Transcript Highlights:

• My colleague, Denise Cohen, Red Cross RN Health Services Director, once again faced problems with the
• partnership to strengthen the Hawaii trauma systems.
• Director, once again faced Services Director, once again faced problems<00:15:22.280> with<00
• partnership to strengthen the trauma partnership to strengthen the Hawaii<00:16:54.240> trauma
• Hawaii trauma systems. Hawaii trauma systems.

Bills: SCR7, SCR59, SCR182

Keywords: emergency care, reproductive health, abortion services, EMTALA, patient safety, hospital regulations, medical treatment, health care professionals, emergency response, licensure, disaster response, telehealth, SCR182, S.C.R. 182, Hawaii Trauma System, trauma care, trauma center, Tripler Army Medical Center, military-civilian partnership, civilian trauma patients

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on three concurrent resolutions. SCR-7 would affirm that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care to pregnant people; supporters included the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, AAUW Hawaii, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, with two individuals in opposition. A member raised a wording concern about “pregnant people” versus “pregnant women,” and the chair agreed to note the comment in the committee report. The committee then recommended passage, and the measure was adopted by vote, with Representatives Alcos voting no and Garcia not voting. SCR-59 SD1 would ask the governor to establish procedures allowing certain health care professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii-issued license during a state of emergency. The Hawaii Organization of Nurse Leaders strongly supported the resolution, citing emergency response problems during Kona low storms and the Lahaina wildfires when out-of-state licensed providers were available but could not serve. The committee recommended passage as is, and the recommendation was adopted, with Representative Garcia voting with reservations. SCR-182 would request that the governor and Department of Health work with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military partners to explore a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen Hawaii’s trauma system. The Department of Health supported the measure, and a member suggested the title should reflect “Department of War,” while another member noted the federal department name has not changed; the chair said the comments would be noted in the report. The committee recommended passage, and the resolution was adopted without objection, with Representatives Martin and Olds excused.

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Garcia this is a communication from City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services
• c><00:48:01.880> Customer Honolulu Department of Customer Honolulu Department of Customer Services
• Services. Services.

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• QUEST covers one-third of our keiki, most of our very low-income residents, and people needing services
• low-income residents, and people very low-income residents, and people needing<00:11:59.839> services
• <00:12:00.480> other<00:12:00.680> forms<00:12:01.040> of needing services other
• forms of needing services other forms of insurance<00:12:01.640> don't<00:12:01.880> provide
• message that Hawaii will not tolerate conduct that endangers public health or interferes with medical services

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Bills: HB184, HB235, HB546, HB557, HB584, HB747, HB902, HB930

Keywords: charitable pharmacy, healthcare fees, outpatient prescription, exemption, Louisiana Department of Health, sewerage systems, individual systems, community systems, local governance, legislation, installation regulations, protective custody, peace officers, mental health, emergency medical services, involuntary admission, long-term care, healthcare, pharmacy, residents

Transcript Highlights:

• Vierra, and for your service.
• , training and critical support services, training and critical support services, including<00:09
• Because I think everyone recognizes that your services are essentially first responder services.
• essentially first responder services. essentially first responder services.
• services are so critical. Thank you. services are so critical. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Bills: SCR56, SCR25, SCR79, SCR179, SCR181, SCR182, SR54, SR22, SR81, SR174, SR176, SR177

Keywords: lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, community wellbeing, Pohakuloa, condemnation, federal government, land sovereignty, Hawaii, native Hawaiians, public trust land, invasive species, octocoral, Pearl Harbor, environment, Navy responsibility, marine ecosystem, ecosystem preservation

Summary: The committee first heard SCR 56 and SR 54, which recognize open water lifeguards as first responders and acknowledge their role in emergency response and public safety. Testifiers from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, Honolulu and Kauai Ocean Safety, and a junior guard all strongly supported the resolutions, describing lifeguards as often first on scene for drownings, cardiac arrest, spinal injuries, flooding rescues, and other emergencies. Several speakers said formal recognition would better reflect the work lifeguards already do and could improve training, support services, pay equity, and access to benefits such as retirement and trauma resources. Members asked about what legal or administrative changes would follow, and the discussion suggested the resolutions were a first step toward broader recognition and related policy changes. The committee then took up SCR 25 and SR 22, opposing federal condemnation or threats of condemnation to take control of Pohakuloa and other state land. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the resolutions, saying Pohakuloa has deep historical, cultural, genealogical, and ecological significance and that any future decisions should go through existing state legal processes with meaningful consultation with Native Hawaiians. Members discussed the role of the governor’s advisory process, the need to follow DLNR/BLNR procedures, and concerns about environmental and health violations at the site. The committee also noted 14 written testimonies in support. Next, the committee heard SCR 79 and SR 81, urging the U.S. Navy to take responsibility for eradicating octocoral and other invasive species in Pearl Harbor waters, including West, Middle, and East Loch. DLNR supported the resolutions, and testimony focused on the spread of invasive coral, the difficulty of eradication, and the limited access state agencies have inside Pearl Harbor. Members raised concerns about contamination, responsibility for the problem, and whether the Navy should fund or carry out the cleanup; DLNR said it could not speak to broader contamination issues but supported the resolution as a way to encourage action. The committee then began discussion of SCR 179 and SR 174, which urge Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, with written support noted from Aloha Independent Living Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• health facilities, health care services health facilities, health care services uh<00:21:04.240>
• Department of Human Services on Zoom? Department of Human Services on Zoom? Yes. Yes. Yes.
• Department of Human Services on Zoom? Department of Human Services on Zoom?
• services statewide.
• Support Services. Support Services.

Bills: SB2479, SB2557, SB2861, SB3204, SB3324, SB3325

Keywords: criminal procedure, family violence, dating violence, child abuse, evidence admissibility, reduced sentencing, homelessness, reporting requirements, statewide office, housing solutions, kauhale projects, public oversight, SB2861, Hawaii, Office of Wellness and Resilience, OWR, Department of Human Services, DHS, Kakou Pilot Program, Kakou

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill. For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date. The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.

Bills: HF3521, HF1807, HF1270, HF2070, HF3136

Keywords: hospital moratorium, hospital construction, bed capacity, hospital expansion, health care facilities, hospital licensing, safety-net hospital, level I trauma center, Ramsey County, Minnesota health law, hospital beds, new hospital exception, certificate of need, inpatient capacity, emergency care, trauma services, health system regulation, state moratorium, hospital modernization, health infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• This, the Level I trauma center.
• <00:19:01.360> area, growth in our primary service area, growth in our primary service area
• growth outside of our primary service growth outside of our primary service area<00:19:04.000>
• Have you noticed an influx in trauma.
• Um in terms of the cost, I Services.

Bills: HF3521, HF1807, HF1270, HF2070, HF3136

Keywords: hospital moratorium, hospital construction, bed capacity, hospital expansion, health care facilities, hospital licensing, safety-net hospital, level I trauma center, Ramsey County, Minnesota health law, hospital beds, new hospital exception, certificate of need, inpatient capacity, emergency care, trauma services, health system regulation, state moratorium, hospital modernization, health infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an honor to recognize Tyler Watanabe for his service. Welcome to the House of Representatives.

Bills: SCR48, SCR28, SCR74, SCR62, SCR60, SCR89, SCR147, SCR179, SCR182, SCR59, SCR54, SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Bills: SCR48, SCR28, SCR74, SCR62, SCR60, SCR89, SCR147, SCR179, SCR182, SCR59, SCR54, SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Transcript Highlights:

• have two very large Kauai solar and battery projects in the works that, when they get built and in service
• :07:01.919> in works that when they get built and in works that when they get built and in service
• 02.880> at<00:07:03.120> about<00:07:03.440> almost<00:07:03.840> 90% service
• , we would be at about almost 90% service, we would be at about almost 90% by<00:07:05.360> 2029.
• and should be brought into into service and should be brought into service<00:57:20.640> and<

Bills: SCR48, SCR28, SCR74, SCR62, SCR60, SCR89, SCR147, SCR179, SCR182, SCR59, SCR54, SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Bills: HB 101, HB1819, HB1875, HB1965, HB2193, HB2914, HB3248, HB3354, HB3531, HB101

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security

Transcript Highlights:

• includes passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam administered by Educational Testing Service
• including demographic information and program participants, the success of the professional development services

Bills: SB175, SB277, SB374, SB400

Keywords: military, veterans, education, teaching, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, licensure, certification, public schools, charter schools, school social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, internship, practicum, student support services, mental health, harassment, bullying, power-based violence, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• in order to connect them to those services.
• and children's protective services.
• I coordinated to have a number of foster care services visit with the Senate Health and Human Services
• in lieu of services.
• CMS authorized ILOS in lieu of services in 2016 as a service or setting that works as a substitute for

Bills: HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and announced it would vote on pending bills at 10:30, with public testimony limited to two minutes. It first took up Senate Bill 905, a TDLR cleanup bill on licensing regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Senator Zafferini said the committee substitute would streamline advisory board consultation, remove obsolete provisional licenses, and allow any licensed physician to authorize hearing instruments for minors; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 451, which would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk for children in DFPS conservatorship and youth under TJJD jurisdiction. The author and witnesses from Children at Risk, the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, and Texas CASA supported the bill as a prevention tool with existing infrastructure and training; the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee next considered Senate Bill 466, which would clarify that families may request a fetal death certificate at any gestational age, while keeping existing filing requirements for physicians. A constituent father testified about losing his 11-week-old daughter and being told he could not obtain a certificate, which he said prevented funeral arrangements; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. Senate Bill 2311 followed, requiring residential treatment centers to have a written agreement with the school that will educate resident children before becoming operational. The author cited a local dispute where an RTC and school district lacked communication, and witnesses from Texas CASA and Disability Rights Texas supported clearer educational planning while suggesting the Education Code may need conforming changes; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2826, known as Alyssa’s Law, which would create a statewide education program on medical child abuse for medical students, health care professionals, and CPS caseworkers. The author and Sheriff Bill Weyburn described Alyssa’s case as involving repeated unnecessary surgeries and argued the bill would improve awareness and early identification, while several witnesses and members raised concerns about false accusations, impacts on medically fragile children, and the need for scientific, peer-reviewed training and safeguards. After extensive discussion, the chair left the bill pending. The committee also heard House Bill 136, which would add certified lactation consultants as Medicaid providers to expand breastfeeding support; witnesses from lactation and nutrition fields said the bill would improve access, maternal and infant health, and long-term savings, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2805, a surprise-billing/arbitration measure that would clarify provider identifiers and shift arbitration costs to the losing party. The author said the substitute was a legislative counsel draft with no substantive difference, and witnesses from the Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and U.S. Anesthesia Partners supported the bill as a modest improvement that would reduce administrative confusion and make arbitration fairer without weakening patient protections. Members discussed how arbitration costs affect settlement behavior and how to define the “winner” in close cases. The bill was heard but not voted out during this segment.