Transcript Highlights:

• :49:33.040><c> again</c><00:49:33.400><c> just</c><00:49:33.680><c> look</c><00:49:33.920><c> at</c><
• to Colorado<00:49:35.400><c> for</c><00:49:35.640><c> real</c><00:49:36.000><c> life</c><00:49:36.839
• 00:49:58.559><c> today</c><00:49:59.079><c> that</c><00:49:59.200><c> will</c><00:49:59.400><c> have<
• </c><01:49:53.480><c> people</c><01:49:54.480><c> that</c><01:49:54.639><c> they</c><01:49:54.760><c>
• :49:58.560><c> see</c><01:49:58.880><c> here</c><01:49:59.159><c> in</c><01:49:59.679><c> Hawaii</c><

Summary: The House Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Food Systems heard testimony and began decision-making on HB 1246, which would establish the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within DCCA to regulate cannabis. Chair Tarnas described the bill as divisive and noted the hearing had received 95 testimonies in support, 135 in opposition, and 11 comments. Members were told the office would be administratively attached to DCCA, and the department emphasized it would not direct day-to-day operations. DCCA also raised concerns about banking access due to federal law, while the Department of Agriculture supported a one-plant, one-agency approach and noted its current authority over cannabis plant importation and movement. Several agencies and advocates supported the bill with cautions or requested amendments. The Department of Health said it appreciated the bill’s public health protections but remained concerned about increased adult-use access, youth mental health, pregnancy-related risks, and effects on developing brains; it requested a 12-month delayed effective date. The Attorney General’s office said legalization should include safeguards, recommended a longer implementation timeline and seed funding, and flagged issues in the bill involving impaired driving, open-container language, and penalties for under-21 possession. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill but objected to new driving and possession offenses, saying existing law already covers impaired driving. Doctors for Drug Policy Reform supported the measure, citing regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids, testing, childproof packaging, and public education as public-health benefits. Opponents focused on youth access, public safety, and the bill’s broader social effects. The Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill over access and diversion concerns, and the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor strongly opposed legalization, citing higher-potency cannabis, youth harms, psychiatric risks, and increased poison-center calls. The Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Coalition argued legalization should wait until prevention programs are in place and funded first, while the Hawaiʻi Family Forum and Hawaiian Republican Women also opposed the measure, citing concerns about youth exposure, added bureaucracy, and taxpayer costs. The Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi questioned the purpose of the proposed cannabis taxes, asking why cannabis should be taxed heavily if legalization is intended. The hearing continued with additional testimony after a brief audio issue for one testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:32.480><c> But</c><00:49:32.720><c> if</c><00:49:32.960><c> we</c><00:49:33.440><c> if</c>
• <00:49:33.680><c> it</c><00:49:33.839><c> would</c><00:49:33.920><c> help</c><00:49:34.079><c> to</c>
• :49:37.119><c> to</c><00:49:37.520><c> look</c><00:49:37.760><c> at</c><00:49:37.920><c> that.
• Yeah.<00:49:40.480><c> And</c><00:49:40.880><c> Senator</c><00:49:41.280><c> John,</c><00:49:42.160><
• Chair.<00:49:42.960><c> If</c><00:49:43.040><c> I</c><00:49:43.200><c> could</c><00:49:43.359><c> just

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><00:49:03.680><c> was</c><00:49:03.880><c> linked</c><00:49:04.319><c> to</c><00:49:05.079><
• ><c> have</c><00:49:12.240><c> not</c><00:49:12.559><c> had</c><00:49:13.079><c> the</c><00:49:13.240
• :49:30.880><c> we're</c><01:49:31.119><c> talking</c><01:49:31.480><c> about</c><01:49:31.800><c> the
• of</c><01:49:32.960><c> losing</c><01:49:33.840><c> more</c><01:49:34.119><c> and</c><01:49:34.280><
• ><c> who</c><01:49:35.840><c> come</c><01:49:36.080><c> from</c><01:49:36.360><c> a</c><01:49:37.080>

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> with</c><00:49:04.240><c> great</c><00:49:04.559><c> power,</c><00:49:05.280><c> I</c><00:49:05.520
• :06.160><c> to</c><00:49:06.319><c> ask</c><00:49:06.480><c> the</c><00:49:06.720><c> author</c><00:49
• ><c> can</c><00:49:18.400><c> see</c><00:49:18.559><c> if</c><00:49:18.720><c> we</c><00:49:18.880><c
• I'm looking<00:49:21.040><c> on</c><00:49:21.280><c> page</c><00:49:21.680><c> eight</c><00:49:22.800
• ><c> powers</c><00:49:27.680><c> and</c><00:49:27.920><c> duties</c><00:49:28.319><c> of</c><00:49:28.480

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:49:20.800><c> chair</c><00:49:21.119><c> nodding</c><00:49:21.599><c> in</c><00:49:21.760><c> and<
• out of<00:49:22.319><c> consciousness</c><00:49:22.960><c> because</c><00:49:23.440><c> of</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:28.079><c> Um</c><00:49:28.480><c> she</c><00:49:28.720><c> made</c><00:49:28.960><c> a</c
• Um she made a huge<00:49:30.400><c> leap</c><00:49:30.720><c> of</c><00:49:30.880><c> faith</c><00:49
• ><00:49:32.400><c> of</c><00:49:32.559><c> killing</c><00:49:32.880><c> herself</c><00:49:33.280><c>

Bills: HB0103 , HB0070 , HB0091

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We we certainly want<00:49:05.599><c> to</c><00:49:05.760><c> be</c><00:49:05.839><c> there</c><00:49
• :06.000><c> on</c><00:49:06.240><c> board</c><00:49:06.400><c> to</c><00:49:06.640><c> help</c><00:49
• When we<00:49:11.680><c> have</c><00:49:11.839><c> healthier</c><00:49:12.240><c> Kuckians</c><00:49:
• And<00:49:56.000><c> uh</c><00:49:56.160><c> for</c><00:49:56.400><c> the</c><00:49:56.640><c> record
• </c><00:49:57.200><c> uh</c><00:49:57.359><c> please</c><00:49:58.079><c> uh</c><00:49:59.040><c> we'll

Committee: Joint State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also<00:49:03.440><c> extending</c><00:49:04.000><c> the</c><00:49:04.160><c> timeline</c><00:49
• by</c><00:49:10.680><c> two</c><00:49:11.160><c> years</c><00:49:12.400><c> um</c><00:49:12.720><c>
• because we are<00:49:13.560><c> also</c><00:49:13.920><c> hearing</c><00:49:14.360><c> like</c><00:49
• /c><00:49:16.720><c> big</c><00:49:16.960><c> project</c><00:49:17.600><c> every</c><00:49:17.920><c>
• ><c> a</c><00:49:19.920><c> few</c><00:49:20.120><c> more</c><00:49:20.320><c> years</c><00:49:20.720

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:00.400><c> Just</c><00:49:00.720><c> in</c><00:49:00.880><c> the</c><00:49:01.040><c> law<
• .<00:49:11.680><c> And</c><00:49:11.839><c> so</c><00:49:12.640><c> I</c><00:49:12.880><c> wouldn't</
• </c><00:49:19.359><c> desperate</c><00:49:19.680><c> need</c><00:49:19.839><c> of</c><00:49:20.000><c
• </c><00:49:21.520><c> And</c><00:49:21.760><c> thank</c><00:49:21.920><c> you</c><00:49:22.079><c> for
• </c><00:49:25.359><c> Next</c><00:49:25.680><c> is</c><00:49:26.000><c> Travis</c><00:49:26.480><c> Liot

Bills: SB2489 , SB2310 , SB2372 , SB2426 , SB2334 , SB2925 , SB3323

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to agriculture, invasive species control, trees, reef protection, and land use. SP 2489 would require Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases to include access, invasive-species control, and termination provisions; DAB and DLNR supported it, as did several outside groups, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council raised concerns about notice, cooperation with lessees, and placing penalties on leaseholders for preexisting infestations. The chair noted six testifiers in support, one opposed, and three with comments. SP 2310 would appropriate funds to remove overgrown vegetation from the Kohola stream. DAB supported the bill but explained that the work already completed by its contractor stopped at a DOT boundary, and that the affected parcel appears to be a DOT highway segment on ceded lands; the committee discussed whether the appropriation should instead go to DOT. SP 2372, on exceptional and significant trees, received support from DNR and Outdoor Circle, with testimony describing trees as critical infrastructure and suggesting technical amendments to committee membership and the process for recommending trees to county councils. SP 2426, which would authorize DNR to contract with private parties to maintain sunscreen dispensers at state beaches and promote mineral-based sunscreen as reef-protective, drew support from DNR and reef advocates, while another witness questioned the science behind claims about mineral versus chemical sunscreens and urged broader environmental solutions. SP 2334 would impose a land conversion fee on agricultural land converted to other uses, create a fee fund for programs including healthy soils, and require state agricultural lands to use a conservation metric. DAB offered comments, and testimony from climate and farm groups generally supported the conservation goals but questioned references to programs not yet in place and objected to language excluding solar and wind uses, with one witness urging that agri-voltaics remain allowed. SP 2925, concerning coconut trees, would recognize them as food, water, and cultural resources, require signage for landscape palms, set labeling standards, and create a tax credit for naturally managed consumable coconut trees. DAB shifted from opposition to comments, DNR supported, and testimony from cultural and subsistence advocates strongly backed the bill as a response to coconut rhinoceros beetle impacts; committee questions focused on enforcement of signage, inspection resources, and the proposed tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><02:49:05.600><c> advise</c><02:49:06.240><c> or</c><02:49:06.560><c> represent.
• . litigants who<02:49:09.040><c> displease</c><02:49:09.640><c> him</c><02:49:10.640><c> in</c><02:49
• ,<02:49:50.240><c> and</c><02:49:50.479><c> demanded</c><02:49:51.439><c> proono</c><02:49:52.240><c>
• </c><05:49:39.040><c> Speaker,</c><05:49:39.360><c> this</c><05:49:39.520><c> bill</c><05:49:39.760><
• the varied and<05:49:41.840><c> unique</c><05:49:42.080><c> history</c><05:49:42.320><c> of</c><05:49

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:49:08.760><c> point</c><01:49:09.239><c> that</c><01:49:09.440><c> individuals</c><01:49:10.000>
• :34.320><c> own</c><01:49:35.119><c> uh</c><01:49:35.239><c> there</c><01:49:35.320><c> are</c><01:49
• :49:38.159><c> from</c><01:49:38.400><c> as</c><01:49:38.679><c> low</c><01:49:39.080><c> as</c><01:49
• $2,800<01:49:44.040><c> in</c><01:49:44.199><c> their</c><01:49:44.560><c> four</c><01:49:44.960><c>
• <c> wage</c><03:49:38.000><c> we</c><03:49:38.120><c> all</c><03:49:38.279><c> know</c><03:49:38.479>

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:01.200><c> uh</c><00:49:01.520><c> that</c><00:49:01.920><c> come</c><00:49:02.079><c> into
• <c> u</c><00:49:03.920><c> for</c><00:49:04.160><c> the</c><00:49:04.400><c> work</c><00:49:04.640><c
• ><c> just</c><00:49:07.359><c> hate</c><00:49:07.680><c> to</c><00:49:07.839><c> see</c><00:49:08.079
• </c><00:49:47.200><c> And</c><00:49:47.520><c> one</c><00:49:47.680><c> of</c><00:49:47.760><c> the</
• That's<00:49:56.400><c> not</c><00:49:56.720><c> true</c><00:49:57.040><c> when</c><00:49:57.280><c>

Committee: Joint Select Natural Resource Funding Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• 2023<00:49:10.920><c> um</c><00:49:11.400><c> that</c><00:49:12.280><c> uh</c><00:49:12.440><c> caused
• </c><00:49:13.000><c> I</c><00:49:13.079><c> don't</c><00:49:13.280><c> I</c><00:49:13.359><c> don't<
• c> what</c><00:49:13.720><c> was</c><00:49:13.880><c> going</c><00:49:14.079><c> on</c><00:49:14.359>
• 16.280><c> it</c><00:49:16.480><c> just</c><00:49:16.880><c> uh</c><00:49:17.040><c> really</c><00:49
• 49:20.319><c> uh</c><00:49:20.640><c> in</c><00:49:20.760><c> a</c><00:49:20.920><c> big</c><00:49:21.079

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.160><c> growth</c><00:49:00.400><c> is</c><00:49:00.800><c> flat</c><00:49:01.040><c> or</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:05.599><c> And</c><00:49:05.839><c> while</c><00:49:06.160><c> we</c><00:49:06.319><c> do<
• </c><00:49:08.079><c> the</c><00:49:08.240><c> system</c><00:49:08.480><c> here,</c><00:49:09.119><c>
• </c><00:49:21.520><c> joining</c><00:49:21.920><c> into</c><00:49:22.160><c> our</c><00:49:22.480><c>
• </c><00:49:35.839><c> So</c><00:49:36.079><c> we're</c><00:49:36.400><c> in</c><00:49:36.640><c> in</

Committee: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:49:42.720><c> we're</c><00:49:42.880><c> also</c><00:49:43.200><c> working</c><00:49:43.600><c>
• > that</c><00:49:46.920><c> it's</c><00:49:47.080><c> not</c><00:49:47.400><c> just</c><00:49:47.720>
• 00:49:49.840><c> and</c><00:49:50.000><c> Amazon.
• It's<00:49:51.200><c> about</c><00:49:51.680><c> all</c><00:49:51.880><c> the</c><00:49:51.960><c> potential
• carriers<00:49:54.080><c> and</c><00:49:54.280><c> then</c><00:49:54.800><c> getting</c><00:49:55.240

Summary: The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan. Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program. Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions. The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.

Transcript Highlights:

• to</c><00:49:41.119><c> explain</c><00:49:41.440><c> my</c><00:49:41.640><c> I</c><00:49:42.000><c>
• vote</c><00:49:42.520><c> uh</c><00:49:42.680><c> I</c><00:49:42.760><c> want</c><00:49:42.880><c> to
• ><c> the</c><00:49:43.880><c> senator</c><00:49:44.280><c> on</c><00:49:44.440><c> bringing</c><00:49
• <00:49:46.400><c> right</c><00:49:46.720><c> thinking</c><00:49:47.400><c> I</c><00:49:47.520><c> do<
• /c><00:49:53.160><c> little</c><00:49:53.440><c> bit</c><00:49:53.680><c> further</c><00:49:54.040><c

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Mike Wilson, which would prohibit incarcerated people from receiving cross-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries, while allowing a tapering period if stopping an existing treatment would cause physical harm. Wilson said the bill was needed to prevent the Department of Corrections from providing such care by memo or policy rather than statute, and he argued the care was elective and not medically necessary. Senators Thomas, Neal, Nemes, Styers, and others questioned whether any gender-affirming surgeries had actually occurred in Kentucky, whether the hormone treatments were physician-prescribed, and whether the bill would override medical judgment; Wilson said the department reported no surgeries, that 67 incarcerated people were receiving cross-sex hormone therapy, and that he would only support treatment if it fit the bill’s narrow medical-harm exception. Public testimony on SB 2 was strongly opposed. Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign said the bill would deny medically necessary care, violate the Eighth Amendment, and target a very small and vulnerable incarcerated population. Dr. Jack Skilles testified that gender-affirming care is medically necessary and supported by major medical organizations, warning that denying it could worsen mental health and lead to suicidality. Hannah Callahan, a transgender woman, described being denied hormone therapy while incarcerated and said the interruption caused severe physical and mental harm, including suicidal thoughts. Emma Curtis, Lexington’s Fourth District councilwoman, also urged a no vote, framing the issue as a matter of compassion and religious duty. The committee then voted on SB 2. Senator Neal explained his no vote by saying he was not medically trained and deferred to doctors; Senator Nemes said he wanted clarification that the bill would not stop ongoing treatment; and Senator Styers argued the bill was a poor priority and noted there was no fiscal note and that only 67 people were affected. Senator Wheeler moved the bill, Senator Reed seconded, and the committee reported Senate Bill 2 favorably. Afterward, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 84, sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings, which would limit judicial deference to state agency interpretations and require courts, not agencies, to interpret ambiguous laws, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright decision overturning Chevron deference.

Transcript Highlights:

• :08.600><c> think</c><00:49:08.880><c> we</c><00:49:09.000><c> would</c><00:49:09.200><c> find</c><00
• ,<00:49:14.960><c> quite</c><00:49:15.280><c> frankly.
• at for uh,<00:49:20.720><c> from</c><00:49:20.920><c> their</c><00:49:21.120><c> point</c><00:49:21.400
• > law,</c><00:49:27.400><c> uh,</c><00:49:27.680><c> and</c><00:49:27.920><c> sometimes</c><00:49:28.520
• </c><00:49:35.920><c> But,</c><00:49:36.080><c> keep</c><00:49:36.320><c> in</c><00:49:36.440><c> mind

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• :39.000><c> okay</c><00:49:39.200><c> with</c><00:49:39.359><c> you</c><00:49:39.839><c> uh</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:42.799><c> conversation</c><00:49:43.680><c> is</c><00:49:43.960><c> we</c><00:49:44.119><
• is we want to be<00:49:44.920><c> a</c><00:49:45.200><c> resource</c><00:49:46.200><c> and</c><00:49
• we can<00:49:47.960><c> be</c><00:49:48.119><c> helpful</c><00:49:48.640><c> and</c><00:49:48.839><c>
• 49:55.599><c> created</c><00:49:55.960><c> by</c><00:49:56.160><c> Statute</c><00:49:56.720><c> to</c

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss the guardian ad litem system, including appointment qualifications, training, payment, and whether any changes are needed. Roll was called, the February 25, 2025 minutes were approved, and the chair emphasized that the meeting was informational only and no vote would be taken. Representatives from the Court of Justice, including Chief Justice Deborah Henry Lambert and several family and district judges, testified about how the system has evolved since concerns raised in 2019 about overappointment and fees. Court witnesses said the judiciary responded to earlier concerns by requiring open appointment lists of trained and qualified attorneys, improving training, and increasing oversight of fee orders. They reported that statewide GAL fees have fallen from a little over $14 million in 2019 to about $12 million, even as caseloads have grown, and said the average payment works out to about $650 per case, with the statutory cap for trial-level GAL fees still set at $500 since 1986. They argued that the current local appointment model works well, especially in rural areas, and warned that moving to a DPA-style regional model would create serious scheduling and conflict problems because of overlapping dockets and related criminal cases. Judges from rural districts described shortages of available attorneys, high burnout, travel burdens, and the difficulty of finding enough counsel in smaller counties. They also said the Court of Justice cannot seek certain federal Title IV-E reimbursements, but urged the legislature to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to pursue that funding through an MOU. One judge noted that some appointed attorneys are effectively underpaid relative to private rates and that better compensation would help attract and retain lawyers. The discussion also covered training standards adopted after the 2019 audit. Witnesses said Rule 37 now requires initial training and four hours of multidisciplinary continuing training every two years, with topics including child development, trauma-informed care, substance use, child welfare, forensics, ethics, and communication with clients. They said the Court of Justice has offered in-person regional trainings and remote options, and that the goal is to keep qualified attorneys on the appointment lists while improving representation for children and parents in dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination-of-parental-rights cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.371><c>yi </c><00:49:00.757><c>essero </c><00:49:01.143><c>akkele, </c><00:49:01.529><c>atu </c><
• adoytit <00:49:05.000><c>ni </c><00:49:05.200><c>ayyuntak </c><00:49:05.400><c>kah </c><00:49:05.600
• ><c>kinnim </c><00:49:05.800><c>anu </c><00:49:06.000><c>edde </c><00:49:06.200><c>rade </c><00:49:06.400
• <c>buxa </c><00:49:12.679><c>naharal </c><00:49:13.339><c>alfimteh </c><00:49:13.999><c>tenek</c> cokmih
• :16.032><c>lakal </c><00:49:16.448><c>qunxaaneyti </c><00:49:16.864><c>cokmih </c><00:49:17.280><c>buxa

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division A

Transcript Highlights:

• :37.559><c> department</c><00:49:38.040><c> will</c><00:49:38.240><c> be</c><00:49:38.559><c> the</c>
• will be the office of Hawaiian<00:49:39.960><c> Affairs</c><00:49:40.520><c> so</c><00:49:41.119><c>
• OHA</c><00:49:42.119><c> we</c><00:49:42.240><c> are</c><00:49:42.440><c> also</c> Hawaiian Affairs
• amend</c><00:49:43.680><c> to</c><00:49:43.880><c> include</c><00:49:44.280><c> that</c><00:49:44.440
• Hawaiian<00:49:48.799><c> alone</c><00:49:49.319><c> or</c><00:49:49.640><c> in</c><00:49:49.920><c>

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.079><c> hours</c><00:49:00.400><c> and</c><00:49:00.720><c> stay</c><00:49:00.880><c> in</c><00:49
• ><c> I'm</c><00:49:09.920><c> aware</c><00:49:10.160><c> of</c><00:49:10.720><c> for</c><00:49:11.359
• </c><00:49:51.040><c> So,</c><00:49:51.839><c> um</c><00:49:52.000><c> I</c><00:49:52.319><c> don't</
• <c> enough</c><01:49:03.199><c> that</c><01:49:03.360><c> they'll</c><01:49:03.520><c> hit</c><01:49:
• And<01:49:43.119><c> while</c><01:49:43.920><c> the</c><01:49:44.159><c> proposal</c><01:49:44.560><c

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met on February 6, 2026, took roll, approved a motion to convene, and heard agency updates from materials in the packet. The council then took up Senate Bill 125 out of order because Senator Carol was present. The bill was presented as a collaborative effort focused on creating a secure, state-run high-acuity mental health facility for justice-involved youth who need specialized psychiatric care and cannot be appropriately served in detention or by private hospitals. Speakers said the facility would fill a gap in services, improve safety and treatment outcomes, and be designed with trauma-informed, medically equipped spaces rather than a jail-like setting. The presenters also outlined other parts of the bill, including a placement process in which DJJ and CHFS would evaluate youth and provide recommendations before the judge makes the final decision, with certain hospital-declination provisions to be delayed until the new facility is operating. They described payment incentives for hospitals treating high-acuity youth, confidentiality and escape-related disclosure provisions, and contracts with a public teaching university for clinical services. The proposed facility was described as a 24-bed center at Central State, with staffing to include mental health professionals and juvenile detention staff receiving enhanced training. Dr. Clark Lester said staffing needs would vary by youth and could include one-to-one supervision for some patients. The bill also addressed female juvenile detention capacity. Speakers said the number of detained girls has risen sharply since 2024, peaking at 51 in 2025, and that current facilities cannot meet the separation requirements for boys and girls or high- and low-level youth. The proposal would build two female detention centers, with possible locations discussed in central Kentucky and western Kentucky, and a third or fourth center could be added if population data show the need. Members asked about hospital placement authority, staffing, and average length of stay for girls; the presenters said the current court-order process would remain until the new facility is built and that they would provide additional data later. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.