Transcript Highlights:

• For extended periods of time in order to access services? Mr.
• the order that we're currently in in our lawsuit.
• , which led to remedial order number two.
• We are currently in remedial order number two.
• , school life skills treatment.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:23.960><c> so</c> substance use to sorder of treatment so substance use to sorder of treatment
• additional people by really leveling treatment based upon individual need.
• </c><01:02:55.400><c> to</c> sure we're targeting our treatment to sure we're targeting our treatment
• </c> people by by really leveling treatment people by by really leveling treatment based<01:03:10.319
• , and effort in a facility and demonstrate that change in order for that to occur.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 The house will come to order the following bills and resolutions on first reading and referral to committee
• AB 2496 by Dunn relating to the required. executive to issue protective order within the commission of
• AB 2507 by Leach relating to the automatic orders for the nondisclosure of criminal record information
• HB 2570 by Bryant relating to the extreme risk protective orders and certain other protective orders
• Order of the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs, HB 2572 by Harrison

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So ordered.
• So, order 1046.
• So ordered. Senator, come to order, read the report. Mr.
• HB 2445, task order contract website policy. Government. HB 2573, DUI alternative treatment.
• HB 2923, court order treatment, judicial review. Judiciary and Elections.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized the doctor of the day and several guests, and then moved through a long floor agenda. Members received House messages, handled committee appointments, and considered a large number of bills in Committee of the Whole, including SB 1046 on information technology, SB 1066 on civil liability and fraudulent scientific research, SB 1332 on light rail expansion participation, and SB 1286 on veterinary prescriptions. Amendments were adopted on each of those measures, with SB 1332 drawing a notable objection from Senator Kuby over state interference in local transit decisions and preference for autonomous vehicles over light rail. SB 1286 was described as a compromise between stakeholders on electronic veterinary prescribing, including limits for antimicrobial drugs and longer windows for flea and tick medications. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. SB 1009 on school curriculum passed 16-10 after debate over AED training and whether it created an unfunded mandate. SB 1086 on the Arizona health care cost and payment system passed 18-8. SB 1317, appropriating money to the Attorney General for a coordinated jail reentry program, passed 22-4 amid discussion about the program’s success and concerns over the funding source. SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1709, SB 1550, and SB 1761 also passed, with comments focusing on school safety funding, probation revocation for dangerous crimes against children, a Queen Creek-related appropriation, and university cooperative extension and experiment station needs. SB 1046 and SB 1286 later passed third reading as well. The chamber also paused for a St. Patrick’s Day recognition, welcoming Speaker Murphy of the Irish Parliament and reading a proclamation honoring Irish heritage and the Phoenix-Ireland relationship. Afterward, the Senate returned to business, received House requests to return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, heard a personal privilege statement on an ICE detention death, and announced upcoming committee meetings and caucus schedules. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House of Representatives will now come to order.
• The House of Representatives will now come to order.
• The next order of business will be House Bills for perfection informal.
• Matter, again, is the reason and need for treatment, and it would be covered.
• We'll let you get treatment now.' That's ridiculous.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, Jobs for America’s Graduates participants, school counselors observing National School Counselor Week, Gainesville Elementary students joining online, interns and student shadows, and a tribute to Josephine Baker highlighting her St. Louis roots, artistic career, wartime service, and civil rights legacy. The chamber then took up first reading of several measures, including a firearms-related joint resolution, a bill on flags at cemeteries, and a bill on ownership of single-family residential property. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2273, a large anti-trafficking package combining provisions on child sexual abuse material terminology, trafficking, grooming, sextortion, training requirements for professionals, a statewide council in the Attorney General’s office, longer civil statutes of limitation, and tougher penalties. Supporters cited survivor testimony, the need for training and enforcement, and the bill’s role in helping victims; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Members also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a bill string aimed at curbing abusive website accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses while preserving ADA rights. Sponsors and supporters said the measure would protect small businesses from sue-and-settle tactics and give businesses notice and time to fix problems; the House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which would clarify the prevailing-factor standard, adjust treatment of pre-existing conditions, change how certain benefits are treated, and add an early dismissal mechanism and temporary appeal process. Supporters called it a fairness and clarification measure for employers and insurers, while opponents argued it could raise barriers for injured workers; the House nevertheless adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including committee meetings, a Black History program, a reminder for American Heart Month, concern for the city of Cameron after a fire, and a moment of reflection for the House doorkeeper Charlie, followed by a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• doge cut so anyway The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will please come to order
• Sick kids wouldn't get the treatment. Trials shut down.
• I think it's on the order of 55%. That's correct.
• So I'm not surprised that a judge has stayed the order.
• And I don't see anything in the President's orders that contradict that.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:49.440><c> that</c> qualify for the newest treatments that qualify for the newest treatments
• </c><00:52:27.680><c> and</c> accelerate better treatments and accelerate better treatments and ultimately
• So, we we ask for your treatments.
• </c> subjects of assisted community treatment subjects of assisted community treatment act<01:02:44.559
• We called two out of order.

Bills: SB3263 , SB3261

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the date of treatment. experience. It's the date of treatment.
• </c> the treatment that they need. the treatment that they need.
• seeking treatment.
• They never got treatment.
• </c><00:31:30.640><c> um</c> treatment to start seeking treatment. um treatment to start seeking treatment

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Substance abuse treatment records are covered by 42 CFR Part 2.
• Disclosure is prohibited without patient consent or a special court order.
• So that's where Missouri... ...the bloodstream in order to establish exigency.
• We need probable cause in order to obtain blood or their consent.
• So we have effectively used risk protection orders many times.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum present and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide investigations, blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, and mental health records. Pollard explained that autopsy toxicology and medical examiner records are often critical in death investigations, but access to hospital blood tests, medical records, Baker Act records, and substance abuse treatment records is restricted by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2, usually requiring subpoenas, court orders, or consent. He also noted that autopsy reports are generally public, while photographs are confidential, and that medical examiners can access relevant prior medical history of decedents. Members questioned Pollard about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, and whether medical examiner reviews can help determine if a deceased person had stopped taking prescribed psychiatric medication. Pollard said toxicology can include alcohol, drugs, and specific medications when relevant, but routine access to living suspects’ medical information is limited. He also discussed FDLE’s behavioral threat assessment work and said investigators may follow leads involving mental health treatment or facility releases when relevant to a case, though he could not speak to regulatory follow-up. The committee also discussed risk protection orders, with Pollard saying FDLE has used them effectively and that they can help prevent violence and connect individuals to services. The discussion then shifted to FDLE laboratory turnaround times and public safety impacts. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some cases, while sex assault kits are prioritized and generally remain under 90 days, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. He said backlog is tied to staffing and analyst capacity, and that faster processing is especially important in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases because delays can leave offenders on the street. The committee also noted that increased toxicology demands would affect toxicology staffing and workload, though not DNA processing. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Less than 6% of individuals with an SUD receive treatment.
• I know you're quite keen on different methods and processes and treatments in order to get people into
• I know you're quite keen on different methods and processes and treatments in order to get people into
• </c><00:59:12.559><c> to</c> curative and aggressive treatments to curative and aggressive treatments
• </c><01:24:43.199><c> to</c> different uh organizations in order to different uh organizations in order

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:00.080><c> align</c> substance use disorder treatment align substance use disorder treatment
• </c><00:09:48.080><c> you've</c> under article 7 direct treatment you've under article 7 direct treatment
• Uh likewise we're care and treatment.
• </c> maintain our workforce and our treatment maintain our workforce and our treatment facilities.<00
• Again, if you for treatments centers.

Bills: HF2433 , HF2434

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's Monday, February 17th, Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee call to order.
• This is a KEA suite of substance use disorder treatment service changes.
• </c> process as Residential Treatment process as Residential Treatment providers<00:14:42.759><c> additionally
• So when they offer these services, they're just following orders.
• So when they offer these services, they're just following orders.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, chairs, these quorum Senate Judiciary will come to order.
• I'm not going to give you a protective order.
• Without objection, the order to strike the title will be.
• That will be the order.
• That will be the order, Senator Guthrie. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Bills: SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Transcript Highlights:

• We call this meeting of the House Agricultural Affairs Committee to order.
• They also required a mandatory treatment of all brassica seed to prevent black leg disease.
• It was temporarily closed in this section to allow for quagga mussel treatment.
• The progress comparing 2024 to 2025 resulted in great news: our combined efforts, the treatments, the
• Just a point of order, if I may.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the minutes from February 2, 2026, and then considered five Idaho State Department of Agriculture rule dockets, all of which were approved. Andrea Thompson, administrator for the Plant Industries Division, presented the first three dockets: rules on seed production and distribution, commercial feed/fertilizer/soil and plant amendments registration and licensing, and planting of beans. She described mostly housekeeping updates, incorporation by reference of national and international standards, clarification of licensing and testing requirements, and a minor bean rule change confirming that edible bean seed brought into Idaho for planting must have an approved green tag rather than a yellow tag. The committee then reviewed invasive species and noxious weeds rules, including both a temporary and pending docket. Thompson explained the temporary Snake River quarantine and decontamination measures related to quagga mussel treatment, and the pending addition of golden mussel to Idaho’s emergency detection and rapid response list. She said Idaho has not found golden mussel in the state, and outlined the 2025 mussel response, including delimiting surveys, treatment, and a reduction in the impacted river area from 7.2 miles to 3.5 miles. Members asked questions about how golden mussel may have spread, whether it was intentional, what zebra mussels look like, and whether federal agencies were doing more at source waters such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell. All five dockets were moved and approved by voice vote, including the temporary and pending invasive species rules. The chair closed by thanking the department for its work and expertise, noted that the committee would not meet on Friday, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will be hearing items in file order, and our committee members will go last.
• We'll start at the top of the file order if that works for you.
• Top of file order, file item one, AB 4. Top of file order, file item one, AB 4.
• if that works for you top of file order file item one AB4 We'll start at the top of the file order,
• Top of file order, file item one, AB4, Arambula.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long series of health-related bills, with most measures focused on access to care, administrative simplification, and behavioral health. Early items included AB 583, allowing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would tighten provider directory accuracy requirements, add enforcement benchmarks, and allow use of a centralized database. Testimony on AB 280 highlighted the harms of “ghost networks,” while insurers and some provider groups opposed the bill as written, arguing it placed too much responsibility on plans and did not fully address provider-side data problems. AB 280 passed on a roll call vote, and several other bills were placed on consent and approved. The committee also advanced AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children up to age 21 and lowering the age threshold for access; AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and 90-day review deadline; and AB 787, requiring health plans to help enrollees find in-network providers quickly when directories fail. Supporters of these bills emphasized family financial strain, delays in care, and the burden of administrative red tape, while opponents of AB 1041 and AB 280 raised concerns about provider participation, accuracy, and liability. All three measures were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 4 and AB 29. AB 4 would allow income-eligible Californians to buy Covered California coverage regardless of immigration status, and AB 29 would authorize Medi-Cal reimbursement for community health workers and doulas conducting ACE screenings. Both bills drew strong support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations, and both passed on roll call votes, with AB 4 receiving some no votes. The committee also approved AB 416, which would allow emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances; supporters said it would reduce delays and overcrowding in emergency departments, while Disability Rights California and others warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill passed and was sent onward for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the previous treatment. Right?
• So, they would need to hire somebody to do the treatment, or they could just not do the treatment.
• </c> order to make major changes? order to make major changes?
• &gt;&gt; Hey, we're going to come to order. &gt;&gt; Hey, we're going to come to order.
• Is it orders of spray application?

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm calling the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee meeting to order.
• Do have it so ordered. Would you move 1335 as amended, please?
• Do have it so ordered. Would you move 1137 as amended, please?
• But the treatments DFFM has done, the removal and the herbicide treatments, have proved effective.
• But the treatments, DFFM has done the treatments.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority on its role storing Colorado River water underground and holding long-term storage credits for CAP municipal and industrial subcontractors, on-river contractors, the Hualapai Tribe, Mojave County Water Authority, and Nevada. Members asked about future firming for CAP subcontractors, recovery constraints, funding sources, and whether the authority could use groundwater withdrawal fee credits for Indian firming and CAP users. The manager explained the authority has no post-2026 firming policy yet for CAP M&I subcontractors, relies mainly on withdrawal fees and ad valorem taxes, and distributes credits on paper through ADWR transfer forms rather than delivering wet water. No action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard SB 1445, which would allow certain small municipalities to conduct bacteriological testing on site with EPA-approved equipment and originally limited ADEQ sampling requirements to no more than four times per month. The sponsor and the mayor of Kearny argued the bill would reduce costs and travel burdens for rural towns while allowing more frequent testing. Committee discussion focused on whether the change was already possible under existing law and whether the amendment would weaken testing requirements. The Griffin amendment removed the language restricting ADEQ’s sampling frequency. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee also considered SB 1137, a modernization measure for Arizona’s 811 call-before-you-dig system that sets procedures for large project coordination meetings, positive response communication, and related enforcement. Supporters from Associated General Contractors and an underground utility contractor said the bill reflects stakeholder consensus and would improve safety and efficiency without adding state costs. The Taylor amendment shifted implementation procedures from the Corporation Commission to the One Call Notification Center and made other technical changes. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0. SB 1287, which extends to all active management areas the ability of holders of irrigation grandfathered rights to withdraw up to 10 acre-feet annually for stockwatering or domestic use, also passed 9-1. The committee next approved SB 1335, as amended by a strike-everything amendment tied to the Ag-to-Urban program, allowing a groundwater savings holder to continue irrigating for up to two years after issuance of groundwater savings credits. DWR and irrigation district representatives said the change would address timing problems between relinquishing irrigation rights and finalizing development, while some members objected that it could increase groundwater pumping. The bill passed 5-4. Finally, SB 1336, which continues the State Land Department for four years and adds reporting, planning, and oversight provisions including a new oversight board, passed 5-4 after debate over whether another board was necessary and whether the reauthorization period was long enough. The committee concluded with SB 1677, appropriating $3 million for salt cedar mitigation along the lower Gila River and the Gila-Colorado confluence. Supporters from Audubon Southwest, the City of Buckeye, and local landowners described flood, fire, habitat, and water-supply benefits, while members questioned herbicide use and the need for data. The bill passed 9-0, and the meeting adjourned after all votes were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] The House Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy will come to order.
• </c><00:10:20.000><c> programs</c> our Direct Care and treatment programs our Direct Care and treatment
• </c> reported lack of Residential Treatment reported lack of Residential Treatment programs<00:55:25.559
• </c> processes as Residential Treatment processes as Residential Treatment providers<00:55:46.599><c>
• DCT provides treatment to individuals who are court-ordered to receive sex offender treatment in a secure

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this is facilities and treatments.
• Um, we require treatments and or quarantine.
• ><c> and</c><00:39:50.560><c> or</c> we require treatments um and or we require treatments um and or
• </c><00:40:27.920><c> things</c> So here's uh just some pre-order things So here's uh just some pre-order
• And like one of them is treatments; one of the proposals is looking at treatments, and one of the LFA

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> can come here to have a cancer treatment can come here to have a cancer treatment and<00:05:11.759
• </c> the treatment location. the treatment location.
• </c> Is it any kind of medical treatment? Is it any kind of medical treatment?
• </c> it's medically necessary treatments. it's medically necessary treatments.
• </c> seeking medical treatment elsewhere. seeking medical treatment elsewhere.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.