Transcript Highlights:

• mandatory minimum, mandating a life sentence means a judge cannot take any circumstance or any mitigating
• against a member of law enforcement with no ability for any judge to take any circumstance or any mitigating
• against a member of law enforcement with no ability for any judge to take any circumstance or any mitigating
• forward a meaningful piece of legislation to address all the concerns that we've heard that does not mitigate
• forward a meaningful piece of legislation to address all the concerns that we've heard that does not mitigate

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, pledge, and several member introductions and recognitions, including resolutions and visiting groups. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under specified safety conditions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education created a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; despite concerns about unfunded mandates, it passed 36-0. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults authorized alternative service methods for scammers through the apps they used to contact victims and passed 37-0. SB 130 expanded and eased procedures for compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration, including extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars; it passed 38-0. SB 158 eliminated cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan and passed 38-0. The Senate then considered SB 234 on crimes against law enforcement officers, prompted by the killing of Officer Jason Raynor. The bill clarified that a person may not resist an officer with violence and added a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A late amendment to restore “good faith” language failed, and after extensive debate over due process, racial profiling, and sentencing concerns, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. SB 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. SB 274 designated portions of roads in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; it passed 38-0 and then received 37 co-sponsors. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate and returned the issue to local districts with reporting requirements; it passed 38-0. Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with the sponsor emphasizing anti-Semitism and the need for education and remembrance. The transcript also included additional ceremonial remarks and recognition of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Throughout the meeting, most measures advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while SB 234 generated the most substantive disagreement and was set aside for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:42:23.679> team Right now, the hazard mitigation team Right now, the hazard mitigation
• projects that are open right mitigation projects that are open right now,<01:42:29.360> they're
• So,<01:42:35.199> that<01:42:35.440> entire<01:42:35.760> mitigation<01:42:36.400
• > team<01:42:36.880> is<01:42:37.199> made So, that entire mitigation team is made
• , the PA, some of our mitigation, the PA, some of our logistics<01:43:07.280> uh<01:43:07.520>

Bills: HB1769

Keywords: criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, private prisons, racial equity, Native Hawaiians, community well-being, mass incarceration, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that which means is Flag how to mitigate that which means transferring<00:43:16.800> to<00:43
• We would reassign, so those things are being mitigated.
• Again, these include completion of the conflict of interest forms and also mitigating any conflict of
• Again, these include completion of the conflict of interest forms and also mitigating any conflict of
• Again, these include completion of the conflict of interest forms and also mitigating any conflict of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also a tool that is used to study safety as well as mitigate costs of certain benefits.
• It's also a tool that is used to study safety as well as mitigate costs of certain benefits.
• It's also a tool that is used to study safety as well as mitigate costs of certain benefits.
• It's also a tool that is used to study safety as well as mitigate costs of certain benefits.
• <00:13:11.279> premium Senate file 565 will mitigate premium Senate file 565 will mitigate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a key tool in our work toward mitigating this housing crisis, and I urge my colleagues to support
• groups it's a key tool in our work groups it's a key tool in our work towards<00:24:42.360> mitigating
• this housing crisis towards mitigating this housing crisis and<00:24:43.960> I<00:24:44.080><
• mitigation and air quality<00:48:08.040> Grant<00:48:09.040> uh<00:48:09.559> to
• <00:51:15.880> the they need it which mitigates the they need it which mitigates the longterm

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, I'm not sure if it would really mitigate the problem.
• Anyway, I'm not sure if it would really mitigate the problem.
• Anyway, I'm not sure if it would really mitigate the problem.
• <01:20:52.719> Um, would really mitigate the problem.
• Um, would really mitigate the problem.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work on mitigation projects. work on mitigation projects.
• to wildfire mitigation. to wildfire mitigation. >> One<02:32:28.080> second.
• Moving on to SP 2401 relating to regional shoreline mitigation districts. Thank you.
• Moving on to SB 2401 relating to regional shoreline mitigation districts.
• Um we'd like to mitigation districts.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3019, which would cap ticket resale prices at face value for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to enforce violations. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill and said it preferred a ticket transparency approach focused on upfront disclosure of fees, while supporters argued the measure would curb scalping, bots, and extreme markups. Testimony from the National Independent Venue Association and a concert promoter emphasized that resale does not add inventory and said the bill would protect consumers; committee members questioned DCCA about enforcement and cited examples of very high resale prices for local concerts. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair said the measure would be moved along for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3311, which would create the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within DLNR to fund fire-mitigation grants for residential property owners. DLNR supported the bill, saying the need is immediate and that the program is modeled on successful mainland efforts, though the department said it ultimately belongs under the State Fire Marshal once that office has capacity. DCCA’s Insurance Division submitted written comments only. The measure was received without further action in the excerpt. Senate Bill 2979, authorizing DLNR and community-based organizations to enter community co-management agreements for state lands, drew broad support from OHA, community groups, and several individuals, who said the bill would formalize partnerships, strengthen shared responsibility, and help community stewardship efforts. Testifiers clarified that the bill does not require 65-year agreements and said the term should be left to DLNR’s discretion. The committee then moved on without questions or a vote shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2351 on the state park special fund, which would allow DLNR to use fund monies for environmental protection programs. DLNR’s state parks administrator opposed the bill, saying the special fund is already fully committed to urgent maintenance and infrastructure needs across an aging park system, and warned that diverting money would weaken the fund’s ability to support parks. The Tax Foundation also submitted written testimony, and a community witness opposed the measure for similar reasons. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Senate Bill 2918, which would require HCDA to establish a community action center in Chinatown; HCDA’s executive director expressed concern about jurisdiction and said the city and county should continue leading that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, at the present time, we have no such mitigation to the host casinos.
• So my proposal here is one Band-Aid until we can get a full casino bill to get some mitigation to the
• > to mitigation typically have mitigation to mitigation typically have mitigation to the<01:21
• to the host we have no such mitigation to the host casinos<01:22:10.040> we<01:22:10.159>
• to the city Bill to get some mitigation to the city and<01:22:30.719> towns<01:22:31.159>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar. The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• levels of income tax or differing levels of sales tax, those differences in the revenue system would mitigate
• But again, that would be to mitigate the need to make spending reductions or tax increases when revenues
• But again, that would be to mitigate the need to make spending reductions or tax increases when revenues

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, because originally this was for the green fee and climate mitigation, disaster, all of that, environmental
• to align with the green fee objectives and also support cruise industry. green fee and climate u mitigation
• , green fee and climate u mitigation, disaster,<00:22:06.960> all<00:22:07.120> of<00:22

Bills: SB2816

Keywords: enterprise zones, economic development, innovation enterprise, job creation, Hawaii, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard House Bill 2195, HD1, which would replace the existing transit accommodations tax on cruise ships with a per-passenger infrastructure fee collected by the Department of Transportation and deposited into a new cruise ship special fund. Testimony included support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii warning that the bill should remain narrowly tied to harbor-related uses to avoid potential Tonnage Clause issues. The Department of Transportation testified that cruise-related harbor work includes pier repairs, dredging, terminal upgrades, and shore power, and said a dedicated revenue stream would help prioritize cruise infrastructure needs. The Attorney General’s office said it had submitted written comments but did not address questions about the litigation or constitutional background. Members questioned whether the new special fund was necessary when the existing harbor special fund already finances similar improvements. DOT said the funds overlap and suggested the bill could be amended to use the harbor special fund with a separate cruise subaccount, while still preserving a dedicated revenue stream and separate accounting. DOT also said it currently collects port entry, dockage, and per-head passenger fees from cruise ships and that existing cruise-related expenditures from the harbor special fund have not been challenged. The chair ultimately recommended moving HB 2195 forward as introduced, while continuing discussions about the fund structure and awaiting further clarity from the Attorney General and DOT. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass HB 2195, HD1, as is. They also voted to pass House Bill 916, HD1, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, which would allow certain state low-income housing tax credits to offset state transient accommodations taxes in the same county and make Act 129 of 2016 permanent. Both the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 916, HD1, unamended. The hearing was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE CAN MITIGATE THE IMPACT AND REMOVE THEM FROM CERTAIN AREAS AND WE CAN ENTER THE CONTROL MODE WITH
• THESE MUNICIPALITIES ARE SPENDING HUNDREDS EACH YEAR BUT WITHOUT COORDINATE STATE SUPPORT LOCAL MITIGATION
• I RESEARCHED UP PYTHON ERADICATION PROGRAM OR AT LEAST MITIGATING IT ALSO WITH THE LIONFISH.

Transcript Highlights:

• defense could prevent unjust prosecutions on the front end, avoid the waste of legal resources, and mitigate
• Well, it would be nice if we had the ability to mitigate.
• If you're able to demonstrate this coercive effect, I understand mitigating it. I just, I'm not.

Bills: SB1099, SB1896, SB1980, SB127, SB614, SB955, SB1278, SB1372, SB1936, SB1937, SB2580, SB2595, SB2798

Keywords: SB 1099, illegal alien, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense, first-degree felony, minimum sentence, Criminal Justice, Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS CAN INCLUDE TOPICS SUCH AS HURRICANE MITIGATION, VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, HEALTHCARE
• PRESENTATION IS FROM DOCTOR RICHARD OLSEN FROM THE FIU CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE FOR HURRICANE DAMAGE, MITIGATION
• ARE USING VARIOUS LEVELS OF THE WIND FORCE INTENSITY TO TEST ALL KINDS OF PROCEDURES, PROTOCOLS, MITIGATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:30.640> And mitigate harm to those species. And mitigate harm to those species.
• Um, but this bill will limit and negate the agency's ability to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the harm
• rules for a compensatory mitigation rules for a compensatory mitigation program<00:57:51.680>
• fund and how aquatic resource mitigation fund and how applicants<00:58:02.559> can<00:58:02.799
• program and hope compensatory mitigation program and hope to<01:01:43.520> uh<01:01:44.079>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It mitigates some of the issues that we have been all seeing in our DCS programs. It protects kids.
• It mitigates some of the issues that we have been all seeing in our DCS programs. It protects kids.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It mitigates some of the issues that we have been seeing in our DCS programs. It protects kids.
• It mitigates some of the issues that we have been all seeing in our DCS programs. It protects kids.

Summary: The meeting covered seven Senate-amended House bills on the caucus agenda. HB 248 was described as changing prior language about private process servers and, in the Senate strike-everything version, prohibiting more restrictive utilization controls for FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications than those applied to opioid or narcotic drugs, with a repeal date of September 1, 2028. HB 2265 would continue limiting certain court fees charged to criminal defendants, though the Senate removed the provision barring courts from creating new fees without express legislative authorization. HB 2404 would require authorized transporters for certain mental health transports; the sponsor explained the Senate changes delay implementation until 2030 and preserve officer involvement when safety concerns exist. HB 2611 would strengthen DCS group foster home safety rules, including drug screening consequences for employees and additional security standards, with the sponsor emphasizing child safety and accountability. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas and lodging assessments, with the Senate shifting assessment approval to the governing body and removing some new-business assessment requirements. HB 2986 made multiple ADEQ-related changes, including replacing the recycling fund with the solid waste fee fund and expanding its uses. HB 2995 revised child custody and domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in custody decisions, with Senate amendments adjusting findings, evidence standards, burdens of proof, and adding an emergency clause. Most bills were met with sponsor concurrence and no recorded opposition. HB 2404 drew questions about whether peace officers would still be involved in transports; the sponsor clarified officers would still handle the initial pickup and could be recalled if the person remained high risk or aggressive. HB 2611 was supported as a child-protection measure based partly on recommendations from youth in group homes. HB 2950 was described as a private, opt-in tourism financing tool that would cost taxpayers nothing. HB 2986 was noted as having passed the Senate unanimously. HB 2995 generated the most discussion. Supporters said it addresses coercive control and financial abuse in domestic violence cases and was developed through a lengthy stakeholder process, including court input, to better protect children and families. One member objected that the bill’s wording could sweep in ordinary marital conduct, such as managing finances, making demeaning remarks, or threatening to call police or file for divorce, and urged an amendment to narrow the language. Supporters responded that the bill is aimed at coercive control in custody disputes, that the emergency clause reflects immediate need, and that fixes could be revisited later. The caucus ended with a reminder about a second caucus after floor for the budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• creating a new conservation license plate and directing the additional fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation
• we've taken some steps with leadership from the House on having a plan and being able to bring some mitigation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Bills: HB2139, HB1892, HB1893, HB1890, HB2335, HB2468, HB2091, HB2092, HB1878, HB2297, HB2127, HB1785, HB2345, HB2344, HB1780, HB1891, HB2398, HB1764, HB2564, HB1783, HB2567, HB1934, HB1778, HB1781, HB2621, HB2019, HB1803, HB2454, HB1811, HB1943, HB1589, HB1607, HB1851, HB2490, HB2546, HB2568, HB1972, HB2391, HB2575, HB1896, HB2399, HB2004, HB1894, HB2397, HB2498, HB2560, HB2310, HB2214, HB2167, HB2197, HB2116, HB1879, HB1596, HB2096, HB2298, HB2343, HB2566, HB1518, HB2044, HB2336, HB1603, HB1718, HB1740, HB1616, HB2171, HB2022, HB2347, HB1882, HB1708, HB2086, HB2154, HB2027, HB2179, HB1620, HB1913, HB2159, HB1597, HB2121, HB1864, HB2305, HB2576, HB1713, HB1729, HB1756, HB2122, HB2559, HB1743, HB1733, HB1868, HB1723, HB1711, HB1812, HB2515, HB1724, HB1604, HB2270, HB1722, HB1727, HB1920, HB1593

Keywords: invasive species, Queensland longhorn beetle, agriculture, environmental impact, University of Hawaii, Board of Education, Hawaii public schools, teacher representative, nonvoting member, bargaining unit 5, HSTA, teachers union, education governance, school board, executive session, collective bargaining, public school teacher, policy-making body, student representative, military representative

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the structure for the airborne radaron mitigation installer certification and for the mold
• So that's the structure for the airborne radaron mitigation installer certification and for the mold
• So that's the structure for the airborne radaron mitigation installer certification and for the mold
• So that's the structure for the airborne radaron mitigation installer certification and for the mold
• So that's the structure for the airborne radaron mitigation installer certification and for the mold

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hubs, in addition to providing that immediate response, are also investing in hazard mitigation.
• So mitigation is the proactive action taken to reduce the long-term risks and impacts of hazards, whether
• that was just shared with me at last week's NAL conference in DC: For every dollar invested in mitigation
• <00:14:26.720> activities<00:14:27.199> on<00:14:27.440> an hazard mitigation
• activities on an hazard mitigation activities on an ongoing<00:14:28.320> basis,<00:14:29.199

Bills: HB2437, HB1815, HB1614, HB1613, HB1612, HB2411, HB2597, HB2583, HB2474, HB1863, HB2590, HB1813, HB1838, HB2138, HB1967, HB1576, HB2139, HB1605, HB2113, HB812, HB1831, HB1707, HB2561, HB1805, HB2469, HB2472, HB2387, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1859, HB2276, HB2335, HB1656, HB2116, HB2272, HB2273, HB2340, HB2158, HB2339, HB2489, HB2159, HB2171, HB2338, HB2005, HB1952, HB1872, HB1676, HB2384, HB2614, HB20, HB1776, HB1565, HB2310, HB1975, HB1801, HB1668, HB2114, HB1972, HB1546, HB1518, HB1131, HB2208, HB2156, HB2268, HB2622, HB2581, HB2498, HB2443, HB1577, HB2033, HB2031, HB2023, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2315, HB2343, HB2501, HB2505, HB816, HB1562, HB1591, HB1853, HB1854, HB1871, HB1965, HB1966, HB1537, HB1541, HB276, HB2606, HB2270, HB1920, HB1756, HB1727, HB1718, HB1715, HB1713, HB1711

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund, one percent for art, public art, art in public places, relocatable works of art, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, DAGS