Transcript Highlights:

• Where can I practice the way I was trained? Where will my clinical judgment be respected?
• You have a group of... ...protecting the provider and the physician relationship.
• It ensures that hospitals are equipped with the tools they need and that staff are trained to respond
• And many nurses are never trained on how to care for families that experience the death of a baby.
• It's very challenging for physicians to treat these disorders.

Bills: SCR37, SB145, SB237

Keywords: informed consent, healthcare, medical procedures, patient rights, surgeon general, regulatory review, adult residential care, generators, emergency power, health safety, Louisiana Department of Health, compliance, regulations, child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several health-related bills. SB 113, concerning the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish, was amended with a technical set and reported favorably with amendments after the author explained it would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city. SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities from the definition of food service establishment, was reported favorably. SB 150, allowing LDH to scan and return supporting documents for vital records changes, was also reported favorably. SB 221, which would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for treating patients on scene without transport, drew questions about billing, coding, and implementation but was reported favorably, with members noting it could reduce unnecessary ER use and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• program will allow that person to participate in their curriculum, competency examination, and training
• It also defines a licensed medical provider as one of the following: a physician, a nurse practitioner
• , or a physician assistant.
• Madam Chair and members, HB 2481 sets training requirements and penalties for a school district that
• itself, and directs the school district to complete that training and intervention within 30 days.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, with members generally indicating the sponsors intended to concur on most measures. Topics included public health and medical regulation (HB 2086 on face coverings/vaccinations, HB 2140 on gold and silver bullion investments, HB 2195 on nursing facility complaint timelines, HB 2189 on licensed health aides, HB 2932 on Access reimbursement and prior authorization, HB 2557 on medical records timing, and HB 2641 on PFAS firefighting foam), criminal justice and courts (HB 2673 creating an inmate mental health study committee, HB 2028 on community restitution for indigent homeless defendants, HB 2662 on expert testimony in parenting-time cases, HB 2440 on prisoner transition services, and HB 2594 on address confidentiality in family court), and education-related bills (HB 2830 on prenatal development instruction, HB 2249 on parents’ rights and social transitioning, HB 2481 on school district financial record compliance, HB 2482 on school construction job-order caps, HB 2895 on Native American language proficiency, HB 2423 on automatic advanced math enrollment, HB 2621 on special education and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2592 on AI rules, HB 2379 on school board training, and HB 2380 on out-of-state travel and public meeting materials). Other bills addressed transportation, development, housing, and local government issues, including HB 2909 on distracted driving, HB 2369 on photo enforcement citations, HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 2946 on development fees, HB 2999 on infrastructure finance districts, HB 2244 on eviction record sealing, HB 2342 on HOA shade structures, and HB 2752 on Commerce Authority trade offices. Several members raised concerns or asked questions on bills such as HB 2932, HB 2249, HB 2830, and HB 2028, but no formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting ended with adjournment after brief discussion of the final bills on Caucus Calendar 19, including HB 2248 on medical intervention requirements for businesses and schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• yeah and a medical spa run by physician yeah and a medical spa run by a<03:52:00.640> physician
• <04:51:12.080> to<04:51:12.400> prescribe Physicians to prescribe Physicians to prescribe
• that just down to the basics a physician that just down to the basics a physician is<04:58:43.600
• She said a physician does not even have to formally evaluate a patient requesting physician-assisted
• health professional if the physician health professional if the physician quote<05:07:27.718>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved. Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199. The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reduced prescribing physician requirements from two licensed neurologists.
• I took these photos from my friend's horse training...
• I took these photos from my friend's horse training ranch.
• TMA, you all have a medical license as doctors and physicians, correct? Yes.
• And this is with a trained professional. It's been very positive.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• healthcare in America is in crisis almost at every stage of the delivery system, hospitals, clinics, physicians
• We train good doctors there.
• <00:05:57.960> We<00:05:58.080> train<00:05:58.480> good institution, a gem.
• We train good institution, a gem. We train good doctors<00:05:59.160> there.
• , bypasses that gatekeeper the physician, bypasses that gatekeeper for<00:11:55.200> what<00:11

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:26:37.840> in aeds around but somebody trained in aeds around but somebody trained in
• responsible for having a c trained responsible for having a c trained person<02:27:00.120> or
• So this is where a training or an orientation to CPR that's not a certified training would get to.
• So this is where a training or an orientation to CPR that's not a certified training would get to.
• in that and I said everybody's trained in that and I said well<05:39:56.680> trained<05:39:57.000

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3,100 family physicians and medical student members across the state.
• Derryi, a family physician practicing in Derryi, a family physician practicing in Minnesota<00:15:06.000
• Minnesota Academy of Family Physician Minnesota Academy of Family Physician representing<00:15:13.680
• As a family physician, I'm committed to protect and promote the health of my patients.
• trauma center, our staff trained trauma center, our staff trained regularly<00:30:17.279> to<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3668, authored by Chair Beerman, which would create a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Beerman and several supporters framed gun violence as a public health crisis, arguing the office would improve research, coordination, data collection, and evidence-based prevention. Supporters cited firearm deaths among children and adults, the trauma experienced by survivors and families, and Minnesota’s need for a centralized structure to guide policy and prevention efforts. Testifying in support were representatives of the Minnesota Medical Association, Protect Minnesota, a parent affected by the Annunciation school shooting, family physicians, an OB-GYN, and a pediatric emergency physician. They described gun violence as a daily clinical and community reality, pointed to rising firearm deaths and injuries, and said Minnesota should apply the same public health approach used for motor vehicle safety, tobacco, and other crises. Several witnesses emphasized the impact on children, suicide prevention, maternal health, and the need for Minnesota-specific research and coordinated responses. Opposition came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would create a taxpayer-funded bureaucracy that could be used to advance gun control policy and treat lawful firearm ownership as a public health problem. The group said the state should focus instead on enforcement, prosecution, and victim services. Vice Chair Nidau offered an A2 amendment to move the office from the Department of Health to the Department of Public Safety, citing data-sharing and accountability, but withdrew it after discussion with Chair Beerman. The hearing ended with additional member discussion, including concerns about existing violence-prevention spending and whether school safety investments would be a better use of funds; no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:13.200> assistants, time, to supervise physician assistants, time, to supervise physician
• Physician assistants working with podiatrists will focus on diabetic foot screenings, wound care, and
• The bill establishes a formal approval process for any podiatrist who wants to supervise a physician
• We were recruiting another physician, and when we'd bring a prospective physician in, all our medical
• And I was trained that we were a melting pot. We became a common idea.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and approval of the February 5, 2026 journal. The House clerk then delivered messages that the House had passed House Bills 103, 188, 189, 258, 276, and 419 and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for Senate Bills 2, 4, 71, 136, and 183, which were sent to the Rules Committee, and later committee reports that posted SB 2, SB 4, and SB 71 for Monday, February 9, and SB 136 and SB 183 for Tuesday, February 10. The Committee on Committees also referred several bills to standing committees, including SB 155, 118, 153, 158, 160, 72, 98, and 145. The main floor action was passage of Senate Bill 132, relating to massage therapy. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help local governments investigate businesses posing as massage parlors and to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed practice, including raising the penalty for certain violations from a class B to a class A misdemeanor and treating each unlicensed session as a separate offense. Supporters said it would aid efforts to combat human trafficking and preserve local zoning and licensing authority. Several senators voiced concerns that the bill could be too broad and might unintentionally affect trafficking victims or impose harsh penalties for unlicensed massage without injury or fraud, but they still voted yes. SB 132 passed 32-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Committee Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 18 and then passed the bill 32-0. SB 18 updates Kentucky’s podiatry laws, formally recognizes podiatric assistants and residents, gives the Board of Podiatry authority to license and regulate them, allows podiatrists to supervise physician assistants with board approval, limits supervision to four assistants, and requires new podiatrists starting in 2027 to complete at least two years of residency training. The sponsor said the measure modernizes oversight and improves access to foot and ankle care, especially for patients with diabetes. After the floor work, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and Committee on Committees, and later received the committee reports noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the jobs that we need to train. These are low-budget. Barrier high return jobs.
• We can train them.
• I don't have the numbers on how many adults we've trained and put into the film workforce.
• are being trained and evaluated.
• Equal access to healthcare begins with equal access to excellence in medical training.

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot, uh, training up folks so that they can, uh, work in the industry and so that we don't have to
• So basically what this would do is just make sure that that we have people that are properly trained
• These are the jobs that we need to train. These are low barrier, high return jobs.
• We can train them.
• are being trained and evaluated.

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• That we have people that are properly trained. And honestly, this set...
• These are the jobs that we need to train. These are low-budget. You do not need a college degree.
• We can train them.
• I don't have the numbers on how many adults we've trained and put into the film workforce.
• are being trained and evaluated.

Bills: HB1784, HB2088, HB3062, HB3475, HB3741, HB4279, HB4763, HB5154, HB5294, HB5508, SB1401, HB232, HB232

Keywords: students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's much more extensive than that, especially when we get to the workforce and job training.
• And I think it could really affect prescribing habits if those physicians knew their patients were dying
• That why couldn't we reach out to the physician who saw that patient?
• It's trying to figure out what's going on and where we can find things to help families help physicians
• I agree with what you're saying as far as notifying the physician.

Bills: HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940, HB4117, HB3428, HB4275, HB3257, HB3901, HB4298

Keywords: HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• Protecting the accuracy of physicians' notes leads to the protection of patient safety.
• supervisor, not the treating physician. ...had their notes changed by a district supervisor, not the
• treating physician.
• And we need to do more to give more training and skills to us adults so that we can support the young
• He worked as an organizer, training director, business agent, financial secretary and treasurer, and

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a large daily file of bills and resolutions. Early procedural motions were adopted, including re-referrals and a motion to allow the Appropriations Committee to notice SB 73, which passed 46-15. Members also introduced several guests, including young legislators, schoolchildren, a championship girls’ basketball team, realtors, and CASA advocates. On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1389, a tribal gaming compact urgency bill for the Yurok Tribe, which passed 55-0 on the urgency and measure. The body then passed a series of bills on topics including trespass enforcement (AB 1632), pest control fees (AB 2380), county investment authority (AB 2080), pupil achievement gap reporting (AB 2149), transit board stipends (AB 1625), e-filing for workplace violence restraining orders (AB 2179), election eligibility restrictions for registered sex offenders (AB 2753), juvenile firearm possession and deferred entry of judgment (AB 2636), court access and First Amendment issues (AB 1544), physician medical record integrity (AB 1637), forced marriage protections (AB 2534), and local authority to restrict under-12 e-bike use in San Mateo County (AB 2595). Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with votes ranging from 53-0 to 63-0. The Assembly also adopted ACR 173, reaffirming California’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, Mexico, after adding 50 coauthors. Later, it adopted ACR 163 designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month after extensive testimony from the author and multiple caucus members emphasizing the crisis, data gaps, tribal sovereignty, and the need for more resources and action; 64 coauthors were added before the resolution passed by voice vote. The chamber likewise adopted ACR 180 designating Compost Awareness Week and ACR 182 establishing Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, both after coauthor roll calls and voice votes. The day concluded with urgent action on AB 108, which provides up to $25 million in one-time emergency bridge funding for distressed hospitals facing imminent closure. Members from both parties spoke in support, citing rural access, prior hospital closures, and the need to protect community health care; the bill passed 59-0 and was sent to the Governor immediately. The Assembly then handled consent calendar items, heard an adjournment in memory for labor leader Larry Mazzola Sr., and adjourned until Monday, May 11 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's also supposed to be CIT training, not sit training.
• And it's also supposed to be CIT training, not sit training.
• It's very important for us to focus on the annual training, the training for the handlers, because we
• , the training for the annual training, the training for the<01:03:41.440> handlers<01:03:42.160
• trained to specifically find narcotics. trained to specifically find narcotics.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a whole amount of training that we'll be doing.
• amount of training that we'll be doing. amount of training that we'll be doing.
• And um so I think there are training And um so I think there are training opportunities<00:23:22.799
• Now there needs to be a physician or a physician's assistant or a nurse practitioner.
• , based upon their knowledge, training, based upon their knowledge, training, background,<00:59:14.079

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a physician and scientist, a professor of medicine. I'm an infectious disease physician.
• So on training, my awareness is from conversations with colleagues that Harvard has introduced a training
• “Last year’s training?
• Second, the requirement of special anti-Semitism training separate from training about other forms of
• inform the trainings.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Anti-Semitism met for its 11th meeting and approved the minutes from its August 7 meeting. Co-chairs said the commission had recently completed preliminary K-12 recommendations and would continue work on higher education, with additional topics such as workplace issues, the medical sector, and the arts to be addressed before the November 30 reporting deadline. They also said another public comment meeting would be held this fall. The first testimony came from Dr. Mark Posnansky of Harvard Medical School, who described anti-Semitism affecting STEM, research, and higher education. He said Jewish and Israeli students and faculty reported ostracism, gaslighting, intimidation, discrimination, and hiding Jewish identity, and he urged clear leadership statements, mandatory anti-Semitism education, and stronger reporting and discipline procedures. Commissioners asked about Harvard training, spillover into teaching hospitals, and whether anti-Semitic climates were causing students to leave; he said some students had turned down opportunities because of the environment and that concerns also affected healthcare settings. Lindsey Gabbo, a Harvard Law student and mother, testified that campus discourse after October 7 had made Jewish and Zionist students feel isolated and unwelcome, with protests, defaced hostage posters, and a student council BDS vote contributing to the climate. She said Harvard had sent some emails acknowledging anti-Semitism but that she had not seen meaningful steps to restore dialogue, and she argued the school needed more structured venues for conversation. Commissioners also asked about campus security, the effect on students’ mental health, and the impact of chants and protests that she said many Jewish students understood as calls to violence. A panel of concerned Jewish faculty and staff then offered contrasting views. Professor Jeremy Menchick argued the commission should use data carefully, include non-Zionist Jews in its analysis, and avoid reinforcing divisions within the Jewish community. Professor Hilary Lustick described restorative-practice approaches and said structured dialogue could address conflict without immediate punishment. Professor Jonathan Feingold warned that anti-Semitism was being weaponized by the Trump administration and right-wing groups to attack universities and DEI, and he urged the commission not to adopt approaches that could be used to undermine civil rights institutions. Commissioners pushed back on claims that the problem was being exaggerated or reduced to a “problem” rather than a “crisis,” and the discussion ended with continued debate over data, context, and how to balance anti-Semitism concerns with broader civil-rights protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been piloting since... a new approach to training.
• So it is training while working, which... really focuses on competency-based training versus classroom
• training.
• They bring training, they bring technical assistance and supports.
• Talk to your physician.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• trained for this. trained for this. So,<00:14:57.519> Mr.<00:14:57.839> president.
• informing principles and training informing principles and training principles<00:21:49.440>
• We had three physicians development.
• health care by training osteopaths. health care by training osteopaths.
• As a young infantry officer, I trained As a young infantry officer, I trained and<01:32:01.920><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a declared quorum. The chamber excused an absent senator, approved the prior journal, received House communication that the House had passed HB 168, 185, 249, and 455 and requested concurrence, and heard committee reports advancing SB 37 and SB 214 from Agriculture, SB 157 and SB 189 with a committee substitute from Banking and Insurance, and SJR 54 with a committee substitute from Families and Children. The Senate also introduced SB 226 on pre-need burial contracts and SR 113 honoring Robert Connley Young. The main floor debate centered on SB 101, an act relating to children, which would require a mandatory 12-month expulsion for students in grades 6-12 who assault a school employee, with exceptions for certain students with disabilities under an IEP and for incidents involving provocation by a school employee. The bill also creates a mandatory reporting requirement for assaults and penalties for intentionally failing to report them. The sponsor argued the measure responds to widespread, underreported assaults on teachers, citing 25,000 reported incidents since 2021 and sharing testimony from a teacher whose career ended after repeated assaults. Supporters said the bill would improve school safety, accountability, and classroom control, while opponents argued it is too harsh for children, could permanently remove students from school, and should leave more discretion to principals and districts. After debate, the Senate adopted Senate Committee Substitute 1 for SB 101 and then proceeded to final passage. Several senators spoke for and against the bill during roll-call explanation, with supporters emphasizing teacher safety, parental responsibility, and consequences for repeat offenders, and opponents warning about lost educational opportunities and the need for second chances. The transcript cuts off during the roll call, but the chamber had already adopted the committee substitute and moved to vote on SB 101 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said that studying disability disparities can help with workforce development training, including
• building out programs such as the Blind Services Branch for blind vendors and training for business
• support research professional training support research professional training and<00:43:14.599><
• I am going to testify from the perspective of a physician-scientist and cancer survivor.
• I am going to testify from the perspective of a physician-scientist and cancer survivor.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.

Transcript Highlights:

• Physician assistants or advanced practice nurses are hired by a practice.
• already in place for physicians since 2009.
• This bill is critical to helping physicians.
• I'm a physician in Houston, Texas. I've been practicing for 30 years.
• Because it looks a lot like this train going on, like you were saying.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes