Transcript Highlights:

• Often, they lack the qualifications or proof of qualifications for higher education programs, as well
• Often, they lack the qualifications or proof of qualifications for higher education programs, as well

Bills: HF1323, HF3500

Keywords: undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, funding, storm damage relief, Bemidji State University, reforestation, state appropriations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• last couple months, we had the SGU task force that came together to put up criteria for the SGU qualifications
• c><00:03:20.000> the<00:03:20.280> SGU<00:03:21.120> um<00:03:21.200> qualifications
• criteria for the SGU um qualifications. criteria for the SGU um qualifications.

Bills: HF3919, HF1335, HF3864, HF3916, HF3728

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, electronic license, driver's license, digital credential, transportation, data privacy, authentication, license plates, vehicle registration, validation stickers, Minnesota statutes, transportation policy, aeronautics, transponder, aircraft safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The key considerations were qualifications and demonstrated experience researching worker misclassification
• The key considerations<01:16:32.480> were<01:16:32.720> qualifications<01:16:33.640>
• and considerations were qualifications and considerations were qualifications and demonstrated<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Transportation, affectionately known as MNDOT, and includes ensuring compliance with one, qualifications
• compliance MNDOT, and includes ensuring compliance with<00:04:09.920> one,<00:04:10.200> qualifications
• <00:04:10.959> of<00:04:11.040> drivers<00:04:11.680> and with one, qualifications
• of drivers and with one, qualifications of drivers and attendants,<00:04:12.840> two,<00:04:13.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on March 2 and approved the February 23 minutes after a quorum was reached. The main presentation was from the Department of Human Services on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), a federally required Medicaid benefit that helps Minnesota Health Care Program enrollees get to medically necessary appointments. DHS said the program served more than 250,000 people in 2025 at a cost of $127 million, with participation up about 14% over five years, and described the seven transportation modes, provider enrollment requirements, STS certification, background checks, prior authorization rules, and planned transitions to a single administrator for parts of the program in 2026 and 2027. DHS officials emphasized fraud prevention efforts, saying NEMT is one of the agency’s high-risk Medicaid services. They described enhanced prepayment review, provider revalidation and site visits, removal of inactive providers, and a provider moratorium in metro counties. Inspector General James Clark said the governor’s anti-fraud proposal would add pre-enrollment risk assessments, more staffing and technology, and electronic visit verification. He also noted that about 80% of NEMT spending is in managed care and that managed care organizations have their own compliance and special investigations units. Committee members raised concerns about fraud, oversight, and privatization. Chair Robbins questioned DHS about the absence of the commissioner and the program’s use of brokers, citing past concerns and asking about the vendor MTM’s history; DHS said the RFP for the new broker had closed and the vendor selection was still underway. Representative Pinto questioned why oversight is outsourced to managed care organizations and suggested bringing more oversight back in house. MTM representative Phil Stahlberger defended the company’s record, said the Missouri dispute was about contract terms from about 15 years ago, and said MTM currently works in Minnesota counties and many other states, with on-site reviews, trip verification, and complaint review processes. No further votes or final actions on the NEMT policy were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hicks continued: “So many of these programs are not have in-depth criteria for qualification
• programs are not have in-depth in-depth in-depth criteria<00:36:10.320> for<00:36:10.640> qualification
• <00:36:11.280> and<00:36:11.599> creation criteria for qualification and creation criteria
• for qualification and creation of<00:36:12.079> service<00:36:12.400> authorizations.

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's pretty hard to find those qualifications for certain industries, and the trickle-down effect of
• um<01:20:44.480> those pretty hard to find. um those pretty hard to find. um those qualifications
• <01:20:45.679> for<01:20:46.000> certain<01:20:46.320> industries qualifications
• for certain industries qualifications for certain industries um<01:20:49.040> and<01:20:49.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see what the qualifications would be.
• <00:15:38.320> see<00:15:38.480> what<00:15:38.639> the<00:15:38.800> qualifications
• you can see what the qualifications you can see what the qualifications would<00:15:39.839> be

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of the citizenship qualification
• conduct random audits of the State to conduct random audits of the citizenship<00:13:08.079> qualification
• <00:13:08.880> of<00:13:09.120> registered citizenship qualification of registered
• citizenship qualification of registered voters.<00:13:10.560> I<00:13:10.800> will<00:13

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving down there, that's the qualification that would allow judges to serve on the hand count audit
• on<00:46:25.920> 228102 there, that's the on 228102 there, that's the on 228102 qualification
• 28.160> would<00:46:28.319> allow<00:46:28.640> judges<00:46:29.119> to qualification
• that would allow judges to qualification that would allow judges to serve<00:46:29.839> on<00

Bills: SF0102, SF0113

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, hand count audit, ballots, election integrity, transparency, voting system, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• practicing medicine via telehealth, and that this would limit, number one, knowing what their qualifications
• limit um number one knowing<01:47:04.639> what<01:47:04.800> their<01:47:05.040> qualifications
• <01:47:05.840> are knowing what their qualifications are knowing what their qualifications

Bills: SB2936, SB2850, SB2851, SB2521

Keywords: accessible parking, disability, kupuna, public accommodations, small business exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, parking permit, blind, deaf, accessibility, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication, emergency services, commercial driver's license, first responders, public safety, authorized emergency vehicle

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1871, establishing a maternal health monitoring pilot program, drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii State Commission on Status of Women, and the Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, with testimony urging provider-neutral language so midwives and other qualified providers would not be excluded. HB 1977, requiring a maternal and infant health information mobile app, received support from ACNM and Philips, which said similar apps in other states improved awareness of services and helped families navigate care; a member asked the Department of Health about implementation time. HB 1858, relating to certificates of fetal deaths, was supported by the Department of Health and clinicians, who said the current statute is outdated and inconsistent with CDC guidance; the department and a physician testified that the bill should shift documentation responsibilities to physicians and APRNs, and members discussed optional versus mandatory issuance language and whether the bill would improve data on home births and transfers. The committee also heard HB 1591, expanding definitions for preceptor and volunteer-based clinical training to improve income tax credits. The Department of Health supported the measure but preferred a similar, broader bill; Taxation suggested clarifying terms; the University of Hawaii and the State Center for Nursing supported it. ACNM asked that midwifery preceptors and Hawaii-based students enrolled in mainland programs be included, while the Hawaii Public Health Institute supported expansion of the program as a workforce solution. HB 1574, on the health care education loan repayment program, also drew broad support, including from the governor, SHPDA, OHA, and health organizations, but ACNM raised concerns that the bill’s 30% Medicaid-client threshold could exclude many providers and limit participation. For HB 1575, creating a feasibility committee on Parkinson’s patient air transport, the Department of Health supported the intent but said transportation is more likely an insurance or benefit issue and suggested redirecting funds to Parkinson’s research; the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Hawaii Parkinson Association supported the bill, citing inter-island travel barriers and high costs for patients and caregivers. HB 1854, establishing certification of community behavioral health clinics, was supported by the Department of Health and DHS, which said certification would help clinics qualify for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement and expand access; the Attorney General’s office raised a legal concern about the special fund language and recommended a purpose section, and the committee discussed whether the fund would be self-sustaining and noted a possible amendment to change membership language and reduce the board size if the amendment moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I mean, we could put language in that has qualifications like that. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me,
• could put language in that >> I mean, we could put language in that has<00:36:11.200> qualifications
• has qualifications like that. has qualifications like that.

Bills: HB1769

Keywords: criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, private prisons, racial equity, Native Hawaiians, community well-being, mass incarceration, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want anybody just coming because they have some kind of qualification.
• coming because they have some<00:21:03.840> kind<00:21:04.080> of<00:21:04.400> qualification
• <00:21:05.440> We<00:21:05.760> select some kind of qualification.
• We select some kind of qualification.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you're going through that, I also have the minimum qualifications for that position, and it's
• the that and then I also have the that and then I also have the minimum<01:39:38.960> qualifications
• <01:39:39.840> for<01:39:40.159> that<01:39:40.320> position minimum qualifications
• for that position minimum qualifications for that position and<01:39:41.199> it's<01:39:41.440

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dealers and is also contained in the governor's bill and as a House-only provision that relates to qualification
• 58.640> to<00:41:59.119> um provision that relates to um provision that relates to um qualification
• <00:42:00.240> requirements<00:42:00.880> for<00:42:01.599> um qualification requirements
• for um qualification requirements for um obtaining<00:42:02.160> a<00:42:02.319> dealer's<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• believe, I don't know that there are any federal vaccine standards for transplant patients for qualifications
• Well, what it does is it makes sure that that delegation is strengthened, and the qualifications of who
• Our understanding of their training, qualifications, and experience.
• their qualifications for doing what they do, which they're doing apparently.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• review opportunity arises, DEED puts out an application to community reviewers and asks them for qualifications
• 00:07:11.280> asks<00:07:11.520> them<00:07:11.759> for<00:07:12.199> qualifications
• <00:07:13.199> and<00:07:13.440> why and asks them for qualifications and why and asks
• them for qualifications and why they're<00:07:14.000> interested<00:07:14.319> in<00:07

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Many have challenged my priorities and qualifications to sit on the school board.
• priorities<00:07:24.880> and challenged my priorities and challenged my priorities and qualifications
• 26.080> sit<00:07:26.240> on<00:07:26.400> the<00:07:26.560> school qualifications
• to sit on the school qualifications to sit on the school board.<00:07:27.360> Many.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• first exhaust that list, and then they can, in D 5.31, appoint any other individuals who meet the qualifications
• individuals who um appoint any uh other individuals who meet<01:21:55.800> the<01:21:55.920> qualifications
• c> to<01:21:56.760> serve<01:21:57.000> as<01:21:57.120> an meet the qualifications
• to serve as an meet the qualifications to serve as an election<01:21:57.600> judge<01:21:57.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He could not be the academic director because he did not have the requisite minimum qualifications in
• minimum requisite um U desired qual in minimum requisite um U desired qual in minimum qualifications
• 29.280> in<00:04:29.400> terms<00:04:29.880> of<00:04:30.720> academic qualifications
• in terms of academic qualifications in terms of academic credentials<00:04:32.320> uh<00:04:32.560

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of center around very common themes, whether that be environmental standards, supervision qualifications
• be environmental standards um be environmental standards um supervision<00:49:25.559> qualifications
• <00:49:26.559> and<00:49:26.720> and<00:49:26.799> then supervision qualifications
• and and then supervision qualifications and and then tried<00:49:27.119> to<00:49:27.280>

Keywords: 1183, house