Transcript Highlights:

• Or you order groceries on Instacart and learn that your neighbor ordered the same groceries right next
• Or you order groceries from your device.
• </c> neighbor ordered the same groceries neighbor ordered the same groceries right<00:01:53.360><c> next
• For example, your grocery store could send you a coupon on the cereal your kids eat every week.
• 25:50.720><c> could</c> for example, your grocery store could for example, your grocery store could send

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Because you do the grocery shopping. Would this bill make them a criminal? Yeah.
• that film, would that child not be someone to prove that that child didn't commit fraud by buying groceries
• We're going to mandate every grocery store in Texas. I love Senator Creighton. He's my senator.
• But we're going to mandate that every grocery store is going to have video surveillance when it comes

Bills: SB596, SB961, SB1398, SB1183, SB1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to use such benefits to pay for grocery
• Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility and impact of allowing SNAP benefits to pay grocery
• SNAP recipients can already purchase groceries online, but federal rules generally prohibit benefits
• They had a secondary list of grocery stores that they had that this could go into, right?
• My family was in the grocery business, so I saw a lot of the misuse on food stamps.

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's if grocery stores can successfully keep up with stocking the shelves.
• Student loans, and let's add in groceries.
• The cost of groceries is what President Trump campaigned on.
• The cost of groceries. Family experiences it every week in the grocery store.
• The cost of groceries. Let's stand together for that basic concept.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when I was older, I worked at a grocery store, and I still worked at that grocery store as a
• And then when I was older, I worked at a grocery store, and I still worked at that grocery store as a
• And then when I was older, I worked at a grocery store, and I still worked at that grocery store as a
• And then when I was older, I worked at a grocery store, and I still worked at that grocery store as a
• And then when I was older, I worked at a grocery store, and I still worked at that grocery store as a

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here in strong support of getting rid of grocery taxes and non-prescription drugs.
• in strong support of uh getting rid here in strong support of uh getting rid of<01:23:06.760><c> grocery
• taxes and non-prescription of grocery taxes and non-prescription drugs<01:23:08.679><c> that's</c><01
• The financial situation we are in this year, and we know that if we exempt the tax out of groceries,
• The intent of this bill is to exempt groceries, exempt medicine over the counter.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1343, which would amend quorum requirements for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. The board chair testified in support, saying it has been difficult to fill all seats and that using active seats for quorum would help the board function more effectively. No opposition or questions were raised, and the committee moved on. The committee then heard SB 1578, which drew mixed testimony. DBEDT supported the measure and the Attorney General suggested inserting preamble language from HB 1025 to provide historical context on the East-West Center. Austin Martin of the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it could invite improper behavior, create loosely regulated satellite offices, increase foreign influence, and add competition for land ownership. The committee took no vote during the hearing. The bulk of the meeting focused on SB 1641, a measure to establish a Hawaiʻi film commission/authority and related funding and governance structure. DBEDT supported the intent and offered friendly amendments to clarify the distinction between film and media industries, while the Honolulu Film Office and labor representatives from IATSE, Teamsters, and Pride at Work supported the bill but urged changes. Their concerns centered on conflicts of interest, especially having producers on the commission, and they asked for more labor representation and clearer oversight rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional and special-fund concerns, saying the grant standards and special-fund language needed work. Committee members discussed renaming the entity as a Hawaiʻi Film Authority, broadening its scope beyond cultural production, adjusting the commission makeup, and clarifying funding sources, including the existing film and creative industries fund and the 0.2% rebate contribution. No final vote was taken in the portion provided, but members indicated the bill would need substantial revisions and an HD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• of, they're one of your dependents and you've never previously done it before because you do the grocery
• that child not be someone, I mean, how do you prove that that child didn't commit fraud by buying groceries
• surveillance to make sure that the people who are using the card, so we're going to mandate every grocery
• I love Senator Creighton, but we're going to mandate that every grocery store is going to have video

Bills: SB 596, SB 961, SB 1398, SB 1183, SB 1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've got someone and they buy, they've got a grocery card full of stuff.
• And in that grocery card, as Representative Mackey pointed out, so now they've got their granola bars
• Many times we’re the only grocery store in town, certainly in rural areas.
• Grocery stores can provide this information as well. Your members.
• Grocery stores can provide this information as well.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:12:31.600><c> providing</c> delivering weekly groceries, providing delivering weekly groceries
• SEIU represents one member who was detained while getting groceries.
• She'd only been while getting groceries.
• </c> going to work, home, and the grocery going to work, home, and the grocery store<01:06:45.039><c>
• ><c> to</c><01:15:33.280><c> families,</c> When we deliver groceries to families, When we deliver groceries

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's be clear, SNAP participants are a minority of grocery shoppers.
• shopping like once a month and that was how we planned our grocery days, uh, and, and, but what I, I
• So one of the concerns that we have in this is that you're going to have grocery store A who determines
• You have grocery store B who determines that this product is eligible to be purchased with SNAP dollars
• You know, it's like we want to be in people's doctor's office, we never want to be in a grocery store

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Of grocery shoppers.
• month, and that was how we planned our grocery days.
• And the nearest grocery store is five miles away.
• Now we want to be in a grocery store. It's like, what next?
• You can't even go to the grocery store and purchase what you want.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item, Senate Bill 6147, concerns grocery establishment closures.
• It also excludes any retail stores that sell groceries with 25 or fewer locations in the state.
• Senate Bill 6147, concerning notice requirements for grocery establishment closures...
• Senate Bill 6147 concerns notice requirements for grocery establishment closures.
• Can we define what is good faith in negotiating grocery store closure?

Bills: SB6147, SB6082, SB5862, SB5882, SB6323, SB6346, SB6162, SB6256, SB6220, SB5650, SB6343, SB6113, SB6211, SB6114, SB5898, SB6347, SB6244, SB5868, SB5762, SB5988, SB6194, SB6246, SB6223, SB6052, SB5828, SB5954, SB5963, SB5909, SGA9306

Keywords: grocery establishments, closure notice, consumer rights, local businesses, student financial aid, financial aid fraud, higher education, college enrollment fraud, fictitious students, ghost students, enrollment fraud, aid integrity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, AI fraud, fraud prevention, Washington State, legislative audit, JLARC, full-time equivalent

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:24:23.880><c> people</c><00:24:24.200><c> in</c><00:24:24.280><c> need</c> to the grocery
• store, and people in need to the grocery store, and people in need to<00:24:24.640><c> services</c><
• Seniors, low-income workers use it to get their groceries, to go to doctor's visits, and other things
• Seniors, low-income workers use it to get their groceries, to go to doctor's visits, and other things
• And wherever that may the grocery store.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ...was at the onset to address nutrition insecurity because a grocery store 10 blocks from where the
• Prior to that, less than four years prior, another grocery store was there that closed as well.
• And what was at the onset to address nutrition and security because a grocery store 10 blocks from where
• Prior to that, less than four years prior, another grocery store was there that closed as well.
• So two grocery stores closed in a four-year span of time. The second closed in 2017.

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously recommended confirmation of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. It then took up SPB 7020, a Department of Agriculture bill to reenact an expiring public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the department. The department supported the measure, and the committee adopted a motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, which would create a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Bernard explained that the program would target campuses with high percentages of Pell-eligible students, require a survey and SNAP-related assistance, provide at least one food pantry on participating campuses, and direct a report to the Governor and House Speaker by December 1, 2028. A supporter waived in, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors from the St. Pete Youth Farm. They described the farm as a youth-led response to local food access problems after grocery store closures, and outlined programs in leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness, composting, aquaponics, community education, and food production. Members praised the program and asked about expansion, including a culinary kitchen or food truck, partnerships with schools and colleges, and how the initiative began. Bristol said the farm is funded mainly through local redevelopment dollars and that future plans include a food truck, more youth opportunities, and a possible culinary kitchen. The committee concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our neighbor who groceries and her heat.
• They're not, you know, buying groceries.
• </c> local grocery stores in that area. local grocery stores in that area. increased<02:02:04.960><c>
• What happens to the people that drive the groceries, you know, from one state to the grocery store or
• ><c> groceries</c><02:55:51.600><c> come?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We strongly support removing groceries from the G.
• There are many studies that show there’s a strong causal relationship between grocery taxes and food
• from the G uh there are many groceries from the G uh there are many many<00:25:49.720><c> studies</c
• taxes and food insecurity one grocery taxes and food insecurity one and<00:25:55.840><c> three</c><00
• and we we got there from two groceries and we we got there from two different<00:26:27.600><c> angles

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are seniors choosing between groceries and medication and college students skipping meals while
• There are seniors choosing between groceries and medication and college students skipping meals while
• Our families are already carrying the weight of rising rent, grocery costs, economic uncertainty, and
• the table and a roof over their family's heads. ...are already carrying the weight of rising rent, grocery
• at their local groceries, bodegas, or even their corner stores.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Discounts on groceries to encourage them to continue to shop with a specific grocer.
• That consumer having shopped at a grocery in the past is personal information.
• Discounts on groceries to encourage them to continue to shop with a specific grocer.
• That consumer having shopped at a grocery in the past is personal information.
• That is the grocery store in my community, the closest to my house.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• use to buy groceries, maybe health utilities,<00:20:26.720><c> but</c><00:20:26.960><c> that's</c><00
• Because a lot of times when you go to the grocery, the healthy food costs more than the junk stuff.
• Because a lot of times when you go to the grocery, the healthy food costs more than the junk stuff.
• So how do we define a farmers market in the produce section of our grocery store? I don't know.
• How do we define a farmers market in the produce section of our grocery store? I don't know.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're getting their groceries at the grocery store. They're eating at the local restaurants.
• </c><00:10:30.839><c> at</c><00:10:30.959><c> the</c> they're getting their groceries at the they're
• getting their groceries at the grocery<00:10:31.480><c> store</c><00:10:32.120><c> they're</c><00:10:
• the grocery store they're eating at the local local local restaurants<00:10:36.519><c> um</c><00:10:
• </c> survive I don't know if that grocery survive I don't know if that grocery store<00:14:38.040><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all