Transcript Highlights:

• That really hurt students.
• That really hurt students.
• That really hurt students.
• That really hurt students.
• educate the most students. It's a city. educate the most students. It's a city.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . students.
• Say the student got an A.
• . students.
• I am a proud student leader.
• They are completely recorded, right? They're completely recorded from start to finish.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK COMPLETE AN APPEARANCE FORM AND HAND IT TO A MEMBER OF THE SERGEANT'S OFFICE.
• THE DEPARTMENT IS TO WORK WITH THE CENTER FOR STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES AND FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL
• THIS PROGRAM WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO EARN BADGES THAT DESIGNATE THEY HAVE ACQUIRED
• EDUCATION TO VALIDATE THOSE BADGES THAT ARE BEING GIVEN BY A STUDENT SO WHEN WILL THOSE TEACHERS BE
• THE TEACHER TRAINING OCCUR AS PART OF WHAT HAPPENS IN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION, TEACHER TRAINING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So once you hear the buzzer, we ask that you wrap up and complete your testimony.
• I've advised students on their thesis projects. Thank you.
• And I still show up because that's how important it is to me to go to bat for my students since my students
• Educators want to be in their classrooms with their students.
• Educators want to be in their classrooms with their students.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on employment rights legislation, especially the Protect Labor Act (H. 2086/S. 1327), which would create state-level labor protections if federal private-sector labor law is weakened or struck down, and would also add protections such as bans on captive audience meetings, virtual elections, stronger misclassification rules, and protections for health care workers and immigrant workers. Supporters from the AFL-CIO, nurses, SEIU, UAW, building trades, teachers, graduate workers, and policy groups argued that the bill is needed because of Trump administration actions, Project 2025, and threats to the NLRA and NLRB. They described the bill as a “trigger” law meant to preserve organizing and bargaining rights in Massachusetts if federal protections disappear or if the NLRB declines jurisdiction over certain workers. The committee also heard testimony on bills to restore a limited right to strike for certain public employees (H. 2078/S. 1311 or related filings). Supporters, including a representative, educators, and labor advocates, said the current ban on public employee strikes weakens good-faith bargaining and leaves workers without leverage to secure wages, staffing, and student supports. They argued that strikes are used as a last resort and that legalizing them under defined conditions would improve negotiations and better reflect the realities of recent teacher strikes in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Municipal Association opposed the strike bills, warning that public employee strikes are already prohibited by state law, that strikes disrupt students and communities, and that local governments face budget constraints under Proposition 2 1/2. The committee also took testimony on paid family and medical leave bills (S. 1351/H. 2110 and S. 1352), which would improve notice to workers, expand public reporting on claim denials and demographics, and fix a technical definition issue that has limited access for some covered contract workers. Witnesses from legal aid, policy organizations, and a small business owner said the changes would improve transparency, equity, and access to benefits without imposing major burdens on employers. Additional testimony supported a railroad sick leave bill and a private construction transparency bill, with Senator Keenan urging favorable action on both. No votes were taken during the hearing; members asked questions, and several witnesses and legislators requested favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• completion rate and 75% employment rate.
• completion rate and 75% employment rate.
• completion rate and 75% employment rate.
• 40.000> 75% achieving a 98% completion rate and 75% achieving a 98% completion rate and 75% employment
• program. and we have over 50 students program. and we have over 50 students enrolled<01:00:48.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.

Transcript Highlights:

• like in in kind of privacy that students like in in their<00:40:36.200> school<00:40:36.640><
• This bill does not extend protections to those foreign students.
• this bill does not extend students this bill does not extend protections<03:17:02.920> to<03:
• the FAFSA and take on student debt?
• This is a complete reversal of traditional American jurisprudence.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• age K through three students. age K through three students.
• for students the facilities. for students the facilities.
• Today, in 2024, that number was 32,000 students, 3,000 students.
• Today, in 2024, that number was 32,000 students, 3,000 students.
• from the students on whether the student from the students on whether the student complied<04:13

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• inappropriate for those particular students.
• Children with the individual education plans for students with disabilities is an example of that.
• It requires small class size maximum of one to 12 instructors, student ratio.
• If a student presents the need for an IP to be conducted, is that part of the summer bridge?
• This summer, we had 183 eligible students participate for summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We had 32 students. >> 32 students. >> Yeah, majority of the students were local high schools from
• the high school students. the high school students.
• students on this island. students on this island.
• had 32 students >> We had 32 students >> 32<01:17:49.560> students.
• >> 32 students. >> 32 students.

Bills: SB2706, SB2320

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I'm not practicing that cursive as a student. I don't have that proficiency as a student.
• No bigger than 4 students in a group. So anywhere from one to 3 or 4 to one students to tutor.
• Compare in terms of student outcomes and student engagement.
• for those elementary students.
• students needing more support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've completed walkover gamma surveys. We've completed soil sampling.
• I completely understand.
• These include the number of students trained in the training hours or their years; however, their student
• We do see a lot of our students; the majority of our students are at New Mexico schools for two reasons
• It's completed.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She has shared that work to help schools better respond to students in need.
• And from approximately 100 eligible students, only the top candidates were selected.
• We didn't want to touch that until the study is complete.
• We didn't want to touch that until the study is complete.
• That completes the work there. There are bills in conference.

Keywords: March 06, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also requesting that section two of this measure be removed completely, and we've suggested alternate
• and we've suggested removed completely and we've suggested alternate<00:05:28.520> language<00
• We definitely appreciate the state's intent to create more internship opportunities for students.
• We definitely appreciate the state's intent to create more internship opportunities for students.
• internship opportunities for uh students internship opportunities for uh students we<00:28:52.960

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• color="aaaaaa">an appearance form and hand it the committee should complete
• We 3 students here.
• We 3 students here.
• We 3 students here.
• lives of these students.