Transcript Highlights:

• So to date, it's been a combination of studies.
• We do soil analysis, hydrology studies, and natural resource studies, such as all the various species
• You mentioned studies had to be redone.
• Are those studies beyond what is prepared in an EIR, typically?
• Those studies would be included in...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• whether uh a benefit that we're studying whether uh a benefit that we're studying exceeds<00:03:
• design may not reflect the of the study design may not reflect the latest<00:13:37.399> version
• You know, I think last year we studied GLP-1s for obesity treatment, and I think that's, you know, a
• As you can see, we've listed the mandates that we studied, whether they required defrayal or not.
• <00:46:07.079> of the research falls into so um studies of the research falls into so um studies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Skin and kidney cancer mortality have been observed in other long-term follow-up studies.
• Furthermore, according to a 2021 cost analysis study of... ...comprehensive for all ages.
• He's studying a dual major in public health and microbiology and is headed to medical school.
• is now 20, is in her third year at Bentley, studying economics.
• He's studying a dual major in public health and microbiology and is headed to medical school.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the RAM study concluded in 2022, we have seen liability projections grow by over Since the RAM
• study concluded in 2022, we have seen liability projections grow by over 280%.
• So the RAND study that was conducted utilized actuarial analysis and had a full team of researchers,
• I want to continue studying.
• And so I did look back at the studies at LAO and the conversations we had.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard presentations on the Department of Industrial Relations’ labor-related budget items, with the main focus on proposed trailer bill language to reform the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and a related budget change proposal for staffing. DIR said SIBTF has grown far beyond its original purpose, citing the 2020 Todd decision, expanded eligibility based on chronic or asymptomatic conditions, and a backlog that has grown to more than 30,000 pending cases. The administration argued the reforms would restore guardrails, reduce liabilities and employer assessments, and speed processing for severely injured workers; the LAO said the proposal was largely consistent with its prior recommendations. Members raised concerns about using trailer bill language for major policy changes, the retroactive application to open cases, and the impact on workers already in the queue, while supporters from employer groups and public agencies backed the proposal as necessary to control costs and restore sustainability. Public comment was split, with injured-worker advocates opposing the retroactive changes and business/public employer representatives supporting the reforms. The committee then heard the SIBTF workload request, which would phase in 177 positions over five years at a cost of $36.5 million, including staff for the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Office of the Director Legal Unit, and administrative support. DIR said the additional staffing is intended to address very high caseloads and reduce processing times, but emphasized that the request assumes the reform package is adopted; LAO agreed the staffing increase made sense if paired with reforms. Members asked about vacancy rates, current staffing, and whether the workload request would become the new normal, and DIR said it would monitor caseload trends and adjust future requests as needed. Finally, the committee received an update on the California Workplace Outreach Program (CWOP), which DIR described as a partnership with community-based organizations to educate workers and help employers comply with labor laws. DIR reported that CWOP has reached 1.75 million workers and employers and made 8 million touchpoints since 2020, with the current round awarding $50.7 million to 87 partners for a two-year period through June 2027. Members and public commenters highlighted the program’s role in reaching immigrant, farmworker, janitorial, nail salon, and other vulnerable communities, and several speakers urged continued funding at $30 million per year for five years. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, George Washington University has a behavioral health workforce study.
• Well, if you look at this study. Many of the things on here involve shared decision-making.
• This was a study that we published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2011.
• This was a really seminal study for us.
• We have a few studies that examined cost-effectiveness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interim study would come back in the future. markets are critical to the markets are critical to the
• All in favor of interim study. >> Any opposed?
• in favor of interim study. in favor of interim study.
• <00:30:27.760> um up to uh Maine really studying um up to uh Maine really studying um migration
• Uh there's been one study electric bill.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go on to the next item: 10:30, fixed route city transportation network study.
• And maybe that's a study parameter.
• And maybe that's a study parameter. I'm not asking for any changes in the bill.
• So how much are you—did you do a study on how much land you could sell?
• So the committee was created and the study was assigned.

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those rebates add to the rate, to the cause of the growth of our budget. 1915C waiver rate study.
• Uh, so it's going to increase the budget. the waiver rate study being implemented the waiver rate study
• So those rebates add to the rate, to the cause of the growth of our budget. 1915C waiver rate study.
• So those rebates add to the rate, to the cause of the growth of our budget. 1915C waiver rate study.
• I mentioned that just waiver rate study.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another study is, you know, possibly useful, but it takes time.
• I know AON is looking at another study.
• Um, another study withheld.
• We want to study it, but I think the cap is a huge first step.
• We want to study it, but I think the cap is a huge first step.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While some canabonoids have been studied While some canabonoids have been studied for<01:13:44.719
• Laboratory studies like opioids.
• Um, there are people who said that it's not studied. There's been over 450 scientific studies.
• There's been over 450 studied. There's been over 450 scientific<02:55:27.600> studies.
• <03:06:17.520> in semiynthetic products for studying in semiynthetic products for studying

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from even studying a digital dollar. from even studying a digital dollar.
• Currency Study Act. Chairman Hill also Currency Study Act.
• Please read the study. Even if you don't like studies, read it anyway. Thank you very much.
• Please read the study. Even if payments. Please read the study.
• you don't like studies, read it anyway. you don't like studies, read it anyway.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• social studies consultant. social studies consultant.
• today with social studies standards. today with social studies standards.
• academic studies?
• And we had a study done. Dr.
• And we had a study done. Dr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsor has asked us to interrupt study? sponsor has asked us to interrupt study?
• don't think we were doing interim study. don't think we were doing interim study.
• actually requested that we interim study actually requested that we interim study it<05:49:33.920
• <05:49:58.240> Uh, motion of uh interim study. Uh, motion of uh interim study.
• But it's interum study. on to it. But it's interum study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you're study on Senate Bill 637.
• conversation, you know, um when we study conversation, you know, um when we study the<02:34:16.080
• <02:34:31.680> helping I don't think we need to study helping I don't think we need to study
• So I'm against the interim<02:34:48.800> studies. interim studies. interim studies.
• study. >> All those in favor of interim study say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. >> Nay. >>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the faculty hired can be on a plan of study.
• So our intent with this study, and we have Representative Richter as a lead on that study as well, is
• So our research study is going on. It's a mixed-methods study.
• I haven't even seen this on national studies.
• Dual credit seems to be the big... ...study.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An EIS would proactively require the DNR to study the impact of a given project.
• It would allow would also be studied.
• But we don't know that unless we study it.
• But we don't know that unless we study it.
• But we don't know that unless we study it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public um credible public health studies public um credible public health studies cannot<00:54:08.319
• <01:02:45.280> or<01:02:45.520> report pretty old um I think study or report pretty
• while we don't oppose um more studies while we don't oppose um more studies and<01:44:40.320>
• So right now most of the studies are going to be done on honeybees, but the assumption is that that study
• So right now most of the studies are going to be done on honeybees, but the assumption is that that study

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't see any benefit to interim study either. So I'll be supporting the ITL.
• So I'll benefit to interim study either.
• And again, no obvious reason to interim study it either. Anybody else?
• I' I'd an interim study uh scenario.
• , because even if we go interim study, because even if we go interim study, nothing's<02:29:33.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a transportation work session and executive session, with the chair explaining the format change to allow fuller discussion and possible expert input before votes. The committee first took up House Bill 209, which would have allowed a new vehicle purchased in the model year or before to be inspected in the second year after purchase. Members said the bill was rendered unnecessary by the broader repeal of vehicle inspections, and the committee voted 16-0 to deem it inexpedient to legislate (ITL), with consent. The same outcome followed for House Bill 212, which would have allowed a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle failed an emissions control test, and House Bill 533, which concerned civilian employees and commercial truck inspections. In both cases, members said the inspection repeal made the bills unnecessary, and in the commercial truck bill there were also concerns that the language did not fit federal requirements and referenced state inspection laws rather than federal ones. Both bills were voted ITL 16-0 and adopted by consent. House Bill 298, dealing with vehicle identification number-related issues and antique vehicle authenticity, also received an ITL recommendation 16-0. Members said the proposal raised fraud concerns and could affect the value and authenticity of antique vehicles, and several said the bill needed more work before any future consideration. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 150, which would define electric vehicle charging stations and establish annual testing fees for the Division of Weights and Measures. That bill drew the most discussion: Representative Sykes described a personal experience with a malfunctioning charging station and a large, unclear bill, arguing that consumer protection regulation is needed. Representative Miller said the fee structure seemed high compared with other inspections and that third-party inspectors were not allowed, though he acknowledged some need for consumer protection. Senator David Watters, the sponsor, said the bill should be improved and suggested a lower annual fee and a fund-based approach to build an inspection program over time. Cheryl, the director of Weights and Measures, testified that the division needs authority, staffing, licensing categories, and expensive test equipment to oversee EV chargers, and that current rules do not adequately cover this emerging technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• They said, 'I don't think we should do this,' and Sweden did a study and they found out that this in
• , were used on the keys in the DHS study, they would get a different result.
• disconnect with the agency is a study disconnect with the agency is a study that<01:24:51.440>
• They get a on the keys in the DHS study.
• :31:39.920> have in the EU, scientific studies that have in the EU, scientific studies that have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• long-term care issues and studied long-term care issues and supports<00:35:03.640> increasing
• Another handout is a Vantiv study, an independent study showing what this bill, this concept, would do
• And lastly, a handout taken from an AARP study, issued a year ago in January of 2024, that shows you
• <01:28:00.840> that inflation there are recent studies that inflation there are recent studies
• So they studied what happened with generic drugs and brand-name drugs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all