Transcript Highlights:

• :09.040><c> and</c><00:49:09.359><c> not</c><00:49:09.599><c> create</c><00:49:09.920><c> a</c><00:49
• And<00:49:20.319><c> I</c><00:49:20.559><c> guess</c><00:49:20.800><c> just</c><00:49:21.119><c> to</
• </c><00:49:28.480><c> Um</c><00:49:29.359><c> in</c><00:49:29.520><c> in</c><00:49:29.839><c> our</c>
• Um in in our case,<00:49:30.559><c> just</c><00:49:30.800><c> to</c><00:49:30.960><c> give</c><00:49:
• 70,000,</c><00:49:37.760><c> I</c><00:49:38.000><c> have</c><00:49:38.079><c> to</c><00:49:38.480><c>

Summary: The subcommittee opened its second meeting on House Bill 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and discussed whether to also examine differentiated aid within the adequacy formula. The chair said the committee had previously heard from HHS/Medicaid officials and now wanted to hear from local special education directors about how the aid system works in practice, including billing, training, data collection, and whether districts handle claims consistently. Members also referenced Arkansas as a possible comparison state and said they hoped to develop ideas by November to address the current funding process. Committee members focused on the current special education aid thresholds and the impact of proration. The chair described the existing formula as requiring districts to absorb costs up to 3.5 times the state average per student, with the state paying 80% from 3.5 times through 10 times and paying above that, and said FY25 appropriated about $34 million while actual claims were about $50.1 million, leaving roughly a $16 million shortfall that caused proration. Members also raised the possibility of lowering the threshold to 2.5 times and asked how that would affect the number of eligible students and costs. Another member asked about how districts decide whether services are education-related or medical-related and how Medicaid or private insurance reimbursement affects later state aid claims. District representatives from Boothby Therapy Services, Bedford, and Guilford introduced themselves and described their roles. Guilford’s director said the district tracks students with paraprofessional support, nurses, transportation, or specialized programming, uses a data system to log every service touchpoint, and tries to maximize both Medicaid and special education aid; she said a lower threshold would likely capture all students with paras or nurses and that rising staffing and service costs would increase the number of students over the cap. Bedford’s assistant director said the district uses a different system, tracks roughly 60 to 80 students a year, and pursues Medicaid and special education aid simultaneously but does not pursue private insurance if it would affect FAPE; she said reducing the threshold to 2.5 times would likely double the number of qualifying students. Members asked follow-up questions about software, data entry, and how districts decide whether to bill Medicaid or seek state catastrophic aid, and the directors explained that their systems log services by staff type and student, with some districts using the same data for both Medicaid and state reimbursement claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation<00:49:22.480><c> is</c><00:49:22.720><c> to</c><00:49:22.960><c> pass</c><00:49:23.599
• Are<00:49:25.119><c> there</c><00:49:25.280><c> any</c><00:49:25.440><c> members</c><00:49:25.680><c>
• who</c><00:49:25.760><c> wish</c><00:49:25.920><c> vote</c><00:49:26.160><c> with</c> Are there any
• <00:49:28.000><c> Any</c><00:49:28.599><c> nos?
• All<00:49:32.400><c> right,</c><00:49:32.720><c> moving</c><00:49:32.880><c> on</c><00:49:33.040><c>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date. SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii. The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:49:09.359><c> before</c><00:49:09.680><c> she</c><00:49:09.920><c> slips</c><00:49:10.319><c>
• > want</c><00:49:11.920><c> to</c><00:49:12.079><c> point</c><00:49:12.240><c> out</c><00:49:12.480><
• So<00:49:17.040><c> just</c><00:49:17.280><c> to</c><00:49:17.440><c> give</c><00:49:17.520><c> you</
• c><00:49:17.839><c> an</c><00:49:18.240><c> idea</c><00:49:18.720><c> of</c><00:49:18.960><c> what</c
• that equates<00:49:20.000><c> to</c><00:49:20.240><c> when</c><00:49:20.480><c> we</c><00:49:20.720>

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs. A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations. The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• was</c><00:49:10.960><c> that</c><00:49:11.200><c> it</c><00:49:11.440><c> needs</c><00:49:11.680><c>
• We don't<00:49:12.559><c> need</c><00:49:12.640><c> to</c><00:49:12.880><c> rely</c><00:49:13.119><c>
• ><c> we</c><00:49:15.839><c> did</c><00:49:16.079><c> back</c><00:49:16.319><c> in</c><00:49:16.480><
• c> in</c><00:49:16.880><c> 90</c><00:49:17.280><c> 1982</c><00:49:17.920><c> when</c><00:49:18.079><c
• :18.800><c> I</c><00:49:19.119><c> also</c><00:49:19.359><c> wanted</c><00:49:19.520><c> to</c><00:49

Bills: HF4236 , HF4122 , HF4377

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:35.119><c> strong</c><01:49:35.440><c> support</c><01:49:35.760><c> of</c><01:49:36.000><c
• </c><02:49:43.279><c> not</c><02:49:43.439><c> going</c><02:49:43.520><c> to</c><02:49:43.680><c> be<
• </c><02:49:55.840><c> And</c><02:49:56.000><c> what</c><02:49:56.240><c> we</c><02:49:56.399><c> found
• </c><03:49:11.840><c> Well</c><03:49:12.000><c> I</c><03:49:12.239><c> thank</c><03:49:12.319><c> you
• </c><03:49:15.279><c> Any</c><03:49:15.600><c> other</c><03:49:15.840><c> questions</c><03:49:16.319>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:15.040><c> in</c><01:49:15.239><c> or</c><01:49:15.400><c> so</c><01:49:16.400><c> um</c> they'd
• :49:17.199><c> uh</c><01:49:17.560><c> I</c><01:49:17.639><c> can</c><01:49:17.760><c> see</c><01:49:
• </c><01:49:19.920><c> up</c><01:49:20.119><c> maybe</c><01:49:20.360><c> looking</c><01:49:20.560><c>
• online Dean<01:49:25.199><c> yes</c><01:49:25.960><c> uh</c><01:49:26.159><c> yeah</c><01:49:26.320>
• <c> I</c><01:49:26.440><c> did</c><01:49:26.599><c> want</c><01:49:26.719><c> to</c><01:49:26.920><c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:43.880><c> year</c><00:49:44.480><c> not</c><00:49:44.720><c> including</c><00:49:45.200><
• had to make<00:49:47.000><c> budget</c><00:49:47.760><c> reductions</c><00:49:48.760><c> in</c><00:49
• :49:52.680><c> $91,000</c><00:49:53.680><c> in</c><00:49:53.839><c> year</c><00:49:54.040><c> one</c>
• $150,000</c><00:49:56.280><c> in</c><00:49:56.400><c> year</c><00:49:56.760><c> too</c><00:49:57.680
• the materials<01:49:19.800><c> and</c><01:49:20.000><c> so</c><01:49:20.520><c> the</c><01:49:20.800

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm<00:48:59.840><c> going</c><00:49:00.000><c> to</c><00:49:00.080><c> point</c><00:49:00.440><c> you
• </c><00:49:01.280><c> to</c> I'm<00:49:07.640><c> going</c><00:49:07.760><c> to</c><00:49:07.800><c>
• point</c><00:49:08.160><c> you</c><00:49:08.360><c> to</c> I'm going to point you to I'm going to point
• you to joint<00:49:10.760><c> status</c><00:49:11.240><c> report</c> joint status report joint status
• report in<00:49:13.040><c> this</c><00:49:13.240><c> case</c><00:49:14.000><c> of</c><00:49:14.200><

Transcript Highlights:

• Another<00:49:23.119><c> way</c><00:49:23.280><c> to</c><00:49:23.520><c> ensure</c><00:49:23.839><c>
• <00:49:25.359><c> reflects</c><00:49:25.839><c> the</c><00:49:26.079><c> voice</c><00:49:26.480><c> and
• Dr.<00:49:33.920><c> May</c><00:49:34.319><c> Jameson</c><00:49:35.200><c> once</c><00:49:35.520><c>
• This<00:49:41.200><c> bill</c><00:49:41.599><c> allows</c><00:49:42.160><c> our</c><00:49:42.559><c>
• > and</c><00:49:50.800><c> helping</c><00:49:51.119><c> to</c><00:49:51.359><c> prepare</c><00:49:51.920

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You<00:49:06.800><c> have</c><00:49:07.040><c> rural</c><00:49:07.520><c> residency</c><00:49:08.160>
• training under HHS<00:49:09.359><c> under</c><00:49:09.760><c> row</c><00:49:10.000><c> 79</c><00:49
• You<00:49:13.040><c> have</c><00:49:13.280><c> a</c><00:49:13.440><c> tier</c><00:49:13.760><c> one</
• c><00:49:14.160><c> call</c><00:49:14.559><c> center</c><00:49:15.280><c> on</c><00:49:15.680><c> row
• c><00:49:29.040><c> to</c><00:49:29.280><c> get</c><00:49:29.440><c> a</c><00:49:29.599><c> pilot</c>

Summary: The Legislative Budget Assistant staff presented an overview of the Senate changes to the House-passed budget, focusing on revenue estimates, appropriations, and ending balances across the general fund and education trust fund. The presentation emphasized that the Senate’s budget reflected higher revenue assumptions than the House, driven in part by updated April revenue figures, changes to business, tobacco, and real estate transfer tax splits, and different assumptions about video lottery terminal revenue. The Senate also adjusted lapse estimates upward, especially for HHS, after receiving updated information that lapses could be much larger than originally assumed. The presenter walked through the major differences in the surplus statements for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. Compared with the House, the Senate budget generally showed higher revenues, lower or different appropriations in some areas, and larger balances carried forward, including a larger education trust fund balance and a different rainy day fund transfer. The Senate’s approach also changed several policy assumptions, such as maintaining liquor revenue dedication, removing the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap, changing the treatment of unique revenue, and altering the process for meeting a targeted revenue amount by giving the governor more flexibility. On the appropriations side, the Senate removed or modified several House reductions and added funding or adjustments in areas including the judicial branch, corrections, HHS, the Human Rights Commission, and certain settlement costs. The presenter also highlighted Senate changes in House Bill 2 and related budget provisions, including a new arts tax credit, a nursing home bed fee, changes to Medicaid premium assumptions, and differences in how motor vehicle inspection repeal and BLT-related revenue are handled. No votes were taken in the portion shown; the discussion was informational and comparative, aimed at explaining the Senate budget changes before conference committee negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.799><c> have</c><00:49:01.359><c> right</c><00:49:01.520><c> now</c><00:49:01.799><c> in</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:03.760><c> is</c><00:49:03.960><c> no</c><00:49:04.599><c> dentist</c><00:49:05.079><c> in
• ><c> County</c><00:49:06.480><c> and</c><00:49:07.160><c> uh</c><00:49:07.359><c> last</c><00:49:07.599
• me</c><00:49:09.680><c> that</c><00:49:09.839><c> her</c><00:49:10.040><c> child</c><00:49:10.359><c
• /c><00:49:20.000><c> school</c><00:49:20.480><c> because</c><00:49:20.920><c> of</c><00:49:21.200><c>

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 392, sponsored by Representative Proctor, which would help the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities pay for emergency medical and psychiatric services provided to patients outside state facilities when those facilities cannot meet their needs. Proctor described it as a continuing improvement bill to address payment issues for services delivered at community-based facilities. The bill received no substantive opposition in the meeting and passed the committee with favorable expression by a vote of 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 pass. The committee then considered House Bill 580, presented by Representative Kim Moser and Elena Sweezy, which tightens oversight of peer support specialists. The bill was described as building on House Bill 505 from the prior year by reinstating supervision requirements, adding parameters around group sizes, creating a pathway for temporary peer support specialists to become fully registered after nine months, and addressing Medicaid reimbursement and accountability concerns. Members asked about reimbursement; the sponsor said Medicaid was okay with the bill and that commercial insurance coverage would be up to insurers. Representative Fleming emphasized the need for stronger financial oversight of the peer support code. The committee adopted a substitute and title amendment, then passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 688 was then heard, with Representative Bratcher explaining that it addresses two issues: preventing fraud in nurse licensure by giving the Kentucky Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state credentials, and expanding school authority to administer certain emergency medications. He said the bill changes the board’s authority from “shall” to “may” so it can verify transcripts, curricula, accreditation, and exam passage. During discussion, Representative Sharp explained his yes vote by noting the bill also adds rescue medications such as glucagon and Solu-Cortef and allows prescribed emergency medications for known conditions in schools. The committee passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 16, which would leave decisions about adding fluoride to drinking water to local governing bodies rather than maintaining a state mandate. Supporters, including Representative David Hale, Dr. Jack Call, and Cindy Batson, argued that fluoridation should be a local choice and raised concerns about cost, potential health risks, and the precautionary principle. Opponents, including Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, defended fluoridation as beneficial for preventing tooth decay and warned that local removal decisions could increase Medicaid costs and may not reflect the broader public interest. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on House Bill 16 in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah,<00:49:04.000><c> good</c><00:49:04.160><c> afternoon</c><00:49:04.760><c> Chairs,</c><00:49:05.040
• </c><00:49:06.000><c> My</c><00:49:06.120><c> name</c><00:49:06.240><c> is</c><00:49:06.400><c> Aidan
• While<00:49:09.720><c> we</c><00:49:09.800><c> stand</c><00:49:10.080><c> on</c><00:49:10.160><c> our
• , While we stand on our written comments, I<00:49:10.880><c> wanted</c><00:49:11.080><c> to</c><00:49
• :11.160><c> share</c><00:49:11.280><c> a</c><00:49:11.320><c> little</c><00:49:11.520><c> more</c><00

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.

Transcript Highlights:

• new activities<00:49:04.640><c> that</c><00:49:04.960><c> would</c><00:49:05.200><c> be</c><00:49:05.920
• within the realm<00:49:07.119><c> of</c><00:49:07.440><c> what</c><00:49:07.680><c> is</c><00:49:07.920
• Uh<00:49:11.040><c> uh</c><00:49:11.920><c> building</c><00:49:12.319><c> upon</c><00:49:12.720><c> our
• :49:08.000><c> that</c><01:49:08.239><c> we</c><01:49:08.480><c> provide</c><01:49:08.960><c> to</c><
• <01:49:09.840><c> or</c><01:49:10.080><c> sub</c><01:49:10.320><c> zones</c><01:49:10.639><c> or</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:49:25.079><c> sense</c><00:49:25.280><c> of</c><00:49:25.440><c> the</c><00:49:25.559><c> logic</c
• heard</c><00:49:28.720><c> in</c><00:49:29.040><c> the</c><00:49:29.200><c> hearing</c><00:49:29.599>
• might open<00:49:38.760><c> it</c><00:49:38.920><c> up</c><00:49:39.400><c> to</c><00:49:40.720><c>
• :49:46.880><c> that</c><00:49:47.079><c> would</c><00:49:48.079><c> uh</c><00:49:48.319><c> regulate<
• :49:52.199><c> in</c><01:49:52.800><c> hour</c><01:49:53.040><c> or</c><01:49:53.199><c> so</c><01:49

Summary: The meeting covered two main items. First, the solid waste subcommittee reviewed draft language for HB 707, focusing on landfill siting and permitting standards. Members and the Department of Environmental Services discussed replacing repeated references to “aquifer” with “drinking water well,” clarifying that aquifer is a broad term, and considering whether a statutory definition was needed. They also debated the bill’s setback and time-of-travel provisions, including the 10^-5 standard, a 1,500-foot distance, and whether the bill should rely more on performance-based criteria than prescriptive distances. Another major topic was permit denial language tied to applicants with significant histories of repeated serious violations or landfill-related litigation; the department said it already has related authority in current rules, but noted some wording was still too vague and could be tightened. No vote was taken, and the chair closed the hearing with plans to continue work later. The second item was a work session on HB 424, which would direct the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a study committee on fraudulent or untrained service animals. Several members said the problem raised by the bill was real but expressed concern that the legislature may be limited by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Others argued that a study committee would likely not produce a workable solution and might conflict with leadership’s direction to avoid unnecessary study committees. Members discussed whether the bill should be retained, amended, or instead replaced with a letter or resolution to the federal delegation. The committee appeared to lean toward ITL and possibly pursuing a letter to federal officials, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• liability insurance<00:49:03.839><c> for</c><00:49:04.079><c> the</c><00:49:04.240><c> association.
• <00:49:13.920><c> the</c><00:49:14.079><c> event</c><00:49:14.480><c> of</c><00:49:14.800><c> a</c> liability
• ><00:49:15.839><c> to</c><00:49:16.160><c> common</c><00:49:16.480><c> elements</c><00:49:16.880><c>
• that the association's insurance<00:49:21.040><c> policy</c><00:49:21.440><c> is</c><00:49:21.680><c
• </c><00:49:24.480><c> uh</c><00:49:24.640><c> we</c><00:49:24.880><c> think</c><00:49:25.040><c> that

Bills: HF4075 , HF3826 , HF3825 , HF3827 , HF3459 , HF3711 , HF4200 , HF3908 , HF3712

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:10.400><c> We</c><00:49:10.559><c> have</c><00:49:10.640><c> concerns</c><00:49:10.880><c>
• </c><00:49:14.960><c> And</c><00:49:15.200><c> I</c><00:49:15.359><c> think</c><00:49:15.520><c> the<
• :49:16.880><c> the</c><00:49:17.119><c> guard</c><00:49:17.359><c> rails</c><00:49:17.599><c> we</c>
• in</c><00:49:18.079><c> place</c><00:49:18.240><c> would</c><00:49:18.480><c> allow</c><00:49:18.720>
• c> that</c><00:49:22.319><c> would</c><00:49:22.480><c> allow</c><00:49:22.720><c> us</c><00:49:22.880

Bills: HB0143 , HB0129

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:08.240><c> to</c><00:49:08.319><c> change</c><00:49:08.480><c> your</c><00:49:08.720><c> name
• Okay.<00:49:10.359><c> Uh</c><00:49:11.359><c> it's</c><00:49:11.440><c> a</c><00:49:11.680><c> recommendation
• <00:49:19.920><c> Are</c><00:49:20.079><c> there</c><00:49:20.240><c> any</c><00:49:20.480><c> nos?
• Thank you.<00:49:26.400><c> We</c><00:49:26.640><c> are</c><00:49:26.720><c> at</c><00:49:26.880><c>
• the</c><00:49:26.960><c> end</c><00:49:27.040><c> of</c><00:49:27.119><c> the</c><00:49:27.280><c> agenda

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard multiple gubernatorial nominations to island burial councils, with testimony focused on the importance of filling vacancies so the councils can reach quorum and fulfill their kuleana to protect iwi kūpuna and burial sites. For GM 674, Kavuna Khalipi was introduced as OHA’s nominee for the Molokaʻi burial council, with OHA, SHPD, and several community members testifying in support and describing her cultural grounding, community service, and experience in mālama ʻāina. Testifiers also stressed that burial councils are essential for protecting ancestral remains and that prolonged vacancies have left sacred sites vulnerable. Khalipi herself said she was honored to serve but expressed concern about accepting the appointment without quorum, saying she did not want to waste a term if the council could not function effectively. The chair explained the Senate advice-and-consent process and the consequences of inaction, and after discussion Khalipi asked to pull her nomination from the committee. The chair then deferred decision-making on GM 674 until April 10 at 1 p.m. to clarify the process and avoid unintended rejection. The committee then heard testimony on GM 676, Dane Maxwell for the Maui and Lānaʻi burial council, GM 677, Noani Parisa, GM 678, Caroline Hartman, and GM 679, Benedict Duman. Supporters, including SHPD and OHA, highlighted each nominee’s cultural knowledge, preservation work, genealogy, and experience with burial or historic preservation matters. Testimony repeatedly linked the nominations to the need for functioning burial councils, especially in light of the 2023 Maui fires and long-standing vacancies. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:49:02.400><c> we'd</c><00:49:02.640><c> need</c><00:49:02.800><c> more</c><00:49:03.040><c> time
• </c><00:49:03.200><c> for</c><00:49:03.440><c> that</c><00:49:03.839><c> to</c><00:49:04.079><c> be</
• </c><00:49:04.880><c> On</c><00:49:05.040><c> page</c><00:49:05.359><c> four,</c><00:49:05.599><c> I<
• We might as well notice<01:49:30.719><c> it</c><01:49:30.880><c> to</c><01:49:31.040><c> be</c><01:49
• <c> don't</c><01:49:34.960><c> know</c><01:49:35.040><c> if</c><01:49:35.199><c> we</c><01:49:35.360>

Bills: HB0002 , HB0022

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:49:20.000><c> case</c><00:49:20.839><c> and</c><00:49:21.200><c> we</c><00:49:21.400><c> pulled</c
• <00:49:29.440><c> analysis</c><00:49:30.040><c> to</c><00:49:30.480><c> present</c><00:49:31.480><c>
• 11</c><00:49:35.200><c> which</c><00:49:35.319><c> will</c><00:49:35.480><c> be</c><00:49:35.599><c>
• ><c> you</c><00:49:36.240><c> later</c><00:49:36.480><c> on</c><00:49:36.680><c> in</c><00:49:36.799>
• <c> a</c><00:49:36.920><c> soft</c><00:49:37.240><c> copy</c><00:49:37.839><c> but</c><00:49:38.000><

Summary: The committee met on March 28 for a Health and Human Services Oversight Committee meeting, approved the draft minutes from February 21, and then received updates from DHHS on the sudden termination of about $80 million in federal COVID-era funding. Commissioner Lori Weaver and Trisha Tilly said the funding had been expected to continue through September 2026, but an email ending it immediately created a 15-month budget gap. They explained that most of the money supported public health work, especially epidemiology, laboratory capacity, data systems, community health workers, outbreak response, and some behavioral health supports. DHHS said it had notified contractors, was reassessing which activities could continue, and had managed to avoid layoffs for its 20 affected staff by shifting funding sources, though some contract lab staff had to leave and some work would stop or be put on hold. Senators and representatives asked about impacts on labs, staffing, and the state budget lapse, and DHHS said the water lab and testing supplies would be affected and that the department was trying to backfill where possible with other federal funds. The committee then heard a maternal mortality report from the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Alison Power and Caroline Naami explained that the MMRC reviews maternal deaths to identify contributing factors and make recommendations, and that it had completed one CDC grant and received another five years of funding. For 2023, the state recorded five pregnancy-associated deaths, including three from overdose, two from cardiovascular causes, and one homicide; the share of deaths related to substance use fell from 62.5% in 2022 to 40% in 2023. Over the 2019–2023 period, half of pregnancy-related deaths were due to overdose, most occurred postpartum, and many involved Medicaid recipients, transportation or financial barriers, and deaths at home. The committee said mental health and substance use remained the main drivers of maternal mortality, but that 79% of pregnancy-related deaths in the five-year aggregate were considered preventable. Presenters highlighted recommendations and ongoing interventions, including expanding Medicaid coverage through one year postpartum, strengthening behavioral health access, partnering with the Department of Corrections on care for pregnant and postpartum women, and continuing clinical education through the Northern New England Perinatal Quality Improvement Network. Members asked why the maternal mortality rate had declined in recent years; staff said the 2021 spike was tied to the pandemic and that recent declines likely reflected both that spike and the impact of interventions, though the small number of cases makes trends hard to interpret. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :40.720><c> well</c><00:49:40.880><c> as</c><00:49:41.079><c> students</c><00:49:42.000><c> because</
• students because that was built<00:49:43.200><c> with</c><00:49:43.359><c> the</c><00:49:43.799><c>
• </c><00:49:55.079><c> you</c><00:49:55.480><c> know</c><00:49:56.480><c> it</c><00:49:56.760><c> I</c
• <01:49:09.280><c> okay</c><01:49:09.440><c> so</c><01:49:09.599><c> she's</c><01:49:09.920><c> system
• ><c> her</c><01:49:11.560><c> Ciana</c><01:49:12.320><c> right</c><01:49:12.480><c> so</c><01:49:12.679