Transcript Highlights:

• What types of disabilities would be categorized under that disability categories?
• What types of disabilities would be categorized under that disability categories?
• 00:27:41.320><c> disabilities</c><00:27:42.320><c> or</c> um multiple disabilities or um multiple disabilities
• I support it. Yes.
• Did you support original bill HB50? Yes. Did you support that?

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> developmental disabilities. developmental disabilities.
• </c> developmental mental disabilities. developmental mental disabilities.
• ,</c> Down syndrome, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, and<00:03:44.239
• You've got some behavioral support.
• </c> that we are not a a service or support that we are not a a service or support that<00:33:56.720>

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the July 15 minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood of the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville. The clinic serves people with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities through a transdisciplinary model that combines medical, dental, behavioral, psychiatric, therapy, and other services under one roof. The presenters argued that this population is large-cost but small in number, often receives little provider training, and is vulnerable to diagnostic overshadowing, overmedication, and missed medical or dental problems. The clinic reported that in Tennessee, payer data showed average costs of about $5,200 per member per month before clinic involvement, with a 44% reduction in overall health care spending after patients were seen, including lower emergency room use, inpatient admissions, and prescription use. They said those savings were measured by the payer, not the clinic, and that the savings accrued to Medicaid or managed care payers rather than the clinic itself. They also shared a case example of a patient who had been placed on hospice but improved after diagnosis and treatment at the clinic. Patient and parent satisfaction were described as very high, generally above 95%. The clinic asked for roughly $5 million to expand into Northern Kentucky, estimating 500 to 700 patients would use the new site and projecting annual savings of about $13 million to $19 million once mature. Members asked about the budget, startup and operating costs, where the savings go, and whether the clinic had considered taking full risk or another value-based model. Senator Meredith and others encouraged the clinic to explore an accountable care or risk-based arrangement, while the presenters said they were open to that discussion but had not pursued it yet. The exchange ended with follow-up questions about the clinic’s overall budget structure and public-private funding mix.

Transcript Highlights:

• Verdugo, waving in support; John Labriola, waving in support; Isabelle Rodriguez, waving in support;
• and Ryan Kennedy, waving in support.
• Federal dollars specifically intended to support students with disabilities enrolled in private and charter
• We do have a couple of waiving in support: Brenda Leon, waving in support, and Liz Delagal, waving in
• support.

Summary: The committee first heard SJR 1104, a proposed constitutional amendment on voluntary religious expression in public schools. Senator Massullo said the measure would protect students and school personnel from discrimination for lawful religious expression, while not requiring prayer or religious activity. Questions focused on whether the proposal would change existing law, whether it could be used to protect coercive conduct by school officials, and whether the staff summary accurately reflected the bill. Public testimony included support from religious-freedom advocates and opposition from American Atheists and some senators who said the measure could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee voted to report SJR 1104 favorably. The committee then took up SB 1738 on educational facilities, which directs state education offices to review facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices to improve safety and accountability. Senator Yarborough offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusting the bill to preserve safe spaces during emergencies. The bill was reported favorably after brief discussion about balancing transparency, access control, and emergency safety. The committee also adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 824 on charter schools, replacing it with a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education, which would publish a statewide report; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next approved confirmation recommendations for appointees on tabs 7 and 8, then took up SPB 7036, a committee bill sponsored by Chair Simon. The package included school turnaround and early literacy changes, updates to school safety and health policies, early learning revisions, instructional changes, and educator pipeline provisions. The most contentious part was a proposal to let the state develop instructional materials; several senators questioned costs, guardrails, and whether the state should enter the textbook business. Simon said that portion was still being considered and that the bill would need safeguards if it moved forward. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1620 on public education, described by Senator Leak as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give individual board members direct access to district documents and staff, limit district attorneys’ ability to represent both the board and administration, strengthen nepotism rules, and prohibit nondisclosure agreements for employees. Testimony from Volusia County board members, educators, and advocates was sharply divided: supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and protect minority board members, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendent authority, expose confidential student or personnel information, and create confusion in district operations. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 1620 favorably. The committee then heard SB 1170 on cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, with an amendment changing the proposal from a statewide mandate to a district policy allowing parents of students with disabilities to request cameras. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, centered on protecting non-speaking and vulnerable students and documenting abuse; one witness opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate. The committee was still in debate on the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , human resource support, as well as information technology support.
• So I'm in strong support of CE. Thank you. And also supportive inclusive practices.
• successful in supporting districts to increase inclusion of students with disabilities.
• successful in supporting districts to increase inclusion of students with disabilities.
• Which has been successful in supporting districts to increase inclusion of students with disabilities

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> confirmed physical or mental disability, confirmed physical or mental disability, individuals<00
• </c><00:41:11.599><c> the</c> modifications so we could support the modifications so we could support
• , what counts as being disabled?
• So what counts as considered disabled. So what counts as being<00:49:02.400><c> disabled?
• </c> being disabled? being disabled?

Summary: The committee on Human Services and Homelessness received a briefing from Scott Morish of the Hawaii Department of Human Services on upcoming SNAP changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OBBA) and on the federal government shutdown’s impact on November SNAP benefits. DHS described its SNAP workload and statewide participation, noting about 86,229 households and 168,947 individuals receiving benefits in September, with roughly $58–$60 million distributed monthly. Morish said DHS has already made system and policy updates in preparation for the November 1 implementation date. Most of the briefing focused on expanded able-bodied adult work requirements. DHS explained that the work rule now applies to additional groups, including adults ages 55 to 64, households with dependent children age 14 and older, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth ages 18 to 24 who transitioned from foster care. The department said affected individuals must generally work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month, with noncompliance leading to a three-month benefit limit and a 36-month ineligibility period. DHS also reviewed exemptions, including for disability, pregnancy, caregiving, school or training, unemployment, and substance use treatment, and clarified that the new Indian Health Care Improvement Act exemption does not include Native Hawaiians. DHS said it received approval for Hawaii’s request for a non-contiguous-state exemption from payment error penalties through September 30, 2026, but must still make good-faith efforts to implement the work rules. Morish also outlined OBBA changes to non-citizen eligibility, saying that beginning November 1 only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible, while other previously eligible categories such as refugees, asylees, and some parolees will no longer qualify. He noted that ineligible non-citizens must still be included in household reporting and their income counted. The committee then discussed the federal shutdown’s effect on SNAP, with DHS saying USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP issuance because of insufficient funding; existing October benefits remain usable, and TANF and general assistance are not affected. DHS said it has posted FAQs and call-center messages, and is working with the Hawaii Food Bank on an additional $2 million in support and with nonprofit partners on a new Hawaii Relief program funded by TANF for families with dependent children. Members asked about eligibility for kūpuna and documentation for the relief program, and DHS said the TANF-funded program is limited to households with a child under 18, while FAQs are now available online.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> communication based on their disability. communication based on their disability.
• Those gaps show up in maternal health outcomes, in early childhood services, disability supports, and
• </c><01:52:03.840><c> supports,</c> childhood services, disability supports, childhood services, disability
• I support the responsibility.
• So I'm here to really support holocaust. So I'm here to really support this<02:30:25.840><c> bill.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• And you have my support and help.
• Previously disabled workers a second chance.
• Do we have any additional support in the room?
• Do we have any additional support in the room?
• We urge your support. Thank you. Do we have an additional support in the room?

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• letter of support.
• </c> professional geologists both support professional geologists both support this<00:03:20.799><c>
• Urge your support. Thank you, Mr.
• </c><00:58:07.559><c> uh</c> and we're grateful for your support uh and we're grateful for your support
• </c><00:59:17.119><c> and</c> appreciate this committee support and appreciate this committee support

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• It's supported by home builders. It's supported by low-income housing advocates.
• It's supported by home builders. It's supported by low-income housing advocates.
• Please support 6070 for Jonathan, for my son, and all those with disabilities who will go missing in
• Please support 6070, Jonathan, for my son, and all those with disabilities who will go missing in the
• I'm here to support I'm here in support of Substitute Senate Bill 5981.

Bills: SB6294 , SB6211 , SB5650 , SB6033 , SB6297 , SB6343 , SB6067 , SB6082 , SB6323 , SB6324 , SB5862 , SB5923 , SB6151

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• It's supported by home builders. It's supported by low-income housing advocates.
• Please support SB 6070 for Jonathan, for my son, and for all those with disabilities. Thank you.
• Please support SB 6070, Jonathan, for my son, and all those with disabilities who will go missing in
• So I support this bill.
• I support this bill.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support the bill.
• ><c> supports</c><01:46:32.960><c> that</c><01:46:33.080><c> children</c> support the supports that children
• support the supports that children actually<01:46:33.880><c> need.
• . disabilities. disabilities.
• . supported. supported.

Bills: HF3493 , HF4114

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary witnesses in support must be those in the author’s office or otherwise have registered a support
• Primary witnesses in support must Thank you.
• The witnesses and support must be those in the author’s office or otherwise have registered a support
• So I would just like to ask for your support.
• I would just like to ask for your support.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• And trying to access needed support.
• I ask for your support of Senate Bill 974.
• I'm here in support of...
• Now, I'm going to go next in support of this bill. Are you in support? Next in support of 974?
• I'm the coordinator of the Mid-Missouri Peer Support Group and the Critical Incident Family Support Team

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunter that waiving in support waiving in support. Thank you.
• Daniel Martinez, Americans for Prosperity, waiving in support trip Hunter Farm Bureau waiving in support
• Shawn Stafford, Florida security goes so she ation waiving in support Ash Mason with our waiving in support
• Smith, Florida PTA waiving in support.
• And I'm so happy to support it.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I ask for your favorable support.
• I ask for your favorable support.
• I ask for your favorable support.
• So I'm excited to support this bill.
• We should be proud of that history and stand up to support our unions that in turn stand up to support

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a veteran that lives on disability.'
• I'm a veteran that lives on disability.'
• by the Minnesota chapter of Disabled Veterans of America.
• of Disabled Veterans of America chapter of Disabled Veterans of America it's<00:26:43.240><c> also</
• uh</c><00:26:45.279><c> the</c> it's also supported by atvam uh the it's also supported by atvam uh

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• She said this committee strongly supports the elderly, the disabled, and those who care for them, and
• </c><01:28:40.320><c> group</c> men's support recovery support group men's support recovery support group
• So really looking at the full spectrum of services that support people with disabilities and mental health
• </c><02:29:16.319><c> people</c><02:29:16.560><c> with</c><02:29:16.800><c> disabilities</c> that support
• people with disabilities that support people with disabilities and<02:29:17.520><c> mental</c><02:29

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm sure I said that incorrectly. ...of the Division of Developmental Disability Services, Jennifer
• Jennifer Brisei, Director of the Division of Developmental Disability Services. Hey, good morning.
• On September 7, 2025, Zachary, a 21-year-old with intellectual disabilities, died.
• On September 7, 2025, Zachary, a 21-year-old with intellectual disabilities.
• This is the sole responsibility of the Division of Developmental Disability Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• disabled one time, you are forever.
• </c><00:15:56.079><c> hunting</c> to buy an annual disabled hunting to buy an annual disabled hunting
• </c> probate court and show the disability probate court and show the disability paperwork.<00:16:11.120
• ><c> paperwork</c><00:16:14.480><c> one</c> upload that disability paperwork one upload that disability
• . disabled. disabled.

Bills: HB267 , HB271 , HB267 , HB271

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: HB267, Alabama, minor consent, medical consent, mental health, school counseling, parental rights, parental consent, parental access to records, health information, health records, vaccine consent, school mental health services, student counseling, youth healthcare, adolescent health, emancipated minor, pregnancy care, sexually transmitted infections, STI treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Aloha United Way in support. Um Hawaii Bicycling League in support.
• Um in support.
• </c> support on Zoom. support on Zoom.
• . support. support.
• disabilities for any ride. And per the disabilities for any ride.

Bills: HB2116 , HB1879 , HB2214 , HB2310 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB1596 , HB2197 , HB2498 , HB2167

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.