loose batteries are only part
• </c><01:00:49.040><c> know</c> ex- experts already know ex- experts already know um um um most<01:00:
• And part of it comes from the flexibility that these plans offer.
• And part of it comes from the flexibility that these plans offer.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It it's part<01:04:12.480><c> of</c><01:04:12.640><c> us.
• But the question is just part of us.
• </c> period or let's say let's say that we ex period or let's say let's say that we ex extend<01:21:13.600
• I've actually read part of the book Outlive. It's fantastic.
• And if what parts of them are legit.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:32.839><c> A</c><00:35:33.160><c> I</c> methods in part A I methods in part A I believe<00
• Are they part of the contract? Do they sign off and just basically acknowledge it?
• </c> basic are they part part of the contract basic are they part part of the contract do<00:53:52.119
• A necessary part of their willingness to lend against the potential settlement of return.
• I think the first part of it, Mr.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 10 full-time staff positions and one part-time position for the board.
• position for the board and we part-time position for the board and we are<00:03:03.720><c> loaded</c
• is that the another important part is that the expert<00:26:37.399><c> testimony</c><00:26:37.919><c
• The other part of the funding comes from the tax forms.
• Paul or an administration that's just in one central part of the state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry that you're part of a panel, so with Marianne Walls and Keniari Ratliff Hosein. Welcome.
• I'm sorry that you're part of a panel, so with Marianne Walls and Keniari Ratliff Hosein, welcome.
• state custody who do not have the means to be able to get their hair done, and we know that hair is a part
• I also knew that Corinne MacDonald and Eric Indyke of Holyoke ex parte wrote to Brandon Johnson in District

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services. Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, I think perhaps the most important part of the bill that's good is it formalizes the informal
• understand we should be looking at past history, but I also know what's happened to a lot of the alt-ex
• Representative Biasucci kind of left out an important part, and that is when the gentleman was deemed
• will figure out how we get this done, who's going to do it, and the out-of-state compact is just a part
• This is one of those bills that is very difficult, a lot of moving parts.

Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• because we are waiting for a floor amendment that would add also the ranking members of each committee as ex
• And then part of the problem with AWAs is that they have access to people's, to borrowers' bank accounts
• Another part of this is that a lot of the folks who use this will pay the expedited fee, which annually
• But they also have concerns with the fingerprinting part because there's been stories where there's ice
• But they also have concerns with the fingerprinting part because there's been stories where there's ice

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just thought it was important that we'd be a part of this.
• and trying to get to know that, is there still a process for non-federally recognized tribes to be part
• And I know that there’s a bunch of...” “...folks that would love to be part of the broader community
• I'm a police officer, and I will tell you that if he was ever profiling, he would be an ex-police officer
• I think right in that part of the statute, you can talk about shall be sworn under oath and then a full

Summary: The committee first heard HB 206, which would expand eligibility under the Crime Victims Reparation Act to cover additional offenses: simple assault, simple battery, criminal sexual contact, and robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. The sponsor, the Crime Victims Reparation Commission, and multiple supporters said the change would help victims access compensation for medical care, counseling, lost income, and related costs, with no added state administrative burden. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then took up HB 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people who provide proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Sponsors and tribal supporters said the designation could help with identification, Turquoise Alert notifications, and jurisdictional issues, while also serving as a voluntary option for tribal members. Some members raised concerns about possible profiling, lack of consultation with every tribe, and the absence of data from other states; supporters responded that the designation is optional and intended to assist, not harm. The bill passed 4-2. HB 52, a technical cleanup bill correcting statutory cross-references after prior competency-law amendments, passed unanimously 6-0. HB 58, which updates the telephone harassment statute to include electronic communications such as texts and social media, also passed 6-0 after supporters said the current law is outdated and too limited for modern harassment cases; committee members discussed possible definitional refinements. HB 57, allowing certain lab analysts and toxicologists to testify by interactive video in misdemeanor and DWI cases, drew support for efficiency and reducing travel burdens, but also concerns about confrontation rights and technical drafting issues; it passed 6-0 with a no recommendation. Finally, HB 79, which would lower the burden of proof for juvenile probation violation hearings to a preponderance standard, drew strong opposition from defense advocates and a law student who argued it would reduce due process protections for youth; after debate, the committee tabled the bill on a 4-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• to see it um over here so we don't get to see it um if<00:05:51.319><c> you're</c><00:05:51.639><c> ex
• </c> but that when I think the the hard part but that when I think the the hard part is<00:23:27.919>
• of what we're up saying that's part of what we're up against<00:35:02.880><c> a</c><00:35:03.119><c>
• For the most part, the commission leaves water quality issues to the Department of Health.
• </c> about chloride so um for the most part about chloride so um for the most part the<01:10:45.800><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 347 relating to goats. The Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments and said its Division of Forestry and Wildlife was available to answer questions. Testimony on the bill was largely opposed, with speakers arguing it would amount to a “free-for-all” rather than game management and urging deferral. DLNR responded that bag limits can be adjusted by area and game management unit under adaptive management rules, and that hunters typically take out their catch. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1278, on which DLNR testified in support. The record in the excerpt does not include discussion of the bill’s substance beyond the department’s support, and no action or vote is shown. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 144, relating to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and proposed exemptions from Sunshine Law requirements during the transition period. The authority’s vice chair testified that the body is a startup agency with a complex transition from the University and needs to be able to discuss strategic planning, operational formation, and other day-to-day matters with more than two members present. Opponents, including the Public First Law Center, Hawaiʻi Environmental Alliance, and community members, argued the bill would cut the public out of the deliberative process, allow decisions to be hashed out in private, and set a poor transparency precedent. One testifier also raised cultural and environmental concerns about Mauna Kea. Committee members questioned whether existing law and narrower guardrails could address the authority’s concerns, and the authority said it had already proposed a narrower alternative but the bill returned in similar form. The excerpt ends before any final committee action on HB 144 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's truly an honor to be part Cities.
• Espiransa United has a very, very strong part of my heart.
• Espiransa United has a very, very strong part of my heart.
• Espiransa United has a very, very strong part of my heart.
• </c><01:16:01.360><c> of</c> daughter and my family as just part of daughter and my family as just part

Bills: HF2135, HF776, HF1581, HF1158, HF2226

Keywords: child welfare, fiscal analysis, third-party consultant, program evaluation, Minnesota, HF776, Minnesota Family Assets for Independence Initiative, family assets for independence, FAI, asset-building, matched savings, financial literacy, family savings, economic mobility, children youth and families, general fund appropriation, family support, low-income families, financial stability, budget bill

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:49.479><c> of</c> County uh in the northern part of County uh in the northern part of Clearwater
• My district is 2B, which is parts of seven counties in northern Minnesota.
• And so we're an important part of the community.
• </c> they are great partners and do ex they are great partners and do ex exceptional<01:28:48.840><c>
• It's not necessarily in your budget, but it's part of the bigger picture.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The speaker thought the amount of money in it is about $900,000 because part of the money was used to
• I think, for the most part, they're just farmers, and they're using it to augment their soil.
• I think, for the most part, they're just farmers, and they're using it to augment their soil.
• </c><00:37:00.359><c> of</c> program um on the on the part of program um on the on the part of municipalities
• </c> so so I guess I have a a two-part so so I guess I have a a two-part question<00:45:30.440><c> in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 619, which would appropriate $1 million to the Solid Waste Management Fund for matching grants to municipalities and businesses for waste diversion projects, with 50% of the money prioritized for food waste diversion. Representative Karen Ebel, the sponsor, said the fund would help New Hampshire meet its solid waste diversion goals, preserve landfill capacity, and support composting, recycling, and related local business activity. She cited New London’s composting program as an example, saying 172 families participated and 32 tons of food waste were diverted in 2024, reducing tipping and trucking costs. Committee members asked about possible alternative funding sources, including a surcharge on landfill tipping fees. Ebel said many other states use such surcharges to fund recycling and solid waste programs, while New Hampshire relies on general funds. She also said the current fund balance was about $900,000 because some money had been used for staffing, and that the grant program was still in rulemaking. Questions also focused on how household composting works and whether municipalities could generate revenue from compost; Ebel said participation is optional, most programs use buckets and transfer stations, and the main benefit is cost savings from reduced disposal rather than compost sales. Testimony in support came from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. Both said municipalities are interested in food waste diversion and composting, that these programs can reduce long-term disposal costs and property tax pressure, and that there is growing demand for technical assistance and grant support. The Northeast Resource Recovery Association said food waste makes up about 24% of municipal and business waste, that fewer than two dozen communities and fewer than two dozen businesses currently offer such services, and that a City of Lebanon pilot program saw about 30% savings by composting on site. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but is working on rulemaking for the grant program and expects strong interest from municipalities, private composters, farmers, and anaerobic digester operators. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:43.280><c> You</c> this these play key parts of it. You this these play key parts of it.
• We have part-time in there.
• </c> the intent was to have part-time the intent was to have part-time positions<03:19:08.000><c> with
• </c> be for part-time positions. be for part-time positions.
• We have part-time in there. Okay. Okay. We have part-time in there. Okay.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to just speak for the first part of this. I'm here wearing two hats.
• I'm going to come back with this one last visual part of the JFF.
• </c> but these are for the most part but these are for the most part handwritten<00:40:07.760><c> and
• </c> use a lot on grapes in the southern part use a lot on grapes in the southern part of<01:03:53.799
• </c> question then you can tell us what part question then you can tell us what part of<01:20:12.920>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.