Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:04.160><c> understand</c><00:49:04.640><c> this</c><00:49:04.880><c> bill</c><00:49:05.200
• </c><00:49:17.119><c> Bill's</c><00:49:17.440><c> given</c><00:49:17.760><c> favor</c><00:49:18.000><
• I just urge you<00:49:19.760><c> to</c><00:49:19.920><c> have</c><00:49:20.079><c> further</c><00:49:
• &gt;&gt; Mr.<00:49:23.440><c> Chairman,</c><00:49:23.839><c> can</c><00:49:23.920><c> I</c><00:49:24.079
• </c><00:49:35.520><c> I</c><00:49:35.760><c> think</c><00:49:35.839><c> we</c><00:49:36.160><c> have<

Bills: HB426 , SB24 , SB106 , SB254 , HB505 , HB458 , HB535 , HB509 , HB320 , HB518 , HB261 , HB426 , SB24 , SB106 , SB254 , HB505 , HB458 , HB535 , HB509 , HB320 , HB518 , HB261 , SB316 , HB228 , SB318 , SB260 , HB132 , HB347 , HB405 , HB86 , HB263 , HB302 , SB336 , SB316 , HB228 , SB318 , SB260 , HB132 , HB347 , HB405 , HB86 , HB263 , HB302 , SB336

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee, ad valorem taxes, property tax, real property, personal property, tax assessment, tax collection, county tax officials, Department of Revenue, Commissioner of Revenue, taxpayer representation, resident taxpayers, local government, property tax administration, Association of Alabama Tax Administrators, tax policy, advisory committee, public input, governance reform, body-worn camera

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously,<00:49:02.319><c> we</c><00:49:02.640><c> have</c><00:49:03.200><c> uh</c><00:49:03.359><c>
• </c><00:49:06.720><c> Uh</c><00:49:07.040><c> but</c><00:49:07.520><c> beyond</c><00:49:07.920><c> that
• </c><00:49:18.319><c> And</c><00:49:18.480><c> of</c><00:49:18.640><c> course</c><00:49:19.119><c> we
• And down<00:49:22.960><c> on</c><00:49:23.119><c> the</c><00:49:23.280><c> coast</c><00:49:23.680><c>
• we</c><00:49:23.920><c> have</c><00:49:24.240><c> uh</c><00:49:24.400><c> one</c><00:49:24.559><c> in

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> we'll</c><00:49:09.760><c> work</c><00:49:10.000><c> on</c><00:49:10.599><c> on</c><00:49:10.799>
• :49:13.280><c> doesn't</c><00:49:14.280><c> uh</c><00:49:14.480><c> you</c><00:49:14.960><c> know</c>
• we're<00:49:26.240><c> going</c><00:49:26.359><c> to</c><00:49:26.440><c> be</c><00:49:26.520><c> r<
• so um no<00:49:33.359><c> I</c><00:49:33.839><c> I</c><00:49:34.200><c> would</c><00:49:35.200><c> I
• to refer<00:49:38.200><c> the</c><00:49:38.799><c> the</c><00:49:39.440><c> uh</c><00:49:39.720><c>

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:49:11.680><c> the</c><00:49:11.799><c> measure</c><00:49:12.160><c> is</c><00:49:12.319><c> $3<
• with amendments<00:49:18.720><c> Vice</c><00:49:19.000><c> chair</c><00:49:19.680><c> for</c><00:49:
• <00:49:35.720><c> Cher</c><00:49:35.960><c> for</c><00:49:36.119><c> to</c><00:49:36.319><c> vote</c>
• goes<00:49:37.280><c> I</c><00:49:37.880><c> I</c><00:49:38.040><c> vote</c><00:49:38.280><c> Yes</c
• ><00:49:45.839><c> much</c><00:49:46.079><c> and</c><00:49:46.200><c> the</c><00:49:46.359><c> last</

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• services<00:49:36.240><c> from</c><00:49:36.520><c> children</c><00:49:37.319><c> it's</c><00:49:37.520
• ><c> in</c><00:49:41.559><c> Ed</c><00:49:41.839><c> rules</c><00:49:42.160><c> we</c><00:49:42.400><
• :49:51.599><c> the</c><00:49:51.839><c> beginning</c><00:49:52.319><c> of</c><00:49:52.520><c> that</
• ><c> and</c><00:49:53.440><c> leaves</c><00:49:53.880><c> so</c><00:49:54.160><c> many</c><00:49:54.480
• and<00:49:59.079><c> I</c><00:49:59.200><c> want</c><00:49:59.319><c> to</c><00:49:59.599><c> again<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on HB 222, which would repeal the requirement that a chartered public school and the resident school district sign a memorandum of understanding on how students with disabilities will receive special education services. The prime sponsor, Rep. Peggy Balboni, said the bill was requested by the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators and the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She argued that federal and state law already require districts to provide FAPE and that the MOU requirement has created extra work, legal costs, and delays without improving services. She said many MOUs remain unsigned, but students are still receiving services and complaint numbers have not changed. Rep. Mooney also supported repeal, calling the MOU duplicative and impractical because IEPs and 504 plans already govern services. Testimony from Jane B. Brulu of the special education administrators’ association and Beth McLure of the charter schools alliance echoed that view, saying the MOU has not helped students, has added hours of work and legal fees, and has mostly been a source of disputes over funding and service costs. McLure said her school has worked with more than 15 districts and has always been able to reach agreements, though the first year of the requirement took substantial time and money. Committee members asked about the original purpose of the law, unsigned MOUs, and whether disputes could be resolved without the requirement. A representative from the Department of Education said the MOU was originally proposed to address reports that some students were not getting services on time and to provide some oversight, but the department has no authority to order charter schools or districts to agree and no appeal process if they cannot. The department also said it does not currently audit charter school special education services because it lacks authority to monitor charter schools directly, and it urged the committee to consider some alternative oversight if the MOU requirement is repealed. The hearing on HB 222 was then closed, and the committee announced it would begin the hearing on HB 699 after a short break.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> that</c><00:49:08.160><c> are</c><00:49:08.319><c> anti-</c><00:49:08.640><c> billboard</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:14.800><c> So,</c><00:49:15.200><c> if</c><00:49:15.359><c> we</c><00:49:15.520><c> were</
• <00:49:22.000><c> rejected</c><00:49:22.880><c> this</c><00:49:23.200><c> type</c><00:49:23.359><c> of
• ><c> already</c><00:49:27.200><c> see</c><00:49:27.520><c> 4</c><00:49:27.760><c> to</c><00:49:28.079
• If there's other<00:49:34.640><c> ways</c><00:49:34.880><c> that</c><00:49:35.280><c> uh</c><00:49:35.440

Bills: SB2141 , SB2593 , SB2824 , SB2135 , SB2115

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• They<01:49:09.360><c> were</c><01:49:09.760><c> in</c><01:49:09.920><c> one</c><01:49:10.080><c> case
• c> the</c><01:49:11.600><c> one</c><01:49:11.760><c> of</c><01:49:11.840><c> the</c><01:49:12.000><c>
• Well, okay.<01:49:16.239><c> um</c><01:49:16.400><c> you</c><01:49:16.560><c> know</c><01:49:16.719><
• c> it's</c><01:49:17.199><c> uh</c><01:49:17.360><c> fine</c><01:49:18.320><c> we</c><01:49:18.480><c
• 01:49:20.639><c> people</c><01:49:20.880><c> but</c><01:49:21.040><c> the</c><01:49:21.199><c> whole<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> I'll</c><00:49:10.640><c> ref</c><00:49:11.319><c> uh</c><00:49:11.480><c> I'll</c><00:49:12.040
• </c><00:49:19.640><c> that</c><00:49:19.839><c> talks</c><00:49:20.319><c> about</c><00:49:21.720><c>
• <00:49:44.000><c> one</c><00:49:44.960><c> is</c><00:49:45.559><c> that</c><00:49:45.799><c> one</c><
• place where<00:49:46.599><c> a</c><00:49:46.760><c> person</c><00:49:47.079><c> more</c><00:49:47.280
• </c><00:49:48.839><c> a</c><00:49:49.040><c> physical</c><00:49:49.440><c> presence</c><00:49:50.240>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree thats<00:49:33.160><c> okay</c><00:49:33.559><c> thank</c><00:49:33.760><c> you</c><00:49:34.079
• 49:35.240><c> the</c><00:49:35.400><c> ex</c><00:49:35.799><c> session</c><00:49:36.119><c> so</c><00
• </c><00:49:38.000><c> second</c><00:49:38.280><c> to</c><00:49:38.400><c> come</c><00:49:38.559><c> out
• :49:41.720><c> those</c><00:49:41.920><c> suppos</c><00:49:42.240><c> say</c><00:49:42.440><c> n</c><
• </c><00:49:44.359><c> back</c><00:49:44.520><c> in</c><00:49:44.760><c> regular</c><00:49:45.599><c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pretty</c><00:49:30.800><c> edgy</c><00:49:31.200><c> about</c><00:49:31.359><c> a</c><00:49:31.520><
• ><00:49:36.000><c> ranch</c><00:49:36.319><c> has</c><00:49:36.559><c> been</c><00:49:36.720><c> paid
• And I've<00:49:40.319><c> never</c><00:49:40.559><c> taken</c><00:49:40.880><c> it</c><00:49:41.040><
• </c><00:49:43.599><c> And</c><00:49:43.760><c> they</c><00:49:44.000><c> really</c><00:49:44.240><c>
• There's<00:49:45.040><c> there's</c><00:49:45.440><c> no</c><00:49:45.680><c> way</c><00:49:45.760><c

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you want<00:49:01.880><c> to</c><00:49:02.040><c> achieve</c><00:49:02.599><c> this</c><00:49:03.319
• than you want to<00:49:06.599><c> be</c><00:49:06.880><c> a</c><00:49:07.079><c> a</c><00:49:07.200>
• <c> how</c><00:49:16.280><c> to</c><00:49:16.480><c> improve</c><00:49:17.359><c> this</c><00:49:17.680
• <c> right</c><00:49:24.400><c> trying</c><00:49:24.599><c> to</c><00:49:24.839><c> get</c><00:49:25.040
• ><c> um</c><00:49:32.480><c> you</c><00:49:32.599><c> know</c><00:49:32.799><c> other</c><00:49:33.000

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on February 19, 2025, to hear advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with GM 645/GM 650 for Mike Lambert as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state officials, community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and others, who praised Lambert’s collaboration with communities, communication skills, and practical approach to public safety. Several speakers highlighted his work on homelessness, game rooms, community policing, and his ability to work across public health and law enforcement lines. Lambert told the committee he has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including patrol, community policing, training, narcotics/vice, and work on fentanyl, internet crimes against children, and ghost guns, and said his priorities would include building community trust, improving training and discipline, and addressing fireworks and firearms enforcement. Senators asked about fireworks, federal collaboration, ports and airport screening, recruitment, pay parity, and whether the department should expand into a more formal state police force; Lambert said he would need time to learn the new port/shipping environment and would support a state police class and expanded enforcement capacity. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then heard GM 567 for Jean Dello Jr. as chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Supporters, including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice and Hawaii Paroling Authority staff, described him as honest, ethical, fair, and experienced in balancing public safety with rehabilitation and re-entry. Dello said he came out of retirement in 2021 to serve on the board, and that his background in federal probation and state corrections led him to favor evidence-based practices over simple compliance monitoring. He emphasized the need to weigh public safety with giving inmates a real opportunity to transition successfully back into the community. No final action or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:49:10.319><c> I</c><00:49:10.440><c> don't</c><00:49:10.640><c> see</c><00:49:10.880><c> it</c
• </c><00:49:19.040><c> so</c><00:49:19.400><c> like</c><00:49:19.599><c> in</c><00:49:19.720><c> the</
• Denali<00:49:24.680><c> as</c><00:49:25.000><c> back</c><00:49:25.280><c> to</c><00:49:26.119><c> m<
• :49:31.280><c> the</c><00:49:31.520><c> Gulf</c><00:49:32.079><c> of</c><00:49:33.000><c> Mexico</c><
• <00:49:36.880><c> there</c><00:49:37.200><c> do</c><00:49:37.319><c> we</c><00:49:37.480><c> have</c>

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• into</c><00:49:15.599><c> an</c><00:49:15.839><c> aderall</c><00:49:16.559><c> you</c><00:49:16.720>
• :32.400><c> me</c><00:49:32.559><c> and</c><00:49:32.800><c> then</c><00:49:33.040><c> I'm</c><00:49:
• I<00:49:39.040><c> understand</c><00:49:39.200><c> that</c><00:49:39.440><c> there</c><00:49:39.599><
• :45.440><c> I</c><00:49:45.599><c> could</c><00:49:45.760><c> be</c><00:49:45.920><c> wrong</c><00:49
• :49:49.920><c> the</c><00:49:50.079><c> the</c><00:49:50.400><c> xylin</c><00:49:51.040><c> xylazine<

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• something to<01:49:05.119><c> do</c><01:49:05.199><c> with</c><01:49:05.360><c> a</c><01:49:05.520><
• But<01:49:09.420><c> [snorts]</c><01:49:09.920><c> that's</c><01:49:10.239><c> not</c><01:49:10.480><
• <01:49:29.360><c> upon</c><01:49:29.760><c> cases</c><01:49:30.080><c> of</c><01:49:30.320><c> public
• Now, Now, Now, in<01:49:38.560><c> some</c><01:49:38.800><c> cases,</c><01:49:40.239><c> the</c><01:49
• Um, I've<03:49:56.560><c> only</c><03:49:56.720><c> had</c><03:49:56.960><c> two</c><03:49:57.199><c>

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:01.119><c> It</c><00:49:01.359><c> is</c><00:49:01.520><c> in</c><00:49:01.680><c> their</
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:49:09.280><c> So</c><00:49:09.440><c> you're</c><00:49:09.599><c> not</c><00:49:09.760
• ><c> have</c><00:49:15.040><c> a</c><00:49:15.280><c> lot</c><00:49:15.359><c> of</c><00:49:15.599><c
• You guys don't<00:49:28.960><c> have</c><00:49:29.119><c> questions</c><00:49:29.440><c> for</c><00:49
• :50.000><c> been</c><00:49:50.400><c> raised</c><00:49:50.640><c> in</c><00:49:50.800><c> a</c><00:49

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:07.760><c> on</c><00:49:07.920><c> the</c><00:49:08.079><c> swim</c><00:49:08.319><c> team</c>
• and also many<00:49:12.960><c> children</c><00:49:13.200><c> who</c><00:49:13.359><c> were</c><00:49
• ><c> tiny</c><00:49:18.480><c> um</c><00:49:18.800><c> versus</c><00:49:19.359><c> because</c><00:49:
• </c><00:49:31.040><c> Um</c><00:49:31.520><c> and</c><00:49:31.680><c> and</c><00:49:32.240><c> I</c>
• </c><00:49:51.200><c> Um</c><00:49:52.000><c> but</c><00:49:52.800><c> you</c><00:49:53.040><c> know<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Senator Ward said the bill is intended to help parents, teachers, and school staff recognize early symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss so children can be referred for care before they develop diabetic ketoacidosis. He noted that a newer blood test can identify some children at risk earlier than in the past. Members asked how people would be directed to the website, and Ward said the information would be posted online and also distributed in handouts, with school personnel helping spread awareness. He emphasized the bill is informational only and not a diagnostic or treatment tool. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives from the Dartmouth Diabetes Link and students with type 1 diabetes who described delayed diagnoses, emergency hospitalizations, and the difficulty of having symptoms misunderstood as stress, athletics, or normal teenage changes. They said the bill could help parents, teachers, and peers recognize warning signs earlier and reduce the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis. One witness noted that New Hampshire ranks high in childhood type 1 diabetes, and another said even a single person seeing the information could make a difference. A retired diabetes educator and state representative also testified in support. The hearing on SB 102 was then closed. The committee then opened the hearing on Senate Bill 211, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, bar biological males from female-designated teams and locker rooms, and create a cause of action for violations. Senator Avard said the bill responds to constituent concerns and is meant to protect fairness, safety, and privacy for biological females. In questioning, he said girls could still play on boys’ teams, but boys could not play on girls’ teams, and he said he would be open to changes. Opponents, including an attorney from LGBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, argued the bill is substantially the same as a law passed the previous year that was already challenged in federal court and found likely unconstitutional under equal protection and Title IX; they urged the committee to mark it inexpedient to legislate. The transcript cuts off before any committee vote or further action on SB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> it</c><00:49:24.280><c> on</c><00:49:24.840><c> the</c><00:49:25.040><c> the</c><00:49:25.200><c
• 49:28.600><c> to</c><00:49:29.080><c> actually</c><00:49:29.560><c> know</c><00:49:29.840><c> that</c
• The<00:49:40.840><c> business</c><00:49:41.280><c> owners</c><00:49:41.560><c> are</c><00:49:41.600><
• </c><00:49:42.880><c> And</c><00:49:43.040><c> so,</c><00:49:43.480><c> we</c><00:49:43.600><c> need<
• :49:20.160><c> on</c><01:49:20.320><c> with</c><01:49:20.440><c> our</c><01:49:20.560><c> day.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:16.799><c> um</c><00:49:17.559><c> reaching</c><00:49:17.920><c> out</c><00:49:18.040><c>
• c> I</c><00:49:22.240><c> think</c><00:49:22.400><c> we're</c><00:49:22.520><c> all</c><00:49:22.680>
• :24.839><c> just</c><00:49:24.960><c> need</c><00:49:25.079><c> to</c><00:49:25.200><c> do</c><00:49:
• > and</c><00:49:27.480><c> I</c><00:49:27.559><c> think</c><00:49:27.839><c> we</c><00:49:27.960><c>
• :49:32.400><c> want</c><00:49:32.640><c> to</c><00:49:33.640><c> turn</c><00:49:33.960><c> something<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.680><c> have</c><00:49:01.760><c> a</c><00:49:01.839><c> plan</c><00:49:02.000><c> and</c><00:49:
• an action<00:49:26.880><c> item</c><00:49:27.520><c> to</c><00:49:27.839><c> add,</c><00:49:28.960><c
• > of</c><00:49:32.720><c> the</c><00:49:32.880><c> earth</c><00:49:33.200><c> piece,</c><00:49:33.599
• What we're<00:49:36.079><c> looking</c><00:49:36.240><c> for</c><00:49:36.480><c> is</c><00:49:36.960
• c><00:49:44.960><c> is</c><00:49:45.119><c> a</c><00:49:45.359><c> is</c><00:49:45.599><c> an</c><00:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• than it<00:49:03.480><c> would</c><00:49:03.920><c> push</c><00:49:04.119><c> up</c><00:49:04.359><c
• ><c> use</c><00:49:06.680><c> rates</c><00:49:07.000><c> if</c><00:49:07.119><c> you</c><00:49:07.240
• 00:49:09.640><c> there</c><00:49:10.280><c> and</c><00:49:10.599><c> if</c><00:49:10.720><c> you</c><
• <00:49:11.440><c> the</c><00:49:11.559><c> insurance</c><00:49:12.040><c> department</c><00:49:12.960
• :49:58.880><c> we</c><01:49:59.080><c> get</c><01:49:59.199><c> to</c><01:49:59.360><c> New</c><01:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division Three work session on February 21, 2025 focused on the Division of Medicaid Services budget. The chair opened with procedural guidance, noting the division’s role is to make recommendations to the full Finance Committee, that the budget must be balanced, and that members should track possible amendments ahead of a March 26 target for House Bills 1 and 2. Members also discussed the importance of using official budget documents and online resources, and the chair said no motions would be taken at this session. A major early topic was concern over a five-point Medicaid policy document and the timing of House Bill 2. Representative Tarki objected that the document appeared to be an unofficial draft and argued that significant Medicaid policy changes should have been transmitted by February 15 under state law. He said the lack of an official, posted document raised transparency concerns because the changes could affect tens of thousands of residents. Committee leadership responded that the five-point document was a working document, that it would be posted online within minutes, and that House Bill 2 is often delayed while the Office of Legislative Services finalizes and formats the governor’s proposed trailer bill. DHHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman then began the budget presentation. White said the committee would use the PowerPoint as the document of record, starting with the governor’s operating budget pages 885-893, and noted that Medicaid is the largest accounting area in the state budget. He said the governor’s budget reflects about $60 million in reductions within the Medicaid area, with Granite Advantage handled off-budget and another $10 million in reductions there, for roughly a $70 million difference overall. Members asked whether the comparison was being made against an efficiency budget or a prioritized-needs budget, and White said the department could look at it different ways. The presentation then outlined Medicaid’s role in New Hampshire: it provides health coverage, serves as the state’s direct interface with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and helps finance related services such as long-term supports, school-based services, adult dental coverage, and re-entry programs for people leaving correctional settings. White also reviewed enrollment and program context, saying New Hampshire has about one in seven residents enrolled in Medicaid, making it the fourth smallest Medicaid program in the country by enrollment, and described recent efforts such as youth re-entry and the Medicaid unwind after the end of the federal continuous coverage period. He said the state had to process more than 238,000 redeterminations after the public health emergency and that the department tried to avoid unnecessary coverage loss during that transition.