Transcript Highlights:

• :14:07.279><c> have</c><00:14:07.399><c> a</c><00:14:07.560><c> bad</c> date date date yes<00:14:13.360
• ><c> yes</c><00:14:14.199><c> and</c><00:14:14.320><c> it</c><00:14:14.440><c> does</c><00:14:14.600>
• ><c> concerns</c><00:14:17.880><c> if</c><00:14:18.000><c> not</c><00:14:18.199><c> sen</c><00:14:18.560
• <00:14:34.320><c> this</c><00:14:34.959><c> mental</c><00:14:35.240><c> health</c><00:14:35.440><c> Bill
• clarifies an<00:14:37.199><c> does</c><00:14:37.320><c> a</c><00:14:37.600><c> a</c><00:14:37.720><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:13.839><c> Recommendation</c><00:14:14.480><c> is</c><00:14:14.639><c> to</c><00:14:14.800
• Next<00:14:22.720><c> item,</c><00:14:23.120><c> House</c><00:14:23.360><c> Bill</c><00:14:23.600><c>
• Recommendation<00:14:24.959><c> is</c><00:14:25.199><c> to</c><00:14:25.360><c> pass</c><00:14:25.600
• Recommendation<00:14:35.279><c> is</c><00:14:35.440><c> to</c><00:14:35.600><c> pass</c><00:14:35.760
• :38.160><c> date</c><00:14:38.320><c> to</c><00:14:38.600><c> 2050</c><00:14:39.600><c> and</c><00:14

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a long decision-making agenda on numerous House bills, largely in the tax, appropriations, public safety, agriculture, and land-use areas. Early action included HB 476, which passed with amendments after discussion of tax impacts and a committee report change; HB 796 also passed with amendments to protect several individual income tax credits from the bill’s effect. Other measures were advanced with amendments or without changes, including HB 1059, HB 1145, HB 1173, HB 1439, HB 800, HB 934, HB 990, HB 101, HB 106, and a series of bills in the 1026–1055 range, many of which were passed unamended or with technical/effective-date changes. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1147, HB 807, and later items on the agenda. The committee also approved a number of policy and agency-structure changes. HB 430 was amended to create or expand an internship/workforce development program with reporting requirements; HB 505 and HB 506 were amended to adjust appropriations and FTEs; HB 774 added an appropriation section for two FTEs; HB 1052 limited use of universal service fund money; HB 1296 shifted a reporting requirement from BNF to the Department of Defense; and HB 1064 moved the State Fire Council and Fire Marshal Selection Commission to the Department of Law Enforcement and set the fire marshal salary. HB 427 made major biosecurity-related changes, including moving the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity in 2026 and adding new appropriations. HB 830 was amended to allow third-party historic preservation reviewers under ethics and conflict rules, with a two-year sunset and committee-report comments on vacancies. Public safety and regulatory bills also moved forward. HB 302 on cannabis drew opposition from Senator Awa, who said it would shut down a medical provider in his district; the bill nevertheless passed with amendments adding criminal penalties, enforcement authority, and a 2027 effective date for cultivator licenses. HB 306 on water code penalties passed unamended, HB 860 on liability for road resurfacing passed with amendments to limit liability to the work actually performed and eliminate joint and several liability, and HB 141 on public land leases passed with technical amendments. HB 1159 establishing a commercial harbor emergency evacuation working group passed as is, and HB 1482 on hemp passed with amendments exempting existing permit holders and certain retailers, aligning THC limits, and setting a far-future effective date. Most votes were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on specific measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam<00:14:24.560><c> Speaker,</c><00:14:24.880><c> 44</c><00:14:25.360><c> members</c><00:14:25.680
• Madam Speaker, may<00:14:33.279><c> this</c><00:14:33.519><c> matter</c><00:14:33.839><c> be</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:38.399><c> Clerk,</c><00:14:38.880><c> are</c><00:14:39.040><c> there</c><00:14:39.199><c>
• Item<00:14:43.600><c> number</c><00:14:43.839><c> four,</c><00:14:44.160><c> Senate</c><00:14:44.560>
• Mr.<00:14:45.760><c> Clerk,</c><00:14:46.079><c> are</c><00:14:46.240><c> there</c><00:14:46.399><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you got<00:14:32.120><c> State</c><00:14:32.360><c> you</c><00:14:32.480><c> got</c><00:14:32.680><c
• ><c> enough</c><00:14:35.639><c> manpower</c><00:14:36.160><c> you</c><00:14:36.279><c> guys</c><00:14
• some<00:14:38.199><c> metrics</c><00:14:38.519><c> and</c><00:14:38.639><c> audits</c><00:14:39.000>
• ><00:14:54.279><c> be</c><00:14:54.519><c> proactive</c><00:14:55.000><c> utilizing</c><00:14:55.399>
• <00:14:57.920><c> and</c><00:14:58.160><c> senators</c><00:14:59.399><c> like</c><00:14:59.720><c> uh

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint AEN-PSM hearing on February 7, 2025 focused primarily on three agriculture-related measures and one animal welfare bill, with additional discussion of pesticide drift monitoring, coffee labeling, and a gas-pump labeling bill. SB 762 would create an Agricultural Crimes Council and authorize agricultural crime investigators; testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and several members of the public was generally supportive, with repeated calls for stronger enforcement, community involvement, and in some cases allowing investigators to be armed. Some testifiers also urged changes to the appointment process for council members, preferring neighborhood boards or local officials over gubernatorial appointments. The committee discussed combining related agricultural crime bills and noted concerns about investigator safety in remote areas. SB 763 would establish an agriculture enforcement program within the Department of Law Enforcement and a special fund. Testimony was strongly supportive from state agencies and farm groups, with speakers emphasizing the need for more effective response to agricultural theft, poaching, and related crimes. Several public testifiers linked the bill to broader community safety and asked for clearer funding, training, coordination, performance metrics, and technology use. The committee also heard SB 1022, which would prohibit leaving pets in dangerous conditions in vehicles and allow officers, firefighters, animal control, and in some cases private citizens to rescue animals; the Attorney General said existing cruelty statutes may already cover the conduct and suggested amendments, while HPD opposed the bill. Members asked about liability for rescuers and whether the proposal might affect property-crime enforcement. The committee also heard SB 1304 on pesticide drift monitoring funding, with the Department of Agriculture supporting the measure and explaining it was needed to complete a required project under an EPA-related agreement. A Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action representative raised concerns about the methodology of prior studies, and a public testifier described a recent odor incident near a roadway and school. SB 1015, requiring labels on gas dispensing equipment warning about fossil fuel impacts, drew support from the Department of Agriculture and the Public Utilities Commission but opposition from the Hawaii Energy Marketers Association. SB 500 on coffee labeling and regional origin was also heard, with the Department of Agriculture in support. In decision-making, the committees adopted recommendations to pass SB 762 with amendments, SB 763 with amendments, SB 1022 with technical amendments, SB 1304 with technical amendments, and SB 1015 as is; SB 500 was not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:16.959><c> already</c><00:14:17.199><c> a</c><00:14:17.279><c> sentence</c><00:14:17.680><
• </c><00:14:23.560><c> the</c><00:14:23.639><c> current</c><00:14:23.920><c> statute</c><00:14:24.440>
• :14:32.199><c> these</c><00:14:32.399><c> things</c><00:14:32.839><c> um</c><00:14:33.160><c> the</c>
• issue</c><00:14:33.800><c> is</c><00:14:34.240><c> the</c><00:14:34.880><c> the</c><00:14:35.000><c>
• </c><00:14:41.240><c> under</c><00:14:41.440><c> aeny</c><00:14:42.000><c> under</c><00:14:42.199><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on January 29, 2025, and first took up deferred SB 259 on record keeping. The chair said Honu Police Department had submitted support, and the committee recommended passage with amendments, including a technical change to the effective date on page 4, line 6 to July 1, 2077. Vice Chair Elefante voted yes; Senators Fevella and Rhoads were excused; the recommendation was adopted. The committee then heard SB 603 and SB 608, both relating to veterans benefits consulting and compensation. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to address First Amendment, Contracts Clause, and savings-clause issues, and testimony was mixed, with several supporters from veterans-related organizations and several opponents, including some testifiers from the public and industry groups. The committee later adopted chair recommendations to pass both bills with amendments, including preambles about protecting veteran consumers from misleading or unfair practices, savings clauses, and effective-date changes to July 1, 2077. SB 601, relating to law enforcement search notices and securing entrances, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender and a private citizen who described the bill as a response to warrantless searches and a transparency measure; there was also opposition from Maui County police and one other testifier. The committee then moved to SB 871 on arson, where the Department of the Attorney General raised drafting and constitutional concerns and the Public Defender opposed the measure as vague, overbroad, and creating problematic sentencing provisions, while HPD supported it as a public-safety tool. The chair ultimately recommended SB 871 pass with amendments softening mandatory language, adding parole language, and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077; the recommendation was adopted. The final measures were SB 1130, exempting certain construction rebuilding materials from general excise tax in federally declared disaster areas, and SB 104, restricting solitary confinement in correctional facilities. The Department of Taxation requested third-party certification and a later effective date, and the committee adopted amendments reflecting those requests and moving the effective date to January 1, 2026. On SB 104, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed the bill, citing staff assaults and existing policy updates, while the Oversight Commission, Public Defender, and multiple advocates supported it as a safeguard with oversight and due process protections. The committee passed SB 104 with amendments, including adopting the commission’s definition language, changing terminology to “restrictive housing,” and setting the effective date to July 1, 2077.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:14.000><c> the</c><00:14:14.120><c> fiscal</c><00:14:14.399><c> ANS</c><00:14:14.680><c> who</c><
• ><c> to</c><00:14:21.079><c> that</c><00:14:21.279><c> note</c><00:14:21.600><c> and</c><00:14:21.720
• note and so no one<00:14:22.279><c> else</c><00:14:22.440><c> can</c><00:14:22.560><c> see</c><00:14
• it</c><00:14:30.199><c> goes</c><00:14:30.519><c> just</c><00:14:30.680><c> to</c><00:14:30.880><c>
• c><00:14:34.000><c> and</c><00:14:34.120><c> that's</c><00:14:34.320><c> as</c><00:14:34.480><c> far<

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:14:02.480><c> 27</c><00:14:02.959><c> for</c><00:14:03.199><c> cities,</c><00:14:03.600><c> J</c><
• </c><00:14:10.079><c> I'</c><00:14:10.320><c> I'd</c><00:14:10.639><c> like</c><00:14:10.800><c> to</
• c><00:14:11.040><c> put</c><00:14:11.600><c> uh</c><00:14:12.079><c> take</c><00:14:12.240><c> a</c>
• </c><00:14:15.199><c> Ju</c><00:14:15.360><c> just</c><00:14:15.680><c> want</c><00:14:15.760><c> to<
• </c><00:14:25.279><c> So</c><00:14:25.600><c> you'd</c><00:14:25.920><c> be</c><00:14:26.240><c> add<

Committee: Joint Government Structure

Keywords: Government Structure - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:05.680><c> throughout</c><00:14:06.079><c> the</c><00:14:06.240><c> entire</c><00:14:06.399><c
• :14.000><c> do</c><00:14:14.160><c> want</c><00:14:14.240><c> to</c><00:14:14.399><c> take</c><00:14:
• ><c> uh</c><00:14:16.160><c> staff</c><00:14:16.720><c> uh</c><00:14:17.040><c> from</c><00:14:17.279
• c> sneeze</c><00:14:22.480><c> on</c><00:14:22.639><c> me</c><00:14:22.800><c> at</c><00:14:22.959><c
• Chair, there are 14 ayes and 14 nays. With 14 ayes and 14 nays, the motion does not prevail.

Bills: HF2433 , HF2434

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:14:00.640><c> so</c><00:14:00.960><c> I</c><00:14:01.320><c> I</c><00:14:01.440><c> am</c><00:14
• And<00:14:10.680><c> I</c><00:14:10.800><c> had</c><00:14:10.960><c> a</c><00:14:11.000><c> question<
• I was I was<00:14:12.200><c> glad</c><00:14:12.520><c> to</c><00:14:12.600><c> hear</c><00:14:12.760>
• <c> you</c><00:14:12.880><c> say</c><00:14:13.200><c> that</c><00:14:13.520><c> with</c><00:14:13.720
• Um<00:14:29.079><c> and</c><00:14:29.240><c> I</c><00:14:29.520><c> I</c><00:14:29.640><c> wondered</

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . and a<00:14:03.760><c> lot</c><00:14:03.920><c> of</c><00:14:04.079><c> people</c><00:14:04.320><c>
• came</c><00:14:04.560><c> up</c><00:14:04.720><c> and</c><00:14:04.959><c> said</c><00:14:05.120><c>
• :14:08.480><c> different</c><00:14:08.720><c> worlds</c><00:14:09.399><c> sometimes,</c><00:14:10.399
• ><c> two</c><00:14:21.760><c> and</c><00:14:22.000><c> we</c><00:14:22.240><c> still</c><00:14:22.560
• </c><00:14:26.079><c> We</c><00:14:26.320><c> work</c><00:14:26.680><c> together</c><00:14:27.680><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.560><c> want</c><00:14:00.639><c> to</c><00:14:00.720><c> put</c><00:14:00.880><c> food</c><00:14
• c> we</c><00:14:07.040><c> can</c><00:14:07.600><c> do</c><00:14:07.959><c> this,</c><00:14:08.959><c
• ><c> that</c><00:14:20.639><c> we</c><00:14:20.800><c> can</c><00:14:20.959><c> use</c><00:14:21.199>
• </c><00:14:35.360><c> Uh</c><00:14:36.240><c> we've</c><00:14:36.639><c> got</c><00:14:37.120><c> uh<
• Uh<00:14:41.760><c> and</c><00:14:42.079><c> I've</c><00:14:42.480><c> got</c><00:14:42.959><c> an</c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• trends or needs<00:14:19.040><c> are</c><00:14:19.199><c> you</c><00:14:19.440><c> hearing</c><00:14
• ><c> hear</c><00:14:22.720><c> um</c><00:14:22.959><c> not</c><00:14:23.120><c> just</c><00:14:23.279
• ><c> commercial</c><00:14:24.079><c> side,</c><00:14:24.399><c> but</c><00:14:24.639><c> on</c><00:14
• So, I've<00:14:29.839><c> had</c><00:14:30.240><c> uh</c><00:14:30.399><c> many</c><00:14:30.639><c>
• So, if you<00:14:36.320><c> have</c><00:14:36.399><c> a</c><00:14:36.639><c> small</c><00:14:36.880><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:14:12.079><c> safety</c><00:14:12.440><c> net</c><00:14:13.000><c> through</c><00:14:13.320><c> UI
• <c> time</c><00:14:15.240><c> current</c><00:14:15.839><c> UI</c><00:14:16.199><c> law</c><00:14:16.480
• c><00:14:29.360><c> fault</c><00:14:29.639><c> principle</c><00:14:30.360><c> and</c><00:14:30.560><c
• recent pressure<00:14:44.480><c> on</c><00:14:44.600><c> our</c><00:14:44.759><c> UI</c><00:14:45.079
• 14:58.759><c> in</c><00:14:58.880><c> line</c><00:14:59.040><c> liabilities</c><00:14:59.519><c> on</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:03.000><c> the</c><00:14:03.120><c> same</c><00:14:03.360><c> things</c><00:14:03.560><c>
• </c><00:14:10.839><c> because</c><00:14:11.000><c> I</c><00:14:11.160><c> believe</c><00:14:11.440><c
• :11.880><c> I</c><00:14:12.040><c> have</c><00:14:12.160><c> a</c><00:14:12.360><c> private</c><00:14
• :14:25.600><c> he</c><00:14:26.399><c> not</c><00:14:26.560><c> just</c><00:14:26.680><c> the</c><00:
• uh</c><00:14:34.199><c> thank</c><00:14:34.360><c> you</c><00:14:34.480><c> for</c><00:14:34.680><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting, established a quorum, welcomed new members and guests, and announced that committee rules would be sent out later. The committee then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase the penalty for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation of the same protective order could be charged as a Class D felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor. The substitute was adopted by voice vote. Representative Tipton said the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with repeated abuse and violations of protective orders, and he argued the change was needed to better protect the public. Maryanne Pratt testified in support of the bill, describing a long history of domestic violence, repeated violations of protective orders, stalking through calls and social media, and her fear for her safety. Several members expressed support and praised her courage. Questions focused on whether the bill would cover social media contact and on the committee substitute’s language requiring the same victim and same order. Representative Burke raised concern that the same-victim language could allow an abuser to victimize multiple partners without triggering the felony provision. Tipton said the original bill was broader, that the change was added because of concerns about reverse protective orders, and that the issue might be revisited in the Senate. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said the bill addressed some concerns but warned that the third-offense trigger could be based on technical contempt findings rather than violent conduct, and he noted that stalking already can be charged as a felony in some cases. The discussion continued on those concerns, but no final action on the bill beyond adoption of the committee substitute was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:06.240><c> of</c><00:14:06.399><c> the</c><00:14:06.560><c> procurements</c><00:14:07.199>
• ><c> and</c><00:14:09.600><c> as</c><00:14:09.760><c> well</c><00:14:09.920><c> as</c><00:14:10.320><
• I just<00:14:12.720><c> can't</c><00:14:13.040><c> do</c><00:14:13.199><c> that</c><00:14:13.519><c>
• </c><00:14:21.600><c> Um,</c><00:14:21.839><c> I</c><00:14:22.000><c> know</c><00:14:22.079><c> that<
• So, um, in terms<00:14:45.360><c> of</c><00:14:45.519><c> the</c><00:14:46.240><c> future,</c><00:14:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 20, 2026, first approving the minutes and then adopting the consent calendar as amended, with item 26045 removed for separate consideration. The committee then heard item 26045 from the Department of Health and Human Services on the Real Health Transformation Grant for Go North. HHS explained that the first-year award is $204 million, with most funds passed through to Go North and only limited administrative and audit costs retained by HHS. Members asked about staffing, procurement, the program’s spending plan, and whether future grant amounts would be fixed. HHS said Go North will administer the grants, staffing is expected to be about 20 positions, procurements will be competitive, and future awards will depend on federal review of performance and spending. The commissioner said the money is intended to create transformative changes that must be sustainable after the grant period. The committee then approved the item. The committee next took up regular calendar item 26041 from HHS and adopted it without discussion. It also approved two adjusted items on tab 11, FIS26028 and FIS26029. Item 26027 from the Department of Transportation was adopted as well. Item 26034 from the Department of Corrections was withdrawn, and members noted that any request for new overtime money would be closely scrutinized, especially given the tight budget and the need to explain how existing salary funds were being used. Committee staff said they would follow up with Corrections on vacancy rates, available funds, and other class lines and provide answers to the committee. The committee then received audit presentations on the state’s college savings plans, including the Unique College Investing Plan and the Fidelity Advisor 529 Plan. Auditors reported clean opinions, no material weaknesses, no audit adjustments, and no unadjusted items requiring reporting. The State Treasurer said the plans are performing well, now total more than $32 billion in assets under management, and are expected to generate about $20 million in revenue this year, with the proceeds supporting scholarship programs for low-income students. The committee placed the audits on file and released them in the usual manner. In other business, members set the next Fiscal Committee meeting for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Krista<00:14:03.360><c> Hamilton,</c><00:14:04.520><c> I'm</c><00:14:04.720><c> the</c><00:14
• We<00:14:12.040><c> have</c><00:14:12.120><c> a</c><00:14:12.160><c> motion</c><00:14:12.640><c> and<
• Seeing<00:14:18.360><c> none,</c><00:14:18.560><c> please</c><00:14:18.800><c> call</c><00:14:18.920>
• This<00:14:31.720><c> regulation</c><00:14:32.280><c> has</c><00:14:32.400><c> staff</c><00:14:32.680
• 5595 amends<00:14:37.960><c> to</c><00:14:38.080><c> add</c><00:14:38.240><c> electronic</c><00:14:38.839

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:03.400><c> So</c><00:14:03.640><c> we</c><00:14:03.840><c> have</c><00:14:04.080><c> six</
• 14:05.920><c> two</c><00:14:06.160><c> of</c><00:14:06.400><c> each.
• And<00:14:11.160><c> so</c><00:14:11.360><c> if</c><00:14:11.520><c> these</c><00:14:11.880><c> folks
• are</c><00:14:16.720><c> we</c><00:14:16.880><c> using</c><00:14:17.200><c> the</c><00:14:17.280><c>
• </c> Cuz<00:14:21.600><c> they're</c><00:14:21.760><c> canvassing</c><00:14:22.240><c> the</c><00:14:

Bills: HB91 , HB95 , HB255 , HB318 , HB91 , HB95 , HB255 , HB318

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: county housing authority, public housing, housing authority, affordable housing, low-income housing, mixed-use development, community facilities, subsidiary, affiliate, public corporation, municipal tax exemption, deed tax, mortgage tax, probate fee, bond financing, housing project, urban redevelopment, rural housing, public-private partnership, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:08.240><c> the</c><00:14:08.480><c> clerk</c><00:14:08.959><c> will</c><00:14:09.360><c> take
• With<00:14:12.160><c> 44</c><00:14:12.880><c> uh</c><00:14:13.040><c> votes</c><00:14:13.279><c> in</
• </c><00:14:20.399><c> Uh</c><00:14:20.639><c> we've</c><00:14:20.959><c> got</c><00:14:21.360><c> uh<
• </c><00:14:23.600><c> Um</c><00:14:24.240><c> it's</c><00:14:24.480><c> going</c><00:14:24.560><c> to
• :14:45.279><c> then</c><00:14:45.440><c> private</c><00:14:45.839><c> passenger</c><00:14:46.240><c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 22, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.<00:14:18.560><c> So,</c><00:14:18.800><c> we</c><00:14:19.040><c> will</c><00:14:19.279><c
• </c><00:14:26.320><c> You're</c><00:14:26.560><c> going</c><00:14:26.639><c> to</c><00:14:26.720><c>
• And I'll let you<00:14:34.560><c> speak</c><00:14:34.720><c> to</c><00:14:34.959><c> what's</c><00:14
• .<00:14:37.279><c> Give</c><00:14:37.600><c> everybody</c><00:14:38.320><c> some</c><00:14:38.560><c>
• </c><00:14:44.480><c> So,</c><00:14:44.639><c> you'll</c><00:14:44.800><c> see</c><00:14:44.959><c> a

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• been overrun<00:14:29.560><c> or</c><00:14:29.720><c> are</c><00:14:29.959><c> completely</c><00:14:
• </c><00:14:33.720><c> local</c><00:14:34.040><c> control</c><00:14:34.480><c> has</c><00:14:34.759><c
• ><00:14:42.680><c> of</c><00:14:42.920><c> dollars</c><00:14:43.839><c> um</c><00:14:44.040><c> that<
• c> going</c><00:14:44.519><c> to</c><00:14:44.759><c> this</c><00:14:45.160><c> um</c><00:14:45.360><
• </c><00:14:47.600><c> and</c><00:14:47.920><c> as</c><00:14:48.240><c> it</c><00:14:48.360><c> was</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republicans held a press event to announce two priority bills focused on immigration and state spending. Rep. Isaac Schultz said his bill, House File 10, would stop taxpayer funding for people in Minnesota illegally, including through programs such as Northstar Promise, MinnesotaCare, medical assistance, and legal services. He framed the proposal as a way to redirect limited state resources to Minnesota families, veterans, people with disabilities, the homeless, and infrastructure needs, and said it could save more than $100 million, with some estimates discussed during debate reaching about $200 million for MinnesotaCare alone. Rep. Max Rymer introduced House File 16, which would require reporting to ICE or other federal immigration authorities when an undocumented immigrant is suspected of committing a violent crime, and would bar local governments from withholding information from federal authorities. He said the bill is intended to end sanctuary-city practices and improve public safety. Both lawmakers argued that the measures are narrow, targeted at violent offenders, and consistent with cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. They also said the bills respond to voter concerns about illegal immigration and rising costs. During questions, the members said the state-funding bill is aimed at state dollars, while the reporting bill complements federal law by addressing local noncooperation. They discussed concerns about eligibility tracking and said current programs do not provide enough data on how many undocumented people receive benefits. Schultz cited a family in his district that lost MinnesotaCare after an income change as an example of what he sees as unfair treatment compared with benefits for undocumented immigrants. No votes were taken at the event; the lawmakers said these are the first of several bills they plan to advance this session.