Transcript Highlights:

• We can have it upon approval or with approval of the CPO, or we can just say you have this exemption
• We can have it upon approval or with approval of the CPO, or we can just say you have this exemption
• from economic [laughter] development. from economic [laughter] development.
• in developing Banyan Drive is foremost. in developing Banyan Drive is foremost.
• development. Chair delay. development. Chair delay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2627, which would exempt Hawaii Tourism Authority contracts and agreements for sports projects, events, and related marketing from the state procurement code and other competitive bidding requirements. HTA, DBEDT, and the State Procurement Office testified in support or with comments, while one individual offered general support for sports tourism. Senators focused on narrowing the bill so the exemption would apply more specifically to sports-related projects and marketing, rather than broad marketing activities, and discussed whether the bill should require notice to the State Procurement Office or approval by the chief procurement officer. Procurement officials said a reporting requirement would be the most expeditious option, while still allowing post-event monitoring and public posting of exemptions. Members also discussed whether the exemption should be limited to situations involving sole-source sports entities, such as major leagues or international sports organizations, to better justify bypassing procurement rules. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but members and testifiers agreed to continue working on the language. The hearing then moved to SB 2074 relating to state facilities and naming rights for the Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center. The Stadium Authority, HTA, and DBEDT testified in support, while the Outdoor Circle and other organizations opposed the measure. Opponents argued the bill could create fiscal and legal risk, echoing concerns raised in prior legislation and by the attorney general, and warned it would mark a major shift by treating public facilities as commercial branding opportunities. Supporters said naming rights could generate significant revenue to help fund the stadium project and reduce the burden on the state and developers. Senators questioned how signage would be handled, especially whether it would be exterior-facing or limited to inward-facing signage, and the Stadium Authority said it was willing to work with the Outdoor Circle on language that would preserve community aesthetics while allowing revenue generation. A senator cited a prior study estimating naming rights could bring in about $1.5 million per year over 20 years, and asked what that revenue would buy for the public; the Stadium Authority responded that it would help advance the project toward a larger, improved stadium. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allow the local boards to do what they do and the boards to approve what they can approve and deny what
• <00:05:10.960> what they do and the boards to approve what they do and the boards to approve
• the governing body to approve the governing body to approve construction<00:17:33.280> on
• as they responsibly plan and develop as they responsibly plan and develop their<00:22:04.480>
• <01:32:21.360> also developer for developers and it also developer for developers and it also

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman's motion is approved.
• The lady's motion is approved.
• We're going to vote for the approval of the...
• That's part of the reason why this was developed this way.
• The gentleman's motion is approved. I close.

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 65th and 66th days, with the first journal approval passing by roll call 124-0. Members then offered several introductions recognizing interns and special guests, including a lengthy tribute to law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty and the presentation of Capitol-flown flags to some of them. The chamber received committee reports from Fiscal Review recommending passage of several measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 87, Senate Bills 878 and 994, conference reports on House Bill 2818 and Senate Bill 973, and Senate Bill 1825. The House then took up House Bill 2818, a conference report dealing with annexation-related language for the St. Joseph Airport and added provisions affecting St. Charles and Jefferson counties. After debate about local control and development, the House approved the conference report 140-7 and then passed the bill 136-7. Members next considered Senate Bill 1825, which updates county salary commission schedules, removes sheriffs and prosecutors from salary commissions, and gives certain fourth-class counties additional time to transition to third-class status. After discussion about county pay, coroners, and local fiscal impacts, the House adopted the Senate substitute 109-35 and finally passed the bill 106-39. The House also approved House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, after adopting a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions; the resolution passed 100-47. Finally, the House passed Senate Bill 878, which expands pharmacist authority for certain common ailments, emergency waivers, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a House amendment adding blood pressure cuff and opioid-alternative language; it passed 132-13. Senate Bill 903, addressing theft and vandalism involving telecommunications and critical infrastructure, also passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted additional bills to be considered upon return, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• get EPA approval, uh.
• Besides dichlorobos, uh, Kumafos is, is approved.
• They have to approve it.
• , uh, for approved use.
• Is to get further approval from FDA.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first major that we've approved.
• <00:32:30.720> the Dave the NA uh DOH approved the Dave the NA uh DOH approved the construction
• requires us to to approve it, per se. requires us to to approve it, per se.
• . developed. developed.
• <00:52:36.000> Our approved its use for anything. Our approved its use for anything.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill received an update from the Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9 on regulatory oversight of the Red Hill facility, the Navy drinking water system, and ongoing environmental investigation and cleanup. The agencies reviewed the authorities governing the work, including DOH’s emergency orders, EPA’s 2023 administrative consent order, and the older 2015 agreement, and explained that the newer framework is being used for most current oversight because it includes closure, remediation, drinking water protections, and stronger community engagement requirements, even though some requirements overlap. EPA and DOH reported major milestones and current work. Defueling was completed in March 2024, with about 104 million gallons removed, and the agencies said this eliminated the risk of another catastrophic release. They described the current tank-closure phase, expected to finish in July 2029, along with site assessment, site investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring that may continue through at least 2040. They also summarized drinking water actions: emergency response flushing and sampling after the 2021 spill, lifting of the public health advisory in 2022, completion of extended drinking water monitoring in 2025, and ongoing system improvements such as repairs, flushing plans, valve work, complaint-response protocols, and upgrades to storage tanks and pumps. Members asked several questions about monitoring results, the meaning of TPH, the status of the 2015 agreement, and the Navy’s groundwater model. EPA said its sampling and the Navy’s results were in alignment during extended monitoring, and that it plans to issue a summary report covering the full response period. On the groundwater model, EPA and DOH said they have not yet approved it for decision-making, are reviewing it iteratively with outside experts and University of Hawaii data, and may approve it for specific uses in the future. DOH said its latest comment letter states the model cannot yet be used for decision-making purposes, and noted that UH’s separate modeling work is contingent on funding and may not be completed until next spring. The agencies also said they continue community outreach through open houses, webinars, neighborhood boards, legislative hearings, and fuel tank advisory committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent to approve the journal of the previous state. Mr.
• Hearing no objection, the journal stands approved.
• The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation's funds are reorganized.
• The Senate version also did stricter approval requirements for bonds.
• legislature to actively approve a bond issuance within 90 days.

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• like approving a fence.
• are either approved or in the approval are either approved or in the approval process.<00:22:42.640
• development to current taxpayers. development to current taxpayers.
• c> can't<00:51:30.559> get<00:51:30.800> approval developments and they can't get approval
• developments and they can't get approval and<00:51:31.839> that<00:51:32.079> is<00:51

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies to develop pre-kindergarten facilities.
• agencies to develop pre-kindergarten facilities.
• You're approved for 12, or you approved for 11?
• for 12 what was that Authority approv for 12 what was that you're<00:04:06.599> approved<00:04
• <00:04:07.760> for you're approved for 12 or you approv for you're approved for 12 or you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be approved unless the county can demonstrate why an approval of the project would not be appropriate
• exemptions from planning and development exemptions from planning and development laws<00:04:18.000
• county within 120 days shall be approved county within 120 days shall be approved unless<00:04:44.800
• surplus, excluding fees, to develop surplus, excluding fees, to develop additional<00:08:00.000>
• <00:22:43.840> regarding Stanford car development regarding Stanford car development regarding

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to be approved.
• When all is said and done, water should not be an afterthought when we approve large development.
• They're townhome-type development in a developed community.
• They're townhome-type development in a developed community.
• This development has been twice approved by the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• like developers. I like I like rooftops. like developers. I like I like rooftops.
• bring in more developers. Correct. bring in more developers. Correct.
• development.
• We got all the development development.
• green field developments from scratch. green field developments from scratch.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS DIRECTED US TO DEVELOP AND CREATE COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A REPORT FOR GRADUATE
• AND DEVELOP THE PLAN TO CREATE A MAINTAINED INTEGRATED WORKFORCE DEVELOP A PROGRAM.
• THE AGENCY ALSO DEVELOPED, ALTHOUGH NOT REQUIRED, WE DEVELOPED A SPECIFIC WEBPAGE.
• THE AGENCY MUST APPROVE.
• THIS INCLUDED DEVELOPING APPROVED APPLICATIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT RULEMAKING AND THE PATHWAYS ARE NOW

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, if McNeese were to establish an economic development...
• So each economic development district would be required to have a board.
• So, like currently, the LSU Economic Development District, they have a board.
• So, yes, it is confined to each economic development district.
• It outlines that for these economic development district boards. Correct. Okay.

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 6 and first welcomed LSU President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton, who outlined LSU’s goals of becoming an elite, accessible flagship university, increasing research expenditures, improving student recruitment and retention, and expanding pathways that keep Louisiana students in-state. Members praised the new leadership and LSU’s workforce and research direction, and a representative from LSU enrollment reported gains in TOPS Excellence commitments for the coming fall. The committee then advanced several education bills. SB 105 by Sen. Kathy, which reinstates TOPS Tech eligibility for honorably discharged veterans, was reported favorably without objection. SB 374, also by Sen. Kathy, creates a uniform framework for college economic development districts; members adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 304 by Sen. Edmonds, which authorizes the Board of Regents to establish a list of eligible accreditors and allows institutions to seek different accreditors, was reported favorably. SB 522 by Sen. Edmonds, allowing vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters with Commerce and Industry support, drew discussion about whether the authority should extend to public schools as well; it ultimately passed 9-1. The committee also approved SB 290 by Sen. Abraham, a cleanup bill requiring school system concurrence before student exit-code changes in the data system, and HCR 81 by Rep. Freiberg, which asks the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment and related financial pressures. HCR 175 by Rep. Larvadain, a study resolution on possible TOPS Tech changes, was deferred by the author because it overlapped with another measure. Several members also used personal privilege to welcome local mayors and community guests to the committee room.

Transcript Highlights:

• And number two, move to approve.
• Move to approve. Senator Lang. Senator Waters. approve. Second. Senator Lang. Senator approve.
• Move to approve. Second. I have a line in this for approval.
• Move to approve.
• two move to approve. two move to approve.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, the question before you is the approval of the co-chair's motion.
• By your vote of 10 ayes and zero noes, you have approved the motion.
• By your vote of 10 ayes and zero knows you have approved the motion.
• It's approved electronically. Right. We have the information. We've got the data.
• them know what the scope has been approved.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on Topok Elementary School District’s long-running noncompliance with Arizona’s Uniform System of Financial Records. The Auditor General’s office explained the USFR noncompliance process and reported that Topok had made substantial progress, correcting many deficiencies in areas such as open meeting law, procurement, payroll, attendance reporting, property control, and information technology. The district’s superintendent and staff described the corrective actions they had taken, the use of outside consultants, and their plan to maintain compliance through stronger leadership, training, and consistent procedures. Members praised the district’s progress and asked about the remaining deficiencies and the status of the 3% state-aid withholding, which the Auditor General said would be addressed by the State Board of Education. The committee then considered a request for a fourth school safety special audit, tied to concerns raised by Representative Martinez about Phoenix Union High School District and school violence response practices. The Auditor General said the proposed audit would be a new topic focused on policies and procedures for responding to credible threats of violence and allegations of staff misconduct affecting student safety, and could include Phoenix Union in the sample. Representative Martinez described a fatal 2024 shooting, weapons incidents, and concerns about district oversight. The committee approved the motion 10-0. Next, staff presented the fiscal years 2027-2028 school district performance audit schedule, describing 26 randomly selected school districts and career and technical education districts, plus 84 planned follow-ups. The Auditor General said the schedule is intended to shorten the average time between audits and that the school audits division is now fully staffed. Members asked about county coverage and the inclusion of ESA accountability, but the schedule was ultimately presented for review rather than approval. The committee also heard a detailed federal compliance audit presentation on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administered by DES. The Auditor General reported repeated findings involving missing provider documentation, questioned costs, and FFATA reporting errors, including a 2024 sample that led to questioning $2.88 million in costs. The office recommended stronger documentation, record retention, reporting procedures, and staff training; DES concurred and said it would correct the findings in 2026. Members discussed the limits of the single-audit scope, the possibility of a broader special audit, and the federal government’s recent actions on CCDF oversight in other states. Finally, the committee considered and discussed a special audit request for CCDF that would broaden review to provider oversight, licensing, site visits, and billing accuracy across multiple state agencies, with estimated costs of $547,000 to $625,000 and a projected report date of July 31, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• a step-by-step process fervor, deport site approval.
• Develops.
• It's a Pernell beyond just developing the Utah aircraft.
• Traffic control regulations DOT is responsible for site approval and comment approvals.
• If we don't have approvals by the municipal government to develop infrastructure, we can operate there

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman's motion is approved.
• And land is described how it's to be developed for future use.
• developed future for future use.
• The lady's motion is approved.
• That's part of the reason why this was developed this way.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The FDA-approved, I think there's some products that are FDA-approved.
• Those were approved by U.S. EPA.
• EPA is not going to approve... ...bill in the next two years, more conversion kits are approved.
• EPA is not going to approve, can lower the threshold, and approve kits that are even further away from
• If they get approved by the U.S. EPA, any conversion kit, as long as they get approved by U.S.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It then goes to the board, where the board approves it for full board approval.
• It then goes to the board, where the board approves it for full board approval.
• It then goes to the board, where the board approves it for full board approval.
• It then goes to the board, where the board approves it for full board approval.
• It then goes to the board, where the board approves it for full board approval.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure requires developers developing a housing project under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development
• development under certain circumstances. development under certain circumstances.
• We would have a case-by-case study for each development that would need to be approved by the county.
• approve any action of the committee. approve any action of the committee.
• sustainable development suggests. sustainable development suggests.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.