Transcript Highlights:

• > those<00:07:11.919> carrying training that we provide those carrying training that we
• So resources matter, training months.
• looking at training um training up our looking at training um training up our detectives.<01:03:
• So they have kind of trained guys.
• So they have kind of trained program?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies. Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:55.120> in receiving on the job training in receiving on the job training in addition
• So think about on the job training.
• <00:29:11.679> every I'm not talking about training every I'm not talking about training every
• We trained a few teachers this year, and we're continuing to train them and other teachers.
• have gone through our code.org training have gone through our code.org training for<00:33:29.600

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:25 Approval of Minutes – 3-50 2025 RS SB 253 – 4:25 Computer Science and AI Literacy – 27:36 Fayette County School District Budget Update – 51:46 Adjournment – 2:09:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession. Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered. Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:07:36.800> in teachers have already been trained in teachers have already been trained
• said, "Well, no, she's not trained. said, "Well, no, she's not trained.
• <04:21:54.000> are teachers that they are training are teachers that they are training are
• training would be more useful? training would be more useful?
• Um but yes I I think and training.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1331, which would allow the town of Derry to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment. The prime sponsor and several supporters argued the change would increase local control, streamline overlapping town and school functions, and potentially help align school spending with Derry’s tax cap. Supporters also said Derry is large enough to warrant a structure more like Manchester or Nashua, and one witness cited a 2018 nonbinding Derry ballot question that passed 597 to 547 in favor of seeking authorization for this change. Opposition came from NEA New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle, who said the association and the Derry Education Association opposed the bill because schools are not simply another municipal department and because Derry voters had already rejected merging the district into town government. She argued the state should respect local control and the community’s prior decision. Committee members asked about the scope of the proposed charter change, the role of the school board, and the reported prior vote, and the sponsor clarified that the amendment would be limited to this specific purpose rather than opening the entire charter. The hearing then moved to House Bill 1374, which would change the procedures for withdrawing from a cooperative school district. Representative Mary Murphy said current law gives other cooperative towns too much control over a withdrawing town’s decision, and her bill would remove the requirement for approval by the other towns while raising the withdrawing town’s approval threshold to a supermajority. She pointed to Francis Town’s 2024 withdrawal vote and said the bill was intended to protect students and local decision-making. The sponsor asked for an ought to pass recommendation, and committee members asked follow-up questions about the prior withdrawal vote and the number of voters involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to become a librarian, an individual receives years of training and typically holds master's
• This bill ensures that trained library professionals can do their jobs, free from political pressure,
• They jumped into action because that's what they were trained to do. They followed their training.
• Negligence can be contained with enforcement; incompetence curtailed with training. Thank you.
• Due diligence is reinforced in our training academies and in our union halls every day.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, adoption of several congratulatory resolutions, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee. It then took up a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (H. 5393 / H. 5493), which Ways and Means reported at about $227.3 million for items including snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and technical changes related to lottery revenue and other outside sections. The bill was advanced through second and third reading and later passed to be engrossed after a roll call vote. The chamber also passed to engrossment a land transfer bill for the Town of Marion (H. 5388) and a Bolton alcohol licensing bill (S. 2628, as amended). The House also enacted two local bills: one further regulating special meetings of the Holyoke City Council and one amending the charter of the town of Reading. A major floor debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which was framed by supporters as a response to book challenges and censorship in public and school libraries. Supporters, including Representatives Garballey and Moran, argued the bill would protect librarians, require reporting of book challenges, preserve age-appropriate access to materials, and keep challenged books on shelves during review; opponents raised concerns about parental rights and local control. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including one that would have removed a criminal-law protection for librarians and educators, and another that would have shifted school review authority more directly to elected school committees. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and another narrowing who may initiate certain complaints to parents or guardians of a student in the school. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a large roll call vote. The House also debated and passed H. 5491 / S. 1646, implementing recommendations of the Walsh Kennedy Commission on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Supporters said the bill would require certification for hot work, strengthen penalties for repeated or reckless violations, and improve public notification and enforcement to prevent future tragedies; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously or near-unanimously after roll call. In addition, the chamber advanced a local land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path in Billerica and a bill concerning ownership and maintenance of culverts and dams in Town Line Brook and Lindenbrook. The session included several recesses, quorum checks, and recognition of guests, including Danvers High School graduates, a former state representative, and WGBH representatives for Public Media Awareness Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• program. ...applications have no approved apprenticeship training program.
• We already have our own training program. It's approved by the feds. We pay for it ourselves.
• We already have our own training program. It's approved by the feds. We pay for it ourselves.
• Under the Public Works Apprentice Training Act, employers who are engaged in public works construction
• Have you done an analysis with the workforce training groups?

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone is trained in incident command.
• So this would be an example of a reason why we have to have people who are trained, well-trained, to
• Nothing in your initial training, or my initial training, or your initial training told us what the other
• That wasn't part of our training. We were trained in our discipline.
• We learned that through on-the-job training.

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are trained to recognize bruises that don't make sense, sudden behavioral changes, signs of neglect
• Several of them already do science of reading training, so we've decided to allow it to be permissive
• for now as they report to the state on what kind of training they are offering to their teachers.
• President, I urge adoption. ...of reading training back to being permissive.
• for now as they report to the state on what kind of training they are offering to their teachers.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have on the agenda today SB 3173 relating to cultural education, which establishes a cultural training
• The bill establishes a cultural training pilot program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources
• Requiring cultural training<00:02:14.160> should<00:02:14.400> be<00:02:14.480> the<
• should be the very least we ask training should be the very least we ask of<00:02:16.000> those
• Uh in most cases it's I training is.

Bills: SB2596, SB3002, SB3067

Keywords: government leases, state entities, real property, affordable leasing, budget impact, green infrastructure, urban development, sustainability, environment, climate change, public health, Hawaii State Planning Act, land records, registration, surveys, subdivision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• examiners to be out and be really train examiners to be out and be independent<00:06:33.600> on
• He is morphing into a training overall training type director at our department.
• He is morphing into a training<00:17:57.440> overall<00:17:57.919> training<00:17:58.640
• > type<00:17:59.039> director training overall training type director training overall
• training type director at<00:17:59.679> our<00:17:59.840> department.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Genetic counselors are highly trained health care professionals who have very specialized education in
• It also trains how you respond during an active assailant incident.
• How will mixing in armed, somewhat trained civilians affect their response?
• This is communication between highly trained law enforcement agents.
• The students will have to go through training on this before they can actually go to school.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go through training, have an apprenticeship, take a test.
• So that's what we're trained. And so that's back into our lane. Quite simply.
• It's it's really just a case of who should be doing the work, who's trained to do the work.
• So that's what we're really trained on. That's what we're dialed in recognizing.
• They're not required to do any of that training.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor DeSantis remains committed to ensuring that Florida continues to meet the demand for trained
• Governor DeSantis remains committed to ensuring that Florida continues to meet the demand for trained
• person, or would campus police officers now be trained to handle this?
• My vision for the school is primarily to train and retain the talent here in Northwest Florida.
• My vision for the school is primarily to train and retain the talent here in Northwest Florida.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities. Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines. The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Court of Criminal Appeals, we have a cost out adjustment for the judicial and court personal training
• Number four, firefighter training was adopted at $400,000.
• Item number 32 is the Office of the Inspector General's third priority facility safety and training.
• Number 34, the Office of the Independent Ombudsman. training funding was adopted at $30,000.
• The work group had one revision in addition, adding a writer for federal firearm reporting training for

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of workforce development, that was one piece: strengthening dementia training care standards
• Workforce training would kind of fall under that.
• There are not enough trained people. And that issue is what we're hearing nationwide.
• I think we can train APNs.
• Bunch has a new nursing school where they're doing some workforce training.

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met with legislative members and agency, advocacy, and provider representatives present. The council adopted its rules and procedures, approved the prior meeting minutes, and authorized the co-chairs to approve special expenses. Members then heard an extensive update on the state Alzheimer’s plan and current developments in diagnosis, treatment, research, caregiving, and workforce issues. David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association described major changes since the first state plan, including the growth of blood-based biomarkers, broader access to amyloid PET scans, and the availability of disease-slowing treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla. He emphasized that Arkansas still faces major barriers in rural areas, including limited provider awareness, insurance coverage concerns, shortages of specialists, and long wait times for memory care and infusion services. He also highlighted caregiver burden, the need for better education and care navigation, and new efforts such as a dementia resource center pilot with UAMS, respite grants, and workforce training. Members discussed the importance of public education on brain health, diet, exercise, and risk reduction, as well as the need to collaborate with chronic disease partners and improve outreach to primary care providers. The council approved four proposed focus areas for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction, brain health, early detection and diagnosis; strengthening family caregiver support; improving access to diagnostics and treatment; and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce training and crisis response. Members also discussed possible legislative or statutory changes to keep the council active and engaged, and they agreed to pursue a future meeting in August, tentatively August 12 in Hot Springs, with additional meetings under consideration for later in the month. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, Senate Bill 1424 requires age-appropriate training on how to respond to firearms.
• In fact, Senate Bill 1424 requires age-appropriate training on how to respond to firearms.
• Chairman, this bill would provide training and guidance on appropriate actions if a student encounters
• Training kids in an age-appropriate manner on what to do with firearms if they see them: go and talk
• But is it controversial to train kids on going to tell an adult if they see a firearm?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and approval of the journal. Members then adopted motions to extend the second regular session, suspend the seven-bill limit for budget-related measures, and request the Senate return SB 1786 (Artificial Intelligence Content Verification) for reconsideration. The House also moved into Committee of the Whole to consider calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members advanced SB 1057 with a do-pass recommendation. SB 1171, dealing with health and human services, was amended on the floor amid discussion of fingerprinting and fraud prevention, with supporters saying it would help address Medicaid fraud and improve accountability; it was then recommended do pass as amended. SB 1424, an education bill requiring age-appropriate firearm safety instruction and guidance on safe storage, drew extended debate. Supporters framed it as common-sense gun safety and child protection, while opponents argued it was an unfunded mandate, infringed on parents’ rights, and diverted attention from core academics. A proposed Gutierrez floor amendment to shift the focus toward secure storage responsibility was rejected by division vote, 23-31, and the bill was then recommended do pass. SB 1515, concerning public safety pay, was amended to create a public safety parity fund using rainy day fund interest and was recommended do pass as amended. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, SB 1171, SB 1424, and SB 1515 were deferred to engrossing, SB 1178 was retained on the calendar, and SB 1057 was placed on third reading. The House then held an additional Committee of the Whole on SB 1552, adopted a minor floor amendment, and recommended the bill do pass as amended. On third reading, SB 1021 failed 22-35, while SB 1215, SB 1345, SB 1456, and SB 1493 all passed. The House also received several appropriations bills on first reading and adjourned until Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after announcing a special Joint Appropriations Committee hearing for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advisors include physicians who have completed residency training and individuals licensed to practice
• and additional training at least quarterly.
• It also sets forth the topics that the training must cover.
• and additional training at least quarterly.
• It sets forth the topics that the training must cover.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the March 5, 2026 minutes, and then took up several health- and human-services-related bills. House Bill 5086, concerning peer support programs for covered caregivers, was explained as creating training and testimonial privilege protections; the committee adopted an amendment clarifying that boards may still require participation in a board-designated professional health program, and then reported the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. House Bill 5004, an educational bill on PANS and PANDAS, was supported by the sponsor, who described his family’s experience and the importance of earlier diagnosis; it was reported to the Senate without amendment. House Bill 5327, which would require the Department of Human Services to create an ALS services program, also received supportive testimony from the sponsor and members, but the transcript reflects the bill being reported as House Bill 537; it was moved forward without amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 5096, which would remove personal care and intellectual/developmental disability waiver services from certificate-of-need review. The sponsor argued the change would reduce regulatory burden and expand access, while a county aging-program director testified that certificate-of-need revenues help fund senior meals and services and that eliminating the requirement would reduce important support for aging providers. After a division vote, the motion to report the bill failed 3-9. House Bill 4695, allowing PEIA patients to switch to an alternative medically appropriate covered treatment without new prior authorization if it costs no more than the original treatment, was explained as carrying an estimated $13 million annual cost to PEIA and was reported to the Senate. The committee also advanced House Bill 5582, enacting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, after discussion of a committee amendment removing a new-background-check-at-initial-licensure provision; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported. Another House Bill 5582, concerning the TANF drug screening program, was described as removing the sunset date and allowing oral fluid testing in addition to urine samples; it too was reported. Finally, House Bill 5466 renamed the batterer intervention program as an abuse intervention program and allowed live synchronous virtual delivery with an in-person option; the sponsor said the change would expand access statewide, and the bill was reported to the Senate. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:42.720> in concerning exempting teacher training in concerning exempting teacher training
• . training. training.
• can give way to freight rail trains, because they take precedence.
• can give way to freight rail trains, because they take precedence.
• composition of the post training board. composition of the post training board.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports moving bills forward, including measures from Transportation and Energy and Corporations. The chamber also heard a House message transmitting House Bill 1281. Later, senators used moments of personal privilege to recognize Día del Niño guests and welcome children and community representatives to the chamber; those remarks were ordered spread upon the journal. On the consent calendar and third reading calendar, the Senate passed a number of bills, including Senate Bill 171 on pre-production plastic disposal, Senate Bill 173 on teacher training in certain fitness disciplines, House Bill 1290 on assault sentencing, House Bill 1052 on Victim Rights Act changes, House Bill 1214 on continuation of the controlled substances licensing act, House Bill 1260 on child care assistance, Senate Bill 17 on out-of-network health care dispute resolution, House Bill 1313 on Statewide Affordable Housing Fund requirements, House Bill 1283 on confiscation of identification documents, Senate Bill 174 on lead generation marketing for legal services, House Bill 1193 on vision tests for pre-kindergarten students, Senate Bill 170 creating a task force on public school access, House Bill 1242 on interlock restricted licenses, House Bill 1258, and Senate Bill 165 on species conservation funding. Several of these passed with recorded no votes, especially House Bill 1214 and House Bill 1283. The most substantive debate centered on Senate Bill 138, which was described as reducing administrative burden in the health care system by repealing or modifying certain requirements on health facilities and insurance carriers. The Senate adopted committee report amendments, including provisions on opioid training for veterinarians and dentists, before passing the bill. Another extended discussion involved Senate Bill 172 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District; supporters said it would shrink and better tailor the district to the planned rail corridor, while a senator from Adams County argued the district should not ask communities to pay for rail service they may not use. The Senate also reconsidered and repassed Senate Bill 170 after a procedural mix-up, then proceeded to special orders and adopted the Committee of the Whole report on Senate Bill 165, which was placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• What type of training they have?
• What type of training they have?
• are trained in CIT training through the Barbara Schneider Foundation, called Crisis Intervention Training
• They are trained how to put a tourniquet on the wound, and they are trained in de-escalation through
• training. put a tourni on the wound and they are put a tourni on the wound and they are trained<01:39

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sense of belonging, and improve school climate when implemented appropriately and with the correct training
• :09:14.800> correct appropriately and with the correct appropriately and with the correct training
• <00:09:16.880> This<00:09:17.240> bill<00:09:17.720> will training and supports
• This bill will training and supports.
• program for the peer counselors training program for the peer counselors that<00:13:18.280> teaches

Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94

Keywords: disability, communication access, healthcare, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, effective communication, peer counselor, youth mental health, social disconnection, Hawaii schools, wellness program, student support, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, disability rights, peer counseling, education

Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• the other push I've had on that is that if we are going to spend money on these nonprofits that help train
• :10:37.240> nonprofits<00:10:38.240> that<00:10:38.560> help<00:10:38.959> train
• that help train um our next<00:10:40.800> generation<00:10:41.279> of<00:10:41.880>
• /c><00:10:54.880> will<00:10:55.360> they<00:10:55.600> will<00:10:55.839> train
• state that they will they will train state that they will they will train their<00:10:57.279>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all