Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer Protection and Agriculture and the Environment to consider one set of resolutions: Senate Concurrent
• Uh, with the prior concurrence of the HHS chair, we'll be making the following changes.
• Uh, with the prior concurrence of the HHS chair, we'll be making the following changes.
• <00:48:43.839> resolutions resolutions, uh concurrent resolutions resolutions, uh concurrent
• We'll be taking all the concurrent resolutions and their accompanying Senate resolutions in tandem.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: At a joint Senate hearing on SCR 198 and SR 178, the committees considered resolutions urging Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to seek subrogation claims against polluters linked to worsening climate impacts and higher insurance costs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with 47 written testimonies in support and additional oral support from former Honolulu chief resilience officer Josh Tamro. The committees recommended passage with amendments, narrowing the language to refer specifically to polluters who knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices about the connection between their products and climate change, along with technical non-substantive edits. Both committees adopted the amended resolutions by vote. At a separate joint hearing on STR 226 and SR 201, which urged changes to Medicaid 1915 home and community-based services waiver eligibility criteria, supporters argued the current rules and administrative guidance were inconsistent and left some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health dual diagnoses, without proper access. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the intent but noted factual issues and said a memo from the department addressed only part of the problem, not the mental health-related concerns. After discussion, the chair concluded the resolution was not the best vehicle and deferred it, suggesting a more comprehensive bill would be needed. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee also took up HB 799 HD2 SD1 on healthcare and recommended passage with amendments, including striking a written transfer-agreement requirement, shortening the sunset to June 30, 2028, removing a related timeline, and making technical corrections. In another joint hearing, SCR 222 and SR 197, which would have urged towing companies to have on-site ATMs for vehicle owners, drew opposition from the Office of Consumer Protection, which said Act 60 already requires credit and debit card acceptance and that ATMs could let companies evade the law. Members noted ongoing complaints and weak enforcement, and the chair recommended turning the issue into a task force for further study, with decision-making deferred because of quorum issues. The committee also heard several other resolutions: STR 57 and SR 41, urging Congress to create a national reinsurance program, received only supportive testimony; STR 70 and SR 54, calling for a pharmacy reimbursement working group, also drew support; and STR 123, proposing an attorney general-led landlord-tenant working group, received comments from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting a more appropriate lead agency and noting the Legislative Reference Bureau may be better suited to assist. No final adverse action was taken on those measures during the hearing segment described.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 162 by Senator Umberg, relative to Casa Appreciation Day.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 167 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, relative to Mother's Day.
• Senate concurrent resolution 167 by Secretary, please read.
• Senate concurrent resolution 167 by Senator Ochoabog, relative to Mother's Day.
• Resolution 144, Assembly Concurrent Resolution ...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then took up Assembly Bill 108, a budget bill providing a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI for hospitals in immediate financial distress, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal. The Senate also adopted several resolutions by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SCR 162 recognizing CASA Appreciation Day, SCR 165 designating California Wildfire Preparedness Week, SCR 84 proclaiming California Rail Month, SCR 153 for the National Day of Prayer, SCR 167 recognizing Mother’s Day, and SR 106 memorializing Black April Month. Floor remarks highlighted the work of CASA volunteers, wildfire preparedness and local fire mitigation efforts, the importance of rail to California’s transportation and climate goals, the role of faith and prayer, the contributions of mothers, and the history and sacrifices of Vietnamese refugees and Vietnamese American communities. Most of these measures passed on unanimous roll calls; SCR 153 passed 31-1. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which requires lobbyists to file registration changes directly with the Secretary of State to improve transparency and reduce delays; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notification for unions; and SB 965, easing library card access for 16- and 17-year-olds by prohibiting a parent’s physical presence requirement. All of these bills passed on roll calls with no opposition. The consent calendar was then approved, committee announcements were made, and the session ended with an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former public safety officer and local parks district member.

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will report Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2, introduced by Senators Murphy and Johnson
• I move to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 is a concurrent resolution which adopts the temporary joint rules.
• Senate concurrent resolution number Senate concurrent resolution number two<00:21:11.840> and<
• resolution number two is a concurrent resolution number two is a concurrent resolution<00:21:24.840

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When students enroll at our school, they are well aware that phones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. are
• ADA in attendance as opposed to enrollment.
• which he was expelled due to excessive behaviors. came and enrolled in our district, KDISD.
• It's focused really on 11th and 12th grade students to concurrently enroll in both high school. programs
• K-3 and incentivize districts to boost pre-K enrollment.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• I am in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 58.
• Voting on Senate Concurrent Resolution 58, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1.
• Okay, voting on Senate Concurrent Resolution 184. Resolution 184.
• Okay, voting on Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, Senate Draft 1.
• c> 89,<00:53:44.640> Senate Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, Senate Senate Concurrent Resolution

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 11, urging Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, drew support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Pride at Work Hawaii, both of which backed the measure as a statement of equality and protection for LGBTQIA+ people. A member also reminded testifiers to keep signs and statements relevant to the measure. SCR 22, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahu and Aliʻa, had no testimony. SCR 58, calling for a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in DLNR boating and ocean recreation lots, drew strong support from multiple testifiers who argued that towing is overly punitive, costly, and unfair to beach and harbor users; they favored warnings or smaller citations instead of towing and raised concerns about signage, contract oversight, and the cost of proposed enforcement technology. One member asked about whether DLNR could use HPD or other officers for citations, and the discussion focused on staffing and enforcement authority. The committee then heard SCR 60 SD1, requesting an update on the “Breaking Cycles” study on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was not present, but the Corrections Reform Working Group strongly supported the resolution, saying the study reflects extensive community outreach and should not be shelved. Testifiers urged the committee to use the report to examine alternatives to a new jail, including diversion, pre-trial reform, probation reform, and renovations to existing facilities, and one testifier suggested amendments to add experts in those areas and technical assistance from the Prison Policy Initiative. Another testifier described Maui’s use of wraparound reentry services, prosecutorial discretion, and programming as an example of reducing incarceration without expanding jail capacity. SCR 184, asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine anti-discrimination laws as applied to algorithmic and automated decision systems, had no in-person testimony, with the chair noting one support and one comment submitted. The final measure, SCR 89 SD1, which would create an advisory committee under the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission to develop recommendations on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu, also had no testimony from the department, but the Corrections Reform Working Group supported it as a way to ensure community input into jail planning. A later testifier echoed concerns about building a large new jail and urged the committee to consider alternatives to incarceration and to include people with expertise in diversion, pre-trial reform, and probation reform. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:39.120> of and respectfully request concurrence of and respectfully request concurrence
• And House Concurrent Resolution 44, Representative Cook, a concurrent resolution urging Congress to create
• Concurrent Resolution 44, Representative Concurrent Resolution 44, Representative Cook,<00:06:55.840
• > Cook, a concurrent resolution urging Cook, a concurrent resolution urging Congress<00:06:58.160>
• 448, and 508, and House Concurrent 448, and 508, and House Concurrent Resolution<00:48:20.240>

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:09 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:59 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 08:11 HJR 25 08:26 HB 66 11:58 HB 305 16:20 HB 432 22:44 HB 313 27:29 HB 44 30:26 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 34:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 42:07 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:38 ConC/Rules Report 47:26 Floor Amendments 48:25 Adjournment 48:54, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 94 members present. The chamber excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 136 and 183 and requested concurrence. The journal was approved, and several bills were reported for second reading, including measures on vehicle wheels, proactive post-secondary admission, choking prevention in schools, state parks, background checks, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, veterans benefits, and a resolution urging a federal accreditation pathway for veterans-benefits assistance companies. Committee reports advanced a number of bills, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, members of the bar, and alternative high school diplomas. The House then adopted House Joint Resolution 25, which declares Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directs agencies to coordinate pilot studies and partnerships around nutrition, public health, and Kentucky-grown products; the resolution passed 95-0. The chamber also passed House Bill 66, as amended, on video teleconference meetings for agencies and boards. The bill requires posting board member contact information, permits video-only meetings for informational or routine matters, requires a physical quorum for final actions on law, regulation, taxation, and large grants, and allows agencies to set their own video-meeting procedures; it passed 95-0 after adoption of a committee substitute, floor amendment, and title amendment. House Bill 305, the grand jury service bill renamed the Crystal Rogers Act, was amended by committee substitute and floor amendment after a successful motion to suspend the rules for a technical correction. The bill strengthens grand jury confidentiality rules, prohibits knowing recording or disclosure by those present, and extends the statute of limitations for violations; supporters cited the Crystal Rogers case as the reason for closing a gap in the law. It passed 93-0. House Bill 432 on local purchasing also passed, 82-7, after committee substitute changes clarified the 75% threshold for used vehicles and equipment and updated rules for noncompetitive purchasing and local government flexibility. The House then passed House Bill 313, reducing the notice period for city utility franchise agreements from 18 months to 6 months, by a vote of 93-0, and House Bill 44, which creates a robotics program trust fund and grant program for grades 7-12 to support STEM and workforce training, by a vote of 91-0. The session concluded with motions and announcements, including the bringing up of House Resolution 60 from committee and a resolution recognizing February 11, 2026 as Recovery Advocacy Day in Kentucky, with remarks on overdose deaths, recovery efforts, and the importance of prevention and services. Members also announced upcoming receptions and meetings, and one bill, House Bill 372, was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is, shall the bill pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment?
• concurrence with proposal of amendment? concurrence with proposal of amendment?
• <00:58:56.880> with passed the bill in concurrence with passed the bill in concurrence with
• concurrence with proposal of amendment? concurrence with proposal of amendment?
• <01:25:26.680> with the bill ought pass in concurrence with the bill ought pass in concurrence

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 is a very simple measure with a very simple message.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 is along those lines.
• And that's what Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 does, and I'll yield for questions.
• Senate Bill 240 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 42.
• And Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 will be left pending at this time.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• And conveyance, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 9, Bonta, Assembly Concurrent Constitutional Amendment
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 124. Ayes 66, noes 0. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 196.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 198. Ayes 66, noes 0. House Resolution 95. Ayes 66, noes 0.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 123. Ayes 66, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 128.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 130. Ayes 66, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 157.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long consent and procedural agenda, including suspending rules to move AJR 31 forward without reference and approving a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. The chamber also heard several guest introductions, including recognition of Shannon Lee for work tied to AB 2455 establishing a Bruce Lee Day, and district staff and visitors from other members’ offices. The main floor debate centered on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent federal court decisions and state redistricting efforts are weakening protections against racial vote dilution and disenfranchisement, while opponents said the resolution promoted race-based districting and was inconsistent with equal protection principles. After extensive debate and repeated parliamentary reminders about decorum, the Assembly added 57 coauthors and passed AJR 31 on a 58-8 roll call vote. Justin Jones of Tennessee was later introduced as a guest. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, most of which passed with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies, AB 1816 extending court supervision for sex-offender rehabilitation completion, AB 2561 protecting users’ phone and digital privacy settings, ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day, ACR 190 honoring California Day of the Teacher, AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students, AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and school safety plans, AB 1665 adding mental health training for coaches, and AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting. The Assembly also passed AB 1768, an urgency tax measure tied to federal Medicaid reimbursement cuts for Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties, and began consideration of AB 1712 regarding Santa Fe Springs’ water system sale, with debate starting but not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE DECIDED TO HAVE YOU COME TO TALLAHASSEE TO PASS TODAY'S CONCURRENT RESOLUTION FOR TWO REASONS.
• THE SECOND REASON, WE ARE PASSING THIS CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IN ORDER TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE.
• READ THE RESOLUTION TWICE BY TITLE. >> BY REPRESENTING GARRISON HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1633 A CONCURRENT
• AUTHORITY OF SECTION 3D ARTICLE III OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION BY REPRESENTATIVE GARRISON HOUSE CONCURRENT
• RESOLUTION 1633 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING 2025 REGULAR SESSION BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE UNDER

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Communication numbers 802 to 806 return various Senate concurrent resolutions that were adopted
• House Communication numbers 807 to 809 return Senate concurrent resolutions that were adopted in the
• President, I move that the Senate disagree to the amendments proposed by the House to the Senate concurrent
• <00:03:10.960> resolutions<00:03:11.520> referenced<00:03:12.000> in concurrent
• resolutions referenced in concurrent resolutions referenced in House<00:03:12.320> Communication

Bills: HB1519, HB1541, HB1737, HB1782, HB1854, HB1860, HB2023, HB2104, HB2276, HB2335, HB2455, HB2468, HB2551, SB177, SB411, SB874, SB2053, SB2069, SB2108, SB2268, SB2360, SB2363, SB2405, SB2407, SB2530, SB2543, SB2568, SB2803, SB2818, SB2851, SB2907, SB2934, SB2969, SB2999, SB3097, SB3103, SB3233, SB3238, SB3245, SB3001, SB3138, HB1946, HB389, HB1510, HB469, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097, SB888, SB2169, SB2367, SB2557, SB2575, SB2698, SB3082, HB344, HB939, HB1688, HB1853, HB2443, HCR103, HCR117, HCR180, HCR112, HCR18, HCR105, HCR173, HCR35, HCR98, HCR42, HCR53, HCR181, HCR101, HCR179

Keywords: campaign contributions, lobbyists, transparency, election funding, ethical regulations, HB1541, Act 057, Department of Health, Hawaii State Hospital, Developmental Disabilities Division, civil service, civil service exemption, HRS 76-16, HRS 334-4, mental health program, state hospital, secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility, associate administrator, project manager, security manager

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 23, a concurrent resolution directing the establishment of the property taxation
• House<00:14:48.800> Concurrent<00:14:49.279> Resolution<00:14:49.839> 23,<00:14:
• 51.040> a House Concurrent Resolution 23, a House Concurrent Resolution 23, a concurrent<00:14
• :51.680> resolution<00:14:52.399> directing<00:14:52.880> the concurrent resolution
• directing the concurrent resolution directing the establishment<00:14:53.519> of<00:14:53.680

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 05:54 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 12:03 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 16:14 CoC and Rules Report 18:21 Adjournment 18:57, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. The journal from Friday, January 9, 2026 was approved, absent members were excused, and House Resolution 21 was taken from the Committee on Committees and brought to the floor without objection. Several committee and meeting announcements were made, including cancellations for various standing committees and notices that the Government Contract Review Committee and Oversight Investigation Committee would meet upon adjournment. The House also adopted House Citation 4, a citation of adjournment honoring Bill Nickel, with remarks describing him as a respected community member and friend. After the citation, members continued making committee announcements, including that the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance would meet at noon the next day. The clerk then reported the introduction of numerous new bills and resolutions, covering topics such as grand jury service, criminal trespass, postsecondary admission and funding, sex crimes, cultured meat products, railroad crossings, firearms and concealed weapons, property tax exemptions, name/image/likeness rights, landlords and tenants, child care, child welfare investigations, government social media accounts, peace officer training, economic development incentives, residential safety, pre-trial release, and several resolutions on highways, property taxation, Medicaid waiver withdrawal, and food-as-medicine initiatives. The Committee on Committees and Rules met and referred House Bills 164, 176, 184, and 265 to Banking and Insurance, and the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrently, we've seen an increase in vaccinable diseases.
• Concurrently,<00:51:36.079> we've<00:51:36.319> seen<00:51:36.480> an<00:51:36.720
• > increase<00:51:36.880> in Concurrently, we've seen an increase in Concurrently, we've
• for Honolulu Harbor, our student interns developed the program for us. >> Now how do you do the enrollment
• >> the enrollment? >> the enrollment?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Department of Health presented its supplemental budget requests and described several sources of uncertainty affecting federal funding, including policy changes, shutdown-related disruptions, and shifting appropriations proposals in Congress. Officials said some federal grants had been terminated and then restored, but the department still faces added administrative burden to access funds. They also said trust in public health institutions has declined, and outlined efforts to respond through community engagement, website cleanup, social media, and transparency dashboards. The department highlighted staffing and operations issues, noting a 29.7% vacancy rate and the success of its hiring pilot under Act 291, which has hired 38 candidates with an average 95-day hiring timeline. On the budget side, officials said the supplemental request includes increases in general, special, and revolving funds, and they walked through the first major general fund item for emergency medical services. After discussion, they said the EMS request was reduced from $8 million to $4.5 million to cover collective bargaining increases and keep contracts whole through August 2027. Behavioral health items included the payment crisis center in Ewa, which has connected more than 2,000 people to services, though roughly one-third remain unconnected or return frequently. Members questioned the quality of follow-up data and whether the program is reducing repeat use. The department also discussed state hospital decompression efforts, including use of the behavioral health crisis center, transfers to community hospitals, neighbor-island placements, and direct discharge to long-term care facilities; officials said the hospital is licensed for 292 beds and has seen census pressures rise again. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on Kalaupapa/Kalawao jurisdiction and preservation after patient care ends. Members pressed the department on the lack of a clear statewide plan, the roles of DOH, DNR, and DHHL, and what happens to land, buildings, and the cemetery after the last patient leaves. DOH said the current law is unclear on an end date, that the proposed bill would change the law, and that the landowners’ agreements with the National Park Service and each other will shape the transition. Officials said they would provide more information at a later hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, again, green or yes on the concurrence and green on the bill. Senator Wallin.
• The first bill under consideration will be Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007. Madam Secretary.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007, your conference committee, Senator Roers, chair, recommends the House
• reject its amendments to Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007.
• The question is on the proposed amendment to Senate Concurrent Resolution 4007.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans. House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8. The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rest moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 be suspended for all further
• Senator Rest moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 be suspended for all further
• Senator Rest moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 be suspended for all further
• Senator Rest moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 be suspended for all further
• Senator Rest moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 be suspended for all further

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 66, a concurrent resolution urging the University of Kentucky and the University
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 66.
• 31:52.000> concurrent Concurrent Resolution 66, a concurrent Concurrent Resolution 66, a concurrent
• Concurrent Resolution 66. Concurrent Resolution 66.
• And so that's what this concurrent resolution does.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have received a request to read a House Concurrent Resolution that the House and Senate adopted
• HCR 159 is a House Concurrent Resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellow Jackets Division
• ;> to general and housing H715 >> to<00:03:02.480> education HCR 159 is a House Concurrent
• The ayes do have it, and you have passed the bill in concurrence with proposal of amendment.
• concurrence with proposal of amendment? concurrence with proposal of amendment?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Brenda Steady and then suspended the rules to introduce 12 House bills by number only, referring them to committees. Members also read a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellow Jackets boys soccer team on winning the Division 2 championship, and the chamber welcomed the team and coaches to the gallery. The Speaker announced that HCR 163 had been mistakenly placed on the consent calendar and removed it, and also announced committee appointments following a resignation. A series of guest recognitions followed, including visitors from the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, the 2026 Snelling Early Childhood Leadership Institute cohort, mentoring organizations observing National Mentoring Month, the Vermont Historical Society, and former Representative Mari Cordes. Members also highlighted an upcoming Act 73 overview, the first Farmers Night concert, and a Caucus for Vermont’s Economy meeting. No votes were taken on these announcements, but the House formally welcomed the guests and recognized new House leadership and a new committee assistant. On the action calendar, the House passed H.649 on captive insurance companies and concurred in S.60 establishing the Farm Security Special Fund for weather-related farm losses. The House then approved H.534 on community action agencies, with the Human Services Committee describing it as a statute update that changes terminology, strengthens planning and governance requirements, and uses people-first language; the committee reported a 10-0-1 vote. The House also advanced H.84, which allows telehealth appointments to be recorded only with patient and provider consent; the Health Care Committee said it modernizes telehealth law without weakening privacy protections and reported a 10-0-1 vote. The chamber ordered third reading or passage on each bill and then adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is, shall the bill pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment?
• The ayes have it, and we have passed H. 744 in concurrence. In concurrence, we now have H. 849.
• The question is, shall the bill pass in concurrence? Are you ready for the question?
• And we have passed H. 849 in concurrence. >> The eyes appear to have it.
• And we have passed H4 849 in<00:13:16.160> concurrence. Yeah.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly concurrent resolution 34 by Assemblymember Ta relative to Sylvia Mendes Day.
• I'm in strong support of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 34, recognizing Sylvia Mendez Day.
• And that once a bill is on concurrence, there is no mechanism for it to be amended.
• However, there is no mechanism for a bill that's on concurrence to be amended. Mr.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 57. Ayes 66, noes 0. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 61.

Keywords: 988, house, all