Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:14:04.000><c> ground</c><00:14:04.320><c> saying</c><00:14:04.639><c> this</c><00:14:04.800><
• ,</c><00:14:06.639><c> if</c><00:14:06.800><c> it's</c><00:14:06.880><c> a</c><00:14:07.040><c> low</
• ><c> is</c><00:14:08.160><c> in</c><00:14:08.320><c> fact</c><00:14:08.480><c> a</c><00:14:08.639><c>
• ><c> And</c><00:14:10.000><c> uh</c><00:14:10.079><c> and</c><00:14:10.240><c> it</c><00:14:10.480><c
• So step number<00:14:17.920><c> one,</c><00:14:18.399><c> there</c><00:14:18.560><c> needs</c><00:14:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.279><c> this</c><00:14:00.440><c> in</c><00:14:00.560><c> front</c><00:14:00.759><c> of</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:03.040><c> able</c><00:14:03.199><c> to</c><00:14:03.399><c> push</c><00:14:03.639><c> more
• ><c> want</c><00:14:42.199><c> to</c><00:14:42.399><c> help</c><00:14:42.680><c> the</c><00:14:42.800
• 43.600><c> but</c><00:14:44.079><c> there</c><00:14:44.199><c> are</c><00:14:44.360><c> few</c><00:14
• 00:14:45.680><c> bills</c><00:14:46.320><c> and</c><00:14:46.480><c> seems</c><00:14:46.839><c> like<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed three ambulance reimbursement bills and tried to distinguish their approaches. House Bill 185 would require insurers to pay the full amount billed by an ambulance provider when there is no contract rate, with no balance billing to the patient; the Insurance Department clarified that emergency ambulance services are already covered under the benchmark plan, so the bill’s reference to policies without ambulance coverage is effectively meaningless. House Bill 725 would set reimbursement at 325% of the Medicare rate for non-contract ambulance services and prohibit balance billing. House Bill 316 was described as addressing the broader problem that Medicare/Medicaid rates are low and that current balance billing shifts costs to patients or municipalities; its sponsor said the bill would require insurers to pay a rate that gives providers a fighting chance to remain in business, and he viewed 325% of Medicare as the most logical option. Members debated whether insurers should pay the billed amount, a negotiated in-network rate, or a regulated percentage of Medicare. Some argued that out-of-network ambulance providers are underpaid and that in-network rates are often too low to sustain service, especially for emergency providers who cannot steer patients. Others said ambulance companies should not be able to bill whatever they want and questioned the fairness of charging insured patients or insurers more than the service is worth. There was also discussion of whether rate schedules should be reviewed by an oversight body and whether different costs in rural areas justify different reimbursement levels. A recurring issue was balance billing and who ultimately bears the shortfall. Several members said balance billing harms patients and often does not get paid, leaving cities and towns or property taxpayers to cover the difference for municipal ambulance services. Others argued that shifting the cost to insurance premiums would spread the burden more fairly, though it could raise premiums by a few dollars per person per month. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the discussion focused on clarifying the bills and weighing their policy tradeoffs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:13.279><c> and</c><00:14:13.440><c> maybe</c><00:14:13.839><c> align,</c><00:14:14.639><c>
• ><c> have</c><00:14:15.199><c> a</c><00:14:15.760><c> three-fifths</c><00:14:16.399><c> in</c><00:14:
• .<00:14:29.680><c> So,</c><00:14:30.000><c> if</c><00:14:30.240><c> it</c><00:14:30.399><c> wasn't,</
• </c><00:14:38.959><c> Uh</c><00:14:39.199><c> and</c><00:14:39.440><c> the</c><00:14:39.600><c> chief
• 18.800><c> would</c><01:14:19.679><c> um</c><01:14:20.239><c> not</c><01:14:20.560><c> only</c><01:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SF-14 is pract practical.<00:14:06.480><c> It's</c><00:14:06.880><c> responsible</c><00:14:07.519><c>
• </c><00:14:41.600><c> Um,</c><00:14:42.000><c> but</c><00:14:42.160><c> anyway,</c><00:14:42.480><c>
• </c><00:14:44.800><c> And</c><00:14:44.959><c> I</c><00:14:45.199><c> have</c><00:14:45.279><c> to</c
• ><00:14:45.440><c> tell</c><00:14:45.519><c> you,</c><00:14:45.760><c> when</c><00:14:46.000><c> I</c
• ><00:14:50.480><c> was</c><00:14:50.720><c> 14</c><00:14:51.279><c> of</c><00:14:51.519><c> the</c><00

Bills: SF0014 , SF0018

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, K-12 education, part-time attendance, public schools, student enrollment, education funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:02.959><c> barrel</c><00:14:03.880><c> siphons</c><00:14:04.880><c> um</c><00:14:05.040><c
• ><c> finance</c><00:14:05.759><c> person</c><00:14:06.480><c> I'm</c><00:14:06.639><c> glad</c><00:14
• :14:08.000><c> the</c><00:14:08.120><c> engineers</c><00:14:08.639><c> mean</c><00:14:09.000><c> when
• mean</c><00:14:09.800><c> when</c><00:14:09.959><c> they</c><00:14:10.079><c> say</c><00:14:10.320><c
• will<00:14:27.759><c> remain</c><00:14:28.000><c> the</c><00:14:28.120><c> same</c><00:14:28.399><c>

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:30 Approval of Minutes 00:59 Information Items 03:34 Finance and Admin Cabinet 12:31 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:47 Office of Financial Mgmt 23:27 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• These<00:14:06.320><c> were</c><00:14:06.560><c> multiple</c><00:14:07.120><c> grown</c><00:14:07.519
• c><00:14:15.360><c> should</c><00:14:15.519><c> be</c><00:14:15.600><c> in</c><00:14:15.839><c> jail<
• </c><00:14:45.360><c> The</c><00:14:45.600><c> bill</c><00:14:45.760><c> was</c><00:14:46.000><c> here
• &gt;&gt; I<00:14:54.880><c> do</c><00:14:55.040><c> have</c><00:14:55.199><c> cameras</c><00:14:55.519
• They were<00:14:56.480><c> paid</c><00:14:56.720><c> for</c><00:14:56.880><c> grant</c><00:14:57.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> but</c><00:14:02.080><c> I</c><00:14:02.160><c> know</c><00:14:02.480><c> one</c><00:14:02.720><c>
• :14:04.280><c> said,</c><00:14:04.480><c> "Yeah,</c><00:14:04.600><c> it</c><00:14:04.720><c> has</c>
• </c><00:14:06.680><c> So,</c><00:14:07.720><c> if</c><00:14:07.920><c> it</c><00:14:08.080><c> did</c
• 14:09.400><c> at</c><00:14:09.520><c> it</c><00:14:09.640><c> next</c><00:14:09.920><c> year.
• That<00:14:29.040><c> was</c><00:14:29.120><c> kind</c><00:14:29.240><c> of</c><00:14:29.320><c> a</c

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The conference committee met on Senate File 2028, an elections-related bill concerning public logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment. The House explained its changes: extending notice from two to four days, removing language that limited the number of people in the room so the testing could be more open to the public, and adding language about resealing equipment after testing. The Senate side said the bill was largely technical but focused on balancing transparency with security and suggested a middle-ground notice period and a minimum number of people in the room rather than an open-ended crowd size. County clerks Mary Langford and Julie Freeze testified in support of maintaining strong security and discretion during testing. They said clerks already notify party chairs and candidates through email, social media, and other means, and argued that two days’ notice is workable because election logistics can change at the last minute due to weather, missing materials, or equipment issues. They emphasized that testing should remain public, but that clerks need flexibility to manage room size and protect equipment and chain of custody, especially in smaller or more secure spaces. Other members discussed whether the bill should be delayed, but witnesses said clerks would continue to make testing publicly available even without the bill and that the Senate version better preserved the balance between visibility and security. The committee ultimately moved to the Senate position, and the conference committee report passed on a roll call vote with all members voting aye, including Representatives Lock, Lucas, and Yen, and Senators Dockter and Erlandson; Senator Keiser was recorded as no.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> for</c><00:14:06.959><c> the</c><00:14:07.160><c> opportunity</c><00:14:07.800><c> we</c><00:14:
• </c><00:14:11.800><c> and</c><00:14:12.320><c> uh</c><00:14:12.800><c> we</c><00:14:13.000><c> do</c>
• <00:14:14.800><c> about</c><00:14:15.199><c> this</c><00:14:15.440><c> that</c><00:14:15.720><c> we</
• in</c><00:14:18.240><c> terms</c><00:14:18.519><c> of</c><00:14:18.959><c> land</c><00:14:19.959><c>
• ><c> we</c><00:14:20.480><c> would</c><00:14:20.720><c> need</c><00:14:20.920><c> to</c><00:14:21.199

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several measures focused on health, environment, and research. HB 970 would allow chiropractic students to participate in clinical practice under direct supervision; the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic offered comments and asked for a delayed implementation date until July 2027 to allow time to adopt rules, while the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the bill. Members also discussed that there are currently no chiropractic schools in the state. The committee then heard HB 1185, which creates a plant-based building materials working group, and HB 1337, which establishes an endemic plant seed bank pilot program. Supporters of HB 1185 said the bill could help create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, and bio-cements, with questions raised about in-state processing. For HB 1337, witnesses supported the goal of preserving endemic species but said a large-scale refrigerated storage and seed-production facility would be needed; one witness estimated startup costs of about $6 million for one island and noted existing seed banks are small-scale and not designed for reforestation. HB 1300 would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center multi-ethnic cohort study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Asians, including environmental and social factors such as proximity to landfills. The Cancer Center, ACS CAN, and labor representatives supported the bill, emphasizing health disparities and concerns about landfill exposure; committee members asked about federal funding, and the Cancer Center said it would pursue NIH, private, and foundation support, with the state share described as $500,000 per year for two years. HB 736 would create a wastewater technology testing pilot program at the Water Resources Research Center; supporters said it could help certify cheaper alternatives to costly cesspool and septic upgrades, and the Department of Health supported the measure. The committee also heard HB 531, which authorizes special license plates for the Cancer Center; supporters said it would raise visibility and funds, and the Cancer Center estimated revenue would likely be under $100,000. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c><00:14:04.520><c> the</c><00:14:04.640><c> first</c><00:14:05.040><c> day</c><00:14:05.200
• :14:08.320><c> us</c><00:14:08.520><c> and</c><00:14:08.640><c> encourage</c><00:14:09.120><c> good</
• rest and<00:14:09.880><c> good</c><00:14:10.000><c> things</c><00:14:10.240><c> of</c><00:14:10.360>
• So, come up<00:14:11.760><c> to</c><00:14:11.880><c> 401</c><00:14:12.600><c> and</c><00:14:13.160><c
• > take</c><00:14:13.360><c> care</c><00:14:13.560><c> of</c><00:14:13.640><c> your</c><00:14:13.840><

Keywords: MS House Floor - 20 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:03.760><c> revise</c><00:14:04.079><c> and</c><00:14:04.240><c> extend</c><00:14:04.560><c
• </c><00:14:10.320><c> Nine</c><00:14:10.560><c> days</c><00:14:10.639><c> ago</c><00:14:10.880><c> in
• was assassinated<00:14:22.240><c> by</c><00:14:22.480><c> a</c><00:14:22.639><c> deranged</c><00:14:
• </c><00:14:25.839><c> the</c><00:14:26.000><c> only</c><00:14:26.240><c> way</c><00:14:26.480><c> to<
• Mr.<00:14:30.639><c> Speaker,</c><00:14:31.040><c> from</c><00:14:31.440><c> Charlie</c><00:14:31.839

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, September 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.760><c> agency</c><00:14:03.120><c> name</c><00:14:03.360><c> or</c><00:14:03.440><c> the</
• <00:14:14.240><c> disclosure</c><00:14:14.800><c> of</c><00:14:14.920><c> identity</c><00:14:15.280><
• Uh<00:14:20.520><c> then</c><00:14:20.959><c> another</c><00:14:21.400><c> section</c><00:14:21.959><
• </c><00:14:42.200><c> nine</c><00:14:42.560><c> line</c><00:14:42.760><c> 20</c><00:14:43.040><c> to<
• ><c> 10</c><00:14:44.560><c> line</c><00:14:44.880><c> two,</c><00:14:45.120><c> so</c><00:14:45.240>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• Lots<00:14:09.279><c> of</c><00:14:09.440><c> reasons</c><00:14:09.760><c> besides</c><00:14:10.320><
• But<00:14:11.839><c> let's</c><00:14:12.160><c> start</c><00:14:12.720><c> first</c><00:14:12.959><c>
• on</c><00:14:14.880><c> that</c><00:14:15.120><c> plan</c><00:14:15.920><c> goes</c><00:14:16.399><c
• ><c> and</c><00:14:25.360><c> they</c><00:14:26.079><c> want</c><00:14:26.320><c> to</c><00:14:26.480
• So<00:14:45.600><c> they</c><00:14:45.839><c> may</c><00:14:46.079><c> actually</c><00:14:46.560><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we<00:14:10.720><c> haven't</c><00:14:11.040><c> had</c><00:14:11.279><c> anything</c><00:14:11.680
• </c><00:14:16.240><c> And</c><00:14:16.480><c> it's</c><00:14:16.720><c> the</c><00:14:16.959><c> same
• </c><00:14:21.680><c> Where</c><00:14:21.839><c> a</c><00:14:22.079><c> criminal</c><00:14:22.480><c>
• Uh we have<00:14:26.480><c> tools</c><00:14:26.800><c> in</c><00:14:26.959><c> the</c><00:14:27.120><
• ><c> charged</c><00:14:35.519><c> and</c><00:14:35.760><c> bring</c><00:14:36.000><c> them</c><00:14:

Bills: SF0007 , SF0008

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.560><c> way</c><00:14:00.959><c> but</c><00:14:01.120><c> that</c><00:14:01.360><c> was</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:03.839><c> a</c><00:14:04.000><c> lot</c><00:14:04.160><c> of</c><00:14:04.399><c> uh</c>
• </c><00:14:07.839><c> We</c><00:14:08.000><c> had</c><00:14:08.160><c> to</c><00:14:08.320><c> make</
• /c><00:14:13.920><c> a</c><00:14:14.160><c> compromise</c><00:14:14.800><c> that</c><00:14:15.120><c>
• ><c> all</c><00:14:15.680><c> able</c><00:14:15.920><c> to</c><00:14:16.079><c> come</c><00:14:16.639

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:01.759><c> I</c><00:14:02.399><c> I</c><00:14:02.720><c> uh</c><00:14:03.040><c> don't</c>
• </c><00:14:04.440><c> glad</c><00:14:04.639><c> it's</c><00:14:04.759><c> not</c><00:14:05.000><c> us
• ><c> am</c><00:14:09.440><c> really</c><00:14:09.759><c> committed</c><00:14:10.440><c> um</c><00:14:
• 00:14:24.480><c> Spectrum</c><00:14:25.279><c> uh</c><00:14:25.399><c> there</c><00:14:25.480><c> are
• ><c> who</c><00:14:26.040><c> wish</c><00:14:26.279><c> that</c><00:14:26.399><c> I</c><00:14:26.519>

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• costs always go up<00:14:14.720><c> and</c><00:14:15.320><c> uh</c><00:14:15.480><c> cover</c><00:14
• office</c><00:14:17.959><c> space</c><00:14:18.959><c> uh</c><00:14:19.040><c> we</c><00:14:19.160><c
• </c><00:14:23.360><c> is</c><00:14:23.759><c> the</c><00:14:23.920><c> same</c><00:14:24.160><c> as</
• we</c><00:14:27.079><c> are</c><00:14:27.240><c> told</c><00:14:27.480><c> that</c><00:14:27.720><c>
• ><c> for</c><00:14:29.480><c> all</c><00:14:29.639><c> of</c><00:14:29.839><c> us</c><00:14:30.759><c

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :35.199><c> but</c><00:14:35.519><c> only</c><00:14:35.839><c> about</c><00:14:36.160><c> 50</c><00:14
• I am<00:14:38.320><c> happy</c><00:14:38.560><c> to</c><00:14:38.800><c> introduce</c><00:14:40.160><
• ><c> district</c><00:14:45.360><c> in</c><00:14:45.600><c> Auimanu</c><00:14:46.800><c> with</c><00:14
• grader</c><00:14:54.800><c> and</c><00:14:55.040><c> will</c><00:14:55.279><c> be</c><00:14:55.360><
• She is currently<00:14:58.399><c> studying</c><00:14:58.800><c> at</c><00:14:59.040><c> St.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:39.680><c> handle</c><00:14:40.079><c> substantially</c><00:14:40.720><c> all</c><00:14:41.160><c>
• <00:14:44.160><c> as</c><00:14:44.320><c> 90</c><00:14:44.600><c> to</c><00:14:45.320><c> 10%</c><00:
• c> not</c><00:14:49.199><c> a</c><00:14:49.320><c> solar</c><00:14:49.639><c> water</c><00:14:49.880>
• ><00:14:52.000><c> for</c><00:14:52.199><c> the</c><00:14:52.399><c> same</c><00:14:52.680><c> price<
• apples<00:14:57.160><c> and</c><00:14:57.279><c> oranges</c><00:14:57.680><c> here</c><00:14:57.800>

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:03.360><c> else</c><00:14:03.519><c> from</c><00:14:03.680><c> your</c><00:14:03.839><c> team<
• ><c> would</c><00:14:07.040><c> help</c><00:14:07.199><c> bolster</c><00:14:07.519><c> the</c><00:14:
• Yes.<00:14:09.120><c> Uh</c><00:14:09.600><c> so</c><00:14:10.160><c> currently</c><00:14:10.880><c>
• Um and uh because<00:14:20.639><c> of</c><00:14:20.800><c> that</c><00:14:21.199><c> we've</c><00:14:
• . um uh<00:14:26.880><c> we</c><00:14:27.279><c> weren't</c><00:14:27.680><c> able</c><00:14:27.920><

Bills: HB2437 , HB2461 , HB2604 , HB2605 , HB1860 , HB2001

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, public art, cultural preservation, community identity, art management, performing arts, ticket surcharge, arts funding, education, community support, therapeutic arts, neurodiverse, autism, attention-deficit disorder, underserved communities, mental health

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures focused on arts funding, public art, performing arts, and libraries. HB 2437 would appropriate funds for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ Artists in the Schools program; the Foundation testified in strong support, explaining that demand has increased and that additional funding would allow more schools to be served. HB 2461 would raise the ceiling for the works of art special fund and provide money for maintenance and a collections manager position; the Foundation supported it and described major conservation needs, including large-scale repairs to public artworks such as the Tadashi Sato work in Hilo and the King Kamehameha statue, as well as ongoing bronze maintenance and new commissions affected by rising materials costs. HB 2604 would create a performing arts ticket surcharge; the Attorney General and Department of Taxation raised drafting and administration concerns, while the State Foundation supported the concept. HB 2605 would create a position to coordinate specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved neurodivergent populations, and the Foundation supported that measure as well. HB 1860 would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra and require annual reports; the Attorney General suggested clarifying the public purpose, and the Symphony, youth symphony, and many community supporters testified in favor, emphasizing educational, cultural, and civic benefits. HB 20001 would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the State Public Library System, Friends of the Library, and individual testifiers strongly supported it, describing libraries as essential community and educational resources. After hearing testimony, the committee took action on several bills. HB 2437 was recommended for passage with amendments in HD1, with the appropriation blanked out and the additional needed funding to be noted for Finance consideration; the vote was unanimous among members present. HB 2604 was also recommended for passage with HD1 and technical amendments, including deleting the term “Hawaii-based,” clarifying that student performances at public charter schools are exempt, aligning recordkeeping provisions with tax law, and setting an effective date of January 1, 2027. HB 2461 was deferred to decision-making on Friday, February 13. The transcript also indicates the committee moved through the remaining measures after testimony, but the excerpt ends before final votes are shown for HB 2605, HB 1860, and HB 20001.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has also<00:14:06.480><c> become</c><00:14:06.920><c> a</c><00:14:07.000><c> mentor</c><00:14:07.480
• ><c> in</c><00:14:09.600><c> the</c><00:14:09.720><c> Teen</c><00:14:10.040><c> Center</c><00:14:10.800
• <c> senator</c><00:14:30.440><c> from</c><00:14:30.640><c> District</c><00:14:30.959><c> 5.
• Later this<00:14:55.480><c> afternoon,</c><00:14:56.000><c> a</c><00:14:56.079><c> winner</c><00:14:56.440
• be selected<00:14:57.440><c> to</c><00:14:57.560><c> represent</c><00:14:58.079><c> Hawaii</c><00:14:

Bills: SB3225 , HCR53 , HCR57 , HCR101 , HB1878 , HB1481 , SCR40 , SCR59 , SCR114 , SCR197 , SCR198 , SR30 , SR107 , SR185 , SR186

Keywords: statutory revision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, clarification, obsolete provisions, legal accuracy, University of Hawaii, Board of Regents, associate degree, degree audit, reverse transfer, credit audit, student completion, credential attainment, community college transfer, four-year campus, higher education, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, student retention, graduation pathways