Video & Transcript Research : 'developer fees'
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VT
Transcript Highlights:
- on the bottom of page 12 there is a fee on the bottom of page 12 there is a fee report.<00:26:56.320
- <00:27:02.400>
from generally funded through fees from generally funded through fees from - It's just a fee report. It does not set fees at this time. Thank you, Mr. President.
- It's just a fee report. It does not set fees at this time. Thank you, Mr.
- fees at this time. Thank you, Mr. fees at this time. Thank you, Mr. President. President.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- They don't have to develop it. develop it. develop it. They don't have to spend any money.
- Four, attorney's fees. Five, any other relief in the fees. Five, any other relief in the fees.
- and shared with a store developer and shared with a store developer and shared with a developer.
- Three, app developer. Three, app developer.
- . the developer. the developer.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Task Force on Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance 9/10/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- affordable housing developers, single-family developers, and economic development organizations.
- housing uh developers, single affordable housing uh developers, single family<00:05:03.199>
developers - Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
- Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
- Things like public adjuster fees, management company fees that are being added onto the claim.
Summary:
The task force held its first meeting on the insurance affordability crisis affecting single-family housing, common interest communities, and multifamily rental housing. Members and staff introduced themselves, including representatives from insurers, the Department of Commerce, housing advocates, affordable housing developers, and HOA/community association interests. Representative Steve Elkins was elected chair by roll call vote with 10 members in favor, after discussion that the Senate appointee’s formal appointment had not yet arrived; the group noted the intent to later move to co-chair leadership once that appointment is finalized.
Staff reviewed the task force’s enabling statute and open meeting law requirements. The task force is charged with studying homeowners and commercial property insurance, property resilience and risk mitigation, liability laws and possible tort reform, notice and oversight issues, public reporting, and the state-supported insurance program, including possible expansion to a catastrophic reinsurance fund or self-insured pool. The final report is due February 15 and will go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and employment and economic development, as well as relevant legislative committees. Members were also briefed on meeting logistics, a draft charter to be voted on at the second meeting, a resource page for shared materials, and the schedule of future meetings.
The Department of Commerce then gave an overview of Minnesota’s property and casualty insurance market. Commerce described its regulatory role, the state’s competitiveness test, and how homeowners insurance is often filed under a “file and use” process rather than prior approval. The presentation emphasized that homeowners coverage has been under pressure for years: insurers have lost money in many recent years, premiums have risen, some consumers are taking on more risk through higher deductibles or reduced coverage, and some are moving into the surplus market. Commerce also highlighted the impact of severe weather losses, the growth in premiums since 2014, and gaps in oversight for homeowners associations and related policies.
The meeting then shifted to brainstorming the problems the task force should address. Early discussion focused on climate and construction-related resilience, including hail and wind-driven rain damage, discontinued building materials, and whether stronger materials are reflected in insurance pricing. Members also raised the need to study programs like Alabama’s fortified roof model and Minnesota’s own Strengthen Minnesota Homes effort, along with questions about whether the construction industry is prepared to support broader resilience measures. No additional votes were taken during the discussion segment.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (7-8-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:17:36.559>
the went through an RFP, you developed the went through an RFP, you developed - explanation for this fee. explanation for this fee.
- I don't think there be any misunderstanding about these fees.
- necessarily mean that they're low fees. necessarily mean that they're low fees.
- for proposal is being developed. for proposal is being developed.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection.
The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts.
The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate.
A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Tue Feb 4, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- for you know what we call the green fees for you know what we call the green fees bill<00:30:21.320
- of planning and sustainable development of planning and sustainable development in<00:41:01.040>
- So we haven’t seen geothermal development, and we’ve heard from developers that they’re not willing to
- So we haven’t seen geothermal development, and we’ve heard from developers that they’re not willing to
- So we haven’t seen geothermal development, and we’ve heard from developers that they’re not willing to
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work.
The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed.
Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session E May 29th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The transportation, tourism, and economic development budget in this bill includes a lot of important
- No one is contemplating this in... ...and 5,000 new jobs or economic growth or development.
- The approval by the BOG as it relates to out-of-state fees for nonresidents is ministerial only.
- tuition and fee costs after other federal, state, and institutional gift aid is applied.
- tuition and fee costs after other federal state and institutional gift aid is applied.
Summary:
The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects.
Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation.
Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on S.F. 1832 - Jobs and Labor Omnibus - 05/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Develop Finance and Policy Committee. Develop Finance and Policy Committee.
- And then you economic development.
- :10:12.320>
labor economic development and labor economic development and labor conference<00: - for the emerging developer fund program. for the emerging developer fund program.
- certain labor labor and industry fees certain labor labor and industry fees fee<00:46:55.440>
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- .<00:09:21.320>
Now, fee. - Now, fee.
- their convenience fee, which is an arbitrary fee that they could charge or they could not charge.
- their convenience fee, which is an arbitrary fee that they could charge or they could not charge.
- fee you mentioned?
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- for our agency and we strive to keep those fees low.
- When reviewing fees charged by other medical boards across the country, Texas is not the highest fee
- Um, licensing fees, big deal. Um.
- We haven't raised fees since September 2015, like I said, and the fees have remained flat.
- Representative Bryan's uh contention about fees and.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/11/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- review fee.
- Uh the fee hiccup that I mentioned.
- I seem to only indicate a reduction in a fee, the general fee from 500 to 250 and the square foot from
- from reduction in a fee, the general fee from reduction in a fee, the general fee from 500<01:52
- intentional to reduce that fee. intentional to reduce that fee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 05/01/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, the to support development.
- worked in communities where developers worked in communities where developers will<00:14:50.079>
- While we impacted by development.
- But this fee pays for uh critically fee.
- development to current taxpayers. development to current taxpayers.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The first panel is on rural criminal justice workforce development.
- The kiosk operators dropped their fees to a flat $3 to $10.
- Now they're dropping their fees to $3 to $10.
- the fee structure, yes, the kiosk operators were refunding.
- Our team has developed the watchdog program.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They developed this land. It's our home.
- Because of the fees. Because of the fee. So just keep that in mind.
- Fees are changed, the bonding.
- I would say, just starting to develop in a meaningful way.
- “Development projects that is on board to come in.
Summary:
The House Natural Resources Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and took up several bills related to property rights, expropriation, renewable energy recycling, and local permitting. Representative Domangue first presented HCR 80 on private property rights, using it to highlight the 2025 landman code of conduct and the need for stronger guardrails in expropriation negotiations. She then deferred the resolution in order to allow Chairman Geymann to present HB 841, which was described as establishing a code of conduct for landmen and expropriation-related negotiations. The committee heard testimony and watched video examples from landowners describing intimidation, inadequate compensation offers, and the need for fair treatment. Amendments were adopted to broaden the bill to all certificate holders, prohibit threats about court costs and attorney fees, shorten response times, and add graduated fines and public posting for violations. HB 841 was reported favorably as amended, with no opposition cards recorded.
The committee then considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which would require recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. After discussion with DEQ, the bill was amended to clarify that existing universal waste rules apply and to remove language that would have required the renewable facility owner to pay decommissioning costs in that section; the effective date was set for January 1, 2027. Testimony from renewable energy industry representatives supported the measure and explained that solar panels and related components can be recycled at high rates, with established markets for recovered materials. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 621 favorably.
Next, Representative Jacob Landry presented HB 595, aimed at preventing local governments from unreasonably delaying or impeding energy projects through permit requirements, especially road permits affecting Haynesville Shale operations. After amendment, the bill required timely action on local road permits and deemed them approved if not acted on within 30 days. Supporters emphasized the economic importance of the Haynesville and the need for predictable permitting, while opponents argued the bill could further erode local authority, particularly regarding carbon capture and sequestration. The committee reported HB 595 favorably. Landry then presented HB 1191, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites to provide a cleaner path for cleanup, finality, and future investment. The bill drew technical and substantive amendments, including changes to definitions, confidentiality, and the role of DEQ; discussion continued over whether the bill should be deferred to allow more time to work through the remaining issues.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2432 5/16/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Then we have two permanent fee increases.
- Then we have two permanent fee increases.
- <00:52:46.880>
and significant role in developing and significant role in developing and maintaining - And the amendment would just state that any fee that is charged needs to be a reasonable fee.
- The judges setting the fee. That's right.
Summary:
The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use.
The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item.
After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , increasing the current electric vehicle fee of $75 annually to $200, and instituting a fee at public
- , increasing the current electric vehicle fee of $75 annually to $200, and instituting a fee at public
- , increasing the current electric vehicle fee of $75 annually to $200, and instituting a fee at public
- , increasing the current electric vehicle fee of $75 annually to $200, and instituting a fee at public
- , increasing the current electric vehicle fee of $75 annually to $200, and instituting a fee at public
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a few other changes by publishing our fee schedule online.
- Additionally, it reduces the statutory caps on certain board fees.
- This was for six units, minimal expenses for the whole development.
- So a developer, for example, is just anyone who has a website. So that makes me a developer.
- data center developers' profits.
Bills:
SB1206, SB1254, SB1290, SB1421, SB1432, SB1515, SB1563, SB1641, SB1649, SB1670, SB1671, SB1747
Keywords:
storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention, storm chaser, residential construction contract, workers' compensation, joint check, claim solicitation
Summary:
The Commerce Committee heard and acted on a long series of bills, with several strike-everything amendments. SB 1421, dealing with restrictions on financial institutions, check cashers, and remittances involving undocumented immigrants, drew strong opposition on constitutional and economic grounds and support from the sponsor as a sovereignty measure; the committee rejected a Villegas affordable-housing striker and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. SB 1254, a continuation/cleanup bill for the Industrial Commission of Arizona and its divisions, was explained as mostly renaming and administrative changes and passed unanimously after adopting the chairman’s striker. SB 1515 created a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and corrections retention bonuses funded by investment earnings from the Budget Stabilization Fund; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a needed retention tool, while some members objected to using rainy-day fund interest, and it passed on a split vote. SB 1206 updated homeowner protection rules for adjusters and contractors after disasters, limiting certain conduct during loss events and emergency responses, and passed unanimously after amendment.
The committee also approved SB 1563, which continues the Barbering and Cosmetology Board and lowers some fee caps, after testimony that the board protects public health and sanitation. SB 1649 established a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund; a Ripple Labs witness discussed self-custody options for unclaimed crypto, while an Aguilar striker would have required reporting on employers whose workers receive public assistance, but that amendment failed and the underlying bill passed. SB 1290, originally about HOA closed meetings, became a major debate over transparency versus privacy; opponents warned the Carter striker would force disclosure of sensitive member and employee matters, supporters argued HOAs should not take secret action, and the committee adopted both the Aguilar consumer-protection striker and the Carter HOA transparency striker before passing the bill. SB 1670, preempting local contractor licensing and allowing certain journeyman licenses, was amended with a Villegas striker aimed at landlord algorithmic pricing and passed unanimously.
The committee continued the Arizona Department of Gaming, Racing, and Boxing/MMA commissions in SB 1671, with the chairman’s amendment narrowing reporting requirements and adding aggregate complaint reporting; the department said it had worked with auditors and supported the bill, which passed. The meeting then moved into SB 1747, beginning discussion of social media application requirements for developers and covered companies, including age verification and parental consent, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action on that bill.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Licensing & Administrative Procedures Mar 11th, 2025
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Transcript Highlights:
- That includes excise taxes and license fees. 255 of that are going to be excise taxes.
- The system replaces a number of legacy systems that were developed either developed at TDLR or moved
- They're not regulated, right, but yet they're allowed to charge these fees.
- At a later date we could develop facts that might show some a threat to those issues.
- In this case, we developed facts that showed that it was a threat.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- So then they try to slap me with various fees.
- So then they try to slap me with various fees.
- Internally, we get paid on a fee-for-service basis.
- Now, why did they keep fee-for-service internally?
- Switching from fee-for-service to a prospective monthly payment.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access.
The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms.
The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 18th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events, requiring licensure and authorizing fees
- Select HB number sixty by Lopez O'Cameron relates to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of
- HB number sixty-eight by Lopez O'Cameron relates to the study by the Texas Water Development Board on
- the cost of developing flood infrastructure in this state for the Committee on Disaster Preparedness
- No. 156 by Bowers relating to the development and implementation of outdoor warning siren activation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- the amendments to the Medicare fee the amendments to the Medicare fee schedule<00:36:36.680>
- they linked costs to the Medicare fee they linked costs to the Medicare fee schedule<00:47:57.160
- and development and development agency<00:53:19.240>
uh <00:53:19.359>we <00:53:19.599 - didn't have to pay the registration fee didn't have to pay the registration fee for<01:14:30.840
- , or is it just a fee for out-of-state?
Summary:
The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided.
The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.