Transcript Highlights:

• comes from the House under the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and is referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
• The petition will be referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
• The petition will be referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Brief recess.

Summary: The Senate took up several third-reading matters and advanced them by voice vote. It adopted an amendment substituting a new draft for Senate No. 1425, a bill further regulating amendment of a conservation restriction in Hanson, and then passed the bill to be engrossed. The chamber also passed to be engrossed a sick leave bank bill for Marie LaTondra of the Department of Transitional Assistance. The Senate suspended rules to act on a House bill authorizing the Department of Fire District No. 1 prudential committee to appoint a treasurer, ordering it to a third reading and then passing it to be engrossed. It also considered a House bill authorizing Scituate to issue four additional on-premises alcohol licenses; Senator O'Connor offered an amendment, which was adopted, and the bill as amended was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. On procedural and referral matters, the Senate suspended rules and joint rules to move forward a petition to include inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, referring it to the Committee on Public Health. It also ordered a House bill on the appointment of the police chief in Fall River to a third reading, and referred a House petition concerning survivors and holders of abuse or harassment prevention orders to the Judiciary Committee. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Boston relative to extending until Friday, July 31, 2026, the time within which the Committee on the Judiciary
• Boston relative to extending until Friday, July 31, 2026, the time within which the Committee on the Judiciary
• Boston relative to extending until Friday, July 31, 2026, the time within which the Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal of the proceedings of January 19th,
• gubernatorial appointment of Alan Kavanaugh to the Commission of Pardons and Parole will be referred to the Judiciary
• Tomorrow we do have the State of the Judiciary, so make sure we're here on time and can proceed in a

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of committee today to Judiciary, where these issues still need to be fixed.
• There being 13 ayes and one nay, the bill is passed out of committee and moves to Judiciary.
• There being 13 ayes and one nay, the bill is passed out of committee and moves to Judiciary.
• There being 13 ayes and one nay, the bill is passed out of committee and moves to Judiciary.
• There being 13 ayes and one nay, the bill is passed out of committee and moves to Judiciary.

Bills: SF856 , HF4482 , HF3672 , HF1234 , HF4591 , HF3554 , HF936

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• so that they know in Judiciary what the scope of local government that we mean.
• so that they know in Judiciary what the scope of local government that we mean.
• so that they know in Judiciary what the scope of local government that we mean.
• </c> Judiciary already, right? Correct. Judiciary already, right? Correct.
• Uh, Chair, this was updated in Judiciary with $3.5 million.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• By Judiciary Committee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and Representative Jacques and others.
• By Judiciary Committee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and Representative Jacques and others.
• By Judiciary Committee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and Representative Jacques and others.
• By Judiciary Committee, Justice Budget Subcommittee, and Representative Cobb and others.
• By Judiciary Committee, Justice Budget Subcommittee, and Representative Cobb and others.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum verification. Members then adopted the special order report and a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also recognized Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano as law enforcement officer of the day and several visiting groups in the gallery. On the floor, HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously, 109-0. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about surplus conservation lands and oversight by the Acquisition and Restoration Council; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign-country-of-concern restrictions, critical infrastructure, gifts, contracts, sister city agreements, and related ethics and criminal provisions, passed 80-20 after debate and a germane amendment was adopted over objections. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197 on information technology procurement and contracting, aimed at modernizing oversight of major IT projects, by 109-0. CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations passed 71-38 after extensive debate over development fees, manufactured homes, and reducing local supermajority requirements for comprehensive plan changes; an amendment to preserve Orange County’s rural boundary vote failed, and a strike-all amendment was ruled out of order. Members then adopted a technical amendment clarifying manufactured homes language. Several local bills also advanced: HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed 109-0; HB 4051 and HB 4053 on Santa Rosa County fire protection district assessments passed 84-25 and 83-27, respectively, after compromise amendments; HB 4081 on the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 110-0; and HB 4093 on the Felsmere Water Control District passed 109-0. The transcript ended as the House moved on to HB 4095, with no final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• finance and civil law Judiciary finance and civil law representative<00:04:17.560><c> Anderson</c><00
• Also, I know this is going to Judiciary, and thank you for that, because putting my Senate staff hat
• I'm glad it's going to Judiciary, and I would just want you to think about some of those implications
• I'm glad it's going to Judiciary, and I would just want you to think about some of those implications
• Chair Yim, and I'm sure this will get talked about in the Judiciary, but thank you, Mr. Chair.

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> aware of the concerns from the judiciary aware of the concerns from the judiciary about<00:21:46.000
• I'm testifying on behalf of the Judiciary in support of this bill.
• Oh, I did have one question, I guess, for the Judiciary.
• First up on SB 2566 is Judge Madios for the Judiciary.
• Welcome everyone to the joint uh judiciary<01:39:38.400><c> and</c> judiciary and judiciary and energy

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the third branch we brought compensation the third branch we brought into<00:40:49.200><c> it</c><00
• We get compensation for helping the federal government with their federal programs.
• There's no compensation for us enforcing the Selective Service, and we're not even in an active draft
• </c><04:11:24.439><c> for</c> like that we get compensation for like that we get compensation for helping
• </c> you're saying there's no compensation you're saying there's no compensation for<04:11:28.760><c>

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that SF 3629 be withdrawn from the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and re-referred to
• withdrawn from the that SF 3629 be withdrawn from the committee<00:07:56.319><c> on</c><00:07:56.479><c> judiciary
• c><00:07:56.960><c> and</c><00:07:57.120><c> public</c><00:07:57.360><c> safety</c> committee on judiciary
• and public safety committee on judiciary and public safety and<00:07:58.240><c> re-referred</c><00:07

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1212 will be assigned to the Committee on Judiciary.
• 00:37:13.359><c> the</c><00:37:13.520><c> committee</c><00:37:13.760><c> on</c><00:37:14.079><c> judiciary
• </c> assigned to the committee on judiciary. assigned to the committee on judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• have a decision-making agenda in this room tomorrow at 9:45, and then we will join our friends in Judiciary
• :45 and then we will join our friends 9:45 and then we will join our friends in<00:09:24.240><c> Judiciary
• 25.120><c> Committee</c><00:09:26.120><c> uh</c><00:09:26.240><c> at</c><00:09:26.360><c> 10</c> in Judiciary
• Committee uh at 10 in Judiciary Committee uh at 10 downstairs<00:09:27.079><c> in</c><00:09:27.200><

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met in decision-making session and took up a series of previously heard bills. SB 21 on water carriers was passed with amendments to make the inflationary cost-indexed adjustment mechanism permissive rather than required, along with technical changes and a non-defective effective date. SB 133 on energy was passed with amendments adopting PUC recommendations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 391 on recycling, creating an end-of-life lithium-ion battery management working group, was passed unamended. SB 532 on DOE medication administration in public schools was passed with amendments incorporating Hawaii State Center for Nursing proposals and a defective effective date. SB 230 on wild game meat donations was passed with technical amendments and a July 1, 2050 defective date. SB 1279 on pharmacists and telehealth supervision under the 340B program was also passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 1494 on optional hearing aid coverage was passed with technical amendments and a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. The committee deferred action on SB 588, which would allow self-certification for certain behind-the-meter solar systems and exempt them from FEA no-rise/no-impact declarations, citing the testimony submitted. It also deferred SB 281 on telehealth conformity with federal Medicare rules and SB 49 on prior authorization data reporting, both until Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room 229. SB 838 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors was passed with amendments adopting technical changes and Department of Human Services proposals, plus a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; one member noted support but urged future consideration of including Medicaid managed care. All measures acted on were adopted without objections or reservations, with Senator Richards excused from voting on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, taking the time of the judiciary to um to sort through that.
• So, taking the time of the judiciary to um to sort through that.
• So, taking the time of the judiciary to um to sort through that.
• So, taking the time of the judiciary to um to sort through that.
• to um to sort time of the judiciary to um to sort through<00:35:11.120><c> that.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember those days fondly; we had a lot of late Senate Judiciary Committee meetings sitting in the
• I'm certainly going to miss his sharp pencil and judiciary because he is, I think, the premier member
• I'm certainly going to miss his sharp pencil and judiciary because he is, I think, the premier member
• The House Judiciary Committee will be meeting tomorrow afternoon at 1:30, or after the floor session.
• The House Judiciary Committee will be meeting tomorrow afternoon at 1:30, or after the floor session.

Bills: HB145 , HR1 , HB80 , SB29 , SB37 , HB206 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB153 , HB195 , HB234 , HB248 , HB255 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , HB309 , HB371 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Summary: The meeting opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of announcements and personal remarks. Members then spent a large portion of the session honoring Representative Joanne Ferrary, who announced she will not seek re-election. Speakers from both parties praised her persistence, mentorship, and work on public safety, environmental protection, health care, women’s rights, and advocacy for workers and families. Ferrary thanked colleagues and said she hoped to continue supporting initiatives in the interim and beyond. The House also recognized Representative Matthew McQueen, who is running for commissioner of public lands and will leave the legislature after this term. Members highlighted his work on conservation, land grants, wildlife protection, legislative drafting, and his reputation for principled, detailed review of bills. McQueen thanked colleagues and said he hoped to remain involved in the building in another capacity. The House then moved to third reading and passed House Bill 371, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute creating a temporary funding source for land grants and acequias from remaining sponge bond revenues. Supporters said it would provide a more stable, long-term funding mechanism for acequia and land grant infrastructure while preserving existing funding streams and requiring legislative appropriation and annual reporting. Some members raised concerns about oversight and the lack of a sunset or review clause, but the bill passed 63-2. The chamber also passed House Bill 248, authorizing $392 million in general obligation bond capacity, by a vote of 65-0. The House then debated House Bill 153, a committee substitute creating a market-based framework for carbon reduction and economic development. The bill includes an environmental product declaration act, a low-carbon materials rebate, and an industrial carbon reduction grant program. Supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging economic development and new technology at industrial facilities. Members questioned the timing of the grants, anti-donation concerns, and whether companies would receive funding only after making investments, and sponsors explained that entities must pre-certify and then apply after beginning production or retrofits. Debate was ongoing at the end of the excerpt, with no final vote shown on HB 153.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, I was in judiciary. Senator A, thank you very much. We'll recess for decision making.
• Sorry, I was in judiciary. Senator A, thank you very much. We'll recess for decision making.
• Sorry, I was in judiciary. Senator A, thank you very much. We'll recess for decision making.
• Sorry, I was in judiciary. Senator A, thank you very much.
• <00:36:42.440><c> Senator</c><00:36:42.839><c> a</c> judiciary Senator a judiciary Senator a he<00:36

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and reviewed several measures. SB 102 would restrict third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant; the Attorney General recommended amendments to strengthen the bill against First Amendment and Contracts Clause challenges, and the Hawaii Restaurant Association strongly supported it, saying restaurants should control who represents them. The committee also heard SB 137 on electric utility mergers and acquisitions, with support from Ulupono Initiative and IBW Local 1260. Supporters said the bill would preserve state policy protections, including renewable energy and rate-making goals, and protect workers; IBW also suggested amendments, including a severability clause. The committee discussed a possible alternative approach from the PUC involving solicitation of bids from non-investor-owned utilities, and Ulupono said it would consider that idea but was concerned about preserving time for co-op formation. Members then heard SB 142, which would require insurers paying claims by check to send them by certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt. The Insurance Division stood on its written testimony, while the Hawaiian Insurers Council, State Farm, NAMIC, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposed the bill. A senator questioned whether the measure was too prescriptive and could create problems for claimants displaced by disasters; the response was that insurers and claimants usually remain in contact and that other payment methods may already be available depending on the carrier. SB 157 would ban algorithmic price setting in Hawaii’s rental market and require a public education program; the committee noted written testimony in support and comment, but no oral testimony was taken before moving on. SB 158 would create a state-owned bank implementation board within DCCA; DCCA’s financial institutions division, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments, while the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed and the Hawaii Credit Union League commented. The committee also heard SB 318, which would require DCCA to adopt privacy rules for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and specify whether genetic information may be used for investigative genetic genealogy. The Office of Consumer Protection and Andrew Crossland opposed the bill, saying federal law and existing state protections already cover much of the area and that rulemaking would be a better way to address it; members raised concerns about federal changes and the need for state protections, but OCP said the bill was not the best approach. SB 332 would prohibit bundling foreclosed homes at public sale and delay finality of sales; L. Strong and written testimony supported it, citing Lahaina’s post-fire foreclosure risks and warning of investors profiting from the disaster. The final measure, SB 525, would require written notice and consent before mortuaries, cemeteries, or pre-need funeral authorities sell or recycle precious metals recovered after cremation. DCCA’s consumer protection and licensing divisions offered comments, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association opposed the bill, saying it was surprised by the measure and was unaware of current consumer problems in the industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Church, again, we had multiple testifiers come into our committee in House Judiciary and
• Representative Church, again, we had multiple testifiers come into our committee in House Judiciary and
• that, like you said, they were, Again, we had multiple testifiers come into our committee in House Judiciary

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Under January 14, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal for the proceedings
• The gubernatorial appointment for Amy Anderson will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• The Senate is at the 15th... appointment for Amy Anderson will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal, the proceedings of January 12, 2006
• The gubernatorial appointment for Alan Kavanaugh and Michael Kennedy will both be referred to the Judiciary
• The appointment for Dylan Hobson will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee, and the gubernatorial

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the House co-chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. My name is Michael Day.
• I am the House co-chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
• Day, and the members and staff of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
• Good afternoon, Chair Day, Chair Edwards, and members of the Judiciary Committee.
• Good afternoon to the Judiciary Committee. My name is Dr. Greg Woods.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with much of the discussion focused on housing stability and maternal mental health. On H. 1924/S. 1171, supporters including Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Jim O’Day, physicians, advocates, and people with lived experience urged the committee to create legal protections and treatment pathways for defendants who experienced postpartum psychosis or other perinatal mood disorders within 12 months of giving birth. Testimony emphasized that these conditions are rare but severe, often treatable, and can lead to tragic outcomes if criminalized rather than addressed through screening, expert evaluation, treatment, and, in some cases, resentencing or mitigation. Committee members asked about diagnosis years after the fact and how the Illinois law has worked; witnesses said retrospective diagnosis is possible and that the Illinois model has led to some successful resentencing petitions and broader awareness. Housing-related bills drew substantial testimony. On H. 1983/S. 1071, witnesses described “zombie” subordinate mortgages that were sold years after borrowers believed they had been resolved, then resurfaced with large balances and foreclosure threats. Supporters said the bill would require disclosures and court review to prevent unlawful servicing and foreclosure practices. On H. 1952, advocates from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, tenants, and legal services providers backed a permanent statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, citing data showing strong tenant outcomes and the importance of quality control, multilingual outreach, and full representation. On H. 1895/S. 1184, testimony supported codifying a two-tier summary process in eviction court and prohibiting defaults at the initial case-management stage. On H. 1883, a small property owner supported rent escrow as a way to protect landlords from bad-faith nonpayment while preserving tenant rights. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing discriminatory housing covenants, tenant oversight, and homelessness. On H. 1762/S. 1080, a housing advocate supported removing void restrictive covenants from deeds, describing the Dirty Deeds Project and the lingering harm of racist language in property records. On H. 1814, tenants and advocates described harassment, retaliation, security problems, and lack of accountability in subsidized housing, arguing for an Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Attorney General’s Office. On S. 1120, multiple witnesses supported a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, saying it would affirm the right to rest and seek shelter, reduce criminalization, and extend anti-discrimination protections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Timing, these technically will be taken in Senate Judiciary, where this bill goes next.
• I sit in Judiciary, so we'll have an opportunity to take a... ...look at that, at the fiduciary issue
• So I'm hoping the further conversations between the author and the opponents and then in the Judiciary
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Judiciary. Senator Chobo.
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Judiciary. Senator Arreguín, aye. Senator Seyarto, aye.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related measures. SB 866 by Senator Blakespear would require jurisdictions that do not receive HAP homelessness grants to include homelessness data strategies and regional coordination in their housing elements. Supporters said the bill would close a planning gap and improve transparency and accountability; opponents, including the League of California Cities and several cities, argued it would impose costly, duplicative reporting requirements and ask cities to collect data outside their control. Members raised concerns about burden on small cities and possible amendments for lower-population or low-homelessness jurisdictions, but no final vote was taken because the committee initially lacked a quorum. SB 967, also by Senator Blakespear, would allow qualifying interim housing units to count toward a portion of a jurisdiction’s RHNA obligation for acutely low-income housing, with safeguards against double counting and reporting requirements. Supporters said the bill would incentivize rapid, dignified interim housing and help move people out of encampments; opponents warned it would blur the line between temporary shelter and permanent housing and could reduce pressure to build deeply affordable permanent units. After extensive debate, the committee reached quorum and voted the bill out on a due pass basis to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with members noting continued work on amendments. The committee also considered SCR 131, a resolution calling for a coordinated state effort to end unsheltered homelessness and prioritize a broad range of interventions, including interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and prevention. Supporters emphasized the scale and urgency of unsheltered homelessness and the need for clearer state goals and funding. One member said the resolution’s language was too broad and abstained, but the author agreed to consider wording changes. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote and held on call for absent members. Finally, SB 1238 by Senator Wahab would increase oversight and transparency for homeowners associations and HOA managers, including disclosures, reserve-fund rules, and a proposed fiduciary-duty standard. Realtors and homeowner supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability, while community-manager groups opposed the fiduciary-duty provision and raised concerns about litigation and insurance costs. Members discussed the reserve-fund language and fiduciary-duty issue, noting that further changes would be considered in the Judiciary Committee; the bill was not yet voted on in this hearing.