Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:14:40.519> testimony<00:14:41.279> and<00:14:41.639> Mr<00:14:42.480
• <00:14:44.839> we'll<00:14:44.959> go<00:14:45.040> to<00:14:45.160> member
• :14:51.600> uh<00:14:52.000> Mr<00:14:52.279> Bruce<00:14:52.560> and<00:
• c><00:14:56.040> the<00:14:56.160> main<00:14:56.399> issue<00:14:56.720> was
• was the uh<00:14:57.560> in<00:14:57.720> the<00:14:57.839> bill<00:14:58.199><

Bills: HF1, HF779, HF1034

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:03.360> Uh<00:14:03.920> Scott<00:14:04.240> Schneider,<00:14:04.720>
• <01:14:08.080> We<01:14:08.320> had<01:14:08.480> a<01:14:08.640> long
• > uh<01:14:18.040> in<01:14:19.199> uh<01:14:19.440> line<01:14:19.760>
• helped us flagged<01:14:29.600> that<01:14:29.840> it<01:14:30.000> might<01:14:
• Um<01:14:39.600> and<01:14:39.840> so<01:14:40.480> uh<01:14:40.719> line

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate bills 1049, 13, 15, 14, 14, 11, 14, 18, and 1540 is amended for doing grossing.
• House Bill 2594, amending Section 16-14-3, Chapter 11, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 25-15.02,
• House Bill 2594, amending Section 16-14-3, Chapter 11, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 25-15.02,
• Amending Title 30, A.R.S., by adding Chapter 2 and repealing Title 30, Chapter 20, Article 1, relating
• I'm sorry, District 14, for his hard work on it.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and routine communications from the governor and Senate. Members then moved into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of Senate bills and later House bills on final reading. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others advanced with or without amendments. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous Senate amendments to House bills and later took up third-reading votes on a series of House bills. Among the main committee actions, SB 1049, SB 1315, SB 1401, SB 1418, and SB 1540 were amended and recommended do pass; SB 1332 and SB 1538 also advanced, while SB 1016, SB 1519, SB 1624, SB 1627, SB 1723, and SB 1725 were retained. Debate centered on school safety and interoperability equipment in SB 1315, housing and zoning issues in SB 1118, and school discipline/bullying transparency in SB 1684. Members also discussed SB 1074 on student discipline notifications, SB 1275 on diversion program wording, and SB 1684 on bullying reporting and school liability, with supporters emphasizing safety, accountability, and clarity and opponents warning about unfunded mandates, litigation, and impacts on public schools. On final reading, the House passed a long list of bills, including HB 2032, HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2120, HB 2176, HB 2189, HB 2195, HB 2203, HB 2342, HB 2383, HB 2423, HB 2428, HB 2439, HB 2440, HB 2573, HB 2594, HB 2621, HB 2641, HB 2673, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2875, HB 2895, HB 2916, HB 2923, HB 2946, and HB 2999, with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous. HB 1118, dealing with municipal zoning and historic properties, failed on the floor after debate over housing policy and charter/public school issues, though a motion to reconsider was later made. The session ended with personal announcements, including recognition of Child Help, a memorial reading for Major General W. Bill Van Dyke, caucus meeting notices, a retirement reception reminder, an anniversary acknowledgment, and a Pride Month statement.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.199> that<00:14:00.320> are<00:14:01.120> left<00:14:02.120> in<00:14
• :18.519> I'm<00:14:18.639> not<00:14:18.800> going<00:14:18.880> to<00:14
• <00:14:22.839> will<00:14:23.160> say<00:14:23.800> you<00:14:24.040> look
• of Human<00:14:26.320> Services<00:14:26.800> at<00:14:26.959> the<00:14:27.160
• largest<00:14:41.800> chunk<00:14:42.399> by<00:14:42.720> far<00:14:43.079>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and staff roles. Nonpartisan House Research and House Fiscal staff explained that they draft bills and amendments, prepare bill summaries and background research, answer legal and fiscal questions, and help track revenue and budget effects. They also distributed a Budget Overview Brief intended to condense the larger budget materials into a more usable format for members. Staff then walked through the Human Services budget and the committee’s areas of responsibility. They described the department structure, noting that DHS oversees administration, compliance, rulemaking, and county support, and that the overall Human Services budget is large, with medical assistance as the dominant program. They also explained recent and upcoming reorganizations: many children and family-related functions are moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Direct Care and Treatment is becoming its own agency, and some homelessness-related functions remain at DHS. Staff reviewed how the budget is organized by program and budget activity, the difference between direct appropriations and standing appropriations, and how forecasted programs and “tails” work in the budget process. The presentation also covered Medicaid financing and long-term care. Staff explained the federal-state FMAP match, including Minnesota’s current 51.16% federal match for most Medicaid spending, the CHIP match, and the 90% federal share for the expansion population. For long-term care, they outlined Medical Assistance services for elderly and disabled people, state-funded long-term care supports, and Board on Aging programs. They highlighted the personal care assistance program’s phaseout and replacement by Community First Services and Supports, and reviewed the five home- and community-based waivers. Members asked one question about refugee resettlement funding, specifically whether it covers flights; staff said they would need to follow up on the exact use of the federal funds. No bills were heard, and no formal votes or other committee actions were taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:04.080> and<01:14:04.320> is<01:14:04.640> working<01:14:04.800> as
• > consultant<01:14:05.600> for<01:14:05.760> us<01:14:05.840> to<01:14:06.000
• <01:14:09.760> So<01:14:10.000> Martas<01:14:10.400> got<01:14:10.560> on
• <01:14:12.080> Um<01:14:13.120> so<01:14:13.280> part<01:14:13.520> of
• <01:14:58.880> were<01:14:59.040> all<01:14:59.199> looked<01:14:59.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process. The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute. The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill. The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json

Transcript Highlights:

• :28.480> land<01:14:28.760> my<01:14:28.880> name<01:14:29.040> is<01:14:
• from the office<01:14:32.360> ofly<01:14:32.639> and<01:14:32.760> sustainable<
• :14:35.480> bill<01:14:35.760> this<01:14:35.880> is<01:14:35.960> a we strongly
• :14:36.560> we've<01:14:36.800> introduced<01:14:37.360> since<01:14:37.800>
• um<01:14:40.679> in<01:14:40.840> our<01:14:41.440> testimony<01:14:42.440><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 347 relating to goats. The Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments and said its Division of Forestry and Wildlife was available to answer questions. Testimony on the bill was largely opposed, with speakers arguing it would amount to a “free-for-all” rather than game management and urging deferral. DLNR responded that bag limits can be adjusted by area and game management unit under adaptive management rules, and that hunters typically take out their catch. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1278, on which DLNR testified in support. The record in the excerpt does not include discussion of the bill’s substance beyond the department’s support, and no action or vote is shown. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 144, relating to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and proposed exemptions from Sunshine Law requirements during the transition period. The authority’s vice chair testified that the body is a startup agency with a complex transition from the University and needs to be able to discuss strategic planning, operational formation, and other day-to-day matters with more than two members present. Opponents, including the Public First Law Center, Hawaiʻi Environmental Alliance, and community members, argued the bill would cut the public out of the deliberative process, allow decisions to be hashed out in private, and set a poor transparency precedent. One testifier also raised cultural and environmental concerns about Mauna Kea. Committee members questioned whether existing law and narrower guardrails could address the authority’s concerns, and the authority said it had already proposed a narrower alternative but the bill returned in similar form. The excerpt ends before any final committee action on HB 144 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:01.759> 28th<00:14:02.440> 20<00:14:03.440> 2004<00:14:04.000> saving<
• :14:07.160> the<00:14:07.279> reason<00:14:07.519> that<00:14:07.680> I'm
• c><00:14:13.639> drain<00:14:14.000> pipe<00:14:14.279> in<00:14:14.440> this
• <00:14:15.399> was<00:14:15.560> 89%<00:14:16.480> clogged<00:14:17.120>
• but said the<00:14:17.600> cost<00:14:17.800> to<00:14:17.959> fix<00:14:18.160

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 9: The edict commanded by the king was to be carried out.
• Senate Bill 1511, an act amending Title 28, Chapter 14, Article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating
• Secretary, record the vote: 16 ayes, 14 nays, 0 not voting. You have passed Senate Bill 1081.
• Thank you. 13-44, 12, 13-14, 13, 24, 14, 13, 14, 14, 14, 15, 13. 14, 14, 16, 13, 24, 17, 13, 24, 19,
• 13, that's 48, 17, 144, 13, 17, 14, 13 to the crime victim's rights.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:05.120> to<00:14:05.200> give<00:14:05.400> us<00:14:05.600> the
• <00:14:09.360> to<00:14:09.760> have<00:14:10.120> a<00:14:10.920> a<00:14
• And<00:14:13.920> again,<00:14:14.160> these<00:14:14.360> are<00:14:14.839>
• 14:18.120> not<00:14:18.400> open<00:14:18.839> 7<00:14:19.120> days<00:14
• I<00:14:28.520> I<00:14:28.880> I<00:14:29.000> understand<00:14:29.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state's Administrative Procedure Act, which is found in Chapter 14, governs agency rulemaking.
• :01.400> as<01:14:01.840> um<01:14:02.120> as<01:14:02.520> possible<01:14
• :03.520> so<01:14:03.840> that<01:14:04.239> even<01:14:04.480> a<01:14:04.679
• :06.159> it<01:14:06.600> will<01:14:06.800> not<01:14:07.000> be<01:14:07.199
• :08.000> I<01:14:08.480> think<01:14:08.719> that's<01:14:08.880> an<01:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:35.320> appropriate<01:14:36.199> oversights<01:14:37.199> uh<01:14:37.440><
• > of<01:14:38.000> the<01:14:38.120> things<01:14:38.360> that<01:14:38.480
• is<01:14:42.520> not<01:14:42.760> about<01:14:43.760> some<01:14:44.760> uh
• <01:14:53.159> a<01:14:53.440> document<01:14:54.440> uh<01:14:54.520> on
• plan<01:14:55.320> that<01:14:55.440> is<01:14:55.639> part<01:14:55.840> of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill builds on Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022.
• Chapter 258 of the Acts of 2014 basically required that we provide 14 days of coverage through detox
• This would increase that 14 days to 30 days to make sure that we can add transitional support services
• What does Chapter 258 do? It gives people who need inpatient substance use treatment 14 days.
• There's no prior approval; they get 14 days of treatment, and medical necessity is determined by the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• c> um<00:14:09.720> but<00:14:09.800> we<00:14:09.920> weren't<00:14:10.199>
• weren't able to do<00:14:10.759> that<00:14:10.920> in<00:14:11.079> the<00:14:
• <00:14:12.519> review<00:14:12.800> it<00:14:12.920> for<00:14:13.160> this
• :14:18.440> we<00:14:18.519> should<00:14:18.720> allow<00:14:18.920> for
• fines are actually<00:14:27.399> reduced<00:14:27.880> to<00:14:28.079> a<00:14

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > as<00:14:07.920> we<00:14:08.079> do<00:14:08.320> this<00:14:08.880>
• <00:14:24.480> We<00:14:24.720> really<00:14:24.959> didn't<00:14:25.120>
• <00:14:26.800> we<00:14:26.880> put<00:14:27.040> in<00:14:27.120> the
• is<00:14:37.920> going<00:14:38.000> to<00:14:38.160> be<00:14:38.639> a
• <00:14:42.079> When<00:14:42.240> I'm<00:14:42.480> 90<00:14:42.800> years

Bills: SB2033, SB2487, SB2497, SB2471, SB2829

Keywords: renewable energy, grid-ready homes, interconnection process, electric utility, energy independence, surcharge, customer access, energy storage, smart inverters, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, electric utility rates, ratemaking, performance-based regulation, performance-based incentives, performance incentive mechanisms, revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, reward and penalty mechanisms, alternative ratemaking

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• > compensation and we'll delete page 23 compensation and we'll delete page 23 line<00:30:16.000> 14
• - 17 create a new subsection B line 14- 17 create a new subsection B under HRS457J6<00:30:23.039>
• on<00:30:23.520> page<00:30:23.760> 32<00:30:24.240> line<00:30:24.480> 14
• 14 to read<00:30:25.840> it<00:30:26.000> is<00:30:26.159> not<00:30:26.399>
• and we also change the defective chapter and we also change the defective date<00:30:44.320> but<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on April 1, 2025 considered several measures previously heard in committee and took action on each. HB 228 HD1 SD1, relating to license plates, was recommended to pass with amendments defining the terms “cover” and “shield”; it was adopted with votes of aye from the chair, vice chair, Senator McKelvie, and Senator Richards, and a no from Senator Awa. HB 125 HD1, relating to firearms and secure storage notice requirements, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted, though Senator McKelvie noted reservations and Senator OA did not vote. The committees also noted they would wait for a full complement on some JDC votes before finalizing all actions. HB 1194 HD2 SD1, relating to midwives, drew the most discussion and testimony. The recommendation was to pass with amendments, including DCCA-proposed changes and a revised effective date; members discussed concerns about regulation, the role of unlicensed birth attendants, and whether the bill could criminalize people present at births. The chair explained the intent was not to criminalize invited, uncompensated birth attendants who do not use the title “midwife,” while also clarifying limits on practicing midwifery without a license. The measure passed with reservations from Senator McKelvie and a no vote from Senator Awa. HB 348 HD1 SD1, relating to single-use plastics, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted without objection. HB 874 SD1, concerning trust accounts for minors in theatrical employment, was recommended to pass with amendments accepting the Attorney General’s suggestion to remove rulemaking authority; it passed in both committees without opposition. After the CPN portion adjourned, JDC also took up HB 125 and HB 1194, adopting the same recommendations and passing both measures, with the midwifery bill again reflecting the committee’s intent to preserve invited, unpaid attendance at births while restricting unlicensed practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:03.160> um<00:14:04.160> let's<00:14:04.320> see<00:14:04.560> disability
• c><00:14:25.800> written<00:14:26.079> testimony<00:14:26.560> and<00:14:26.639>
• <00:14:46.759> overall<00:14:47.160> quality<00:14:47.560> of<00:14:47.759><
• loss access<00:14:50.600> to<00:14:50.759> hearing<00:14:51.040> aids<00:14:51.320
• <00:14:57.519> our<00:14:57.759> position<00:14:58.680> thank<00:14:58.839> you

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• :51.000> and<00:14:51.160> at<00:14:51.399> that<00:14:51.600> point<00:14
• or<00:14:53.639> for<00:14:53.880> that<00:14:54.040> year<00:14:54.199>
• /c><01:14:13.199> the<01:14:13.320> coming<01:14:13.560> Century<01:14:14.320>
• ><01:14:17.199> all<01:14:17.360> for<01:14:17.600> it<01:14:18.400> um a
• <01:14:18.840> seems<01:14:19.159> to<01:14:19.280> be<01:14:19.600> the<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Jeff Sigerson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, who outlined the board’s mission and core programs: campaign finance disclosure, economic interest statements, and lobbying registration/reporting. He described the board as an independent agency with six members, noted current vacancies and confirmation requirements, and said the board’s budget request was essentially flat, with a base budget of about $1.793 million and most costs tied to salaries, office space, and other fixed expenses. He also reviewed the board’s enforcement structure, emphasizing civil-only penalties, a complaint-driven process, and the availability of reports, enforcement actions, and advisory opinions on the board’s website. Sigerson highlighted several recent and upcoming changes. Local ballot question committees for city, school district, levy, and bond issues now must register with the board if they exceed $750 in activity, and the board is preparing outreach and online registration tools to help local committees comply. He also discussed the public subsidy and political contribution refund programs, saying the board paid out about $2.12 million to 230 House candidates in 2024, that 93% of candidates signed the subsidy agreement, and that 2023 PCR refunds totaled about $447,000 for candidates and $1.616 million for party donors. He noted that the PCR maximum refund was recently increased from $50 to $75 per donation, and that payments could drop significantly in 2026 if the one-time supplement is not renewed. A major focus of the presentation was the board’s lobbying report and related legislative recommendations. Sigerson said the board is moving from tracking marginal expenses to tracking the subjects and entities being lobbied, and that lobbying will be expanded from certain metro-area governmental units to all cities, counties, school districts, townships, and other political subdivisions, potentially adding thousands of lobbyists. He said the board held two public hearings and received 23 written comments on proposed changes. The board’s main recommendations were to broaden the expert-testimony exception so that certain paid experts at local hearings would not need to register as lobbyists, while still requiring disclosure of who testified, before whom, and on what subject, and to adjust the current lobbying definition for local government employees and officials who spend more than 50 hours a month on intergovernmental lobbying work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I I think I<00:14:00.079> think<00:14:00.240> we're<00:14:00.399> on<00:14:00.560
• The the<00:14:27.920> problem<00:14:28.160> comes<00:14:28.480> with<00:14:28.639
• :14:11.440> still<01:14:12.080> a<01:14:12.400> able<01:14:12.719> to<01:
• <01:14:15.840> Any<01:14:16.080> other<01:14:16.400> questions<01:14:16.719>
• :14:52.960> um<02:14:54.400> a<02:14:54.719> value<02:14:55.119> meal.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB796<00:14:11.680> SD1<00:14:12.320> passes<00:14:12.800> third<00:14:13.120>
• <00:14:17.279> of<00:14:17.440> House<00:14:17.600> Bill<00:14:17.839> 226,
• <00:14:22.639> If<00:14:22.880> not,<00:14:23.279> do<00:14:23.440> we
• Any no<00:14:26.880> votes?<00:14:27.760> No<00:14:28.000> votes.
• <00:14:50.399> If<00:14:50.639> not,<00:14:50.880> do<00:14:51.120> we

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:11.680> uh<00:14:11.839> rental<00:14:12.240> property<00:14:12.639><
• c> some<00:14:13.279> protections<00:14:13.760> laid<00:14:14.079> out<00:14
• Additionally,<00:14:27.440> the<00:14:28.000> uh<00:14:28.240> bill<00:14:28.560
• 14:36.399> maximum<00:14:36.800> fine<00:14:37.120> from<00:14:37.440> $100
• a<00:14:38.399> violation<00:14:39.360> up<00:14:39.519> to<00:14:39.800>

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis