Transcript Highlights:

• Um and trying to get um food assistance.
• our counties and to uh assist all Minnesotans to having food as a human right.
• </c> my county for um financial and food my county for um financial and food assistance. assistance.
• We serve people from all walks of life because they all needed food assistance.
• </c><01:18:30.640><c> been</c> food assistance that we have been food assistance that we have been talking

Bills: HF45 , HF1148 , HF3624 , HF3586 , HF777

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF45, Lake Benton, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Public Facilities Authority, public infrastructure, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, utility replacement, U.S. Highway 75, road reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, local government grant, Minnesota bonding, capital appropriation, food insecurity, prepared meals

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a 2008 graduate of the UAB physician assistant program.
• I'm a 2008 graduate of the UAB physician assistant program.
• So it's called the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam.
• </c> So it's called the physician assistant So it's called the physician assistant national<00:13:02.720
• We assist in surgery, substances.

Bills: HB31 , HB31

Committee: House Health

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• food assistance program, TFAP, throughout Minnesota.
• food assistance program, TFAP, throughout Minnesota.
• food assistance program, TFAP, throughout Minnesota.
• food assistance program, TFAP, throughout Minnesota.
• food assistance program, TFAP, throughout Minnesota.

Bills: HF2078 , HF777 , HF841 , HF1112 , HF1098 , HF1926

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment

Bills: SB2421 , SB2690 , SB3103 , SB3137 , SB3164 , SB3206 , SB2933 , SB3133 , SB3315

Committee: House Health

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance programs, including the Farm-to-Food Pantry Initiative, in coordination with a nonprofit
• Secondly, it directs the Department of Agriculture to implement a farm-to-food pantry program to assist
• We have the Emergency Food Assistance Program, or EFAP, as we like to call it, which provides funding
• Local Foods, Northwest Harvest, Harvest, the Bonney Lake Food Bank, and multiple other food banks around
• banks, and food pantries with high-quality foods.

Bills: HB2279 , HB2463 , HB1941 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• more affordable and reduce the number of Washingtonians in need of food assistance in order to accomplish
• on food stamps or who are frequenting food banks.
• and food production.
• , to sustain our food, and then distribute our food.
• security strategy, not a food response or a food insecurity strategy, but a proactive strategy.

Bills: HB2275 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: wildfire prevention, Washington wildfire council, fire safety, environmental protection, state regulations, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance, anti-hunger, nutrition education, food system literacy, agricultural viability, supply chain resilience, Washington Department of Agriculture, food policy forum

Transcript Highlights:

• Healthy foods actually have a positive outcome when it comes to our health.
• For over 125 years, the MGA has been a leading voice for Minnesota's food industry: retailers, food producers
• Low-income families seeking to put more fresh food on their tables.
• Now, in this statute, special event food stands are also included in this.
• Food stands.

Bills: HF2779 , HF1645 , HF1885 , HF1289 , HF1534 , HF2707 , HF1675 , HF3046

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And to be able to assisted living.
• </c><01:12:58.400><c> supports</c> able to use our SNAP um food supports able to use our SNAP um food
• </c> leading voice for Minnesota's food leading voice for Minnesota's food industry.<01:13:57.280><c>
• ><c> producers,</c> 300 retailers, food producers, 300 retailers, food producers, manufacturers,<01:14
• Um, I am now a teacher assistant and I Um, I am now a teacher assistant and I am<01:26:23.920><c> now

Bills: HF2779 , HF1645 , HF1885 , HF1289 , HF1534 , HF2707 , HF1675 , HF3046

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, even one week without food stamps, or SNAP, would mean no food in the house and really would
• </c> not being able to afford to buy food not being able to afford to buy food because<00:35:03.520><
• </c><00:35:31.280><c> in</c> Hawaii Food Industry Association in Hawaii Food Industry Association in
• </c> from Hawaii Food Bank, from Hawaii Food from Hawaii Food Bank, from Hawaii Food Policy<00:36:29.760
• </c> assistance uh to this should it it pass. assistance uh to this should it it pass.

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

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: grants, community engagement, nonprofit organizations, federal assistance, volunteering, youth transit, public transportation, subsidized transit, environment, energy independence, affordable transportation, Hawaii, diaper tax credit, families, low-income, childcare, health, Hawaii Department of Human Services, DHS, emergency appropriation

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So those E. coli outbreaks coming from the food buffets on the lettuce.
• Also, there is money for a food bank that doesn't have an annual...
• I am excited about the diaper bank, I am excited about food shelves. I am excited about...
• Food banks.
• Thank you, Senator Vice Chair Nelson, for also assisting on that, because it's important.

Bills: HF2436 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please contact the committee staff.
• I heard about an assistant supervisor, but I hadn't heard the word manager.
• was referenced by the author, I believe in 2022, uh, however, there was no notification made up the food
• And so he would be able to participate in the hearing obviously through an assistant attorney general
• Well, when you put instructions like this for a senior, you're forcing them to have somebody assist them

Bills: HB304

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• is being new food money, food bank money, uh, appears.
• is being new food money, food bank money, uh, appears.
• ><c> money</c> is being new food money food bank money is being new food money food bank money uh<00:
• I am excited about food shelves. I am excited about food banks.
• I am excited about food shelves. I am excited about food banks.

Bills: HF2436 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• I've just received a quote for a food truck. We want to open up the youth farm cafe.
• So for us, it's not just about growing the... ...it's not just about growing the food.
• So cooking flavorful food. So yes, that's the path.
• I said, I don't grow food. I don't have a green thumb.
• I don't watch YouTube videos about how to grow food.

Bills: S0534 , S7020

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Keywords: food insecurity, hunger, college students, nutrition assistance, pilot program, open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption

Summary: The committee met, called the roll, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. It first considered the appointment of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. No appearance forms were requested, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Trunow explained that the exemption protects shellfish and submerged land lease records, supports compliance with federal partners and statutory requirements, and helps protect marketplace competition. A representative from the Department appeared in support, and the bill was moved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, Senator Bernard’s hunger-free campus pilot program bill. He described a pilot within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to identify campuses with high numbers of Pell-eligible students, develop a survey with the Hunger Task Force, designate staff to help students enroll in SNAP, expand campus food access, and require reporting on outcomes and future funding. The bill had one appearance form in support and was reported favorably without debate. The committee also received a presentation from the St. Pete Youth Farm, led by Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors. They described the farm as a youth-led community project on city-owned land that addresses food insecurity while providing leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness programming, composting, aquaponics, and community events. Senators praised the program, asked about possible expansion into a culinary kitchen and partnerships with schools, and the presenters said they hope to expand youth opportunities, food preparation training, and related programming. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance program.
• You've invested in farm-to-school programs and established a new local food purchasing assistance program
• Despite the program's success, the demand for food assistance has skyrocketed.
• The Minnesota Food Banks work together to source food.
• Farm to Food Shelf is one of the things that makes me proud to be a food banker.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2017 would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast two basic food assistance programs
• House Bill 2017 would require the caseload forecast council to forecast two basic food assistance programs
• Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides a monthly benefit for food costs for low-income
• The second program is Washington State's food assistance program for legal immigrants, which provides
• The second program is Washington State's food assistance program for legal immigrants, which provides

Bills: HB2675 , HB2681 , HB2714 , HB2688 , HB2481 , HB2116 , HB1408

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, HB 2714, caseload forecasting, food assistance, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, state food assistance, budget forecasting, caseload forecast council, caseload forecast supervisor, Washington State

Transcript Highlights:

• You've invested in farm to school, established a new local food purchasing assistance program, both of
• You've invested in farm to school, established a new local food purchasing assistance program, both of
• You've invested in farm to school, established a new local food purchasing assistance program, both of
• You've invested in farm to school, established a new local food purchasing assistance program, both of
• Despite the program's success, the demand for food assistance has skyrocketed.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 218 is for the local food purchasing assistance program.
• Paragraph B is soil health financial assistance program.
• Paragraph B is soil health financial assistance program.
• Seven is for the good food access egg.
• It creates a local food purchasing grant program.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:19.679><c> by</c> our food our local food production by our food our local food production
• Basket, Inc., Hoy Food Hawaii, and Hawaii Islands Food Bankani.
• </c><00:29:48.720><c> Hawaii</c> Food Basket, Inc., Hoy food Hawaii Food Basket, Inc., Hoy food Hawaii
• hubs, creating food hubs or supporting food banks.
• c> hubs</c> there or food hubs creating food hubs there or food hubs creating food hubs hubs<00:34:53.679

Bills: HB1952 , HB1951 , HB1929 , HB2497 , HB2208 , HB2572 , HB1737 , HB1953 , HB2551 , HB2549

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• member or other individual who has a significant relationship with and who provides a broad range of assistance
• member or other individual who has a significant relationship with and who provides a broad range of assistance
• c><01:27:43.040><c> at</c> ...providing a Social Security number at the time of application for assistance
• misrepresentation, or inadequate documentation prior to determining an applicant's eligibility for assistance
• </c> applicant's eligibility for assistance. applicant's eligibility for assistance.

Bills: SF0122 , SJ0006 , SF0121 , SF0106

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification

Bills: SF0122 , SJ0006 , SF0121 , SF0106

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification