Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:49:01.440><c> of</c><00:49:01.680><c> time,</c><00:49:02.559><c> we</c><00:49:02.800><c> were</
• significance<00:49:14.960><c> but</c><00:49:15.839><c> um</c><00:49:16.880><c> uh</c><00:49:17.359><
• <00:49:26.960><c> So,</c><00:49:27.184><c> [snorts]</c><00:49:27.200><c> if</c><00:49:27.359><c> you<
• ><c> I</c><00:49:29.839><c> I</c><00:49:30.240><c> realize</c><00:49:30.559><c> it</c><00:49:30.800><
• ><c> are</c><00:49:39.440><c> uh</c><00:49:39.599><c> that</c><00:49:39.839><c> are</c><00:49:40.079>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• were</c><00:49:29.280><c> addressed</c><00:49:29.599><c> by</c><00:49:29.760><c> the</c><00:49:29.920
• programs<00:49:35.119><c> and</c><00:49:35.359><c> to</c><00:49:35.680><c> public</c><00:49:35.920><
• > of</c><00:49:45.839><c> the</c><00:49:46.000><c> Senate</c><00:49:46.319><c> is</c><00:49:46.480><c
• I support the<00:49:50.800><c> compromise</c><00:49:51.359><c> that</c><00:49:51.599><c> we</c><00:49
• I support<00:49:54.640><c> the</c><00:49:55.040><c> increase</c><00:49:55.280><c> to</c><00:49:55.520

Bills: HB0159

Committee: House Education

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However,<00:49:12.720><c> if</c><00:49:13.040><c> there</c><00:49:13.280><c> are</c><00:49:13.720><c>
• 00:49:16.319><c> this</c><00:49:17.040><c> and</c><00:49:17.359><c> this</c><00:49:17.599><c> is</c><
• 49:30.720><c> remove</c><00:49:31.440><c> some</c><00:49:31.680><c> of</c><00:49:31.920><c> them</c><
• Um so<00:49:45.119><c> u</c><00:49:45.200><c> Miss</c><00:49:45.559><c> Bears</c><00:49:46.800><c> uh
• </c><00:49:58.720><c> Uh</c><00:49:58.960><c> and</c><00:49:59.119><c> we</c><00:49:59.280><c> thank<

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:49:05.640><c> looking</c><00:49:06.520><c> at</c><00:49:07.520><c> um</c><00:49:07.640><c> and
• ><c> kids</c><00:49:11.079><c> this</c><00:49:11.200><c> is</c><00:49:11.400><c> how</c><00:49:11.520
• is how I sound at<00:49:12.040><c> the</c><00:49:12.119><c> end</c><00:49:12.319><c> stage</c><00:49
• ><c> 3</c><00:49:28.119><c> uh</c><00:49:28.559><c> accept</c><00:49:28.880><c> or</c><00:49:29.040><
• <c> and</c><00:49:34.079><c> so</c><00:49:34.319><c> I'm</c><00:49:34.680><c> I</c><00:49:35.160><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.480><c> for</c><00:49:00.720><c> most</c><00:49:00.880><c> of</c><00:49:00.960><c> you</c><00:49:
• /c><00:49:04.960><c> is</c><00:49:05.119><c> going</c><00:49:05.280><c> to</c><00:49:05.359><c> honor
• Um, as<00:49:13.599><c> you</c><00:49:13.680><c> heard,</c><00:49:13.920><c> Bruce</c><00:49:14.160><
• :49:20.640><c> E911</c><00:49:21.440><c> system</c><00:49:21.760><c> back</c><00:49:22.079><c> then.
• really<00:49:26.079><c> trans</c><00:49:26.800><c> transitioned</c><00:49:27.520><c> then</c><00:49:

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and the reason we<00:49:14.240><c> got</c><00:49:14.400><c> them</c><00:49:14.559><c> to</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:38.640><c> However,</c><00:49:39.040><c> if</c><00:49:39.280><c> the</c><00:49:39.440><c>
• 49:43.680><c> remaining</c><00:49:44.240><c> money</c><00:49:44.880><c> that</c><00:49:45.280><c> was
• </c><00:49:46.960><c> Uh</c><00:49:47.200><c> and</c><00:49:47.359><c> so</c><00:49:47.520><c> that</
• </c><00:49:49.040><c> reason</c><00:49:49.280><c> that</c><00:49:49.520><c> was</c><00:49:49.760><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population. Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking. The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:11.680><c> That</c><00:49:11.920><c> would</c><00:49:12.079><c> be</c><00:49:12.240><c> a<
• The law<00:49:17.119><c> is</c><00:49:17.280><c> explicit</c><00:49:17.839><c> is</c><00:49:17.920><c
• 49:19.359><c> we</c><00:49:20.040><c> chose</c><00:49:21.040><c> historically</c><00:49:21.760><c> to
• ><c> does</c><00:49:25.599><c> not</c><00:49:26.160><c> and</c><00:49:26.319><c> I</c><00:49:26.480><
• ><c> law</c><00:49:29.040><c> in</c><00:49:29.280><c> the</c><00:49:29.440><c> limits</c><00:49:29.680

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> All<00:49:06.960><c> right,</c><00:49:07.000><c> now</c><00:49:07.120><c> move</c><00:49:07.280>
• Secretary,<00:49:08.840><c> uh</c><00:49:08.880><c> call</c><00:49:09.120><c> the</c><00:49:09.200><c
• </c> On<00:49:15.440><c> page</c><00:49:15.640><c> 69</c><00:49:16.160><c> of</c><00:49:16.200><c> the
• </c> Mr.<00:49:25.640><c> President,</c><00:49:26.120><c> I</c><00:49:26.160><c> move</c><00:49:26.400
• :49:53.920><c> retailer,</c><01:49:54.320><c> you're</c><01:49:54.440><c> going</c><01:49:54.560><c>

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine business including excusing absent senators, adopting the prior journal, and recognizing several guests in the gallery. The chamber also paused to honor Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, with a Senate resolution commending him as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 outstanding superintendent of the year. Senator Smitherman and Dr. Sullivan both spoke, with Sullivan highlighting Birmingham’s academic gains, reduced failing schools, and lower chronic absenteeism. The Senate then processed a series of House messages and confirmations. It concurred in SB 288 on agriculture authorities and SB 317 on the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, but non-concurred and sent SB 174 on natural resources and SB 32 on solid waste collection fees to conference. The chamber confirmed numerous appointments, including Rex Jones, William Donahue, Jim Massey, Jason Windham, Alexander Atwater, Charles Dean, Steve McKinnon, Bonnie Temple, Shaniqua Johnson-Enam, Dwayne Jenkins, Troy Skipworth, Gloria Watts, Tracy Doughty, Kevin Ball, Joe D. Briggs, Josh Bryant, Dylan Turk, David R. Pruitt III, and Carol Smitherman, with most confirmations passing on near-unanimous rolls. Committee reports advanced several House bills, including favorable reports on HB 224, 591, 614, 609, 444, 248, 611, 622, 92, and 556, with HB 248 amended. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2026 national championship, and another resolution recognizing the seriousness of the national debt and urging Congress to establish regular budget order. A resolution honoring retired Brigadier General Vandiver H. Carter as the 2026 Marion Military Institute Alumnus of the Year and a resolution commending John R. Cooper were also adopted. In local legislation, the Senate passed HB 635 for Choctaw County, HB 639 for Escambia County, SB 10 for Tuscaloosa County, HB 315 for class one municipalities after adopting a committee substitute and a friendly amendment, and HB 404 for class one municipalities. Finally, the Committee on Rules reported and the Senate adopted a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing a wide range of bills for priority consideration, including measures on solar power facilities, homestead exemptions, education, guardianships, tax increment districts, legal tender, college tuition, crime victims compensation, motor vehicles, entertainment industry issues, campus chaplains, tax abatements, alcoholic beverage producers, data privacy, constables, insurance, municipal audits, income tax, public high schools, taxation, state health planning, and University of Alabama matters.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:05.520><c> one</c><00:49:05.760><c> to</c><00:49:06.319><c> run</c><00:49:06.559><c> away</c><
• 10.400><c> I</c><00:49:11.040><c> I'm</c><00:49:11.359><c> willing</c><00:49:11.599><c> to</c><00:49:
• :49:12.640><c> I'm</c><00:49:12.800><c> willing,</c><00:49:13.200><c> like</c><00:49:13.359><c> I</c>
• said, I'm<00:49:13.920><c> more</c><00:49:14.079><c> of</c><00:49:14.160><c> a</c><00:49:14.319><c>
• yes</c><00:49:14.559><c> can</c><00:49:14.800><c> do</c><00:49:14.960><c> than</c><00:49:15.119><c> a

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3019, which would cap ticket resale prices at face value for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to enforce violations. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill and said it preferred a ticket transparency approach focused on upfront disclosure of fees, while supporters argued the measure would curb scalping, bots, and extreme markups. Testimony from the National Independent Venue Association and a concert promoter emphasized that resale does not add inventory and said the bill would protect consumers; committee members questioned DCCA about enforcement and cited examples of very high resale prices for local concerts. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair said the measure would be moved along for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3311, which would create the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within DLNR to fund fire-mitigation grants for residential property owners. DLNR supported the bill, saying the need is immediate and that the program is modeled on successful mainland efforts, though the department said it ultimately belongs under the State Fire Marshal once that office has capacity. DCCA’s Insurance Division submitted written comments only. The measure was received without further action in the excerpt. Senate Bill 2979, authorizing DLNR and community-based organizations to enter community co-management agreements for state lands, drew broad support from OHA, community groups, and several individuals, who said the bill would formalize partnerships, strengthen shared responsibility, and help community stewardship efforts. Testifiers clarified that the bill does not require 65-year agreements and said the term should be left to DLNR’s discretion. The committee then moved on without questions or a vote shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2351 on the state park special fund, which would allow DLNR to use fund monies for environmental protection programs. DLNR’s state parks administrator opposed the bill, saying the special fund is already fully committed to urgent maintenance and infrastructure needs across an aging park system, and warned that diverting money would weaken the fund’s ability to support parks. The Tax Foundation also submitted written testimony, and a community witness opposed the measure for similar reasons. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Senate Bill 2918, which would require HCDA to establish a community action center in Chinatown; HCDA’s executive director expressed concern about jurisdiction and said the city and county should continue leading that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:49:04.280><c> from</c><00:49:04.720><c> what</c><00:49:05.040><c> the</c><00:49:05.840><c> um</
• <00:49:14.640><c> and</c><00:49:14.760><c> a</c><00:49:14.840><c> half</c><00:49:15.240><c> from</c><
• ><c> in</c><00:49:25.560><c> this</c><00:49:25.760><c> bill</c><00:49:26.520><c> at</c><00:49:26.720>
• > uh</c><00:49:39.240><c> numbers</c><00:49:40.080><c> that</c><00:49:40.200><c> had</c><00:49:40.400
• So Mr.<00:49:59.000><c> Chairman,</c><00:49:59.320><c> that</c><00:49:59.520><c> is</c><00:49:59.800>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:14.319><c> Thank</c><00:49:14.400><c> you</c><00:49:14.559><c> so</c><00:49:14.800><c> much
• So<00:49:15.680><c> then</c><00:49:15.920><c> on</c><00:49:16.079><c> the</c><00:49:16.240><c> fiscal
• :17.280><c> Well,</c><01:49:17.600><c> I</c><01:49:17.760><c> I</c><01:49:18.320><c> think</c><01:49:
• ><c> page</c><01:49:30.080><c> one</c><01:49:30.639><c> of</c><01:49:30.880><c> the</c><01:49:31.199>
• what that<01:49:42.480><c> means</c><01:49:43.320><c> but</c><01:49:44.320><c> I'm</c><01:49:44.800><

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:49:05.240><c> been</c><00:49:05.480><c> lucky</c><00:49:06.040><c> as</c><00:49:06.359><c> as</c
• c><00:49:08.319><c> we</c><00:49:08.599><c> have</c><00:49:09.079><c> um</c><00:49:09.200><c> we</c>
• ><00:49:20.200><c> uh</c><00:49:20.440><c> little</c><00:49:20.760><c> over</c><00:49:20.920><c> a</c
• 49:23.160><c> funds</c><00:49:23.440><c> is</c><00:49:23.559><c> used</c><00:49:23.799><c> for</c><00
• :49:07.920><c> to</c><01:49:08.280><c> us</c><01:49:09.280><c> and</c><01:49:09.719><c> so</c><01:49:

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not<00:49:02.800><c> clear</c><00:49:03.200><c> that</c><00:49:03.440><c> that</c><00:49:03.680><c>
• Um the second concern<00:49:08.640><c> is</c><00:49:08.960><c> on</c><00:49:09.200><c> the</c><00:49:
• 09.359><c> first</c><00:49:09.599><c> page</c><00:49:10.480><c> um</c><00:49:10.720><c> at</c><00:49:
• Um<00:49:54.240><c> that</c><00:49:54.960><c> whole</c><00:49:55.359><c> section</c><00:49:56.000><c>
• </c><00:49:58.559><c> Um</c><00:49:58.880><c> and</c><00:49:59.040><c> if</c><00:49:59.280><c> the</c

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:49:02.080><c> promote</c><01:49:02.480><c> their</c><01:49:02.800><c> welfare,</c><01:49:03.520>
• Thank<01:49:22.239><c> you</c><01:49:22.400><c> very</c><01:49:22.639><c> much,</c><01:49:22.800><c>
• </c><01:49:36.080><c> uh,</c><01:49:36.639><c> Chair,</c><01:49:36.960><c> I</c><01:49:37.119><c> do<
• I<01:49:37.760><c> think</c><01:49:37.840><c> I've</c><01:49:38.080><c> said</c><01:49:38.239><c> it<
• Huffman,<01:49:53.520><c> if</c><01:49:53.679><c> you</c><01:49:53.760><c> would</c><01:49:53.920><c>

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.760><c> you</c><01:49:00.880><c> and</c><01:49:00.960><c> I</c><01:49:01.080><c> think</c><01:49:
• ever dream<01:49:14.760><c> of</c><01:49:15.119><c> unless</c><01:49:15.440><c> you</c><01:49:15.679
• c><01:49:18.480><c> and</c><01:49:18.599><c> I</c><01:49:18.800><c> have</c><01:49:19.080><c> maybe</
• the</c><01:49:21.080><c> only</c><01:49:21.400><c> way</c><01:49:22.040><c> that</c><01:49:22.480><c>
• that the car<01:49:23.599><c> is</c><01:49:23.760><c> going</c><01:49:23.960><c> to</c><01:49:24.119

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:01.200><c> one</c><00:49:01.280><c> I</c><00:49:01.440><c> had.
• &gt;&gt; So<00:49:02.079><c> it's</c><00:49:02.240><c> a</c><00:49:02.400><c> it's</c><00:49:02.640><
• </c><00:49:04.960><c> Um,</c><00:49:05.280><c> and</c><00:49:05.440><c> then</c><00:49:05.680><c> our
• 49:08.319><c> subsidy</c><00:49:08.720><c> amount,</c><00:49:09.200><c> and</c><00:49:09.359><c> then
• </c><00:49:09.839><c> whatever</c><00:49:10.160><c> the</c><00:49:10.240><c> cost</c><00:49:10.400><c

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board received updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. Chris Biddle reported that deferred compensation assets had grown to about $4.787 billion with roughly 88,000 participants, crediting auto-enrollment, targeted marketing around pay raises, and retiree-focused services. He said the board’s self-directed brokerage account, authorized by last year’s legislation, is being designed around a $40,000 account-balance threshold with up to 25% transferable into the brokerage window, tentatively for July 1 of the coming year. He also described the free financial planning program, which has been used by about 3,300 to 3,500 participants with an 87% return rate, and noted that the plan is currently in a fee holiday; members asked about the fee structure and whether the CFP service is provided through Nationwide, which Biddle confirmed. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s growth and asked for the legislation referenced by Biddle. He said the plan’s annual fees are capped, with a $1 monthly fee plus other charges up to a $225 cap, for a maximum of $237 per year absent a managed account. He also said the program is seeking unified payroll access to expand participation, especially among teachers, and that prior lineup changes saved about $6 million annually in participant fees. Bo Barnes of TRS then addressed retired teachers’ health insurance, first clarifying a prior question about declining federal contributions to the retirement annuity trust. He explained that federally funded school positions generated contributions that rose from $72 million in 2019 to $109 million in 2022, then fell to $85 million this year, with a projection of $80 million over the next three years; if those dollars do not come from federal sources, they would have to be replaced through the SEEK formula. Barnes then reviewed TRS health coverage, explaining that the statutory contract guarantees access to group coverage but not fixed premium levels, and that TRS administers two retiree plans: KEHP for retirees under 65 or otherwise not Medicare-eligible, and MEHP for retirees 65 and older or Medicare-eligible. Barnes said TRS completed RFPs for the 2026 plan year, retaining Express Scripts for prescription drugs and switching the Medicare Advantage medical provider from UnitedHealthcare to Humana, while keeping plan design, provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits materially unchanged. He noted a modest hearing-aid improvement of $500 per ear beginning in 2026. He also reported that the TRS Board approved the maximum state contribution for KEHP at $1,044.96, up from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said would require about $15 million to $16 million more annually, while the MEHP premium would drop from $210 to $200 per month because of the new contract. Using the 2024 valuation, he said the KEHP increase would slightly reduce the health trust funded ratio from 80.4% to 80.1% and raise unfunded liability from $4.036 billion to $4.051 billion. Barnes closed by reviewing the 2010 shared-responsibility reforms that shifted retiree health costs away from a pay-as-you-go model, including phased employee and district contributions and Commonwealth stabilization funding. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the LME<00:49:28.800><c> uh</c><00:49:28.960><c> the</c><00:49:29.119><c> assigned</c><00:49:29.520><
• </c><00:49:31.599><c> uh</c><00:49:31.760><c> we</c><00:49:32.000><c> increased</c><00:49:32.720><c>
• :37.520><c> year</c><00:49:37.680><c> 2627</c><00:49:38.559><c> and</c><00:49:39.119><c> 22</c><00:49
• </c><02:49:16.240><c> the</c><02:49:16.560><c> lack</c><02:49:16.800><c> of</c><02:49:17.040><c> paid
• c> And</c><02:49:21.680><c> I,</c><02:49:22.000><c> you</c><02:49:22.160><c> know,</c><02:49:22.319><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :15.920><c> was</c><00:49:16.559><c> come</c><00:49:16.720><c> in</c><00:49:16.960><c> from</c><00:49
• He<00:49:34.400><c> said</c><00:49:34.640><c> this</c><00:49:34.880><c> most</c><00:49:35.119><c> recent
• </c><00:49:46.160><c> I</c><00:49:46.400><c> know</c><00:49:46.880><c> initially</c><00:49:47.520><c>
• <01:49:43.679><c> And</c><01:49:43.840><c> those</c><01:49:44.159><c> insurance</c><01:49:44.560><c>
• and</c><01:49:56.480><c> and</c><01:49:56.880><c> again</c><01:49:57.119><c> like</c><01:49:57.679><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees held an informational briefing on efforts to expand insurance capacity in Hawaii’s property market, especially for condominium and homeowners coverage. The Insurance Commissioner reviewed the background: a legislative task force, the governor’s emergency proclamation in August 2024, and Senate Bill 1044 in May 2025 led to new condo insurance products. He said the work over the past two and a half years was producing positive results and introduced representatives from HPIA and HHRF/HHR to provide updates. HPIA’s board chair and its administrator described the organization’s history, structure, and current products. HPIA said it was created in 1991 as a residual market for homeowners insurance, now writing four residential products: HO2 homeowners, renters, HO6 condo unit owners, and dwelling fire. They reported policy counts have grown again as admitted-market carriers tightened underwriting, and they discussed financial pressure from reinsurance costs, though those costs had declined in 2025 after different purchasing decisions. They also said the market has become more favorable overall, with some capacity returning and deductibles beginning to ease. Members focused much of their questioning on HPIA’s proposed higher dwelling limits. HPIA explained that the current $450,000 limit for homeowners and dwelling fire was set in 2023, but agents are now asking for a higher limit in the $650,000 to $750,000 range because construction costs have risen and many policies are not being submitted when the limit is too low. HPIA said it has the authority to raise the limit through a filing with the Insurance Division and expects more submissions if the cap increases. They also discussed the shift in the book of business from roughly 70% lava-zone coverage to closer to a 50/50 split between lava and non-lava risks. HPIA outlined strategic initiatives: a new policy administration system that went live October 1 and now allows online payments, online claims reporting, and electronic notices; a filed request to raise the homeowners and dwelling fire limit to $650,000 effective March 1 for new business and April 1 for renewals; an increase in the HO6 condo unit owners limit from $5,000 to $100,000; and a planned commercial property all-other-perils-excluding-hurricane condo product targeted for filing by January 31. No votes were taken, and the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:02.400><c> So</c><00:49:02.720><c> what</c><00:49:02.960><c> we</c><00:49:03.200><c> are</
• :12.319><c> and</c><00:49:12.559><c> also</c><00:49:12.800><c> from</c><00:49:13.200><c> KRS</c><00:49
• 00:49:17.200><c> that</c><00:49:17.520><c> we</c><00:49:17.680><c> are</c><00:49:18.079><c> hopeful</
• satisfy</c><00:49:20.079><c> the</c><00:49:20.319><c> committee's</c><00:49:21.040><c> need</c><00:49
• :22.480><c> and</c><00:49:22.800><c> for</c><00:49:23.920><c> uh</c><00:49:24.000><c> being</c><00:49

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• um<00:49:05.920><c> and</c><00:49:06.240><c> that</c><00:49:06.760><c> that</c><00:49:07.040><c> is<
• > we</c><00:49:09.720><c> do</c><00:49:10.000><c> it</c><00:49:10.559><c> reasonably</c><00:49:11.319
• :49:13.400><c> we</c><00:49:13.559><c> may</c><00:49:13.799><c> have</c><00:49:14.079><c> not</c><00:
• <c> as</c><00:49:17.720><c> we</c><00:49:17.880><c> should</c><00:49:18.799><c> so</c><00:49:19.799><
• </c><00:49:31.000><c> or</c><00:49:31.160><c> even</c><00:49:31.599><c> TRC</c><00:49:32.599><c> it's

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all