Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to speak today in support of community water.
• Many communities in Florida, big communities have recently decided to keep a low right when they hear
• So I very clear that we need to protect the underserved.
• individuals in underserved communities.
• communities, that's the poison pill for this bill.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:14.360> communities<00:19:15.360> by Rural and underserved communities by Rural
• underrepresented and underserved underrepresented and underserved communities<00:25:57.640> in
• <02:03:49.599> to underserved communities and be able to underserved communities and be able
• c> the rural underserved communities and on the rural underserved communities and on the neighbor
• for community beautification at schools and underserved communities and low-cost public educational

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• communities?
• ...that we don't want it to when you're just dealing with the underserved communities and the, I guess
• , and we want them to serve our underserved communities very, very much.
• And we want them to serve our underserved communities very, very much so.
• We are not targeting underserved communities in any way.

Summary: The Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 526 on nursing education programs, sponsored by Senator Harrell, would tighten oversight of nursing schools by requiring admission criteria, exit exams, remediation plans, annual reporting, on-site inspections, and stronger action against programs with poor NCLEX results or adverse actions in other jurisdictions. After testimony from the sponsor and several committee questions, a late-filed amendment restored a two-year probation period instead of one year, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 714, also by Senator Harrell, would create a voluntary non-opioid advance directive allowing patients to document a wish not to receive opioids, including when incapacitated, with the form developed by the Department of Health and potentially included in electronic medical records. The sponsor said it would not prevent treatment discussions and would provide liability protection for providers who lack actual knowledge of the directive in emergencies. The bill drew no opposition in the meeting and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Senator Burton, would add nursing home quality and transparency measures, including consumer satisfaction surveys, patient safety culture surveys, electronic health record requirements, reporting to the Florida Health Information Exchange, a $10,000 fine for failure to submit required financial data, and reporting on Medicaid quality payments. An amendment clarified the fine’s application to both facilities and home offices. Testimony from AARP and the Florida Health Care Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably after discussion about implementation and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff will communicate to companies when a filing fails to meet legal requirements.
• That matters because deposits are stable funding community banks rely on to make loans, and community
• And so it's different communities, but the same script.
• areas Providing broadband in the unserved and underserved areas.
• areas and areas that have 80% of unserved and underserved.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He and I represent West Texas communities, very rural communities.
• They serve underserved populations and not just underserved populations.
• Vice Chair Perry and I represent West Texas communities, very rural communities.
• I live in a rural community. I'm from a farming and ranching community of Sudan, Texas.
• Underserved populations are valued and appreciated as members of the health care community.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BROADBAND ARE GRATEFUL AND EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT IN PRINT ON YOUR COMMUNITIES
• IT BEGINS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS WELL AS LOCAL TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TEAMS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS,
• THE MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY FACILITY PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM THAT HAS FUNDED OVER $86 MILLION TO 29 GRAMS
• THIS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED ACCESS TO DEVICES TO THOSE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES THAT DO NOT HAVE
• THIS DICTATES AND SHOWS THE PRIORITY OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The awards are prioritized for accredited residency programs which serve under-resourced communities
• communities in California.
• What deters people from practicing in underserved areas is the amount of school debt.
• medically underserved areas.
• Also, sickle cell, which has ravaged communities, is also extremely high cost.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Stacy Aldrich, Hawaii State Public Library. and underserved communities in the state and underserved
• communities.
• and underserved committee uh communities.<00:05:32.520> HSPLS<00:05:33.520> can<00:05:33.680
• to identify uh rural underserved communities<00:26:39.520> for<00:26:39.919> broadband
• <00:26:40.400> for<00:26:40.640> better communities for broadband for better communities

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Government Operations Committee heard Governor’s Message 663, reappointing Corey Schaefer to the 911 Board for a term ending June 30, 2026. Schaefer described his telecommunications background and five years of service on the board, including recent election as chair. There was no opposition, and the committee recommended advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted with one member excused. The committee then took up a resolution asking the Comptroller and DAGS to work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access for participation in the legislative process. Testimony from library and disability advocates supported the goal, but members raised concerns that the measure was too broad and unclear about the actual problem, whether libraries already had sufficient broadband and equipment, and whether the focus should be on public access and education rather than DAGS. The committee deferred the measure to Thursday for a revised draft. Members also heard a resolution urging all state departments to partner with the Office of Wellness and Resilience on data-sharing agreements. The office and several advocacy groups supported the measure as part of trauma-informed state efforts, but members expressed strong privacy and HIPAA concerns and questioned what data would be shared, for what purpose, and how it would be protected. The committee deferred that measure as well so the office could work with the chair on narrower language. Finally, the committee considered a resolution urging boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of executive directors or equivalent exempt positions. With only one individual testifying in support, the committee recommended a Senate draft to clarify that the measure applies to civil service exempt positions, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Kle program delivering hands-on STEM experiences to rural and underserved communities across the
• <01:50:42.560> communities, rural and underserved communities, rural and underserved communities
• youth, especially those in underserved youth, especially those in underserved communities.<02:02
• focus on Native Hawaiian and underserved communities.
• focus on Native Hawaiian and underserved communities.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• How is underserved communities defined, or, uh, referenced?
• uh, the term underserved communities. uh, the term underserved communities.
• How<01:20:20.000> is<01:20:20.239> underserved<01:20:20.960> communities<01:20:21.679
• > defined How is underserved communities defined How is underserved communities defined or, or
• Uh, Senator Lmer, it goes on to say the underserved communities most impacted by violence that reflect

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OR REHABILITATION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND HAD THE DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
• THE MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT WAS DEAR TO THE HEART WHEN WE PROVIDING COMMUNITIES THAT
• IT IS FUNDED THROUGH THE LOCAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE TAX.
• I WANT TO THANK AT&T FOR BEING BUT SUCH GOOD PARTNERS IN MY COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT 61.
• ALBERT KAMINSKI FROM CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• It directly moves a costly barrier that often keeps underserved veterans from participating in a program
• It directly moves a costly barrier that often keeps them already underserved veterans from participating
• Expanding it to areas that are underserved, and I think that has a better reach for our communities because
• not every community is rural that is underserved, so that's the clarification I have.
• , and that's the lifeline of our communities.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. HB 887, reducing medical marijuana registry card fees to $15 for honorably discharged veterans, drew support from veterans’ advocates and cannabis groups as a way to lower a financial barrier to care; it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. HB 733, a Department of Health bill covering medical marijuana treatment center setbacks, physician certification renewals, low-THC/cannabis definitions, emergency license suspension for certain murder-related arrests, dental loan repayment area definitions, Early Steps policy cleanup, and autism microcredential eligibility, received mixed testimony from cannabis advocates who objected to some marijuana-related changes and zoning impacts; it also passed 18-0. HB 259, removing the $1,500 cap on pre-treatment funds held in trust by chiropractic physicians, was described as a free-market change supported by chiropractic groups and passed 18-0. The committee also approved PCS for HB 1443, creating a statewide Parkinson’s Disease Registry within the existing Parkinson’s Disease Research Institute and adding appointments to the consortium board, with USF support and no opposition; it passed 18-0. HB 1445, the related public records exemption for the registry, adopted an amendment adding the required public necessity statement and sunset date of October 2, 2031, then passed 18-0. HB 1309, which would standardize and speed patient access to medical records and align nursing home timelines with federal requirements, drew opposition from an information systems group concerned about data mining and portal access, while supporters argued it would improve patient access and care coordination; it passed 17-1 and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are programs that disproportionately affect underserved communities, the LGBTQ community in particular
• community.
• community.
• I urge you to maintain your promise to these historically underserved communities and reject any funding
• I urge you to maintain your promise to these historically underserved communities and reject any funding

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board had also expressed concern about the bill disproportionately impacting underserved communities
• The board had also expressed concern about the bill disproportionately impacting underserved communities
• communities.
• It's just that the rural and underserved communities are suffering more.
• Many of the areas in underserved communities, rural areas, and Native American communities are being

Bills: HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several health care bills. HB 2726 would require Access contractors to cover diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a new prescription tongue-stimulation device; supporters said it offers an effective, less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and outcomes, while Access was neutral and raised concerns about cost and bypassing its normal clinical review. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then approved HB 2726 as amended on an 8-4 due-pass vote. HB 2435 would create a pathway for internationally trained physicians to receive a provisional Arizona medical license, with a later amendment adding a four-year supervised rural practice requirement and automatic conversion to a full license if criteria are met. Supporters argued it would help address severe physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, especially for cardiology and other specialties, and several doctors testified about their experience and the need for more access. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said the state already has a case-by-case licensure process for foreign-trained physicians and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and allow insufficiently vetted applicants. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 as amended on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access to cover comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 pilot program and reporting requirements. The sponsor and public health advocates said preventive dental care during pregnancy can reduce infections and improve maternal and infant outcomes, and the bill drew broad support from health and advocacy groups. The committee passed HB 2958 on an 11-1 due-pass vote. The committee also approved HB 2176, which changes criteria and timelines for health care institution licensing complaints and informal dispute resolution, with supporters saying it would improve transparency and predictability for hospitals while preserving enforcement authority. Finally, the committee heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from paying certified registered nurse anesthetists less than physicians for the same anesthesia service; opponents argued it would interfere with contract negotiations and raise costs, while supporters said insurer reimbursement cuts are harming rural access and shifting costs to hospitals. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing representation from tribal communities, state agencies, underserved populations, and rural
• We are also managing communications, distributing meeting materials, We are also managing communications
• communities.
• Land's rural and underserved communities.
• We prioritized in-person engagement, especially with tribal nations, rural communities, and underserved

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on technology in government, AI, broadband, and digital equity. Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd described the city’s AI strategy, emphasizing responsible use, privacy, security, community input, and data strategy. He said Seattle is using small pilots and partnerships to test AI for tasks such as public records processing, infrastructure inspection, and permitting, while keeping humans as the final decision-makers. Members asked about bias, liability, training on best practices, labor involvement, and public records; Lloyd said AI should remain an assistant tool, not a replacement for human judgment, and that Seattle is still testing solutions for records requests and permitting. WATech CTO Nick Stow and Deputy Director Mark Quimby discussed the state’s broader AI policy, the generative AI executive order, a sandbox with more than 15 agencies, and use cases including a resident portal, cybersecurity, and wildfire detection. They stressed consent, closed systems, human-centered design, and the need to govern all forms of AI, not just generative AI. Committee members raised concerns about federal data access, labor issues, and wildfire detection effectiveness. Spokane County IT staff described a more restrictive approach to AI, citing privacy, bias, and cyber risks. The county standardized on Microsoft Copilot as its only approved chat-style AI tool, blocked other AI chat platforms, and requires human review of all AI-generated content. They said AI is also being used by criminals for phishing and deepfakes, underscoring the need for strong policy and security controls. The committee also received an update from the Attorney General’s AI Task Force. Yuki Ishizuka said the task force has 19 members and eight subcommittees covering ethics, consumer protection, labor, health care, public safety, education, government efficiency, cybersecurity, and industry/energy. The task force is working toward an interim report due December 1, 2025 and a final report due July 1, 2026, and is reviewing recommendations through public forums and advisory committees. Ishizuka warned that a federal budget reconciliation provision could bar states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, and several members voiced support for state authority and asked about possible 2026 legislation. The committee then heard updates on broadband and digital equity. Commerce’s Dave Pringle said the BEAD broadband program is being reshaped by new NTIA guidance, which removed or reduced emphasis on several prior priorities, and Washington is now working under an expedited process to submit its state application by September 4. He noted that no projects have been built yet, that four counties did not receive applications in round two, and that the state is trying to keep applicants engaged through office hours and a shortened review window. The Office of Equity and the Digital Equity Forum reported increased participation, new members, and ongoing outreach to tribal, rural, and underserved communities, while previewing recommendations such as creating an interdepartmental digital equity team and improving data use. Finally, Lumen’s Robert Thoms described private-sector broadband deployment challenges, including permitting, regulation, and the economics of extending fiber, while noting continued investment in overbuild projects, a $30 low-cost service option tied to the former ACP, and work with the state, tribes, and libraries. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• - underserved and under secured<00:42:43.560> areas.
• opportunities in medically underserved opportunities in medically underserved areas<00:48:45.400
• /c> areas in collaboration with community, areas in collaboration with community, state<00:48:48.000>
• Senator from Marion, communicate with the body. Thank you, Mr. President.
• ,<01:11:06.480> and resolutions, communications, and resolutions, communications, and announcements

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communities through programs like the New Markets Tax Credit in front of you today.
• communities through programs like the New Markets Tax Credit in front of you today.
• communities through programs like the New Markets Tax Credit in front of you today.
• communities through programs like the New Markets Tax Credit in front of you today.
• <00:02:50.959> communities low-income and underserved communities low-income and underserved

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2360, as amended by H.F. 2360A1, which would create a state-level New Markets Tax Credit-style program modeled on the federal program. Chair Swedzinski explained that the bill is intended to drive investment across Minnesota, including a requirement that at least 50% of the $200 million allocation be directed to greater Minnesota, and noted that the program would run for 12 months with state oversight to help guide investments. Testimony in support came from Alex Stuponic of Advantage Capital and Jason Wabama of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in Hibbing. Stuponic described the federal New Markets program as a tool for directing capital to low-income and underserved communities, cited Minnesota projects that have already benefited from federal funding, and argued that state programs in other states have successfully attracted more investment. Wabama said the credit could help rural businesses like his expand, noting that his Hibbing company has grown from one employee in 2021 to 22 employees and hopes to reach 50 employees while eventually becoming an ESOP. Chair Gomez raised concerns about the bill’s changes, especially the set-aside of half the funds for one region and the five-year carryforward, saying the proposal seemed arbitrary and more permissive and that there was likely not room in the budget for the $100 million cost this year. In response, Swedzinski said the fiscal note pushes costs into future years, with the first costs beginning in 2028-2029, and emphasized that the structure would allow the investment benefits to occur upfront. The amendment was adopted, and the bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• underrepresented and underserved underrepresented and underserved communities<00:20:50.440> in
• of the Lahaina wildfires and underserved communities across the islands.
• of the Lahaina wildfires and underserved communities across the islands.
• healthare access for underserved healthare access for underserved communities<03:43:43.080> across
• <06:20:56.280> communities meals to underserved communities meals to underserved communities

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communities.
• Section 1 of the bill simply defines what historically underserved community would mean.
• It simply defines what historically underserved community would mean, which again is the target that
• The rest of Section 5 also talks about the definition of a historically underserved community, and as
• She wanted to serve specifically in these underserved communities, so this is one of those situations

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:26.199> communities<00:12:27.199> which<00:12:27.320> are underserved communities
• So, services funded must include services for victims of crime in underserved communities most impacted
• <00:16:16.800> communities<00:16:17.319> most of crime in underserved communities most
• of crime in underserved communities most impacted<00:16:18.040> by<00:16:18.240> violence<
• <00:34:09.560> communities about um underserved communities about um underserved communities

Keywords: 1183, house