Video & Transcript Research : 'hard of hearing'

Page 1 of 500
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 5, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, is the Executive Office of Aging here on Zoom? >> Yes. >> Aloha, Chair, can you hear me?
  • Again, you hear the the the third of our student.
  • of of of our that supports a wide range of of of our own<01:48:13.119> people<01:48:13.280>
  • Again, you hear the the the third of our Again, you hear the the the third of our student.<01:48
  • of hearing.
Bills: HB2488, HB2456
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • , and develop guidelines for, individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.
  • , and develop guidelines for, individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.
  • support of HCR 102 HD1. support of HCR 102 HD1.
  • As a of loneliness for most of my life.
  • impacts of trauma, the benefits of impacts of trauma, the benefits of cultural<00:10:19.640>
Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94
Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 9:45 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind in health care settings, and make necessary
  • individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind in health care settings, and make necessary
  • individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind in health care settings, and make necessary
  • To study the communication access needs for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind
  • To study the communication access needs for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind
Bills: SCR63, SCR8, SCR160, SCR90, SCR93
Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard several resolutions focused on disability access, housing, and support for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. SCR 63 SD1 would have the Disability and Communication Access Board study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and revise provider guidance; testimony was strongly supportive, including from the board, a physician, and a family member who described harmful delays in care, and the committee later recommended passage as is. SCR 8 would require counties to act within 45 days on completed permit applications for home modifications needed for an older adult or person with a disability; testimony noted delays in permitting and financing, and the committee recommended passage as is. The committee also heard SCR 160, which urges state housing agencies to create a “housing ladder” program to help individuals and families move from subsidized to unsubsidized housing. Hawaii Public Housing Authority and other agencies supported the concept, and DHS described its family self-sufficiency program and said prior federal resident-services funding had declined over the past 20 years. The committee acknowledged the program may already exist in some form but still recommended adoption of the resolution as is. SCR 90 would ask county planning departments to establish kupuna-friendly building permit requirements for parking accessibility in private businesses. The committee moved it forward with an HD1 for technical amendments; a member raised concern that the measure did not specify the age threshold for “kupuna,” and said they would vote with reservations. Finally, SCR 93 would direct DHHL and the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop a coordinated support and stabilization pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or very low income. DHHL said it is already operating a transitional housing effort called Ka Leo Opu Mama for about 18 beneficiaries using more than $6 million in federal Nah Ho Sa funds, with no dedicated state funding, and the committee recommended passage as is. The meeting ended with the chair thanking testifiers and members and adjourning the hearing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Derek Hall, Chief of EMS for the Department of Health.
  • The Department of Department of Health.
  • behalf of HMSA we support the intent of behalf of HMSA we support the intent of the<00:28:19.360
  • > thousands<00:38:20.240> of They're losing tens of thousands of They're losing tens of thousands
  • So, if I hear you correctly, you're saying that fingerprinting is a foolproof way of getting arrests,
Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Jones of Dallas because of important business in the district. On motion of Ms.
  • First of all, I just want to say as my friend, I'm so proud of you and you've worked really hard to get
  • So, Representative Schaffner, I was part of the hearing and heard this bill, and I just have some more
  • Speaker: Members, please refrain from speaking over each other so that the rest of the body can hear
  • Johnson because of an illness on the motion of Mr. Moody. Is there objection? Chair hears none.
Bills: HB25, HB48, HB149, HB254, HB26, HB192
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 5th, 2025

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • from a number of boards and they say it's hard.
  • the Board of Hearing.
  • The sunset renewal of the Board of Hearing and Instrument Dealers continued without modification until
  • Well, it was more of a comment, and I just want to say I know this about hearing aid and all the work
  • But cities and counties that have exempted hearing aids—all that's because of your work.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Kurt Lager, Chief of the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department of the City and County of Honolulu.
  • Chair, you said all of the youth are here with you as well, and you need to be in another hearing, right
  • chain of survival. chain of survival.
  • chance of survival. chance of survival.
  • Next up, Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, in support.
Bills: HCR112
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Mar 24th, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Chair's bills at the end of today's hearing, with House Bill 49 being the final bill.
  • The comment period on the matters before us today will close upon adjournment of this hearing.
  • That's hard to gauge for a number of reasons.
  • This is very hard, and it has been stressed already, the complex nature of these crimes.
  • It's very hard to get regulatory bodies. Involved in that, it's a lot. It's a lot of that.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Faulkner does not seem to understand. or care about the concerns and the experiences of hard-working
  • Senator Cassidy, that is a one of the most frequent complaints I hear from physicians.
  • We're giving up a huge opportunity Well guess what, some of the plans that I'm hearing from the other
  • And that's a bulk of the people that I hear from every day that need Medicaid.
  • During one of the silver linings, if there was a silver lining during COVID, and it's really hard to
Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 02-04-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Only hearing about it made me angry and hurt because, again, guys, they attacked one of our loved ones
  • just all of long-term care but all of just all of long-term care but all of the<00:14:55.040>
  • I mean, I turn at the end of every one of my hearings to my committee clerk: Did I forget something?
  • And part of what he said is how hard they will work every day for the people of Hawaii.
  • part of what he said is how hard they part of what he said is how hard they will<00:23:02.240>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We learned the hard way, and this was one of them of public policy, and I know that we all want to work
  • And of course, working with the governor's office and to be able to, and of course, both sides of the
  • of them have 10 or fewer officers, and we need to take a hard look at what it should take to be a law
  • I know they're very difficult cases for a lot of reasons, and they're hard to put together.
  • Hearing muffled by the sound of my heart racing, my hands shaking in anxiety of what I was about to uncover
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • I look forward to hearing from both of them today. Now senator Durbin. Thanks chairman Grassley.
  • It's hard to think of a way. Can we agree on that? I'm not gonna commit or agree on something.
  • I would like to hear from you what you think the role of the Department of Justice is. in pursuing environmental
  • And in that hearing, she repeatedly said that she would follow Department of Justice protocol.
  • I would expect to hear from a criminal defense lawyer, not the kind of.
Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Good morning, everybody want to welcome all of you folks to the this hearing to consider
  • Each of the nominees before us today has impressive qualifications, and we're looking forward to hearing
  • You've gained valuable experience in the House of Representatives, working hard to uncover truth about
  • Thank you, Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, and members of the committee for holding this hearing
  • of the first of the Trump administration.
Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, um, so glad of that.
  • repayment of certain taxes are required. repayment of certain taxes are required.
  • Chamber of Commerce. >> [snorts] >> Of Hawaii in support.
  • Kamali'i Pualoa Mitchell testify on behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
  • This hearing is now few weeks. This hearing is now adjourned. >> Mhm.
Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Debt University in Washington, D.C., which is a global leader for education of the deaf and the hard-of-hearing
  • other deaf and hard-of-hearing Texans. as well as people from across the South and Southwest.
  • children are taken care of in any kind of way. of emergency are you?
  • It is one of the things we kept in our pilot was this concept of time. of day or percentage of the instructional
  • It took two legislative sessions, but thanks to the hard work of many people, especially Senator Pritzker
Bills: SB568, SCR5, SB57, SB1447, SB27, SB24
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • the data that incorporating all of the data that you'll<00:10:58.440> be<00:10:58.720> hearing
  • of hearing, so they called me already.
  • hard of hearing, so I'm from DOH and I'm hard of hearing, so they<00:26:50.360> called<00:26:
  • <00:36:02.040> of<00:36:02.520> of<00:36:02.880> uh of of of uh of of of uh of<00
  • Just for the information of the audience, our hearing will go through all of the bills in our agenda
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

General Government Feb 10th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Then the evaluation we've asked it to include, and some of these do, and some of them don't.
  • A comparison of our incentives to those elsewhere in our state and out of state.
  • Lengths of certain members of the OStrad boardard, which is the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of
  • they wish to do that on their own, then that falls outside of the purview of this law.
  • I don't recall the exact ones, but I've been hearing about that for about the last couple of weeks.