Transcript Highlights:

• And so... ...shelters and group homes and halfway homes where human beings are.
• What is the number of prospective group homes that underlies the fiscal note here?
• So what has happened over time is that the hospital-based groups...
• We're a pretty healthy group overall.
• Heath Williams, Office of Group Benefits: Good afternoon, Chair and members.

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Projected costs for the two groups and it drops every day. Move for passage. Open for questions.
• asking central purchasing to post in Perpetuity post-assessment of contracts.
• We will move that back later in central purchasing that covers all of the state and its subdivisions,
• Constitutional entities will be asked to abide by the Central Purchasing Act.
• Industrials will be asked by the Central Purchasing Act.

Bills: HB1739, HB1784, HB1889, HB2116, HB2206, HB3625, HB2939, HB3028, HB3265, HB3313, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3420, HB3588, HB3748, HB3721, HB3852, HB4132, HB4263, HB4303, HB4311, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, disability benefits, pension system, Oklahoma, education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, public retirement systems, pension, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, inflation adjustment, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, firefighters pension, police pension

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Transcript Highlights:

• In the south gallery, we've got a group of emerging leaders from Leadership MORE This is a program I
• And these are the group this year that's come to the capitol, and we've spent the day with them so far

Bills: SB843, SB1733, SB1476, SB1237, SB1410, SB1894, SB1272, SB1204, SB1721, SB1725, SB1735, SB1337, SB1339, SB1461, SB1975, SB1450, SB1458, SB1232, SB1238, SB1325, SB1209, SB1362, SB2072, SB1451, SB1540, SB1581, SB1535, SB1266, SB1927, SB1460, SB2084, SB2182, SB392, SB985, SB1265, SB1283, SB1441, SB1307, SB1425, SB1826, SB1365, SB1696, SB1870, SB1722, SB1639, SB715, SB716, SB182, SB609, SB169, SB134, SB1611, SB432, SB1407, SB2039, SB1356, SB1288, SB2019, SB1705, SB1878, SB2118

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Bills: HB414, HB457, HB475, HB611, HB616, HB740, HB897, HB925, HB926, HB931, HB949, HB962, HB1076

Keywords: healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, transitional housing, group home, halfway house, shelter standards, housing standards, sanitation, habitability, fire marshal, inspection, local permitting, parish government, Louisiana Department of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when it comes up in 2015 and they have a working group on it, DCCA and the DOE had a working group
• <01:37:39.760> And is going to be it's a small group.
• And is going to be it's a small group.
• proposed working group in HB189. proposed working group in HB189.
• All stakeholders in the working group.

Bills: HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840

Keywords: time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 20 group homes. We have four sites.
• We have 20 group homes. We have four sites.
• I would say that the stakeholder group would be open to rebates.
• Any suggestions you might have, I'm sure the group would be happy to listen to it.
• The bill also specifies purchasing an advanced air mobility.

Bills: SB1072, SB1111, SB1114, SB1116, SB1122, SB1179, SB1250, SB1308, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1487, SB1547, SB1549, SB1551, SB1552

Keywords: reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare

Summary: The committee first approved the February 3, 2026 minutes and reordered the agenda to accommodate sponsors and speakers. SB 1114, which would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering statewide, was presented as a response to Medicaid fraud and exploitation of vulnerable Native American patients. After brief questions about why Maricopa County would handle statewide oversight, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 1111, as amended by a strike-everything amendment regulating automated license plate readers. The amendment limited use to specified law enforcement purposes, required verification of alerts when feasible, imposed data-retention and handling responsibilities on agencies, and created a misdemeanor penalty for unauthorized release of data. Supporters from Phoenix, Tempe, Prescott Valley, the Arizona Chiefs of Police, and the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association argued the bill provides needed statewide guardrails while preserving a valuable investigative tool for missing persons, stolen vehicles, and serious crimes. Opponents from the ACLU, Institute for Justice, and private citizens raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, warning about dragnet surveillance, unclear terms like “legitimate” law enforcement purposes, lack of public access to records, and the risk of misuse for immigration or abortion-related tracking. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1111 as amended a do pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote, with one not voting. Next, SB 1116, as amended, was approved. The bill requires appeals or adverse determinations on behavioral health claims under AHCCCS fee-for-service to be reviewed by someone with relevant clinical experience, and the amendment broadened the requirement to include medical-necessity denials and specified at least two years of similar clinical experience. Senator Werner said the measure was intended to curb inappropriate denials and improve payment for behavioral health providers serving Native communities. Access was neutral but said the bill’s terms were too broad and could require additional staff; the committee nonetheless adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-0. Finally, SB 1122, as amended, was approved 10-0. The bill bars AHCCCS from requiring prior authorization for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, while the amendment prohibited 100% prepayment review and adjusted the corrective-action language. Senator Werner and provider representatives said the measure was needed because providers were being delayed or denied payment, contributing to closures, workforce shortages, and patient brokering. The committee then began hearing SB 1072, a major appropriation to increase reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony focused on severe caregiver shortages, overtime costs, and unassigned service authorizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, like limiting SNAP purchases you know, like limiting SNAP purchases to<00:30:18.760>
• During my work on the Mama Ohana working group, During my work on the Mama Ohana working group, I have
• ,<00:49:58.120> we're If they're in the working group, we're If they're in the working group
• And to add that the co-chairs of the working group may invite other persons to serve as working group
• <01:44:48.360> may the co-chairs of the working group may the co-chairs of the working group

Bills: HB1518, HB1699, HB1747, HB1705, HB1565, HB1801, HB1645, HB2115, HB2114

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can they be under the age of 18 to purchase ivermectin over the counter? Ms.
• However, there is no age limit to purchase ivermectin.
• Representative Collier: For a 14-year-old to be able to purchase? Ms.
• Representative Anchia: However, no mainstream medical groups...
• Before a local government may purchase a new system, they will be required to submit the proposed purchase

Bills: HB25, HB48, HB149, HB254, HB26, HB192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1771 is a bill about group homes, and what it does is in a few, uh, statements are groups
• Unfortunately, many cities and counties continue to struggle with unregulated group homes that operate
• Residents in unlicensed group homes often face neglect, abuse, or exploitation, increasing risk to health
• Referrals to licensed group homes remains permitted.
• With this legislation, Texas can protect group home residents from being exploited through profit-driven

Bills: SB 2041, SB 1777, SB 1681, SB 2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1777 is a bill about group homes, and what it does is, in a few statements, group homes are
• Unfortunately, many cities struggle with unregulated group homes that operate without oversight while
• Residents in unlicensed group homes often face.
• professionals and contract hospital staff from receiving payment for referring patients to unlicensed group
• Licensed group homes remain permitted.

Bills: SB2041, SB1777, SB1681, SB2311

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• Purchase this with WC WIC dollars.
• The the group home is designed to care for the individual consumer.
• Um, is there an intervention that you all normally would do in a group home like that?
• So that's why there's there's different types of group homes.
• I'm happy to get a group together we can more than just me.

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:

• this is Representative Kitzman's bill we heard previously relating to the establishment of... a work group
• relates to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate a licensed, registered, or listed group
• officers from Arlington, looking at... ...some of these homes in my district, as well as licensed group
• use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and prohibits its use for purchasing
• How do you know it's a meal just because a person is purchasing a snack or something?

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 number one most purchased item on SNAP is soda.
• You can't even go to the grocery store and purchase what you want.
• That's why there are different types of group homes.
• It took the time of an employee from each of these groups.
• I'm happy to get a group together; we can have more than just me.

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