Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:05.599><c> is</c><00:49:05.799><c> adopted</c><00:49:06.240><c> thank</c><00:49:06.400><c> you
• R</c><00:49:07.200><c> thank</c><00:49:07.359><c> you</c><00:49:08.240><c> Senator</c><00:49:09.240>
• > need</c><01:49:03.960><c> to</c><01:49:04.119><c> know</c><01:49:04.320><c> if</c><01:49:04.480><c>
• <c> of</c><01:49:11.760><c> the</c><01:49:11.920><c> Year</c><01:49:12.320><c> prior</c><01:49:12.840
• :49:25.520><c> return</c><01:49:25.800><c> rate</c><01:49:26.119><c> of</c><01:49:26.360><c> about</c

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:02.000><c> testimony</c><00:49:02.400><c> to</c><00:49:02.640><c> the</c><00:49:02.720><c> bill.
• </c><00:49:04.400><c> I'm</c><00:49:04.640><c> in</c><00:49:04.880><c> here</c><00:49:05.040><c> in</
• And we've<01:49:11.040><c> actually</c><01:49:11.280><c> set</c><01:49:11.520><c> up</c><01:49:11.600
• 01:49:13.040><c> the</c><01:49:13.280><c> developer</c><01:49:14.639><c> um</c><01:49:14.960><c> to</
• 49:25.920><c> do</c><01:49:26.080><c> not</c><01:49:26.239><c> rise</c><01:49:26.480><c> to</c><01:49

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :18.079><c> lay</c><00:49:18.400><c> plants</c><00:49:19.200><c> so</c><00:49:19.480><c> we</c><00:49
• talk about<00:49:22.319><c> basically</c><00:49:23.319><c> the</c><00:49:23.520><c> plants</c><00:49
• crops Koo ulua<00:49:31.280><c> Maya</c><00:49:31.880><c> so</c><00:49:32.079><c> we</c><00:49:32.200
• </c><00:49:37.720><c> in</c><00:49:37.880><c> terms</c><00:49:38.280><c> of</c><00:49:39.200><c> a</c
• </c><00:49:41.160><c> that</c><00:49:41.319><c> but</c><00:49:41.440><c> we</c><00:49:41.559><c> can<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the who had<01:49:13.880><c> gone</c><01:49:14.040><c> off</c><01:49:14.239><c> with</c><01:49:
• <c> we</c><01:49:18.320><c> also</c><01:49:18.520><c> heard</c><01:49:18.719><c> from</c><01:49:18.880
• ><c> long-term</c><01:49:21.960><c> impact</c><01:49:22.280><c> of</c><01:49:22.360><c> the</c><01:49
• their</c><01:49:37.520><c> Crews</c><01:49:37.880><c> knew</c><01:49:38.239><c> how</c><01:49:38.400>
• </c><01:49:44.159><c> was</c><01:49:44.320><c> to</c><01:49:44.520><c> find</c><01:49:44.760><c> any<

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:04.640><c> would</c><00:49:04.800><c> be</c><00:49:04.960><c> a</c><00:49:05.200><c> good<
• </c><00:49:07.280><c> Give</c><00:49:07.440><c> us</c><00:49:07.680><c> one</c><00:49:07.920><c> more
• </c><00:49:10.160><c> And</c><00:49:10.400><c> with</c><00:49:10.640><c> that,</c><00:49:10.960><c> I
• it</c><00:49:23.839><c> enables</c><00:49:24.480><c> us</c><00:49:24.960><c> to</c><00:49:25.520><c>
• </c><00:49:31.920><c> So</c><00:49:32.480><c> to</c><00:49:32.720><c> an</c><00:49:32.960><c> extent<

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:49:01.520><c> federal</c><00:49:02.119><c> level</c><00:49:03.119><c> where</c><00:49:03.440><
• :49:09.240><c> money</c><00:49:10.079><c> to</c><00:49:10.319><c> a</c><00:49:11.079><c> tutoring</c>
• <c> by</c><00:49:14.839><c> un</c><00:49:15.839><c> and</c><00:49:16.000><c> that</c><00:49:16.200><c
• when then<00:49:28.040><c> he</c><00:49:28.240><c> paid</c><00:49:28.559><c> to</c><00:49:28.720><c>
• > way</c><00:49:33.000><c> it</c><00:49:33.200><c> works</c><00:49:33.520><c> for</c><00:49:33.720><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability. Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption. Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > circuit</c> officers at 49 circuit judges 49 circuit officers at 49 circuit judges 49 circuit judges
• :00.040><c> 98</c><03:49:00.520><c> would</c><03:49:00.640><c> make</c><03:49:00.800><c> it</c><03:49
• that</c><03:49:04.760><c> person</c><03:49:05.000><c> would</c><03:49:05.159><c> not</c><03:49:05.319
• would</c><03:49:14.279><c> have</c><03:49:14.359><c> a</c><03:49:14.439><c> limited</c><03:49:14.960>
• 49:17.680><c> the</c><03:49:17.840><c> practice</c><03:49:18.120><c> in</c><03:49:18.279><c> a</c><03

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session. The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:29.520><c> But</c><01:49:29.679><c> here's</c><01:49:30.000><c> what</c><01:49:30.159><c>
• </c><01:49:32.000><c> From</c><01:49:32.400><c> 2017</c><01:49:33.119><c> to</c><01:49:33.520><c> 2022
• trips</c><01:49:38.719><c> that</c><01:49:38.880><c> resulted</c><01:49:39.280><c> in</c><01:49:39.520
• um using<03:49:03.680><c> um</c><03:49:03.840><c> their</c><03:49:04.239><c> own</c><03:49:04.479><c
• <03:49:08.160><c> and</c><03:49:08.319><c> a</c><03:49:08.479><c> half</c><03:49:09.359><c> um</c><03

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Just</c><00:49:08.239><c> wanted</c><00:49:08.480><c> to</c><00:49:08.639><c> note</c><00:49:08.800
• Um as<00:49:10.080><c> well</c><00:49:10.239><c> as</c><00:49:10.480><c> noted</c><00:49:10.800><c> by
• Essentially<00:49:49.600><c> the</c><00:49:49.840><c> goal</c><00:49:50.000><c> of</c><00:49:50.159><
• ><00:49:52.000><c> performance</c><00:49:52.880><c> and</c><00:49:53.119><c> we</c><00:49:53.360><c>
• ><01:49:07.359><c> can</c><01:49:07.600><c> be</c><01:49:07.840><c> as</c><01:49:08.080><c> well.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.080><c> this</c><01:49:00.320><c> bill</c><01:49:01.040><c> is</c><01:49:01.280><c> to</c><01:49:
• :04.000><c> them</c><01:49:04.159><c> be</c><01:49:04.400><c> a</c><01:49:04.639><c> doctor</c><01:49
• </c><01:49:07.440><c> And</c><01:49:07.840><c> again,</c><01:49:08.159><c> it's</c><01:49:08.960><c>
• ><01:49:15.760><c> is</c><01:49:15.920><c> the</c><01:49:16.159><c> license</c><01:49:16.560><c> cuz<
• if you<01:49:19.679><c> go</c><01:49:19.920><c> against</c><01:49:20.239><c> these</c><01:49:20.560>

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Molly</c><00:49:00.640><c> has</c><00:49:00.800><c> seen</c><00:49:01.480><c> um</c><00:49:01.880><c>
• down<00:49:13.200><c> and</c><00:49:13.400><c> put</c><00:49:13.640><c> those</c><00:49:14.240><c> um
• c><00:49:19.480><c> luckily</c><00:49:19.960><c> uh</c><00:49:20.080><c> Ariana</c><00:49:20.560><c>
• :49:24.360><c> going</c><01:49:24.800><c> to</c><01:49:24.960><c> do</c><01:49:25.120><c> it</c><01:49
• :49:47.840><c> to</c><01:49:47.960><c> be</c><01:49:48.120><c> able</c><01:49:48.440><c> to</c><01:49

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:12.319><c> opening</c><00:49:12.960><c> an</c><00:49:13.280><c> account</c><00:49:13.520><c> in</
• :16.720><c> then</c><00:49:16.960><c> you</c><00:49:17.119><c> can</c><00:49:17.280><c> go</c><00:49:
• /c><00:49:18.800><c> like</c><00:49:18.880><c> you</c><00:49:19.119><c> would</c><00:49:19.359><c> at
• started</c><01:49:04.159><c> to</c><01:49:04.400><c> see</c><01:49:04.639><c> the</c><01:49:04.960><c
• 01:49:34.400><c> you</c><01:49:34.560><c> you'd</c><01:49:34.880><c> have</c><01:49:34.960><c> a</c>

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Gaming

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh</c><00:49:44.000><c> there's</c><00:49:44.240><c> a</c><00:49:44.359><c> lot</c><00:49:44.480><c>
• :45.559><c> the</c><00:49:45.680><c> bill</c><00:49:46.440><c> uh</c><00:49:46.599><c> and</c><00:49:
• /c><00:49:47.799><c> the</c><00:49:47.920><c> beginning</c><00:49:48.200><c> of</c><00:49:48.319><c>
• ><c> walk</c><00:49:49.319><c> through</c><00:49:49.520><c> it</c><00:49:50.040><c> a</c><00:49:50.160
• ><c> uh</c><00:49:55.079><c> it</c><00:49:55.400><c> states</c><00:49:55.839><c> that</c><00:49:56.079

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know<01:49:08.920><c> what</c><01:49:09.080><c> it</c><01:49:09.160><c> is,</c><01:49:09.280>
• :49:26.440><c> or</c><01:49:26.520><c> whatever</c><01:49:26.880><c> it</c><01:49:26.960><c> may</c><
• I'm<01:49:29.440><c> not</c><01:49:29.600><c> saying</c><01:49:29.800><c> we're</c><01:49:30.080><c>
• But that,<01:49:31.360><c> I</c><01:49:31.440><c> think,</c><01:49:31.680><c> is</c><01:49:31.800><c>
• ><01:49:50.680><c> they</c><01:49:50.840><c> have</c><01:49:51.040><c> any</c><01:49:51.240><c> rules

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum present and approval of the April 17 minutes. The commission then heard a presentation from attorney Jacob Rhodes of Cleveland, Waters and Bass on the history and legal basis of New Hampshire’s timber tax, explaining that timber was historically treated as part of real property, that a 1913 case confirmed that view, and that a 1949 constitutional amendment created a separate timber yield tax to discourage clear-cutting and support forest conservation. He described the tax as a tax on the yield when timber is severed, not an income tax, and noted that towns are reimbursed through a system based on Department of Revenue Administration market data and local reports of cut. Members and guests asked how “yield” is defined, how the timber tax interacts with current use, and whether carbon sequestration could be treated similarly. Testimony explained that current use generally is not affected by harvesting timber, that towns can tax standing timber under RSA 79:5 but rarely do because it is labor-intensive, and that carbon credits might be valued using a similar market-data approach. Several speakers discussed a prior bill drafted with DRA input that would have treated carbon more like timber, but noted it never fully advanced in the General Court and that the version ultimately discussed by the House differed from the earlier DRA-comfortable draft. The discussion also covered whether carbon sequestration agreements are effectively long-term leases or transfers of timber rights, with Rhodes suggesting that 99-year arrangements could be taxable transfers of real property under DRA rules, though he had not reviewed specific agreements. DRA staff said they do not currently have a timber-like survey mechanism for carbon and would likely need access to proprietary market data or a subscription service to build one. No formal vote was taken beyond approving the minutes; the commission appeared to agree to revisit the carbon/timber valuation issue and the draft bill at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• dogs<00:49:37.200><c> and</c><00:49:37.760><c> 12</c><00:49:38.079><c> cats</c><00:49:38.319><c> for<
• .<00:49:39.920><c> I</c><00:49:40.240><c> can't</c><00:49:40.400><c> speak</c><00:49:40.640><c> to</c
• uh</c><00:49:42.480><c> flea</c><00:49:43.520><c> bites,</c><00:49:44.000><c> but</c><00:49:44.720><c
• <00:49:47.920><c> by</c><00:49:48.079><c> these</c><00:49:48.400><c> poisons</c><00:49:48.880><c> as<
• But we really have<01:49:31.520><c> to</c><01:49:31.760><c> be</c><01:49:31.920><c> careful</c><01:49

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:07.200><c> a</c><00:49:07.359><c> comment</c><00:49:07.599><c> and</c><00:49:07.680><c> I</c><
• this</c><00:49:25.440><c> session</c><00:49:25.760><c> is</c><00:49:26.000><c> about</c><00:49:26.960
• .<00:49:31.920><c> Yes,</c><00:49:32.160><c> it's</c><00:49:32.319><c> put</c><00:49:32.480><c> in</c
• ><c> or</c><00:49:35.119><c> or</c><00:49:35.440><c> buying</c><00:49:35.920><c> the</c><00:49:36.160
• </c><00:49:38.640><c> They</c><00:49:39.200><c> we</c><00:49:39.520><c> get</c><00:49:39.599><c> them

Bills: HF3898 , HF3957 , HF4372 , HF4350 , HF3692 , HF4085

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: pesticides, wild rice, environmental protection, agriculture, water quality, pollinators, training, management plan, fertilizer research, education grants, Minnesota Agricultural Council, technology transfer, agricultural productivity, HF4372, Minnesota agriculture, meat processing, meat processing training, retention incentive grants, grant extension, project deadline extension

Transcript Highlights:

• And the focus<02:49:06.160><c> of</c><02:49:06.399><c> our</c><02:49:06.720><c> government</c><02:49:
• ><02:49:11.760><c> the</c><02:49:12.080><c> people</c><02:49:12.240><c> who</c><02:49:12.399><c> are<
• well off<02:49:13.040><c> and</c><02:49:13.200><c> well-connected</c><02:49:14.000><c> and</c><02:49
• </c><02:49:15.439><c> the</c><02:49:15.760><c> focus</c><02:49:16.160><c> ought</c><02:49:16.319><c>
• </c><02:49:17.920><c> working</c><02:49:18.319><c> families</c><02:49:18.640><c> in</c><02:49:18.880>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:00.719><c> to</c><01:49:01.040><c> defect</c><01:49:01.360><c> the</c><01:49:01.520><c> date</c><
• the<01:49:02.000><c> year</c><01:49:02.239><c> 3000</c><01:49:02.719><c> and</c><01:49:02.960><c> move
• </c><01:49:31.760><c> to</c><01:49:31.920><c> the</c><01:49:32.080><c> year</c><01:49:32.320><c> 3000
• &gt;&gt; House<01:49:41.280><c> Bill</c><01:49:41.520><c> 2242,</c><01:49:42.400><c> chair's</c><01:49
• </c><01:49:46.000><c> Are</c><01:49:46.159><c> there</c><01:49:46.320><c> any</c><01:49:46.480><c> nos

Bills: HB1617

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: carbon emissions, tax credit, fossil fuel, agriculture, food security, environmental tax, greenhouse gas, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1949, which would create a public dashboard for the green fee to improve transparency and accountability. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and many community and conservation groups was generally supportive, with several speakers urging that the governor’s project recommendations remain largely intact and that community-driven projects continue to guide spending. One amendment was suggested to place the dashboard at the Department of Budget and Finance for fiscal expertise, while other testimony favored keeping it with the commission. Members asked about procurement, ETS involvement, recurring hosting costs, and whether the dashboard could be funded from green fee revenues; the commission said it could work with ETS and that green fee funds could reasonably be used. The committees then voted to pass HB 1949 with amendments. The committees also heard HB 2618, which would require the governor to submit a separate bill for amounts tied to any increase in the transient accommodations tax and, in later discussion, was expanded into a broader restructuring of future green fee allocations. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and others supported the bill and emphasized the value of more predictable, dedicated funding for conservation and climate-related work. During decision-making, the chair described amendments creating several special funds under DLNR, including a watershed biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction fund, an aquatic resources conservation fund, a coastal restoration fund, a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund, and a green fee special fund for remaining revenues, with recommended amounts discussed for some of the funds. The committees voted to pass HB 2618 with amendments. The hearing then moved to HB 1644, a consumer protection measure for residential solar sales that would require compliance with consumer protection laws, licensing or contractor affiliation for sellers, and a standardized disclosure form. Testimony in support came from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and several solar companies and individuals. Supporters said the bill would address complaints about third-party sales practices and improve disclosure, especially around financing. The committee then began hearing HB 2243, which would require electric utilities to provide public, electronic customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission; the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC offered comments supporting the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.800><c> is</c><00:49:01.040><c> there</c><00:49:01.440><c> I</c><00:49:01.680><c> mean</c><00:49:
• &gt;&gt; Sure.<00:49:11.680><c> And</c><00:49:11.920><c> I</c><00:49:12.160><c> will</c><00:49:12.319
• </c><00:49:16.400><c> I</c><00:49:16.559><c> want</c><00:49:16.720><c> to</c><00:49:16.800><c> be</c>
• </c><00:49:27.599><c> So,</c><00:49:27.839><c> please</c><00:49:28.079><c> take</c><00:49:28.400><c>
• &gt;&gt; Um<00:49:31.440><c> you</c><00:49:32.240><c> these</c><00:49:32.480><c> decisions</c><00:49:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:56.800><c> a</c><00:49:57.200><c> super</c><00:49:57.520><c> designation</c><00:49:58.079><c> where
• Uh<01:49:22.080><c> we're</c><01:49:22.239><c> also</c><01:49:22.560><c> going</c><01:49:22.639><c> to
• <01:49:27.199><c> to</c><01:49:27.440><c> 21</c><01:49:27.679><c> and</c><01:49:27.840><c> on</c><01:
• </c><01:49:30.239><c> We're</c><01:49:30.320><c> also</c><01:49:30.560><c> going</c><01:49:30.719><c>
• Further<01:49:34.080><c> discussion</c><01:49:34.480><c> and</c><01:49:34.719><c> technical</c><01:49

Bills: HB2425 , HB2596 , HB2573 , HB2017 , HB1931 , HB1736 , HB1594 , HB1828

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: agriculture, sugarcane, permitting process, land use, conservation district, diversified agriculture, economic impact, invasive species, plant sales, weed risk assessment, consumer protection, environmental impact, workforce development, biosecurity, training program, partnerships, tax credit, Hawaiian home lands, investment costs, nonrefundable

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and then took testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 2425 would exempt agricultural enterprises on former commercial sugarcane lands in conservation use districts from certain permitting and site plan requirements. The Department of Agriculture supported the measure and stood on written comments. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but said the bill appeared to cite the wrong statute and suggested amending the conservation district law instead. Other testimony was generally supportive, while some witnesses raised concerns about using the right statutory vehicle. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be redirected through a different chapter. The committee then heard HB 596, which would require retail sellers of plants to disclose invasiveness risk, direct the Invasive Species Council to create a labeling system and weed risk assessments, and establish fines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources strongly supported the bill, saying point-of-sale labels would help consumers make informed choices. Supporters from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said the state’s noxious weed and restricted plant lists are outdated or incomplete and that the bill would help prevent harmful species from being purchased and planted. Opponents, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, argued the measure was too broad, could stigmatize plants and producers, and might be better implemented through voluntary education or narrower definitions. Committee discussion focused on possible amendments, including using printable labels from a website and limiting the bill to larger commercial retailers. HB 2573 would create a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Leeward Community College, and the Department of Human Resources Development. DHRD said it supported the intent but wanted clearer responsibilities; the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, and others supported the proposal. DAB said the program would help build needed biosecurity staffing and training, and that law-enforcement-related curriculum could be incorporated. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 207, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include certain Hawaiian homelands and additional agricultural costs such as orchards, fruit crops, and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Taxation and DAB stood on written comments, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands strongly supported the bill, calling it a potential game-changer for developing agricultural lands and offsetting infrastructure costs; the department also asked that the credit be broadened beyond agriculture alone.