Transcript Highlights:

• forecasters who track and monitor forecasters who track and monitor natural natural natural disasters
• Those below that and nonstop monitoring.
• It requires facilities that emit the worst of the worst hazardous air pollutants to monitor, report,
• It would also allow these facilities to stop monitoring and reporting to the EPA, which would end any
• So, American families would be at the mercy of large corporate polluters. monitoring and reporting to

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're the ones that developed the monitoring and treatment protocols that are effective for little
• DAR continues to manage established invasive species through its long-term monitoring and biocontrol.
• <01:30:57.800> and long-term monitoring and long-term monitoring and biocontrol<01:30:59.760
• While that invasion is outside of the state's jurisdiction and is in federal waters, DAR is monitoring
• The Department of Health has a role in monitoring for the ones that we know are here.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate agriculture committees met on January 17, 2025, for an informational briefing on biosecurity and invasive species; Chair Kahaloa opened by noting there would be no public testimony. Members introduced themselves, and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) program manager Chelsea Arnot outlined the purpose of the briefing and the statewide impacts of invasive species, citing examples such as coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coquí frogs, albizia, and mosquito-borne disease. She emphasized that biosecurity requires coordinated action across state departments, counties, federal agencies, universities, and communities, and highlighted HISC’s role in funding interagency projects, island invasive species committees, research, outreach, and early detection efforts. Arnot and HISC representatives described major funding and program needs, including a requested $4.25 million increase to HISC to raise its baseline budget to $10 million, support island committee operations, research, biocontrol, marine biosecurity, surveillance, and staffing. They also requested $500,000 for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, saying it is critical to invasive ant research and little fire ant response. The briefing also noted HISC’s leverage of federal dollars, including a $4.6 million REPI award with HISC providing the match, and cited successful collaborative eradications and responses, including veiled chameleons on Maui, axis deer on Hawaiʻi Island, and a 2023 coconut rhinoceros beetle response on Maui that prevented further spread. Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials then discussed implementation of updated administrative rules effective January 20, 2025, which permanently restrict movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material and give the department stronger authority to stop movement of infested material. They reported 2024 import activity of about 50,000 ship and aircraft arrivals, inspection/clearance of 20 million pieces, and 16,000 interceptions, with additional staffing from Act 231 expected to increase interceptions. They also described Act 231 funding and current spending status: about 65% obligated and 52% encumbered, with some funds tied to contracts for CRB and little fire ant response, plus an $800,000 green-waste hauling RFP that had to be reissued because of a flaw. The department said 580 Oʻahu homes and 290 Hawaiʻi Island homes are slated for little fire ant treatment, while Maui and Kauaʻi will focus on survey and outreach. Members questioned how homes are selected for subsidized treatment, whether HISC and the island invasive species committees received Act 231 support, and whether the state should direct how contracted funds are prioritized. Representative Martin raised concerns that the RFP limited eligibility to private pest control companies and excluded more experienced entities such as the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. Department officials said they would follow up on prioritization and funding details, and noted that emergency proclamations and procurement flexibility could help with rapid response and hiring during invasive species emergencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:18.640> versus<00:03:18.959> a<00:03:19.200> singular progress monitoring
• versus a singular progress monitoring versus a singular option<00:03:20.319> of<00:03:20.640>
• <00:03:49.440> by are swiftly addressed and monitored by are swiftly addressed and monitored
• <00:06:52.160> progress<00:06:52.560> towards action, and monitor progress towards
• action, and monitor progress towards compliance<00:06:53.840> rather<00:06:54.160> than

Bills: HF3405, HF3413, HF3769, HF3768, HF3771, HF3465

Keywords: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Use of Force Investigations Unit, federal agents, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, officer-involved death, use of force, law enforcement accountability, police oversight, independent investigation, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, and then took up several Department of Corrections-related bills. House File 3768, as amended by the A1 amendment, would extend the DOC’s graduated licensing and enforcement tools to juvenile detention facilities and state-licensed halfway houses, allowing corrective action plans and conditional licenses instead of only revocation. Commissioner Paul Schnell and Dakota County Juvenile Services Center Deputy Director Matt Bower testified in support, saying the bill would improve consistency, stability, and accountability without changing jail licensing. Members asked about costs and sheriff input; the commissioner said the bill is cost-neutral and that sheriffs were informed but did not provide input. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill to the general register. The committee then heard House File 3769, another DOC technical update bill, which would clarify tuberculosis screening procedures when incarcerated people refuse testing, allow mental health units at more than one facility and short-term stabilization at Oak Park Heights when clinically appropriate, and clarify the department’s substance use disorder treatment programs. Schnell said the changes were technical but important for effective operations. Members again asked about county costs and sheriff support, and the commissioner said the bill affects only DOC facilities and is cost-neutral. The committee approved the motion to re-refer the bill to the Health Finance and Policy Committee. The final major item was House File 3405, the chair’s bill, as amended by the A3 amendment. The amendment broadened the definition of federal agents, made the effective date retroactive, and removed a sexual assault investigation section to eliminate the fiscal note. The bill would require the BCA’s use-of-force unit to investigate deaths caused by federal agents in Minnesota, not just Minnesota peace officers. Chair Mohler argued the bill closes a loophole and ensures state-level, independent investigations; Dr. B.B. Newman testified in support, saying it preserves Minnesota’s investigative authority and public confidence. Deputy Superintendent Scott Mueller said the BCA already investigates deadly-force cases and has handled some federal-related cases, but he did not think the bill was necessary and recommended a no vote. Members debated whether the bill was needed given existing practice, with supporters saying the statute should clearly require state investigation and opponents questioning whether it would change anything. The committee adopted the amendment and continued discussion of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, the role that I've played particularly as state budget director, you know, in kind of monitoring
• this project this is one of monitoring this project this is one of<00:04:02.319> the<00:04:02.480
• They also monitor exit interviews, but these are voluntary and not frequent.
• > staff DJJ human resources monitor staff DJJ human resources monitor staff grievances<01:25:30.560
• > interviews,<01:25:36.800> but They also monitor exit interviews, but They also monitor exit

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41 Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38 Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13 Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34 Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet. Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders. Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a lot of clinical monitoring and assessing whether those are new conditions or not.
• It is a lot of clinical monitoring and assessing whether those are new conditions or not.
• A lot of my job is also doing medication monitoring, whether that would be setting up weekly medication
• training staff on every medication and how it gets administered and when, and then it's a lot of monitoring
• training staff on every medication and how it gets administered and when, and then it's a lot of monitoring

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As this goes forward, integrate measurement systems that monitor and evaluate not just the geographic
• the regions coordination and support of the regions and<00:50:33.680> to<00:50:34.359> monitor
• uh the development of the and to monitor uh the development of the unified<00:50:36.839> measurement
• evaluate not just the that monitor evaluate not just the geographic<00:53:12.280> rational<00
• quality and things of that monitoring quality and things of that nature<01:19:46.480> so<01:19

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, the chair appropriately narrowed it, and I think, you know, I'll certainly continue to monitor
• Physician Health Program guidelines and notes that early detection, evaluation, treatment, and monitoring
• That early detection, evaluation, treatment, and monitoring of a physician with an impairing illness
• The legislature put new laws in place to require standards for monitoring doctors and diversion, and
• Almost all states, except for three, have physician health programs that are successful in monitoring

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services. Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards. The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• they having the kids use their cell phones for something that can't be done on the device that's monitored
• So such district policy shall not prohibit students with medical needs, e.g., glucose monitor pumps,
• Students with medical needs, e.g., glucose monitor pumps, yep, and students with disabilities from using
• Okay, put a parenthesis around that, for example: e.g., insulin pumps or glucose monitoring devices.
• devices can we back up excuse monitoring devices can we back up excuse me<01:31:41.480> exactly

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session of the Education Policy and Administration Committee focused on House Bill 131 and House Bill 781, which were described as nearly identical bills addressing student cell phone use in schools. Members noted that HB 781 is an early bill and therefore needed committee action by Wednesday, while HB 131 did not face that deadline. The chair and members discussed the bills’ shared goal of requiring school boards to develop and adopt policies on student personal device use, with debate over whether the state should set minimum standards or leave more to local control. A major topic was funding. One member urged the committee to avoid creating an unfunded mandate and asked for some funding support, while others argued it was too early to commit money and that the committee should first establish the policy framework. The governor’s proposed funding was discussed, including a $1 million figure in the budget and a separate $250,000 amount referenced in the bill, but several members said the money would likely be insufficient to cover all students or pouch systems statewide. The committee also reviewed a handout reflecting proposed budget language that would require school boards to adopt policies on personal device use during the school day, with schoolwide implementation and exceptions for medical disability or language proficiency needs, and a DOE-administered grant program. Members spent considerable time on drafting details, especially deadlines and exceptions. They debated whether the bills should require school boards to “develop,” “adopt,” or also “implement” policies, and whether the effective date of the act should also serve as the deadline for school boards. They also discussed whether exceptions for classroom instructional use should be mandatory or merely encouraged, and whether the bills should explicitly include or exclude charter schools. Additional proposed exceptions included IEPs, 504 plans, English learners, and medical needs such as glucose sensors or insulin pumps, with some members suggesting medical issues be certified by a physician. No final vote or formal action was taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They include the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee
• PRAMS is the short name, the acronym for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.
• <00:32:06.639> system<00:32:07.639> the risk assessment monitoring system the risk
• assessment monitoring system the maternal<00:32:08.240> mortality<00:32:09.000> Review
• the pregnancy risk assessment monitoring the pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system<00:32:31.559

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bearing the responsibility<01:10:36.400> to<01:10:36.640> adequately<01:10:37.080> Monitor
• <01:10:37.440> and responsibility to adequately Monitor and responsibility to adequately Monitor
• Instead, MDA's small staff will be shouldering the responsibility to monitor the financial integrity
• <01:11:57.520> monitor<01:11:57.920> the responsibility to monitor monitor the responsibility
• to monitor monitor the financial<01:11:58.480> Integrity<01:11:58.920> of<01:11:59.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones, I recognize that you have this patient using this cardiac monitor, but they're not charging it
• Hey, you know, exactly as you said, this person is not charging their monitor, you might want to find
• Jones, I recognize that you have this patient using this cardiac monitor, but they're not charging it
• Hey, you know, exactly as you said, this person is not charging their monitor, you might want to find
• Jones, I recognize that you have this patient using this cardiac monitor, but they're not charging it

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the minutes and consent calendar, then moved to the regular calendar of administrative rules. Department of Energy rule 25-220 was postponed until June at the sponsor’s request so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules were then considered, including 25-240, 25-265, and 26-33, each of which drew staff comments mainly about expired rule provisions and the agencies’ reliance on federal law, the Medicaid state plan, or other manuals. The committee approved those rules after brief questions, with the agencies stating they were already operating under the relevant federal or state-plan authority and, in one case, that rulemaking was underway to update an expired citation. The most extended discussion was on HHS Bureau of Aging rule 25-304, which had an amended conditional approval request. Staff explained the amendments clarified how case management agencies accept or deny cases, how telehealth participation is evaluated, and that the department sets the timing for accepting or denying cases under its existing authority. Staff also noted a separate issue about whether reimbursement rates must be in rule, but said the agency had long interpreted the statute to allow its approach and that any change would likely require legislation rather than committee objection. A provider representative testified against parts of the rule, arguing the case management agencies should not be required to accept referrals before contacting the participant, that telehealth decisions for other providers should remain with those providers, and that the quality-management section was duplicative and burdensome. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language merely allowed case managers to say a service fit the client’s plan or instead gave them authority over another provider’s delivery method. The agency responded that case managers may determine what services an individual needs, but should not control how another licensed provider delivers those services. The discussion continued with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• "But we're— they're notifying us and we can at least monitor it or we can keep track of what events are
• "But we're— they're notifying us and we can at least monitor it or we can keep track of what events are
• "But we're— they're notifying us and we can at least monitor it or we can keep track of what events are
• "But we're— they're notifying us and we can at least monitor it or we can keep track of what events are
• "But we're— they're notifying us and we can at least monitor it or we can keep track of what events are

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, what House File 1935 does, it seeks MA rates increase for a type of a heart monitor that is a better
• And normally, the first entry-level is called a Holter monitor that only lasts for 48 hours.
• And normally, the first entry-level is called a Holter monitor that only lasts for 48 hours.
• entry level is called a halter monitor entry level is called a halter monitor that<00:16:09.120>
• So, there are other options on the marketplace to catch those people that may need a longer monitoring

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We monitor participation and are collecting data on that.
• We monitor participation and are collecting data on that.
• We monitor participation and are collecting data on that.
• Um we monitor that uh we monitor basis.
• Um we monitor that uh we monitor participation<00:13:32.160> and<00:13:32.399> and<00:13

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Explicit FNS guidance makes it clear that they will monitor the compliance for these waivers.
• investigators to monitor compliance. investigators to monitor compliance.
• they will monitor the compliance for<04:38:18.240> these<04:38:18.480> waiverss.
• I said FNS will monitor so the state doesn't have to.
• the federal agency FNS is monitoring. the federal agency FNS is monitoring.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DWR would implement a performance monitoring program of KPIs designed to track cost, reliability, and
• That would allow DWR to monitor if and when O&M activities could be performed more cost-effectively by
• First, performance monitoring. Thank you. Governance across all three projects.
• First, performance monitoring, a formalized KPI metrics program that supports operational and financial
• transparency, trend monitoring, and clear decision trade-offs.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do want to encourage districts to monitor their enrollment right now, especially if they're seeing
• :34.640> encourage<00:10:35.120> districts<00:10:35.519> to<00:10:35.760> monitor
• want to encourage districts to monitor want to encourage districts to monitor their<00:10:36.480
• multi-study found, [clears throat] excuse me, that when school nurses are present and actively monitoring
• at school, witnessed the monitored at school, witnessed the students<01:08:17.920> for<01:08:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Isn't even monitored.
• >> Isn't<01:01:49.520> even<01:01:49.760> monitored.
• There's not even >> Isn't even monitored.
• There's not even any<01:01:51.119> seismic<01:01:51.680> monitoring<01:01:52.079> and
• and none of you any seismic monitoring and none of you guys<01:01:53.040> ever<01:01:53.359><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended. The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there are a number of people, and I know Mayor Kawakami has a meeting, but he is also monitoring
• So when me when is also monitoring this.
• Fukushima mentioned, a crash course is not sufficient to give training and to monitor these patients
• Fukushima mentioned, a crash course is not sufficient to give training and to monitor these patients
• Fukushima mentioned, a crash course is not sufficient to give training and to monitor these patients

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have to start monitoring every state to make sure they're not dropping their standards
• I don't think there's anything this legislature does that shouldn't be monitored.
• We don't monitor nearly enough in this state.
• To do just that is to go back into a bunch of monitoring regarding a lot of rulemaking that has been
• So I would encourage you, we're not scared for this to be monitored.

Bills: HB3000, HB2622, HB2283, HB541, HB1776, HB1803, HB1669, HB2588, HB220, HB3415, HB50, HB1314, HB 107, HB220, HB50, HB107

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services